Reviews

Envy by J.R. Ward

beckyreadmorebooks's review against another edition

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5.0

This was really good! It kept your interest the entire time :)

iceninjette's review against another edition

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2.0

I would have given this book a better rating, but Reilly, the heroine, ruined it for me. I don't think I ever wanted to slap a character so bad and by the end, I didn't even want Veck to be with her. It was all good until past half of the book when she listened to Bails and believed everything the guy said about Veck. For an IA officer, I expected a more suspicious nature and not take everything black for black.

Before that episode, she fancied herself in love with him and kept reassuring him that he wasn't like his father, etc. That his parentage didn't define him and she was an example of that. What pissed me off the most was the fact that after Bails framed Veck, she didn't even bother to go to Veck and demand explanations but rather, she was eager to find evidence against him to prove his guilt so that he would be thrown in jail.

What knocked her silly head on the right track had to be a video of Bails among Veck's father's fans. And she chose that moment to remember their moments together, how he was with her... Seriously? Even when he passed the polygraph test, to her, he had tricked it.

I've come across annoying heroines throughout books I've read, but I have to say, I'm putting Reilly at the top for stupid b*tches I want to slap silly. For now.

hixxup79's review against another edition

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4.0

While I think that Ms. Ward is losing her flare in her Black Dagger Brotherhood series, I feel that she's just getting warmed up on the Fallen angels series. Covet I felt was a really good book as well as Crave. Envy I think that not that the series has its feet wet, it's going in a good direction. I also like how coming from Crave where the good guys had lost I think that sets the series on a whole different level. Where it has a story within the story, and though the angels lost a soul, another had gotten their HEA.

In envy Veck, is the son of a mass serial killer, He constantly lives in the shadow of his father, always haunted by the potential of becoming just like him. He knows there is an evil residing within him, but he doesn't realize that it is an actual demon inside him. Heron and his buddies have to try to sway him from going to the side of evil, thus giving Devina another win, and basically closer to hell on earth. Veck at the beginning of the book believes he harmed another serial killer, but he didn't he is then partnered to the IA's office Sophie Reilly, during the book Weck falls for Reilly and her him, but things get shaky when someone betrays him, costing him almost his lover and his sanity.

End results- the good guys won though one of them is lost and another takes more action in the game, an another can't fully pull his head out of his ass to figure out that more is needed to win this war instead of sitting on their tufts sipping tea and playing crochet.

What I love about Wards books, is that she isn't afraid to tip the bar. Using her graphiic wording to make the sexual scene more drool worthy, whether it be a man/woman couple, same sex couple, or a multiple partner in one time scene. She doesn't discriminate on her characters, and her characters aren't discriminative unless they are meant to be that way.

The action in this one was a sub-par compared to other books, I like her books not only because of the uber super hot guys, and that omg that got my panties wet sex scenes. But I enjoy the action as well. But all in all Ward had succeeded in making me hot and bothered and made me crave for more also making me root for the good guys even more.

Sorry this review is so long.

plurabelle's review against another edition

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3.0

Police Detective Thomas DelVecchio has been living in the shadow of his infamous serial killer father for his entire life and is considered something of a loose cannon at his new job in Caldwell NY. Finding himself alone at the scene of a vicious attack on a suspected murderer, "Veck" has no memory of what happened and finds himself beginning to lose his precarious grip on reality. One of the only people who believes in Veck's innocence is Internal Affairs officer Reilly, the person ordered to keep tabs on him.

This series started out so promising with the first book, [b:Covet|6289920|Covet (The Fallen Angels, #1)|J.R. Ward|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1308971686s/6289920.jpg|6474277] which I absolutely loved, but then fell apart in spectacular fashion with the second book [b:Crave|7828882|Crave (The Fallen Angels, #2)|J.R. Ward|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1271490956s/7828882.jpg|7156794]. This third book sort of falls somewhere in the middle.

The character of Thomas DelVecchio was first introduced in Ward's other (and far superior) series The Black Dagger Brotherhood, when he showed up in [b:Lover Unleashed|8492319|Lover Unleashed (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #9)|J.R. Ward|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1289343390s/8492319.jpg|12784133]. To be honest, I was not a fan of him there. He came off as cocky and snide, and when i found out he was due to be the focus of this book, I was less than thrilled. However, I found myself being surprisingly drawn to his character in this setting. Although you could argue he was just another one of Ward's signature tortured heroes, I found myself liking him more and more as I read the book.

Reilly was another story altogether. She came across as very two dimensional and her constant flip-flop decision making was totally unbelievable especially given her profession working in Internal Affairs. Ward usually writes her heroines as strong no-nonsense woman, but with Reilly (as with the heroine in Crave, Grier) she has delivered a very forgettable wishy-washy female.

The main reason I keep sticking with this series is because of the character of Jim, the Fallen Angel and the heart of each story. His passion and determination to make things right has kept me coming back to these books even when I feel like walking away for good. I honestly wish that the focus of the series would be more on Jim and his band of Rebel Fallen Angels, than on the sometimes boring humans he spends so much time trying to save.

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allingoodtime's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective tense medium-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

4.0

This is the third book in the Fallen Angels series, and so far I hold to my belief that you can read this series without reading the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. A peripheral character is shared in both, but there’s nothing you need to know about his role in the BDB series that pertains to his role in these books. This story is the first time vampires are referenced, and it’s so brief it’s barely a blip.

