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desiree_mcl's review against another edition
3.0
This is just for Alphas: Origins by Ilona Andrews.
3.5 stars.
I enjoyed this story. It wasn't the best of Ilona Andrews stories, short or normal length, but it was a solid story. One thing that actually hurt the story for me was the huge information dump. There was that problem in [b:Magic Bites|38619|Magic Bites (Kate Daniels, #1)|Ilona Andrews|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1257727888s/38619.jpg|38381] as well but it wasn't as obvious because the story was longer and I was able to get used to the information over that period of time. Overall this was an interesting story and I enjoyed the characters.
3.5 stars.
I enjoyed this story. It wasn't the best of Ilona Andrews stories, short or normal length, but it was a solid story. One thing that actually hurt the story for me was the huge information dump. There was that problem in [b:Magic Bites|38619|Magic Bites (Kate Daniels, #1)|Ilona Andrews|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1257727888s/38619.jpg|38381] as well but it wasn't as obvious because the story was longer and I was able to get used to the information over that period of time. Overall this was an interesting story and I enjoyed the characters.
inmyhumbleopinion's review against another edition
4.0
Angels of Darkness by Nalini Singh, Ilona Andrews, Meljean Brook, and Sharon Shinn
Four stories with angels or angel like creatures.
Angel’s Wolf by Nalini Singh – This story takes place in Nalini Singh’s Guild Hunter world. If you love her Guild Hunter novels you will enjoy Angel’s Wolf. This story doesn’t involve any of the major characters except peripherally. Nimra is an angel holding territory in Louisiana for Raphael. She has a problem and is sent Noel, a damaged vampire, to assist her. A good short story.
Alphas: Origins by Ilona Andrews – This is unlike anything I’ve read from Ilona Andrews. This is by far the most unique of the stories in this anthology. I usually have a time with the first novel in any series because it is taken up with world building so when you can read a short story like this and get through the world building too. It just goes to show how talented the Ilona Andrews team is. I’d encourage them to continue with this but I don’t want to them take time away from their Kate Daniels series.
Nocturne by Sharon Shinn – This story takes place in Sharon Shinn’s Samaria series world. I’ll have to admit I haven’t read anything in that series but I may now. A thoroughly delightful tale of a serving girl and a blind angel.
Ascension by Meljean Brook - This story takes place in Meljean Brook’s Guardian series world. I’ll have to admit I haven’t read anything in that series either. It too sounds like it might be worth checking out. I like that the angel like Guardians are flawed and can have a crisis of faith.
Four stories with angels or angel like creatures.
Angel’s Wolf by Nalini Singh – This story takes place in Nalini Singh’s Guild Hunter world. If you love her Guild Hunter novels you will enjoy Angel’s Wolf. This story doesn’t involve any of the major characters except peripherally. Nimra is an angel holding territory in Louisiana for Raphael. She has a problem and is sent Noel, a damaged vampire, to assist her. A good short story.
Alphas: Origins by Ilona Andrews – This is unlike anything I’ve read from Ilona Andrews. This is by far the most unique of the stories in this anthology. I usually have a time with the first novel in any series because it is taken up with world building so when you can read a short story like this and get through the world building too. It just goes to show how talented the Ilona Andrews team is. I’d encourage them to continue with this but I don’t want to them take time away from their Kate Daniels series.
Nocturne by Sharon Shinn – This story takes place in Sharon Shinn’s Samaria series world. I’ll have to admit I haven’t read anything in that series but I may now. A thoroughly delightful tale of a serving girl and a blind angel.
Ascension by Meljean Brook - This story takes place in Meljean Brook’s Guardian series world. I’ll have to admit I haven’t read anything in that series either. It too sounds like it might be worth checking out. I like that the angel like Guardians are flawed and can have a crisis of faith.
stephcandy's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I really enjoyed all four stories on their own. I felt like they didn't flow together as well as I personally like anthologies to go. Overall though, the stories were sexy, romantic and fun.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery and Sexual content
scubacat's review against another edition
5.0
Love love love! Great short stories. And the Samaria story by Sharon Shinn was an amazing surprise! I suppose I should have guessed since the title of the book mentions angels, but I just wasn't thinking that she would write any more Samaria stories. I wish she would write more!!!
universalbookworm's review against another edition
3.0
I read a lot of Nalini Singh, and I think I've become accustomed to her writing patterns. There were very few surprises in her short story for me.
