The victory against King in the first book is short lived, and the evil Dreadlords are determined to seek retribution in a very personal way. After their rebirth, Ash Angels keep their distance from their former family members and acquaintances; however, the Dread follow no such rules. Aclima warns Helo that he does not understand what lengths Cain will go through to exact revenge, and as events unfold, her warning is spot on. Helo and the Ash Angels are not prepared for what comes their way, and Cain is always one step ahead of them. Aclima becoming an Ash Angel provides access to an amazing wealth of Dread knowledge, but not everyone trusts her intel. Will her unprecedented turning to the good side make the difference or is it all just part of Cain's plan?

The Ash Angels series really leans into the rules of their lore, with both sides getting creative in order to gain the upper hand. Ash Angels know that when the morning comes, rapture will bring them healing no matter how bad their injuries are - as long as a piece of their heart remains. So they will remove their hearts before going on a dangerous mission knowing that they will return in the morning no matter what happens. That's just one example and it really adds to the tactics both side employ in their eternal fight. It keeps the story fresh and adds a lot of color to the characters and the way they behave. This is without a doubt my favorite "heaven vs hell" series and the fresh take is very welcome.

R. C. Bray makes every book better and this one is no exception - listen to the audiobook version if you can.