Crimson Skies

Fallen Messengers #6

by Ava Marie Salinger

COMING 2023. The epic conclusion to the Fallen Messengers series.

Genres: M M Romance, Fantasy, Paranormal, Magic, Urban Fantasy, Angels, Romance

Unknown Binding

About the author

Ava Marie Salinger is the romance pen name of an Amazon bestselling author with a passion for writing addictive tales. Known for her action-packed and thrilling urban fantasy novels, she has expanded her repertoire with the introduction of the M/M urban fantasy romance series Fallen Messengers. Additionally, she has penned the scorching hot contemporary M/M romance series Nights and Twilight Falls as A.M. Salinger. When not immersed in her writing, Ava can be found curating inspiring music playlists, indulging in her love for nature, marveling at the latest gadgets, and savoring Chinese cuisine.

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Reviews

[Iz]

Well, this was a satisfying ending to this action-packed, steamy-as-hell, found family galore, series. The ending was beyond cute, a smidge bittersweet as well, and it left me swooning. Unfortunately, the rest of the book did not work for me nearly as much.


I really liked its predecessors, some of them I adored to bits ("Oathbringer" in particular!) but I think the plot and characters kinda got away from the author in this one. There was too much of everything: too many new characters, and I couldn't keep their names straight in my mind; there were too many subplots and relationships and new weapons and secrets and discoveries; and the world-building felt too chaotic for my poor, overheated, on-the-verge-of-a-reading-slump, brain.
The first book will always remain my favourite and it will always be a joy to re-read.

For that reason, I kept wishing the author would just return to the origins, with Cassius and Morgan and their team solving cases and being a big, ol' found family. I missed that here: it would have been fantastic to have Charlie and Bailey, Zach and Julia and Adrienne as the most prominent side characters, like in book one.
On the other hand, although the newest characters were too much for me, they still remained entertaining and I chuckled at their antics and inappropriate comments and banter many many times.

The plot was entertaining too, although it got a bit messy at times, and as always Theo and Victor and Cassius and Morgan stole the show. Those two couples made this entire series worth it.

I re-read my reviews of the previous books and I can't believe I'm giving this book a mediocre rating: I think it's probably my fault too. I haven't been on my best reading game for a few weeks now, and dense, complex fantasy doesn't seem to be doing it for me recently, so that definitely coloured my enjoyment of this book. I've become quite picky with my readings and ratings (last year Iz would have never!) but I think I have to be honest as well. I'm sure lots of people will love this book to bits, and I'm disappointed I couldn't be one of those.

Thank you GRR for the ARC. I received it in exchange for an honest review.

[Rαιɳ]

As always when it comes to battles in fantasy books my mind decides not to collaborate, especially if there are many characters (and here there were so many) and gods involved so I didn't understand much about the battle (and this book, being the final one, it was pretty much just battle) so I'm going to pretend it all made sense and just focus on the awesome HEA for the protagonists.👩🏼‍🦯

[Dionysus]

The Fallen Messangers Series has been one amazing wild ride and I can't believe it's over. I've loved this series, obsessed of the crazy plot twists , cried and laughed with the amazing characters in this world and I can definitely say this series turned into one of my favorites.

Ava Marie Salinger's work in this series is as amazing as ever. With an Urban fantasy series filled with action and character and all the awesome things that just make of one binge worthy read . I'm definitely going to miss Cassius, Morgan and their Merry band and will definitely be going back for a re-read at some point.

[Daesy]

In this final book, we see the ultimate battle, and I must say that I expected a bit more, but wasn't bad. All couples got their happy end, and even the big bad Elios kind of (he is now in the Abyss with his grandfather Chaos, and his twin brother Hypnos).
Cassius and Morgan get married, and later thanks to Dryad magic are able to conceive a kid. The fruit of their love, is grown by the Dryad's ancient tree(which fruit they also had to eat to be able to conceive).
Four years and five months is the time it takes for the seed to mature and their son, Noah, finally be born. To everyone's surprise he is born as a baby and not an adult, like usually happens for Dryads.
Three years after the war ended, magic has returned to earth and the old agencies are all working again.
It has been 5 years since Cassius left with Theo and Victor, to train Theo to be the new Awakener, since Cassius lost his powers after the war.