The Alphas: Origins story was fun, but was quite cliched in characters, gender roles, and slightly embarrassing in it's - captured damsel in distress story arch/
Samaria - this was a really interesting short. I will be reading more of this author.
The Alphas: Origins story was fun, but was quite cliched in characters, gender roles, and slightly embarrassing in it's - captured damsel in distress story arch/
Samaria - this was a really interesting short. I will be reading more of this author.
danicamidlil's review against another edition
Read the first story, Angel's Wolf that's part of the Guild Hunter series, but not ready to read the rest at this point. I'll come back to it I hope.
lindaunconventionalbookworms's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
It is always difficult for me to review and rate books that have several short stories in them... I really liked some of the stories, but not so much other stories.
The first one was a Nalini Singh story, Angel's Wolfwith Noel and Nimra fighting their demons as well as a mysterious assasin. This would have easily gotten 5 stars from me if it was a stand-alone!
The second was by Ilona Andrews, Alphas: Origins I didn't like this so much, because the 'heroes' were very violent, and although they were there to save humanity, they didn't seem to really have any feelings for humans. They kidnapped a thirty-something woman, Karina, and her daughter Emily, and I think the fact that a child was included in all this violence is what really bothered me the most.
Nocturne by Sharon Shinn was quite good, about a school where children who were half-breeds half-angel, half-human - but wiht no angel powers. Mohria is running from both angels and humans, at the school, she figures out that a broken angel is hiding and healing in the head-mistresse's house. As she is very curious, she finds a way to got there, even if it is forbidden for all school staff and students to go to the great house. She finds Corban who is blind, and feeling sorry for himself. A friendship forms, and they both help each other. I wouldn't mind reading more about this world, and this short was well written, long enough to get to know the main characters. This would be a 4 star review if it was on it's own.
Finally, Ascension by Meljean Brook was very interesting - not really about angels, more about guardians, although it could be argued that the guardians really are angels. IT was a little difficult to get into the story, as this world is a little complicated. However, this, too is a world I'd like to learn more about. 3 stars if it had been in it's own book.
It is always difficult for me to review and rate books that have several short stories in them... I really liked some of the stories, but not so much other stories.
The first one was a Nalini Singh story, Angel's Wolfwith Noel and Nimra fighting their demons as well as a mysterious assasin. This would have easily gotten 5 stars from me if it was a stand-alone!
The second was by Ilona Andrews, Alphas: Origins I didn't like this so much, because the 'heroes' were very violent, and although they were there to save humanity, they didn't seem to really have any feelings for humans. They kidnapped a thirty-something woman, Karina, and her daughter Emily, and I think the fact that a child was included in all this violence is what really bothered me the most.
Nocturne by Sharon Shinn was quite good, about a school where children who were half-breeds half-angel, half-human - but wiht no angel powers. Mohria is running from both angels and humans, at the school, she figures out that a broken angel is hiding and healing in the head-mistresse's house. As she is very curious, she finds a way to got there, even if it is forbidden for all school staff and students to go to the great house. She finds Corban who is blind, and feeling sorry for himself. A friendship forms, and they both help each other. I wouldn't mind reading more about this world, and this short was well written, long enough to get to know the main characters. This would be a 4 star review if it was on it's own.
Finally, Ascension by Meljean Brook was very interesting - not really about angels, more about guardians, although it could be argued that the guardians really are angels. IT was a little difficult to get into the story, as this world is a little complicated. However, this, too is a world I'd like to learn more about. 3 stars if it had been in it's own book.
thriftygeek's review against another edition
4.0
Given this was a mix of short stories, I have mixed reviews. Some stories were good, and some were ok, but not really my cup of tea. But if you love stories with angels or angel type creatures it's a good read.
beauty_and_the_rose's review against another edition
DNF, i just wasn't feeling a want to continue. I may pick it up again at another time