Angels of Darkness

Angels of Darkness by Ilona Andrews

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Guild Hunter 3.5: Angel's Wolf by Nalini Singh
We know Noel from a short appearance in Archangel's Kiss. Namir is pretty much new and not like many other angels in the emotional sense. I prefer the slower build to their relationship, especially with the scars they both carry. It's easy to imagine Dimitri's irritation when Noel decides to stay, throwing off the Tower's plans. Have to admit that the cats are a sweet touch to me, being a fellow cat lover and having two in my own home.

Alphas 0.5: Origins by Ilona Andrews
Part of me wants to find more Alphas stories because it seems like such a complex world. The other part of me still feels confused and not all that motivated by this rough group of "protectors." There is potential, but I can't claim this short was enough to make me see or want it all. Despite Karina's logical choices, can't help but think there is still some Stockholm syndrome going on here. Also don't feel badly for her so much as for Emily, who is the true innocent without power.

Samaria 5.5: Nocturne by Sharon Shinn
Corban is a very different angel with his music, moping and blindness. Moriah is a breath of fresh air with her sarcasm, determination and wit. Combined, the two make for an interesting combination and a very fun read. The way they are introduced here leads me to believe they are not part of the main series. It would be fun to follow their adventures if they were.

The Guardian 7.5: Ascension by Meljean Brook
The last short I read for this series focused on a vampire's employee and family. This one focuses on two actual Guardians as they hunt a demon and a group of self proclaimed vampire hunters. While it does do a much better job of showing exactly what the Guardians are and what they can do than the previous story, it also isn't much better as far as the general dry tone and lengthy explanations. The endings always end up being sweet somehow despite also feeling convenient and a tad rushed (though I'm not sure you can still use that word when these two have apparently been avoiding each other for hundreds of years leading up to this meeting). Still, not engaging enough to have me wanting to dig into the main series yet.

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Must Love Hellhounds

Must Love Hellhounds by Charlaine Harris

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


The Britlingens Go to Hell by Charlaine Harris
If you've read the Southern Vampires/Sookie Stackhouse series, then you have met the Britlingans before. It has been a long time since I had any interest in the series, and that proved true with this spin-off. The end picks up a bit, but most of it is dry and slow despite their adventure into Hell. A few references to their original series that are written likely to make readers want to know what happened and pick it up. It's the same reference repeated several times though, which makes it feel like maybe something is lacking here that they couldn't think of any other mission or another description of those same events.

Guild Hunter 0.5: Angels' Judgment by Nalini Singh
We start with a brief introduction to the Cadre and take off for a very fast romance between Sara and Deacon. We learn not only how they met, became a couple, Sara became guild durector, Deacon retired from hunting and went to weapon master full time, and how they came to own Slayer. That's a lot to fit in one short story where the bulk of action happens in roughly 48 hours. Still, there's a lot of foreshadowing, like Sara's prediction with Elena and some commentary about Raphael that tie in extra nice to the rest of the series. Almost makes me want to re-read the first book with all these preludes in place, especially since I had a rough start with the series.

Kate Daniels 3.5: Magic Mourns by Ilona Andrews
Already reviewed here.

The Guardian 5.5: Blind Spot by Meljean Brook
I have not read anything else in regards to this series. It definitely leaves that reading the series would be helpful. Otherwise you feel like you're playing catch up without all the cards. Of course the ending has to hint at everything turning out for the best. The characters are hard to fall for as it still feels like do much is missing, though they do become more interesting by the end.

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