Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Maximus - The Key to Heaven - Special Edition

Rate this book
One girl. One key. A fallen angel. Two worlds about to collide.

Cecelia White just wanted to start college, ace her classes, and maybe sneak into a few clubs with her fearless roommate Evie. Between late-night study sessions, open mic nights at Ray’s Cool Café, and a city that never sleeps, life was finally starting to feel like hers.

Until the visions began.
Until the Angel Key awakened.
And until Christoph Maximus walked into her world.

By day, Maximus runs a high-end restaurant and nightclub. By night, he’s something far more dangerous—a fallen archangel and leader of the Elite Wing, former protectors of the realm that exists just beyond the veil. When rumors surface that a lost relic of Heaven has resurfaced in his city, Maximus must act fast. If the Archdukes of Hell find it first, the consequences could tear the world apart.

He never expected the key to belong to a mortal girl.
Or for fate to bind their souls together.

Now, with ancient enemies closing in and forbidden magic rising, Cecelia must decide who she is, what she believes, and whether the love of an immortal is worth starting a war. Because in this city, nothing is as it seems—and some secrets were never meant to stay buried.

"Maximus and The Key to Heaven" is an electrifying blend of fantasy, romance, and adventure, promising an epic saga that will leave readers breathless. Dive into a world of celestial intrigue, where love and courage are the ultimate weapons against the forces of darkness. Get ready for a rollercoaster ride of emotions and excitement-this is a story you won't be able to put down.

Special Edition
- New cover art
- Full color illustrations
- Bonus Evie and Erik's Date Night

526 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 15, 2025

3 people are currently reading
8 people want to read

About the author

Christopher Shamoun

12 books5 followers
I’m Christopher M. Shamoun, but you can call me Christoph.

What fuels my creativity, you ask?
I’m a lifelong martial artist (Muay Thai & Jiu Jitsu) and a second degree black belt who still finds time to hop on a skateboard or strap on rollerblades. I’m a reader, writer, and lover of all things fantasy. I play guitar, mix cocktails like a mad scientist, and cook dishes that blend culture with comfort (sushi, tacos, and my signature vodka chicken parmigiana are always in rotation).

These passions, movement, music, food and stories are the energy that flow into my novels.

Fun Fact: Before I ever typed “Chapter One,” I was a sponsored rollerblader and a signed musician. Creativity has always been my oxygen.

I grew up in New Jersey, spent years in Brooklyn and now call Southern California home. Writing came into my life after losing my best friend, Erik, and it became the way I could keep our dreams alive. From that grief was born a world of angels, demons, found family, and epic adventures.

Favorite color: Deep red.

Current obsessions: Dreaming up new dishes & chasing the perfect sexy cocktail recipe.

Favorite escape: Anywhere with a good book and good company.

To date, I’ve written five books in my fantasy/ urban fantasy series (with more on the way). My stories are packed with action, music, mouthwatering cocktails and dishes, magic, and friendships that feel like family.

So here’s me. Christoph, an author who builds worlds by day and blends cocktails by night. Thanks for being here! Can't wait to share the next adventure with you.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
16 (66%)
4 stars
8 (33%)
3 stars
0 (0%)
2 stars
0 (0%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
Profile Image for Alisha Ukunde.
43 reviews
August 18, 2025
I genuinely believe that if I came across this book when I was 15 to 17 years old, I reckon it would’ve become my whole personality for at least a year. Like this is that book which teens obsess over and I felt the nostalgia of it throughout the read. I loved the 2000’s urban fantasy vibe of the book. I love how colourful the book was with the food and the drinks. I also really loved that this was a special edition e-ARC and I could see all the beautiful illustrations! This book had so many easter eggs and as someone who grew up reading Hush Hush, The Mortal Instruments, the Lux series etc the references had me kicking my feet!! I actually screamed when I saw Christoph dressed up as Magnus Bane like are you kidding me!!

