moirwyn's review against another edition
4.0
This review originally appeared on my blog, Books Without Any Pictures:
http://bookswithoutanypictures.com/2015/02/12/mini-review-the-angel-by-tiffany-reisz/
Note: This review contains spoilers from The Siren.
Famed erotica writer Nora Sutherlin has returned to Soren, the Dom that she spent the past book pining over. There’s only one problem: he’s actually a priest, so there’s no way the two of them could ever have a “normal” relationship. And because Soren is extremely good at his job, he’s in line for a promotion. Not wanting to cause a scandal, he sends Nora away for the summer, where she’s staying with her hot friend Griffin. Meanwhile, there’s Michael, an older teen who recently tried to kill himself because of feelings of guilt over his sexuality. After a falling out with his parents, Michael joins Nora and Griffin, where the two of them help him learn to accept himself for who he is.
I didn’t like The Angel quite as much as The Siren (mostly because I missed the sexually charged literary banter between Nora and her editor), but it was still an extremely fun read. I love that Reisz can write erotica that feels intelligent. Her novels provide an exploration into what is and is not a healthy relationship, and each of her characters has the chance of finding redemption, even if it comes in somewhat unconventional forms. I also enjoyed the fact that we got to explore a bit more of Soren’s own backstory; he has intrigued me as a character throughout both novels, and I look forward to seeing more of him. I love the way that he’s subtly pulling the strings throughout the entire book, and that even when it seems like his world is falling apart, it’s all a part of his devious master plan.
This series is a significant departure from my usual reading, and I’m surprised by how much I like it. Generally I shy away from contemporary novels and prefer to stay strictly in the realm of speculative fiction, but Reisz creates such charming characters that I can’t help but love them. I’m looking forward to continuing the Original Sinners and seeing what future books will hold.
http://bookswithoutanypictures.com/2015/02/12/mini-review-the-angel-by-tiffany-reisz/
Note: This review contains spoilers from The Siren.
Famed erotica writer Nora Sutherlin has returned to Soren, the Dom that she spent the past book pining over. There’s only one problem: he’s actually a priest, so there’s no way the two of them could ever have a “normal” relationship. And because Soren is extremely good at his job, he’s in line for a promotion. Not wanting to cause a scandal, he sends Nora away for the summer, where she’s staying with her hot friend Griffin. Meanwhile, there’s Michael, an older teen who recently tried to kill himself because of feelings of guilt over his sexuality. After a falling out with his parents, Michael joins Nora and Griffin, where the two of them help him learn to accept himself for who he is.
I didn’t like The Angel quite as much as The Siren (mostly because I missed the sexually charged literary banter between Nora and her editor), but it was still an extremely fun read. I love that Reisz can write erotica that feels intelligent. Her novels provide an exploration into what is and is not a healthy relationship, and each of her characters has the chance of finding redemption, even if it comes in somewhat unconventional forms. I also enjoyed the fact that we got to explore a bit more of Soren’s own backstory; he has intrigued me as a character throughout both novels, and I look forward to seeing more of him. I love the way that he’s subtly pulling the strings throughout the entire book, and that even when it seems like his world is falling apart, it’s all a part of his devious master plan.
This series is a significant departure from my usual reading, and I’m surprised by how much I like it. Generally I shy away from contemporary novels and prefer to stay strictly in the realm of speculative fiction, but Reisz creates such charming characters that I can’t help but love them. I’m looking forward to continuing the Original Sinners and seeing what future books will hold.
hannas_heas47's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. The writer will not let you thumb your nose at what she shares with us. She casts characters in the book who are against everything the D/s scene stands for and breaks them down in front of your eyes so even those people who are blatantly against sadomachism can understand. That is what I love so much about this book.
Griffin "I love a good hard ruck---us" lol, what is not to love about Griffin, he' s fun, handsome, bold, brashly, and sexy. Nora didn't put up much of a fuss about spending the summer with him, and Micheal....well we all have people in our lives that are going to disprove of what we do. It was great to see him come out of that shell and finally find a niche in life. Soren reminds me of the priest in the Thorn birds by Colleen McCullough. He must be close to God, because he see's and hears and knows everything. Insanely intelligent, and incredibly handsome. The author describes him in such detail that you can't help but want him. Everyone else does, so why should we not follow him and lick his shoes too. Incredible book, incredible story. Crazy sex scenes but the story is what we really want.
