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A Game of Wings and Marks
When Octavia Coal goes to the mountains to clear her head, she doesn’t expect to find an angel in trouble.
He tells her his name is Tamiel and he’s one of the Irin – the army of angels tasked with keeping demons from overwhelming humanity. But Tamiel broke a sacred law – he fell in love with a human – and now he’s being hunted by the same angels he once served.
With nowhere else to go, Octavia and Tamiel – along with Jack, the human in question, and her brother Caleb – appeal directly to Zev, the Demon of Games. A trickster of unparalleled power, Zev gives nothing for free, and the gift he offers Octavia to keep Tamiel alive comes with a confusing catch: He makes her the Healer of Raphael, archangel and Commander of the Irin.
Suddenly a target for both angels and demons, Octavia quickly learns that the only way to survive is to play the game better than they do.
The only problem is, she doesn’t know whose game she’s playing …
He tells her his name is Tamiel and he’s one of the Irin – the army of angels tasked with keeping demons from overwhelming humanity. But Tamiel broke a sacred law – he fell in love with a human – and now he’s being hunted by the same angels he once served.
With nowhere else to go, Octavia and Tamiel – along with Jack, the human in question, and her brother Caleb – appeal directly to Zev, the Demon of Games. A trickster of unparalleled power, Zev gives nothing for free, and the gift he offers Octavia to keep Tamiel alive comes with a confusing catch: He makes her the Healer of Raphael, archangel and Commander of the Irin.
Suddenly a target for both angels and demons, Octavia quickly learns that the only way to survive is to play the game better than they do.
The only problem is, she doesn’t know whose game she’s playing …
234 pages, Paperback
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
March 15, 2020
Sometimes being a Good Samaritan can change your life in ways one can never imagine, just ask Octavia Coal. The man she found near death and bleeding on the beach was no man at all, he was an angel and now she is about to begin a journey that will have her rubbing elbows with angels and demons alike and her heart is sure to get involved.
Rebecca Crunden is back with another paranormal fantasy/romance that will have you running the gamut of emotions as the lines between good and evil get a little blurry and Octavia finds herself straddling both worlds with all of the grace of an albatross on ice!
A GAME OF WINGS AND MARKS has it all! A feisty heroine with a heart as big as the moon, angels who seem almost human, but hotter and demons that live up to the phrase, the Devil made me do it! Fun, fast-paced and furiously entertaining, every character is fleshed out, every scene comes to life and one is free to chuckle, gasp and cheer this group on!
Great storytelling, a delightful imagination and a keen sense of timing seem to be Rebecca Crunden’s signature style! If you are looking for that hidden gem in the quarry of great reading, definitely take a look at A GAME OF WINGS AND MARKS and maybe even all of Rebecca Crunden’s work! You can thank me later!
I received a complimentary copy from Rebecca Crunden! This is my honest and voluntary review.
Publication Date: June 26, 2017
Publisher: Rebecca Crunden
Genre: Paranormal Romance/Fantasy
Print Length: 249 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Rebecca Crunden is back with another paranormal fantasy/romance that will have you running the gamut of emotions as the lines between good and evil get a little blurry and Octavia finds herself straddling both worlds with all of the grace of an albatross on ice!
A GAME OF WINGS AND MARKS has it all! A feisty heroine with a heart as big as the moon, angels who seem almost human, but hotter and demons that live up to the phrase, the Devil made me do it! Fun, fast-paced and furiously entertaining, every character is fleshed out, every scene comes to life and one is free to chuckle, gasp and cheer this group on!
Great storytelling, a delightful imagination and a keen sense of timing seem to be Rebecca Crunden’s signature style! If you are looking for that hidden gem in the quarry of great reading, definitely take a look at A GAME OF WINGS AND MARKS and maybe even all of Rebecca Crunden’s work! You can thank me later!
I received a complimentary copy from Rebecca Crunden! This is my honest and voluntary review.
Publication Date: June 26, 2017
Publisher: Rebecca Crunden
Genre: Paranormal Romance/Fantasy
Print Length: 249 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
September 1, 2020
Free copy provided by FLOAB in exchange for an honest review. This in no way changes my rating or review.
4.5 fascinating stars!
A Game of Wings and Marks was SUCH FUN. I couldn’t put it down, I just kept reading and reading until my eyes drooped and my kindle flashed with low battery, and even then it took a lot of effort to put this book down!
The story picks up with our dearest Tamiel waking up injured and alone, only to hear the sounds of something running towards him. Soon, our protagonist Octavia – a guardian angel in her own right – bursts into the scene, and is, understandably, shocked by the sight of a bloody man with what appears to be holes gouged in his back. Being the good samaritan that she is (if you can’t tell, I REALLY loved Octavia), she soon drags him home and does her best to help him, which leads her on an extraordinary journey where she meets angels and demons, makes multiple new friends, falls in love and finds herself in a whole new world.
However, Octavia isn’t alone. She’s backed by her protective brother Caleb, her new friends Tamiel and Jack, the enigmatic demon Zev, and, of course, her angel Raphael. Yeah, THE Raphael. I LOVED the characters in this story, they were relatable, funny, sweet, interesting and – most of all – human (metaphorically). They made mistakes but they overcame these mistakes and tried to make up for them, and they always had Octavia’s back, making them the perfect friends. Honestly this team was so incredibly loveable, I miss them already. Most of this book was from Octavia’s POV, but every now and again we’d get a chapter from Raphael or Zev, which was really nice.
