Author S.A. Collins refers to "character study" in all his descriptions of this and the other books in this series. I start with that, because not much actually happens in this book with a very thin plot and more questions (mostly questions) and very few answers revealed in over 300 pages. This is actually the second book in a series and I have not read the previous book. Add to that, there is a two part prequel that is nearly 1300 pages.

First, this is not a YA novel, even though the two MCs are only 18. (There is a third character with a brief storyline who is younger (underage?), whose highly sexual storyline might offend some readers due to his age.) It takes place in and around a high school, but there is a darkness and intensity that I think is not appropriate for young readers.

Second, the author tends to ramble on and on, saying the same thing, in a slightly different way-- so much that many times I thought I was rereading the same thing over again (as in a misprint), scene after scene-- perhaps this is the 'character study'? Anyway, an editor would have helped focus and cut down much of the repetitive expressions, shortening this book significantly.

Elliot and Marco are both interesting characters, but there is so much unclear desperation in their desire for each other and in themselves. Towards the end, the attraction becomes even more unclear and a little disturbing. The relationship isn't what I would call abusive, but the need to possess and dominate are intense and become extreme at the end-- without any apparent cause.

There is a lot of intense sex in this volume. It doesn't seem natural for 18 year old boys to express themselves in this way unless there was a history of abuse that is not alluded to in this book. On top of that, Marco and Elliot frequently call each other 'lover', 'sweetheart', etc. which seems unnatural in this day and age. Their ongoing professions of love and devotion are repetitive and a little neurotic.

I did find a fascination in reading this, driven to see where the author was going. It turns out though, he leaves you hanging with no answers and no resolutions. I was left with no desire to read the upcoming (next) book in the series-- just frustrated I went this far with arriving at any destination.

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This author is a challenging one for me. The first book I read by SA Collins was "His Summer Of Love"... I really didn't connect with that story at all. I found it to be more like "Supernatural" fanfiction than a novel. The second book I read was "Beware Mohawks Bearing Gifts" and I loved it! The writing was superb, the world-building was great.

This book is a strange second installment in the "Angels of Mercy" series. The dialogue is flowery and too frequent... I feel as though this novel could use a good edit. I felt no connection to the characters in this sequel... even less than the first novel in the series. The two male characters are in a weirdly co-dependent, possessive and at times abusive relationship that the author seems to be attempting to normalize.

I liked the parallel story about the convoluted history of Marco's family.

Not great characterization of any of the female characters in the book.

Strange... I thought after I enjoyed "Beware Mohawks Bearing Gifts" that I would give this one a tray - clearly I'm not the right audience for it.

Thanks for letting me read!