Envy: A Novel of the Fallen Angels [Audiobook, MP3 Audio, Unabridged] [MP3 CD]

I didn't care much for Detective DelVecchio when JR Ward introduced him in Lover Unleashed. In fact, I wondered what the heck his side-story was even doing in that book, since it had little or no relation to anything else in the storyline. Obviously, the plan was drive Black Dagger Brotherhood fans to the Fallen Angel series...

That being said, in his own novel, Veck makes for a pretty interesting lead. He is haunted by the legacy of his serial killer father and a darkness that he has always carried within himself. And as our book begins, he is convinced that he is responsible for the attack on another serial killer named Kroner. Reilly is the Internal Affairs officer sent in to investigate. And she becomes his temporary partner while the police try to figure out what really happened to Kroner. Together, they begin to investigate the disappearance of Sissy Barten... the young virgin Devina killed in Covet. Veck thinks Kroner had something to do with it, since Sissy disappeared around the same time as his other victims.

In the meantime, Jim is determined he will find Sissy's body and somehow get her soul back from Devina. And his single-minded focus is causing a rift with his back-up angels Ad & Eddie. At times, the Jim and Sissy vibe comes across as a borderline romantic possibility... which bothers me. Sissy is 19. Jim is 40. Yes, they're actually both dead, but it's still squicky. And with Veck working Sissy's disappearance (and obviously with him being the soul in need of saving for the book) Jim has twice the motivation to be a part of his life.

I found that I liked the storyline of Veck's internal struggle, though how Devina got her hooks into him via his father wasn't entirely clear to me. As with all Ward books, the sex was rockin' -- though I was disappointed with Reilly for her lack of faith at a pivotal time. The real meat of the book for me, though, centered on Jim, Ad & Eddie. Some pretty powerful developments take place within their dynamic and we can expect the repercussions to continue into future books. We're also tipped off on the identity of the soul in question for the next book. It's a familiar face, but I don't know how I feel about it.

Overall, it was a solid installment in the series... very consistent in tone to the books that came before it. 4 stars.

I'll start with stating... I am a huge fan of J.R. Ward. The first two books in this series have been so-so when compared with the BlackDagger Brotherhood books. This book....changed my mind. Envy stepped up and is now competing neck and neck with BDB. What a wonderful read. Ward really makes you "feel" like you are there, it was amazing. I love that you get to see the dynamics between Eddie and Adrian along with Collin and Nigel. I won't add spoilers but I'll say..if you are a fan of J.R. Ward, you will LOVE this book. If you were kind of lukewarm to Covet and Crave....don't give up. You will LOVE Envy.

There is a lot going on in this book with plenty of what JR Ward does best: well-written men, cliff hangers and incredible world building. But what really sets this series and this book apart is Devina--the villain of the series. She's the best female character Ward has ever written (to bad she's evil incarnate)-but she's just so great to hate. I'll get back to that.

This book carries on immediately from book 2 in the series. There are roughly 3 plot threads--the fight between the fallen angels and Devina, the relationships between the archangels who control the gates of heaven and are fighting Devina, and finally the romance between Veck, the detective hero, and Reilly, the Officer heroine.

Jim Heron is The Savior, a man chosen by Heaven, represented by Nigel, an archangel, and hell, represented by Devina, because he is equally good and bad. It has been really interesting to see him grow in strength realize his personal potential for good and bad. He seems to have a crush/obsession with a 19 year old who was sacrificed by Devina in an earlier book. The death of this character is central to the plot in Envy. Wow--got to give Ward credit for weaving it all so flawlessly. Jim just exactly what we like about Ward men. Enough said.

Devina, on the other hand . . . wow. She's EVIL. But hilarious. For example, she sees a therapist and also has a huge crush on Jim. She is the best Ward female ever written because she's just unabashedly HER. Love to hate her, like I said.

Jim is fighting Devina with the help of two fallen angels--Eddie and Adrian. These two have a long history with Devina which we learn in bits and pieces. Basically they're renegades who've been keeping each other company and fighting Devina. Company seems to include "hands-on" manage a trois.

The relationships between the archangels are still in development because their side stories are in many ways inexplicable. If you're familiar with Ward she always develops little side plots that may not reveal themselves until much later. I'm hoping that was the case here. In sum we learn that Nigel, the lead archangel, has a little tiff with another archangel (can't call it a true fight because the archangels, unlike the fallen angels, are well-bred golf clappers who even have English accents). I say inexplicable because it's still not clear what role they all have and what they do exactly.

Finally, there is the romance. I found Ward due to it's classification in the "romance genre" but I continue to read her for the World Building and consider the romance a bonus. In Envy, there is one major bummer about the romance--I won't totally spoil it--but it was something that while was central to the plot, seemed to seriously undermine the chance of the romance being long-term. We met Veck, the hero, in Lover Un--something, Ward's last book, when he had a run-in with a vampire that led directly to the story we see in Envy. Veck is typical Ward. He's huge, hot and hardcore. He also doesn't feel he's worthy of the good girl--which is exactly what Reilly, the heroine is--a cotton-underwear-wearing-rule-follower. She was a disappointment because her character didn't grow much. In my opinion she had a chance and didn't excel when she could have. Despite that she does seem to be the perfect match to Veck and I cared enough to be invested in their relationship.

The most interesting part of the romance was that the hero, Veck is the look-alike son of an infamous serial killer who is scheduled for death row. One of the major elements of his character was that fans of his father's were constantly trying to ingratiate themselves into his life. If that wasn't bad enough he was born with evil in his DNA, and has elements of his personality which are predisposed to evil, just like his father. It's interesting and I wish it had been explored even more.

The world Ward has created here is truly unique. There is nothing out there even close. Ward's take on heaven and hell is simply fascinating and I love learning about it. For example Jim has a dog which keeps him company while he fights Devina. A character asks Jim. "whose dog is that?" Jim says, "Everybody's, really." DOG. GOD. There is no chance in hell this would be palatable for some people, but if you're willing to be open minded I think there is a lot of wisdom.

This really is a great book in this genre, one of the best Ward has written in awhile. Devina and Jim continue to grow and surprise me and I enjoy them both. We shall see if the sacrificed virgin Jim is obsessed with (who was hinted to be stronger that she looks) can usurp Devina as the lead female.

Looking forward to the next installment! Great work JR WARD!