Title: Black Howl
Author: Christina Henry
Series: Black Wings #3
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Angels, Ghosts, Paranormal fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Ace Fantasy
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: I thought the Romans would protect him.

Madeline Black is an Agent of Death, meaning she escorts the souls of people who have died to the afterlife. But lately, some spirits don’t feel like crossing over…

Something is wrong with the souls of Chicago’s dead. Ghosts are walking the streets, and Maddy’s boss wants her to figure out why. At the same time, the pact that Maddy unwittingly made with the local werewolves comes back to bite her when their alpha is kidnapped. As Lucifer’s heir, she should be able to discover who – or what – is responsible for both occurrences, but the fallen haven’t been too happy with her since she agreed to harbor Gabriel’s half brother, Samiel.

And while work is bad enough, Maddy has a plethora of personal problems, too. Now that Gabriel has been assigned as her thrall, their relationship has hit an impasse. At least her sleazy ex-fiance, Nathaniel, is out of the picture – or so she thinks…

The end of this story was one of the most insanely powerful stories that I have read in a long time – it both made me want to cry and whoop for joy. Maddy’s constantly dramatic tale gets more intense with each book in the Black Wings series, and I’m not really sure how it can get any more potent than Black Howl. I read the entire book in about three hours – it was just IMPOSSIBLE to put down! And even four hours after finishing the last page, my head is still spinning and twirling with the tale I just read.

There is a lot of use of Christian lore within the Black Wings series – starting with Lucifer and the Grigori. This theme continued with the introduction of Judas (yes, that Judas), and a poignant reminder that Lucifer is a multi-faceted creature with inconceivable and convoluted goals for each and everyone of his actions. Yet, he isn’t inherently evil – after all, Lucifer was originally beloved by God, although this fact does depart from the mythos created in the series. However, it is the politics and Lucifer’s manipulations and disregard of others which are truly concerning about his actions and intents.

Maddy’s small entourage and her courage (and gumption) in protecting them, no matter the cost are incredibly enviable qualities. Granted, they constantly get her into much more trouble than she really needs, but it is her loyalty and brutal honesty that is a constant reminder of her inner strength. Her ability to stay true to herself and her small family are a great way to highlight the importance of family – the family that you find for yourself, not the one with which you share blood.

Image source: Goodreads

Title: Black Night
Author: Christina Henry
Series: Black Wings #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Angels, Ghosts, Paranormal fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Ace fantasy
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: My magic rose up, hot and angry, and I could tell when Nathaniel sensed it.

Madeline Black is an Agent of Death, meaning she escorts the souls of people who have died to the afterlife. Of course, not everyone is happy to see her…

If obstinate dead people were all that Maddy had to worry about, life would be much easier. But the best-laid plans of Agents and fallen angels often go awry. Deaths are occurring contrary to the natural order, Maddy’s being stalked by foes inside and outside of her family, and her two loves – her body-guard, Gabriel, and her gargoyle, Beezle – disappear. But because Maddy is Lucifer’s granddaughter, things are expected of ther, things like delicate diplomatic missions to other realms.

Dear old granddad wants Maddy to go to the faerie court and negotiate a new land and power treaty. The fallen’s last emissary was decapitated, so it’s up to Maddy to keep her head – both literally and figuratively…

This was a great sequel to Black Wings – it had the same wit and humour, Maddy’s same ability to stumble unwittingly into problem after problem, and a gorgeous cast that you couldn’t help but feel attached to. Maddy’s clumsiness, and talent for putting her foot in her mouth have turned her into one of the most relatable heroines I have read recently. I’m constantly tripping over my own feet and getting confused about what I’m supposed to be doing in life – much like Maddy.

Most of the heroines in stories have their vulnerabilities and are often sassy, but Maddy is a thirty-something year-old virgin with almost no clue what she is doing. It’s rare that there is a story about a virgin of that age, but adding to that the fact that Maddy is literally floundering for the vast majority of her adventures, although there is still plenty of sass in every drowning moment. Black Night highlighted this beautifully – she messes up negotiations with the Faerie Queen from the very beginning. Yet, even though she knows that she is deeply in trouble, she manages to hold her head high and somehow wade her way out of the muck that she has found herself in.

Black Night also brings us closer to Maddy’s supposed fiancé Nathaniel, and highlights the depth of her feelings for Gabriel. Throwing J.B. into the mix creates a wonderfully sticky and complex web of relationships that I for one, do not envy. The stark contrast in the three men adds flavour to the mix – their different personalities and approaches to Maddy creates a more confusing attraction between her and them, at least in some circumstances.

Image source: Christina Henry

Title: Black Wings
Author: Christina Henry
Series: Black Wings #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Angels, Ghosts, Paranormal fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Ace fantasy
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: “She already knows about Azazel.”

As an Agent of Death, Madeline Black is responsible for escorting the souls of the dearly departed to the afterlife. It’s a 24/7 job with a lousy benefits package.

Maddy’s position may come with magical abilities and an impressive wingspan, but it doesn’t pay the bills. And then there are her infuriating boss, tenant woes, and a cranky, popcorn-loving gargoyle to contend with.

Things start looking up, though, when tall, dark, and handsome Gabriel Angeloscuro agrees to rent the empty apartment in Maddy’s building. It’s probably just a coincidence that as soon as he moves in, demons appear on the front lawn. But when an unholy monster is unleashed upon the streets of Chicago, Maddy discovers powers she never knew she possessed. Powers linked to a family legacy of tarnished halos.

Powers that place her directly between the light of Heaven and the fires of Hell…

I am completely in love with this series. Or at least, this book, as this is all I have read of the series so far. Black Wings has a witty, independent and sassy heroine who spends most of the time running around kicking butt and yelling at people when they make her mad. Definitely my kind of woman. The fact that she has supernatural powers and the world’s most adorable side-kick just makes this book so, so, so much better.

I always enjoy books that leave you guessing – wondering what’s going on, what happened in the past, who is aligned with, or related to whom. Maddie’s parentage, and the death of her mother are two major points that drive the story, but the story behind these aspects of her life are slowly trickled out throughout the novel. Likewise, the truth about Gabriel and her enemies is slowly told to the world.

As someone who has issues with authority, I can definitely sympathise with Maddie’s inability to just do as she is commanded. Although this constantly gets her into trouble throughout the story (telling people no in no uncertain terms isn’t necessarily the best way in which to endear oneself to your superiors), it also helps her to find her own path and place within life.

Image source: Christina Henry