Griffin "I love a good hard ruck---us" lol, what is not to love about Griffin, he' s fun, handsome, bold, brashly, and sexy. Nora didn't put up much of a fuss about spending the summer with him, and Micheal....well we all have people in our lives that are going to disprove of what we do. It was great to see him come out of that shell and finally find a niche in life. Soren reminds me of the priest in the Thorn birds by Colleen McCullough. He must be close to God, because he see's and hears and knows everything. Insanely intelligent, and incredibly handsome. The author describes him in such detail that you can't help but want him. Everyone else does, so why should we not follow him and lick his shoes too. Incredible book, incredible story. Crazy sex scenes but the story is what we really want.
lizzy_22's review against another edition
5.0
The Angel Enjoyed The Angel even more than the The Siren!
“My confession begins," Father S said, "as the confessions of many men begin - with three words"
"Father forgive me?" Michael hazarded a guess.
Father S sighed."I met Eleanor.”
Having relegated Søren to the background of the first book I wasn't sure how much I'd enjoy seeing him front and center this time around. Boy was I wrong!! Søren leaps off the pages, as compelling and commanding in fiction as he appears to our characters in 'real life'. The Angel fills in the back story on his life and the legacy his family stamped on him, and he became so much more to me than the one note character we saw before. I understood him, empathized with him and saw how his past made him who he is.
Then there is dear, dear Nora. Gosh I love this girl. Probably a bit too much and yes I do realize that she is a bit larger than life but I can't help it! I immersed myself in Nora's conflicted feelings as she struggles between her continued longing for 'plain, vanilla' Wesley and her one true love, two sides of a very complicated puzzle. I'm still thinking about her choices and trying to understand the WHY of how she feels for both of these men in her life.
I enjoy how much The Original Sinners still surprises me with how quickly I sink into the minds of it's characters as they fight for acceptance, love, and fulfillment.
“My confession begins," Father S said, "as the confessions of many men begin - with three words"
"Father forgive me?" Michael hazarded a guess.
Father S sighed."I met Eleanor.”
Having relegated Søren to the background of the first book I wasn't sure how much I'd enjoy seeing him front and center this time around. Boy was I wrong!! Søren leaps off the pages, as compelling and commanding in fiction as he appears to our characters in 'real life'. The Angel fills in the back story on his life and the legacy his family stamped on him, and he became so much more to me than the one note character we saw before. I understood him, empathized with him and saw how his past made him who he is.
Then there is dear, dear Nora. Gosh I love this girl. Probably a bit too much and yes I do realize that she is a bit larger than life but I can't help it! I immersed myself in Nora's conflicted feelings as she struggles between her continued longing for 'plain, vanilla' Wesley and her one true love, two sides of a very complicated puzzle. I'm still thinking about her choices and trying to understand the WHY of how she feels for both of these men in her life.
I enjoy how much The Original Sinners still surprises me with how quickly I sink into the minds of it's characters as they fight for acceptance, love, and fulfillment.
kayla_llbr's review against another edition
5.0
“My confession begins," Father S said, "as the confessions of many men begin - with three words"
"Father forgive me?" Michael hazarded a guess. Father S signed.
"I met Eleanor.”
It has been a year after the events of The Siren have transpired and Nora is back with Soren, but still pining for Wesley. When it comes to light that Soren is being investigated by a reporter, he sends Nora away with Griffin and Michael for a summer filled with sex, secrets and interesting revelations.
This series just keeps getting better and better. Not only is The Angel incredibly sexy, but the writing takes this erotica to new heights. My emotions were running on high.
5 stars*
freesien's review against another edition
4.0
These books just keep getting better - but not because of the overall plot. We learn more about Søren's past and I find it ridiculous. But the books are just so addictive, I can't stop reading them!
symka's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
elliefufu's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best books I've read and such an emotional roller coaster. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time trying to figure out what was going to happen. This book is such a mind bender and I loved every second of it.
hillzaz's review against another edition
5.0
I have no words! I am so deeply in love with all the characters! *sigh* What a truly impressive, breathtaking story!!
sammy234's review against another edition
2.0
I still am addicted to this series, but I have to admit to myself that this book was a major let down compared to the first book.
