What do you think?
Rate this book
Angels of Elysium #2
Celestial
In ninety-two days, the feathered appendages that link me to the people I loathe finally come off. Dear, winglets, you will not be missed.
Celeste has spent the last four years building a life outside of angelic guilds—parties, check—pursuing human ambitions instead of celestial ones—college, check—and shedding feathers across Parisian cobblestones and more recently New York sidewalks—speaking her mind, always check.
She swore off angels, but the death of the woman who took her in the night Leigh died brings them soaring back into her life . . . and not just any angel but the most detestable one, the one complicit in Leigh’s death—Seraph Asher.
Although Celeste tells the archangel to feather off, the unreasonably pretty and obstinate man doesn’t leave her alone. He returns and insists she complete her wings. When she asks him for one good reason to do so, he gives her an unbeatable one: what he did with Leigh’s soul.
Asher never meant to share his damning secret, but he knows it’s the only way to save Celeste—the rebellious Fletching he can’t get out of his head . . . or heart.
* WARNING: contains graphic scenes. Recommended for 18+.
Celeste has spent the last four years building a life outside of angelic guilds—parties, check—pursuing human ambitions instead of celestial ones—college, check—and shedding feathers across Parisian cobblestones and more recently New York sidewalks—speaking her mind, always check.
She swore off angels, but the death of the woman who took her in the night Leigh died brings them soaring back into her life . . . and not just any angel but the most detestable one, the one complicit in Leigh’s death—Seraph Asher.
Although Celeste tells the archangel to feather off, the unreasonably pretty and obstinate man doesn’t leave her alone. He returns and insists she complete her wings. When she asks him for one good reason to do so, he gives her an unbeatable one: what he did with Leigh’s soul.
Asher never meant to share his damning secret, but he knows it’s the only way to save Celeste—the rebellious Fletching he can’t get out of his head . . . or heart.
* WARNING: contains graphic scenes. Recommended for 18+.
424 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 5, 2021
About the author
Olivia Wildenstein
42 books4,355 followersOlivia is a USA Today best-selling author of romantasy. When she’s not swooning over her characters’ steamy escapades, or plotting their demise, you can find her sipping wine and crafting her next twisted, romantic masterpiece, all while trying to convince her children and leading man that she loves them more than her laptop.
Ready to fall in love? Sign up to her Newsletter to claim your FREEBIE: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/hmniv0406r
WEBSITE: http://oliviawildenstein.com
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/olives21/
TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@owildwrites
FACEBOOK READER GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Olivi...
GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
BOOKBUB: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/olivi...
AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/Olivia-Wildens...
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/OWildWrites
Ready to fall in love? Sign up to her Newsletter to claim your FREEBIE: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/hmniv0406r
WEBSITE: http://oliviawildenstein.com
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/olives21/
TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@owildwrites
FACEBOOK READER GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Olivi...
GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
BOOKBUB: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/olivi...
AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/Olivia-Wildens...
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/OWildWrites
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 786 reviews
August 8, 2022
——— ☆ re-read #2: 4.25 - 4.5 stars ☆ ———
08/08/22
my comfort book about angels. i just love them. 🥺
——— ☆ read #1: 4.25 stars ☆ ———
09/05/22
if i had the energy i would totally make this book my whole personality until december 22, but i'm tired. still believe in asherceleste supremacy, my king and queen of angels. i love them so much. 💜✨
and that's on being soulmates in every universe. period. 😌💅
┍━━━━━━━━»•» «•«━┑
ANGELS OF ELYSIUM SERIES
#1 Feather – 3 stars (Jared x Leigh)
#2 Celestial – 4.25 - 4.5 stars (Asher x Celeste)
#3 Starlight – 3.25 stars (Adam x Naya)
┕━»•» «•«━━━━━━━━┙
08/08/22
my comfort book about angels. i just love them. 🥺
——— ☆ read #1: 4.25 stars ☆ ———
09/05/22
if i had the energy i would totally make this book my whole personality until december 22, but i'm tired. still believe in asherceleste supremacy, my king and queen of angels. i love them so much. 💜✨
"The moment your soul and mine would've collided, we would've become inseparable. Whether I was married or not. You can rewrite this story a million different ways, Celeste, but it will always end the same. It will end with you and me."
and that's on being soulmates in every universe. period. 😌💅
┍━━━━━━━━»•» «•«━┑
ANGELS OF ELYSIUM SERIES
#1 Feather – 3 stars (Jared x Leigh)
#2 Celestial – 4.25 - 4.5 stars (Asher x Celeste)
#3 Starlight – 3.25 stars (Adam x Naya)
┕━»•» «•«━━━━━━━━┙
January 28, 2021
Out today! Free on KU and first book only £0.99!
5 stars
02/01/21
Contains spoilers from the first book. (Also first book currently on sale!)
If the first book broke my heart to bits, then the second one welded it in one piece again and put a lovely bow on top too. This book was a balm to my soul, a warm fuzzy blanket to my heart.
It picks up four years after the events of the first book. If you haven't read the first book do pick it up and give it a try. It might break your heart but you'll love it anyway. We catch up with Celeste, an angel who was best friends with Leigh(the heroine of the first book), who has been thoroughly disillusioned by angelic affairs. She experienced the harsh rules of the establishment first hand, has seen everything that is wrong with the system but no matter how much she flouts the rules she's a small part of the system and easily dismissed by the higher ups.
After losing Leigh so unjustly she runs away from her Guild and decides to stay in the human world abandoning everything that is angelic. No longer taking missions to help humans and earn her feathers and thus her permanent wings, she enrols to college to study law with the help of Mimi (the woman who raised the hero in the first book). Even so she never stops doing good deeds and helping where she can without expectations. As many feathers as that earns her though, her anger, some face saving lies and her very frank and sweary thoughts against all those that treated her and Leigh unfairly keep costing her feathers.
Archangel Asher comes back into her life, following a tragic event which made me cry buckets, hellbent on changing her mind and trying to convince her to get her wings. Celeste does not react kindly to his presence.
"Which part of 'leave' didn't you understand, Seraph?
His palms flattened against the black stone island.
"Great Elysium, you're stubborn."
"Did you think two deaths and four years would make me easy going?"
For her, Seraph Asher is the personification of everything wrong with the system. He was also integral to the mess with Leigh and Jarod, something that for Celeste is indefensible. Once Asher confesses what he truly did, it changes everything for Celeste. Now, determined to get her wings and fight the system from within she starts to notice that she is not the only one disagreeing with the status quo. The odds are stacked against her and when another Archangel starts to suspect the truth even more obstacles are erected.
Celeste is deeply insecure after suffering years of bullying, hurt over the loss of her friend, immature in some ways as a nineteen year old, wise beyond her years in others, empathetic and willing to help but also anti-establishment and stubborn. Her goodness shines through the pages. She makes mistakes and tries desperately to fix things. Her relationship with Asher goes through many stages and I loved reading each one. I could not fault any of Celestes reactions. Some might say that this is a long book but I loved each word, each sentence, every page. This book unpacks a lot, not just for Celeste and Asher's relationship but the state of Elysium and those rules. It mirrors the state of society in a way and it hits home because of it.
I thoroughly enjoyed this and lapped every word up! It also wrapped up several of issues and gave me a wonderful HEA to sooth my heartache from the first book. And the lovely Olivia Wildenstein will give us one more book to close the trilogy and I cannot wait for it!!
**Thank you again so much for the ARC! I loved it!
P.S. This book is on Goodreads giveaway https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sh...
06/12/20
I got an ARC!!! Yay! Cannot wait to read this! Been waiting for it since I finished the previous book a year ago!
** ARC kindly provided by the author, Olivia Wildenstein, in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much!
16/12/19
5 stars
02/01/21
Contains spoilers from the first book. (Also first book currently on sale!)
If the first book broke my heart to bits, then the second one welded it in one piece again and put a lovely bow on top too. This book was a balm to my soul, a warm fuzzy blanket to my heart.
It picks up four years after the events of the first book. If you haven't read the first book do pick it up and give it a try. It might break your heart but you'll love it anyway. We catch up with Celeste, an angel who was best friends with Leigh(the heroine of the first book), who has been thoroughly disillusioned by angelic affairs. She experienced the harsh rules of the establishment first hand, has seen everything that is wrong with the system but no matter how much she flouts the rules she's a small part of the system and easily dismissed by the higher ups.
After losing Leigh so unjustly she runs away from her Guild and decides to stay in the human world abandoning everything that is angelic. No longer taking missions to help humans and earn her feathers and thus her permanent wings, she enrols to college to study law with the help of Mimi (the woman who raised the hero in the first book). Even so she never stops doing good deeds and helping where she can without expectations. As many feathers as that earns her though, her anger, some face saving lies and her very frank and sweary thoughts against all those that treated her and Leigh unfairly keep costing her feathers.