The book ends with Cassius coming back and hugging his loved ones.

[Claudia]

I loved Cassius and Morgan from the first book and am a bit sad to leave their world .. but leaving them, I must.

This is the last book in this series, and it is definitely not a standalone ... even after reading (and loving) all the books before, this was a lot.

There is a lot of action, developments, angles, and open questions to answer ... I quite liked the book and was on the edge of my seat for quite some time.
Nevertheless, I got the feeling that the author tried to cover too much territory at once, which was only possible through including more POVs.
That alone did not lessen my enjoyment, but at times, it felt a bit too much.

I missed Cassius and Morgan as a team, and I missed them working with the team.

Nevertheless, it was a good last book. They said goodbye with a big bang ... and maybe there will be a novella for them as a couple to get a bit more page time for these two (and maybe their entourage 😉 .. )

[Alex]

4/5

[Devoted❤️Reader]

Out of this World!!!

Incredible, magical, nail-biting suspense, and that’s only the first chapter. Gah, Cassius and Morgan are intense, full of swoony feels complete with fluttering hearts, sooooo hot, and I will never, ever stop loving them, or this outstanding world. “I can never get enough of this,” he whispered. “I can never get enough of you.”

Same, so much the same, and then some. Brilliant writing, an intricate plot that had me devouring this book like I’m the Abyss, and a love for the eons that will forever have a hold on my heart. And the characters, snicker, they had me rolling with their bickering, their obsessions, and their fascinations. Who knew deities needed minders—spoiler alert, I think we all did, but I adore them anyway. I’m so in love with how Morgan and Cassius have grown as a couple, they are the heart of this series. I adore the others , especially Theo and Victor, but my heart lives with Cassius and Morgan. The surprises blew me away and still have me glowing, and I am utterly flying with happiness with how this epic series came to its end.

[Ulysses Dietz]

Crimson Skies (Fallen Messengers 6)
By Ava Marie Salinger
Published by the author, 2023
Five stars

Imagine, if you will, the awkward family reunion from hell. Literally, from hell.

Ava Marie Salinger finishes off her bombastic supernatural urban fantasy series with a two-pronged high note of violence and romance (is that mixing metaphors?).

Cassius and Morgan, each burdened with new names and powers and god-like histories, have to save the world—one last time. At least they’re not alone, and a series of surprises brings a bunch of mythical beings to earth from other realms. It seems that more immortals survived the tearing of the Nether than anyone anticipated. One thing Morgan and Cassius and their crew seem to have forgotten in the 500 years since the fall is that all of their immortal kin are busybodies. Just like, um, real people.

I have to say, the image of a bevy of long-lost gods and goddesses lining up for a buffet of modern human food is one of the funnier things I’ve read in a long time. Salinger has ransacked the books on mythology to create the list of players in this final, traumatic, episode in the saga of the fallen messengers.

Don’t get me wrong; it gets pretty dark, literally and figuratively. Elios, the god of darkness, has finally gathered his forces and his evil dark weapons, convinced that he can open the abyss and release Chaos, (who is his grandfather, by the way) to destroy the worlds (all of them). However, we can also see that Elios is pretty unhinged, and might possibly not know about all that’s been going on since he last checked in.

The unlikely mashup between celestial Armageddon and Harlequin Romance only works because Salinger writes with such delicious confidence that we don’t quite track how crazy the whole thing is. From book to book, she drags us along because we love her characters and want to believe in her fantasy. I can’t enumerate or give details, because that’s the fun of reading this book in particular. Morgan and Cassius, whatever else they’re called, are simply two young men deeply in love and trying to foresee a future together. Unlike Romeo and Juliet, there are forces at play, as well as family dynamics and age-old rivalries, that complicate the fact of their relationship.

I confess: I don’t think anyone goes into this book expecting things to turn out badly for our heroes and their friends. What we also don’t expect is the author’s creativity when it comes to throwing up hurdles and finding ways for our heroes to get over them. If, after the first book, I hesitated over whether this series was really for me, by the last book I was desperate to see what the author was going to do next.

