WICKED NIGHTS (Angels of the Dark 1) by Gena Showalter

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WICKED NIGHTS (Angels of the Dark #1) by Gena Showalter

Wicked Nights is the first book ( June 2012 release)  in Gena Showalter’s Angels of the Dark series.  It is a spin off of her Lords of the Underworld series.

Zacharel, whom we first meet in Darkest Seduction (LOTU), is the leader of an army of angels who are in jeopardy of losing their wings.  Their cold, callous ways have them all on the verge of being thrown out of the heavens.  Needless to say, these aren’t your typical angels. 

Anabelle Miller has been institutionalized for the last four years of her life.  Accused of the brutal murder of her parents.  No one believes her when she tells them a monster killed her parents.  She endures frequent attacks by demons, that only she can see.  She not only endures demon attacks, but the attention of an unscrupulous doctor inside the institution.

Zacharel and his army are summoned to dispense of a horde of demons who are attacking the institution in which Ana is being held.  When he gives chase to one of the demons, he encounters Anabelle, strapped to a gurney.  He is immediately intrigued with this human, which is something entirely new to him.  Once he witness the unscrupulous doctor’s intentions towards Ana, he decides to rescue her.

Zacharel has suffered such a horrible loss, that he has closed off all emotion to everyone and everything.  He has been alone for centuries, and takes no pleasure for himself. He kills his targets swiftly and moves on.  But, when he takes Ana into his protection, he finds his, literally, cold exterior thawing.  They set out on a journey to find out why Ana is being targeted by demons on a constant basis.  He involves his warrior angels, whom, to say is a motley crew, is an understatement.  Once they discover Demon High Lord, Unforgiveness is the one calling for the attacks, it gets very interesting.  Seems Unforgiveness targeted Ana and bound himself to her.  And the reason for the binding shocks the hell out of you. 

Zacharel and Ana’s relationship is a slow, sweet surprise.  Once he realizes how much he loves her, he will stop at nothing to keep her safe and undo what Unforgiveness has done.  One of the reasons Zacharel is on the verge of losing his wings is his callousness towards humans.  Ana changes that.  And ends up saving him.  In the end Zacharel vows to be the leader he needs to be in order to save the members of his army.

I really liked this book.  The battle in the end is not what I expected, but I loved it just the same.  Several of the Lords of the Underworld show up to help, along with a minor goddess and a harpy or two.  Once you find out the loss that Zacharel has suffered, your heart will break.  Ana is very strong and very independent.  And I can’t wait to get to know the other angels.  I can only imagine the hell they’ve been through and can’t wait to see them find their salvation.  I will say, that in my opinion, religion (for lack of a better term), or maybe faith would be a better description, is played on heavily in this book.  It is not thrown in your face, but it is subtly used to force Zacharel to realize the right, true way of things.  There is a lot I would like to tell you about this book but I don’t want to spoil it for anyone.  Like I said, once you realize Unforgiveness’ link, it’s a definite “wow” moment, and the actions played out from there are great!! If you are a fan of the Lords of the Underworld, you will definitely like this book.  If you aren’t a LOTU fan, you’ll like it anyway.  😉

Reviewed by Vickie M.

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26 thoughts on “WICKED NIGHTS (Angels of the Dark 1) by Gena Showalter”

  1. Great review Vickie… I heard from a friend that this was good, and to be honest after reading Paris’ book I wasn’t so sure if I would continue reading the series. I am willing to give Gena another chance though… 😀

    • Thanks Mary Ann! I don’t know if you read my review here of Paris’ book, but I wasn’t thrilled with that one either!! I really liked this book, and think they will only get better now that the groundwork has been laid.

  3. First off, holy hot cover batman!!! Just the cover alone would make me purchase this book. Good review Vickie and thanks for reminding me I need to re-visit Ms. Showalter. I’ve only read a few of her books and can’t remember which ones or if they were from a series of hers. LOL!!! Guess it’s time to visit her site and figure it all out. 😉

  5. Great review Vickie, I loved the LOTU ,and by the sounds of it this new series will be good too looking forward to giving it a try .And i have to agree with Mary Ann Paris book did’t really do it for me either .

    • THanks Lori!! And, I’m sooooo with you and Mary Ann regarding Paris’ book!!! But, it was a necessary read to know what’s going on in that series.

  6. I too have a friend who reads Gena Showalter and suggested I read her work.
    I have told her about TRC when the first review of Showalters was up a few months back.
    Thanks for the review Vickie it was fantastic.

  8. Vickie, thanks for the review. My thoughts have already been stated above, I wasn’t sure if I would continue the series after Paris’s novel, but I am invested too deep in the series and need to know what will happen to all of my beloved characters’……*cough*….. William!!!

    • Sure thing Jules!! I wasn’t crazy about Paris’ book either. My review is here on the site, and it’s pretty obvious I wasn’t digging his book. However, I don’t ever let one book, or even two for that matter, stop me from continuing a series. I hope you keep reading them!! If not, I’ll let you know ALL about William!!!!!!!! 😉

  11. absolutely right on target Vickie!!! I adore the Lords, and yes had to check out the angels myself. Wow! What’s not to love there?! Love the “motley angels” as I call them, and am looking forward to the rest.

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