A Terrible Fall of Angels [Book Review]

Synopsis:

Angels walk among us, but so do other unearthly beings in this brand new series by #1 New York Times Bestselling author Laurell K. Hamilton.

Meet Detective Zaniel Havelock, a man with the special ability to communicate directly with angels. A former trained Angel speaker, he devoted his life to serving both the celestial beings and his fellow humans with his gift, but a terrible betrayal compelled him to leave that life behind. Now he’s a cop who is still working on the side of angels. But where there are angels, there are also demons. There’s no question that there’s evil at work when he’s called in to examine the murder scene of a college student—but is it just the evil that one human being can do to another, or is it something more? When demonic possession is a possibility, even angelic protection can only go so far. The race is on to stop a killer before he finds his next victim, as Zaniel is forced to confront his own very personal demons, and the past he never truly left behind.

The first in a new series from the author of the Anita Blake and Merry Gentry series.

REVIEW:

Cons:

1. Laurell K Hamilton is known for her sex scenes. I am on the boat that sometimes there are too many sex scenes that do not develop plot or are just pointless, but she does write a good scene. I was very excited to see how Hamilton wrote a sex scene from a man's prospective -- but we didn't get any in this book. And that's ultimately fine, but I just wanted to see it (or read it).

2. It was such a fast-paced novel that I felt like there were too many fight scenes and not enough development, but I feel that this might be mostly my impatience because I really want to know how this world works! I know that she will get there.

3. A small part of me wanted there to be an Anita or Merry cameo -- or even a cameo of any of the characters from one of the other series. However, it seems that Zaniel might be in another universe altogether, which means cameos from the other series are probably never going to happen.

4. I was hoping that Zaniel was going to be an angel himself or part-angel. This isn't a spoiler, we get this fact out of the way pretty early. He is not angel. (I will say, what he is is a pro that I'll cover in the Pro section).

PROS:

1. Zaniel might not be an angel, but what he IS is probably better because it's more interesting. I can't wait to find out more!!!

2. Loved that totems were brought into the story because they are similar in ways to Guardian Angels and love the fact that Hamilton is presenting all the angel religious stuff in an objective way. Oftentimes stories about angels and angel lore are A. not related to religious fact at all, or B. WAY TOO preachy that it makes me want to gag and be done with it. It's refreshing to read a story so deep in religious lore without it feeling like I'm sitting in a sermon. Not to mention that Hamilton touches on things that the church as a collective might be against and explains how in true religious lore, it could be acceptable. That religion is cloesly tied to your perception and not what your preacher may have told you. It was very cleverly done without being offensive to either side.

3. Can't wait to find out more about what Zaniel got, power-wise, after defeating the book's big baddie. Hamilton is notorious for her main characters gaining new abilities from their enemies. We'll have to wait until the next book to see what this does. Also, can't wait to find out what Zaniel's totem is, cause you know that's going to be covered eventually.

4. I loved the concept of the Angel College. It kind of reminds me of that ninja school that Batman was taken to as a child. Or all those stories about these secret societies that steal kids away when they are very young and train them to be killers -- except these are people that can speak or listen or call angels. Can't wait to learn more about them.

SCORE:

5/5 stars!

I love Laurell K Hamilton, even though her Anita novels have seemed to become repetitive. It's nice to see a refreshing start to a new series. Hamilton still has a TON of story and originality up her sleeve and I can't wait for more more MORE!!!