“They were an odd little family, but one Octavia found she loved more than anything.”
Yeah, you and me both, Tivs.
Throughout the story we also find out about the past of each character, and we’re hit by plot-twists and reveals that had me gasping and coming close to tears. The romance was sweet and touching (though there was a slight love triangle so be prepared) and all up I really loved this book. Our MC was badass and didn’t let anyone tell her what to do, the sibling relationship was priceless (and so rare in YA and NA these days) and the LGBTQ+ elements that were so casually slipped into the story were really lovely to read about. Oh, and the humour! I loved it! I laughed out loud at some stages, this book just had that deadpan humour to really add to the atmosphere and fun of the book overall!
“‘Don’t touch anything a gentleman wouldn’t,’ she warned. ‘I will eat your hand.'”
So, you ask, why isn’t it 5 stars then, Darcey? If you loved it so much then why mark it 4.5 stars? Well, I marked this 4.5 stars simply because – though I most definitely loved this book – I’m not sure if I’ll remember it in a year, or two years, or a decade. Basically, I didn’t think this story was INCREDIBLY memorable, but it was still an amazing read while I was reading it!
Brilliant! Thank you so much to the author and For Love of a Book book club for sending me this free copy :))
4.5 fascinating stars!
A Game of Wings and Marks was SUCH FUN. I couldn’t put it down, I just kept reading and reading until my eyes drooped and my kindle flashed with low battery, and even then it took a lot of effort to put this book down!
The story picks up with our dearest Tamiel waking up injured and alone, only to hear the sounds of something running towards him. Soon, our protagonist Octavia – a guardian angel in her own right – bursts into the scene, and is, understandably, shocked by the sight of a bloody man with what appears to be holes gouged in his back. Being the good samaritan that she is (if you can’t tell, I REALLY loved Octavia), she soon drags him home and does her best to help him, which leads her on an extraordinary journey where she meets angels and demons, makes multiple new friends, falls in love and finds herself in a whole new world.
However, Octavia isn’t alone. She’s backed by her protective brother Caleb, her new friends Tamiel and Jack, the enigmatic demon Zev, and, of course, her angel Raphael. Yeah, THE Raphael. I LOVED the characters in this story, they were relatable, funny, sweet, interesting and – most of all – human (metaphorically). They made mistakes but they overcame these mistakes and tried to make up for them, and they always had Octavia’s back, making them the perfect friends. Honestly this team was so incredibly loveable, I miss them already. Most of this book was from Octavia’s POV, but every now and again we’d get a chapter from Raphael or Zev, which was really nice.
“They were an odd little family, but one Octavia found she loved more than anything.”
Yeah, you and me both, Tivs.
Throughout the story we also find out about the past of each character, and we’re hit by plot-twists and reveals that had me gasping and coming close to tears. The romance was sweet and touching (though there was a slight love triangle so be prepared) and all up I really loved this book. Our MC was badass and didn’t let anyone tell her what to do, the sibling relationship was priceless (and so rare in YA and NA these days) and the LGBTQ+ elements that were so casually slipped into the story were really lovely to read about. Oh, and the humour! I loved it! I laughed out loud at some stages, this book just had that deadpan humour to really add to the atmosphere and fun of the book overall!
“‘Don’t touch anything a gentleman wouldn’t,’ she warned. ‘I will eat your hand.'”
So, you ask, why isn’t it 5 stars then, Darcey? If you loved it so much then why mark it 4.5 stars? Well, I marked this 4.5 stars simply because – though I most definitely loved this book – I’m not sure if I’ll remember it in a year, or two years, or a decade. Basically, I didn’t think this story was INCREDIBLY memorable, but it was still an amazing read while I was reading it!
Brilliant! Thank you so much to the author and For Love of a Book book club for sending me this free copy :))
April 25, 2020
I was given a free e-copy of this book through the For Love of a Book ARO program. This does not in any way change my opinion or rating. I try to express only my most honest opinion in a spoiler-free way. If you feel something in my review is a spoiler please let me know. Thank you.
I really loved this book. I really did. It pulled me in almost immediately, and for a long, while I thought for sure it was a 5-star book. But when I finished it, there were things that just didn't sit well with me and I sadly went to 4-star. This was still an amazing book though. It had a very interesting plot that changed often and the romance was sweet. Lots of fun characters too.
Here are my issues with it though. While the romance was sweet, it felt a bit off. The characters were a little bland. Like I couldn't really connect with them because you never get to really know them well enough. And there were the big moments in the plot, the ones that were supposed to have action and where you worry for the character. They were there and then gone so fast that it took me a while to figure out that they were supposed to be the big moments.
It feels like the author tried to condense an entire series into one book and it left it feeling forced and a bit underwhelming. This is by no means a book you should pass on through. With a little bit of tweaking, I would have easily given this book a 5-star rating, and I'm interested to see more books by this author.
I really loved this book. I really did. It pulled me in almost immediately, and for a long, while I thought for sure it was a 5-star book. But when I finished it, there were things that just didn't sit well with me and I sadly went to 4-star. This was still an amazing book though. It had a very interesting plot that changed often and the romance was sweet. Lots of fun characters too.
Here are my issues with it though. While the romance was sweet, it felt a bit off. The characters were a little bland. Like I couldn't really connect with them because you never get to really know them well enough. And there were the big moments in the plot, the ones that were supposed to have action and where you worry for the character. They were there and then gone so fast that it took me a while to figure out that they were supposed to be the big moments.
