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eesh25's review against another edition
3.0
3.25 Stars
As a book that I've actively wanted to read for a year (procrastination at it's finest), I was hoping to love it. And while I did quite enjoy the first half of the book, the second half lost me a bit. There was a lot of stuff going on and it was rushed. Like the author going through a checklist of events. Also, I simply didn't see enough development in the relationship between Tao and West; something that was important for the second half to work. To me, we needed to see them spend more time together. Time that wasn't spent having sex.
Still, there were quite a few elements I liked. And characters I found interesting (Raphael). But the book was too short to explore everything properly. Wish there was a spin-off...
As a book that I've actively wanted to read for a year (procrastination at it's finest), I was hoping to love it. And while I did quite enjoy the first half of the book, the second half lost me a bit. There was a lot of stuff going on and it was rushed. Like the author going through a checklist of events. Also, I simply didn't see enough development in the relationship between Tao and West; something that was important for the second half to work. To me, we needed to see them spend more time together. Time that wasn't spent having sex.
Still, there were quite a few elements I liked. And characters I found interesting (Raphael). But the book was too short to explore everything properly. Wish there was a spin-off...
tinkcourtney's review against another edition
4.0
This book gripped me right from the start! The premise of a jaded assassin for an archangel and a homeless guy with no memory interested me, and the writing drew me further in to the mystery of who Tao really was, how West could save his brother, and ultimately, how West and Tao could overcome all the obstacles between them. There were some twists and turns that kept it from being predictable, and the chemistry between the two main characters was sizzling. This was my first book by this author, but I will definitely be checking out more of hers!
wildfaeriecaps's review against another edition
5.0
This was strange and then took an even stranger turn. Then I was hooked and then it freaking made me cry. But the end was oddly anti-climactic and weirdly religious. Still, it was a very interesting take on angels and fae.
valerieullmerauthor's review against another edition
5.0
Perfect! This is one of the best paranormal romances I’ve ever read! The connection between West and Tao is tangible from the first moment they met. West has become hardened from the job he’s assigned to, and the author makes his misery jump off the page, but Tao changes everything.
Tao has no memory past two months previous when he woke up in a park with a bracelet and no other clues. When he helps West, he puts himself in danger. As the story moves along, which I couldn’t put down, Tao’s goodness starts to change everyone, including West.
The story developed in a way the was unpredictable but intriguing. The character arc of West is the best one I’ve read in a long while. He’s working for two bosses who are at the opposite end of the spectrum and on top of dealing with the loss of his brother. I don’t want to give anything away because the story is truly original, but this is worth the read!
The book flows along really well and when I reached the end, I was sad to be pulled from West and Tao’s world. Truly spectacular!!!
Tao has no memory past two months previous when he woke up in a park with a bracelet and no other clues. When he helps West, he puts himself in danger. As the story moves along, which I couldn’t put down, Tao’s goodness starts to change everyone, including West.
The story developed in a way the was unpredictable but intriguing. The character arc of West is the best one I’ve read in a long while. He’s working for two bosses who are at the opposite end of the spectrum and on top of dealing with the loss of his brother. I don’t want to give anything away because the story is truly original, but this is worth the read!
The book flows along really well and when I reached the end, I was sad to be pulled from West and Tao’s world. Truly spectacular!!!
kiki124's review against another edition
2.0
I wonder if I’d
have loved Jonty if I’d read
his prototypes first.
have loved Jonty if I’d read
his prototypes first.
haletostilinski1's review against another edition
5.0
4.75 Stars!!!
I was not expecting to feel how I felt reading this - by which I mean absolutely loving this book. I thought I would like it it a lot at best, because the one other book by this author I read I liked but didn't love - but DAMN did I love this!
I only gave off .25 of a star because of the slow beginning - it takes until around 30% - for me at least - for this to start to pick up. And it wasn't like the first 30% of the book was bad, it was just slow because of all the world building, because this is a world with supernatural creatures and our MC's aren't human, so there's that element to it, so things had to be explained and set up. So it took me awhile to just full steam ahead while reading this. That's my only real gripe, if you could call it that.
Otherwise I fucking loved this okay? This book managed to pull at my heartstrings - and I actually fucking cried at the end, okay! - but don't worry, there IS a happy ending, because this is a supernatural world and.
But ohhhh god, the sad thing that happens at the end doesn't last and when.
I loved Tao - he is like so fucking pure and sweet and kind - but I also love how Elsborg didn't make him completely perfect haha - actually there were times where he was so human even though he isn't really a human. My god, what a sweetie pie, and how he was able to affect West...
West! I loved him too. He, imo, went through the biggest transformation in this book. He starts out fairly mean and grouchy, always with a dark cloud on this head - understandable, with what he is going through - but then he meets Tao and Tao changes him (not that he tries to change West at all, he just does, with his happy spirit, his kindness and his determination) and it made me so happy to where West was at the end of the book vs how he was at the beginning.
I loved how this was written - how I thought one thing and was wrong, but then when I figured out another thing, something else came up that I was so NOT expecting and then I was like "ohhhh I should have totally seen that!" It's my favorite thing when a book manages to surprise me at almost every turn and after the big reveals it seems obvious but when you're first reading it you just don't catch it.
So mannyyy things I was like "huh...I wonder what will happen - will this be what happens?" and then nope, it was something completely different.
There is one cringe-y sex scene in this, but I don't think it detracted from the book because it all had to do with our MC's characterizations. Why did West treat their first time like it was so emotionless? We get to see why afterward, the shit that's going on his head, how broken he is and what he was trying to do. And how Tao didn't just give up on West after, he didn't just take West lying down.
