Book Review: Wings of the Wicked by Courtney Allison Moulton

SUMMARY:

Life as the Preliator is harder than Ellie ever imagined.

Balancing real life with the responsibility of being Heaven’s warrior is a challenge for Ellie. Her relationship with Will has become all business, though they both long for each other. And now that the secret of who she really is has come out, so have Hell’s strongest reapers. Grown bold and more vicious, the demonic threaten her in the light of day and stalk her in the night.

She’s been warned.

Cadan, a demonic reaper, comes to her with information about Bastian’s new plan to destroy Ellie’s soul and use an ancient relic to wake all the souls of the damned and unleash them upon humanity. As she fights to stay ahead of Bastian’s schemes , the revelations about those closest to her awaken a dark power within Ellie that threatens to destroy everything—including herself.

She’ll be betrayed.

Treachery comes even from those whom she loves, and Ellie is broken by the deaths of those who stood beside her in this Heavenly war. Still, she must find a way to save the world, herself, and her love for Will. If she fails, there will be hell to pay.


OPINION: 5 STARS

This book is so absolutely amazing, from the writing to the characters to the overall story and atmosphere. Moulton's growing talent shines in this book, and will leave readers craving more. Ellie's characterization in this installment is stunning. She accepts her responsibilities more, and faces things even more head on. I adore this girl, and I think she is such a fabulous heroine. Building on her changes is how much the entire emotional atmosphere of this one shifts. Angelfire was fun and not too serious and a little flirty. Wings of the Wicked is emotional, raw, and takes things darker and more in depth. Yes, there is still the wit and fun, but this one has more, and I ate every bit of it up.

Beyond Ellie, the other characters are just as perfectly built and developed. From new characters introduced in this book to ones returning from Angelfire, they will leave their own distinctive mark on readers. With a great depth despite being side characters, Moulton definitely knows what she's doing with them. Then there's Will, with his sexiness and endearing awkwardness, and his infallible devotion to Ellie (and, okay, his sword....). Readers will see deeper into Will with this book, some of it's aching, some frustrating, and other parts of it just make you melt. The romance is kicked up, made sexier and sweeter, and the centuries old bond between the two just continues to grow in such an amazing way. Without focusing on the romance, yet having a near constant undertone of it driving the book even softly, Wings of the Wicked holds the perfect mix for the fighting buffs and the romance addicts.

How much Moulton has grown as writer from Angelfire to Wings is so clear, and so well done. The same kick butt fight scenes are back, and the random banter, but there is still an extra depth to everything, a talent being honed that is showing through and promises of a great final installment. The overall story is brilliant, very well executed and put together, and so absolutely engaging. With tons of twists and turns along the way, and plenty of secrets revealed, there is always something to keep readers gripped and unable to put the book down. Unafraid to hit on some rough stuff with this one, and going all out in some respects, Wings of the Wicked is a striking and powerful second installment.

Details:

Source: ARC received from publisher in exchange for an honest review 

Reading level: Ages 14 and up 

Hardcover: 528 pages 

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Publication Date: January 31, 2012