Review: Wicked Nights (Angels of the Dark #1) by Gena Showalter

Wicked Nights 
(Angels of the Dark #1)
by Gena Showalter
Mass Market Paperback, 384 pages
Expected publication: June 26th 2012 by HQN Books
ISBN 0373776985
Copy courtesy of author

From the New York Times bestselling author who brought you the Lords of the Underworld comes a dark, seductive new series featuring angels poised on the brink of destruction....   
Leader of the most powerful army in the heavens, Zacharel has been deemed nearly too dangerous, too ruthless-and if he isn't careful, he'll lose his wings. But this warrior with a heart of ice will not be deterred from his missions, at any cost...until a vulnerable human tempts him with a carnal pleasure he's never known before. 
Accused of a crime she did not commit, Annabelle Miller has spent four years in an institution for the criminally insane. Demons track her every move, and their king will stop at nothing to have her. Zacharel is her only hope for survival, but is the brutal angel with a touch as hot as hell her salvation-or her ultimate damnation?

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Crystal’s Thoughts:
Gena Showalter is sure to sweep readers away with these sexy, bad boy angels in her new Angels of the Dark series, a spin-off of the hit paranormal romance series, Lords of the Underworld. 


The coldly emotionless angel warrior, Zacharel, is on the brink of losing his wings unless he can learn the value of human lives. As punishment, his Deity casts upon him the duty to lead a ragtag group of angels who toe the line of goodness. There is a war coming and Zacharel must prepare his warriors but if he can’t get them in line he is the one who suffers the consequence of their actions. Every time they misstep, Zacharel receives punishment in their place.  Each have dark, tortured pasts that have led them on this road to redemption and Zacharel is determined to see them all through it, when he runs across a human woman in the midst of demons though the ice surrounding him slowly starts to melt. But will she lead him to heaven or hell? 
Annabelle Miller watched a monster murder her parents four years ago but no one would believe her. Accused of their murders she was sentenced to an institution for the criminally insane. But the monsters followed… Constantly attacked while being abused and drugged by the institution’s workers, Annabelle no longer knows what’s real or imagined. When an angel pops into her cell during a demon attack she does know one thing though, this is the one being that can save her. But Zacharel has demons of his own to face; does he have the strength to fight hers as well? 


Always a fan of anything from Gena Showalter, Wicked Nights did not disappoint! Angels of the Dark had a whole new feeling to it then what we usually find in Gena’s Lords of the Underworld series, a lot darker and more descriptive. You’ll recognize the main character and leader of the rebel warrior angel army, Zacharel from the past few books if you’re a fan of the Lords of the Underworld series. But if you have yet to pick up a LOTU book (I’ll be nice and not hit you over the head with my Stridey) have no worries because Angels of the Dark can more then stand on its on feet as a separate series. 


I loved delving into Zacharel’s character. From the LOTU books he seemed incapable of emotion, cold just like the snow that falls from his wings. But in Wicked Nights we learn that this emotionless state stems from the death of his brother and the snow on his wings is punishment for letting a human die in the crosshairs of a battle. Annabelle balances Zacharel’s serious side out superbly and their dialogue together adds some wicked humor to this dark and gritty story line, especially how Zacharel has the tendency to take everything Annabelle says literally. Annabelle was a captivating heroine as well, feisty and strong despite being a mere human. She has many demons to fight, quite literally, and isn’t afraid to face them head on. 


Gena’s writing flows from the pages with intriguing characters and in-depth world building that makes the story fall into place and defines the series as a whole. Heart-stopping twists are woven into this Angels vs. Demons adventure that will keep you turning the pages for more. 


LOTU fans will not be disappointed as several cameos are weaved into the story. However I did find in Wicked Nights that, though the passion was there, it was slow to develop and lacked the intense sexual spark that I’ve come to expect from Gena’s works.
All in all, another amazing read from author Gena Showalter and I can’t wait to get my hands on more of these sexy angels. I think I’ve found a new addiction!   If you're a fan of paranormal romance then you simply must pick up Wicked Nights today! 


"First, I never pout. I ponder, and probably quite sexily." ~Zacharel

Rating: 4 Wine Glasses - LOVED IT!