Candace's Reviews > Covet

This is the first book in the 'Fallen Angels' series by J.R. Ward. Unfortunately, this book just didn't grab my attention quite like the 'Black Dagger Brotherhood', although the two series are supposed to be intertwined. I say "supposed to be" because I didn't catch the references to characters from the BDB series. However, I'm sure it is just because it's been quite a while since I've read any of those books and the details are a bit hazy. I'm sure they were there and I just missed it. In any event, I liked this book, but it didn't make me fall in love with the story or leave me wanting more. In fact, it seemed to drag on and on at times.

When Jim, a construction worker with a deadly past, gets electrocuted on the worksite, he is recruited to fight alongside fallen angels in the war of good vs. evil. He is fighting for his soul and all of mankind. Faced with the opportunity to help people choose the right path, avoiding the seven deadly sins, Jim must steer them toward good. If he succeeds, good prevails. If not, evil wins. He is the agreed upon tiebreaker and his actions will determine the outcome of the age-old war.

His first trial revolves around his boss, Vin, a man that only seems to value his wealth and material possessions. As the owner of the construction site that Jim was injured on, Jim is able to use his injury to his advantage, in order to get closer to Vin. The men soon become friends and Jim discovers that Vin is a man at a crossroads. Should he propose to his beautiful girlfriend, or not? Initially thinking that his job is to nudge Vin into the proposal, Jim begins to question his initial assumptions after seeing Vin's reaction to Marie Therese, a prostitute working out of a local club.

As the story progresses, the relationship between Vin and Marie Therese grows more intimate. She is running from her own ghosts. Vin's past also comes back to haunt him. All the while, Jim is discovering a whole new world where demons do exist and things like black magic impact his reality. Eventually, it comes to a head with the first showdown between good and evil I this series that promises many more to come.

I listened to the Audible version of this book. It was well-narrated. That being said, I would not listen to the audiobook version of this story if I had it to do over. There were so many characters and story lines going right from the beginning, that it was pretty confusing. I had to rewind a few times to try and figure out who was who. Granted, I do tend to listen to audiobooks when driving or doing housework, etc., so I can't give my full attention to the audiobook. For that reason, I try to pick "lighter", less complex audiobooks. If I had read the Kindle version, I might have gotten more enjoyment from this story.

For me, it was good but not great. I might continue the series at some point, but am not dying to dive into the next book right away.