Black Wings

Black Wings Series, Book 1

By: Christina Henry

Narrated by: Coleen Marlo

Length: 7 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

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 powers 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.

©2010 Tina Raffaele (P)2011 Tantor

Okay, but not great.

Overall the book was okay. The plot didn't seem like anything special. The explainations of the supernatural creatures was just hard to swallow even for a paranormal book. I will not be buying the next book. It's not worth it to me.

Tantalizing with the pleasure of an exciting story

I just discovered this gem. I was reading Alice by, Christina Henry. I enjoyed it and researched other books by the author. I discovered that I purchase Black Wings in 2011 and never read it! I took a few minutes of to hear a little of Black Wings, when I realized that I never read the book. I started it right away.

Madeline Black is an Agent of Death, which is a soul catcher. When a person dies an agent is there to escort them to the “Door.” If the person declines, they will be a ghost. Madeline has a contentious relationship with J.B. her boss. Death is a bureaucracy that requires a lot of paper work and Madeline has different feelings about paper work.

She is a 32 virgin who lives alone with her best friend Beezle, a gargoyle. She works part time writing cooking articles for a magazine. This story centers around family. Madeline discovers who is her father and her family lineage. Her lineage is entwined with fallen angles. You can imagine the acrimonious discussions when a newly found sibling comes to dinner. Some of her new family members take the discussions to a lethal level and Madeline is fighting for her life.

Saving and protecting souls, and friends are paramount to Madeline. Madeline does a lot of saying no to anyone that tells her what to so, even if it is in her best interest. She has an incredible magic talent, which grows exponentially though out the story. There is plenty of action with fire balls being thrown ever where. Of course, there is romance. Madeline and Gabriel’s romance is still at the beginning stages. Gabriel’s parents are an angle and Nephilim. That parentage is an abomination to the fallen angles. He is given the task to guard Madeline.

Don’t expect this to be a work of literature.

For a little paranormal action with a defiant protagonist and a little romance read this.

Excellent Listen

If you could sum up Black Wings in three words, what would they be?

Edge of seat

Which character – as performed by Coleen Marlo – was your favorite?

I'm not sure Did not enjoy listening to her that much. She seemed a lil flat to me. But if i had to choose, i'd say Beezel.. the gargoyle.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, but took about 7 or 8 sittings.

Any additional comments?

Excellent story

Good Story!

Would you listen to Black Wings again? Why?

No but I will listen to the next book in the series.

What other book might you compare Black Wings to and why?

Magic to the bone by Devon Monk

A Great Beginning

The first in a new series, Black Wings was full of action and emotional conflict, with some nice resolution at the end. The author left enough loose ends that I'm anxious for the next book, Black Night, to be released. Good characters, good writing and a nice job of narrating by Coleen Mario put this series on my auto-buy list.

Great New Series of Stories!

Great new ( at least to me !), told by a wonderful reader. Got to rush and download book two!

Fallen Angels, Demons, and Nephilim... good start

When it started I had a hard time investing in the character and seeing where it was going. But that worked it's way out about a third into it. It turns out I REALLY enjoyed the book, Anything to do with Angels and Demons makes me happy. It's worth a credit for sure. I'm going to dl the next book and hope it keeps up.

Surprisingly good world building

This book was a pleasant surprise. I expected it to be so derivative that maybe it would not hold my interest. However despite some well-worn tropes, there was a lot of thought put into the world build and relationships which laid a good foundation for sequels.

Hints of romance, no steam, good narration. The gargoyle voice was a bit silly, and there were a few analogous characters that I got confused a lot early on.

I will check more in the series.

Witty, Fun and Exciting

Would you consider the audio edition of Black Wings to be better than the print version?

This was a new author for me and I really enjoyed her fast paced pitfall filled adventure. I think that the audio version allows a reader to really experience the characters horror, anxieties and triumphs more vividly.

What did you like best about this story?

The revelations of the heroine's origins and Evangeline's story.

Which character ??? as performed by Coleen Marlo ??? was your favorite?

I just loved Beezle. Coleen Marlo does an awesome job of voicing the character.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Maddy's first meeting with Azeal.

can't wait for the rest

What did you love best about Black Wings?

I got totally lost in the story. A girl thinks she knows whats going on just to have her world ripped apart.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Black Wings?

all of it every chapter is a new twist

What three words best describe Coleen Marlo’s voice?

slightly nasialy good

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I deffinatly want to sit and listen for ever