Review: A New NA take on Angels versus Demons
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 03 10, 2014
In this New Adult tale of Good versus Evil, Reese Monroe gives us a new take on angels and demons, with the addition of a supernatural being called a "Gatekeeper," or "Shomrei," created by the breath of God. They may look like incredibly hot humans, (male and female) but they have extraordinary powers to battle the demons who sneak into the human world.Theo Bradford is the 911-year-old Gatekeeper to Hades, charged with sending escaped demons back below. His territory is the continental US, apparently a busy stomping grounds for demons looking for a little fun. In addition to being nine centuries old, he's one hot supernatural being, with chiseled features and hard muscles honed over years of battling evil.He's waited all his life for his Mate to appear and join with him to unlock the rest of his powers. The only downside being that, although he becomes stronger, he also becomes vulnerable through the mating. And, oh yeah, the nine hundred years of waiting for love.His brother Justin is his second, his Companion, and a womanizer.Justin doesn't believe in taking One Mate for life - he's more of the love 'em and leave 'em type, as we find out in the very first scene - and thinks his brother is crazy for remaining a virgin for over nine centuries. But he has Theo's back in any battle, even the one to win the heart of his chosen Mate.Sadie Nowland, an almost-18-year-old college student, is just about to graduate early with her degree and coveted job position with local high tech firm. Orphaned at birth, she's struggled through years of group homes and foster care to get where she is now, and worked her way through college. Strong, confident, and smart, she hasn't met the right guy, too focused on moving forward.When a strange tattoo appears on her shoulder overnight, she's more than a little freaked out, but its nothing compared to the week she's about to have, meeting supernatural beings both good and evil and battling for the future of the world.Ms. Monroe does an interesting job with creating a new supernatural creature and setting. The Point of View (POV) shifts between Theo and Sadie, and I have to admit I enjoy Sadie's POV more. It's easier to understand her motivations and confusion at being thrust into this new world, as the reader is right there with her. There is a lot of background info that Theo needs to convey to the reader in his first few chapters, which makes him seem a little stiff, although once the story gets going I warmed up to him as well. There were a lot of sizzling almost-sex scenes between Theo and Sadie, until she finally finds the answers she's been searching for and they finally consummate their Mating.If you enjoy tales of angels battling with demons, with a healthy dose of smoldering hormones thrown in for good measure, check out this New Adult novel. It seems to be the first book of a new series, so hopefully Ms. Monroe has a few more in the works. (Personally, I'm hoping the next story features Justin, the adorably hot brother. Let's see him fall in love, please?)