Summary:
Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux knows she’s the best—but she doesn’t know if she’s good enough for this job. Hired by the dangerously beautiful Archangel Raphael, a being so lethal that no mortal wants his attention, only one thing is clear—failure is not an option…even if the task is impossible.
Because this time, it’s not a wayward vamp she has to track. It’s an archangel gone bad.
The job will put Elena in the midst of a killing spree like no other…and pull her to the razor’s edge of passion. Even if the hunt doesn’t destroy her, succumbing to Raphael’s seductive touch just may. For when archangels play, mortals break…
Thoughts:
Well, this is a tough one. On the one hand, there were some aspects of the book that I liked and found intriguing. On the other hand, there were many things that just didn’t work for me.
I thought parts of the world building were pretty neat. I loved the concept of angels being vampire-like in some ways and actually making vampires. That’s a take I hadn’t come across before so I appreciated it, as a fan of vampires it’s always nice to see something new. I liked the idea of a guild of hunters too. There were other parts that I didn’t really like. For instance, the influence that vampires and angels can have over humans and hunters. Making people addicted to them and being able to override someone’s will–that’s scary stuff. And how it plays out in some scenes of the book make it less sexy and more….rapey. The main protagonist, for much of the book, is questioning whether it’s her own thoughts and feelings or if she’s being influenced. That’s just too gray of an area for me to be comfortable.
A lot more of my mixed feelings come from the characters. I liked Elena, for the most part–she’s a character that likes kicking ass and taking names. But then there were times when I just couldn’t deal with her. I think her relationship with Raphael was extremely toxic, to be quite honest. In reference to the aforementioned mind influence stuff, there are parts when Elena’s like ‘Is that me thinking that or is it him making me think that? Oh, right, no, I know it’s me now.’ Yes, now, but what about before? Are we just forgetting about that? And, while I liked Elena, her character didn’t feel consistent to me. She hated being influenced. She hated being walked over, or anyone taking away her own agency. And yet she falls for the mind influence-y guy who thought he could just influence her into sex at one point? Um, no. I’m all for enemies to lovers, but there’s a right way and there’s a no coming back way, and for me this was just too uncomfortable for me.
In regards to Raphael, well, he’s your typical Alphahole–a guy who is very much used to getting what he wants and not being denied. At one point these types of characters in romance didn’t bother me so much but I have a MUCH lower tolerance these days. I did, however, really love Elena’s best friend and guild master. She was cool and supportive and looking out for her friend. Yay, sisterhood! It’s a shame the rest of the characters were mostly jerks and felt like caricatures more than characters–the jealous ex!, the crappy parent!, the other alpha male that will probably be in the next book!
The plot itself was okay and I liked the idea of a rogue blood-thirsty mad angel on the loose. There was a little bit too much of ‘hurry up and wait’ for me though. So much down time in between tracking this killer! I really started to wonder ‘why does Elena have to be here, again?’ Oh, right, so Raphael can seduce her or something, idk.
Still, even though I’m being pretty negative here, I did have fun reading this book, or at least most of it. It was a quick read, at least. 2.5/5 stars.
Way Too Fantasy 
“Alphahole,” that’s a new one for me! And I love it😁 This definitely sounds like it has problematic elements. It also sounds like it’s not a current release, perhaps?
It’s not super current but I don’t think it’s real old either, I do know there are quite a lot of books in the series. Maybe some of them don’t have the same issues I found here.
I heard alphahole somewhere in an article about romance and it’s stuck with me because it’s the perfect term! Lol
I know I read this one years ago, and I couldnt remember much about it, but I think your review sounds about right (triggered some memories, like the alphahole 🙂 Nice name
I can’t take credit for the name, but I do love to use it lol.
The plot sounds interesting, but the characters would not keep the story alive for me. With the way you described it, I’d be annoyed by her character being contradictory too. I’m not big on characters like that. I kind of understand it because you want to be something, but then sometimes realize you’re not like what you want to be at all. Still it’s hard to read characters like that if they’re not written well.
Great review!
Yeah, exactly. Characters are the biggest part of the story for me, so when they’re not well written it’s tough for me to move past that. Thanks!
No problem!
I have read this author – only a couple of times and there is something of a fine line I find between ‘rapey’ and ‘sexy’. Plus the alphaholes you mentioned. Bit off putting.
Lynn 😀
Yes, exactly. And I’m finding I have a lot less tolerance these days than in the past.
Hahaha I call them “Alphadouches” but I love your version. 😀 Admittedly, I used to really like them when I was a teen, but nowadays I’m more of a fan of kind love interests who aren’t afraid to be vulnerable lol. And the “strong and independent” female protagonist falls in love with the asshole male love interest” is something I’m getting rather tired of seeing in paranormal books.
There was a time I loved those guys too but not much these days. I’ve seen too many real life assholes treating women like shit for me to be able to romanticize it anymore.
It’s a shame you had such mixed feelings about this one. It’s a pity Elena’s relationship with raphael was so toxic and the plot was just ok. Great review though!
Thanks! Yeah. The sad thing is I probably would have loved this ten years ago, I’ve just gotten less tolerant of things over the years.