Kitty's review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews 
 5 Stars 
 The 2nd Battle - The 2nd soul to save. The next installment of the Fallen Angel series becomes personal for Jim Herron. But, again, is he trying to save the right soul? J.R. Ward again brings you on a journey between heaven and hell pitting the angels and demons against each other with the winner coming one step closer to utter domination. 
 At the end of Covet, we found Jim in the Heavens with Nigel, dead, again. But, this time he understands why he's there and is overjoyed to see the 1st flag waving above the castle. He won. The first soul went to him. But, in order to get that soul, he made a promise to his old "friend" Matthias, to do a job. Back to his XOP days as he is ordered to take out Isaac Rothe, an AWOL XOP Agent and the person who helped him save Matthias' life. But, Matthias thinks Jim is dead so he sends another person to detain Isaac - he wants this kill for himself. Jim has his own plans and a dead Isaac isn't in them. 
 The back-story to the Fallen Angels series is constantly evolving. J.R. Ward brings in essential parts to this story just as you think you may have things figured out. Of course, in classic Ward style, she changes things up and has you wondering. Was Jim chosen for another reason? He has his wings now but other powers are evolving that have both Adrian and Eddie stunned; Jim doesn't even know what powers he is wielding. You don't find out until the final battle in this installment who the right soul to save was and are stunned with the way things finally go down. Devina has fallen in love with Jim but will still do whatever she needs to take the souls to hell. And, behind it all is the love story: Isaac and Grier. As their backgrounds clash, Jim feels that he needs to get Grier to see the real Isaac so that he could be saved and make the right decisions. Grier has her own crosses to bear with her father and brother and has decisions to make of her own. The only thing that seems to make her feel protected and calm enough to face past mistakes, is her feelings for Isaac. 
 We also see another side to Matthias. We know he is a bastard but, does he have a soul? Maybe one that needs saving? Is he still having problems facing what he has done in the past? Does he want to change but have no idea how? Why the constant need for revenge? 
 Yes, of course, we get the answers to all these questions and then get a few new questions that need to be answered. It's funny, I know that I need to tell you how hot and sexy Isaac is but that too seems like it's just a side story. The love scenes in the book are hot and steamy but, in a way, are irrelevant. They are written into the storyline so seamlessly that you know that it was love that brought them together. I think that is why I love the writings of J.R. Ward, she tells a story that is intriguing, that runs the gamut on all feelings and, even though the battle between good and evil is still brewing, she makes you feel good.