This was one of the very first angel series I read and it remains one of my favourites. There have been so many negative reviews on Goodreads it's not funny, however I really enjoyed this series. Something different, and everyone seems to say they gave up a bit into it. If you're a true reader you stick to your guns and finish it. This series got better and better.
Halo - This first book focusses very much around the budding relationship of Bethany and Xavier. Their very different worlds cross when Bethany and her 'siblings' Gabriel and Ivy are sent to earth from heaven (did I mention they're angels ?) to return human world back to the light after it become consumed by darkness. They each have their own missions, but Xavier Woods isn't part of the plan. He has baggage, loads of it, but so does Bethany and they carry each others. Gabriel and Ivy try desperately to intervene, Angels and Man can't be together. Their bond quickly strengthens and Xavier sees Bethany for more than his angel love, the girl she was meant to be all along. When darkness threatens to consume his world, will Bethany fight for the world around him, or the boy who quickly became her world ? |
Hades - This second book has a much stronger angel-problem to it. After having the romantic relationship established in Halo, this focusses back on the main evolution of the negative reason they came to Earth in the first place. Bethany is quickly captured early on in the book and taken to Hades by an friend she had known all along, and supposed Demon. She bargains for her release back to her Archangel siblings and love; Xavier, but the price to pay is high and Bethany can't help but feel she'll lose more than gain. The love between Xavier and Bethany continues to grow as distance makes the heart grow fonder, but their love for one another is tested as days turn into weeks apart. However, Xavier is having nothing of losing the one person he just found and does everything in his and Gabriel's and Ivy's power to bring back the angel, that was taken to hell. |
Heaven - As Bethany and Xavier graduate highschool, they are continuously reminded of their star-crossed situation. So they do the one thing heaven above and Hades below would never allow; they get married. Completely on the bad side of Bethany's superiors and Xavier's maker; Ivy and Gabriel help them flee the wrath of the Sevens; rogue angel who are hell bent on separating the new couple. Xavier and Bethany's love and newfound marriage for one another is tested as they have to rely on each other in ways they never have before in order to stay together. To survive, they must blend in, in plain sight. Ivy and Gabriel set them up in the most obvious of places; College. Now navigating newfound education and the sevens, Xavier and Bethany put their love to the ultimate test. What they don't foresee, is a terrible ending to their happily ever after. |
The issues between Bethany and Xavier are explicitly and obviously the focus of this series, but interwoven throughout the books are ideals or friendship, family, religion and loyalty.
I thoroughly enjoyed the simplicity of the story line, but it's ability to shock me even in the most unexpected times. The ideals of angel mythology in this world remained constant and reliable with a few additons and turns that flowed with the story.
It is of course a YA romance cross fantasy, so it isn't an amazing work of literature, with amazing motifs and thematic ideals. It is a fluffy romance, but the storyline flows easily and the world building, language structure and vocabulary rival that of an adult fiction novel.
(It is most DEFINITELY swoon worthy at times as well)
All in all, a fantastic read, highly recommended.
Hayley xx