Archangel Asher comes back into her life, following a tragic event which made me cry buckets, hellbent on changing her mind and trying to convince her to get her wings. Celeste does not react kindly to his presence.
"Which part of 'leave' didn't you understand, Seraph?
His palms flattened against the black stone island.
"Great Elysium, you're stubborn."
"Did you think two deaths and four years would make me easy going?"
For her, Seraph Asher is the personification of everything wrong with the system. He was also integral to the mess with Leigh and Jarod, something that for Celeste is indefensible. Once Asher confesses what he truly did, it changes everything for Celeste. Now, determined to get her wings and fight the system from within she starts to notice that she is not the only one disagreeing with the status quo. The odds are stacked against her and when another Archangel starts to suspect the truth even more obstacles are erected.
Celeste is deeply insecure after suffering years of bullying, hurt over the loss of her friend, immature in some ways as a nineteen year old, wise beyond her years in others, empathetic and willing to help but also anti-establishment and stubborn. Her goodness shines through the pages. She makes mistakes and tries desperately to fix things. Her relationship with Asher goes through many stages and I loved reading each one. I could not fault any of Celestes reactions. Some might say that this is a long book but I loved each word, each sentence, every page. This book unpacks a lot, not just for Celeste and Asher's relationship but the state of Elysium and those rules. It mirrors the state of society in a way and it hits home because of it.
I thoroughly enjoyed this and lapped every word up! It also wrapped up several of issues and gave me a wonderful HEA to sooth my heartache from the first book. And the lovely Olivia Wildenstein will give us one more book to close the trilogy and I cannot wait for it!!
**Thank you again so much for the ARC! I loved it!
P.S. This book is on Goodreads giveaway https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sh...
06/12/20
I got an ARC!!! Yay! Cannot wait to read this! Been waiting for it since I finished the previous book a year ago!
** ARC kindly provided by the author, Olivia Wildenstein, in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much!
16/12/19
October 29, 2021
4.5 stars.
🔹 Overall feelings:
〰 I enjoyed this a lot. Similarly to the first book, I found myself enjoying this way more than I thought I would. For some reason I actually think of this series as my “guilty pleasure” book series. Why? Because objectively I know that this series actually has a lot of things that would usually hinder my enjoyment of a book and that I would just simply not like. However, even thought that is the case with these two books, I find myself simply not caring. Even when something that would normally make me dislike a book occurs, I just don’t care because I still think that this series is so damn fun.
🔹 The pacing and writing style:
〰 The pacing was great. The writing style was even better. Actually, if there’s one reason that made me enjoy this book as much as I did, it would be the writing style. It was both engaging and fascinating. The author makes you care about this world and these characters from the very beginning and you find yourself genuinely nervous about their ending.
🔹 The characters:
〰 Celeste:
Although many people loved her in book 1, I didn’t. That’s not to say that I hated her but I did find her irritating so I was a bit worried going into this book. I’m glad to say however that I absolutely loved her. She’s amusing, funny, stubborn and strong.
〰 Asher:
He irritated the hell out of me in book one, I loved the hell out of him in book two. Such a cutie.
〰 The side characters:
I think the author is really talented at creating side characters that you genuinely care about. I was really glad to see that a lot of the side characters were explored. That just made me enjoy the story a whole lot more.
〰 Naya and Adam:
This is, quite possibly, the thing that made me love this book the most. I absolutely adore the author’s decision and the path that she chose to take regarding these two characters. At first I thought that maybe she would just revive them and get them to continue their lives normally but what the author actually did in this book makes so much more sense and is just a much more interesting path to take. I mean, come on...Naya being Asher and Celeste’s daughter while Adam being Tobias’ son is just... *chef’s kiss*. When I tell you guys that I CAN NOT wait for book three, I mean it. I also got the feeling that it’s going to be like an enemies to lovers’ situation and i.cant.wait. Ugh, they were also adorable in this book too so that’s great. The author really did a fantastic job of setting up their story here.
🔹 What did not work for me:
〰 As I previously stated, this series is kind of a guilty pleasure for me. Why? Because a lot of things in it aren’t that believable or explored. For example, my biggest issue with this book (and the first one for that matter) is that the “missions” always seem so unbelievable to me. The way that these angels go about helping others seems a bit too unrealistic in my opinion. Especially when some of them, who have sinned pretty badly, are able to get reformed within a matter of a few days or in some cases, the matter of just a conversation. This was also my biggest issue in book one by the way. I mean if someone knocked on your door and offered “redemption” would you seriously even give them the time of day? I wouldn’t.
〰 That said, this is mostly what prevents me from giving this 5 stars. However, as I said, this is a guilty pleasure read for me which means that while it did bother me, it didn’t bother me as much as it would have had it been in any other book. But as I previously mentioned, the author is talented enough to make me not care that the biggest part of the magic system seemed completely ridiculous to me. That said, if you’re usually into “plot driven” stories more than “character driven” ones then you might not enjoy this book as much as I did, so beware of that.
〰 Also, I didn’t really like the kidnapping/torturing side plot. It felt out of place and unnecessary (especially since we didn’t get to see Celeste deal with the aftermath of something so traumatic).
🔹 Final thoughts:
〰 I enjoyed this a lot. I even think that I liked it more than the first installment which comes as a shock to me since I didn’t particularly care for either if these characters in book one. That said, I absolutely loved them here. However, I do have to say that out of all three books, I am hands down the most excited for book three. Fingers crossed it actually lives up to the hype that I’m creating for it (lol).
———————
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rose_books2/
🔹 Overall feelings:
〰 I enjoyed this a lot. Similarly to the first book, I found myself enjoying this way more than I thought I would. For some reason I actually think of this series as my “guilty pleasure” book series. Why? Because objectively I know that this series actually has a lot of things that would usually hinder my enjoyment of a book and that I would just simply not like. However, even thought that is the case with these two books, I find myself simply not caring. Even when something that would normally make me dislike a book occurs, I just don’t care because I still think that this series is so damn fun.
🔹 The pacing and writing style:
〰 The pacing was great. The writing style was even better. Actually, if there’s one reason that made me enjoy this book as much as I did, it would be the writing style. It was both engaging and fascinating. The author makes you care about this world and these characters from the very beginning and you find yourself genuinely nervous about their ending.
🔹 The characters:
〰 Celeste:
Although many people loved her in book 1, I didn’t. That’s not to say that I hated her but I did find her irritating so I was a bit worried going into this book. I’m glad to say however that I absolutely loved her. She’s amusing, funny, stubborn and strong.
〰 Asher:
He irritated the hell out of me in book one, I loved the hell out of him in book two. Such a cutie.
〰 The side characters:
I think the author is really talented at creating side characters that you genuinely care about. I was really glad to see that a lot of the side characters were explored. That just made me enjoy the story a whole lot more.
〰 Naya and Adam:
This is, quite possibly, the thing that made me love this book the most. I absolutely adore the author’s decision and the path that she chose to take regarding these two characters. At first I thought that maybe she would just revive them and get them to continue their lives normally but what the author actually did in this book makes so much more sense and is just a much more interesting path to take. I mean, come on...Naya being Asher and Celeste’s daughter while Adam being Tobias’ son is just... *chef’s kiss*. When I tell you guys that I CAN NOT wait for book three, I mean it. I also got the feeling that it’s going to be like an enemies to lovers’ situation and i.cant.wait. Ugh, they were also adorable in this book too so that’s great. The author really did a fantastic job of setting up their story here.
🔹 What did not work for me:
〰 As I previously stated, this series is kind of a guilty pleasure for me. Why? Because a lot of things in it aren’t that believable or explored. For example, my biggest issue with this book (and the first one for that matter) is that the “missions” always seem so unbelievable to me. The way that these angels go about helping others seems a bit too unrealistic in my opinion. Especially when some of them, who have sinned pretty badly, are able to get reformed within a matter of a few days or in some cases, the matter of just a conversation. This was also my biggest issue in book one by the way. I mean if someone knocked on your door and offered “redemption” would you seriously even give them the time of day? I wouldn’t.
〰 That said, this is mostly what prevents me from giving this 5 stars. However, as I said, this is a guilty pleasure read for me which means that while it did bother me, it didn’t bother me as much as it would have had it been in any other book. But as I previously mentioned, the author is talented enough to make me not care that the biggest part of the magic system seemed completely ridiculous to me. That said, if you’re usually into “plot driven” stories more than “character driven” ones then you might not enjoy this book as much as I did, so beware of that.
