becsa's review
3.0
This story focuses on the love story between Serwa and Issa who have come together from warring tribes and found a love that lasts indefinitely.
There are three chapters and each one focuses on a different aspect of their life. Fire involves the beginning of their love and what happens when their love is discovered by Serwa's dad. It also involves a demon who attacks Serwa. This chapter takes place in the past.
In Fury Issa is seeking revenge on the demon Ethan O'Leary and it takes place in present day. The angel Nathaniel allows Issa to become a Hunter Angel to take down O'Leary while Serwa lies in a hospital bed.
In Faith Issa finally has the chance to catch O'Leary but learns that maybe that wasn't all he was missing in his life. He finally realizes that he can't do everything on his own and sometimes needs the help and love of others to pull him through.
I enjoyed the audiobook but it's definitely different than reading a book. This is only my second time listening to an audiobook and I always find it amusing to hear a man pretending to be a woman, especially during sex scenes. The book was definitely enjoyable but at certain points I found myself a little lost because I wasn't reading and couldn't go back as easy to see what I missed to understand better.
That being said I did enjoy the book and would definitely try one again!
There are three chapters and each one focuses on a different aspect of their life. Fire involves the beginning of their love and what happens when their love is discovered by Serwa's dad. It also involves a demon who attacks Serwa. This chapter takes place in the past.
In Fury Issa is seeking revenge on the demon Ethan O'Leary and it takes place in present day. The angel Nathaniel allows Issa to become a Hunter Angel to take down O'Leary while Serwa lies in a hospital bed.
In Faith Issa finally has the chance to catch O'Leary but learns that maybe that wasn't all he was missing in his life. He finally realizes that he can't do everything on his own and sometimes needs the help and love of others to pull him through.
I enjoyed the audiobook but it's definitely different than reading a book. This is only my second time listening to an audiobook and I always find it amusing to hear a man pretending to be a woman, especially during sex scenes. The book was definitely enjoyable but at certain points I found myself a little lost because I wasn't reading and couldn't go back as easy to see what I missed to understand better.
That being said I did enjoy the book and would definitely try one again!
bubblewombat's review
4.0
An angelic love story, told through the past and present.
It starts with a flashback including warring tribes and young future angels Serwa and Issa who come together for the first time (pun not intended). As the story progresses the setting changes to the present where a certain demon makes an appearance and causes harm to humans and angels (especially one particular angel) alike.
Issa failed to protect his family the first time around but he's determined not to fail again. Serwa is the only one who can heal him, but is he ready for it? And Nathaniel, the elder angel, he's there to help, if only Issa would let him do so.
I liked this book. It was a fun, fast read and nothing felt out of place. I loved the descriptions and the setting. The writing was easy to follow. Issa and Serwa are a cute couple that would definitely love each other forever. Nathaniel didn't get enough mention, for my taste. He's still mysterious. The main villain was okay, but I didn't hate him. I feel like I should have.
*Thank you Booksirens for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
It starts with a flashback including warring tribes and young future angels Serwa and Issa who come together for the first time (pun not intended). As the story progresses the setting changes to the present where a certain demon makes an appearance and causes harm to humans and angels (especially one particular angel) alike.
Issa failed to protect his family the first time around but he's determined not to fail again. Serwa is the only one who can heal him, but is he ready for it? And Nathaniel, the elder angel, he's there to help, if only Issa would let him do so.
I liked this book. It was a fun, fast read and nothing felt out of place. I loved the descriptions and the setting. The writing was easy to follow. Issa and Serwa are a cute couple that would definitely love each other forever. Nathaniel didn't get enough mention, for my taste. He's still mysterious. The main villain was okay, but I didn't hate him. I feel like I should have.
*Thank you Booksirens for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
billydoubledown's review
3.0
Nice African American paranormal romance about angels. This was a nice start to the series and I like the way Jones portrayed the love between Issa and Serwa.
ihavereadsomebooks's review
4.0
4 stars out of 5.
❝We were human once. Have we gained power and wings only to lose our ability to cope, to survive, to endure?❞ -Issa
The novela was incredible!
We saw the two main characters (Serwa and Issa) live two different lives. Their mortal ones and their angelic ones. They were chosen, Serwa as a Healer and Issa as a Guardian Angel.
The book contains 3 chapters. We meet our characters at the first one and we really get to know them in the other two. Their fears, their desires, weaknesses. Characters seemed mature, smart, with goals and ambitions which were logical and true to their nature. Serwa seemed a mature lady, knowing what she felt and never denying. Clearly traumatised from an accident which eventually didn't define her. Issa was thoughtfull and emotionally driven, instincts and his gut feeling were his guides together with his heart. Brilliant combination, I must say. His loyalty was admirable and his love for his wife heart-warming.
I would prefer if the book wasn't so small. And each chapter was part of a whole book. Serwa and Issa as humans were just as intresting as the angel ones, I want more!
Only drawback : Descriptions about their race and their world should have been more straight-forward and explained further more. I managed to unravel the details and create an image of the universe by myself
Nice work altotogether.
[I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.]
❝We were human once. Have we gained power and wings only to lose our ability to cope, to survive, to endure?❞ -Issa
The novela was incredible!
