I received this book for free from the library in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Source: the library
Possession
by
J.R. Ward
urban fantasy in eBook edition that was published by New American Library (NAL) on October 1, 2013 and has 544 pages.
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Other books by this author which I have reviewed include Dark Lover, Lover Eternal, Lover Awakened, Covet, Crave, Lover Revealed, Lover Unbound, Lover Enshrined, Lover Avenged, Lover Mine, Lover Unleashed, Envy, An Irresistible Bachelor, Leaping Hearts, His Comfort and Joy, Lover Reborn, Rapture, Lover at Last, The King, The Shadows, The Bourbon Kings, Blood Kiss, The Beast, Blood Vow, The Chosen, Blood Fury, “Dearest Ivie”, The Thief, "The Reception", "The Rehearsal Dinner", Consumed, The Savior, Blood Truth, Where Winter Finds You, The Sinner, A Warm Heart in Winter, Claimed, The Wolf
Fifth in the Fallen Angels urban fantasy series which is set in Caldwell, New York, and revolves around a bet between God and the Devil: Can Jim Heron, a former professional assassin-turned-angel, persuade a soul to change?
My Take
This was a conflicted mess of the lame and the well-done in the moves and counter-moves of the many games in this story. I don’t know if Ward was in a rush to get this story to the publisher or what, but I can see where people are pissed about reading this series. Lots of jumbled bits with Jim obsessed with freeing and caring for Sissy — no matter the cost. He’s so absorbed that he’s not paying attention to the soul he’s supposed to save, and it’s a desperate play to catch up.
It’s the classic “don’t judge a book by its cover” scenario, although it took me by surprise. What was the deal with the house? Sure, I know Jim and Adrian are men, but they must have some clue about wiping down counters and washing windows?
Oh, please…the way Cait is going on about Thom, you’d think they broke up last week! Then the choice Nigel makes??? WTF? WHY? Ward doesn’t give any indication as to why he does this. We’re left to assume it’s because of Jim’s decision to rescue Sissy, but, c’mon…it is so unbelievable. Well, yeah, Jim’s obsession is also unbelievable. Oh, intellectually I understand Jim’s desire to save her, but Ward doesn’t make me believe his desire. There’s no compelling argument for it. Of course, there are consequences which irritate Devina no end, although how she could be so stupid to even imagine it was possible?? And there are yet more consequences for Jim. A particular attraction he never expected.
Well, yeah, it’s gruesome, but it is rather funny, that Devina should be so grateful for technology helping her get round that chronic shortage of virgins. All those lovely geeks… Oh man, oh man, that scene with Adrian and Devina when he’s “busy” distracting her…!
Ward’s tease over the back history on Nicole and her son was useful, and her contention between G.B. and Duke caused me to rush through the pages, desperate to know why, what caused it.
Too funny, Jim’s mojo powers go on the fritz; not funny is no explanation from Ward as to why. What? She needed a problem at that point and this was the best she could do?
As much as I’ve enjoyed Ward’s portrayal of Devina as the fashion- and Jim-obsessed OCD devil, this one was more annoying with Devina’s stupid assumptions. Previously she seemed evil, in this one she comes across as more stupidly juvenile.
Oh, boy, we learn Jim’s formative history.
Hmmm, the halos are interesting, but I sure am curious about G.B.’s.
The courtship is sweet with an unexpected direction.
Hmm, yummy, Prismacolor pencils, drawing paper…sounds like heaven already.
The Story
It’s a mess as Nigel could tell you, with Jim distracted by his obsession for Sissy. And Cait Douglas is falling in love. With two men. Two men who are so incredibly different, each determined to cut the other out of her life, and yet only one will win her heart.
The Characters
Cait Douglas is struggling to step out and away from the religious background that pokes and prods her conscience. It doesn’t help that she works as an illustrator of children’s books from home, although she does get out: teaching art classes at Union College; Sissy was one of her students. Teresa Goldman is her best friend, pushing her out the metaphorical door. Thom is the boyfriend who left her for Margot. Charlie is Cait’s little brother who died; her parents travel outside the country a lot as missionaries.
Duncan “Duke” Phillips is a bouncer at the Iron Mask by night and a road worker by day — not the cardiac surgeon he had dreamed of becoming. Hard, tough, with a love for fighting, and valued by his boss, Alex Hess (in truth, she’s mated to John Matthew, Lover Mine, #8 in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series). Nicole is his ex; Tony is her son. Rolly is his freeloading roommate more concerned about his next hit than his next job. He’s mostly in here for color. Big Rob, Silent Tom, and Ivan are his fellow bouncers. Yasemin Oaks is the psychic Duke can’t stay away from.
G.B. (Gordon Benjamin) Holde is the most incredible singer and such a very charming man. He’s enough to cause Cait to fall hard. Jennifer Espie was useful in the theatre front office and elsewhere.
Jim Heron is, well, an angel. A former XOps mercenary who is the pivot in a bizarre bet over who will inherit the Earth. Small hint: it ain’t the meek! Adrian is an angel in spite of the leather, combat boots, and piercings; he’s all messed up about Eddie‘s death and needs a cane to get around — Eddie’s body, smelling of roses, is tucked behind a door in the attic which Dog, a.k.a., God, guards with his life.
Sissy Barten is the blonde Devina “collected” in Covet, 1. She’s left a big impression on Jim and on Cait, her art teacher. Chillie is Charles Brownary, Sissy’s best friend’s little brother. Detective de la Cruz has been hunting a serial killer for some time now.
Devina D’Angelo is the devil, headquartered in Integrated Human Resources, Inc. One with a preference for Louboutins and OCD enough to need a therapist, Veronica.
Colin and Nigel are two of the archangels overseeing the bet. Byron and Bertie are the two who take cover in the manse. Tarquin is Bertie’s wolfhound.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a flare of wing hiding his face, the oranges of the wings reflected in his eyes and glinting on the rusty chains below.
The title is who does, have Possession that is.
