Author: R.L. Caulder & M. Sinclair

Series: Fallen Destiny

First Published: 12 February 2024

“Tomorrow is a new day, Beauty. Don’t bring today’s problems into it. No day is guaranteed.”   

I will start by saying that I was given an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review. These opinions are my own. Thank so much R.L Caulder & M. Sinclair for sending a copy my way!

Comply and excel, or fail and fall.

Welcome to Alfemir.

I’ve lived my entire life as a disappointment in the eyes of every angel who lives in Alfemir, but especially my Archangel father. Tarnishing our family name by being a powerless angel…that’s the legacy I’ll leave behind.

After years of failed placement tests, and with the time limit to find my magic breathing down my neck, I’ve come to accept my fate. When the clock ticks zero, I’ll have my wings brutally ripped from my body and be cast down to live with the humans.

Rejected, alone, and afraid.

But when a man from my past reappears, he tells me there’s a different option…another life I could lead, at his side. I’m desperate to find a place that feels like home, but taking his offer would mean leaving everything I know behind, and being branded a fugitive by Alfemir.

Can I find the courage to believe that I deserve a future that’s better than what waits for me here?

After my father exposes his true nature, and with the support from an unlikely ally, I find myself taking the leap of faith.

Little did I know that the ugliness I saw in my father runs deep in all of the Archangels in Alfemir. Their vile actions and hatred are written in the stars, along with my fate and my future.

Love, hatred, and fear collide as the veil placed over my eyes is ripped away. For the first time in my life I see Alfemir for what it truly is: Evil.

The night the fallen angels have feared for thousands of years is coming for us all.

Alfemir wants a fight, but I’ll give them a war.

Because it turns out I’m not powerless, after all.

This was my first time reading anything from both R.L. Caulder and M. Sinclair, and I adored it. Wings of Stars is a fantastic start to a new paranormal, why choose romance. We have angels, a corrupt government, hidden magic, and a beautifully slow-burn romance and the fate of the world hangs in the balance.

Kieran is the daughter of an Archangel and has spent most of her life thinking that she is a failure because she has not found out what her affinity is. In Alfemir, failure is not an option. Any angel who doesn’t have an affinity is stripped of their wings and cast down to live among humans. She pushes her way through a final placement test hoping she can finally find an affinity and her place in the world. At this point, Kieran thinks she is destined to lose her wings. However, everything changes when she bumps into a Fallen angel. He tells her there is another option if she is brave enough to fall. She takes that plunge after her father attacks her, with three unlikely companions – Ronan, a powerful Beast Master and his wyvern, Niz and Bastian, a powerful Caster and escaped convict. The group finds the Resistance, a camp of Fallen angels. Kieran discovers a history the Archangels’ of Alfemir have kept hidden and a series of affinities they have destroyed. And maybe she is not powerless as Alfemir would have her believe.

Kieran has had to make some hard decisions. She has spent years trying her hardest to find her affinity only to fail time and time again. She has been belittled and told her failure is because she is not trying hard enough. You can feel her desperation and how hard she is pushing herself through the placement trails. And that disappointment she feels after failing each one hits you right in the gut. The strength she showed to save her life and fall was incredible. I adored seeing how her placement trial at the Resistance went well and the joy she felt. I am looking forward to seeing how her magic develops as she learns how to use it.

The romance here is a deliciously slow burn, which I really love in a why choose. It gives Kieran time to get to know each of the guys. Also, the slow pace allows her time to process the developing feelings she has for all four guys. Most of the guys seem to be on board with a why choose relationship because they just want Kieran to be happy. So sweet! First up, we have Gabe, the fallen angel who told her about the dead affinities. Their chemistry is eclectic. While they have already had a steamy night of passion, I adore how Gabe halts their physical relationship so they can get to know each other and Kieran can find her footing. Second, we have Ronan, our Beast Master and one of Kieran’s trainers. He always pushed her to her limit as he wanted to see her succeed. Their banter is off the charts. I adore that he has taken the mantle of the overprotective caregiver. Watching him make sure Kieran is healthy and taken care of honestly made me swoon! Next up, we have Bastian, our slightly psychotic criminal. I am looking forward to learning more about him. He is obsessive to the max. I adore how he does silly things just to make Kieran smile. Lastly, we have Steele, the commander of the Resistance army and not in my good books right now. The amount of grovelling he will need to do is immense after he humiliates Kieran. Of all the guys, he is the one who is not okay with the why choose dynamic and is starting fights in a way to make Kieran choose, which I do not love. Kieran is drawn to him, which I think is because their abilities are linked.

I am fascinated by the magic system in this world. All the angles have a magic affinity, which includes a wide range from casting spells, making potions, elemental magic, war prowess and the ability to communicate with animals. The angles are put through a series of tests to discover their affinity. I loved the edition of these tests because we got an insight into all the magic abilities. We have only learned a little about the dead affinities, but I am excited to see more. I am especially excited to see how Kieran’s magic works with Steele’s ability.

Also, we have dragons! Niz is the absolute sweetest! I adore the connection he has with Kieran. I also love that he spends most of his days as this adorable little wyvern who can sit on your shoulder but will go full beast mode if Ronan or Kerian are in danger.

If you know me, you know I am always drawn to a paranormal and why choose story. I have a feeling this series will become a favourite of mine. So much happened at the end. I have so many questions. Will they escape the battle? What does Kieran’s magic look like? Will Steele grovel and earn his place in this relationship? I am beyond excited for the sequel, Wings of Pain. You better believe I will be pre-ordering it right away.