Wow. It’s been a while since I've cried over a book, but this one broke my heart. From the very first pages until the end, I was drowning in feels. It was unputdownable. It was unlike anything I’ve ever read.

Orlando was a sassy kid with serious issues. I completely adored him. He'd been dealt a shitty hand, and my heart went out to him. For better or for worse, his chance encounter with Henri - both a blessing and a curse - shaped the rest of his life. Orlando imprinted on him like a baby duckling.

Henri was Orlando’s savior in so many ways. Caring and considerate, but also ruthless and forceful, he was a study in contrast and arguably one of my favorite characters ever. I was a bit wary when he became so fixated on Orlando when he was just six years old especially considering what was going on in Orlando’s life at the time. I shouldn’t have - the story progressed beautifully, and I was taken on a ride I won’t soon forget.

Their relationship was INTENSE - obsessive, codependent, and not very healthy at all. But that was the beauty of it. Who’d want to read about an easy relationship with an immortal being, anyway? Not me, that’s for sure. And don’t even get me started on the sex. Holy cow, some of THE hottest scenes I’ve read in MY LIFE are in this book. Definitely NSFW.

The world building was amazing, and the unique narration style (second person POV) was the perfect choice for this story. It was everything I could hope for and more. After such an ending, though, I need the sequel ASAP! ( )

I was basically at the point that I'd read anything else. I loved the second person, as if they are telling the story to each other, but that charm wasn't enough for me to continue.

I wasn't connected to the characters and the story wasn't well-paced enough for the suspense.

A bummer.

I don't think the author just shrugged her shoulders and decided 'I'm going to write in second person, just because.' It was a conscious decision, because in my opinion the story demanded it. The writing style has a purpose. It's a premonition in itself. Of course I didn't necessarily realized that immediately. XD But as I went deeper into the story I started to have suspicions. Whether I was right or wrong that's a different question. lol

Henri's character is possibly the highlight of this book for me. Imagine an angel, who's not an angel. Imagine a vampire, a ghost, an apparition, a spirit. He's not any of those things but all of them. He's also ancient, poor guy. ;) And that's where the world-building also comes in. I know I'm being very cryptic, I can't help it. XD So when all of the above comes into play, you have a character who is very complicated... or should be... but Henri isn't all that hard to figure out. (Except when he's being a secretive ass.) I really liked his manner of speech: always respectful, sometimes too polite and formal, but also commanding when he needed to be. I was fascinated by the different sides of him. He was the humble servant and loyal guardian, the cheeky and confident cast-out who liked to rub it in, and the lonely spirit full of longing. But if I have to choose if he's sweet and angelic or a 'badboy', I'm not at all sure where the scale would tip over. I'm leaning towards the latter, only because he has this dangerous air about him, despite his good intentions and actions.

Orlando has fewer chapters and I haven't connected with him so strongly as with Henri. I wondered if his pov would have been better in first person instead, so I could connect with him more.
The author definitely likes writing imperfect characters who sometimes make stupid decisions in the name of love. We saw it in [b:Hiroku|40123971|Hiroku|Laura Lascarso|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1526359903l/40123971._SY75_.jpg|62228513]. And here Orlando adds a little salt and vinegar to our gaping wounds, because what is more tragic than falling in love with your guardian angel who doesn't have a body.

I have read a few books before about angels and demons and the like, so there were familiar names like the Nephilim or the Grigori, and they mostly mean the same thing as in other books, but there is always a twist. So my suggestion is if you ever read about these things, to just forget about them and go with the flow, you'll get the explanations eventually.

There is not much religious stuff mentioned... maybe one paragraph about God and the Bible but that's it.

I do think this book is brilliant, divine even. But with every book there is some things that one reader might like better than the other. With that said, there were 2 things I didn't enjoy. One was a development that came from Orlando being in love and young and stupid, as they say. And while I didn't enjoy that part myself, I do think it was well-written....and you know.. the necessary bad before the good, if that makes sense. But sometimes writers need to write about the bad stuff too, not just the good. The other thing I didn't like... or let's say it would have worked better for me with some changes (and I have to be totally honest, I'm 90% sure that it's the beta reader in me talking) ... was a scene that was most definitely created for enjoyment *wink-wink. However it just made me confused. Not that it didn't make sense at all... cause it did once I thought it through, but man was I trippin'. XD

The secondary characters are all very well-developed and add to the complication Orlando is facing with Henri.

So I highly recommend this book. But I really need a follow-up. While I'm very.. and I mean very curious about Xavier and Santiago (i did have a daydream about them the other day, khm) I would like more of Orlando and Henri too.
4.5 stars rounded up! Hug life! ( )