〰 Also, I didn’t really like the kidnapping/torturing side plot. It felt out of place and unnecessary (especially since we didn’t get to see Celeste deal with the aftermath of something so traumatic).
🔹 Final thoughts:
〰 I enjoyed this a lot. I even think that I liked it more than the first installment which comes as a shock to me since I didn’t particularly care for either if these characters in book one. That said, I absolutely loved them here. However, I do have to say that out of all three books, I am hands down the most excited for book three. Fingers crossed it actually lives up to the hype that I’m creating for it (lol).
———————
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rose_books2/
January 7, 2021
This book has just killed my brain.
April 9, 2021
The second trip to Elysium made me rethink how many stars to give the first one. Celestial is long and some scenes felt unnecessary until Wildenstein was able to put them all in place. The fantasy she created in the first book had to be further developed here. The world building became bigger and the fantasy elements were enhanced. Lots of plot points and drama to cover in one book, which is probably why it felt so long. However, as I think about it, Wildenstein needed to take her time or it would have been a mottled mess. I wasn’t sure I loved Celeste as much as in the first one, but then I realized that she had a broken heart for four years after the first novel, which is enough for anyone to build barbed wire walls around her heart and soul. I loved Asher. Quite the dashing archangel. I also loved the supporting characters: Mira, Tobias, Gabriel, Mimi. I will now have to wait - not patiently - for Starlight so I can enjoy Naya and Adam’s story. The epilogue has already made me quite curious!
December 12, 2020
💫FIVE BRILLIANT STARS💫
"You can rewrite this story a million different ways, Celeste, but it will always end the same. It will end with you and me."
While Feather shattered my poor heart, it's sequel Celestial took those shattered pieces, grinding them more and then managed to piece whatever was left of it together.
Believe me when I say that it brought me tears of pain and tears of joy although the fact is that I'm a sensitive person but very few books manage to bring out the tears.
Thank you Olivia Wildenstein, I am emotionally wrecked.
I am delighted to have been gifted an early e-arc of Celestial and my excitement pushed me to read this as soon as I was done with the book I was reading at the time.
I did not expect to have such a strong attachment to this fictional world, but my attachment stems from the deep connection I formed with the characters while reading Feather.
Four years and a half after the events of Feather, Celestial follows none other than the hybrid angel and the much beloved character: Celeste.
20-year-old Celeste had cut off her affiliation with the Angels since that tragic event that had left a hollowness in her heart that soon was filled with guilt and bitterness. The target of her vicious bitterness in particular was the Archangel known as Asher, one of the seven Archangels of Elysium, the Seraphim.
Still a Fletchling, young angels who haven't completed their wings, Celeste is months away from the date when she should have by then completed her wings and make her Ascension to Elysium. However, Celeste cares little for Elysium and doesn't mind settling for the mundane lifestyle she had been enjoying even if it meant marking her as Nephilim, a fallen Angel.
When another tragic event strikes and unsettles her life, Celeste comes face-to-face with the man she despises the most. Asher, out of a sense of duty to a certain person, is determined to make Celeste collect her feathers and ascend to Elysium.
Celeste calls it help-a-fletching-earn-her-wings-crusade
Little does Celeste know that Asher holds the secrets and the answers that may break her heart or mend its deeply engraved wounds.
Through the guilt and pain both share, they form a deep bond brought about by new deep feelings and a powerful attraction neither can resist.
What would become of a mere Hybrid Angel whom her kind consider inferior and one of the most powerful Archangels? Can their blossoming love and the secrets they both hold lead to their happiness... or destruction?
I must say that the first book was devastating, but this one was intense in many ways.
The world-building maintains its magnificence and its even more lush as it expands beyond the borders of New York and Elysium. I'm glad to have had a glimpse of the other Angelic guilds especially the one at Vienna.
I adored Celeste from the very moment she was introduced in Feather and oh my how much I love her. She is such a fiesty character but I resonate with her emotions. Her characterization was excellent and I'm very pleased to see different layers to her characters and not only the best parts of her but also her flaws.
Asher I must say was very interesting to me, but in this book he turns out to be such a complex character and oh how I deeply felt his anguish and the heaviness of the guilt he had carried for years. He viewed his actions as if he was destroying the honorable Angel and awakening the flawed man within.
"To remind before being an archangel, I was a fletching. A fletching who dreamed of changing the human world before he dreamed of changing the celestial one."
What I loved about Celeste and Asher's relationship is that it developed organically. From intense dislike from Celeste's side, to a tolerant companionship, to a blossoming friendship that transformed to a blazing love affair. Although it took a while to witness the culmination of their love but oh boy when it happened I could feel my raging heart almost combust.
We're introduced to new wonderful supporting characters that each had a fantastic role in the story: the sweet Naya, Tobias and his halfsoul Gabriel, Michael and the mysterious little boy Adam.
My reading experience cannot be described other than it was a whirlwind
The story gripped me from the very first page. I was easily immersed into the world that I was familiar with from the first book yet I can feel the grief and sorrowness haunting from where we left off.
Throughout Celeste's missions, I'm glad that we got some deeper insight into the lives of the sinners she was assigned to. Some were mischievous and others were vicious.
I enjoyed seeing both Celeste and Asher challenge question their own system and take matters into their own hands. Angels in this world are not flawless nor they are virtuous. It's quite refreshing to see that Angels, whom are supposed to be the epitome of goodness and purity, have ambitions tainted by greed and a ridiculous sense of superiority. It's through that very system that have caused misery to many, including both humans and angels.
Olivia Wildenstein crafts such a compelling story that left me emotionally wrought. She kept me on edge, made my heart burst with happiness and turned me into a sobbing baby a few times.
I can't describe how ecstatic I am for the third book titled Starlight and until then I think I'll store some tissue boxes as I'm sure I won't be emotionally ready for that book but I'll happily allow it to wreck me.
if you believe that Feather left you with so many questions, trust that Celestial will answer them all. So be prepared to have your heart either broken or mended.
"You can rewrite this story a million different ways, Celeste, but it will always end the same. It will end with you and me."
While Feather shattered my poor heart, it's sequel Celestial took those shattered pieces, grinding them more and then managed to piece whatever was left of it together.
Believe me when I say that it brought me tears of pain and tears of joy although the fact is that I'm a sensitive person but very few books manage to bring out the tears.
Thank you Olivia Wildenstein, I am emotionally wrecked.
I am delighted to have been gifted an early e-arc of Celestial and my excitement pushed me to read this as soon as I was done with the book I was reading at the time.
I did not expect to have such a strong attachment to this fictional world, but my attachment stems from the deep connection I formed with the characters while reading Feather.
Four years and a half after the events of Feather, Celestial follows none other than the hybrid angel and the much beloved character: Celeste.
20-year-old Celeste had cut off her affiliation with the Angels since that tragic event that had left a hollowness in her heart that soon was filled with guilt and bitterness. The target of her vicious bitterness in particular was the Archangel known as Asher, one of the seven Archangels of Elysium, the Seraphim.
Still a Fletchling, young angels who haven't completed their wings, Celeste is months away from the date when she should have by then completed her wings and make her Ascension to Elysium. However, Celeste cares little for Elysium and doesn't mind settling for the mundane lifestyle she had been enjoying even if it meant marking her as Nephilim, a fallen Angel.
When another tragic event strikes and unsettles her life, Celeste comes face-to-face with the man she despises the most. Asher, out of a sense of duty to a certain person, is determined to make Celeste collect her feathers and ascend to Elysium.
Celeste calls it help-a-fletching-earn-her-wings-crusade
Little does Celeste know that Asher holds the secrets and the answers that may break her heart or mend its deeply engraved wounds.
Through the guilt and pain both share, they form a deep bond brought about by new deep feelings and a powerful attraction neither can resist.
What would become of a mere Hybrid Angel whom her kind consider inferior and one of the most powerful Archangels? Can their blossoming love and the secrets they both hold lead to their happiness... or destruction?
I must say that the first book was devastating, but this one was intense in many ways.
The world-building maintains its magnificence and its even more lush as it expands beyond the borders of New York and Elysium. I'm glad to have had a glimpse of the other Angelic guilds especially the one at Vienna.
I adored Celeste from the very moment she was introduced in Feather and oh my how much I love her. She is such a fiesty character but I resonate with her emotions. Her characterization was excellent and I'm very pleased to see different layers to her characters and not only the best parts of her but also her flaws.
Asher I must say was very interesting to me, but in this book he turns out to be such a complex character and oh how I deeply felt his anguish and the heaviness of the guilt he had carried for years. He viewed his actions as if he was destroying the honorable Angel and awakening the flawed man within.
"To remind before being an archangel, I was a fletching. A fletching who dreamed of changing the human world before he dreamed of changing the celestial one."