[Angel]

I was so sad to learn this was the last book of the series, Fallen Messengers, which must be read in order. I was so nervous to read it, not only because it was the last book and everything will be brought to light, but also because I hate when I'm reading an awesome series and then the last book is so anticlimactic, a disappointment. But I should have never doubted the author since they have never let me down once with any of the books in this series. They wrote an ending worthy of this phenomenal series, giving it the justice and respect it deserved. The author fabulously pulled all the strings, those seen and unseen, to weave a magical intricate memorizing story.
Morgan and Cassius journey to their HEA was definitely not an easy one, especially in this last book, but their love continued to strengthen, grow, and be cherished. And they still couldn't keep their hands of each other 🔥🔥 🥵🥵. But they also continue to face many challenges, all external, not knowing where or who their enemy, Elios, will strike next. Which had me biting my nails from the suspense, unable to put the book down. It was such an emotional roller coaster. I cried from heartache and happiness; gasped in shock from the twists & turns; cracked up from the banter and antics between the characters; and felt anxious over the characters which I had grown to love throughout the series. And it wasn't just the MCs that I loved but all of the characters, each being loveable in their own way and playing an integral part in the story. So I really happy that sometimes we got their POVs, not just the MCs, which gave me different aspects to certain scenes and allowed me to immerse myself even more into the story.
This wild addicting magical ride pulled every emotional string possible, but it was totally worth it. And I will definitely be reading this series again.

[HarriReadsRoMMance]

It has been quite the journey for Cassius Black and Morgan King and we are finally in the homestretch. Ava Marie Saligner has created one of the most epic, interconnecting stories I have read stretching across many realms. She introduced so many interesting side characters highlighting several relationships along the way and never confusing the reader along the way.

The final battle against Elios and his plans to destroy not just Earth, but all the realms has finally arrived. Cassius and Morgan have found allies across all the realms to help fight and they are doggedly determined that Elios shall not succeed. As all the various friends and allies meet up in San Francisco hilarity and confusion abounds which provides some nice levity amidst the dread of waiting for the war to begin.

This book was very emotional in places, and while not as steamy as earlier books in the series, Cassius and Morgan still find time together amidst the action.

The ending was perfect and there were still a few surprises I was not expecting. I couldn’t have asked for a better ending for these two considering things that have been shared over the series. Cassius and Morgan finally get the HEA that was literal centuries in the making! When an awesome series like this one ends it’s always bittersweet. You’re happy you finally got to see how the story ended but you hate saying goodbye to the characters you fell in love with over the course of the story and the Fallen Messengers series definitely falls into that column for me.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Sindu]

Intense finale to an amazing romantasy series!

Crimson Skies is the much-awaited finale to the Fallen Messengers series. This series has been so consistent in its romantic, action-packed storytelling with a world that keeps growing until it all comes together in this epic final book.

Cassius, Morgan and their vast number of allies come back to where it all began for one final showdown against Elios and his cronies. The book begins with them recruiting more members for the fight to end all fights and bringing them back to San Francisco. When the fight is prophesied to begin sooner than they expected, it kicks everything into high gear. And with Elios sending in hordes of war demons to block them at every turn, they don't get even a second to rest before the big confrontation.

But it's not all action. This is still a book with Morgan and Cassius, so you can expect tons of swoon and steam from the main couple of the series. Add in Morgan's Goddess siblings, who know how to keep things interesting, and this book kept me thoroughly entertained throughout. With laugh-out-loud humor, thrilling action sequences and a truly surprising ending, this book was one wild ride from beginning to end. It even had me shedding some tears by the end of it, both tears of joy and sadness.

If you enjoy fun, intense fantasy romances with tons of characters from various species to root for and a found family that keeps growing, then you should definitely check this one out! It was so bittersweet to finish this book knowing it's the last time we'll see these amazing characters, but I was left feeling completely satisfied when I turned the last page.

[Mia]

Ava Marie Salinger comes to close the Fallen Messengers series with this book, so it's time to thank her for the hours of fun, love and enjoyment that she has gifted us in these six books.

In coming to this end, I do have ambivalent feelings, though. The book closes all plots and main sub-plots and ends this long series well. On the other, I felt that the book relies too much on funny situations and gives too easily too laughs in moments that are, theoretically, pretty dramatic - like, literally the end of the world which has humanity taking refuge down deep in caves while all the angels, demons, gods, goddesses and the like engage in a battle of cosmic proportions... I'm not particularly convinced either with Chaos' role in all this - though I realise that having a primordial god directly involved guarantees a straightforward result, which pretty much renders unnecessary any battle happening... It's been nice to make it to the end and the respective happy endings. But for all the angst during the previous books and in this one, it feels a bit like crying wolf.

