“In a kingdom ruled by angels, falling for a demon is treason.”
In the Kingdom of Heaven, angels rule and demons rot in the shadows. As an angel prince, Raphael has spent his youth fighting for demon rights. His efforts are fruitless until he meets Dante, a demon with dangerous powers.
Seeing potential, Raphael recruits him as his royal guard, scandalizing the court, and turning a demon into his closest ally in a mission to dethrone the King of Heaven.
Dante has always hated angels, but after Prince Raphael saves him from execution, he couldn’t help but follow him. Being the only demon among the angel elite is unbearable, but for the first time, he has hope for the future.
But a coup is a dangerous game. Can Dante protect Raphael long enough for him to ignite real change? And what does it mean for the Kingdom of Heaven when an angel and a demon dare to fall for each other?
The Enemy of Heaven is a low-spice queer fantasy about rebellion, redemption, and the start of an unbreakable angel/demon bond.
Finalist in the 2023 Indies Today Awards.
Chapter 1
Raphael
“People don’t always know what’s good for them.”
“Careful, Raphael, you’re in public,” Sienna said, smiling by his side.
The prince registered the many pairs of eyes of the citizens of Heaven, gazing at him with shocked bewilderment and admiration as he walked hand-in-hand with his fiancée. It was a matter of image for the royal family to take a walk around the city square, followed by several security guards, allowing the commoners to imagine at least for a moment they were their peers, even though this couldn’t be further from the truth.
The sunset had painted the sky in bright amber, and the capital was pleasantly tranquil. The citizens were coming back from their workday, or walking home from school while younger children played on the streets. A few days ago, the newspapers announced Prince Raphael’s engagement, so obviously, the public had to be teased some more.
“We’ve allowed them too many voting rights,” Raphael continued quietly, so only Sienna would hear. “Commoners shouldn’t vote on Jaziel Hana’s decree. They don’t even understand it.”
“That’s why the royal council can veto the decision,” Sienna said. “I think more public participation is good for the government. Have some faith in the citizens of Heaven.”
“Should we agree, if they ask for genocide?”
Sienna sighed. “Your pessimism can eclipse the sun, my love.”
Raphael burst out laughing. “My love? Is that how we’ll call each other from now on?”
“I’m trying to get into the habit,” she shrugged, a little embarrassed. “You’ll have to bear with it if it sounds a tad wooden.”
“I’ll be the same person after the wedding. Just call me by my university nickname.”
“Dictator? I’d rather not.” KEEP READING
Interesting characters, a wholesome romance, and familiar grievances that plague the people will keep readers invested. – Indies Today
With richly drawn characters and a high-stakes plot, this is a powerful tale of defiance and desire. – Reader’s Favorite
The attraction level between Dante and Raphael was intense and forbidden in just the right amounts. – MM Romance Reviewed
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This was a ride from start to finish. Dante and Raphael are a complete powerhouse of a couple, but what I enjoyed most about them is that they feel like actual people. They tell jokes at inopportune moments, disagree with each other, and don’t always make the right decisions. For being an angel and a demon, they are completely and utterly human.
Reni Stankova is an author who knew what she set out to do and executed that plan not unlike Raphael. My only solid critique is that sometimes I felt as if payoff from reveals or new introductions happened too quickly, but even so, I never felt like the narrative wasn’t justified in its trajectory. The plot itself has climatic ups and downs, and every major event leads into another. The reveals were intriguing, and just enough was left unanswered to leave me eager for more. All-in-all, the story gave me some lowkey Game of Thrones meets Arianna Nash.
The Enemy of Heaven ends on a HFN. If the series continues to follow Dante and Raphael, I’m excited to see what this world…their new Heaven…might have in store for them. If it follows another couple (and I can definitely see the possibility), I would be happy for Dante and Raphael and how their story concluded. Whichever direction it goes, I’m happy to follow.
Review originally left on Amazon.
The Enemy of Heaven is Book 1 of The Heaven Trilogy. What a ride this book took me on. I love seeing versions of Heaven that aren’t stereotypical. This is a story that has a lot of things going on it. While this story mostly follows Raphael and Dante, it does introduce us to Raphael’s brothers Gabriel and Michael. They are princes of Heaven, and Dante is a demon. I loved the dynamic between Raphael and Dante. Their chemistry is so palatable. I really want to see where they go from here, however I also want to know Michael’s story. I cannot wait to read book 2!
As always be mindful of trigger warnings, what I like you may not.
Happy Reading!
Review originally left on Goodreads.
Wow, this was way more of an epic than I expected and I am totally good with that. This was a completely magical book to me. The level and depth of the characters was amazing. They were so easy to picture in my head. I felt like I understood them well and that made the book all the more worth it. I am so glad I chose this book to read and I am definitely glad that there is a book two, because I would love to know where the author takes us from here. Fantastic book.
Review originally left on Goodreads