What I loved about Celeste and Asher's relationship is that it developed organically. From intense dislike from Celeste's side, to a tolerant companionship, to a blossoming friendship that transformed to a blazing love affair. Although it took a while to witness the culmination of their love but oh boy when it happened I could feel my raging heart almost combust.
We're introduced to new wonderful supporting characters that each had a fantastic role in the story: the sweet Naya, Tobias and his halfsoul Gabriel, Michael and the mysterious little boy Adam.
My reading experience cannot be described other than it was a whirlwind
The story gripped me from the very first page. I was easily immersed into the world that I was familiar with from the first book yet I can feel the grief and sorrowness haunting from where we left off.
Throughout Celeste's missions, I'm glad that we got some deeper insight into the lives of the sinners she was assigned to. Some were mischievous and others were vicious.
I enjoyed seeing both Celeste and Asher challenge question their own system and take matters into their own hands. Angels in this world are not flawless nor they are virtuous. It's quite refreshing to see that Angels, whom are supposed to be the epitome of goodness and purity, have ambitions tainted by greed and a ridiculous sense of superiority. It's through that very system that have caused misery to many, including both humans and angels.
Olivia Wildenstein crafts such a compelling story that left me emotionally wrought. She kept me on edge, made my heart burst with happiness and turned me into a sobbing baby a few times.
I can't describe how ecstatic I am for the third book titled Starlight and until then I think I'll store some tissue boxes as I'm sure I won't be emotionally ready for that book but I'll happily allow it to wreck me.
if you believe that Feather left you with so many questions, trust that Celestial will answer them all. So be prepared to have your heart either broken or mended.
May 22, 2021
4.5 ⭐️
brb on the review I gotta process first 😌
brb on the review I gotta process first 😌
December 30, 2022
4.5⭐
I found myself enjoying this one way more than book one. Feather was fun but Celestial had the right amount of angst, romance and action.
I love Celeste. She's stubborn to a fault but fiercely loyal and would do anything to help the people she love. Her character growth was so satisfying. She realized that many of her actions were actually hurting herself. I didn't like Asher in Feather but he redeems himself in this one!
I found myself enjoying this one way more than book one. Feather was fun but Celestial had the right amount of angst, romance and action.
I love Celeste. She's stubborn to a fault but fiercely loyal and would do anything to help the people she love. Her character growth was so satisfying. She realized that many of her actions were actually hurting herself. I didn't like Asher in Feather but he redeems himself in this one!
July 16, 2021
Please this was SO GOOD!
Took me right out of my reading slump
And made my cry like there was no tomorrow!
Loved it!!
Took me right out of my reading slump
And made my cry like there was no tomorrow!
Loved it!!
December 12, 2020
Can I give a book a billion stars? No? Well, I'm doing it anyway.
This book is utter perfection, and I don't mean this in a flippant way like one might say when sampling an extra fudgey brownie. "This brownie is perfection!" NO. All fudgey brownies are the same. This book is not a fudgey brownie. This book is a brownie that doesn't exist and will never exist because you cannot see with the naked eyes because of your preconceived notions of what books and brownies should be. It exists on a different plane. Reading this book is traveling into a greater existence. Let me write this review now as I crave brownies.
Four years after the events of FEATHER, Celeste, Leigh's friend, now lives in the human world, having sworn off anything having to do with the heavens and angels. But when tragedy strikes, she's reunited with someone from her past. Someone she hates with every feather on her wings. Now, on a timeclock to finish her wings, she learns the truth about what happened with Leigh and Jarod, and to let forgiveness in her heart where there had been nothing but bitterness.
My favorite trope EVER is enemies to lovers, and this hits the mark. Asher is a moody Seraphim who tasks himself with helping Celeste earn her feathers, and holy God do we get some spice. I mean I knew it would be amazing; having read Feather, I was fully prepared to fan myself. This is definitely not insta-love, but a slow burn of hate, annoyance, fun, and humor.
Dare I say it? Okay, I think CELESTIAL passed FEATHER. That doesn't happen very often. 95% of the time, sequels are always worse than the firsts, in my opinion. I didn't want it to end, and it's a long book, to begin with. But I was hoping that my kindle said 12 hours to finish rather than 7 so, Olivia, I say make STARLIGHT, like, 800 pages because I need these angels in my life.
I need some space. I miss my friends. I took this journey with them and I need to know how they're doing.
I have severe FOMO. This book destroyed me.
This book is utter perfection, and I don't mean this in a flippant way like one might say when sampling an extra fudgey brownie. "This brownie is perfection!" NO. All fudgey brownies are the same. This book is not a fudgey brownie. This book is a brownie that doesn't exist and will never exist because you cannot see with the naked eyes because of your preconceived notions of what books and brownies should be. It exists on a different plane. Reading this book is traveling into a greater existence. Let me write this review now as I crave brownies.
Four years after the events of FEATHER, Celeste, Leigh's friend, now lives in the human world, having sworn off anything having to do with the heavens and angels. But when tragedy strikes, she's reunited with someone from her past. Someone she hates with every feather on her wings. Now, on a timeclock to finish her wings, she learns the truth about what happened with Leigh and Jarod, and to let forgiveness in her heart where there had been nothing but bitterness.
My favorite trope EVER is enemies to lovers, and this hits the mark. Asher is a moody Seraphim who tasks himself with helping Celeste earn her feathers, and holy God do we get some spice. I mean I knew it would be amazing; having read Feather, I was fully prepared to fan myself. This is definitely not insta-love, but a slow burn of hate, annoyance, fun, and humor.
Dare I say it? Okay, I think CELESTIAL passed FEATHER. That doesn't happen very often. 95% of the time, sequels are always worse than the firsts, in my opinion. I didn't want it to end, and it's a long book, to begin with. But I was hoping that my kindle said 12 hours to finish rather than 7 so, Olivia, I say make STARLIGHT, like, 800 pages because I need these angels in my life.
I need some space. I miss my friends. I took this journey with them and I need to know how they're doing.
I have severe FOMO. This book destroyed me.
November 26, 2023
This book follows on three years after the events of book 1, with a brand new couple.
I loved everything about this book except the relationship progression. It seemed to switch from enemies-to-soulmates way too quickly.
Running to start book 3!
I loved everything about this book except the relationship progression. It seemed to switch from enemies-to-soulmates way too quickly.
Running to start book 3!
December 13, 2020
***Actual Rating: 5+++/5 Ni aheeva ta Stars***
Oh man, where do I even start? This time last year, when I finished reading Feather, book one in Angels of Elysium series, I was utterly heartbroken and could barely recover from learning how brutal my beloved angels’, Leigh and Jarod’s, fates had turned out. The Seven (of Archangels) and their celestial politics destroyed their own kind and further created a modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet as a result.
Back then, I clearly remembered telling Olivia how devastated I was after reading that book (even though I still loved every single moment of the story), and that I didn’t think I’d ever be ready for the sequel. Mercifully, Olivia sort of promised that the remaining characters would have their much well-deserved happy ending in book two, a.k.a. Celestial , and guess what? I’ve never been more delighted to prove her right. In short, this book was so worth the wait, and it was PURE PERFECTION. Period.
For starters, Celestial picked up where Feather left off and whereas the first book talked about Leigh and Jarod’s story, this one revolved around Leigh’s younger best friend, Celeste, and the very Archangel who was interested in having Leigh as his consort, Asher. Celeste was a feisty, hot-tempered, and full-of-surprise fletching, a young angel who hadn’t completed her 1,000 feathers before ascending to Elysium, and even though she wasn’t so keen on accomplishing her mission at first, she was later convinced and inspired by a specific Archangel she despised most—you guessed it—Asher. I loved how much Celeste and Asher had grown together, from ultimate enemies to potential allies to something more, within the expanse of one book, one amazing story.
In order to fulfill her dream, Celeste had to reform as many ill-behaved people (which were called sinners) before her deadline, and to my astonishment, I appreciated her missions more than anything else. In other words, I liked how Olivia depicted the sinners’ wrongdoings, from less serious ones such as treating their dogs poorly to more imperative issues like domestic violence, drug abuse/dealing, money laundering, etc. This book was a real gem as it conveyed important messages to the readers, successfully reflecting on the real world we’re living in nowadays, by shedding light on all those aforementioned subjects. Honestly, Olivia’s brilliant writing skill was a rare-find in the genres of Fiction and Paranormal Romance alike, and for that, I truly admired her.
Aside from the incredible character development and the one-of-a-kind writing style, the ending was indeed the most satisfying I’d ever expected. As promised, Olivia certainly did NOT let me (and soon, I’m sure, all of YOU) down. Not only did Asher and Celeste get their HEA, but I also got to catch a glimpse of a beautiful beginning of the friendship between TWO of my NEW absolute favorite characters. *wink wink* I mean, seriously, could this book get more promising??
