Rating: 4🌈
F. N. Manning’s urban fantasy series. Supernatural Affairs, draws to a close with The Soul of an Angel.
Manning’s story is a good finale in that the reader has some important questions answered about the main characters and their relationships. The author also supplies further exploration of the universe and adds on to the series world building/mythology already established.
Does everyone get a HEA? No. A HFN , which is more in keeping with the storylines and newness of the main couple’s relationship. That actually makes sense, but for a finale novel some people might not be satisfied.
Manning has a number of larger series elements that need in-depth exploration and themes that require more heavy lifting, narratively speaking, than a book 195 pages long can provide.
Frost, a Angel hiding from Heaven, revelations about the true nature of the inhabitants of Heaven and Hell, their relationship with Earth, the past and current history between the three realms, a hidden political conspiracy, complete with battle and that’s just what is basically happening.
Let’s then throw in internecine family dynamics, and a main character in danger who’s the fated mate of Frost. Nathan Clinton is someone who is being hunted down and that’s what brings him to the attention of Frost because of what is hunting him.
I liked Manning’s characterizations of both Frost, who we’ve seen before, and Nathan, a very frightened man on the run from demons and a supernatural world just revealing itself to him.
I think that my issues here are that there’s little time for any real development in this relationship because there’s so much more that Manning needs to pay narrative attention to and does. To the detriment of this couple.
A fight for Earth. Yes, super important and that would necessitate a lot of new information and elements to be added. Which they are. Aliens who aren’t what they appear? Yes, more exploration and more details required. So much more.
Probably see where this is going.
There’s really not enough time within the pages to lay out all the really interesting and imaginative content that Manning has written for this story and series. So in trying to get it all done, it all feels as though the author has made sacrifices and nothing has the layers and dimensions expected in a finale or book with this many storylines.
It’s got a lot of potential. I enjoyed the characters, and some of the relationship dynamics. I just wish there had been more length or another book to make that work.
The author does mention the idea of another sequel series which perhaps would tie up some of the many loose ends left behind here. And let us see what happens next to those characters without partners or just getting a start with theirs. That would be lovely.
If you’re interested in paranormal romance or urban fantasy stories, here is a series for you.
Supernatural Affairs series:
The Werewolf’s Heart #1
Shifter for Brains #2
Crazy Like a Fox #3
Body By Mage #4
The Soul of a Angel #5
Buy link
The Soul of an Angel: Gay Urban Fantasy (Supernatural Affairs)
Blurb
In a battle between Heaven and Hell, two lovers must fight to stay together and save the world.
Frost the angel takes pride in protecting others as an agent with the Department of Supernatural Affairs. But his days on Earth are numbered when his family intends to drag him back to Heaven. After centuries of precious freedom, wishing for more time feels greedy. It’s just a shame that Nathan enters the picture right when his time as a free man is up.
Being a high school music teacher isn’t exactly glamorous, but Nathan Clinton is happy with his life. He already did the impossible once by escaping toxic, controlling parents and starting over, so stopping the demons after his immortal soul should be a piece of cake… right? Good thing a beautiful angel has offered his assistance.
When angels and demons start taking an interest in Earth and the world is threatened, Frost and Nathan find themselves in the middle of a brewing war between worlds. With the angel being pulled to Heaven and Nathan being dragged to Hell, is there any hope of them being together on this world—and also saving the Earth?
• Publication date: September 24, 2023
• Language: English
• Print length: 195 pages
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 