7TH BOOK IN THE SUMMONERS MARK SERIES
RELEASED: FEBRUARY 11, 2026
PUBLISHER: SLIPPERY WORDS BOOKS
LENGTH: 246 PAGES
GENRE: URBAN ROMANTASY
Before I get to the full-on review of this specific book, let me say something about this series as a whole. The Summoner's Mark Series will hold a special place in my soul because I really think it's unique in the space it occupies. Even though there are several tropes and several ways in which it stays faithful to the genre. JD has an incredible way of not just flushing out these characters but giving them all unique signatures, unique voices, and, moreover, incredibly unique arcs. Every character gets a moment in the sun, so to speak, here. Of course, we all are going to have our favorites, and some stories resonate more than others do, but I truly appreciate all the work JD has done to get us to this point and in this story in particular.
Becs is a rare commodity in the book realm, a flawed character who never had to find the courage and confidence; she just had to believe in it. She also had to accept a lot of the guilt and blame for how the events unfolded, right or wrong, and what happens throughout this series because of her motives. With that, not only as an audience do we come to appreciate it, but all the characters she encounters in one way or another do as well. It's cool to see that kismet play out on a page and her head simultaneously.
That's all due to a majorly fucking talented writer in J Blackrose. I think that, along with the way in which she writes (which I have mentioned in every review of this series, and get ready because it's coming again), really makes this a unique experience that, even if the romance and the urban fantasy tropiness give you pause, I am here to say it shouldn't. While Demon Kissed will always be my absolute favorite, and spoiler alert, that is not unseated here with this book, each book in the series has something different and interesting about it. So shall we get to what that is with Book 7? Here we go...
Angel Flash has so many amazing moments in it, both from the technical writing perspective and within the story itself. As I mentioned above, the great thing about these books is that we tend to get some ancillary characters getting their due and being part of the story, and in this book, that comes from one of the quieter background characters, but one we always had gotten a little bit from, in Oded. Also, it comes in the form of one of the better side quests and subplots of the entire series. This was a fun little adventure that really pulled me into the book. In fact, for me its where the book really begins, more on that later in this review.
Then there is the red herring of this entire series that has been hanging around like an albatross for at least 3 books now, probably more like 5 of them. It finally also flushes out here. Which is an amazing bit of great romance writing. The organic ( well, as organic as one going to Hell and dealing with dark magic, wands, and Archangels can be at least) manner in which what was folded in unfolds here in a bit of brilliant storytelling. I love the moment, especially when, in the darkest spot, the brightest light shone. I also love how it cleans up in the end; that was always going to be tricky, and honestly, some might be a bit perturbed by it, but not this reader. I was more concerned about how JD was going to write her way out of it, and I think it was with the best amount of gravitas it could have been done with. Those with a desire for it to have gone any other way will just have to get over it. I think the right choice was made.
I love that in this book we get a lot of the older Becs from the Fae Crossed, Hell Bound editions here. I, for one, liked and missed that Becs, so I am happy she returns. I think one of the great gifts from JD in this series was Pinky's Promise, the 6th book in the series and the one preceding the events here, because I think there was a tonal shift and also a real reflectiveness to Becs, in a manner in which we hadn't seen her deal with before, and in doing so we get probably one of the best versions of this character we have had in a while.
Humor has always been such a great difuser here, and sprinkled in appropriately, it really does enhance the overall voice and experience of all these books, but in Angel Flash, we really begin to see the efforts of the changes all of these characters go through with this device. It is one of the better ways throughout this series that JD has used. Especially after the scene I referred to in Oded's shining moment. There is a real cadence that is created akin to a Guardians of the Galaxy-esque feel. The 3rd act really leans into that as well.
I like how some of the mainstays of the previous books continue here. For example, like making sure we check in on almost every character and where they are at, following the previous book. I like how we learn a little something about them more than we knew going into the book. Of course, I have already mentioned it, but the sarcasm here is nicely twisted in when needed.
Angel Flash from about page 40 on is a spectacular read. Incredible 2nd and amazing 3rd acts, followed by one of the best Epilogues I have ever read, very Marvel end credits-esque. Actually, the moment of moments in the Epiologue reminds me a lot of a particular moment in The Empire Strikes Back.
The only thing I had a hard time with was the beginning of this book; there was a lot of info dumping and rehashing of what had gone on for 6 books, and that was tough to get through, honestly. I think if it had started at the Dojo and gone from there, this might have given Demon Kissed a run for its money in terms of my favorites. However, from the moment we see Jemma till the end, I could not put this book down.
For those of you skipping from book 3 and on into this book, that bit will be quite helpful though. Although I would not recommend it. Also, I will say in complete fairness that when that moment I spoke of earlier flushes the red herring, or at least makes it no longer a red herring, the first pages make a lot more sense and are a tad more helpful to have than not.
I love how this ends, I love how it moves forward from the ending in the Epilogue, and if there is a Book 8 that spins a whole new series or just a whole new series; I am in. However, if this is where it ends, I am also very satisfied as someone who has absorbed all 7 books is to say, "thank you JD Blackrose." You gave this reader everything they could have asked for, answered all the questions, and solved the puzzle that needed to be solved.
If you have not started this journey yet, then what are you waiting for?
Here's your engraved invitation to do so....
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