Rapture: A Novel of the Fallen Angels [Hardcover]

J.R. Ward (Author)

Book Description

Release date: September 25, 2012 | Series: FALLEN ANGELS (Book 4)

Out of the wickedly inventive imagination of #1 New York Times bestselling author J.R. Ward comes a world where sin and salvation collide in a battle for the future of mankind—where a cynical fallen angel struggles against the seven deadly sins and a demon’s lure over seven chosen souls…

Mels Carmichael, reporter for the Caldwell Courier Journal, gets the shock of her life when a man stumbles in front of her car outside the local cemetery. After the accident, his amnesia is just the kind of mystery she likes to solve, but she soon discovers they’re in over their heads with his past. Over their heads with passion, too...

As shadows walk the line between reality and another realm, and her lover’s memory begins to come back, the two of them learn that nothing is truly dead and buried. Especially when you’re trapped in a no holds barred war between angels and demons. With a soul on the line, and Mels’s heart at risk, what in Heaven—or in Hell—will it take to save them both?

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for J.R. Ward and the Fallen Angels novels:

"Everything J.R. Ward writes is a must read and she never disappoints."—Christine Feehan, New York Times bestselling author

“Fans of the Black Dagger Brotherhood clear a shelf: your next series addiction has just begun.”—Publishers Weekly

About the Author

J.R. Ward is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of numerous novels, including the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. She lives in the South with her family.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 512 pages
• Publisher: NAL Hardcover; 1st Printing edition (September 25, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 045123801X
• ISBN-13: 978-0451238016
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.4 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (266 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #71,728 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

J.R. Ward is the number one New York Times bestselling author of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series of vampire books. She is a winner of the prestigious Romance Writers of America RITA award for Best Paranormal Romance and is a multiple RITA nominee. A graduate of Smith College, she was a double major in History and Art History with a medieval concentration in both and she still longs at times for a return to those days sitting in dark lecture halls, looking at slides of old triptychs and reliquaries. Prior to becoming a full time writer, she was a corporate attorney, serving for many years as the Chief of Staff of one of Harvard Medical Schools premier teaching sites. Her idea of absolute heaven is a day filled with nothing but her computer, her dog and her coffee pot and the Brothers, of course.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#84 Overall (See top 100 authors)

#2 in Books > Romance > Fantasy & Futuristic

#17 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy

#31 in Books > Romance

#36 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Romance

#66 in Books > Literature & Fiction

#2 in Books > Romance > Fantasy & Futuristic

#17 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy

#31 in Books > Romance

#36 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Romance

#66 in Books > Literature & Fiction

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

66 of 72 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Redemption comes in many sizes... September 25, 2012

By C.

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

It very well could have been the title of this book. That's really the theme of "Rapture," the idea that we've all gone wrong somewhere, but it's never too late for redemption. This theme is personified in Matthias, a returning character from "Crave (Fallen Angels, Book 2)," who has spent his formative life doing bad things to whatever kind of person happens to cross his path. Most readers, after reading "Crave: A Novel of the Fallen Angels" would agree that he earned the eternal damnation he got at the end of that book. The trick for Ward in "Rapture" is to make us believe that he deserves a second chance.

Enter Mels Carmichael, another soul looking for redemption, but on a much smaller scale. It's a nice balance, her journey towards just getting her life back on track after the death of her father, juxtaposed with Matthias trying to save his immortal soul. On the surface, you wouldn't think the two struggles were playing in the same ballpark, but as you read the story, & you read how much Mels is affected by the choices she's made, her relatively minor struggle doesn't seem that much different from Matthias's. In the end, both have to own up to the people they are, & you find yourself hoping it's not too late for either of them to turn it around.

Readers already know that Matthias's choices play a major role in the Heaven/ Hell struggle for control; but in this book, its Mels's growth that really steals the show. She's the first female lead in the Fallen Angels series that seems to stand toe to toe with the boys, reminiscent of another beloved Ward female, Beth Randall from the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. It's probably no coincidence that Mels has replaced Beth at the newspaper she once worked at, or that she's appropriated Beth's coffee mug. The similarities between the two characters abound, & perhaps that's why Ward readers will find themselves much more invested in Mels than they might have in previous female leads.

And the love interests aren't the only ones seeking redemption. The two angels, Jim & Adrian, are still reeling from the loss of the Eddie, & this seems to make them less sure of themselves. It certainly has made them much angrier, an emotion that seems to fuel most of their actions in the story. As with most middle books in a series, this story is more about character growth than plot, & that's most noticeable in Ward's treatment of the angels. Not having to spend time locating the soul in question, or chasing Devina all over the place, allows the book to focus on just what this war is doing to the players in question. Is Adrian really going to be able to recover from Eddie's loss to become the kind of angel he never thought he'd have to be? Is Jim's devotion to Sissy helping or hindering the mission? How are they going to reconcile all the heavy, heavy feelings that are starting to crush them with what they need to do to save mankind? Lots of questions arise in "Rapture," and some of the answers, as always in a Ward book, surprise.

