Angel Fire by L.A. Weatherly

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The angel menace has exploded, and Alex and Willow are on the lam. Willow’s prophetic dreams point them to Mexico City, where they connect with a group of angel killers led by Kara, an AK from Alex’s past. But the team is suspicious of Willow, even after Alex takes over the training them for an attack on THE TWELVE, a council of all-powerful angels.

Let me put it this way, by the time I was done reading Angel Fire, I felt like I’d been spun about, twisted about and kicked in the gut for good measure. My emotional ride through Angel Fire successfully put an end to the reading bender I’d been on for 3 straight weeks. I’m not complaining though – I’d gladly do it again!

Picking up where Angel Burn left off, Alex and Willow are on the run and in hiding from the chaos they left behind in Colorado. Willow’s now completely cut off from her previous life and is adjusting to the truth that she’s a half angel. Alex continues to be her champion and decides on a course for Mexico to contact and recruit new Angel Killers. When they finally reach their destination and reunite with Kara, Alex’s friend and fellow AK, things aren’t necessarily easy. Kara and her team don't exactly trust Willow’s half angel nature and so there’s plenty of tension and passive-aggressive display happening. Alex also has his hands full. On top of mediating between Willow and the rest of the AKs, he has also taken over the leadership of the group – and they're in dire need of it too since they’re severely lacking in training.

Angel Fire welcomes several new characters to the series, one of the most important being Seb, who has a unique connection to Willow and is determined to find her. When they do finally come into contact, it’s both a relief to Willow and a big source of contention between her and Alex. It’s clear from the get go that Seb has designs on Willow and doesn’t hide it. Much to Alex’s chagrin he must keep himself in check realizing that though Seb’s presence irritates him, he is a great source of comfort to Willow and could help her understand her half angel side. I have no doubt that are Team Alex and Team Seb camps about.

While that soap opera unfolds, the Council of Twelve descends upon earth to reign the other angels in and bring about changes. Naturally, Raziel, who wears his "d-bag dad of the year" badge with pride, isn’t too thrilled so he schemes and manipulates to secure his position. This also raises the stakes for the AKs who are acutely aware of the severe consequences for humans no matter which of the angels seizes control. Tension levels get higher and several things come to a head as D-Day draws closer.

Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoyed Angel Fire. Set against the backdrop of a very lively and colorful Mexico City, it has everything – the love triangle, the uneasy alliances, leadership struggles, fights, tears, and loads and loads of action, twists and turns. I was seriously spent afterward. It’s well worth the read and with the way Weatherly left things at the end, I am incredibly curious to know what she has planned for the next installment.

~ Bel