Angel of Darkness review

Angel of Darkness by Cynthia Eden sets up her series The Fallen and was published in November 2011 by Kensington Brava. As a series beginning, Eden hits it out of the park and makes you crave the next story. In fact, as soon as I finished Angel of Darkness, I started reading Angel Betrayed, the second book in the series - and tomorrow's review :)

In Angel of Darkness, Eden gives us an unforgettable set of characters and solid action throughout. Keenan, a Fallen Angel of Death, is the perfect hero - not too perfect so that you are intimidated or looking for flaws - but perfect in the sense that he's hot, strong, smart, protective, sweet, and yet doesn't know what to do with his emotions or recognize some of his emotions for what they are. Keenan screws up and stumbles but his overarching intentions are good. Nicole gets the raw end of every freaking deal and yet, she keeps fighting, refuses to give up. When her human life ends, Nicole doesn't become an evil vampire or give up on her humanity. Instead, despite overwhelming odds and obstacles, she fights - she fights those that come after her and her own thirst. When Keenan and Nicole come together, it is with explosive chemistry but massive distrust. Both have to overcome their pasts and secrets in order to trust each other - something they both have difficulty doing but with the enemies increasing their lives depend on it.

The rest of the cast of characters is equally interesting. Sam is the "bad guy" that keeps you guessing the whole book whether he is helping or setting up our couple. Azrael is fairly obviously being set up through the whole book but it's fun to read his downfall even as he keeps you on the edge of your seat with his plans. The Others, as the supernatural creatures in the series are called, are either understandably seeking vengeance for past wrongs or just flat out evil psycopaths but are all well written and engaging.

The world Eden begins building with Angel of Darkness is interesting but also familiar in the sense that it adds to the existing human world as we know it rather than creating a whole new existence in the vein of Nalini Singh's Guild Hunters series world.

Anyone who enjoys angels in their paranormal romances will likely enjoy Angel of Darkness and I would definitely recommend it.

Synopsis

As an angel of death, Keenan’s job is to collect the souls on his list. He’s carried out his duty for two thousand years and never faltered once. Until he meets Nicole St. James. When the moment of death comes, Keenan hesitates, and instead of taking Nicole, Keenan touches the vampire who’s attacking her.

Cast out of heaven for disobedience, Keenan plummets to earth. Six months later, he finally manages to track Nicole to a bar in Mexico. He’s stunned to discover that the woman he remembers has undergone a dramatic change—she’s become a vampire. And when he realizes that she’s the target of all manner of enemies—other vampires, demons, even shifters—he’ll do whatever it takes to protect her, even if all hell breaks loose…