This book follows Cecilia who is being targeted by Demons for a family heirloom that she possesses and she does not know it’s powers or potential. Then we meet Evie, Cecilia’s best friend and roommate now that they’ve both started university. Evie is this feisty, expressive and explosive girl full of confidence and just radiating with a stage presence like no one else. She honestly was probably my favourite character because she was just so fun and so energetic and everything she did was slightly exaggerated but I kind of love that. Then we meet the fallen angels or the Elite Team which includes Christoph, Eric, Darius and Sam. I love the found family aspect in this and I loved how Christoph and Cecilia bonded through not just flirting and bumping into each other, but actually through prophetic dreams and a lot of history which is tying them together. I also really enjoyed Evie and Eric’s relationship,

Eric was definitely my favourite MC. He was so vibrant and fun and knew how to be serious but also to take it easy and make light of difficult situations. And obviously his loyalty goes above and beyond! Darius and Sam, although completely secondary characters added so much value to Cecilia and Christoph’s story, and I really enjoyed their presence. It wasn’t one of those side characters who were just there because books need side characters but they actually played a purpose and I quite enjoyed that. I also quite enjoyed that Christoph wasn’t the only person killing off Demons, each character had their moments, and each character grappled with heavy themes like grief but also got to show their skills, powers and abilities.

I also really enjoyed the random appearances of celestial, biblical and other mythical objects and imagery like the Mark of Vishnu or the Staff of Moses. It was so fun seeing the use of unique devices that you probably won’t see that often in other books and it’s taken from real life religions and mythological stories which is quite interesting.

The humour in this book was really fun and I think it was an easy read as well. There were a lot of points where I was giggling because I think the conversations were done really well and also it was nice to follow the characters daily routines rather than just following the plot so it felt very much like the reader is immersed into it and have the opportunity to assimilate with the found family.

I also enjoyed how animated this entire book was because it genuinely almost felt like I was watching an animated series. The fighting sequences and the action scenes were so energetic and fun. I also really loved the lore of the angels, the fallen angels, the Demons and how they originated and get a glimpse into their lives. We saw how they deal with the pain and the grief of being a fallen angel. I think this book was very well balanced and has set up the conclusion in a very appropriate way. I’m quite excited to see what happens next and I have no idea where it will go.

Finally, from the dedication we learn that the characters are inspired by close friends of the author and holds a very deep, significant meaning and a special place in their heart. I think it’s just beautiful that these people got to live on through his story and it was such a lovely lens to see this book through which added to my enjoyment.

Thank you for this ARC!
Profile Image for Ashley.
402 reviews26 followers
January 8, 2026
Tropes:
YA urban Fantasy
Angels vs Demons
found family
heavenly relics

Trigger warning:
attempted assault

Maximus- The Key to Heaven is a urban fantasy, I'd also say a YA book, that follows college Freshman Cecelia and her roommate Evie as they navigate college life. Very quickly, they're introduced to Christoph and Erik, two guys who own Max's Lounge - a hip bar in NYC. Turns out, Christoph and Erik, and their 2 buddies, Sam and Darius, make up a group called Elite Wing. A group of fallen angels. That's right, these hunky men are angels. Turns out, they've been watching Cecelia because she holds the Angel Key- a direct key to one of the pearly gates of Heaven- and Lucifer and his demons want it.

I had a good time reading this one! If you have teens that are wanting to get into fantasy, I'd highly suggest this one (because people ask me this often lol). I thought having an urban setting of New York City was fun and different- most fantasy books aren't modern. I also liked the whole Angels vs Demons aspect of the story. I got Lucifer (the tv show) vibes while reading it and a little bit of Legendborne vibes too. I really enjoyed the pop culture references in this book too like playing a game of Cards Against Humanity, open mic nights, movie quotes, reading Throne of Glass, etc. I felt like that drew me in more and made the characters more relatable. I thought Cecelia and Evie were cute and I enjoyed their banter- especially with the guys! Erik is a riot!

That ending though...... I did not see that coming. Omgosh! Talk about a cliffhanger! No Spoilers but I'm going to need more!
Profile Image for whatnolareads.
178 reviews13 followers
January 9, 2026
This book surprised me in the best way. I went into Maximus and the Key to Heaven not fully knowing what to expect, and I came out genuinely impressed by how immersive and thoughtfully constructed it was. This is my first time reading something with this blend of fallen angels, humans, demons, and celestial mythology, and it held my attention from start to finish.

The world-building is detailed without being excessive, and the character development feels purposeful. Nothing felt random or thrown in for shock value everything had a place, and that made the story flow naturally. I also appreciated how the author balanced the supernatural elements with grounded, human moments. It gave the story emotional weight instead of making it feel purely fantastical.

One unexpected highlight was the food descriptions. They were vivid enough to slow me down in the best way, adding warmth and texture to the world. It’s clear the author paid attention to sensory detail, which made the setting feel alive rather than just imagined.

