Rapture: A Novel of the Fallen Angels

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.

It very well could have been the title of this book. That's really the theme of "Rapture," the idea that we've all gone wrong somewhere, but it's never too late for redemption. This theme is personified in Matthias, a returning character from " Crave (Fallen Angels, Book 2) ," who has spent his formative life doing bad things to whatever kind of person happens to cross his path. Most readers, after reading " Crave: A Novel of the Fallen Angels " would agree that he earned the eternal damnation he got at the end of that book. The trick for Ward in "Rapture" is to make us believe that he deserves a second chance.Enter Mels Carmichael, another soul looking for redemption, but on a much smaller scale. It's a nice balance, her journey towards just getting her life back on track after the death of her father, juxtaposed with Matthias trying to save his immortal soul. On the surface, you wouldn't think the two struggles were playing in the same ballpark, but as you read the story, & you read how much Mels is affected by the choices she's made, her relatively minor struggle doesn't seem that much different from Matthias's. In the end, both have to own up to the people they are, & you find yourself hoping it's not too late for either of them to turn it around.Readers already know that Matthias's choices play a major role in the Heaven/ Hell struggle for control; but in this book, its Mels's growth that really steals the show. She's the first female lead in the Fallen Angels series that seems to stand toe to toe with the boys, reminiscent of another beloved Ward female, Beth Randall from the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. It's probably no coincidence that Mels has replaced Beth at the newspaper she once worked at, or that she's appropriated Beth's coffee mug. The similarities between the two characters abound, & perhaps that's why Ward readers will find themselves much more invested in Mels than they might have in previous female leads.And the love interests aren't the only ones seeking redemption. The two angels, Jim & Adrian, are still reeling from the loss of the Eddie, & this seems to make them less sure of themselves. It certainly has made them much angrier, an emotion that seems to fuel most of their actions in the story. As with most middle books in a series, this story is more about character growth than plot, & that's most noticeable in Ward's treatment of the angels. Not having to spend time locating the soul in question, or chasing Devina all over the place, allows the book to focus on just what this war is doing to the players in question. Is Adrian really going to be able to recover from Eddie's loss to become the kind of angel he never thought he'd have to be? Is Jim's devotion to Sissy helping or hindering the mission? How are they going to reconcile all the heavy, heavy feelings that are starting to crush them with what they need to do to save mankind? Lots of questions arise in "Rapture," and some of the answers, as always in a Ward book, surprise.But the most surprising part of the book's redemption theme: how much you root for Devina to get hers too. If there's any aspect of the Fallen Angels series that sets it apart, it is how much you come to love to Devina. She's evil incarnate, cruel to the bone, & yet one of the most likeable villains ever. Because in between torturing Jim over Sissy, & taunting Adrian with reminders of Eddie's death, you see her struggling with OCD & sympathizing with people in a way that makes her seem almost human. You hate yourself for thinking it, but just a little part of you almost wants her to win, because Ward has managed to make evil seem not all bad.This book is far less about the romance & much more about the on- going war & its effect on the main players, but frankly, I'd be okay with this particular series having even less romance elements in favor of more time spent on how the angels & Devina are going to come out of all this (and certainly more time spent with the Four Lads; their near- absence in this book is a disappointment). Soul- saving doesn't just happen because two people fall in love; most of the time, it's because a person finally decides to seek redemption for themselves. And only time will tell which of the players in the game will really be redeemed...

**SPOILERS *** A dual do-over if you get my drift.This is book 4 - and the soul to save this time is Matthias, yep the boss that went down so spectacularly in book 2 straight to hell. Because Davina cheated the creator decided to punish her and in doing so released one of her souls back to earth.Matthias wakes up naked sat on Jim Herons grave, with amnesia. On breaking out of the cemetery he runs straight into the front of Mel Carmichaels car and both end up in hospital.During the run of this story his memories come back in trickles, streams and total deluges. The last are the worst as they incapacitate him until the download is finished. Jim won't tell him what he was like before as he doesn't want to influence him. Davina is secure in her knowledge that he was evil before ergo he will be again. She firmly believes you cannot change!Adrian makes a selfless sacrifice, Jim will need to make one too. But the biggie is Matthias making a few life changing decisions, including saving a life, asking the guys by the castle if he can come back and handing over all the information relating to XOps to expose it all.Is there a HEA?? Not saying read and enjoy just remember that Dog really does like turkey subs!!**END SPOILER***