It feels like the author tried to condense an entire series into one book and it left it feeling forced and a bit underwhelming. This is by no means a book you should pass on through. With a little bit of tweaking, I would have easily given this book a 5-star rating, and I'm interested to see more books by this author.
my-books
February 26, 2023
November 20, 2020
I ended up reading this book because of the title sounding like A Court of Thorns and Roses and since I love that series, I couldn't ignore this book. But it was nothing like ACOTAR
Octavia's life changes when she sees a man hurt in the mountains when she's out try to clear her head, and decides to help him. He introduces her to his life as an angel, and to demons. I thought he was going to be her love interest. But nope, he wasn't and I was glad. And then her life changes drastically.
The world building is great in that we're exposed to the world of angels and demons in a clear, concise and interesting way that is easy to grasp. Crunden had written a strong theme of morality in that love was important in terms of family, friends pets and partners. A strong sense to fight for what's right and for love. I enjoyed each moment of the book, the way it was written was great and had no grammatical errors. The pacing was perfect for me. The only thing is that I wish the book cover had a bit more to it. But that's a minor issue. I definitely recommend this book if you love reading fantasy, angels and demons and a kickass heroine.
Octavia's life changes when she sees a man hurt in the mountains when she's out try to clear her head, and decides to help him. He introduces her to his life as an angel, and to demons. I thought he was going to be her love interest. But nope, he wasn't and I was glad. And then her life changes drastically.
The world building is great in that we're exposed to the world of angels and demons in a clear, concise and interesting way that is easy to grasp. Crunden had written a strong theme of morality in that love was important in terms of family, friends pets and partners. A strong sense to fight for what's right and for love. I enjoyed each moment of the book, the way it was written was great and had no grammatical errors. The pacing was perfect for me. The only thing is that I wish the book cover had a bit more to it. But that's a minor issue. I definitely recommend this book if you love reading fantasy, angels and demons and a kickass heroine.
October 11, 2021
So much fun!! Full RTC.
Thank you so much to author Rebecca Crunden for reaching out and providing an ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest review! All opinions expressed are my own.
Thank you so much to author Rebecca Crunden for reaching out and providing an ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest review! All opinions expressed are my own.
November 30, 2021
Fun, quick read, with strong theology threads.
This is my favorite genre and the author started with a good foundation of Angel/demonology but gave it a fun spin. Parts of the book went a little quick, since I usually read series, but that was both necessary for it to be self contained and lent to it being a fast read. It was a nice romance level for me (good banter, some cute moments, and about a level two “closed door” for heat, which I like!). Definitely recommend if you want a good supernatural contemporary blended story!
This is my favorite genre and the author started with a good foundation of Angel/demonology but gave it a fun spin. Parts of the book went a little quick, since I usually read series, but that was both necessary for it to be self contained and lent to it being a fast read. It was a nice romance level for me (good banter, some cute moments, and about a level two “closed door” for heat, which I like!). Definitely recommend if you want a good supernatural contemporary blended story!
June 1, 2020
Thank you Rebecca for sending me an ARC of this book! Although I was slow in reading it, it was only because I didn’t have much time to read, but once I got into it, this book was very exciting and fast paced. I really enjoyed the fantasy side of it parallel to the real world, but some aspects of it were a little bit confusing.
The fact that they were angels and demons was really cool because I haven’t read any other books with them before, so that was fun.
A really captivating and exciting read!!
The fact that they were angels and demons was really cool because I haven’t read any other books with them before, so that was fun.
A really captivating and exciting read!!
December 11, 2018
DNF @150 pages/65%
The premises are interesting. The characters relationships could be fun and dynamic. But, and I'm sorry, I'm going to be a tiny bit mean.
But. There-are-no-stakes. The main character is not looking for anything, nor are the others. This leads to a slogging, undriven story and to, inevitably, an uninterested reader (= me).
This main drawback is directly linked to shallow characters : we don't know anything about them, and the tiny bits we know are not reeled in any way in their behaviours. Raphael is supposed to be thousands of years old, and is speaking, acting and behaving that a very bland average Joe. Octavia, who should be the most interesting of all since she the main character, is NEVER developed : we don't know what she likes, what her interests are, what she looks like, what makes her hurt and, most of all, what she WANTS. She doesn't even blink after finding out angels and demons are real, and being linked for life to an angel provokes the same reaction to her as she'd been opening the refrigerator to fin there's no cream cheese left.
For instance, there isn't A SINGLE LINE, neither descriptive or dialogue, to show any reaction after she's learned she'll be hunted for life by demons.
This story has obviously been well-plotted and edited, at least beta-read several times. So, what happened ? Have all the beta-readers been too nice to Ms Crunden and never told her it was impossible to empathise to her characters because characterisation was inconsistent ? Did they fail to see where the issue came from ?
Or maybe it's me? The other reviews are really enthusiastic. I saw that Rebecca Crunden had published several books before this one, and I was expecting a higher quality of characterisation. I'm disappointed.
TL;DR
All in all, interesting plot but cardboard characterization which, sadly, ruins the whole rather well-thought story and promising world-building.
The premises are interesting. The characters relationships could be fun and dynamic. But, and I'm sorry, I'm going to be a tiny bit mean.
But. There-are-no-stakes. The main character is not looking for anything, nor are the others. This leads to a slogging, undriven story and to, inevitably, an uninterested reader (= me).
