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karebic's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
kathydavie's review against another edition
5.0
An anthology of four short stories involving angels with darkness in their lives.
Series:
"Angel's Wolf" (Guild Hunter, 4.75)
"Origins" (Alphas, 0.5)
"Nocturne" (Samaria, 1.5)
"Ascension" (The Guardians, 10.5)
The Stories
Nalini Singh's "Angel's Wolf" is more of a side story with Noel, one of the elite Guard for the Archangel Raphael, being sent to discover who dares to threaten an angel. Noel has been badly savaged, ruined in an attack and he feels he has been sent to Louisiana, to Nimra, as a demotion to second-tier guard. Instead, it's a lovely tale of healing for two very different beings.
Ilona Andrews' "Origins" will knock you for a loop with its different interpretation on the origins of man and of demons. Violent, brutal, out of this world, and absolutely fascinating.
Sharon Shinn's "Nocturne" was fabulous for its sarcastic, snotty heroine who drags an angel back from the brink. I must read this series!
Meljean Brook's "Ascension" was a long time coming for Marc and Radha. One hundred and forty years long. It's just like a man to not want to ask directions needing to figure it all out for himself.
The Cover and Title
The cover is lovely as a purple-winged angel embraces a nude woman, a swath of green fabric swirling around their legs.
The title definitely reflects the characters in each short story as each angel experiences darkness in their lives.
Series:
"Angel's Wolf" (Guild Hunter, 4.75)
"Origins" (Alphas, 0.5)
"Nocturne" (Samaria, 1.5)
"Ascension" (The Guardians, 10.5)
The Stories
Nalini Singh's "Angel's Wolf" is more of a side story with Noel, one of the elite Guard for the Archangel Raphael, being sent to discover who dares to threaten an angel. Noel has been badly savaged, ruined in an attack and he feels he has been sent to Louisiana, to Nimra, as a demotion to second-tier guard. Instead, it's a lovely tale of healing for two very different beings.
Ilona Andrews' "Origins" will knock you for a loop with its different interpretation on the origins of man and of demons. Violent, brutal, out of this world, and absolutely fascinating.
Sharon Shinn's "Nocturne" was fabulous for its sarcastic, snotty heroine who drags an angel back from the brink. I must read this series!
Meljean Brook's "Ascension" was a long time coming for Marc and Radha. One hundred and forty years long. It's just like a man to not want to ask directions needing to figure it all out for himself.
The Cover and Title
The cover is lovely as a purple-winged angel embraces a nude woman, a swath of green fabric swirling around their legs.
The title definitely reflects the characters in each short story as each angel experiences darkness in their lives.
yodamom's review against another edition
4.0
Angel's Wolf- 3.5 stars- I love the series but did not care for these characters. There was a scene with a cat being killed, broke my heart.
Alpha's origin-5 stars, fantasy, action, romance and mystery in the perfect amount- I want more
Nocturne- 3 stars, just not my style of reading, a religious feel
Ascension- ? Did not finish
Alpha's origin-5 stars, fantasy, action, romance and mystery in the perfect amount- I want more
Nocturne- 3 stars, just not my style of reading, a religious feel
Ascension- ? Did not finish
bingley's review against another edition
5.0
One of my favorite anthologies, actually probly my FAVE anthology.
I think this was the one that got me into anthologies, tbh lol.
All SOLID stories that made me check out every Author's other works.
TLDR: I've reread this and I'll probly reread it again.
I think this was the one that got me into anthologies, tbh lol.
All SOLID stories that made me check out every Author's other works.
TLDR: I've reread this and I'll probly reread it again.
smuttea_matcha's review against another edition
3.0
Okay, so this isn't a full review. This is strictly for Alphas: Origins.
It's crazy how much detail and world-building Andrews stuffed into this little piece. It was interesting to read of the different pockets of space, the different sub species and their abilities, and the reason for their existence. Arthur? Dick. Henry? Adorable. Lucas? That psycho dog everyone loves. It's interesting to see how Karina picks herself up and makes all her decisions based off the protection and safety of her daughter. To see how Karina starts to sympathize for Lucas, that was adorable. Anyway, I don't know if I'll read the other short stories, but I'd recommend the Alphas: Origins to Ilona Andrews fans. This book doesn't rely heavily on smut and romance, but it definitely builds a little.
