Deep in Crimson by Sarah Gilman [Review]

Deep in Crimson (Return to Sanctuary #2) by Sarah Gilman
Format: ebook
Source: provided for review
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: June 21, 2014

Return to Sanctuary
0.5. Wings of Redemption
1. Out in Blue
2. Deep in Crimson - Paperback | Kindle

Sarah Gilman
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Synopsis (Goodreads):

Kidnapped by humans and raised in a research facility, Jett was taught to believe his own race of demons insidious and violent. But a friendship with the archangel Raphael shatters Jett’s reality. Caught between two worlds, his first months of freedom find him lingering on the fringes of his home colony, Sanctuary.

When the human who stole Jett captures another demon youth from Sanctuary, Jett learns of the real plan—to steal Raphael’s archangel grandchildren. Jett wants to bring his captor to justice, but he must overcome the lies from his past and join forces with the demon Guardians, and the demon child’s older sister, Lexine.

Irresistible attraction grows between Jett and Lexine, but Lexine’s prophetic dreams of being mated to a poacher make her wary. And if Jett goes through the all-consuming process of becoming a Guardian, he may forfeit any chance they have of being together.

Thoughts on Deep in Crimson: I had forgotten how much I enjoyed this world until I dove into it again. The way the archangels are feared and hunted, the protective demons, the poachers who will commit any atrocity against both angel or demon... man, I liked it all.

Jett's situation slayed me. Having been raised in captivity, he doesn't feel like he fits in with others of his kind. He's reclusive and wary and he feels guilt over not helping Raphael sooner. Other demons are wary of him because of the time he spent with their enemy. His desire to protect and his willingness to throw himself into danger so another boy wouldn't have to live through what he did made him a-okay in my book.

Anybody willing to go back to the place they'd been tortured to save a child gets major bonus points from me.

I can totally appreciate Lex's desire to not make Jett feel trapped by fate once she unravels her prophetic dream. She gives him the space to make his own decisions even though it could mean losing him as he begins his Guardian training. She's also smart enough to take matters into her own hands when she needs to.

I really enjoy the overall worldbuilding and how fragile the archangels' existence is. The tortured hero thing works for me, too. Heck, all of it worked for me.