Book Review: Black Wings

By Sandy Amazeen Dec 4, 2010, 1:26 GMT

As an Agent of Death, Madeline Black is responsible for escorting the souls of the dearly departed to the afterlife. It\'s a 24/7 job with a lousy benefits package. Maddy\'s position may come with magical powers and an impressive wingspan, but it doesn\'t pay the bills. And then there are her infuriating boss, tenant woes, and a cranky, popcorn-loving gargoyle to contend with. Things start looking up, though, ...more

Madeline Black possessed plenty of magical abilities including being able to sprout enormous black wings when required. Those abilities didn’t guarantee her a fat wallet so Maddy was hardly in a position to quibble when handsome renter, Gabriel Angeloscuro agreed to rent her downstairs apartment despite unvoiced misgivings by her gargoyle companion, Beezle. Of course, that was just before demons started showing up intent upon trying to kill her.

Maddy begins having powerful dreams through which she sees the life of another young woman who struggled to birth twins after her lover mysteriously disappeared. As attacks on Maddy increase in strength and frequency she discovers there is much more to Gabriel then just a hunky body and begins to learn more of her lineage. Powerful forces are at work and Maddy and her parentage is at the center of them but only if she is strong enough to outwit those who would use her to further their own ends.

Fast action, plenty of demons and a hint of mystery surrounding the afterlife make for an entertaining urban fantasy populated by an assortment of interesting characters. The overeating gargoyle adds a light touch to what tends be a dark story while the interaction between Maddy and Gabriel serves plenty of thwarted sexual tension. With Maddy’s growing power, newfound family and a brother bent on killing her, it is certain we will see more of this flawed yet plucky character.