Covet (Fallen Angels, #1)

From the book:

Redemption isn't a word Jim Heron knows much about-his specialty is revenge, and to him, sin is all relative. But everything changes when he becomes a fallen angel and is charge with saving the souls of seven people from the seven deadly sins. And failure is not an option. Vin DiPietro long ago sold his soul to his business, and he's good with that-until fate intervenes in the form of a tough- talking, Harley-riding, self-professed savior. But then he meets a woman who will make him question his destiny, his sanity, and his heart-and he has to work with a fallen angel to win her over and redeem his own soul.

This book was not my favorite by J.R. Ward. I actually got this book in the mail yesterday and frantically read it as the review was due today for Blogs with Bite. It was not a horrible book and was interesting enough to sail through most of it but in truth, I didn't really care for it. The main character, Jim was not who I became interested in. Vin and Gretchen were the characters I really cared more about. Jim almost seemed like a side character in the whole book. Something I was disappointed in as I was looking forward to a good paranormal book. Not much paranormal going on. Sure you had demons and angels within the book, but this whole book would have stood on it's own without those characters. We get peeks into the life of Jim, but we don't get to know him. And as frustrated as Jim was about not getting to know his angel "team" members, I was as well. In the end, it was an okay read (not great in the least) and hopefully will eventually lead to more interesting stories about Jim and the angels.

Here are the Blog with Bite discussion questions:

Q#1 - Did you relate to Jim at all? Did you feel like he was a good choice or worthy of this mission?

I didn't really relate much to Jim, but I don't need to always relate to characters to enjoy the story. I liked the fact he had a dog in this story. I think that is how audiences related to him and saw his softer side. I think he was a good choice, and since he won, must have been worthy, but truthfully, I became more interested in the two angels that helped him. I was disappointed that we did not get to learn about Adrian's fight in the end.

Q#2 - How do you feel about the tone of the book? Did you think that there was too much slang/not enough/just enough? How did you feel about the word choice in the book- did it add to your reading of the story or take away from it?

I felt there was too much slang. When everyone has the same slang, it doesn't make sense. They all grew up in different areas, were ancient, paranormal "angels" but all had the same type of talk. It wasn't so bad it got in the way of the story, but enough that I did recognize they all had the same "speak".

Q#3 - When the "fantasy" of the book is based on a belief system that is regarded as truth by some religions (the angels & demons) does it help you relate better with the story, as opposed to a story about vampires and werewolves?

No, not really. We all look to the humanity within the story. The paranormal part of the story actually often enhances the "human" parts we all share. I also recognized belief systems within the theory of this book, most may not. Like having a few individuals upon this earth that keep the balance of good within it. Without those people the earth would be destroyed. It is actually an ancient belief that more than one religion shares.

Q#4 - In the opening of this book we read about a football game analogy of Demons verses Angels, even though this is fiction what do think of Demons in this case Jim the Fallen Angel being portrayed as a "Good Guy"?

In many religions demons aren't always on the "devil's" side. Demons can often have a more general analogy of those that are paranormal. Some are actually neither good or bad. So, for me, I had no problems with this idea. Plus, he didn't become a fallen angel until the end. He was at a crossroads, so he could have played for either side.

Q#5 - How do you feel knowing this will be a 7 book series featuring Jim and he might win all of the battles?

I worry that the books could end up being redundant. The stories and battles could end up being way too familiar very quickly. I would worry about that more than Jim winning all the battles.