Review of THE FALLEN: RAZIEL by Kristina Douglas

THE FALLEN: RAZIEL
Kristina Douglas
Pocket Books
Published January 25, 2011
ISBN: 978-1439191927
Paranormal Romance
Paperback Novel
Borrowed from the Public Library
Kristina Douglas Website




She was just an ordinary mortal . . .
“You’re dead” is so not what Allie Watson wants to hear. Unfortunately, it explains a lot. Like the dark, angelically handsome man who ferried her to this strange, hidden land. The last thing she remembers is stepping off a curb in front of a cross-town bus. Now she’s surrounded by gorgeous fallen angels with an unfortunate taste for blood—and they really don’t want her around. Not exactly how she pictured heaven.

. . . until death catapulted her into a seductive world she never imagined.
Raziel is unsure why he rescued Allie from hellfire against Uriel’s orders, but she stirs in him a longing he hasn’t felt in centuries. Now the Fallen must brace for the divine wrath brought by his disobedience, and they blame Allie for the ferocious Nephilim clawing at the kingdom’s shrouded gates. Facing impossible odds at every turn, the two must work together to survive. Raziel must defend his spirited lover against the forces of darkness–because Allie may be the Fallen’s only salvation.




My Ratings
Review


Sexual



A brilliant piece of work by Kristina Douglas (aka Anne Stuart) that takes the Judeo-Christian foundations and blows them to smithereens! All in the guise of a paranormal romance novel. SWEET!

I was hesitant to read RAZIEL because of the diatribe reviews I had been reading on one of the reviewing websites. But every time I went to the library, this book called out to me. Really, it did. I caved. RAZIEL is the type of novel that makes you think. If it doesn’t; then you have missed a very integral part of Ms. Douglas’ work.

Allie is dead; her human, physical body gone. She now exists in Sheol. She should have gone to meet her Maker. Allie is full of sass, doesn’t want to be dead, and just wants to go home. Her wisecracks and references to modern day entertainment are delightful. Raziel escorted Allie to her Final Destination, but at the last moment, pulled her back from the fires of hell. Now, she is his responsibility. Raziel doesn’t understand his attraction to her; he sworn off all women ages ago when his last mate died. He does not want to go through that pain again. He will not give Uriel that satisfaction.

Now, Uriel -- he’s a tightass. God left him in charge when He gave mankind freewill. Uriel is all black and white; no gray areas: He is judge, jury and executioner. When Angels “slip” and start to care for the humans they are helping, they become Fallen. Uriel’s pissed at the Fallen; he sends the Nephilim.

These are just a few of the reasons why I want more of THE FALLEN. There are a variety of concepts in play here.

Flesh and blood. Allie is dead, but she still reacts in an all too human way. The Fallen are blood-eaters and the Nephilim are flesh-eaters. A human (flesh) is The Source of blood for The Fallen.

Good and Evil = Uriel vs. Lucifer. Or is it the other way around? The Fallen love the humans they care for and are judged by Uriel and cursed. Azazel, the Alpha of the The Fallen, would rather dispose of Allie than have to deal with her.

Oh, and let’s not forget the romance and HFN.