This main drawback is directly linked to shallow characters : we don't know anything about them, and the tiny bits we know are not reeled in any way in their behaviours. Raphael is supposed to be thousands of years old, and is speaking, acting and behaving that a very bland average Joe. Octavia, who should be the most interesting of all since she the main character, is NEVER developed : we don't know what she likes, what her interests are, what she looks like, what makes her hurt and, most of all, what she WANTS. She doesn't even blink after finding out angels and demons are real, and being linked for life to an angel provokes the same reaction to her as she'd been opening the refrigerator to fin there's no cream cheese left.
For instance, there isn't A SINGLE LINE, neither descriptive or dialogue, to show any reaction after she's learned she'll be hunted for life by demons.
This story has obviously been well-plotted and edited, at least beta-read several times. So, what happened ? Have all the beta-readers been too nice to Ms Crunden and never told her it was impossible to empathise to her characters because characterisation was inconsistent ? Did they fail to see where the issue came from ?
Or maybe it's me? The other reviews are really enthusiastic. I saw that Rebecca Crunden had published several books before this one, and I was expecting a higher quality of characterisation. I'm disappointed.
TL;DR
All in all, interesting plot but cardboard characterization which, sadly, ruins the whole rather well-thought story and promising world-building.
August 23, 2021
It has been a while since I read a paranormal/contemporary fantasy and I was impressed with the world building and imagination of A Game of Wings and Marks. The writing style was excellent and the overall idea of our world being filled with powerful angels keeping order and equally powerful demons with their own agendas was marvellous. The action begins on the very first page and I was hooked instantly.
Character-wise, I must admit that it took me a while to warm up to Raphael, the MC Octavia���s (angel) love interest, unlike Zev her other, more morally grey (demon) love interest, who was hands down my favourite character right off the bat. I also liked the strong sibling bond between Octavia and Caleb, the relationship of Tamiel and Jack, and the wit and banter of Octavia.
I would have liked a deeper POV in places, particularly with Octavia, as there were times I when I couldn’t quite get a handle on how she was feeling. For example, she appeared totally unfazed by the incredible revelation that her regular human world was inhabited by angels and demons. She seemed to take everything in her stride, like nothing really surprised her, to the point where I wasn’t sure if that was a quirk of her character or not. I also got a bit lost with the angel names as many were very similar and there were a lot of them!
The story kept me on the edge of my seat, I actually wouldn’t have minded if it had been stretched over another book, as some scenes were really thrilling and I wished they were longer! The action scenes in particular were well written and suspenseful. I hope there will be more books set in this world as the premise is incredibly clever and there are many fascinating supporting characters I’d like to see given their own stories. All in all this is an enjoyable, imaginative fantasy that although stands well on its own, also has the potential for growth into a great series.
Character-wise, I must admit that it took me a while to warm up to Raphael, the MC Octavia���s (angel) love interest, unlike Zev her other, more morally grey (demon) love interest, who was hands down my favourite character right off the bat. I also liked the strong sibling bond between Octavia and Caleb, the relationship of Tamiel and Jack, and the wit and banter of Octavia.
I would have liked a deeper POV in places, particularly with Octavia, as there were times I when I couldn’t quite get a handle on how she was feeling. For example, she appeared totally unfazed by the incredible revelation that her regular human world was inhabited by angels and demons. She seemed to take everything in her stride, like nothing really surprised her, to the point where I wasn’t sure if that was a quirk of her character or not. I also got a bit lost with the angel names as many were very similar and there were a lot of them!
The story kept me on the edge of my seat, I actually wouldn’t have minded if it had been stretched over another book, as some scenes were really thrilling and I wished they were longer! The action scenes in particular were well written and suspenseful. I hope there will be more books set in this world as the premise is incredibly clever and there are many fascinating supporting characters I’d like to see given their own stories. All in all this is an enjoyable, imaginative fantasy that although stands well on its own, also has the potential for growth into a great series.
March 25, 2023
Creative fantasy world with a fun challenge for our characters
I really enjoyed thus interesting take on angels and demons. I don’t usually read a lot on those creatures so enjoyed this foray into the topic. I’ve liked the author’s shorter stories and am pleased to report her longer stories are just as engaging.
The worldbuilding is my favorite part of this book. It’s a fun universe and I loved seeing how the author re-envisioned different portions of the lore to suit her world.
The characters are fun to follow. I can’t say I loved any of them but they were all enjoyable. And the characters were all written well, I think it was just a personal taste issue.
Overall, this is a fun fantasy world with engaging lore and characters you care about. Definitely give it a try.
I really enjoyed thus interesting take on angels and demons. I don’t usually read a lot on those creatures so enjoyed this foray into the topic. I’ve liked the author’s shorter stories and am pleased to report her longer stories are just as engaging.
The worldbuilding is my favorite part of this book. It’s a fun universe and I loved seeing how the author re-envisioned different portions of the lore to suit her world.
The characters are fun to follow. I can’t say I loved any of them but they were all enjoyable. And the characters were all written well, I think it was just a personal taste issue.
Overall, this is a fun fantasy world with engaging lore and characters you care about. Definitely give it a try.
February 24, 2020
When on a stroll with her dog Cleo, Octavia is startled by a gravely injured man who needs her help. She calls on her trusty brother Caleb and soon they discover that the wounded man is an angel who had his wings removed for the crime of having a forbidden relationship. Octavia makes it her duty to help the tragic couple, feeling a protectiveness over them, but unfortunately no good deed goes unpunished, and she finds herself marked and making deals with demons.
“She had gone from complete obscurity to being hunted by creatures she barely understood.”
