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kathydavie's review against another edition
2.0
Fifth in the Fallen Angels urban fantasy series which is set in Caldwell, New York, and revolves around a bet between God and the Devil: Can Jim Heron, a former professional assassin-turned-angel, persuade a soul to change?
My Take
This was a conflicted mess of the lame and the well-done in the moves and counter-moves of the many games in this story. I don’t know if Ward was in a rush to get this story to the publisher or what, but I can see where people are pissed about reading this series. Lots of jumbled bits with Jim obsessed with freeing and caring for Sissy---no matter the cost. He's so absorbed that he's not paying attention to the soul he's supposed to save, and it’s a desperate play to catch up.
It’s the classic “don’t judge a book by its cover” scenario, although it took me by surprise. What was the deal with the house? Sure, I know Jim and Adrian are men, but they must have some clue about wiping down counters and washing windows?
Oh, please...the way Cait is going on about Thom, you’d think they broke up last week! Then the choice Nigel makes??? WTF? WHY? Ward doesn’t give any indication as to why he does this. We’re left to assume it’s because of Jim’s decision to rescue Sissy, but, c’mon...it is so unbelievable. Well, yeah, Jim’s obsession is also unbelievable. Oh, intellectually I understand Jim’s desire to save her, but Ward doesn’t make me believe his desire. There’s no compelling argument for it. Of course, there are consequences which irritate Devina no end, although how she could be so stupid to even imagine it was possible?? And there are yet more consequences for Jim. A particular attraction he never expected.
Well, yeah, it’s gruesome, but it is rather funny, that Devina should be so grateful for technology helping her get round that chronic shortage of virgins. All those lovely geeks… Oh man, oh man, that scene with Adrian and Devina when he’s “busy” distracting her...!
Ward’s tease over the back history on Nicole and her son was useful, and her contention between G.B. and Duke caused me to rush through the pages, desperate to know why, what caused it.
Too funny, Jim’s mojo powers go on the fritz; not funny is no explanation from Ward as to why. What? She needed a problem at that point and this was the best she could do?
As much as I’ve enjoyed Ward’s portrayal of Devina as the fashion- and Jim-obsessed OCD devil, this one was more annoying with Devina’s stupid assumptions. Previously she seemed evil, in this one she comes across as more stupidly juvenile.
Oh, boy, we learn Jim’s formative history.
Hmmm, the halos are interesting, but I sure am curious about G.B.’s.
The courtship is sweet with an unexpected direction.
Hmm, yummy, Prismacolor pencils, drawing paper...sounds like heaven already.
The Story
It’s a mess as Nigel could tell you, with Jim distracted by his obsession for Sissy. And Cait Douglas is falling in love. With two men. Two men who are so incredibly different, each determined to cut the other out of her life, and yet only one will win her heart.
The Characters
Cait Douglas is struggling to step out and away from the religious background that pokes and prods her conscience. It doesn’t help that she works as an illustrator of children’s books from home, although she does get out: teaching art classes at Union College; Sissy was one of her students. Teresa Goldman is her best friend, pushing her out the metaphorical door. Thom is the boyfriend who left her for Margot. Charlie is Cait’s little brother who died; her parents travel outside the country a lot as missionaries.
Duncan “Duke” Phillips is a bouncer at the Iron Mask by night and a road worker by day---not the cardiac surgeon he had dreamed of becoming. Hard, tough, with a love for fighting, and valued by his boss, Alex Hess (in truth, she’s mated to John Matthew, Lover Mine, #8 in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series). Nicole is his ex; Tony is her son. Rolly is his freeloading roommate more concerned about his next hit than his next job. He’s mostly in here for color. Big Rob, Silent Tom, and Ivan are his fellow bouncers. Yasemin Oaks is the psychic Duke can’t stay away from.
G.B. (Gordon Benjamin) Holde is the most incredible singer and such a very charming man. He’s enough to cause Cait to fall hard. Jennifer Espie was useful in the theatre front office and elsewhere.
