Joint Review – Avenger’s Angel by Heather Killough-Walden

Publisher: Signet
Publish Date: Out Now!
How we got this book: NetGalley and the Publisher
Avenger's Angel UK Version

The first in Heather Killough-Walden’s fantastic new paranormal series, the Lost Angels, features Uriel, the Angel of Vengeance Four thousand years ago, four archangels were cast down to Earth in human form. God’s favourites, they came to find their mates, the other half of their souls made only for them, without whom they will ever be complete. Uriel, Gabriel, Azrael and Michael, however, were not alone. They were followed by another, determined to find the archesses for himself, and whose power cannot be underestimated. But after centuries of fruitless searching, the archangels — and their enemy — have all but given up hope. Until one day beautiful and gifted Eleanore Granger crosses paths with Uriel, the Angel of Vengeance. And as a storm rages, outside forces conspire together, initiating an age old battle of good versus evil to win the first archess.
*Blurb from Goodreads*

Avenger's Angel US Version

MinnChica: I was really excited about this book, because I’m a huge fan of paranormal romance, and I love finding new worlds that suck me in and take me away. The blurb and premise of this one seemed like it would be another of those books to pull me in and keep me entertained. While there were somethings I really liked about this book, there were other things I really didn’t like about this book.

E: Like Minn I thought the book had a lot of potential. There were some things I really enjoyed and a few that made me wonder what just happened and if I managed to miss something. I really enjoyed the blurb and I was looking forward to seeing how Ms Killough-Walden would spin the “fated mate” trope.

MinnChica: That was one of the things I was really looking forward to as well. I’ll admit that I’m a bit of a sucker for the fated mates deal, and while I had some issues with it, I thought it did turn out okay in the end. One of the big things I really liked was how well developed the world-building was. I thought that everything was explained well and thought out completely and fit. Plus it was different from a lot of the angels stuff that is out right now. And the fact that it didn’t get too preachy or god-like made it that much better for me.

E: See I got burnt out on the “fated mates” especially when the women put up a token disagreement and then meekly go along as if their life has been planned for them so I was slightly apprehensive to see how it was going to work. I really loved how Ellie had her own life, way of doing things and was a complete person without ever thinking that she was just marking time until “something happened.” I also really liked how she had a family that loved, accepted and tried to protect her from anyone who might not have her best interests in mind. Like Minn said the fact that this never verged into preachy or holier then thou increased my enjoyment. I was pretty impressed with how Ms Killough-Walden added aspects of humanity to her other than human main characters. It rounded out her world-building. But she didn’t quite manage to keep that going with the villains which was a disappointment.

MinnChica: One of the things I really loved about Ellie and the story overall was that SHE really saved the day. She didn’t have to rely on Uriel or the guys to come through for her. She stepped up despite her fears and really came through at the last minute. I also thought the humanity she gave both Ellie and the archangels was so well done, and really added depth to their characters. I’ll admit though, it took me awhile to get to the point where I was really invested in the story. One of the things I love about paranormal romance is that it is usually so quick to pull me into the story and world — this one dragged out awhile before I got to that point.

E: It did build slowly after the intense entrance to the story with archangel brother fighting archangel brother. I think some of that might have been first book in a series and the need to establish the world and primary characters. I will admit that once I was sucked in I stayed up way too late reading because I was curious to see what was going to happen with this hinted at other group that was after Ellie. I was really really wanted to know how they were going to get out of a particular predicament caused by a sneakily written contract. “Never bargain with the Devil.”

MinnChica: I was very intrigued by the other group that is after Ellie, and I can imagine will be after the other archesses as well. I’m a little ashamed to admit this, but I think some of the secondary characters pulled me in more than our hero and heroine. I’m not sure if it was because Killough-Walden put such a different spin on some regular evil myths or what, but Sam and especially Lilith threw me for a loop in this one!

E: I LOVED the spin regarding Sam and Lilith. It reminded me some of Piers Anthony’s Incarnations of Immortality series and how they are the myth but that isn’t all they are. I really hope Ms Killough-Walden continues to develop those two because I want to see what happens with them.

MinnChica: All in all I thought this was a decent first series book. The world-building is well developed and original, the characters are set-up wonderfully and the overall story arc has some great potential. I would have liked the beginning to pick up a little more, and have been as invested in our hero and heroine as some of the secondary characters. Other than that, I think this series has potential to be very good. I give Avenger’s Angel a C+

E: I agree it was a decent first series book. I like the world-building I just wish more attention had been given to the other group after Ellie. They went from tantalizing hints to in your face. Given the amount of information provided about them I am not sure how they are going to grow as the series continues. I think it would be a shame if the series was limited by two dimensional villains. I am looking forward to reading the next book. I give Avenger’s Angel a B-/C+.

Links to purchase:

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3 thoughts on “Joint Review – Avenger’s Angel by Heather Killough-Walden”

  1. Pingback: Review – Messenger’s Angel by Heather Killough-Walden | The Book Pushers | Book Reviews | Book Chatter

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