A Game of Wings and Marks is a great paranormal read, featuring angels and demons intermingling with ordinary people in extraordinary ways. I’m torn between classifying this as urban fantasy instead of paranormal romance, but love was such a strong theme in this story. And not just romantic love, but love for your sibling (Caleb) and friends (especially Tamiel and Jack) too. Both friendship and romantic love were featured prominently, driving the story. All of Octavia’s actions were out of love.
Octavia’s kindness is noticeable right from the start making her an easy character to love and root for. She also has a nice dog named Cleo that accompanies her everywhere, showing Octavia’s kindness and compassion to animals. Despite not having many friends, it’s clear she is well-liked by others, especially when she meets Zev the Demon of Games and Raphael the angel.
Probably the best part of this story is all the finely detailed descriptions of the enchanting angels and their magnificent feathered wings. What fun it is to read a story by Rebecca Crunden. She has a talent for painting a picture with her words.
Highly recommended. 5/5 Stars.
“She had gone from complete obscurity to being hunted by creatures she barely understood.”
A Game of Wings and Marks is a great paranormal read, featuring angels and demons intermingling with ordinary people in extraordinary ways. I’m torn between classifying this as urban fantasy instead of paranormal romance, but love was such a strong theme in this story. And not just romantic love, but love for your sibling (Caleb) and friends (especially Tamiel and Jack) too. Both friendship and romantic love were featured prominently, driving the story. All of Octavia’s actions were out of love.
Octavia’s kindness is noticeable right from the start making her an easy character to love and root for. She also has a nice dog named Cleo that accompanies her everywhere, showing Octavia’s kindness and compassion to animals. Despite not having many friends, it’s clear she is well-liked by others, especially when she meets Zev the Demon of Games and Raphael the angel.
Probably the best part of this story is all the finely detailed descriptions of the enchanting angels and their magnificent feathered wings. What fun it is to read a story by Rebecca Crunden. She has a talent for painting a picture with her words.
Highly recommended. 5/5 Stars.
January 26, 2021
I received this book through Voracious readers only.
I have read books with angels and demons before and went into this story with certain expectations.
I was pleasantly surprised when the story took a different path than I expected. I really liked the take it took on angels and demons and I liked Octavia and the characters that surround her.
This story hits the ground running, pulling you in with the first paragraph and I really wanted to know where it would lead me. I found the story fun and entertaining, it easily kept me interested and I cared about the characters, which is always something I look for in a book
Octavia is strong, smart and cares about others. Zev is a trickster, and I found myself really liking him even when I wasn’t sure of his intentions. Raphael is a soldier and believes in upholding the laws of his people even when it hurts, I liked his journey in the story.
I really enjoyed reading this book and the ending worked well.
If you have been looking at this book and thinking about reading it, I recommend it, it is worth giving a go.
I have read books with angels and demons before and went into this story with certain expectations.
I was pleasantly surprised when the story took a different path than I expected. I really liked the take it took on angels and demons and I liked Octavia and the characters that surround her.
This story hits the ground running, pulling you in with the first paragraph and I really wanted to know where it would lead me. I found the story fun and entertaining, it easily kept me interested and I cared about the characters, which is always something I look for in a book
Octavia is strong, smart and cares about others. Zev is a trickster, and I found myself really liking him even when I wasn’t sure of his intentions. Raphael is a soldier and believes in upholding the laws of his people even when it hurts, I liked his journey in the story.
I really enjoyed reading this book and the ending worked well.
If you have been looking at this book and thinking about reading it, I recommend it, it is worth giving a go.
May 28, 2018
This was such a wonderful read! I loved every part of it honestly, the mythology was such a great background, the major characters were wonderful. Especially Octavia, I loved her humor and her bravery and how she just kept fighting for those she loved. Zev was also a favorite. Even the minor characters just made the story that much better. It was humorous, saddening and suspenseful all that once. I might have started out team Zev/Octavia, but by the time I was done I was all team Raphael/Octavia! <3 Also that ending! *_*
July 29, 2018
Wow simply amazing
What a stellar urban fantasy this was. Wonderful, deep characters, fascinating male protagonists, and even better, a strong no nonsense heroine that is just way too easy root for and love. The romance made me swoon and the pacing and flow for the entire story went well. Loved seeing the story come together well at the end. I would also love to see more of these characters from the author. It was truly an addictive enchanted read!
What a stellar urban fantasy this was. Wonderful, deep characters, fascinating male protagonists, and even better, a strong no nonsense heroine that is just way too easy root for and love. The romance made me swoon and the pacing and flow for the entire story went well. Loved seeing the story come together well at the end. I would also love to see more of these characters from the author. It was truly an addictive enchanted read!
December 11, 2018
I should have known I’d finish this book in a hot second. Once again, Rebecca Crunden creates an amazing and fast paced world with this novel. I adored Octavia and her true to self nature that makes her relatable.
Honestly, if you are looking for a quick read and something different this book NEEDS to be on your to read list.
Honestly, if you are looking for a quick read and something different this book NEEDS to be on your to read list.
November 2, 2018
This book is so fast paced and intriguing you'll find it hard to put it down once you've started. Though the pacing seems rushed at points, leaving me feeling like more time could have been spent on each conflict, the story is interesting and captivating.
July 2, 2018
This book was right up my alley; a thrilling fantasy that hooked me right from the first sentence and finished just as strongly. I very much look forward to reading the authors other books.
December 17, 2020
This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: A Game of Wings and Marks
Thank you to Rebecca Crunden for providing me a copy for an honest review!