Jim Heron is, well, an angel. A former XOps mercenary who is the pivot in a bizarre bet over who will inherit the Earth. Small hint: it ain’t the meek! Adrian is an angel in spite of the leather, combat boots, and piercings; he’s all messed up about Eddie's death and needs a cane to get around---Eddie’s body, smelling of roses, is tucked behind a door in the attic which Dog, a.k.a., God, guards with his life.
Sissy Barten is the blonde Devina "collected" in Covet, 1. She's left a big impression on Jim and on Cait, her art teacher. Chillie is Charles Brownary, Sissy’s best friend’s little brother. Detective de la Cruz has been hunting a serial killer for some time now.
Devina D’Angelo is the devil, headquartered in Integrated Human Resources, Inc. One with a preference for Louboutins and OCD enough to need a therapist, Veronica.
Colin and Nigel are two of the archangels overseeing the bet. Byron and Bertie are the two who take cover in the manse. Tarquin is Bertie’s wolfhound.
The Cover
The cover is a flare of wing hiding his face, the oranges of the wings reflected in his eyes and glinting on the rusty chains below.
The title is who does, have Possession that is.
My Take
This was a conflicted mess of the lame and the well-done in the moves and counter-moves of the many games in this story. I don’t know if Ward was in a rush to get this story to the publisher or what, but I can see where people are pissed about reading this series. Lots of jumbled bits with Jim obsessed with freeing and caring for Sissy---no matter the cost. He's so absorbed that he's not paying attention to the soul he's supposed to save, and it’s a desperate play to catch up.
It’s the classic “don’t judge a book by its cover” scenario, although it took me by surprise. What was the deal with the house? Sure, I know Jim and Adrian are men, but they must have some clue about wiping down counters and washing windows?
Oh, please...the way Cait is going on about Thom, you’d think they broke up last week! Then the choice Nigel makes??? WTF? WHY? Ward doesn’t give any indication as to why he does this. We’re left to assume it’s because of Jim’s decision to rescue Sissy, but, c’mon...it is so unbelievable. Well, yeah, Jim’s obsession is also unbelievable. Oh, intellectually I understand Jim’s desire to save her, but Ward doesn’t make me believe his desire. There’s no compelling argument for it. Of course, there are consequences which irritate Devina no end, although how she could be so stupid to even imagine it was possible?? And there are yet more consequences for Jim. A particular attraction he never expected.
Well, yeah, it’s gruesome, but it is rather funny, that Devina should be so grateful for technology helping her get round that chronic shortage of virgins. All those lovely geeks… Oh man, oh man, that scene with Adrian and Devina when he’s “busy” distracting her...!
Ward’s tease over the back history on Nicole and her son was useful, and her contention between G.B. and Duke caused me to rush through the pages, desperate to know why, what caused it.
Too funny, Jim’s mojo powers go on the fritz; not funny is no explanation from Ward as to why. What? She needed a problem at that point and this was the best she could do?
As much as I’ve enjoyed Ward’s portrayal of Devina as the fashion- and Jim-obsessed OCD devil, this one was more annoying with Devina’s stupid assumptions. Previously she seemed evil, in this one she comes across as more stupidly juvenile.
Oh, boy, we learn Jim’s formative history.
Hmmm, the halos are interesting, but I sure am curious about G.B.’s.
The courtship is sweet with an unexpected direction.
Hmm, yummy, Prismacolor pencils, drawing paper...sounds like heaven already.
The Story
It’s a mess as Nigel could tell you, with Jim distracted by his obsession for Sissy. And Cait Douglas is falling in love. With two men. Two men who are so incredibly different, each determined to cut the other out of her life, and yet only one will win her heart.
The Characters
Cait Douglas is struggling to step out and away from the religious background that pokes and prods her conscience. It doesn’t help that she works as an illustrator of children’s books from home, although she does get out: teaching art classes at Union College; Sissy was one of her students. Teresa Goldman is her best friend, pushing her out the metaphorical door. Thom is the boyfriend who left her for Margot. Charlie is Cait’s little brother who died; her parents travel outside the country a lot as missionaries.