The insta-love in this book was so strong, I couldn't even believe it. What happened to the subtle nuance of Nora and Wesley's every changing, complex relationship? What happened to the bittersweet, regretful heartbreak of Zac and Gracie's crumbling marriage plot?
In this book, Wesley kind of acts like a child (and Nora still ditches Soren for him I don't understand), and Griffin and Micheal fall in love FOR NO REASON. Probably because they were the only two characters in the book not romantically entangled.
It didn't... work. Sometimes instalove can be pulled off (ex:Cd reiss Song's of Corruption), but this was not one of those times. I still love the plot, and the characters, and the way everything is coming together, but I found quite a bit of this book cheesy too.
The confrontation between Micheal's Father and Griffin was laughable. First, there was no reason for him to be around there because he wasn't married to his wife anymore. What are the odds he would visit the EXACT day his son came home with his older friends? Second, Micheal's Father was like a caricature of a villain. He's steaming out of his ears and spouting evil things in front of a guy he's never met? Nope. Not buying it.
Soren was still a great, enigmatic presence in this book. I'm so interested to see what he was like in boarding school and how he interacted with Kingsley before there even was a Nora.
Nora, I like... but I'm kind of ticked at her. I can't believe she left Soren. I get that part of her loves Wesley, but I think she was spot on about them not working, and not because of the age difference. It's because mentally Wesley suddenly seems so young, and her feelings for him are sometimes oddly maternal instead of lover-like.
I mean, after two books of people trying to drill into Wesley's head that everything Nora does with Soren is consensual, he still doesn't understand that she is not being abused? Where is his brain at?
I don't know. I did a lot of complaining about this book but I think it's just second book syndrome. The Siren was so epic it's hard to top. Regardless, I can't wait to read the third one and figure out how this messy love triangle is going to be sorted.
(Sorry, love Quadrangle. Forgot that Kingsley is for some reason jumping on board this sinking ship. Ohmygosh Soren is going to destroy him lol)
The insta-love in this book was so strong, I couldn't even believe it. What happened to the subtle nuance of Nora and Wesley's every changing, complex relationship? What happened to the bittersweet, regretful heartbreak of Zac and Gracie's crumbling marriage plot?
In this book, Wesley kind of acts like a child (and Nora still ditches Soren for him I don't understand), and Griffin and Micheal fall in love FOR NO REASON. Probably because they were the only two characters in the book not romantically entangled.
It didn't... work. Sometimes instalove can be pulled off (ex:Cd reiss Song's of Corruption), but this was not one of those times. I still love the plot, and the characters, and the way everything is coming together, but I found quite a bit of this book cheesy too.
The confrontation between Micheal's Father and Griffin was laughable. First, there was no reason for him to be around there because he wasn't married to his wife anymore. What are the odds he would visit the EXACT day his son came home with his older friends? Second, Micheal's Father was like a caricature of a villain. He's steaming out of his ears and spouting evil things in front of a guy he's never met? Nope. Not buying it.
Soren was still a great, enigmatic presence in this book. I'm so interested to see what he was like in boarding school and how he interacted with Kingsley before there even was a Nora.
Nora, I like... but I'm kind of ticked at her. I can't believe she left Soren. I get that part of her loves Wesley, but I think she was spot on about them not working, and not because of the age difference. It's because mentally Wesley suddenly seems so young, and her feelings for him are sometimes oddly maternal instead of lover-like.
I mean, after two books of people trying to drill into Wesley's head that everything Nora does with Soren is consensual, he still doesn't understand that she is not being abused? Where is his brain at?
I don't know. I did a lot of complaining about this book but I think it's just second book syndrome. The Siren was so epic it's hard to top. Regardless, I can't wait to read the third one and figure out how this messy love triangle is going to be sorted.
(Sorry, love Quadrangle. Forgot that Kingsley is for some reason jumping on board this sinking ship. Ohmygosh Soren is going to destroy him lol)