Book Review: Raziel (Fallen Angels 1)

Title:  Raziel
Series:  The Fallen
Author: Kristina Douglas (aka Anne Stuart)
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publication date: 25 January 2011
Author’s website: http://www.kristinadouglas.com/
Source: Gift from Danielle from Romance Book Junkies

Warning:  Religious aspects in this book requires a very open mind.

Goodreads blurb:

She was just an ordinary mortal . . .

“You’re dead” is so not what Allie Watson wants to hear. Unfortunately, it explains a lot. Like the dark, angelically handsome man who ferried her to this strange, hidden land. The last thing she remembers is stepping off a curb in front of a crosstown bus. Now she’s surrounded by gorgeous fallen angels with an unsettling taste for blood—and they really don’t want her around. Not exactly how she pictured heaven.

. . . until death catapulted her into a seductive world she never imagined.

Raziel is unsure why he rescued Allie from hellfire against Uriel’s orders, but she stirs in him a longing he hasn't felt in centuries. Now the Fallen are bracing for the divine wrath brought by his disobedience, and they blame Allie for the ferocious Nephilim clawing at the kingdom’s shrouded gates. Facing impossible odds at every turn, the two must work together to survive. Raziel will do anything to defend his spirited lover against the forces of darkness—because Allie may be the Fallen’s only salvation.

My thoughts:

Welcome to an alternate reality where fallen angels live and love.

If you love angel books, like I do, you will read this book in record time.  It is a simple story but it is the tension between the main characters that pull you in.

Allie seemed a bit selfish and self-absorbed when the story starts and she was a difficult heroine to love.  Then everything changes when she is hit by a bus and dies.  Suddenly she is being led to the fires of hell only to be saved at the last second by her escort, Raziel. Slowly but surely she starts to begin “living” again and in the end she redeems herself and you will be rooting for her.

Raziel (one of the fallen angels) cannot understand the impulse to rescue Allie – he has vowed to never allow a human woman to mean anything to him again.  He is the typical hurt and silent hero and acts like it through a large part of the book.  But he does risk his life to save Allie and this is where the action begins. Uriel will not be denied. Now everything and everyone Raziel holds dear is in danger. Suddenly the threats are coming from all sides.

Don’t let the first few slow chapters distract you – this is the first in the series and we need to get to know the cast of characters and the world they live in.  About halfway through the book, you will need to take hold of your chair or you will be blown away by all that is happening.

This is not a deep book but rather a piece of candy that melts deliciously in your mouth.  You will not be disappointed reading this on a slow Sunday afternoon.