If I had one critique, it would be that there were moments where I wanted the story to linger emotionally a bit longer before moving forward. Not because anything was confusing, but because certain scenes deserved a deeper pause. Still, that’s more a desire for “more” than a flaw.

Overall, this was a refreshing and engaging read. It’s ideal for readers who enjoy mythology-inspired fantasy, layered worlds, and stories where heaven and earth intersect in meaningful ways. I’d absolutely recommend it and would continue reading in this universe.
374 reviews14 followers
January 8, 2026
I have devoured this book over the last two days, which just shows how addictive it is, considering it's over 500 pages in length.

There is some incredible artwork throughout the book which perfectly complements the story. This is the first book in the series and I am intrigued to read on and see what comes next.

The first 150 pages or so of the book have a main focus of Cecelia and her friend Evie. We really get to know them both as they settle in as college roommates. I really felt for Cecelia from the start. She's quite alone in the world and this has made her independent and able to hold her own.

Once the story moved on and we are introduced to Maximus and his friends the action picked up. It was an interesting story about angels and demons with a good dose of friendship and romance thrown in.

This is the exact sort of book I would have been obsessed by as a teenage girl and I think it will really appeal to teens and young adults. I absolutely enjoyed it at my age too. A wonderful gripping start to a series.
Profile Image for Natasha sebuwufu.
216 reviews7 followers
January 26, 2026
I was very kindly gifted this book by the author, and I absolutely loved it. Christopher’s storylines are always so unique, and Maximus: The Key to Heaven packs in everything I adore — found family, deep friendships, romance, fantasy, and plenty of fast-paced action. That prologue hooked me instantly, and I honestly couldn’t put it down after that.

One of my favourite things about Christopher’s writing is how real his characters feel. You genuinely care about what happens to them — you’ll laugh with them, cry with them, and before you know it, they feel like friends. The added humour throughout was such a joy, and the vivid food descriptions really brought the world to life. And the cocktails? Don’t get me started on the cocktails there are so many that I now want to try 🍸❤️❤️

A thrilling, emotional, and immersive story that will stay with me. I cannot recommend this enough. 😃🙌
Profile Image for Georgiana Harn.
40 reviews4 followers
August 1, 2025
An Epic Adventure That Will Leave You Breathless

From the very first page, Maximus - The Key to Heaven grabbed me and refused to let go. The prologue alone is a masterpiece, immediately dropping you into a high-stakes moment that makes you desperate to understand how the protagonist, Cecilia, ended up there.

Cecilia is the kind of character you instantly fall in love with. She starts out as an everyday girl, a talented chef and a fellow bookworm, sweet as a saint. But you quickly learn she's a total powerhouse: a second-degree black belt and Olympic-level athlete who's also top of her class.

The key necklace she wears isn't just an accessory; it's a central mystery far more important than she could ever imagine. Her world turns upside down when she meets the ridiculously charming and secretive Maximus, a Fallen Angel who is pure trouble but also gentle, a fierce protector, and surprisingly comedic. The slow-burn romance between them is absolutely electric and had me grinning like an idiot through so much of the book.

The story itself is a thrilling ride, full of Fallen Angels, Elite Wing Warriors, and terrifying Demons, all vying for the one thing that can change everything: The Key to Heaven. Shamoun builds a rich world, and creates a unique narrative that is both fresh and familiar. I was completely invested in the mystery of the key and loved how the plot unfolded around it.
Beyond the romance and action, the book excels at its heart. The "touch her and die" and found family tropes are executed perfectly.

The side characters are not just filler; they are integral to the plot, each role beautifully and strongly interwoven into the story. The bromance between Maximus, Erik, Sam, and Darius (the Elite Wing) is a highlight—their loyalty and camaraderie, especially between Erik and Max, who have been through so much, adds so much depth.🔥

And for all you foodies out there, be prepared—the descriptions of food and drink are so vivid they'll leave your mouth watering! 🤩

This book is an emotional rollercoaster, and the ending hit me right in the feels. It sets up the next book perfectly, and I am beyond excited to see what happens next. If you're looking for an epic adventure with a swoon-worthy romance, incredible action, and a found family you'll cherish, then this is the book for you.✨️
Profile Image for Sharon Wilmeth.
66 reviews3 followers
September 19, 2025
✨ First of all, I want to thank Christopher for welcoming us into his wonderful ARC team. It is an honor and a privilege to be part of your journey.