But the most surprising part of the book's redemption theme: how much you root for Devina to get hers too. If there's any aspect of the Fallen Angels series that sets it apart, it is how much you come to love to Devina. She's evil incarnate, cruel to the bone, & yet one of the most likeable villains ever. Because in between torturing Jim over Sissy, & taunting Adrian with reminders of Eddie's death, you see her struggling with OCD & sympathizing with people in a way that makes her seem almost human. You hate yourself for thinking it, but just a little part of you almost wants her to win, because Ward has managed to make evil seem not all bad.

This book is far less about the romance & much more about the on- going war & its effect on the main players, but frankly, I'd be okay with this particular series having even less romance elements in favor of more time spent on how the angels & Devina are going to come out of all this (and certainly more time spent with the Four Lads; their near- absence in this book is a disappointment). Soul- saving doesn't just happen because two people fall in love; most of the time, it's because a person finally decides to seek redemption for themselves. And only time will tell which of the players in the game will really be redeemed...

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Rapture September 28, 2012

By A. Schreiner TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Kindle Edition

Rapture is book four in JR Ward's Fallen Angel series. I wasn't a big fan of the first two, but the last book was an enjoyable read. Rapture falls down the middle. It is an okay book, slow at times, but continuing this battle between good and evil.

Matthias wakes up on top of a grave completely naked, and he has no memories of anything. He can't remember, but as the reader if you are current with this series, you know he died and spent some time in hell, thanks to the `lovely' Devina. But hell spit him back out, as it was decided he was to be a player in this game again. Matthias is the creator of the XOps, a very secretive group of assassins, and he hasn't lived a very saintly life. But now with a clean slate of sorts, he kind of has a chance at redeeming himself. Or at least Jim Heron hopes so. Jim has been tasked by the Maker himself, to save the souls of seven people, hopefully meaning the good guys win and the world will continue to spin. Currently, the good guys have won two and lost one.

Confused, injured and just all around in bad shape, Matthias starts wandering around trying to find help. Instead, he wanders in a street and gets hit by a car. The driver, Mels Carmichael is frantic, as he just came out of nowhere. Mels is a reporter, and ends up investigating a few of the murders that Devina causes. Devina sets out to murder blonde haired women, hoping to remind Jim that his beloved blond hair girl, Sissy, is still writhing in Devina's hell. With no money or friends, Matthias turns to Mel to help him figure out who he really is. Jim and Adrian get involved, knowing Matthias is the soul they must keep safe, if they are to win this war.

This book is on the slower side for me. Mels worked pretty well for me as a heroine and that is saying a lot because I'm not always a fan of Ward's heroines. Matthias's journey discovering himself all over again and dealing with some horrific memories when they do surface was interesting to watch. Their romance is a very slow one and one that frustrated me. Matthias physically can't perform in the bedroom (he can't get it up y'all!), so that hinders things for a long while. I've read every book JR Ward has written, and this is one of the least dirty/smutty. (boo!) But we are all holding out for Qhuay, right? *wink* (I can't help myself)

Anyway! Jim is still plodding along, trying to win this war. We get a lot with Devina in this book. She is seeing a shrink and has a massive OCD issue. She confused me at some points. I mean, yes she is the evil one - the devil - but I feel like she outwits Jim and Adrian more than she should. She has never come across as super smart, and I don't understand why she can get away with what she does. She isn't a favorite character of mine for sure.

Speaking of Adrian, oh Adrian. Still so torn up over Eddie's death. He goes to some dark places in this book. I wish we had gotten a lot more from him. I really like his character.

This book doesn't necessarily have the `oomph' factor I was expecting. It is slower with a romance that I wish had been bigger.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars lagged in spots September 27, 2012

By C. Stone

Format:Kindle Edition

I would recommend that this be purchased in paper back copy if anyone is a casual fan of the Fallen series. If you are die hard then you may purchase the hardback as I did and wish I didnt :( I still follow BDB but have not been hard core about this new series. Some of the previous books I liked well enough and some were just meh. I found Rapture to be on the meh side. It had parts that just lagged for me and were a huge yawn. It seemed to start well enough with the return of a previous character from a prior novel. (trying not to spoil it)

Anyway, Mels Carmichael and this character collide which starts the connection and mystery of how Jim Heron must help and who he is supposed to save from the wicked Devina in this heavenly game they have going on. There were times when I skimmed pages and pages of boring dialogue or just odd segments that didnt seem to have much value to the overall story. Mels and her awkward relationship with her mother, Adrian's dreams and Devina's actions/thoughts.

I also found it hard to buy the insta-love between the hero and the heroine when you consider that they literally had very little interaction other than him requesting her help, some phone calls and then heavy kissing. True I dont think Ward considers this series a "romance" but it should have something to make me buy into the relationship. By the final chapter we are supposed to believe that the two are desperatly in love.

At the end of Rapture things wrap up quickly with an HEA and more tidbits for poor John to follow on his quest to rescue Sissy who he has obsessed on since the beginning