Rapture: A Novel of the Fallen Angels (Fallen Angels Novels) [Hardcover]

This is the fourth book in JR Ward's Fallen Angel series and it is not the place to start if you are new to this world. Each book has been a development of and addition to the overall story arc and this installment gathers threads, ideas and plot developments from the previous volumes and weaves them into a pretty satisfying story whilst setting the stage for some obvious new developments in the next book.

Each of the three predecessors has had the same storyline - Jim Heron has to help a soul make a decision for good. There are seven souls to be won, if he wins the majority then the souls of dead people which currently reside in hell under the watchful eye of his opponent Devina will be freed, if he loses the majority then Davina will have full reign. There is the danger that each novel will become very much the same and for just over two thirds of this book I thought that, although I was enjoying it, the story was a little predictable. The final third of the book finishes it in a way I did not expect and adds a couple of little surprises at the last minute which really left me wanting to get on to the next book to find out what happened next.

Although I did enjoy this book the story was a little too familiar and predictable in places and the pacing was quite slow. The character development was good, however, not just for the couple at the centre of the story (Matthias and Mels) but for Jim and especially Adrian. There were lots of linked references to the previous books and some glancing references to the "Brotherhood of the Black Dagger" stories (although you don't have to have read the author's other series to follow these books). I enjoyed finding out a bit more about Dog; I was amazed at Adrian's direct involvement in the story; I was pleased that Mels had such a strong character and made a suitable prospective partner for Matthias; and I very much enjoyed the whole book being written in the author's unique writing style (although I had to blip over some of the abbreviations and American references when reading as they were lost on me).

I enjoy these books because they are about the age old battle between good and evil, but the author is very aware that each of them comes in many different shades. I find them gripping to read with lots of excitement, short chapters and changing viewpoints, and a few twists thrown in to liven them up. I find the author's world very well portrayed and enjoy the way in which she writes about it. I felt that this book moved the whole story on well but as an individual volume it was a little slow and predictable in places. I am very much looking forward to the next story but hope (and expect) that the author does something a little more different with it.

I really, really liked J R Ward's Rapture. It is a good, solid continuation of the Fallen Angel series, and if you already like Ward and the FA series, you will like this installment as well. It is, however, not Ward's new masterpiece or even particularly groundbreaking or exceptional. It is just a good, but not GREAT, book.

Rapture is a well-made and well-written book with a good, solid plot that (unlike some of its predecessors in the FA series) is very well-paced and woven together quite nicely. But while this book is perhaps the best made installment to date in terms of writing, narrative and plot, it also borders slightly on the safe side and has a slower pace compared to Envy (something which I don't necessarily consider a bad thing).

The plot, while good, is fairly simple and in terms of critical events, not that much happens. After the breakneck speed of Crave and Envy, Rapture is much less action-packed and eventful. Instead, we are given time to digest the previous events and their repercussions on the unfolding story, and we are given a much better paced, better structured story. The crucial things that do happen, happen for a reason and are well fleshed-out and really enjoyable to read.

The characters are always a joy in Ward's books, and this one is no exception. Jim and Adrian are still awesome, Devina is still a villain you can truly love to hate in all of her awfulness, and the romantic leads, Mels and Matthias are really enjoyable. Mels and Matthias both develop a lot, and while their relationship is very intense and enjoyable, I personally felt it was their significant other relationships of the non-romantic kind that proved the most interesting and provided some of the best moments in the book. Matthias is a well-rounded character, partially due to his previous appearances in the FA series, but Mels characterization is not nearly as good, and at times she comes across as somewhat safe and bland (she is very alike Beth from Dark Lover in that respect).

Rapture is a good, solid read. While it might not pull in any new readers, it is still worth a read to fans of Ward and the FA series. This book's events really felt like the calm before the storm, and I can't wait for the next installment in the series.

Couldn't wait for the book to come out and it didn't dissapoint. It was a little bit slower then the previous ones but I liked Mels, she was strong and right for Mathias. Cant wait now for the next book and I hope Jim gets his Sissy after offering to lose his win for her, I think he deserves this little bit of happines
And I hope there is a twist which can bring Ed back as well, maybe am wishing to much but can't wait to find out.
A very good book excellent read