Guest Review: THE FALLEN: RAZIEL

THE FALLEN: RAZIEL

by Kristina Douglas

Series: The Fallen, Book One

Mass Market Paperback, 384 pages

Published January 2011

Pocket Books 

She was just an ordinary mortal...

“You’re dead” is so not what Allie Watson wants to hear. Unfortunately, it explains a lot. Like the dark, angelically handsome man who ferried her to this strange, hidden land. The last thing she remembers is stepping off a curb in front of a crosstown bus. Now she’s surrounded by gorgeous fallen angels with an unsettling taste for blood—and they really don’t want her around. Not exactly how she pictured heaven.

...until death catapulted her into a seductive world she never imagined.

Raziel is unsure why he rescued Allie from hellfire against Uriel’s orders, but she stirs in him a longing he hasn't felt in centuries. Now the Fallen are bracing for the divine wrath brought by his disobedience, and they blame Allie for the ferocious Nephilim clawing at the kingdom’s shrouded gates. Facing impossible odds at every turn, the two must work together to survive. Raziel will do anything to defend his spirited lover against the forces of darkness—because Allie may be the Fallen’s only salvation.

Reviewed By: AsianCocoa

Raziel introduces himself as one of the 20 fallen angels. They live in a hidden world named Sheol. Their enemies are the Nephilim who were sent by the archangel, Uriel to destroy the Fallen. The Fallen are cursed to spend eternity watching one mate after another die and to become blood eaters. The Nephilim’s curse is to spend eternity devouring flesh while reining terror and death upon the living. In exchange for an uneasy peace with Uriel the Fallen work as Death-takers ferrying human souls to their destinies.

Allie Watson is a smart, feisty, sensitive, hot tempered heroine. She is an atheist who writes snarky biblical murder mysteries. Say what? That might be the reason why she was destined to spend eternity in hell but then again maybe not. Raziel is a gorgeous, strong, stubborn hero with beautiful iridescent cobalt blue/black wings. Allie and Raziel get under each other’s skin and their banter is very entertaining. And the love scenes were so pretty! After one of these scenes Raziel unfurls his wings and wraps them around their bodies and the scene was so sexy and made me shiver and swoon!

Despite their really deep connection, Raziel stubbornly denies his true feeling for Allie but it only delays the inevitable. Turns out the Fallen encounter their mates when the women are still young girls. They watch over and protect the girls until they are ready to be taken to Sheol to be mated. Allie and Raziel see each other for the first time when she is seven years old and then again when she is thirteen. But after losing several mates during his existence, Raziel has sworn off all women and lives a life of celibacy. He ignores fate and does not go to Allie when she’s ready.

Fast forward 17 years – Raziel meets up with Allie again moments before she is to be hit by a bus. He does not recognize her. But in the split second that he realizes that she is to be condemned to hell he reaches out and pulls her back. When Allie is brought to Sheol no one wants her there. They all suspect she may be a demon or witch sent by Uriel to infiltrate them. But little do they know that there is actually a traitor among them.

The story is told in first person by Allie and Raziel. It was great to be able to get into the heads of both characters. Even better, both Raziel and Allie can read each other’s thoughts as well. This leads to some humorous dialogue and made me connect with the characters even more. Kristina Douglas did a wonderful job creating this secret world of fallen angels. She does a superb job weaving in the back story and the pacing & flow of the story were perfect. I really enjoyed this book! I’m giving The Fallen: Raziel 4 out of 5 stars.