We saw the two main characters (Serwa and Issa) live two different lives. Their mortal ones and their angelic ones. They were chosen, Serwa as a Healer and Issa as a Guardian Angel.
The book contains 3 chapters. We meet our characters at the first one and we really get to know them in the other two. Their fears, their desires, weaknesses. Characters seemed mature, smart, with goals and ambitions which were logical and true to their nature. Serwa seemed a mature lady, knowing what she felt and never denying. Clearly traumatised from an accident which eventually didn't define her. Issa was thoughtfull and emotionally driven, instincts and his gut feeling were his guides together with his heart. Brilliant combination, I must say. His loyalty was admirable and his love for his wife heart-warming.
I would prefer if the book wasn't so small. And each chapter was part of a whole book. Serwa and Issa as humans were just as intresting as the angel ones, I want more!
Only drawback : Descriptions about their race and their world should have been more straight-forward and explained further more. I managed to unravel the details and create an image of the universe by myself
Nice work altotogether.
[I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.]
asmodeous's review
4.0
First opening this book I felt incredibly excited. The language was very painting, the setting was detailed while not droning on and the character immediately felt real. Within the first few pages, I thought I knew how the book was going to go, high suspense, constant action. The begrudging love between the main characters a subplot added simply for the sex appeal, simply a trope that has been overdone. However I was pleasantly surprised, while the book was indeed high suspense, none of my other predictions was correct. The book had a good balance between action filed scenes and romantic/slice of life scenes. The love between Issa and Serwa is frankly one of the most real relationships I've seen in any sort of media. They seem to truly love each other, but they still have their problems.
Mrs Jones has a very unique writing style, she has a talent for sneaking in information that isn't common knowledge without interrupting the flow of the story. I learned the hierarchy and different types of angels in the span of a few pages, while a conversation and an inner monologue were going on and it still felt cohesive. She also managed to put humour into a sex scene without making the sex scene feel humorous, which I formerly believed was impossible. In addition, the writing is very passionate and personal, at times it almost felt like you were intruding on someone's life.
I would have given this book five stars if not for one thing, the fantasy part was not that complex, I had a hard time really getting into it. Even though the book is mainly a romance, not a fantasy the whole plot rested on the revenge on O´Leary.
In conclusion, it’s a good book, the writing is amazing but the more action-filled scenes lack the passion and enthusiasm that exists in the rest of the book. I would probably re-read this book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Mrs Jones has a very unique writing style, she has a talent for sneaking in information that isn't common knowledge without interrupting the flow of the story. I learned the hierarchy and different types of angels in the span of a few pages, while a conversation and an inner monologue were going on and it still felt cohesive. She also managed to put humour into a sex scene without making the sex scene feel humorous, which I formerly believed was impossible. In addition, the writing is very passionate and personal, at times it almost felt like you were intruding on someone's life.
I would have given this book five stars if not for one thing, the fantasy part was not that complex, I had a hard time really getting into it. Even though the book is mainly a romance, not a fantasy the whole plot rested on the revenge on O´Leary.
In conclusion, it’s a good book, the writing is amazing but the more action-filled scenes lack the passion and enthusiasm that exists in the rest of the book. I would probably re-read this book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
diletto_amanda's review
4.0
I loved this book! I 100% grabbed it because it's described as an African Paranormal Romance by a BIPOC author. Honestly YES please!
N.D. Jones absolutely kills it here. She manages to write a beautiful love story in such a short amount of pages. The entire time I just kept thinking, "we really need more books that capture people of color as sexy." Sure, we can argue that there's sexy BIPOC book characters, but too often, it seems that inclusivity in books means a racially ambiguous character. Issa and Serwa are sexy and African. No questions, no ambiguity, and they are beautiful for it.
After I finished this book, I read that her desire is to see more fantasy novels with positive, sexy and three dimensional African American characters, so she took it upon herself to write them. So I'd say she hit that nail right on the head here!!!
I am definitely impressed by the depth of this book despite how short it is, but the pacing was so fast at certain points. I absolutely get it. I know we would have missed some of this lovely story if it wasn't paced so fast, but most of the book I wanted just a little more. Regardless, it was still beautiful.
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
N.D. Jones absolutely kills it here. She manages to write a beautiful love story in such a short amount of pages. The entire time I just kept thinking, "we really need more books that capture people of color as sexy." Sure, we can argue that there's sexy BIPOC book characters, but too often, it seems that inclusivity in books means a racially ambiguous character. Issa and Serwa are sexy and African. No questions, no ambiguity, and they are beautiful for it.
After I finished this book, I read that her desire is to see more fantasy novels with positive, sexy and three dimensional African American characters, so she took it upon herself to write them. So I'd say she hit that nail right on the head here!!!
I am definitely impressed by the depth of this book despite how short it is, but the pacing was so fast at certain points. I absolutely get it. I know we would have missed some of this lovely story if it wasn't paced so fast, but most of the book I wanted just a little more. Regardless, it was still beautiful.
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
ksmarsden's review
3.0
Serwa and Issa were strong as humans, but centuries as being angels, they still have weaknesses.
