Rush’s grand depiction of the battle between good and evil and her relatable main characters will please supernatural fans with a mix of the familiar and unexpected. Rush establishes the basics of the conflict clearly in the initial chapters, but although the framing is clever, the focus on binary rules, regulations, and prophecy can feel rigid. There’s rich narrative possibilities in centuries-old supernatural beings navigating the modern world, and the social relationships between characters here suggest that history and complexity. Giant street battles offer hosts of angels and demons, inviting readers to revel in the epic, ancient scope, while Rush never loses sight of the urgently personal intrigue at the novel’s heart.
There’s real depth to the relationship between Rebeka and her protective “brother” Russell, which grounds the spy vs. spy aspect of the search for Jessica and serves as a secondary barrier to her budding relationship with David, possibly more so, at this point, than in the romance itself. Rush understands her genre, challenging and honoring its expectations, and offering delights for readers who find appeal in supernatural transformations, as both Rebeka and David gain their literal wings and come into their spiritual own at the story’s peak. The arc of the novel both completes cleanly and leads directly into the next entry.
Takeaway: Rush’s relatable leads and grand clash between good and evil will please supernatural fans.
Great for fans of: Ilona Andrews, D.G. Whiskey’s Fallen.
Production grades
Cover: N/A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: B