To sum up, Celestial was definitely a book worth reading, along with the entire series! Olivia had totally outdone herself with this unforgettable sequel, and now I just have to wait…one more year (yikes!!) for the third and final installment, Starlight. If I had to be super picky about Celestial, I’d have to admit that I’d appreciate more if there’d be some elaboration on the process of Celeste reforming the sinners. As intricately plotted-out as those missions were, I just wish there could be slightly more detailed descriptions of the action and how every task was taken care of, but of course, that was just me being the pain in the rump, as Celeste would put it, so please don’t mind me. LOL
Anyways, please go add this book to your TBR, or better yet, on top of your HIGHLY ANTICIPATED READ of 2021, and you can thank me later!! By the way, there’s a giveaway currently going on here on Goodreads, so don’t miss out!!
***Massive thanks to Olivia for generously providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review, which accordingly saved me from dying to read this book… for almost a year. You’re indeed a life-saver, dear.***
”I’m puking up what feels like an organ, and you’re here. You’re always here.”
“Why do you keep expecting me to leave?”
“Because that’s what people around me do. They leave.” I laid my cheek back against the toilet seat as my skull began to bob. “When I ask them, and even when I don’t.”
Oh man, where do I even start? This time last year, when I finished reading Feather, book one in Angels of Elysium series, I was utterly heartbroken and could barely recover from learning how brutal my beloved angels’, Leigh and Jarod’s, fates had turned out. The Seven (of Archangels) and their celestial politics destroyed their own kind and further created a modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet as a result.
Back then, I clearly remembered telling Olivia how devastated I was after reading that book (even though I still loved every single moment of the story), and that I didn’t think I’d ever be ready for the sequel. Mercifully, Olivia sort of promised that the remaining characters would have their much well-deserved happy ending in book two, a.k.a. Celestial , and guess what? I’ve never been more delighted to prove her right. In short, this book was so worth the wait, and it was PURE PERFECTION. Period.
”To remind you that before being an archangel, I was a fletching. A fletching who dreamed of changing the human world before he dreamed of changing the celestial one.”
For starters, Celestial picked up where Feather left off and whereas the first book talked about Leigh and Jarod’s story, this one revolved around Leigh’s younger best friend, Celeste, and the very Archangel who was interested in having Leigh as his consort, Asher. Celeste was a feisty, hot-tempered, and full-of-surprise fletching, a young angel who hadn’t completed her 1,000 feathers before ascending to Elysium, and even though she wasn’t so keen on accomplishing her mission at first, she was later convinced and inspired by a specific Archangel she despised most—you guessed it—Asher. I loved how much Celeste and Asher had grown together, from ultimate enemies to potential allies to something more, within the expanse of one book, one amazing story.
”Ta yot neshahadzaleh, levsheh.” His fingertips danced up the length of my spine, then back down, before wrapping delicately around my waist. “You are my soulhalf, sweetheart.”
In order to fulfill her dream, Celeste had to reform as many ill-behaved people (which were called sinners) before her deadline, and to my astonishment, I appreciated her missions more than anything else. In other words, I liked how Olivia depicted the sinners’ wrongdoings, from less serious ones such as treating their dogs poorly to more imperative issues like domestic violence, drug abuse/dealing, money laundering, etc. This book was a real gem as it conveyed important messages to the readers, successfully reflecting on the real world we’re living in nowadays, by shedding light on all those aforementioned subjects. Honestly, Olivia’s brilliant writing skill was a rare-find in the genres of Fiction and Paranormal Romance alike, and for that, I truly admired her.
”I hear most human love stories end with the phrase ‘happily ever after.’” His wings began to curl around us.
“Aren’t we lucky to be angels, then?”
His fingers wound through my hair, tipped my head back. “And why is that, neshahadzaleh?”
“Because our love story”—I touched my lips to his—“gets to begin this way.”
Aside from the incredible character development and the one-of-a-kind writing style, the ending was indeed the most satisfying I’d ever expected. As promised, Olivia certainly did NOT let me (and soon, I’m sure, all of YOU) down. Not only did Asher and Celeste get their HEA, but I also got to catch a glimpse of a beautiful beginning of the friendship between TWO of my NEW absolute favorite characters. *wink wink* I mean, seriously, could this book get more promising??
Her gaze followed its collapse, while mine traced the wings curled around her, wings that looked like someone had sheared off a piece of starry night sky and fit it to her spine.
When her eyes settled back on mine, glittery black as her feathers, I murmured, “And so, we finally meet.”
To sum up, Celestial was definitely a book worth reading, along with the entire series! Olivia had totally outdone herself with this unforgettable sequel, and now I just have to wait…one more year (yikes!!) for the third and final installment, Starlight. If I had to be super picky about Celestial, I’d have to admit that I’d appreciate more if there’d be some elaboration on the process of Celeste reforming the sinners. As intricately plotted-out as those missions were, I just wish there could be slightly more detailed descriptions of the action and how every task was taken care of, but of course, that was just me being the pain in the rump, as Celeste would put it, so please don’t mind me. LOL
Anyways, please go add this book to your TBR, or better yet, on top of your HIGHLY ANTICIPATED READ of 2021, and you can thank me later!! By the way, there’s a giveaway currently going on here on Goodreads, so don’t miss out!!
***Massive thanks to Olivia for generously providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review, which accordingly saved me from dying to read this book… for almost a year. You’re indeed a life-saver, dear.***
November 28, 2023
Star rating: ★★★★☆
Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️.5
This was so good🥹🫶🏼 I loved the audio book and am so excited to read the next book and finish this trilogy
Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️.5
This was so good🥹🫶🏼 I loved the audio book and am so excited to read the next book and finish this trilogy
June 30, 2021
Honestly, after meeting Celeste in Feather with Leigh's and Jarod's story, and then finding out Celestial would be about her, I immediately added the book to my TBR. I loved her sass, humor and general disregard for the rules to ruffle everyone's wings, which was something I looked forward to when picking up the second novel in the Angels of Elysium series.
Olivia Wildenstein did not disappoint with Celestial, which is set not too long after Leigh's death when Celeste and some of the other characters continue to grieve but have moved on. Celeste is just as quick-witted and continues to give everyone pieces of her mind (especially when they deserve it), while also challenging the traditions and values that have long been set in stone. She's looking forward to when she no longer has her wings, finally saying goodbye to the very world she's hated for years and continuing on with the life she's built for herself.
Unfortunately, it doesn't come easily, because the very angel she blames for Leigh's death, Seraph Asher, keeps pestering her to complete her wings. It's not until she finds out exactly what happened to Leigh's soul that she decides to change her tune and race against time to complete her wings. I loved cheering her on and seeing her character development as Asher helps her realize she could potentially help change the traditions and values she's long hated for the better rather than giving up.
Wildenstein continues to build onto the world introduced in Feather, but more on the traditions, values and roles rather than the setting since most of it was already set in the previous one. With Asher's actions after the first novel, we find out there are some tensions among the Seraphs, which doesn't help with Asher's growing feelings for Celeste, and throughout the lower hierarchies that are beginning to challenge the long-standing traditions and values. While there's not much change that happens in the world in Celestial directly, there are definitely things in store as Wildenstein continues to build onto the world and plot as the series continues.
The only minor issue I had with this one might be the length, which felt a tad too long, but it also could be the pacing of the novel, which sometimes felt off. However, I enjoyed Celestial overall, and I definitely have the third novel on my radar when it is later this year.
This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts.
Olivia Wildenstein did not disappoint with Celestial, which is set not too long after Leigh's death when Celeste and some of the other characters continue to grieve but have moved on. Celeste is just as quick-witted and continues to give everyone pieces of her mind (especially when they deserve it), while also challenging the traditions and values that have long been set in stone. She's looking forward to when she no longer has her wings, finally saying goodbye to the very world she's hated for years and continuing on with the life she's built for herself.
Unfortunately, it doesn't come easily, because the very angel she blames for Leigh's death, Seraph Asher, keeps pestering her to complete her wings. It's not until she finds out exactly what happened to Leigh's soul that she decides to change her tune and race against time to complete her wings. I loved cheering her on and seeing her character development as Asher helps her realize she could potentially help change the traditions and values she's long hated for the better rather than giving up.
Wildenstein continues to build onto the world introduced in Feather, but more on the traditions, values and roles rather than the setting since most of it was already set in the previous one. With Asher's actions after the first novel, we find out there are some tensions among the Seraphs, which doesn't help with Asher's growing feelings for Celeste, and throughout the lower hierarchies that are beginning to challenge the long-standing traditions and values. While there's not much change that happens in the world in Celestial directly, there are definitely things in store as Wildenstein continues to build onto the world and plot as the series continues.
