Review: Celestial by Olivia Wildenstein
“You can rewrite this story a million different ways, Celeste, but it will always end the same. It will end with you and me.”
The Basics
Title: Celestial (Angels of Elysium #2)
Author: Olivia Wildenstein
Published: 2021
Publisher: Olivia Wildenstein
Pages: 400
Format: Paperback
Genres: Fiction — Paranormal, Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal romance, Fantasy romance, Urban fantasy
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Book Synopsis
It has been four years since Leigh and Jarod’s tragic deaths, and Celeste has spent every day since then distancing herself from the angelic world that so cruelly turned its back on her closest friend. In a little over three months, she will finally be rid of her last remaining tie to the celestial realm: her wings. When she fails to complete her wings within 92 days – which given the fact that she is over 300 feathers shy of a full set, is all but a given – the appendages will fall off, severing her connection to that which she most despises. She is committed to this plan until someone she had hoped she would never see again, the very angel who incinerated Leigh’s wings, shows up at her apartment. Seraph Asher is adamant that Celeste reconsider her decision to give up her wings, and his argument is very compelling: Leigh and Jarod’s souls were saved. This revelation that her friend continues to exist in some form motivates Celeste to attempt the seemingly impossible – complete her wings before her rapidly approaching deadline. Asher vows to help her, and as the two spend more time together, she begins to feel an inexplicable pull toward him. He is not at all like she had imagined.
My Review & Overall Thoughts
TLDR: This sequel to Feather is everything that that book wasn’t: well-paced and enjoyable cover to cover.
Celestial is a sequel that outshines the original in every possible respect. The romance is better paced. The plot is more compelling. Even the very writing feels improved. It turns the notion of “second-book slump” on its head, demonstrating that sequels can sometimes be the hump following the slump of a first book.
What truly sets this book apart from its predecessor is the romance between Celeste and Asher. Theirs is not an insta-love; their relationship progresses more slowly and naturally than that of Leigh and Jarod. At the onset of the book, Celeste and Asher are quasi-enemies, with the former regarding the latter with disdain for the role that he played in Leigh’s death. Over time, their hostility gives way to friendship and eventually, something more. As they grow closer, their dynamic becomes all the more enjoyable. Their playful banter, as well as teasing of one another, increase, and this heightened familiarity amplifies the already palpable sexual tension between them. The question of will they or won’t they spurs you to keep turning page after page, and even once they do get together, the uncertainty over Celeste’s fate, namely whether she will be able to complete her wings in time, ensures that the true outcome of their relationship remains unknown until the book’s conclusion, thereby all but guaranteeing your attention until the final page.
While Celeste and Asher’s romance is the primary focus of Celestial, it is not the entirety of the book’s plot. There are two interesting subplots, one pertaining to Celeste’s last-minute attempt to earn her remaining feathers and another to Leigh and Jarod’s reincarnated souls. These subplots, in addition to anchoring Celeste and Asher’s relationship within a defined context, enhance the overall story by injecting suspense and drama: Will Celeste complete her wings in time or fail and be separated from Asher? Will the other seraphim uncover the truth about Leigh and Jarod’s souls? These unknowns practically compel you to continue reading.
Further adding to the book’s readability are its characters. Celestial sees the return of familiar faces, as well as the introduction of new ones. The most notable returning characters are Celeste and Asher, the book’s protagonists. Celeste is a relatable, easy-to-like individual. She is outspoken and sharp-witted, capable of going toe to toe with anyone. Asher is a swoon-worthy romantic lead: handsome, charismatic, compassionate, and honorable. Moreover, he is revealed to be a doting father, which makes him all the more attractive. Also making a comeback is Muriel, Jarod’s mother in all but name. She is a calming, loving force, and the bond that she and Celeste form in the wake of Leigh and Jarod’s deaths is touching.
In terms of new characters, my personal favorites are Naya and Tobias, Asher’s daughter and closest friend, respectively. Naya is a sweet child, who in addition to having a loving relationship with Asher, forms a close bond with Celeste, eventually coming to be regarded by her as a daughter. Tobias, with his candor and humor, adds levity to the story. His willingness to speak frankly with Asher gives rise to some amusing interactions.
Celestial also features world expansion, albeit a rather limited amount. Still, the story takes us beyond the bounds of Feather, ferrying us to a new angelic guild and hitherto unexplored areas of Elysium. We are able to see the inside of a male guild, as well as tour Asher’s house and the seraphim’s council room. While not extensive, these additional details help us to better understand the angelic world to which Celeste and Asher belong.
Underlying everything is Wildenstein’s writing. Relative to Feather, the writing in Celestial feels more mature. That is not to say that it is perfect (more on that later); it is simply improved. The story is better paced and flows more smoothly. Furthermore, the use of the first person imparts the story with an immersive quality – we experience everything firsthand through the eyes of Celeste.
The not so good
The sex scenes can be quite graphic and often feature descriptions bordering on laughable, such as “…impossibly wide and outrageously long” (p. 249).
Overall
Celestial is by no means the pinnacle of literature, but it is a diverting read nonetheless. It redeems the Angels of Elysium series, canceling out the tedium of Feather.
Have you read Celestial? If so, let me know what you thought of it in the comments section below!
