BOOK REVIEW

RAPTURE by J.R. Ward #1

FALLEN ANGEL SERIES

www.jrward.com/

BOOK BLURB

Mels Carmichael, reporter for the Caldwell Courier Journal, gets the shock of her life when a man stumbles in front of her car outside the local cemetery. After the accident, his amnesia is just the kind of mystery she likes to solve, but she soon discovers they're over their heads with his past. Over their heads with passion, too ...As shadows walk the line between reality and another realm, and her lover's memory begins to come back, the two of them learn that nothing is truly dead and buried. Especially when you're trapped in a no-holds-barred war between angels and demons. With a soul on the line, and Mels's heart at risk, what in heaven - or in hell - will it take to save them both?

After reporter Mels Carmichael hits a disheveled man with her car outside the local cemetery, she pays a visit to the stranger in the hospital. The only thing he remembers of his past is seeing a name written on a headstone: that of Jim Heron—a fallen angel charged with rescuing souls from the seven deadly sins. Now, as Mels struggles to help this mysterious stranger rediscover himself, Heron himself returns to prepare for a battle between good and evil.

REVIEW

I own an e-book copy. This is the paperback cover and as this is the one I prefer, it's the one I will use. I still don't understand why covers must be different. It seriously drives me insane!

I've waited for this book for an entire year! I do understand that the author, the awesome J.R. Ward is probably snowed under and I shouldn't really complain as in about six months I will be reading the long, long awaited 'Lover at Last' #11 in the BDB series... still! I sound like a petulant child and one who will be stomping her foot shortly. But, you have to understand that this author rocks my reading world. She really does.

With that said, however, this was nothing (except in a few parts here and there) like it's predecessors. By this I mean, it wasn't full of what I've come to expect from the Warden; the body ripping action scenes, evil incarnate making me physically ill while reading what she's capable of, the trips upstairs where hilarious chats are carried on by those who 'rule' and make decisions. This one picks up where Envy #3 ended, of course. Matthias is dead, killed by Isaac Rothe and sent to Hell, which is exactly where he needed to be. Anyone who has lived the way he has and taken as many lives as he has, makes for a no-brainer. But, the war between good (Jim Heron) and evil (Devina) still forges on and will do so until such time as either side wins. We, of course, are all hoping that by the seventh book, it will be the Fallen Angels.

Sometimes, certain people get a second chance - one in which it's hoped the right choice is made. And what do you know? -Matthias wakes up naked on Jim Heron's grave. As if this wasn't confusing enough, he doesn't have a clue what the heck is going on, or even who he is. He has amnesia. He has headaches where flashbacks regarding his previous life occur and they are not pleasant in the least. He ends up 'meeting' Mels Carmichael (a tough cookie) who helps him. She's a kind soul and Matthias is appreciative. This somehow is strange for him - why doesn't it feel right? As she's a journalist, Matthias eventually asks Mels to dig around and find out what she can about him and the person on who's grave he woke up. Short of writing precisely what went down in this book, Adrian, Jim, Matthias and Mels all work towards a common goal. Jim and Ad weren't sure what the crossroads would be, but are now convinced that Mels is Matthias's key. It turns out differently of course. Where at one point everyone thought XOps members (Matthias used to be Jim's boss back in the day - when they were alive) were after Matthias, it turns out they were after someone else entirely. Mels and Matthias fall in love. Things are hindered by the fact that Matthias is impotent due to his attempt at suicide. One scene I absolutely loved was when Adrian did something that was completely against everything he practices in a personal sense. The story behind Matthias's life is revealed and Mels is left brokenhearted, but it all ends as it should, with one exception. Why oh why couldn't Eddie have come back? I hope he makes an appearance in future books, somehow. I know he's had his chance, but he needs to come back. My heart breaks for Adrian, honestly. And Dog? -too cute for words.

I'm rating this one as four stars, because although this was mild compared to what I'm used to in this series, I still loved reading it. I'm invested in these characters, heck, I was invested in them from #1, Covet. Once they become almost like family, it's really hard to shove them aside. For me at least. So, although Sissy is still stuck in the Well of Souls and Jim is still obsessing over her, Devina was nowhere near her usual disgusting, evil self, and I hate saying this but I felt a 'teeny' bit sorry for her because really, at the end of the day it's her job. I also can't help but laugh at how OCD she is. Ward manages to dish out a character who is completely rotten to the bone, has the ability to clothe herself in human skin with an end result of looking like a gorgeous brunette bombshell, yet in her true form - she's disgusting and slimy and you still end up kind of liking her. There, I said it. The chemistry between Devina and Jim is sick at best, but compelling. He doesn't want to, has been tortured by her and her minions, yet when the urge hits he is quick to fall prey to her. He hates it, but still it happens. Ward is cunning in a good way and the snarkiness she brings to the table had me laughing out loud numerous times throughout not only this book but all of them. What Ward also manages to do, is kind of force you to sympathise with those you really don't want to. It's tough to feel this way, but let me tell you, by the end of the book you just can't help it. I guess there's good and bad in (almost) everyone and most times (almost) everyone craves redemption. 

Although Rapture was 'quiet', I do think it was needed. And now, because of Jim's decision, Devina is once again on an equal footing with him, so it will be interesting to see how their arrangement will be played out in the next installment.  

Highlight, and those of us who are absolute fans of the BDB series will know, just know who this pertains to:

The six bastards were all dressed in black leather, which might have marked them as Goths--except the way they walked in formation behind their leader had a professional solider vibe. 

This made me  laugh...

One and only one thought went through his mind: "Do not tell me we're going for a round three with you."

As Matthias sat up and rubbed the back of his noggin, he shot a glare upward. "You dropped me on my head."

"You're dead!"

"Oh, and that's an excuse?"

and...

Off in the distance, other mammoth houses could be dimly seen--none of which was in a decrepit condition. 

"Does it have running water?"

"Yeah. And electricity."

"Will miracles never cease."

So much more really, but I can't put them all here.

 SANDRA'S RATING: 4 STARS