The only minor issue I had with this one might be the length, which felt a tad too long, but it also could be the pacing of the novel, which sometimes felt off. However, I enjoyed Celestial overall, and I definitely have the third novel on my radar when it is later this year.
This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts.
May 28, 2024
5 ⭐️
Oh to read this book for the first time again. So far this series has exceeded my expectations and when i tell you i am obsessed. I literally went through a whirlwind of emotions while reading it. It was so good. I screamed, i cried and i giggled my way through it 😂 There are so many funny moments i was literally dyingggg of laughter 💀😂
Asher and Celeste is such a power couple! They’re both such badasses. And so so HOT. If you think book 1 is spicy this book is in a different level. THE WINGPLAY?!! Ughhhh. Asher is just 🥵 and also he’s probably one if the most romantic MC i’ve ever read and when i tell you i melt everytime this man says something 🥹
I literally cannot wait to read book 3. But also i dont want the series to end 😩 ughhhh
If you haven’t read this series what are you doing?!! I can already tell that book 3 is gonna be a 5⭐️s. That will make the whole series a 5⭐️ series for me 😅 Which has never happened before 🤷🏻♀️
Oh to read this book for the first time again. So far this series has exceeded my expectations and when i tell you i am obsessed. I literally went through a whirlwind of emotions while reading it. It was so good. I screamed, i cried and i giggled my way through it 😂 There are so many funny moments i was literally dyingggg of laughter 💀😂
Asher and Celeste is such a power couple! They’re both such badasses. And so so HOT. If you think book 1 is spicy this book is in a different level. THE WINGPLAY?!! Ughhhh. Asher is just 🥵 and also he’s probably one if the most romantic MC i’ve ever read and when i tell you i melt everytime this man says something 🥹
I literally cannot wait to read book 3. But also i dont want the series to end 😩 ughhhh
If you haven’t read this series what are you doing?!! I can already tell that book 3 is gonna be a 5⭐️s. That will make the whole series a 5⭐️ series for me 😅 Which has never happened before 🤷🏻♀️
December 6, 2022
#1 Feather 2.5 stars
#2 Celestial 2 stars
#3 Starlight 1 stars
★★✩✩✩ / 2
Okay, so I read this installment solely because I’m crazy for reading book three, for reasons I won’t spoil.
BUT I WAS SO BORED. I almost DNF’ed it.
My problem with it was that I didn’t like any of the leads. At all. Nor Celeste and her extreme and infuriating stubbornness, nor Asher, who has the personality of a wooden door. I’m serious, everything he did or said left me with a poker face. He didn’t even make my mouth twitch.
I’m a character-driven reader. If you give me good characters, I can read their shopping list and be totally engrossed. If you don’t give good characters, your only possibility with me is a swooping mind-bending-amazeballs plot, which it’s weird for me to find. And in this particular case, go jumping from sinner to sinner with Celeste to complete her wings was the only plot. So, meh.
The last chapter was the best part of the book and I hope the third one delivers and heals my soul after the heart wrecking the first one was (which I also gave a low score for reasons, LOL).
#2 Celestial 2 stars
#3 Starlight 1 stars
★★✩✩✩ / 2
Okay, so I read this installment solely because I’m crazy for reading book three, for reasons I won’t spoil.
BUT I WAS SO BORED. I almost DNF’ed it.
My problem with it was that I didn’t like any of the leads. At all. Nor Celeste and her extreme and infuriating stubbornness, nor Asher, who has the personality of a wooden door. I’m serious, everything he did or said left me with a poker face. He didn’t even make my mouth twitch.
I’m a character-driven reader. If you give me good characters, I can read their shopping list and be totally engrossed. If you don’t give good characters, your only possibility with me is a swooping mind-bending-amazeballs plot, which it’s weird for me to find. And in this particular case, go jumping from sinner to sinner with Celeste to complete her wings was the only plot. So, meh.
The last chapter was the best part of the book and I hope the third one delivers and heals my soul after the heart wrecking the first one was (which I also gave a low score for reasons, LOL).
February 2, 2021
although i didnt quite enjoy this as much as the first book, i love how this particular installment progresses the overall story of the series.
i didnt click with either celeste or asher in ‘feather,’ so it makes sense that i have lukewarm feelings about this book. i dont dislike them, but i definitely enjoyed the scenes that had naya and adam more.
like i said, this was a good book in terms of world-building and progressing the plot - i love how everything for ‘starlight’ is set up - but im just not the biggest fan of the MCs. i am happy with how things ended for them, however.
the next book is one i am really looking forward to.
↠ 3.5 stars
i didnt click with either celeste or asher in ‘feather,’ so it makes sense that i have lukewarm feelings about this book. i dont dislike them, but i definitely enjoyed the scenes that had naya and adam more.
like i said, this was a good book in terms of world-building and progressing the plot - i love how everything for ‘starlight’ is set up - but im just not the biggest fan of the MCs. i am happy with how things ended for them, however.
the next book is one i am really looking forward to.
↠ 3.5 stars
June 14, 2023
(4.5 stars.)
We love female rage slow burn enemies to lovers that INVADE MY FREAKING BEING!
Celestial takes up about four and a half years after Feather. Gutted by Leigh's fate, Celeste has moved to New York, and has completely given up on finishing her wings. Instead, she's shedding feathers with complete abandon. But when the last person she has dies, Celeste is heartbroken, lost, and angry. So angry that when Asher, (the hotshot angel from Feather) shows up, she's ready to turn him into her new emotional punching bag. But when Asher reveals his damning secret, Celeste agrees to try and finish her wings. That secret, though? That might just damn them all.
My friends. If you'll recall from my review of Feather, I said it read like a light, bubbly champagne. But now? Now, we've moved on to cigarettes. Celestial is such a moody, gritty, heart-aching story of loss, hope, love, and sticking it to the man. This story really showed off the dark, seedy underbelly of the angels, and I was so here for it.
Celeste's journey of not just processing her grief, but learning how to live again was so incredibly raw. Honestly, I can say the same about Asher. His whole life is dedicated to upholding rules he no longer believes in, yet his only hope in changing them requires him to stay in line. He knows he did the right thing. But the fact that he can't speak of it, that he would be worse than damned if anyone found out, is such a never-ending mental spiral. I almost wish we got a POV from him so Olivia could have dug into it more.
Ultimately, I love Celestial. I love the moody FMC, I love the slow burn romance, I love the sheer antagonism between Celeste and Asher. I love our adorable little four-year-olds. I think my only complaint is the whole lawyer section of the plot felt a little odd to me, like we'd suddenly shifted into a different genre. I can't complain too much because it wasn't that long and enabled the plot to move forward, but it just felt like a "how did I get here again?" moment. Ugh, I just love it. ON to Starlight!
Feather review - 3.5
Starlight review - 5
We love female rage slow burn enemies to lovers that INVADE MY FREAKING BEING!
Celestial takes up about four and a half years after Feather. Gutted by Leigh's fate, Celeste has moved to New York, and has completely given up on finishing her wings. Instead, she's shedding feathers with complete abandon. But when the last person she has dies, Celeste is heartbroken, lost, and angry. So angry that when Asher, (the hotshot angel from Feather) shows up, she's ready to turn him into her new emotional punching bag. But when Asher reveals his damning secret, Celeste agrees to try and finish her wings. That secret, though? That might just damn them all.
My friends. If you'll recall from my review of Feather, I said it read like a light, bubbly champagne. But now? Now, we've moved on to cigarettes. Celestial is such a moody, gritty, heart-aching story of loss, hope, love, and sticking it to the man. This story really showed off the dark, seedy underbelly of the angels, and I was so here for it.
Celeste's journey of not just processing her grief, but learning how to live again was so incredibly raw. Honestly, I can say the same about Asher. His whole life is dedicated to upholding rules he no longer believes in, yet his only hope in changing them requires him to stay in line. He knows he did the right thing. But the fact that he can't speak of it, that he would be worse than damned if anyone found out, is such a never-ending mental spiral. I almost wish we got a POV from him so Olivia could have dug into it more.
Ultimately, I love Celestial. I love the moody FMC, I love the slow burn romance, I love the sheer antagonism between Celeste and Asher. I love our adorable little four-year-olds. I think my only complaint is the whole lawyer section of the plot felt a little odd to me, like we'd suddenly shifted into a different genre. I can't complain too much because it wasn't that long and enabled the plot to move forward, but it just felt like a "how did I get here again?" moment. Ugh, I just love it. ON to Starlight!