When Octavia stumbles on the dying angel Tamiel, she has no idea just how quickly her life is about to change. Having fallen in love with a human, Tamiel has become hunted by his kind. Without hesitation, Octavia helps him and in turn, is swept up in the world of angels and demons. She suddenly finds herself bound to both the archangel Raphael and the Demon of Games, Zev. Caught between the two warring races, Octavia must decide who to trust and not risk losing her heart in the process.
Rebecca Crunden has a talent for creating realistic and engaging characters. I connected with Octavia on so many different levels as she learned to navigate her new reality and relationships. She is a woman who’s learned to stand up for herself and will do anything to help a friend. And as she learns what it means to have angels and demons in her life, instead of giving in to fear, she buckles down and does what has to be done.
My only wish is that the characters were able to stay in certain scenes longer. A Game of Wings and Marks has a quickly moving plot. While each scene does have enough detail to give readers the full picture, it isn’t quite enough to fully immerse in the moment. Time seemed to move forward swiftly and with the number of secondary characters introduced, it was a little hard to keep them all straight.
However, Rebecca Crunden’s world building is spot on. The lore of angels and demons is worked in throughout the story as Octavia seeks out information on the new world she’s been brought into. And as Octavia progressively learns more, the situations she finds herself in become increasingly intense, demanding the reader continue to find out what will happen to her. And watch out for those twists that will be thrown your way.
Fans of Urban Fantasy will want to pick up A Game of Wings and Marks. The characters are great, and the romance and action will draw you in. This is a fast paced book that readers won’t want to put down.
Thank you to Rebecca Crunden for providing me a copy for an honest review!
When Octavia stumbles on the dying angel Tamiel, she has no idea just how quickly her life is about to change. Having fallen in love with a human, Tamiel has become hunted by his kind. Without hesitation, Octavia helps him and in turn, is swept up in the world of angels and demons. She suddenly finds herself bound to both the archangel Raphael and the Demon of Games, Zev. Caught between the two warring races, Octavia must decide who to trust and not risk losing her heart in the process.
Rebecca Crunden has a talent for creating realistic and engaging characters. I connected with Octavia on so many different levels as she learned to navigate her new reality and relationships. She is a woman who’s learned to stand up for herself and will do anything to help a friend. And as she learns what it means to have angels and demons in her life, instead of giving in to fear, she buckles down and does what has to be done.
My only wish is that the characters were able to stay in certain scenes longer. A Game of Wings and Marks has a quickly moving plot. While each scene does have enough detail to give readers the full picture, it isn’t quite enough to fully immerse in the moment. Time seemed to move forward swiftly and with the number of secondary characters introduced, it was a little hard to keep them all straight.
However, Rebecca Crunden’s world building is spot on. The lore of angels and demons is worked in throughout the story as Octavia seeks out information on the new world she’s been brought into. And as Octavia progressively learns more, the situations she finds herself in become increasingly intense, demanding the reader continue to find out what will happen to her. And watch out for those twists that will be thrown your way.
Fans of Urban Fantasy will want to pick up A Game of Wings and Marks. The characters are great, and the romance and action will draw you in. This is a fast paced book that readers won’t want to put down.
March 30, 2020
I don't know what I would really classify this as, as strange as that might sound. While it is a romance with paranormal or supernatural themes, I'm not completely convinced that it fully fits that genre. In many ways, it has more of a fantasy feel than anything. While there is a love story in here and the heroine gets her man, in many ways, that doesn't feel like the main drive of the story.
I think my reason for saying that, is perhaps that there are two males (one being a demon and the other an angel, I don't think that 'men' would be the right term) who are interested in her. I won't tell you who she ends up with, but I personally liked the demon Zev more than angel Raphael. We see far more of Zev and he is quite an interesting character, much more willing to bend the rules and make things happen his way. Raphael is a far more steady character. Admittedly he is torn between his feelings for Octavia and his need to stick to the rules, but he just lacks the mischievous edge that Zev has.
I really enjoyed this read and read it fairly quickly, mostly because I wanted to see how it would all pan out. In many ways, the storyline was almost as though it was set up for future stories in that world, I don't know if that was the case or not? I'd certainly be interested in reading more from this interesting world.
I think my reason for saying that, is perhaps that there are two males (one being a demon and the other an angel, I don't think that 'men' would be the right term) who are interested in her. I won't tell you who she ends up with, but I personally liked the demon Zev more than angel Raphael. We see far more of Zev and he is quite an interesting character, much more willing to bend the rules and make things happen his way. Raphael is a far more steady character. Admittedly he is torn between his feelings for Octavia and his need to stick to the rules, but he just lacks the mischievous edge that Zev has.
I really enjoyed this read and read it fairly quickly, mostly because I wanted to see how it would all pan out. In many ways, the storyline was almost as though it was set up for future stories in that world, I don't know if that was the case or not? I'd certainly be interested in reading more from this interesting world.
October 18, 2020
Wow! This book is awesome. Octavia Coal is the straight-talking protagonist in this contemporary romance adventure that rides on a higher plane. First of all - Octavia Coal? What a great name. Octavia works in a bar and has a terrible boyfriend. One day, she finds an injured man on the roadside and asks him if he needs help. Well, it turns out this bloke is a disgraced angel and he introduces Octavia to a world of Angels and demons. I really enjoyed the contemporary setting, Dogma is one of my favourite films ever, and this book reminded me a little bit of it. The themes are similar and the writing of how a man with wings fits into the world was really brilliant (the bit about forgetting what you think you know about angels and demons) and 'In the middle of her grandparents' hippie sitting room, Raphael looked out of place with his sword and scowl' (quote from chapter 2), brilliant! Angels have such a strange way of being healed by humans - but Octavia's character was just right for it. I liked how she played the demon off against the angel with her romantic decisions. Although this is a book with a supernatural character base, included were some women's issues which were dealt with sensitively and were appropriate to the plot.