Duncan “Duke” Phillips is a bouncer at the Iron Mask by night and a road worker by day---not the cardiac surgeon he had dreamed of becoming. Hard, tough, with a love for fighting, and valued by his boss, Alex Hess (in truth, she’s mated to John Matthew, Lover Mine, #8 in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series). Nicole is his ex; Tony is her son. Rolly is his freeloading roommate more concerned about his next hit than his next job. He’s mostly in here for color. Big Rob, Silent Tom, and Ivan are his fellow bouncers. Yasemin Oaks is the psychic Duke can’t stay away from.
G.B. (Gordon Benjamin) Holde is the most incredible singer and such a very charming man. He’s enough to cause Cait to fall hard. Jennifer Espie was useful in the theatre front office and elsewhere.
Jim Heron is, well, an angel. A former XOps mercenary who is the pivot in a bizarre bet over who will inherit the Earth. Small hint: it ain’t the meek! Adrian is an angel in spite of the leather, combat boots, and piercings; he’s all messed up about Eddie's death and needs a cane to get around---Eddie’s body, smelling of roses, is tucked behind a door in the attic which Dog, a.k.a., God, guards with his life.
Sissy Barten is the blonde Devina "collected" in Covet, 1. She's left a big impression on Jim and on Cait, her art teacher. Chillie is Charles Brownary, Sissy’s best friend’s little brother. Detective de la Cruz has been hunting a serial killer for some time now.
Devina D’Angelo is the devil, headquartered in Integrated Human Resources, Inc. One with a preference for Louboutins and OCD enough to need a therapist, Veronica.
Colin and Nigel are two of the archangels overseeing the bet. Byron and Bertie are the two who take cover in the manse. Tarquin is Bertie’s wolfhound.
The Cover
The cover is a flare of wing hiding his face, the oranges of the wings reflected in his eyes and glinting on the rusty chains below.
The title is who does, have Possession that is.
rellimreads's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 rounded up to 4. I think this book suffered from “first in the series” and “world building” drag that happens sometimes. It was good. I’m looking forward to more, but the middle third was kind of slow to get through. I listened to the audiobook and really loved the narrators.
birdloveranne's review against another edition
2.0
Really hated the spineless wishy washy Cait. And don't get me started on Jim. This just proves that you don't always love everything a favorite author writes!
taylarsedgar's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
3.0
amym84's review against another edition
4.0
JR Ward begins a new series with Consumed. A story about firefighter Anne Ashburn the only woman at the New Brunswick 499 station who suffers a life-altering injury when responding to a warehouse fire. An injury that ends her firefighting career, but puts her on the path as an arson investigator. When Anne starts putting together pieces of the puzzle in regards to a string of warehouse fires over the last couple of years, she brings unwanted attention upon herself. Attention that will cause someone with big connections to try to silence Anne for good.
Danny McGuire was involved in the same warehouse fire as Anne and while he got out a little less scathed, his emotional state is spiraling. He blames himself for what happened to Anne, and he mourns the loss of what could have been between them as they had started tentatively exploring a relationship.
When Anne and Danny reconnect on the road to healing, they don't want to give up what's between them, but with everything that's happened, can they have a relationship? Danny thinks so, he's not giving up on Anne, and he's definitely not going anywhere once he finds out someone has set their sights in silencing Anne.
I was pretty surprised by Consumed. I sped through it and devoted about a day and half to being able to think of nothing else but reading / finishing this book. So in that regard I guess you could say I liked Consumed, and I did, but part of me is still wrapping my head around my thoughts for this book.
Fresh off of finishing Ward's The Bourbon Kings series, it was difficult not to compare and contrast them. In all respects, Ward has, of course, written something completely different than the aforementioned series. Where that one seemed sprawling and steeped in a kind of dynastic legacy charm, Consumed kind of goes in the opposite direction. There's still plenty of family drama as Anne begins to come to terms with her relationships (or lack thereof) with her mother and older brother, and the legacy left behind from her hero-worshiped father who died in the line of duty (he was also a firefighter). I found Consumed presented the problems and, usually, answered the questions pretty quickly. I felt like this first book dealt more with Anne and Danny on a precipice of sorts. They can either continue down the paths of self-destruction they've set for themselves, or they can begin to heal, try to put the past behind them, or if not behind them at least taking the feeling of guilt and / or blame out of the equation.