Feather review - 3.5
Starlight review - 5
February 26, 2024
5/5 🌟
4/5 ❤️🩹
4/5 🥰
4/5 🌶️
0/5 🔎
3/5 😰A
3/5 🎭T
⚠️⛔️TRIGGERS:⛔️⚠️
*WARNING: contains graphic scenes. Recommended for 18+.
Graphic Sex Scenes
Profanity
Adult Situations
Graphic Violence
Graphic Depictions of Torture
Graphic Depictions of Blood
Alcohol Use
Drug Use
Overdose
Murder
Terminal Illness
Death
Soul Death
🗯️💬BOOK BLURB:💬🗯️
”A heavenly mix of heartache and triumph, CELESTIAL is so feathering perfect." - CASEY L. BOND, bestselling author of With Shield and Ink and Bone
In ninety-two days, the feathered appendages that link me to the people I loathe finally come off. Dear, winglets, you will not be missed.
Celeste has spent the last four years building a life outside of angelic guilds—parties, check—pursuing human ambitions instead of celestial ones—college, check—and shedding feathers across Parisian cobblestones and more recently New York sidewalks—speaking her mind, always check.
She swore off angels, but the death of the woman who took her in the night Leigh died brings them soaring back into her life . . . and not just any angel but the most detestable one, the one complicit in Leigh’s death—Seraph Asher.
Although Celeste tells the archangel to feather off, the unreasonably pretty and obstinate man doesn’t leave her alone. He returns and insists she complete her wings. When she asks him for one good reason to do so, he gives her an unbeatable one: what he did with Leigh’s soul.
Asher never meant to share his damning secret, but he knows it’s the only way to save Celeste—the rebellious Fletching he can’t get out of his head . . . or heart.
*WARNING: contains graphic scenes. Recommended for 18+.
🤔🧐🤯MY THOUGHTS:🤯🧐🤔
I am loving this trilogy so far! It is extremely good and has all the human tragedy you’d expect to find in a book about Angels trying to earn their wings by saving souls. Definitely not a series for the younger side of young adults.
I have fallen in love with our main characters Archangel Asher and Asher’s heart half Celeste whom at the very last minute has decided to earn her wings rather than stay on earth.
RATING KEY:
🌟 Stars - based on the overall plot and theme or idea of the book
❤️🩹 Emotions - based on how emotional I got while reading
🥰 Romance - based on how well I got invested in the love story aspect
🌶️ Spice - based on how the sex scenes were portrayed and written as well as the number of sex scenes
🔎 Mystery - based on how well it kept me guessing who, how and why
😰 Scared/Anxious - based on how scared or anxious the book made me while reading
🎭 Comedy/Tragedy based on if I laughed or if there was a tragic event and how it affected me. I will mark the Masks with either a C or T to indicate Comedy or Tragedy
4/5 ❤️🩹
4/5 🥰
4/5 🌶️
0/5 🔎
3/5 😰A
3/5 🎭T
⚠️⛔️TRIGGERS:⛔️⚠️
*WARNING: contains graphic scenes. Recommended for 18+.
Graphic Sex Scenes
Profanity
Adult Situations
Graphic Violence
Graphic Depictions of Torture
Graphic Depictions of Blood
Alcohol Use
Drug Use
Overdose
Murder
Terminal Illness
Death
Soul Death
🗯️💬BOOK BLURB:💬🗯️
”A heavenly mix of heartache and triumph, CELESTIAL is so feathering perfect." - CASEY L. BOND, bestselling author of With Shield and Ink and Bone
In ninety-two days, the feathered appendages that link me to the people I loathe finally come off. Dear, winglets, you will not be missed.
Celeste has spent the last four years building a life outside of angelic guilds—parties, check—pursuing human ambitions instead of celestial ones—college, check—and shedding feathers across Parisian cobblestones and more recently New York sidewalks—speaking her mind, always check.
She swore off angels, but the death of the woman who took her in the night Leigh died brings them soaring back into her life . . . and not just any angel but the most detestable one, the one complicit in Leigh’s death—Seraph Asher.
Although Celeste tells the archangel to feather off, the unreasonably pretty and obstinate man doesn’t leave her alone. He returns and insists she complete her wings. When she asks him for one good reason to do so, he gives her an unbeatable one: what he did with Leigh’s soul.
Asher never meant to share his damning secret, but he knows it’s the only way to save Celeste—the rebellious Fletching he can’t get out of his head . . . or heart.
*WARNING: contains graphic scenes. Recommended for 18+.
🤔🧐🤯MY THOUGHTS:🤯🧐🤔
I am loving this trilogy so far! It is extremely good and has all the human tragedy you’d expect to find in a book about Angels trying to earn their wings by saving souls. Definitely not a series for the younger side of young adults.
I have fallen in love with our main characters Archangel Asher and Asher’s heart half Celeste whom at the very last minute has decided to earn her wings rather than stay on earth.
RATING KEY:
🌟 Stars - based on the overall plot and theme or idea of the book
❤️🩹 Emotions - based on how emotional I got while reading
🥰 Romance - based on how well I got invested in the love story aspect
🌶️ Spice - based on how the sex scenes were portrayed and written as well as the number of sex scenes
🔎 Mystery - based on how well it kept me guessing who, how and why
😰 Scared/Anxious - based on how scared or anxious the book made me while reading
🎭 Comedy/Tragedy based on if I laughed or if there was a tragic event and how it affected me. I will mark the Masks with either a C or T to indicate Comedy or Tragedy
January 7, 2022
I need an Asher please and thank you
August 17, 2021
Ugh! I do not want to wait for the final book in this series! I need it now!
I think Olivia Wildenstein's writing gets better with every series she writes!
At fist, I was bugged that this book wasn't going to focus on Leigh and Jarod. Particularly after the ending of the last book! But I should have known I would love it. Every time I feel that way about switching characters in Wildenstein's books, she ends up making me love them as well. And I did!
I hated Asher at the beginning of the last book, but found him okay at the end. Now I love him! I do have to say that I loved Leigh a little bit more than Celeste. But as the book went on I grew to love Celeste more. This book was so good! It added a little information on the last book, but really concentrated on Asher and Celeste.
SPOILERS >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I was so nervous with that ending! I didn't think that the angels would find out about Naya and Adam and who they really were! But the moment Naya entered the book I was like, that's my girl!
This book really kept me on my anxiety toes. I was constantly worrying that Celeste wasn't going to get her feathers in time. Then I was worried Asher was going to lose his Seraph standing and that COULDN'T HAPPEN! Not with my sweet Naya's life being on the line.
But what a great ending! I knew that Asher was signing off on Celeste's friend and that she was gonna get her feathers. I definitely felt all the stress melting away.
And the ending! So stinking adorable! I loved to see how Celeste and Asher were in the future and how they could both be there for Naya growing up!
But oooh! What a tantalizing preview into the next book! Why would you do that to me! I need the next one now! I have to know what is going to happen to my babies!
I think Olivia Wildenstein's writing gets better with every series she writes!
At fist, I was bugged that this book wasn't going to focus on Leigh and Jarod. Particularly after the ending of the last book! But I should have known I would love it. Every time I feel that way about switching characters in Wildenstein's books, she ends up making me love them as well. And I did!
I hated Asher at the beginning of the last book, but found him okay at the end. Now I love him! I do have to say that I loved Leigh a little bit more than Celeste. But as the book went on I grew to love Celeste more. This book was so good! It added a little information on the last book, but really concentrated on Asher and Celeste.
SPOILERS >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I was so nervous with that ending! I didn't think that the angels would find out about Naya and Adam and who they really were! But the moment Naya entered the book I was like, that's my girl!
This book really kept me on my anxiety toes. I was constantly worrying that Celeste wasn't going to get her feathers in time. Then I was worried Asher was going to lose his Seraph standing and that COULDN'T HAPPEN! Not with my sweet Naya's life being on the line.
But what a great ending! I knew that Asher was signing off on Celeste's friend and that she was gonna get her feathers. I definitely felt all the stress melting away.
And the ending! So stinking adorable! I loved to see how Celeste and Asher were in the future and how they could both be there for Naya growing up!
But oooh! What a tantalizing preview into the next book! Why would you do that to me! I need the next one now! I have to know what is going to happen to my babies!
December 5, 2020
What a book and what an ending! Just loved it. Feather broke my heart in million pieces but Celestial made it whole again❤️
~Celeste has only 3 months to gather like 600 fethers and Ascend but she doesn’t care because she doesn’t want to ascend, she wants to live in the mortal world. But after a woman she loves as a mother dies, Asher appears - the angel she loathes with her very soul- and he is determined to help her ascend. ~
I wish it was longer! I cried so many times while reading it. I’m not really used on crying with books but this series get me every time. I really have no words. It gave me ALL the feelings.