Another question is that the long list of characters and pairings happening (or that have happened so far) is a bit confusing, and it is easy to lose track of who is who. Adding the characters' list to the opening glossary would have been helpful.

I enjoyed the series and would recommend it, though. I give four stars out of five for the whole series.

I received an ARC from GRR, and this is my honest opinion.

[JenCW]

4.75 Stars!

The series needs to be read in order, so be sure to start from the beginning with Fractured Souls. I loved Cassius's character from the beginning, and Morgan has grown on me over time. I loved how much more settled they are into their bond now. As with the other books in this series, this book picks up pretty much where the last one left off. The ultimate battle is almost at hand, and no one is sure they will survive. I want to say so many things, but I won't simply because I refuse to spoil anything for anyone else.

I read Crimson Skies quickly; I needed to know how things would turn out. The story is fast paced and more happens than I expected. My only complaint is about the number of side characters that got added after the first couple of books. It was hard to keep track of all of their names and how they fit into the pantheon because many of them had small but important pieces in the plot here and there. Crimson Skies is no different as we meet a few more characters, some of which have important roles in the final battle. Nevertheless, my inability to place some of these side characters didn't wreck the overall enjoyment of the read.

All in all, Crimson Skies was a very good conclusion to this series. There were moments when I needed tissues and others that made me laugh, and there was an ending that left me happy and satisfied.

*Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure. A review wasn't a requirement.*

[Emilyrose]

This book put me through every emotion; one minute I was laughing and the next I was in tears! I feel so invested in these characters and the brilliant world building. I've sat and read the entire thing in one sitting because it's so captivating, so action-packed and just generally a brilliant book. Cassius and Morgan were, as ever, great together and I love the rest of the gang too. There were twists and turns in this one that I didn't see coming and some characters that I wasn't expecting to love as much as I did. I loved it all and, although I'm sad to see it end, I hope we get to hear more from this world in the future. I think the only tiny niggle I had was in the epilogue and really it was just why there had to be such a length of time apart? People who've read it will understand but I just didn't see why this needed to be a barrier. Despite that though, this is a great book to finish the series and it's always good to see characters you love get their HEA. If you've followed the series so far then you definitely need to give this book a read asap!

I received an ARC and this is my honest review.

[R]

“The Guardian of Light and the Prince of Night” fell to earth hundreds of years ago. Morgan and Cassius, fated to be together, their soul bond calling to them. Nothing, including demons, darkness, magic, pain, various gods, and Chaos will keep them from an epic conclusion to their love story.

The whole world is under attack. It’s up to the NUMEROUS characters to protect it. Other worldly beings and humans, good and evil, populate the forces that will save or doom and all the other realms as well as earth.

Morgan and Cassius, while vitally important, really weren’t the main players this time. Their help was huge but with so much god power available for the fight, Morgan and Cassius were just more soldiers.

So many things were revealed, so many secrets exposed, so many more players made this by far the most complicated book of the series. The last surprise was wonderful and a glorious way to end the series.

I received an arc of this book.

[Rubz]

Totally recommend this series but knowing stuff gets really really good in like the 3rd book, so I’m glad I was patient with the author.
What I liked (and it was a lot):
-the hilarious moments
-the bickering and side conversations between the secondary characters
-the coupling of secondary characters
-found and old family
-Morgan’s possessiveness (shocker, yes!)
-Loki and Theo
-Victor who I thought I would absolutely despise
-Ms Salinger is a merciful author and so the hero of her story, Icarus, was kind and merciful in turn. Can’t believe what Cassius did in the end, but I was not surprised. From the start, his character was true.
-That epilogue

What was ish-ish:
-sometimes the world building was iffy, like I failed to comprehend the descriptions.
-too many characters
-not enough screen time with Victor and Theo, I’m sort of like Mennipe 🤔

Thank you for this series, Ms Salinger, I absolutely enjoyed myself!