The secondary storyline with Anne's investigation, while interesting, pretty much pales in comparison to seeing Anne and Danny make their way back to each other. For me, Anne was, at first, not an easy character to like. I immediately admired her strength (for what she went through, no doubt requires it), but she seemed gruff and almost unapologetic in how she views people. I loved watching her development through this first book, and by the end I had changed my opinion. I loved that she let her defenses down and learned that sometimes it's ok to be vulnerable, especially as it comes to her interactions with Danny, that it's not a show of weakness.
Danny was the a guy who could be counted on for a good time, and he's had plenty of women who can attest to this. I loved seeing the almost reverence he has for Anne. Ward perfectly captured in a very limited scope the idea of a relationship that blossomed out of friendship. Anne is different for Danny than every other woman he's been with. It was sweet, it was heartbreaking, but I loved seeing him crawl out of the darkness he slide down after the fire, but still struggle everyday with the things he sees / does as part of his job. It's a job that takes a toll, not only physically but emotionally as well.
As stated above, I was surprised at how quickly we got some of the resolutions, not unhappy about it, but definitely surprised. I was glad that we didn't have to wait until the end of the series or until the next book to figure some things out, but that also leaves me wondering where JR Ward plans to take the series next. I'd love to have more Anne and Danny, but I feel like there were so many secondary characters just begging to get their own time front and center that it would be nice to see, but the investigation is linked so intrinsically to Anne, and it far from completely resolved by the end, that I don't know how the next book would pick up if Anne wasn't a focal character. I guess we'll see.
For those who don't know, JR Ward released two short prequel stories [b:The Rehearsal Dinner|40788282|The Rehearsal Dinner (The Wedding From Hell, #1; Firefighters, #0.5)|J.R. Ward|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1531363442s/40788282.jpg|63502660] and [b:The Reception|40816696|The Reception (The Wedding From Hell, #2; Firefighters, #0.6)|J.R. Ward|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1532539212s/40816696.jpg|63573486] which sort of tie into Consumed and give a little background. I don't want to say they're necessary to read (I read the first one before Consumed and the second one after I finished Consumed) but I did find some of the context of previously mentioned happenings a little easier to understand once I had read the prequels. But bonus: they're free reads! And as far as I can tell will remain that way.
I think fans of JR Ward will definitely find a lot to like about Consumed. If you're new to her books, I think this series is as good as any place to start (unless you prefer paranormal romance)
*Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Danny McGuire was involved in the same warehouse fire as Anne and while he got out a little less scathed, his emotional state is spiraling. He blames himself for what happened to Anne, and he mourns the loss of what could have been between them as they had started tentatively exploring a relationship.
When Anne and Danny reconnect on the road to healing, they don't want to give up what's between them, but with everything that's happened, can they have a relationship? Danny thinks so, he's not giving up on Anne, and he's definitely not going anywhere once he finds out someone has set their sights in silencing Anne.
I was pretty surprised by Consumed. I sped through it and devoted about a day and half to being able to think of nothing else but reading / finishing this book. So in that regard I guess you could say I liked Consumed, and I did, but part of me is still wrapping my head around my thoughts for this book.
Fresh off of finishing Ward's The Bourbon Kings series, it was difficult not to compare and contrast them. In all respects, Ward has, of course, written something completely different than the aforementioned series. Where that one seemed sprawling and steeped in a kind of dynastic legacy charm, Consumed kind of goes in the opposite direction. There's still plenty of family drama as Anne begins to come to terms with her relationships (or lack thereof) with her mother and older brother, and the legacy left behind from her hero-worshiped father who died in the line of duty (he was also a firefighter). I found Consumed presented the problems and, usually, answered the questions pretty quickly. I felt like this first book dealt more with Anne and Danny on a precipice of sorts. They can either continue down the paths of self-destruction they've set for themselves, or they can begin to heal, try to put the past behind them, or if not behind them at least taking the feeling of guilt and / or blame out of the equation.