September 4, 2020
Paranormal Romance isn't a genre I typically pick up, but the author contacted me offering me a free copy in exchange for an honest review and when I read the synopsis I was immediately intrigued.
The protagonist Octavia, who is brave, strong-willed and a character I really enjoyed reading about, finds an injured man in the mountains and decides to help. Little does she know, this act of kindness will introduce her to the world of the Irin (angels) and demons.
I loved the characters in this one. They're all well fleshed out and have great story arcs of their own. I felt like I knew each personality, and they weren't just devices used to catapolt the main protagonists story on. I felt they had their own journeys.
I do think it moved a bit fast in the beginning, but it means you're thrust into the story so that probably isn't a bad thing for everyone. I just would have liked a bit more building.
The protagonist Octavia, who is brave, strong-willed and a character I really enjoyed reading about, finds an injured man in the mountains and decides to help. Little does she know, this act of kindness will introduce her to the world of the Irin (angels) and demons.
I loved the characters in this one. They're all well fleshed out and have great story arcs of their own. I felt like I knew each personality, and they weren't just devices used to catapolt the main protagonists story on. I felt they had their own journeys.
I do think it moved a bit fast in the beginning, but it means you're thrust into the story so that probably isn't a bad thing for everyone. I just would have liked a bit more building.
November 19, 2020
I received this book free from Voracious Readers Only, in exchange for an honest review.
And honestly, this book was brilliant. From the very first chapter to the very last, it had twists and turns. Octavia Coal, our human protagonist, happens to meet a fallen Angel and her life is never the same again. From dealing with Angel Raphael (she becomes his healer and thus connected to him for life) and The Demon of Games, Zev, Octavia has to figure out who the real demons are and what game is being played.
Throughout this book, Octavia has feelings for both Raphael and Zev, and the suspense over who she would eventually choose had me fussing constantly.
This was a well written book by Rebecca Crunden, and the first of many that I shall be reading.
If you like books about Angels and Demons then this is definitely a book for you.
And honestly, this book was brilliant. From the very first chapter to the very last, it had twists and turns. Octavia Coal, our human protagonist, happens to meet a fallen Angel and her life is never the same again. From dealing with Angel Raphael (she becomes his healer and thus connected to him for life) and The Demon of Games, Zev, Octavia has to figure out who the real demons are and what game is being played.
Throughout this book, Octavia has feelings for both Raphael and Zev, and the suspense over who she would eventually choose had me fussing constantly.
This was a well written book by Rebecca Crunden, and the first of many that I shall be reading.
If you like books about Angels and Demons then this is definitely a book for you.
October 5, 2020
A thrilling novel filled with angels, demons and complicated relationships.
I loves the idea of this book and it did not fail in delivering a story full of mystical beings and a wonderful story. The ups, the downs and the beautiful ending had me enthralled from the very start. A wonderfully crafted plot from start to finish.
The charters too were incredible, especially given the depth provided to those from religion, and the relationships in this book had me hooked and on the edge of my seat. Including the glorious love triangle that was handled incredibly well by the author.
The writing itself was brilliant too, and just made the book so easy to get into and enjoy.
Overall, a great book.
I loves the idea of this book and it did not fail in delivering a story full of mystical beings and a wonderful story. The ups, the downs and the beautiful ending had me enthralled from the very start. A wonderfully crafted plot from start to finish.
The charters too were incredible, especially given the depth provided to those from religion, and the relationships in this book had me hooked and on the edge of my seat. Including the glorious love triangle that was handled incredibly well by the author.
The writing itself was brilliant too, and just made the book so easy to get into and enjoy.
Overall, a great book.
December 11, 2022
This has echoes of ACOTAR and Crescent City. It's better though, in my opinion. What a story! Octavia is an interesting character, starting out so frail and then her life changes when she finds an angel covered in blood, his wings ripped out.
I read this in one sitting. I wish there was a Book 2. Yes it is that good.
I read this in one sitting. I wish there was a Book 2. Yes it is that good.
July 8, 2020
4.5 stars. I really enjoyed this book, loved the cunning schemes all around! Was an absolute page Turner. I will definitely be checking out more books by this author.
July 15, 2020
The remarkable thing about this book was the writing. It really helped me get on with the plot and characters.
When I first started reading this book I was astonished how quickly I got into it. It set a solid background for the characters which helped me visualize the plot and setting well! The concept of demons and angels was unique since I haven't read anything on that topic in a fantasy book yet. It was good that the stereotypes were not there and I couldn't predict what was going to happen next.
However the romance did fell little off and the story was too packed into one book- I think it would have been better if divided into series( though i dont know if this is a series!). Do pick up if you like tio read a fantasy romance novel!
When I first started reading this book I was astonished how quickly I got into it. It set a solid background for the characters which helped me visualize the plot and setting well! The concept of demons and angels was unique since I haven't read anything on that topic in a fantasy book yet. It was good that the stereotypes were not there and I couldn't predict what was going to happen next.