✨ Review
One word: Nostalgia.
Nostalgia for the feelings it evoked, for the memories of friendship, for the references sprinkled throughout the story, and for the books that inspired its creation.

When I was in high school, I ran 🏃🏻‍♀️ and read 📖 as a form of escapism. I often spent my lunches in the library, picking out endless books and always looking forward to finding a story that would suck me in ❤️

This book reminded me of those days, of the friends I shared lunches with, each of us reading stories that made us feel something. The fantasy tales filled with adventures and promises of love.

The story is full of tender moments, laughter, camaraderie, fierceness, and loyalty between friends. It felt comforting in its familiarity.

The action scenes are also well written. Not everyone can capture them in this way, and I think readers who love anime will enjoy those moments.

The pop culture references were definitely a bonus. When the 90’s show Roswell was mentioned, I was like, “omgg I thought no one knew this show!” I was so happy 🤣. And the Magnus Bane moment = 🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻

It is also clear the author is a foodie. The dishes will make your mouth water and the drinks sound amazing.

Cecilia is the cutest FMC, and Evie, her best friend, is a little firecracker who would do anything for her.

While Cecilia and Maximus fall for each other rather quickly, it feels natural because they share so many interests and dreams. It was as if their souls recognized each other as equals.

And Erik… omg, I adore him. He is hilarious and utterly loyal. His bond with Evie is beautiful.

There was a Mortal Instruments vibe at times, but the story still felt entirely unique.

The dedication was inspired by the author’s close circle of friends, including his best friend who passed away many years ago. It is such a beautiful way to honor friendship and love.

Cheers, Chris. You did a wonderful job.
Profile Image for Melinda.
422 reviews35 followers
September 16, 2025
I am so incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have received an advanced copy of Maximus from the author! 🫶

Maximus is forever going to hold a special place in my heart and I love it more than words can describe! 🥹💕 This book brought me so much nostalgia back to when I was going off to university so it truly was special! 🫶

That first chapter had me hooked and it brought me such joy and comfort with every minute I spent in this beautiful world. The found family aspect in this book is truly masterclass level and the bonds that they all have with one another is so special! ❤️ Cecilia and Evie’s friendship is the absolute best and I love how they are always there for one another! 🫶 They both are such huge food lovers and I love how excited they were getting about macaroni and cheese balls because that’s my level of excitement when it comes to food! 😍 Don’t even get me started on the romance in this book because there are two love stories in here and they are beautiful, authentic, raw and just simply everything! 🥹That ending though had me in shock and I need a second book because got me so emotional! 😱🙊🙀

If you love slow burn, found family, food, urban fantasy, and a book that will change your life forever from reading it then this is the book for you! 🫶
Profile Image for Marcia - itsabookthing2021 .
794 reviews19 followers
January 8, 2026
Maximus - The Key To Heaven had it all. From fallen angels to demons, intriguing character developments as well as a storyline that had me hooked and an ending that had me floored.
If this book was out at the same time as Shadow Hunters or even Buffy The Vampire Slayer it would have given them a run for their money. 15 year old me would have been lapping it up! ( I mean 40 year old me was loving it too).

I really enjoyed the way this story was created and how it progressed, the writing was engaging and the scenes it painted were fantastic. The characters Cecelia and Evie, the college student best friends made this novel relatable. I loved all the characters they were created so well and had depth to them. The key to heaven was a great notion and I loved the danger of it all. Not wanting to give spoilers but we had moments where I was holding my breath and on the edge of my seat. This novel really did take us through an array of emotions. 

*Amazon has Maximus - The Key To Heaven listed as book 2, however this is technically book 1, there is a Prequel (listed as book 1) Michael that can be read before or after Maximus.
Either way I think both books need to be read because it's so good 😄
Profile Image for Stevie-Lea Nightingale.
56 reviews2 followers
August 20, 2025
I don’t even know where to start with this review.. I’m not sure words can describe how insanely good this book is. Maximus- The Key to Heaven is a YA Urban Fantasy that follows the story of Cecelia a freshman student, who holds a relic- The Key to Heaven. Demons are desperately trying to take it whilst the Fallen Angels are trying to do everything in their power to keep it from them. There is just the perfect amount of cosy writing as well as incredible action packed characters!

Christopher M. Shamoun is such an incredible writer, it baffles me that someone could have such a great mind to be so imaginative to build their own world, characters and story.