The secondary storyline with Anne's investigation, while interesting, pretty much pales in comparison to seeing Anne and Danny make their way back to each other. For me, Anne was, at first, not an easy character to like. I immediately admired her strength (for what she went through, no doubt requires it), but she seemed gruff and almost unapologetic in how she views people. I loved watching her development through this first book, and by the end I had changed my opinion. I loved that she let her defenses down and learned that sometimes it's ok to be vulnerable, especially as it comes to her interactions with Danny, that it's not a show of weakness.
Danny was the a guy who could be counted on for a good time, and he's had plenty of women who can attest to this. I loved seeing the almost reverence he has for Anne. Ward perfectly captured in a very limited scope the idea of a relationship that blossomed out of friendship. Anne is different for Danny than every other woman he's been with. It was sweet, it was heartbreaking, but I loved seeing him crawl out of the darkness he slide down after the fire, but still struggle everyday with the things he sees / does as part of his job. It's a job that takes a toll, not only physically but emotionally as well.
As stated above, I was surprised at how quickly we got some of the resolutions, not unhappy about it, but definitely surprised. I was glad that we didn't have to wait until the end of the series or until the next book to figure some things out, but that also leaves me wondering where JR Ward plans to take the series next. I'd love to have more Anne and Danny, but I feel like there were so many secondary characters just begging to get their own time front and center that it would be nice to see, but the investigation is linked so intrinsically to Anne, and it far from completely resolved by the end, that I don't know how the next book would pick up if Anne wasn't a focal character. I guess we'll see.
For those who don't know, JR Ward released two short prequel stories [b:The Rehearsal Dinner|40788282|The Rehearsal Dinner (The Wedding From Hell, #1; Firefighters, #0.5)|J.R. Ward|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1531363442s/40788282.jpg|63502660] and [b:The Reception|40816696|The Reception (The Wedding From Hell, #2; Firefighters, #0.6)|J.R. Ward|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1532539212s/40816696.jpg|63573486] which sort of tie into Consumed and give a little background. I don't want to say they're necessary to read (I read the first one before Consumed and the second one after I finished Consumed) but I did find some of the context of previously mentioned happenings a little easier to understand once I had read the prequels. But bonus: they're free reads! And as far as I can tell will remain that way.
I think fans of JR Ward will definitely find a lot to like about Consumed. If you're new to her books, I think this series is as good as any place to start (unless you prefer paranormal romance)
*Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
mycatismybookmark's review against another edition
1.0
While I am a fan of J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood and Black Dagger Legacy series, I find that I am not a fan of her contemporary romance and unfortunately, Consumed was not for me.
“Stay in the present with me. I don’t want to waste a second of this if it’s my only chance.” - The Reception (The Wedding From Hell #2)
While the story is detail rich (so many details I found myself skimming), it is lacking in regards to the characters. I don't feel any connection to them or their connections to each other. And I personally would like to follow the two main characters, Anne and Danny, rather than multiple side stories that occur simultaneously within Consumed. (That's an issue I've started having with her BDB series as well now that there are so many characters.) I feel like I'm missing huge pieces of information into these characters backstories and know so little about them that I don't understand their motivations. The best character in the book is Soot, the dog! The lack of character focus and building emotional connections really hurt the story.
I was interested in the story when I began the freebie (at time of posting) prequels, but Consumed just didn't work for me. I found myself skimming after a certain point just to find out the ending. Consumed has great detail (some of it extremely traumatic), good suspense, but no romance, and no character development. It felt very sterile with it's details and lack of emotions.
I am an outlier though, since there are many favorable reviews for Consumed. If you haven't read J.R. Ward before I'd recommend the BDB and BDL series over her contemporary romance. I struggled through The Bourbon Kings book #1 and never continued that series.
The Rehearsal Dinner (The Wedding From Hell #1) 2 stars
The Reception (The Wedding From Hell #2) 2 stars
Consumed 1 star
“Stay in the present with me. I don’t want to waste a second of this if it’s my only chance.” - The Reception (The Wedding From Hell #2)
While the story is detail rich (so many details I found myself skimming), it is lacking in regards to the characters. I don't feel any connection to them or their connections to each other. And I personally would like to follow the two main characters, Anne and Danny, rather than multiple side stories that occur simultaneously within Consumed. (That's an issue I've started having with her BDB series as well now that there are so many characters.) I feel like I'm missing huge pieces of information into these characters backstories and know so little about them that I don't understand their motivations. The best character in the book is Soot, the dog! The lack of character focus and building emotional connections really hurt the story.
