Paranormal Romance published by Berkley 25 Oct 22
Alexander and Zanaya, a new development from a reader perspective but one that has spanned eons in the world of archangels. Zanaya, the archangel of Persia, is awakened by the cascade of death, only to become an early fatality of the archangel Lijuan’s vengeance against Alexander. Alexander is left bereft and grieving that he did not get the time or opportunity to mend the rift between them to see where they could go in this awakening. Have the two lovers been given that chance when Zanaya awakens but is left with a wrongness, a taint, that might prevent her from being who she once was?
This story is a departure from Ms. Singh’s normal stories, which are fast-paced and action oriented. We travel with the characters through the eons of their history, getting an unbelievably fascinating peek into the history of angel kind and some characters like Calianne, who shared their youth with Alexander. The very descriptive narrative of these early years makes for a slow pace that chafed at me, and I would have done anything to speed up the pace a bit.
Don’t get me wrong, there is action in pockets, especially since Lijuan has left a legacy of reborn and infection that continues to haunt a world still in recovery mode. And, truth be told, some of my disappointment stemmed from the fact that given the abrupt nature of the ending of the earlier book, I missed the total silence on Sparkles and Blue’s relationship.
I enjoy Ms. Singh’s writing and often pick up one of her books or even a whole series to reread. This is definitely not one of my favorites, and at this time I don’t think I’ll be picking it up for a total reread. However, as always, I am looking forward to where the author will take us next in this world.
Grade: B
Summary:
For thousands of years, the passion between Alexander, Archangel of Persia, and Zanaya, Queen of the Nile, burned furious and bright, seemingly without end. But to be an archangel is to be bound to power violent and demanding. Driven by its primal energy, Alexander and Zanaya fought as fiercely as they loved, locked in an endless cycle of devotion and heartbreak. It is only Zanaya’s decision to Sleep that ends their love story.
Eons later, the Cascade of Death wakens them both. The passion between them a flame that yet burns, Alexander and Zanaya stand together in one last battle against the ultimate darkness. But even a warrior archangel cannot win every war. Alexander’s scream shatters the world as Zanaya falls, broken and silent . . . only to rise again in a miracle that may be a devastating curse. For is it truly the Queen of the Nile who has been resurrected?
Only one thing is clear: This is the last beat of their passionate, angry dance. The final song for Alexander and his Zani . . .