I’ve now discovered a newfound love for fallen angels and I definitely need more books about it!
I absolutely adore the characters, each one has their own unique personality and its described very well in the book. The Elite Wing are perfect book boyfriend material! Oh- and you’ll definitely be crying at the end..
Profile Image for Alex Winsor.
52 reviews5 followers
November 20, 2025
Wow. All I can say is wow. If you love urban fantasy, angels, demons, fallen angels, please pick this book up now.

I don’t think I’ve read a true angel focused book since I read Fallen and hush hush series back in grade school. And I remember saying “nothing will ever top these books.” Well younger Alex obviously was not prepared for someone like Christoph to exist. I absolutely loved this book. Every character from the assholes that had to exist to the witty side characters to the main characters all had me feeling some kind of way and I loved it. The plot behind this book was amazing. By the end of the book I was pacing because it was just one of those endings that had you holding your breath to the bitter end. I instantly had to jump into the prequel because I needed answers and I needed them immediately. Now all I can do is stare at a wall and wait for the next book to come out and think about all the characters I’ve fallen in love with and wonder what is going to happen next for them.

Thank you Christoph for reaching out and allowing me to read these books. I cannot wait to see what your talented writers brain has in store next for everyone 🤍
Profile Image for Cazlovesbooks.
197 reviews6 followers
January 10, 2026
“Christoph Maximus is a fallen archangel, stripped of his wings and sent to Earth.

Cecelia is a college student who loves history and books—until her quiet life collides with his.

Their connection is instant, but Max soon discovers Cecelia wears a magical key necklace passed down through her family. She doesn’t know its power, or the danger it brings.

When archdukes begin hunting her, Max must protect the girl he’s falling for—no matter the cost. With help from the other Elite Wings, and Cecelia’s best friend, can they defeat them, and save Heaven?”

When I say I couldn’t put this book down, I mean it completely took over my life. I spent over a day thinking about it when I wasn’t even reading. I loved the characters—Evie and Erik were hilarious , Christophe has my whole heart, and Cecelia is truly a force to be reckoned with. An incredible story and a beautiful tribute to a friend ❤️

More people need to read this book. It’s one of those stories that stays with you long after you turn the last page.

Great for young adults as it has no spice and minimal bad language
Profile Image for Vivien.
26 reviews2 followers
August 8, 2025
I DEVOURED this book! If you are a fan of Cassandra Clare’s Shadowhunter series, this is for you.

Tropes:
✨ Angels vs demons
💫 Found family
💖 Romance
💫 Power of friendships
🐺 Shapeshifting
✨ Magic relics

Maximus is a fun, fast-paced modern YA fantasy read set in New York filled with lots of action, banter and romance - not to mention the mouth-watering descriptions of food and cocktails, I wasn't expecting that hidden gem!

The characters were all very likeable and relatable with their love of books (and food). I enjoyed all the pop culture references and the stunning artwork in the special edition.

And agreed: “Books are better than flowers…The words in a book are forever. The scent and beauty of a flower is only temporary.”
Profile Image for Nikky.
91 reviews
August 21, 2025
Maximus: The Key to Heaven is a fantastic mix of action, romance, and fantasy. From the start, I was hooked by Cecelia’s journey after she discovers the Angel Key. The story is full of exciting battles, surprising twists, and a romance that feels real and powerful.

The characters are easy to love—Cecelia is strong and relatable, Evie adds humor and loyalty, and Christoph Maximus brings mystery and depth. Even side characters like Erik make the world feel alive.

The writing flows smoothly, and the world-building kept me turning the pages late into the night.

If you enjoy urban fantasy with heart, adventure, and unforgettable characters, this book is a must-read. I can’t wait for the next one in the series
13 reviews4 followers
October 23, 2025
The Fast & The Furious…Fallen Angels

This was such a fun read. Don’t want to leave any spoilers but these angels are perfect book boyfriend material. Fantastic pacing, great descriptions, fun cocktail recipes. Time well spent.
Profile Image for Rachel.
46 reviews5 followers
August 17, 2025
📖 ARC Review 📖

Summary:
Cecelia is just starting college and, by some stroke of luck, has landed the perfect roommate. She and Evie hit it off instantly, bonding over late night adventures at an enchanting cocktail lounge, and working out together. Between unforgettable meals, first dates, and new friendships, it feels like everything Cecelia hoped college would be.

