Review: Paranormal romance, intrigue, and some very interesting worldbuilding -- plus a broody guitarist. What's not to like?
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 12 4, 2013
As paranormal romances go, I figured I was pretty burned-out on vampires, angels, vampire-viking-navy-SEAL-angels, the whole lot. Then Castle's characters, story and worldbuilding sucked me in, and I'm ready for more!This was my first book in the Netherworld, but my lack of previous knowledge of the characters and setting didn't cause me any confusion, as from the first moment the spotlight is on Phenex and Sofia. Sofia is a great character -- despite being plunged into the intrigue of vampire/demon/angel politics, a lord of Hell after her, and a seriously bossy fallen angel insisting on sticking to her like glue, she doesn't give an inch she doesn't want to. I really liked her, and didn't find her overshadowed or made to look inept despite the massive power differences between her as a human and everyone else as some kind of immortal.Phenex was a fun character to learn, too. Oh sure, broody and a bit pushy at first, but we get to see his sweet side shine through pretty quickly, and it's a laugh to watch someone with immortal powers get tripped up and spun around by a spunky woman.I really enjoyed this book and definitely want to read more. I'd love to see more of the worldbuilding and the building plot that has the Fallen caught between the forces of Heaven and Hell. I'll even forgive the J.R.Ward-like names (because Phoenix is totally acceptable, and I thought this guy was a Fennec until most of the way through, whoops).Definitely recommended for fans of paranormal romance, not-too-alpha heroes, and people who want a good story without it getting bogged down or too dense. Like Goldilocks said, this one is just right.