Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
- 2nd: 14/08/2023
3,25-3,5/5
Still a great start of a new series!
- 1st: 31/03/2022
3,5/5
My first time with this author and it was a very good first book of a series. This series has the potentiel to be my next obsession! I was excited to start the book and now having finished it, I'm still excited about it! This book had: Intriguing plot ; Complexe and interessing world-building; Loveable characters ; A gay romance with hot sex scenes. What more could I ask for!?
First time with this narrator and he also did a good job!
3,25-3,5/5
Still a great start of a new series!
- 1st: 31/03/2022
3,5/5
My first time with this author and it was a very good first book of a series. This series has the potentiel to be my next obsession! I was excited to start the book and now having finished it, I'm still excited about it! This book had: Intriguing plot ; Complexe and interessing world-building; Loveable characters ; A gay romance with hot sex scenes. What more could I ask for!?
First time with this narrator and he also did a good job!
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Woah, this was a rollercoaster. Excellent world building, a lovely mix of the lore surrounding angels and demons and greek mythology.
I really liked the love story between Cassius and Morgan, and the cast of friends and colleagues who back them up are super memorable.
This is a slower burn, but pretty hot once it gets there. It's the first in a trilogy; whilst it doesn't end on a cliffhanger and the MC's are HFN, there are still a lot of unanswered questions (which is one of my favourite things about a trilogy, and something I think this author has managed beautifully).
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and I have chosen to leave an honest review.
I really liked the love story between Cassius and Morgan, and the cast of friends and colleagues who back them up are super memorable.
This is a slower burn, but pretty hot once it gets there. It's the first in a trilogy; whilst it doesn't end on a cliffhanger and the MC's are HFN, there are still a lot of unanswered questions (which is one of my favourite things about a trilogy, and something I think this author has managed beautifully).
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and I have chosen to leave an honest review.
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
VERY poorly written. Unlikeable characters with very little development. Tons of sidekick characters that were all flat and forgettable. The relationship of the main couple moves way too fast. Could not wait to be done with the book; had to force myself to finish it.
If y'all know me, Dichotomy of Angels is one of my all time favourite books. And when I read this book?? I got all kinds of feels and similar vibes with so much more to the story that I fell in love okay??
.
My Rating : [4.5/5]
.
My Rating : [4.5/5]
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
This is my first book from Ava Marie Salinger and it won't be my last although I doubt I'll visit her other stories that aren't UF under other pennames for reasons I'll list below....
First thank you to Ava Marie and the very helpful and concise glossary at the beginning of the story (bookmarked also to start the story from there when you open it) because it really helped with the world building (something that I HATE when it doesn't happen in stories).
Ava Marie started the story with a bang and kept on going when it came to the action, the mystery, the angst! It really was a page-turner. I won't go into details just know that it is one of the best UF stories I have ever read. ALL THE FREAKING STARS for that!
Things though were slowing down and kinda drowning that part of the story with the romance between Morgan and Cassius. Frankly the first 40% was mostly them and their chemistry. Which is the part that takes 2 stars.
I haven't read Unbound and seeing Ayanna's review I'm debating if I want to, but Morgan and Cassius work for me. Just not in the so much in your face way the author did here. I didn't even mind Cassius flip-flop ways because what was off for me here was the way the sex scenes were written.
From the first mention of "...slipped his tongue inside and frenched him" *cringes* I knew those scenes wouldn't work for me. Then there was the whole "dancing" thing.
"Morgan's voice danced across Cassius's skin and raised goosebumps on his flesh"
"...a sweet ache building inside him as Morgan's fingers danced across his flesh in sweeping strokes"
"Morgan's low growl danced down Cassius's spine as he punched his shaft seductively through Cassius's hands"
SO MUCH DANCING!!! o_O *twitching eyebrow*
Especially the first time they got to the penetrative sex the author wasn't sure if they wanted to describe it as a Regency romance or purple prose or I don't know and then:
"Cassius welcomed Morgan's weight with a lustful sound, his tongue lashing eagerly against Morgan's as he frenched him.""
*actual footage of unsuspecting me getting a 180 slap from the author in the scene I was reading*
This is clearly a case of an MF author trying to write MM sex and it shows and it isn't good.
"'Can I eat you?' Morgan growled. Cassius took his aching cock in one hand and guided it feverishly to Morgan's mouth. 'Yes!'".
NO!!! In MM it's: EAT ASS! CHOKE ON DICK! (or blow, suck, taste, feed, lick, slurp, swallow).
So yeah to summarize AMAZING Action, Angst, UF. Not so good with the romance and sex.
Will I check the next book? HECK YEAH!
I received an ARC from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.
First thank you to Ava Marie and the very helpful and concise glossary at the beginning of the story (bookmarked also to start the story from there when you open it) because it really helped with the world building (something that I HATE when it doesn't happen in stories).
Ava Marie started the story with a bang and kept on going when it came to the action, the mystery, the angst! It really was a page-turner. I won't go into details just know that it is one of the best UF stories I have ever read. ALL THE FREAKING STARS for that!
Things though were slowing down and kinda drowning that part of the story with the romance between Morgan and Cassius. Frankly the first 40% was mostly them and their chemistry. Which is the part that takes 2 stars.
I haven't read Unbound and seeing Ayanna's review I'm debating if I want to, but Morgan and Cassius work for me. Just not in the so much in your face way the author did here. I didn't even mind Cassius flip-flop ways because what was off for me here was the way the sex scenes were written.