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Serwa and Issa's love was once strong enough to unite warring clans. Now as angels, will it be enough to heal their bodies and minds, after they are attacked by a demon.
This short story is a well-written and in-depth look at the main characters.
Serwa and Issa may be angels, but they still feel pain and anger.
After the demon attack, old wounds are re-opened. Too stubborn and conflicted to use angelic magic to fix themselves, Issa and Serwa have to have faith in their mate-bond, that their love will be strong enough to heal the creeping darkness.
The not-so-good.
For a short story, this is a slow book that took a while to get into.
This is the first book I've read by this author and from the reviews and descriptions, I think I was expecting more than a character piece that focussed on the faith and love between the two characters.
There is stuff that's mentioned. We're told that slavers attacked their clans and killed their family. We're told there are demons, and there have been explosions throughout the country. We're told that Serwa was tortured by a demon. We're told that Issa goes undercover in a shady anti-angel group. We're told that Serwa gets to meet Barack Obama!
This is all fantastically juicy stuff. But as a reader we don't get to witness any of it. It's skimmed over, focussing instead on Sewra and Issa's thoughts and feelings after the event.
I just felt that there was so much missed opportunity.
Overall, it was well-written, but it missed the mark for me.
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Serwa and Issa's love was once strong enough to unite warring clans. Now as angels, will it be enough to heal their bodies and minds, after they are attacked by a demon.
This short story is a well-written and in-depth look at the main characters.
Serwa and Issa may be angels, but they still feel pain and anger.
After the demon attack, old wounds are re-opened. Too stubborn and conflicted to use angelic magic to fix themselves, Issa and Serwa have to have faith in their mate-bond, that their love will be strong enough to heal the creeping darkness.
The not-so-good.
For a short story, this is a slow book that took a while to get into.
This is the first book I've read by this author and from the reviews and descriptions, I think I was expecting more than a character piece that focussed on the faith and love between the two characters.
There is stuff that's mentioned. We're told that slavers attacked their clans and killed their family. We're told there are demons, and there have been explosions throughout the country. We're told that Serwa was tortured by a demon. We're told that Issa goes undercover in a shady anti-angel group. We're told that Serwa gets to meet Barack Obama!
This is all fantastically juicy stuff. But as a reader we don't get to witness any of it. It's skimmed over, focussing instead on Sewra and Issa's thoughts and feelings after the event.
I just felt that there was so much missed opportunity.
Overall, it was well-written, but it missed the mark for me.
nbiblioholic's review
4.0
This was a story about heartbreak, joy, justice, hope, faith and love. Issa and Serwa were once human who were now chosen Angels, working with their new brethren to protect humanity in fantastical ways. I loved how the author hinted at their history (even though it broke my heart) and gave depth to the everlasting love that existed between these characters. Fire, Fury, Faith read like a full-length novel and gave me so much of what I'm looking for in a great read. I do wish some things were fleshed out more as the time jumps left a lot to be desired in the way of what was happening. I can only assume that the bits and pieces I missed will be made clear in the books that follow.
I really enjoyed this story and I'm satisfied with the happiness hinted at in the end. I must admit that I'm intrigued by Nathaniel and I'm looking forward to reading his story. I've found a new author to recommend!
I really enjoyed this story and I'm satisfied with the happiness hinted at in the end. I must admit that I'm intrigued by Nathaniel and I'm looking forward to reading his story. I've found a new author to recommend!
beautynbks's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Fire, Fury, Faith is the first book I read by N.D. Jones. I was intrigued by the idea of a paranormal romance written with black characters.
We meet Issa and Serma, they are members of warring African tribes. Serma is the daughter of the chief and Issa is a warrior destined to be chief of his tribe. The two love each other fiercely but their fathers oppose them being together. The two hatch a plan but then there are a series of life-changing events.
I enjoyed how the author did not start the characters off as slaves. Thank you! I get that this was a novella so there was not a ton of backstory. We received most of the backstory in flashbacks. I was intrigued once the two lovers were fast-forwarded into the present day. Issa was a warrior and Guardian Angel and Serma was a Healer. The magnificent description of their physical and mythical characteristics had me envisioning their beauty.
The sex scenes between the two were HOT!!!! What I didn't enjoy was some of the long drawn out inner dialogue and endless descriptions of some moments in the story. I definitely would be willing to read more from this author.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
We meet Issa and Serma, they are members of warring African tribes. Serma is the daughter of the chief and Issa is a warrior destined to be chief of his tribe. The two love each other fiercely but their fathers oppose them being together. The two hatch a plan but then there are a series of life-changing events.
I enjoyed how the author did not start the characters off as slaves. Thank you! I get that this was a novella so there was not a ton of backstory. We received most of the backstory in flashbacks. I was intrigued once the two lovers were fast-forwarded into the present day. Issa was a warrior and Guardian Angel and Serma was a Healer. The magnificent description of their physical and mythical characteristics had me envisioning their beauty.
The sex scenes between the two were HOT!!!! What I didn't enjoy was some of the long drawn out inner dialogue and endless descriptions of some moments in the story. I definitely would be willing to read more from this author.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
More...