Review: Saint isn't for the weary of heart or will...
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 06 30, 2014
For those who have already read the explosive Saint Series by Tiana Laveen, and loved it,  Saint and Sinners : The King Angel Child of New York was something of a pleasant surprise. From the moment  Ms. Laveen announced  that  a  fifth installment would be coming, I eagerly anticipated its arrival.  I have always loved books that transcends reality in a manner, that takes the reader on such a journey that they bemoan the last period of the last sentence. The feeling is sublime;  to be thrust into Saint's world and take each deliciously decadent step is like taking the trip to another dimension. It's  euphoric,  it's tantalizing, it's satisfying. It's creation at its best.And not to mention some damn good writing.From the first word on the page to the last period, Ms. Laveen takes no prisoners.  Saint is the embodiment of  the world that molded him, from his bombastic approach to his life's work to the gentle way  he handles the love of his life, what you see is what you get with Saint Aknaten. Straight, no chaser.  Along with that no holds barred approach, we get a glimpse of his vulnerabilities as well.  I love a strong, Alpha hero but  it's something  extraordinary to convey strength while embracing  vulnerabilities. Those vulnerabilities , of course, make Saint an easy target. He loves his Queen, his children so much that it borders on obsession yet he won't spare any expense about telling them the business.  Saint isn't afraid of his feelings, as a matter of fact, he embraces them.  At first, I thought  that he was a bit selfish in his bid to go back to New  York but it is who Saint is, really. He's all about taking care of business and asking questions later. Some may see this as misogynistic in a manner but at its basest form it's the overwhelming love for his family that motivates him.It all comes down to what matters the most to Saint. Anything else is bs.It's what I love about this journey, about the way Ms. Laveen sets up this fantastic world. She suspends belief but doesn't make a show of it; aside from the supernatural aspect, most of the story is rooted in a reality we all know. The reality of love, of memories, of sacrifices, of strength. Ms. Laveen weaves an intriguing tapestry , leading the reader through the complicated layers of  Saint's world; the  sights and sounds of New York  , the emotions and passion of  Xenia and Saint's love, even the hesitancies that he still contends with as the King Angel Child are all conveyed with such mastery,  the reader has literally no choice but to take in the experience. This isn't to say that Saint is for everyone. He can be overbearing for some but for others  the brash language, the high handedness,  as well as the gentle lover he is the kind of character that has you screaming for more.And more is what I want of Dr. Saint Aknaten.Aside from the occasional  grammar slip up, this story ranks  up there with the best yet.Excellent work, Ms. Laveen.