After the sex gets sooo much better and passionate but yeah, just know the first time doesn't go the way we want it too. I would say it is slightly dub-con as well, because Tao pretty soon after it starts isn't enjoying it. That's what makes it uncomfortable and a little cringe worthy. I don't know how others will feel about it, but it bummed me out and made me uncomfortable. But it thankfully just gets better and better between them.
I loved all the twists and surprises in this novel, all the emotions it evoked, I definitely recommend this because after the slow start, it just sucks you right in and I just had to know what happened from one page to the next.
I was not expecting to feel how I felt reading this - by which I mean absolutely loving this book. I thought I would like it it a lot at best, because the one other book by this author I read I liked but didn't love - but DAMN did I love this!
I only gave off .25 of a star because of the slow beginning - it takes until around 30% - for me at least - for this to start to pick up. And it wasn't like the first 30% of the book was bad, it was just slow because of all the world building, because this is a world with supernatural creatures and our MC's aren't human, so there's that element to it, so things had to be explained and set up. So it took me awhile to just full steam ahead while reading this. That's my only real gripe, if you could call it that.
Otherwise I fucking loved this okay? This book managed to pull at my heartstrings - and I actually fucking cried at the end, okay! - but don't worry, there IS a happy ending, because this is a supernatural world and
Spoiler
what would be the end by them dying is not really an end. West is already dead at the start of this, and shit happens and I was like "PLEASE DON'T LET THIS BE THE END!" but thank fuck it works out and we do get our happy ending. Just expect possible tears - or at least sadness near the end because like! BITCH!But ohhhh god, the sad thing that happens at the end doesn't last and when
Spoiler
West and Tao see each other again it is the most beautiful thing and so sweet and their love just made my heart pound and just made me meltI loved Tao - he is like so fucking pure and sweet and kind - but I also love how Elsborg didn't make him completely perfect haha - actually there were times where he was so human even though he isn't really a human. My god, what a sweetie pie, and how he was able to affect West...
West! I loved him too. He, imo, went through the biggest transformation in this book. He starts out fairly mean and grouchy, always with a dark cloud on this head - understandable, with what he is going through - but then he meets Tao and Tao changes him (not that he tries to change West at all, he just does, with his happy spirit, his kindness and his determination) and it made me so happy to where West was at the end of the book vs how he was at the beginning.
I loved how this was written - how I thought one thing and was wrong, but then when I figured out another thing, something else came up that I was so NOT expecting and then I was like "ohhhh I should have totally seen that!" It's my favorite thing when a book manages to surprise me at almost every turn and after the big reveals it seems obvious but when you're first reading it you just don't catch it.
So mannyyy things I was like "huh...I wonder what will happen - will this be what happens?" and then nope, it was something completely different.
There is one cringe-y sex scene in this, but I don't think it detracted from the book because it all had to do with our MC's characterizations. Why did West treat their first time like it was so emotionless? We get to see why afterward, the shit that's going on his head, how broken he is and what he was trying to do. And how Tao didn't just give up on West after, he didn't just take West
Spoiler
trying to push him awayAfter the sex gets sooo much better and passionate but yeah, just know the first time doesn't go the way we want it too. I would say it is slightly dub-con as well, because Tao pretty soon after it starts isn't enjoying it. That's what makes it uncomfortable and a little cringe worthy. I don't know how others will feel about it, but it bummed me out and made me uncomfortable. But it thankfully just gets better and better between them.
I loved all the twists and surprises in this novel, all the emotions it evoked, I definitely recommend this because after the slow start, it just sucks you right in and I just had to know what happened from one page to the next.
shelbanuadh's review against another edition
3.0
This is the type of book that I normally wouldn't bother with - a paranormal book with angels, demons, ghosts, vampires, fae, gargoyles, werewolves, etc just isn't my cup of tea. However, Barbara Elsborg is my cup of tea. I enjoyed the characters. The wasn't my thing to begin with but spiraled out of control in the last 1/4. I found myself skimming over the last few chapters.
knutsoel's review
3.0
It was....... at times as if I was reading an episode of 'Supernatural'.
(I've seen enough bits and pieces of it when my SO watched it).
At other times, like reading a sappy lovestory with loads of sex.
It was somehow fun and boring at the same time.
(I've seen enough bits and pieces of it when my SO watched it).
At other times, like reading a sappy lovestory with loads of sex.
It was somehow fun and boring at the same time.
amyaislin's review
4.0
Tao is probably one of the cutest characters I've ever read in a book, and he's so full of life and compassion and optimism, despite the crappy circumstances he finds himself in. Frankly, Tao made this book come to life!
West, on the other hand, was kind of an ass for the first...oh, I can't remember now. Probably about 50% or less. And I couldn't figure out why Tao didn't run for the hills away from him. But then I guess we wouldn't have a story :)
I liked this. It's not my favourite by Barbara Elsborg (that one's still With or Without Him), but I liked how Tao and West's relationship developed and how the story progressed. There were twists and turns I didn't see coming even though the hints were there and I probably should have. Good God, I freakin' bawled like a baby when a certain something happened about 90%, but the ending left me feeling hopeful and happy for these characters!
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review*
West, on the other hand, was kind of an ass for the first...oh, I can't remember now. Probably about 50% or less. And I couldn't figure out why Tao didn't run for the hills away from him. But then I guess we wouldn't have a story :)
I liked this. It's not my favourite by Barbara Elsborg (that one's still With or Without Him), but I liked how Tao and West's relationship developed and how the story progressed. There were twists and turns I didn't see coming even though the hints were there and I probably should have. Good God, I freakin' bawled like a baby when a certain something happened about 90%, but the ending left me feeling hopeful and happy for these characters!
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review*
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