From the first mention of "...slipped his tongue inside and frenched him" *cringes* I knew those scenes wouldn't work for me. Then there was the whole "dancing" thing.
"Morgan's voice danced across Cassius's skin and raised goosebumps on his flesh"
"...a sweet ache building inside him as Morgan's fingers danced across his flesh in sweeping strokes"
"Morgan's low growl danced down Cassius's spine as he punched his shaft seductively through Cassius's hands"
SO MUCH DANCING!!! o_O *twitching eyebrow*
Especially the first time they got to the penetrative sex the author wasn't sure if they wanted to describe it as a Regency romance or purple prose or I don't know and then:
"Cassius welcomed Morgan's weight with a lustful sound, his tongue lashing eagerly against Morgan's as he frenched him.""
*actual footage of unsuspecting me getting a 180 slap from the author in the scene I was reading*
This is clearly a case of an MF author trying to write MM sex and it shows and it isn't good.
"'Can I eat you?' Morgan growled. Cassius took his aching cock in one hand and guided it feverishly to Morgan's mouth. 'Yes!'".
NO!!! In MM it's: EAT ASS! CHOKE ON DICK! (or blow, suck, taste, feed, lick, slurp, swallow).
So yeah to summarize AMAZING Action, Angst, UF. Not so good with the romance and sex.
Will I check the next book? HECK YEAH!
I received an ARC from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.
I picked up a silly, sexy fantasy story because I just can’t concentrate on anything more involved. If that true, how come that I ended skipping all the making out because I wanted more of the story?
That’s how it goes these days and I’m sure I’ll do it again. I don’t learn.
This probably is not a 3 star book to me by any means. Centuries old characters talking and acting like they are 15 usually drives me up the wall. Will this change in the future books? Will I even remember to read any of them?
I liked the world and the mystery, even if it was something you probably have read plenty of times already. The story was utterly meaningless in the best way possible, I feel like I took a nap on a sunny Saturday afternoon.
That’s how it goes these days and I’m sure I’ll do it again. I don’t learn.
This probably is not a 3 star book to me by any means. Centuries old characters talking and acting like they are 15 usually drives me up the wall. Will this change in the future books? Will I even remember to read any of them?
I liked the world and the mystery, even if it was something you probably have read plenty of times already. The story was utterly meaningless in the best way possible, I feel like I took a nap on a sunny Saturday afternoon.
I want to thank the author/publisher for the opportunity to review the Advanced Reader Copy prior to publication. Although I am grateful for this opportunity, the following review is not influenced by their generosity.
Before reading Fractured Souls (Fallen Messengers #1) by Ava Marie Salinger, I was not familiar with Salinger or her writing. As such, this was my first chance to read her writing.
The book itself centers Cassius Black an angel with a bit of a checkered past. Well, his past isn't as checkered as people make it out to be. His past has led others in the paranormal world to have a mixture of fear and revulsion when they come into contact with him. In reality, Black has been helping the four paranormal agencies do their dirty work without getting the credit. At the beginning of the book, Black has moved to San Francisco to get a new start. He tries to help a little old lady get her cat back, but this job leads to a world of problems as Black quickly gets accused of murder.
Besides dealing with murder accusations, Black just wants to get a good night's sleep. His neighbor, Morgan King, has a nasty habit of loud late night sexual trysts. Unbeknownst to Black, his loud neighbor is an Argonaut agent who doesn't take too kindly when he realizes who his neighbor is.
Despite King's intense negative reaction to Black, he finds himself unnaturally attracted to the man. And there's a nagging feeling that he somehow knows the other angel. Could they have been lovers before "the fall?"
The book itself is a good MM urban fantasy. As a whole, I found the book enjoyable and easy to read. My only real negative reaction to the book is the unnecessarily long sex scenes. As I've noted in other reviews, I don't mind sex scenes as long as they serve the plot. Sadly, the sex scenes end up stalling the plot. Thankfully, there are not too many sex scenes, so there's that.
As a whole, I think this is an interesting first book in a new series. I look forward to seeing where this author takes the series in the future.
Before reading Fractured Souls (Fallen Messengers #1) by Ava Marie Salinger, I was not familiar with Salinger or her writing. As such, this was my first chance to read her writing.
The book itself centers Cassius Black an angel with a bit of a checkered past. Well, his past isn't as checkered as people make it out to be. His past has led others in the paranormal world to have a mixture of fear and revulsion when they come into contact with him. In reality, Black has been helping the four paranormal agencies do their dirty work without getting the credit. At the beginning of the book, Black has moved to San Francisco to get a new start. He tries to help a little old lady get her cat back, but this job leads to a world of problems as Black quickly gets accused of murder.
Besides dealing with murder accusations, Black just wants to get a good night's sleep. His neighbor, Morgan King, has a nasty habit of loud late night sexual trysts. Unbeknownst to Black, his loud neighbor is an Argonaut agent who doesn't take too kindly when he realizes who his neighbor is.
Despite King's intense negative reaction to Black, he finds himself unnaturally attracted to the man. And there's a nagging feeling that he somehow knows the other angel. Could they have been lovers before "the fall?"
The book itself is a good MM urban fantasy. As a whole, I found the book enjoyable and easy to read. My only real negative reaction to the book is the unnecessarily long sex scenes. As I've noted in other reviews, I don't mind sex scenes as long as they serve the plot. Sadly, the sex scenes end up stalling the plot. Thankfully, there are not too many sex scenes, so there's that.
As a whole, I think this is an interesting first book in a new series. I look forward to seeing where this author takes the series in the future.