It is the time of a Cascade. Archangels are gaining new powers. Lijuan has decided that it is time for her to unleash her undead armies on Raphael's New York. So war breaks out between Lijuan who has the power of death and Raphael who is gaining new powers of life. 
 The war starts with an attack that sends angels falling out of the sky leaving half on New York's forces injured and unable to fight. Then a disease is found to be killing vampires. Signs point to Lijuan but other archangels could be responsible too. Raphael and Elena need to find allies in the coming fight. 
 On the smaller, more personal side, Elena learns more about her father's past and perhaps some of the reasons that he rejected her so thoroughly after the death of her mother and older sisters. It looks like the past is repeating itself as he tries to keep Elena's young half-sister Eve from becoming the Hunter she was born to be. I like the relationship between Elena and her young sister. I also liked watching Elena grow into her role as Raphael's Consort. 
 I very much liked the relationship between Elena and Raphael. They are so well-matched. Elena is the only one who can stand up to Raphael and keep him from becoming the soulless monster that archangels sometimes become as they lose touch with the human lives under their commands. Elena's humanity is just what Raphael needs. 
 This was a very fierce story to read. Watching the forces build up for battle and then fight for survival was filled with many tense moments and some very human ones too. I liked the human bits as Elena spends time with Sara and her infant daughter, helps a vampire who is starting a business keep her business going when trouble comes, and takes a sick human child flying. I also like her relationship with Raphael's cadre and with the other angels in the tower. 
 This was a great addition to a compelling urban fantasy series.