Queene of Light by Jennifer Armintrout is labeled as a paranormal romance, but I find it more dark urban fantasy. I have to admit, I was surprised as I originally got this book (yes, FTC, I BOUGHT it) because of the pretty cover. Very eye-catching. I freely admit, I am a cover-slut at times.

I had read Ms. Armintrout's previous vampire series and enjoyed the first book. I wasn't as crazy for the two sequels that I read. So I was a bit unsure at first of reading this. However, I was determined to find a recent book with characters with "angel wings" in it to go with this issues theme. I am weird. So I found one. And I will admit, the book wasn't what I was expecting at all.

Book description:

"In a time not long from now, the veil between fantasy and reality is ripped asunder creatures of myth and fairytale spill into the mortal world. Enchanted yet horrified, humans force the magical beings Underground, to colonize the sewers and abandoned subway tunnels beneath their glittering cities.

But even magic folk cannot dwell in harmony and soon two Worlds emerge: the Lightworld, home to faeries, dragons and dwarves; and the Darkworld, where vampires, werewolves, angels and demons lurk.

Now, in the dank and shadowy place between Lightworld and Darkworld, a transformation is about to begin....

Ayla, a half-faery, half-human assassin is stalked by Malachi, a Death Angel tasked with harvesting mortal souls. They clash. Immortality evaporates, forging a bond neither may survive. And in the face of unbridled ambitions and untested loyalties, an ominous prophecy is revealed that will shake the Worlds."

Again, I would not classify this book as romance. I can not stress that enough. The biggest flaw of this book would probably be the romance element. Yes, there is a lead heroine and a lead hero...sort of. However, there was no real "romantic connection or chemistry" between the two in the story. Maybe lust, but even on that the author didn't really describe anything that would adequately explain the drive the two had for each other. Curiosity? I would give that. Maybe even honor obligations or something. But not romance and not really lust either. I think the writer needed to flesh out the hero more to make the reader connect with him. The same could be said for the heroine as she was okay, but overall, seemed bland compared to the other supporting characters around her.

This does not mean that I disliked the book. I actually enjoyed it in spite of the lack of spark between the leads. It is a very quick and simple read. Not too complex despite the overabundance of fae political intrigue. The world building was interesting, but we spend more time with the fae than anything else which I wish wasn't the case at times as the other parts of the world and how it came to be begs to be told.

The premise is interesting and I adored the idea of how the world came to be. It has a slight futuristic apocolyptic feel to it. Nothing is easy for any of the characters. It is portrayed realistically on the fact that everyone's hygiene is not the greatest. Also that people get sore after a fight. Muscles and brusies do happen! Yay! I rarely see that in a lot of books that have fights. Everyone is usually just ready to go for more with no breaks or complaints. So I did appreciate touches like this in the book.

I also approved the different way that the female is described on how her wings look compared to the more popular route most take with a half-fae female. I also thought the initial description of the Death Angel was creepy and awesome. The scene where the two finally encounter each other was probably my favorite. Also the background history of the Angels was awesome and I hope they touch on it again in the future.

Overall, I found the book a pleasant read. It could've been more if the writing had been tightened up or the lead character's relationship more fleshed out. I think the story would've done better without the attempt at romance at times as the story seemed more complete without it except for the need for a vital element for the potential sequels.

It is an okay book. I wouldn't rate it as a keeper, but I wouldn't say to skip it either if you enjoy dark fantasy books with a different twist on humans finding out the fae (and other supernatural creatures) being real. The reactions and the reason why it all happened was awesome. Another favorite part of the book is in regards to any parts with that brought up. At times, it reminded me slightly of Laurell K. Hamilton's Merry Gentry series (without the sex) where the female lead is concerned on trying to learn how to survive being in the gentry's court and other themes.