[Deanna]

Talk about a satisfying ending with a twist! This series has had such a huge cast of characters who have all come together for the final battle against Elios. Secrets are revealed, sacrifices are made, and there are several surprising relationship reveals as well! Elios manages to open the abyss above San Francisco, but it doesn't go as he plans. Chaos was an absolute surprise! I LOVE that he's just like this parent who's sick of listening to his kids squabble and needs a time out. So much mystery and fear around his return, and he's like... nah, I'm good. I'm glad he's taking care of Hypnos though, poor dude. In his madness, the final showdown between Elios and Cassius is epic, but ultimately futile. I felt like he got his just desserts. Cassius and Morgan have a beautiful future ahead of them as the world rebuilds.

[Kkhmonrai]

This is the 6th and last book in the Fallen Messengers series, and the books must be read in order or you won't know what is happening or who all the characters are. This is NOT a standalone read. This book is the culmination of the fight against the evil Elios and his plan to unleash the God of Chaos. Morgan and Cassius have fought long and hard for each other, their family and friends, and the world, but the biggest battle is yet to come. I loved this book, with it's rollercoaster-worthy ups and downs. It's full of snark suspense, drama, and love, with plenty of twists, turns, and surprises...and an ending that blew me away. After following the story of Morgan, Cassius, and their allies for so long, I was overjoyed with the way everything ended. This is a series I will read over and over. Don't miss it.

I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.

[Debby]

Morgan and Cassius are readying their forces in preparation for the final engagement with Elios. Cassius needs to convince the human leaders that the danger is real and to follow their recommendations while Morgan leads a group trying to find the three more powerful human mages. Atropos has shared her prophesies that earth will be the final battle site, but another unexpected force appears with a new secret, one that could be devastating.

The battle was incredible to read. Cassius and Morgan had assembled an amazing force, but are not sure it will be enough. They can only try. The ending is surprising and very satisfying. There were so many twists that cannot be revealed here but this series is one you should not miss. It will keep you guessing and will surprise you as it ties up all the loose ends. Ava Marie Salinger has moved to my auto buy list.

[smatchell]

This book was SO GOOD! I would have to give it a 4.75 if that was possible, because there were so.many.people in the war that it became really hard to keep track of everyone, not to mention that some of them have more than one name and/or a title! There is a glossary at the beginning with some info, but it would be really helpful to have a character glossary too. Maybe it could be created when the series is packaged into a boxset? I can’t imagine that the author doesn’t already have something like it, because it must get confusing even for the creator!
Someday I would love to go back through and re-read the whole series but I don’t have a lot of time for that!

That said, this book was exciting, sexy, and ultimately heartwarming as Morgan and Cassius get their HEA. I was smiling when I read the last words…ahhh <3

[ViVi]

3.75/5⭐

Everything I said in my review of the previous book applies to this one as well. There were just too many characters by the end and everything was happening all at once. I think that's why I liked the first half of the series a lot more than the second half. It was a lot more simple. We had our main characters and a good set of side characters. The plot points were easy to understand. Once all the gods, worlds and whatnots started piling up it just got too confusing for me and I lost my interest. I did like how the ending was done, tears were shed. They really deserved their happy ending and it was so joyous to see them creating their little family.

Book 3 is always going to be my favourite and Book 1 is always going to have a special place in my heart because it introduced me to this series.

[Xanthe]

What a fantastic end to what has been a thrilling series right from book one! I can't believe it's come to an end already.
It's been quite the journey for Cassius and Morgan from when they first met, more enemies that turn into colleagues then explore their mutual attraction. The series has faced many battles, the biggest happening here as the team, and anyone else they can gather to fight on their side, converge on San Francisco to attempt to stop Elios from releasing Chaos from the abyss and upon earth and all the realms.
All of the characters we've met along the way are present, some even telling part of the story themselves which I really enjoyed as they showed their own part in the build up to the battle. There are several twists and turns throughout this book and a surprise or two affects the outcome of the story.
Overall, I thought it a fitting finale for the plot of the series and for the characters, what they have been through and how their relationships have developed. I hope we get to check in from time to time, maybe have more from others in the group.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review

[Elaine Gray]

I just finished reading the final book in the Fallen Messengers series, and it was just as amazing as the first one and all the others in between. Morgan and Cassius are on a mission to save the world once again, and they're willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen. In this book, we get to see some familiar characters from previous books and meet some new ones as they come together to help each other out. The story is a perfect blend of humor, action, and a bit of angst, with plenty of surprises along the way. Morgan and Cassius' love for each other is evident throughout the pages, which makes the ending all the more perfect. I'm sad to see the series come to an end, but I'm eagerly anticipating Ava Salinger's next book.