As for this story, the continued saga of Jim Heron and his angel helpers to save the souls of more people than their adversary condemns (to put it in simple terms) continues at a fast clip. These guys go from one shitstorm to another with nary a breath between. This time they are back in Caldwell, at first because of Jim’s obsession with helping Sissy and ultimately to save the soul of Thomas VelVecchio, Jr. aka Veck. (Yes, if you have read the BDB books you have seen this character before, but you don’t need to know anything about his appearance in Lover Unleashed to follow this story.)

I really enjoyed the love story in this one. Veck and Reilly have a great push/pull going on. They both know that getting involved with each other is a recipe for disaster, yet they cannot seem to keep things professional. My heart aches for Veck as his story unfolds. Reilly is compassionate and patient, exactly what he needs. I was rooting for them and beyond disturbed when things went off the rails.

There is a lot of heartbreak in this book. I’m not sure where it’s going to lead and can only hope for a miracle. For the most part, I felt this story moved faster than the previous two. There were some parts with Nigel and his friends that dragged for me. I’m not sure if the details given will serve the overall story arc or not so I barreled through. I’m intrigued and a bit dismayed about what is to come next, but it definitely is keeping me reading. 

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beckyreadmorebooks's review against another edition

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5.0

This was really good! It kept your interest the entire time :)

chelsfoust's review against another edition

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5.0

Still my fav author!!! I love my boys! (brothers and angels) Can't wait for the next book! :)

milatonin's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

kathydavie's review against another edition

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5.0

Third in the Fallen Angels paranormal-romance series set in Caldwell, New York. The series has a slight tie-in with Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series. This series revolves around Jim Heron, a former XOps soldier, who died and is now the sole reliance of the world in a Test set by the Creator. The Test pits good against evil with Jim as the man/angel who must find and influence a person who is at a crossroads in his life. A crossroads where that person must make a choice between right and wrong.

There are seven souls and seven deadly sins in this Test. The side, which influences the most souls, will have dominion over the world. Everyone will either suffer in misery or live in joy.

The Story
Technically, the archangels are not allowed to provide Jim with any clues and so Jim chooses the only possibility he sees open to his learning the identity of this third soul—he makes a deal with Devina, the demon seeking to win all to her side.

Armed with this knowledge, he seeks out the subject of Envy's Test, Detective Thomas DelVecchio, Jr. A man already under the microscope of his own worries, Internal Affairs' concerns that "the acorn doesn't fall far from the tree", and Devina's machinations.


The Characters
Jim Heron is equal parts good and evil. His influence on each soul will sway that person at the crossroads of his/her life into making the decision that will send that person on the path to Heaven or Hell as well as determine the eventual winner of the Test and the fate of the world.

His angelic companions [whom no one would ever guess were angels] are Eddie and Adrian. Old souls who have been brought back to aid him in this Test.

Detective Thomas "Veck" DelVecchio, Jr. is a man torn in two. Externally, Veck is a good man who attempts to atone for the sins of his father, Thomas DelVecchio, Sr., a serial killer who is required reading at the Police Academy and the FBI and scheduled for execution in a few days. Internally, he's terrified that he's channeling his father and that he will become just as evil.

Sophia Reilly is with Internal Affairs and when the call comes in that Veck has been found with Kroner, the dying "suspected" serial killer from Crave, she heads to the woods immediately intent upon assessing the situation—did Detective Thomas DelVecchio, Jr. attempt to murder this man or was he merely a good Samaritan.

Devina is a demon capable of shapeshifting her body to resemble anyone and is truly evil. She keeps a "treasure room" of baubles and keepsakes of all the people whose souls she has taken or destroyed.

Nigel is the archangel in charge on the side of Good while Colin, Basil, and Byron are part of his archangelic support staff. Nigel is a rather pissy, prideful sort of angel who is very concerned with his comfort and image. When Colin breaks from Nigel's side [and orders], Nigel refuses to bend and avoids his company making himself thoroughly miserable.

My Take
Oh, man, there is a lot of churning go on under the surface of Envy! Jim's abilities seem to be evolving. His team certainly undergoes some intense emotions! And both Jim and Adrian realize a wake-up call that provides the promise of greater strength.

Some pretty hot sex between Reilly and Veck after Reilly channels her inner sex goddess at a Victoria's Secret sale. I do love Ward's depiction of Reilly taking Veck to her parents' house for dinner! Dad gives Veck the onceover—it's a lovely family moment and you can't help but laugh at Veck's chagrin.

On the negative side, it hits really hard when the betrayal slides into place. Very smooth. Very effective.

It cracks me up that Devina, a demon, is seeing a therapist and how Ward uses shrinkspeak to point up the absurdity of a demon ever getting her issues straightened up. Although, Devina is certainly going to need a confidence boost after this installment!

The Cover
Oh, wow! A realistically hunky guy squatting down, his right arm extended, his fist hitting the ground with his unrealistically gossamer wings extended behind him against a beautiful blue-purple haze of a background.

The title, Envy, is a mystery, to me at least!

yodamom's review against another edition

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2.0

Audio 2.5 stars-I loved the character Jim Heron in the previous books. Not so much in this one. It wasn't his character that changed my feelings it was the overused similes, slang and unending bad arse attitude all the characters had. It read like a 'who can out cool who' story. I found myself suffering from excessive eye rolling. Bah !
The story was predictable, the outcome visible from the first 1/4 of the book.
I do not think I will continue with this series.