But not all is as it seems, and the illusion begins to crack, after one electrifying date and an attempted attack. Max and Erik, the two mysterious men who seem too good to be true, are hiding something. And Cecelia? She’s not as ordinary as she thinks. College was supposed to be about finding yourself. Instead, Cecelia is about to uncover a secret world and a truth that could change everything.

My overall thoughts:
This was such a fun and unique read! The dramatic writing style packed with side quests, mouthwatering foodie descriptions, and anime like flair felt totally different from anything I’ve read before. There was a joyful randomness to the story, like the author added whatever made him happy, and the feeling was contagious.

I was absolutely vibing with the first half, ready to give to it all the stars, but then something shifted. The story took a more serious tone and it didn’t quite land for me. Conflicts that should have felt high stakes just didn’t, and I found myself emotionally disconnected.

That said, I still really enjoyed the book and would recommend if you love anime, The Mortal Instruments, 2000s pop culture, and are a foodie. This quirky, niche read might just be perfect for you!

My rating: 4 ⭐️
Releases September 15th (special edition)

Thanks to Seraphic Novels for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. I had a great time and can definitely feel the passion in your writing.

What I liked:
🪽 The premise! Y’all, when I say this gave me nostalgic vibes, I mean it. I felt like I was diving back into a world reminiscent of The Mortal Instruments, The Vampire Diaries, and that one movie that had so much potential, Fallen. I used to be obsessed with the concept of angels and demons living among us, and it turns out... I still am.
🪽 The storytelling style! It took me a minute to adjust and figure out what kind of style this was. But once I had my lightbulb moment, it was so fun. The characters' reactions are over the top, there’s a strong focus on them just spending time together and having dialogue heavy scenes, and then boom intense, dramatic action. It genuinely felt like watching my favorite anime, just in written form.
🪽 The pop culture references! They were rapid fire, think Gilmore Girls but easier to follow because you're reading it. It’s a love letter to everything we adored in the early 2000s. Music shout outs, fashion choices (hello combat boots with dresses), and so many smoothies (looking at you Zoey 101). Each reference was a total blast from the past and it put a smile on my face.

What I didn’t like:
🪽 The romance. I mean it’s straight up instalove, with both characters skirting around each other for a few chapters while we learn more about the world. Then it’s flame on you are my everything. It fits the storytelling style, sure, but I just couldn’t get behind it. If instalove doesn’t bother you, you’ll have no issues here . . . it’s just not for me.
🪽 The action. I love a good action scene, but by the end of the book, I just wasn’t feeling it anymore. The final battles should’ve been epic, we were building up to them, after all, but I found myself checking out. The momentum just didn’t land for me which is a bummer.
🪽 The pet names. This might sound silly, but I couldn’t handle the constant use of pretty girl and handsome man. They aren’t really pet names, they’re just repeated descriptions. 😅 It wasn’t a big deal but the repetition and frequency started to wear on me.
Profile Image for Cait's Reading Nook.
203 reviews2 followers
January 10, 2026
Cecilia is just starting at university in New York. Christoph Maximus is a fallen angel and leader of the Elite Wing. When a lost relic is found on Earth, Maximus finds that it is with Cecilia. An almost fated bond forms between them.

This story is an epic adventure. It features high stakes. I thought the world building - characters, relics, Christoph’s origin story - are all established well bringing readers to the story.

I thought the bonds of friendship were powerful in this story. In a new chapter such as starting university, which is where we first meet Cecilia and Evie, there’s a lot happening, new places, new people and I liked how supportive Evie and Cecilia were for each other. Erik and Christoph also have a similar bond of friendship. The theme of found family is woven throughout the story.

The slow burn of both love stories is paced well as are also the epic battles. We see the instant connections and bonds between Erik and Evie as well as Christophe and Cecilia. There’s a plot twist at the end I didn’t expect. This was the first book I’ve read from Christopher Shamoun and I look forward to reading more.