It's crazy how much detail and world-building Andrews stuffed into this little piece. It was interesting to read of the different pockets of space, the different sub species and their abilities, and the reason for their existence. Arthur? Dick. Henry? Adorable. Lucas? That psycho dog everyone loves. It's interesting to see how Karina picks herself up and makes all her decisions based off the protection and safety of her daughter. To see how Karina starts to sympathize for Lucas, that was adorable. Anyway, I don't know if I'll read the other short stories, but I'd recommend the Alphas: Origins to Ilona Andrews fans. This book doesn't rely heavily on smut and romance, but it definitely builds a little.
jena_33's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
belleflamey's review against another edition
2.0
It was okay. Nothing fab. I liked the NS novella the most, primarily because I really enjoy her Guild Hunter series.
angels_gp17's review against another edition
3.0
Angels of Darkness is an Anthology full of four short stories from [a:Ilona Andrews|21748|Ilona Andrews|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1219436898p2/21748.jpg], [a:Nalini Singh|71688|Nalini Singh|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1423312512p2/71688.jpg], [a:Meljean Brook|24009|Meljean Brook|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1317348186p2/24009.jpg], and [a:Sharon Shinn|28544|Sharon Shinn|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1218995575p2/28544.jpg].
Meljean Brook and Sharon Shinn where new to me authors. I actually picked this book up to read Ilona Andrews, [b:Origins|27257359|Origins (Alphas, #0.5)|Ilona Andrews|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1445543785s/27257359.jpg|47307321]; since it has been published on it’s own as well as wanting to read Nalini Singh, [b:Angel's Wolf|18895600|Angel's Wolf (Guild Hunter, #3.5)|Nalini Singh|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1385177663s/18895600.jpg|26899944]; since I’m currently reading her Guild Hunter series.
Below Are Individual Reviews
Angel’s Wolf (Guild Hunter #3.5) by Nalini Singh
Rated 3.5 Stars - I enjoyed this short story. I liked both Nimra the Angel and Noel the Vampire. Nimra needs help and Raphael sends Noel, but he thinks he’s been cast aside; because of what happened to him. Both of them needed healing in different ways and they come to find what they need in each other.
Angel’s Wolf is a sweet, sad, and enjoyable read.
Alphas: Origins (Alphas #0.5) by Ilona Andrews
Rated 3.5 Stars - I enjoyed this short story. It’s darker then what I’m used to from the Andrews team. It was very interesting and the world is vast. I would love more, maybe a series, but at this time the Andrews team has no plans on writing more in this world/series. The heroine, she is thrown into a difficult situation and she coupes with it rather well, maybe to well. I enjoyed all the characters introduced. I just felt we needed more. We barely scratch the surface of this new world and the characters.
Alphas: Origins is an intense, stressful, and fast-paced adventure.
Nocturne (Samaria) by Sharon Shinn
Rated 3.5 Stars - I enjoyed this short story. It’s an interesting world and what we get makes me want to dig deeper into it. I liked the set up and characters. It's unique in it’s portrayale of angels, angel-seekers, and humans. We have a sexy brooding angel and a daughter of an angel who is human. The romance for our leads, Corban and Moriah, blooms over time, which was nice to read. The slow burn and banter between the two made the romance believable. Both where looking for something and they found it in each other.
Nocturne is a sweet slow burn romance.
Ascension (The Guardians #7.5) by Meljean Brook
Rated 3 Stars - I enjoyed this short story. Marc and Radha are both Guardians, which means they are warriors given angelic powers to fight demons. These two have a past and it’s complicated. They end up working together to find the demon causing problems as well as who is killing supernaturals and humans. I did have trouble connecting to both Marc and Radha. It could be because they had a past or that this novella took place farthing in the series.
Ascension has a little mystery, drama, and whole lot of sexual tension.
All and all this anthology was ok! I don’t buying anthologies, but I do like to pick them up at the library. I sometimes find new authors in anthologies to try out.
Rated: 3 Angels of Darkness Stars