I couldn’t put this book down. I stayed awake until 3 but I fell asleep before I could finish it.. Such a beautiful love story. There was love, friendship, suspence. I wish I could share more but I don’t want to spoil anything.
Loved the characters especially Celeste’s sassy character. She was everything. And that mood changing😂 She might be my favorite character from this series. And Asher just swoon worthy. Especially when I read the first “apa” scene I just melted.
I would like more descriptive/detailed smut scenes because they were very steamy but it was hard to imagine it at times. And I would also like to see more of the celestial world but I hope I’ll get it with the third book!! That epilogue was❤️
I want to thank Olivia for an eARC of this book! Best early Christmas present!
P.S. - I’m sure Starlight’s cover is going to be black and can’t wait for it!
~Celeste has only 3 months to gather like 600 fethers and Ascend but she doesn’t care because she doesn’t want to ascend, she wants to live in the mortal world. But after a woman she loves as a mother dies, Asher appears - the angel she loathes with her very soul- and he is determined to help her ascend. ~
I wish it was longer! I cried so many times while reading it. I’m not really used on crying with books but this series get me every time. I really have no words. It gave me ALL the feelings.
I couldn’t put this book down. I stayed awake until 3 but I fell asleep before I could finish it.. Such a beautiful love story. There was love, friendship, suspence. I wish I could share more but I don’t want to spoil anything.
Loved the characters especially Celeste’s sassy character. She was everything. And that mood changing😂 She might be my favorite character from this series. And Asher just swoon worthy. Especially when I read the first “apa” scene I just melted.
I would like more descriptive/detailed smut scenes because they were very steamy but it was hard to imagine it at times. And I would also like to see more of the celestial world but I hope I’ll get it with the third book!! That epilogue was❤️
I want to thank Olivia for an eARC of this book! Best early Christmas present!
P.S. - I’m sure Starlight’s cover is going to be black and can’t wait for it!
October 31, 2023
Ok, my heart is almost put back together after this one. This was a sweet read. Celeste is great, just so sassy - and the way the relationship between Asher and Celeste builds is lovely to watch. The Angel world building and political structuring is fascinating. The way some of the angels can be 'bad' without really being bad. I have high hopes for book 3. I cannot wait to see how the whole Adam/Naya story unfolds. I have a feeling its gonna make me want to toss something, before its a true HEA.
![Profile Image for Elle ♡ [semi-hiatus].](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1521418447i/78060090._UY200_CR25,0,200,200_.jpg)
August 12, 2022
3.5 stars
This was pretty good, I liked it more than book 1, but I found the ending pretty weak 🫣 sorry, Phuong haha rtc.
This was pretty good, I liked it more than book 1, but I found the ending pretty weak 🫣 sorry, Phuong haha rtc.
December 26, 2020
Celestial is a Dark Horse.
Word by word it has slowly wormed it's way straight to my heart. It has touched me deeply in a way I can't realy explain.
Celeste is a loner, and all too soon a griever. When a tragic event strikes and rattles her life, Asher appears. He is the man Celeste despises the most. And he is determined to make Celeste collect her feathers and ascend to Elysium.
Their releationship is rocky, the term - enemies to lovers - fits them like a glove.
But through the time they form a deep bond. It is full of understanding, compassion and love, in a soulfull way.
I loved Feathers, but Celestial wears heavy emotions and seeps them through your skin, through your being, to your heart.
This author has a depth and breath of storytelling I've not seen anywhere else. Her stories are always magnetic and unique.
Word by word it has slowly wormed it's way straight to my heart. It has touched me deeply in a way I can't realy explain.
Celeste is a loner, and all too soon a griever. When a tragic event strikes and rattles her life, Asher appears. He is the man Celeste despises the most. And he is determined to make Celeste collect her feathers and ascend to Elysium.
Their releationship is rocky, the term - enemies to lovers - fits them like a glove.
But through the time they form a deep bond. It is full of understanding, compassion and love, in a soulfull way.
I loved Feathers, but Celestial wears heavy emotions and seeps them through your skin, through your being, to your heart.
This author has a depth and breath of storytelling I've not seen anywhere else. Her stories are always magnetic and unique.
February 29, 2024
4.5 stars! So I finished the first book in this series and thought it was okay with some interesting things happening, but now this second book made me appreciate book 1 even more! So if you are tempted to stop at the first book because you don’t think it’s for you, well don’t! 😅 It definitely gets better, helps make sense of things in 1, makes you wayyyy excited for things coming in this world, and the couple of this book is just so dang good too!
Basically this is an angel romance series and this one is a hate to love setup because of things that go down in book 1. Celeste has lived the past 4 years (since events of book 1) on earth amongst humans, she’s over the angelic guilds and shedding her feathers as she goes. Archangel Asher rolls into her life again and she is not happy about it, but he tells her she needs to complete her wings and ends up sharing some secrets with her along the way that ends up changing everything! Celeste and Asher’s push and pull was so good, the hateful setup was everything, and I was just obsessed with the world and characters in this one! So very excited with where book 3 goes!
Basically this is an angel romance series and this one is a hate to love setup because of things that go down in book 1. Celeste has lived the past 4 years (since events of book 1) on earth amongst humans, she’s over the angelic guilds and shedding her feathers as she goes. Archangel Asher rolls into her life again and she is not happy about it, but he tells her she needs to complete her wings and ends up sharing some secrets with her along the way that ends up changing everything! Celeste and Asher’s push and pull was so good, the hateful setup was everything, and I was just obsessed with the world and characters in this one! So very excited with where book 3 goes!
March 15, 2022
~4.5 stars~
Olivia Wildenstein did not disappoint with Celestial, which after that ending, I wanted to know what happens next(since this a trilogy, altho the books can be read separately, but like you really better read them all in order)
The only minor issue I had with this one might be the length, which felt a tad too long, but it also could be the pacing of the novel, which sometimes felt off.(and some smut scene that was ummm, could have been not there ya know, maybe bc i wasn't in the mood🤷♀️🤷♀️)
I feel like If you’re a fan of Rowan/Aelin, Bryce/Hunt – or any of SJM’s pairings really (they’re the ones that most notably come to mind) then you’re going to love these two mcs here. go read Feather, so you can pick this up. And you definitely have to read Feather first otherwise you’ll be lost.
Olivia Wildenstein did not disappoint with Celestial, which after that ending, I wanted to know what happens next(since this a trilogy, altho the books can be read separately, but like you really better read them all in order)
The only minor issue I had with this one might be the length, which felt a tad too long, but it also could be the pacing of the novel, which sometimes felt off.(and some smut scene that was ummm, could have been not there ya know, maybe bc i wasn't in the mood🤷♀️🤷♀️)
I feel like If you’re a fan of Rowan/Aelin, Bryce/Hunt – or any of SJM’s pairings really (they’re the ones that most notably come to mind) then you’re going to love these two mcs here. go read Feather, so you can pick this up. And you definitely have to read Feather first otherwise you’ll be lost.
January 26, 2021
BOOK 3... I NEED IT RIGHT NOW! 😭
To be honest, after getting my heart pulverized by the first book's ending, I wasn't really sure if i could continue on with the series with this book. I had real dislike with Asher for being such an asshole in the first book so I wasn't sure I'd I want to be reading a book about this guy. But that damn epilogue... well, suffice to say it was enough encouragement for me to read his and Celeste's book! Thank god I did! because Jarod and Leigh... my babies are coming back to me 😭
Ohhh why oh why did the next book have to be released before this year, 2021 ends? MUST I REALLY HAVE TO GO THROUGH 11 MORE MONTHS TO FINALLY GET MY JARODLEIGH HEA? This is torture I hope the book changes their publication date 😩
To be honest, after getting my heart pulverized by the first book's ending, I wasn't really sure if i could continue on with the series with this book. I had real dislike with Asher for being such an asshole in the first book so I wasn't sure I'd I want to be reading a book about this guy. But that damn epilogue... well, suffice to say it was enough encouragement for me to read his and Celeste's book! Thank god I did! because Jarod and Leigh... my babies are coming back to me 😭
Ohhh why oh why did the next book have to be released before this year, 2021 ends? MUST I REALLY HAVE TO GO THROUGH 11 MORE MONTHS TO FINALLY GET MY JARODLEIGH HEA? This is torture I hope the book changes their publication date 😩
April 19, 2021
I really like Olivia’s writing style! And I truly cannot wait to read her other books. I really liked Celeste in this book and loved seeing her grow as a person. I think the turn from enemies to lovers could have been executed better, but overall, I truly enjoyed this series and I CANNOT WAIT FOR BOOK 3!!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 786 reviews