Thank you to Christopher M. Shamoun & Love Books Tours for the gifted special edition copy and the opportunity to read and review the book and be a part of the tour! The artwork in the book is great! I was provided a copy of this book for free and am leaving an honest review.
Profile Image for leslie mayorga.
253 reviews4 followers
January 26, 2026
Fallen angels, demons, archangels, magic!!! Sign me up! At the mention of that I knew I was gonna like this book. Getting into that supernatural type of world I love. Cecilia is a college girl who moves in and becomes friends with her roommate and I love that dynamic. Both of those girls can eat and when I mean, eat I mean eat I love that because I’m the same way also this takes place in New York so if you live in New York, you might see some mentions of buildings and places that will have you like I’ve been there and if you haven’t been to New York, then you should come to visit. They end up being friends with two other guys when it’s Christoph and the other is Erik. It becomes such a fun group to be a part of and some others join later on. In this book there was romance and fighting off demons. What a great combo right? I did enjoy the way the author described the world and what was going on the world building that went into was pretty good. Very funny and sarcastic in some moments. There was a part of the book where there was some triggers briefly, so check out the triggers before you get into it. Overall It was an easy read the story flowed perfectly. I really enjoyed reading this book and look forward to the rest of the story. It kind of reminded me of the TV show Lucifer, which I also loved because demons, fallen angels and love. So if you happen to love any of that, I suggest you get on the book. Also, throughout the book, there are very cute artwork, which I thought was a very nice touch. A really great YA urban fantasy.

Would I recommend?
Yes
Profile Image for Cathy Pike.
143 reviews6 followers
January 6, 2026
This is book one in this fantasy series and we meet Cecelia White who is just about to start college in New York. She quickly becomes best friends with her room mate, Evie, and is enjoying college and all it has to offer. Then she meets Max, who, with his best friend Erik, owns a high end club and restaurant. But it turns out that he is hiding some pretty big secrets, like being a fallen archangel…

I really enjoyed this book, and can I just take a second to appreciate the artwork in this book! I thought Christopher’s writing style was engaging and enjoyable. I loved that Cecelia and Evie are kicks and can most definitely look after themselves. The character development was great and I liked that the bad guys weren’t just the Archdukes of hell, and that the girls weren’t expecting to be saved by the boys. This book is full of romance, love, friendships, belief, magic, intrigue, betrayal, courage, but ultimately it is about doing what is right, not what is easy, no matter the personal cost.

This was a great 4 star read for me and is one I would definitely recommend. I can’t wait to see what Christopher has in store for the rest of this series.
6 reviews2 followers
August 28, 2025
I received a free ARC, in exchange for a review to be posted when the Special Edition gets released, on September 15th, 2025. Once again, thank you for having me be a part of the ARC team & for the privilege of reading another one of your books, I’m really enjoying them 🤓.

The overall plot execution for Maximus, I thought, was extremely solid. I really liked how each chapter felt like it ended completely before another chapter started; versus sometimes it may take 2-3 chapters just to get the next part of the story. The writing and the characters were richly-animated & anyone who reads this book will have a definitive favorite character, mine just happens to be Cecelia.

The bonus chapter of the story was genius! That part of the story was going to have me wondering what happened after the book ended so I’m really happy that you wrote about it ☺️.
Profile Image for Naturalbri (Bri Wignall).
1,389 reviews120 followers
January 10, 2026
This absolutely what a read that I could dive into and just become part of the read. At no point did I want to put it down.
The vibes and the references made to when I was growing up, in my teen years, were just grabbing me and giving me full nostalgia feels. Plus, the whole feel of this book was just spot on.
The characters are created really well. They have vibrant and exciting personalities and the mesh together in such a great group, whilst having those on their opposite to have to work against.
The premise is exciting and really had the vibes i remember reading in so many fantasy reads from the noughties. It was just done so well.
I thought the flow of the book was really good . I really liked the whole book and just found it very fun and addicting.
Profile Image for Karla.
51 reviews3 followers
January 10, 2026
🌟🌟🌟🌟.5

Wow! I was gripped!

Christopher Shamoun created a world of fallen angels, demons and insta love all rolled up into a brilliant book.

I loved all of the characters and am dying to see Erik and Evie's romance progress. I think Erik was my favourite.

I enjoyed the plot, the magic and the Angel theme. The romance was just a bonus which is unusual for me because it is usually my favourite thing in a book.

I love the fact that the FMCs, while not having the powers of the guys, are badass.

The action was well written and easy to follow.

This book keeps Supernatural vibes and I am here for it!
Profile Image for Tasha.
Author 21 books13 followers
November 1, 2025
Stunning

The artwork, the story, the dedication...gorgeous.

Christoph managed to take the concept of angels and elevate them into characters. Not flat, unfeeling beings that judge but ones that have depth and are actually interesting to read about.

Worth the read and I think I might have to buy the special edition because it is too pretty not to.

Well done! 👏👏👏🥰♥️♥️♥️

Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.