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A review by divapitbull
Angels' Dance by Nalini Singh
2.0
Angel’s Dance is a 128 page novella that takes place prior to Angels’ Blood; but I think it’s better appreciated being read after as having an understanding of the “world” in which the story takes place and knowledge of the secondary characters inhabiting that world adds to the enjoyment of the story. The story opens 100 years after Raphael ascended, becoming the youngest Archangel and newest member of the Cadre of Ten. His court is still in its infancy and the angelic warrior Galen petitions to transfer to Raphael’s territory as his weapon’s-master. Raphael has already hooked up with the vampire Dmitri who is his most trusted advisor. The angel Illium has just fallen in love with his mortal; and it is Galen who gives him the nickname of Bluebell.
Angel’s Dance is the story of Galen, the blunt, uncivilized, barbarian, lacking in the social graces warrior and Jessamy the 2500 year old virgin. Jess is a grounded/flightless angel. She was born with a mis-shapen wing which made her shy and self conscious. She hid herself away in the library at the Refuge and eventually became the teacher of all angelic young and the historian for the angelic race. As she matured and developed some confidence, she was courted – but she believed it was out of pity and shunned her suitors. Eventually it was believed that she preferred her peace. She was known as a teacher and a scholar and the boys stopped asking.
Galen however is not put off by Jess’s aura of unavailability. He makes it known that she’s the one for him and that he intends to court her. Before they reach their HEA, there’s some political intrigue that interferes as those Archangels who rule the world are forever trying to steal an extra piece of someone else’s pie. And then there’s the interpersonal issues that have to be worked through: Jess has to get over being scared to death of actually taking a chance at being happy and Galen has Mommy issues to work out. But ultimately they’re a very sweet couple and the surrounding story is passably interesting.
My low rating is purely based on personal preference. I really do think – it’s not the story – it’s me. I just wasn’t feeling any real chemistry in the romance – both Galen and Jess were just too…nice and…normal…for my taste. The very qualities that would make some folks love the story – especially readers who liked the world building of Angels’ Blood but thought Raphael was an asshat (whereas I thought he wasn’t asshat enough).
Angel’s Dance is the story of Galen, the blunt, uncivilized, barbarian, lacking in the social graces warrior and Jessamy the 2500 year old virgin. Jess is a grounded/flightless angel. She was born with a mis-shapen wing which made her shy and self conscious. She hid herself away in the library at the Refuge and eventually became the teacher of all angelic young and the historian for the angelic race. As she matured and developed some confidence, she was courted – but she believed it was out of pity and shunned her suitors. Eventually it was believed that she preferred her peace. She was known as a teacher and a scholar and the boys stopped asking.
Galen however is not put off by Jess’s aura of unavailability. He makes it known that she’s the one for him and that he intends to court her. Before they reach their HEA, there’s some political intrigue that interferes as those Archangels who rule the world are forever trying to steal an extra piece of someone else’s pie. And then there’s the interpersonal issues that have to be worked through: Jess has to get over being scared to death of actually taking a chance at being happy and Galen has Mommy issues to work out. But ultimately they’re a very sweet couple and the surrounding story is passably interesting.
My low rating is purely based on personal preference. I really do think – it’s not the story – it’s me. I just wasn’t feeling any real chemistry in the romance – both Galen and Jess were just too…nice and…normal…for my taste. The very qualities that would make some folks love the story – especially readers who liked the world building of Angels’ Blood but thought Raphael was an asshat (whereas I thought he wasn’t asshat enough).