Once again, Paula Weston manages to throw me back into the world of the Rephaim like I was there just yesterday; when actually, it's been more than a year since I picked up Haze. No disappointments here, my friends (not that I was expecting to be)--so if you haven't picked up this series thus far, get your butt off your seat and head over to the bookstore right this minute. If not...you are on my hate list. *side eyes all of you* Paula Weston's Rephaim series, is not your typical angel story. It's not secretly just an angsty love story like most I've read are, but it's got kickass characters, an intricate and intense plot line, as well as brilliant relationships. This series contains all the secret ingredients you need for a fantabulous story.

I feel like I knew Gaby even more after this novel. I certainly felt a connection with her in Shadows and Haze, however, having the opportunity to see her function without Rafa around was nice for a change. Gaby is still reeling from that fact that Rafa has been taken away from her and trapped, helpless by the Gatekeeper demons, and her constant anxiety and determination to get him back isrealistically portrayed. One of my main worries during my read was that Gaby's charisma would be washed away by her anxiety and strong and perhaps dense headedness, but that wasn't an issue at all. Gaby is a very witty and authentic character, and her approach to her problems is very well and smartly planned out.

What's more, despite the crazy number of characters Paula Weston has in this series, all are thoroughly developed and realistic. Jude was definitely a favourite, and he and Gaby's sibling relationship is so well written.After reading the ending of this novel...damn it will be INCREDIBLY interesting to see how their relationship will continue in the last instalment. Moreover, I definitely enjoyed the idea of the Garrison and Outcasts attempting to work together in this one to save their people (Taya and Rafa) as they have been always so divided and ill-treated towards each other.

Shimmer is ineffably a brilliant novel, yet what holds me back from giving it a full 5 stars is the pacing. Despite the fact that it reads intense and has plenty of things happening, I felt like the main plot line wasn't moving fast enough. We get a lot of tension of all sorts, planning and more character building--which is all great--but I felt myself start to lose attention here and there. Aside from thatcriticism, Shimmer was near flawless.

Beautiful writing, witty dialogue, badass characters and an intense and richly-crafted tale, what else can you ask for? If you want an angel series that will blow your mind away, this is the one. Now, I only have one question: where's book 4?