I was interested in the story when I began the freebie (at time of posting) prequels, but Consumed just didn't work for me. I found myself skimming after a certain point just to find out the ending. Consumed has great detail (some of it extremely traumatic), good suspense, but no romance, and no character development. It felt very sterile with it's details and lack of emotions.
I am an outlier though, since there are many favorable reviews for Consumed. If you haven't read J.R. Ward before I'd recommend the BDB and BDL series over her contemporary romance. I struggled through The Bourbon Kings book #1 and never continued that series.
The Rehearsal Dinner (The Wedding From Hell #1) 2 stars
The Reception (The Wedding From Hell #2) 2 stars
Consumed 1 star
gidjetteac's review against another edition
5.0
Consumed by J.R. Ward is such a great book! I could not put it down! The moment I started reading I knew that it would hold my attention and that it did. I was invested in Anne and Danny. I couldn't wait to see what the future held for them separately and together. I can't wait to read the next one and read more of J.R. Ward's works.
I was sent an advanced copy.
I was sent an advanced copy.
snance's review against another edition
2.0
I almost put it down after reading the first two pages--I know that JR Ward uses lots of slang, etc, but it was bordering on ridiculously unreadable. I pushed through and the writing seemed to settle down, but the story itself still felt disjointed. It felt like Ward's heart really wasn't in it.
divapitbull's review against another edition
3.0
I’ve really been enjoying the Fallen Angels series; but sadly, Possession was not one of my favorite installments. For starters I wasn’t all that interested in the soul on deck this round and their surrounding story. As one knows by now, the soul in question is not always clearly defined. This round brings us mousy graphic artist Cait Douglass; ready to get out there and live after being dumped 3 years prior by her college sweetheart (Soft bellied Thom I believe he was referred to as). Anywho, thanks to a demon-inspired dye bob Cait is ready to strut her stuff and she soon finds she must choose between 2 attractive and enigmatic (her words not mine) men. Will it be the smarmy, self-absorbed singer-actor G.B; or the Caveman one-word-wonder Duke? What girl wouldn’t be frothing at the mouth for a piece of that? In fairness, Duke does work nights bouncing at the Iron Mask and reports directly to Alex Hess – so…one kinda cool point? And – he gets to see John Matthew skulking around (for anyone counting BDB references).
Meanwhile in war camp; Jim (our Savior?) has his head so far up his ass it’s about to come out of his mouth (Now there’s a visual, and Devina wouldn’t have to keep crying about being so ugly). Jim is turned all around because of Sissy (who may eventually be “Something”) and he’s not in the game, or the war – for most of the installment. Adrian does his best to keep things from going to hell (quite literally); but it seems like in this round EVERYONE is cheating (except for Jim, who isn’t even playing). And Devina; snuggling up to the Savior for some cuddles? Worst demon Ever.
Sadly while there were some interesting moments, this installment brought me a lot of boring.
Meanwhile in war camp; Jim (our Savior?) has his head so far up his ass it’s about to come out of his mouth (Now there’s a visual, and Devina wouldn’t have to keep crying about being so ugly). Jim is turned all around because of Sissy (who may eventually be “Something”) and he’s not in the game, or the war – for most of the installment. Adrian does his best to keep things from going to hell (quite literally); but it seems like in this round EVERYONE is cheating (except for Jim, who isn’t even playing). And Devina; snuggling up to the Savior for some cuddles? Worst demon Ever.
Sadly while there were some interesting moments, this installment brought me a lot of boring.
romancejunkie1025's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars... sad to see i'm a fast losing interest in this series. I still enjoyed the portions with Duke/Cait/G.B. but everything else just became so extraneous for me i found myself skimming. i still love the Warden, but i think i may have to skip or delay the next two books until i'm in a different frame of mind to fully enjoy them. :(