[Cindy Deporter]

Cassius,Morgan their family their friends, allies and new Allie’s. Elios has gained strength and is determined to free the God of Chaos. Morgan and Cassius team and agencies spread out across the world seeking new allies and laying the framework to beat Elios. Heaven shows up with a edict that is intangible for the agencies. Can the ending be changed and the God of Chaos not be released? What happens if he is released? What will he choose to do! Ms Salinger is a true storyteller with the gift of having the reader feel we are a part of the family and friends fighting Elios. The sixth and final book of this series! I devoured it in one day!

[Suzy]

Crimson Skies is the last book in this Fallen Messengers series, this was fantastic!! I’m sad to say goodbye to Cassius and Morgan but happy for how this ends. Cassius and Morgan have been through hell since the beginning, their journey of new found friends and endless battles and now the final battle to defeat Elios is here.
This book is told in different POV’s it help to realize how many allies are involved in this battle, everyone has something to lose if they don’t stop Elios, Cassius and Morgan as always can’t keep thru hands of each other’s and I love how in love these two are. I love how they prepare everything to make sure they have the advantage and they will anticipate some of Elios moves, the build up until the battle was done great and the battle was a surprise some things I really never see coming.
I so happy for Cassius and Morgan HEA, was everything I wish for them!! I have tears for how happy I was for them!!!

[Raven and Chris]

This book is not a standalone so please make sure you have read the others first. If you love supernatural stories, this series is a must read. I can’t believe we are at the end of Morgan and Cassius’s story! All of our friends in this world certainly deserve their happy endings. This one is a doozy too. They have been through so much and fought to save Earth even if the humans don’t appreciate it very much. I will just have to keep reading them over and over because I don’t think I am ready to part with Loki, Theo, Viktor, and the list goes on. This is such a good series and the characters have held my heart the entire time!

[joani]

More secrets are bared to change the course of the War

The answers to all the questions asked are finally realized. The key to Cassius defeating Elios is right their for him to wield but not without sacrifice. I love Morgan and Cassius! Their love is so powerful and full of magic that you want to bask in it as well. All these powerful Gods, demi gods, Demons, witches, Nymphs and countless other beings all come to take down the God of Darkness. They all have their own quirks that keeps the mood light in the doom to come. I loved this series and I know you did to if you made it the the end.

[Markus Prior]

absolutely loved the whole series.

absolutely loved the whole series. An the final was only bad because it came to an end. I have loved the whole series of these books and this one was no different. I was an amazing series of books that got better with each book. I love this one and the last half of the book was so shocking in a good way that I couldn’t put it down. Only bad part is that it’s ending. I hope the author bring back cassius and Morgan back for more and not just the short stories but another full collection going on from the ending. More adventures together. As I said love the book and the whole series. So worth the read and cost if your buying.

[Kashonna Shaw]

An epic finale! I've loved this series so much. The world building, the engaging characters, the intense plot all mind blowing. I found this volume to be everything I was hoping a final volume to be. We got introduced to more Gods/Goddesses and otherworldly beings. We watched as our heroes travel to different realms to find allies to help fight. We got to experience a crazy war. And we were delievered a crazy plot twist. All in all this ending was fantastic. I definitely recommend this series for all who love reading about Gods, Angels, Demons and all other mythological beings.

[Victor Gonzalez Gonzalez]

Epic end of the story of Cassius and Morgan. As always their relationship steals the book, I love how they are with each other. They are the ideal couple. I love how the other characters took on a bigger role.
Loki and Eden will always have a special place in my heart.
This book has many mind-blowing twists you don't see coming. Secrets are revealed that will leave you speechless.
I laughed, I was moved and I cried with each chapter.
The ending is incredible and it makes me sad to know that it is the last book of these beloved characters.
Perfect ending.