JR Ward's novels are always a light read, page-turners with cliche plot points and prose that leaves something to be desired. This is typical of the authors in this genre, and consistent with 'quantity over quality' high output style. Having said that, this is the type of story I like to escape to between more serious reads, and I think JRWard is the best in the genre.I originally got hooked on the 'Brotherhood' series, so once that was over, I gave this a go. And even though it's readable, this novel is the worst in the series so far. Main plot-driving character and his struggle (Matthias) is recycled from the previous novel. Female character Mels is a cardboard-cutout with some superficially strong characteristics (black belt in karate etc) and panto-style internal monologue on occasion. A few relationships are inspired by the BDB, especially Jim-Devina which seems to be a variation on Rhevenge and the poison Sympath princess, and yet the author continues to non-handle the topic of rape. Ward also dips her toes into US foreign policy, only to wind up with patriotic cliches that fit into the story about the shady area between good and evil, like a square peg in the round hole.I got the sense the author was nostalgic for the BDB world. She alludes to it regularly, but in comparison, this world is lacking in passion and complexity. All in all, I will continue reading until my eyes roll out of their sockets because underneath it all, JR Ward writes interesting stories. I just wish she tried a bit harder on polishing her manuscripts (and checking for typos), because it's getting increasingly difficult to justify grinding through the 'filler' parts.

I am a huge, massive fan of J.R Ward and love her Blackdagger books, and I am a fan of this series but this for me was a bit heavy, no great one liners that are with other J.R Ward books and while I was reading it I did get a liitle board which is a first for me with any of her books, I think this series needs a shake up, I have no idea what was missing but something was for me, I only dropped a star as it was still a good read but when I normaly finish a book by J.R Ward I normaly sigh and wish I hadn't read it so fast or theres was another chapter but alas not with this one. I still will read the rest of the series to see what happens but I hope the next one has the missing piece that wasn't in Rapture for me.Rapture has the excitement,action and a bit of romance like the previous books and J.R Ward does a great job showing all sides of the characters good and bad guys still can be good and bad and make good and bad choices,the great twists were thrown in too, I think Matthias being the main lead for me was hard to take too, he was such a git in the last books I found it hard to like him in this one which I think was the point but for me I didn't like him still not even when the book was done, loved Mel she had fire and was a great female lead, as usual Jim and Adrian are big characters and I pray at some point we get to see both of them get a HEA , I would not read this unless you have read the others as the books do follow on and big parts will be hard to follow if you dont know the story or characters, the basic story is Jim Heron has to help a soul in each book make a decision for good. There are seven souls to be won, and so far his winning, if he wins overall, the souls of the dead which currently reside in hell under the watchful eye of his opponent Devina will be freed, if he loses then Davina will have full reign, one of the souls trapped is Sissy a girl Jim met in book 1 who was killed and tourtered by Devina and is now trapped with the other souls in hell. The book ends in a way you dont expect and does leave the reader wanting to know what will happen next I just wish the whole book had been like that.

It is with a heavy heart that I write this review. I have read every Black Dagger Brotherhood book and all the Fallen Angel books so far and for the most part have really enjoyed them. I have only just started this book and really do not think I can read any more. I can not stand the style Ward has started using in her writing. I thought the last few Black Dagger books were full of abbreviations and Americanisms but this is the worse yet. I really struggled to even understand some paragraphs. I think Ward is trying to make it edgy and fast paced and it is obviously aimed at teenagers. An example;"...it didn't take a genious to ascribe his inappropriateness to the ennui of a balding former coxswain, the bitterness from a lifetime of not-quite-there intersecting with the almost-out-of-time of a man about to hump sixty" ??? So I am faced with a decision. Do I plow on and skip all the paragraphs like the one above that take three reads to understand and ignore all the abbreviations I do not recognise rather than sitting trying to work out what they mean? The alternative is to give up and never know who wins the battle between good and evil. Sadly, I think I will have to give up. I really can not face another 3 books written in this style. The really sad thing though is that I was so looking forward to reading this that I pre-ordered the paper back version but forgot and ordered the 'hard back' version, so now I have two!

This book has a great sold plot with lots to keep you interested until the last page.I've enjoyed, and loved, every book in the series so far, but there's something about this story , about Matthias - that drew me in and kept me totally engrossed in his tale, he is the character that you hate on one page then kind of like in the next. I've never read about a man more unworthy of salvation and yet, at the same time, more deserving of it. I love the twist of Matthias's return.I laughed, I cried lots! like a blubbering idiot at times, I gasped and sighed, and I wanted it to never end... this is, beyond any doubt, my favorite book in the series.This book seem to be written at a slower pace than the other books in the series, there is less action.Mels is a good pairing for Matthias, shes strong and he needs that, to help him through the challenges he faces.Devina develops more as a character, i think it is fantastic how she is seeing a counsellor for her OCD problems, how she has to constantly count her lipsicks. It seems such a strange normal thing, but something you would never think about a demon.J R Ward delivers a fantastic plot full of humor, suspense drawing you into the story so much you feel that you in it not just reading it, her books are impossible to put down.