Angels of Darkness (2011)

3.5 stars

It is always difficult for me to review and rate books that have several short stories in them... I really liked some of the stories, but not so much other stories.

The first one was a Nalini Singh story, Angel's Wolfwith Noel and Nimra fighting their demons as well as a mysterious assasin. This would have easily gotten 5 stars from me if it was a stand-alone!

The second was by Ilona Andrews, Alphas: Origins I didn't like this so much, because the 'heroes' were very violent, and although they were there to save humanity, they didn't seem to really have any feelings for humans. They kidnapped a thirty-something woman, Karina, and her daughter Emily, and I think the fact that a child was included in all this violence is what really bothered me the most.

Nocturne by Sharon Shinn was quite good, about a school where children who were half-breeds half-angel, half-human - but wiht no angel powers. Mohria is running from both angels and humans, at the school, she figures out that a broken angel is hiding and healing in the head-mistresse's house. As she is very curious, she finds a way to got there, even if it is forbidden for all school staff and students to go to the great house. She finds Corban who is blind, and feeling sorry for himself. A friendship forms, and they both help each other. I wouldn't mind reading more about this world, and this short was well written, long enough to get to know the main characters. This would be a 4 star review if it was on it's own.

Finally, Ascension by Meljean Brook was very interesting - not really about angels, more about guardians, although it could be argued that the guardians really are angels. IT was a little difficult to get into the story, as this world is a little complicated. However, this, too is a world I'd like to learn more about. 3 stars if it had been in it's own book. ( )

Loved this anthology, though hate that it just amped up my anticipation for more Guild Hunters and an Alphas book. I had read and re-read the Alphas snippets on Andrews blog before they were taken down, which made it all the more fascinating to see them stitched into a short story (they made Lucas do way to much 'splainin', but I loved it anyway). Shinn's short story reminded me why I love her books, and Brook's addition reminded me that I really need to read The Guardians series. ( )

Only read the Ilona Andrews and Nalini Singh stories... both very good.

The Ilona Andrews story (Alphas: Origins) seem to be the beginning of a new series.

The Nalini Singh story (Angel's Wolf) is set in the Guild Hunters world. ( )

I picked this up for the Sharon Shinn story, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I was also quite happy with the short installment from Nalini Singh. ( )

The new anthology Angels of Darkness includes novellas by four writers: Nalini Singh, Ilona Andrews, Sharon Shinn, and Meljean Brook. For me, the most memorable story in the anthology was Sharon Shinn’s Nocturne.

I have to admit, I’m partial. Sharon Shinn is my favorite writer, although I don’t usually find for her books in the romance section of a bookstore. She is, foremost, a fantasy writer, despite the romantic subplots in her stories. In this anthology, with its dark and sinister title, her story stands out. There is an angel there, of course, and the darkness, but the story sparkles with Shinn’s customary light and a pinch of humor. Unlike the other three writers in the anthology, she took the title literally. Her angel lives in total darkness: he is blind.

The novella is a part of Shinn’s Samaria series. It centers on the relationship between the blind angel Corban and the mortal woman Moriah. Educated and privileged, Corban hadn’t had a care in the world until he was blinded in a tragic accident. Now he is mired in despair. Without sight, he can’t fly. Without flying, he doesn’t wish to live.

Unlike him, Moriah has an appetite for life, whatever calamity comes with it. Poor and uneducated, she is a sharp-tongued woman, used to taking care of herself and her friends. She works as a kitchen menial and she despises Corban’s self-pity and his charmed existence. On the other hand, she is fascinated by his gorgeous wings and beautiful voice, and her no-nonsense attitude pulls him out of his despair. Of course, in the best romantic traditions, there is an attraction between the two in the making.

Transparent and enjoyable, the story is pure Shinn: fun to read and impossible to put down. I like everything about it: the clear, concise language, the focused plot, and the vivid, imperfect heroes. But most of all, like all her other tales, Nocturne shimmers with light. In the times when a wave of darkness sweeps genre fiction, Shinn writes against the current.

I can’t help wondering: why is there a decided minority who, like Shinn, write lightly? Why dark speculative fiction, dark romance, and dark mystery have become so dense on the bookshelves? Why do both writers and readers turn to them? This fad has only burst into popularity in the last dozen years or so. Have our lives got so dark? But there have been darker times in the history of humankind.

I don’t have an answer but I enjoy writers like Shinn, whose tales contradict the current tendency towards darkness. I hope there will be more.
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