However the romance did fell little off and the story was too packed into one book- I think it would have been better if divided into series( though i dont know if this is a series!). Do pick up if you like tio read a fantasy romance novel!
August 23, 2019
5 CRANKY STARS
What a story! More demons and angels interacting with humans but in a different way than I had read about before now. Again, these are all handsome dudes and gorgeous woman on the angel side. The one Demon, Zev is handsome and catches Octavia’s eye. Our humans are brother and sister. Octavia is a bartender and her older brother; Caleb is an auto mechanic. Just two very ordinary people scraping by trying to make ends meet. They used to share an apartment, but Caleb now lives with his girlfriend. Of course, Tivs hates the girlfriend. They had a very bad childhood and Caleb has always been her protector and savior.
One day while hiking in the mountains, Tivs comes across a naked man bleeding from two slash wounds in his back. She is a very good and generous person so, of course, she helps him down the mountain to her car. She calls her brother to meet her at their grandparent’s farm and the adventure begins. Since the slash wounds obviously look like spots for wings, she asks him if he is a fallen angel. She is about to find out just what is going on just out of our sight.
So, now we meet Tamiel, and his healer, Jack, who is human. Jack and Tamiel need help so they tell Tivs and Caleb their history and about the demons. The only demon ready to help angels is Zev, so off to Zev’s bar they go. The story is now starting. We get to meet Raph, a guardian angel, plus the rest of his brothers and sisters. We also meet some very interesting demons. The hunt is on as everyone is trying to capture and kill Tivs but Tivs and Caleb are clueless. Twists and turns keep you on the edge of your seat. If I told you anything else, it would spoil the story. After reading this story, you are left with questions of “what if?”
What a story! More demons and angels interacting with humans but in a different way than I had read about before now. Again, these are all handsome dudes and gorgeous woman on the angel side. The one Demon, Zev is handsome and catches Octavia’s eye. Our humans are brother and sister. Octavia is a bartender and her older brother; Caleb is an auto mechanic. Just two very ordinary people scraping by trying to make ends meet. They used to share an apartment, but Caleb now lives with his girlfriend. Of course, Tivs hates the girlfriend. They had a very bad childhood and Caleb has always been her protector and savior.
One day while hiking in the mountains, Tivs comes across a naked man bleeding from two slash wounds in his back. She is a very good and generous person so, of course, she helps him down the mountain to her car. She calls her brother to meet her at their grandparent’s farm and the adventure begins. Since the slash wounds obviously look like spots for wings, she asks him if he is a fallen angel. She is about to find out just what is going on just out of our sight.
So, now we meet Tamiel, and his healer, Jack, who is human. Jack and Tamiel need help so they tell Tivs and Caleb their history and about the demons. The only demon ready to help angels is Zev, so off to Zev’s bar they go. The story is now starting. We get to meet Raph, a guardian angel, plus the rest of his brothers and sisters. We also meet some very interesting demons. The hunt is on as everyone is trying to capture and kill Tivs but Tivs and Caleb are clueless. Twists and turns keep you on the edge of your seat. If I told you anything else, it would spoil the story. After reading this story, you are left with questions of “what if?”
Read
January 7, 2018An angels-and-demons story. Octavia’s kindness toward an angel who’s been brutally punished for breaking angel rules puts her in the path of Ziv, the demon king of games (kind of like Jareth from Labyrinth) and Raphael, an angel commander.
Octavia is drawn to both Ziv and Raphael (though for my money Ziv is hands down more appealing) and must work out her feelings. Complicating matters are dire restrictions placed on angel-human relationships. (I’m telling you, these angels are bad news.) Other plot stuff related to angel-demon conflict (and angel-angel, demon-demon conflict, too) happens, but the parts of the story I liked best were Octavia’s conversations with her brother and with her new friends Jack and Tamiel, and her interactions with Ziv.
Angels-and-demons stories are not my typical read, so I don’t feel equipped to give this a rating, but if angels and demons are your thing, you might give this a try.
Octavia is drawn to both Ziv and Raphael (though for my money Ziv is hands down more appealing) and must work out her feelings. Complicating matters are dire restrictions placed on angel-human relationships. (I’m telling you, these angels are bad news.) Other plot stuff related to angel-demon conflict (and angel-angel, demon-demon conflict, too) happens, but the parts of the story I liked best were Octavia’s conversations with her brother and with her new friends Jack and Tamiel, and her interactions with Ziv.
Angels-and-demons stories are not my typical read, so I don’t feel equipped to give this a rating, but if angels and demons are your thing, you might give this a try.
April 22, 2018
I absolutely loved this book!
This is an angels and demons (and humans) story, and that makes for a lot of intriguing characters and relationships. I think the characters and the relationships between them was my favorite thing about this book, but there are definitely other great things about it as well. It's a fast-paced story that never gets boring, there are plenty of twists and turns, and the writing is absolutely wonderful. It only took me a couple of days to finish this book, and that's mainly because it was so difficult to put it down. The ending was one that I didn't see coming, but I also found it really satisfying.
Highly recommend this one!
This is an angels and demons (and humans) story, and that makes for a lot of intriguing characters and relationships. I think the characters and the relationships between them was my favorite thing about this book, but there are definitely other great things about it as well. It's a fast-paced story that never gets boring, there are plenty of twists and turns, and the writing is absolutely wonderful. It only took me a couple of days to finish this book, and that's mainly because it was so difficult to put it down. The ending was one that I didn't see coming, but I also found it really satisfying.
Highly recommend this one!
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