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pagesofash's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Racism, Homophobia, and Xenophobia
Minor: Rape and Antisemitism
imyril's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Los Nefilim fare better with a novel to give their tales space to breathe, but I’m not a fan of Frohock’s storytelling. This was okay, and it was good to see the historical context finally become relevant, but four tales in I’m still not invested in the characters so I’ll be leaving the series here.
badmc's review against another edition
5.0
Soundtrack:Happy Days are Here Again!
It's a happy day indeed, so many things I like in one place! Midway through the book I realized it's fourth in a series, so now I have some catching-up to do.
An interesting magic system. Music-imbued sigils? Yes please! If you follow the text, you can listen to a pretty interesting soundtrack. It was great to hear ol' Brahms and Berlioz as a soundtrack to angel-killing and soul-eating!
A new(ish) take on an old trope. Children of angels and humans - now with more warfare, memories from past incarnations, and angst.
The realistic portrayal of some facets of human nature. There is talk about trauma, PTSD, addiction, obsession, and nightmares. The author doesn't shy away from the violence, but manages to convey a sense of camaraderie and hope in her characters, which I came to appreciate (I blame too much of Abercombie in a short time period for my disdain of grimdark, really).
The music. I repeat myself, but of, what joy! It makes me overlook a somewhat odd pacing and over-dramatics.
It's a happy day indeed, so many things I like in one place! Midway through the book I realized it's fourth in a series, so now I have some catching-up to do.
An interesting magic system. Music-imbued sigils? Yes please! If you follow the text, you can listen to a pretty interesting soundtrack. It was great to hear ol' Brahms and Berlioz as a soundtrack to angel-killing and soul-eating!
A new(ish) take on an old trope. Children of angels and humans - now with more warfare, memories from past incarnations, and angst.
The realistic portrayal of some facets of human nature. There is talk about trauma, PTSD, addiction, obsession, and nightmares. The author doesn't shy away from the violence, but manages to convey a sense of camaraderie and hope in her characters, which I came to appreciate (I blame too much of Abercombie in a short time period for my disdain of grimdark, really).
The music. I repeat myself, but of, what joy! It makes me overlook a somewhat odd pacing and over-dramatics.
devrose's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book a lot more than I expected to based on the description. I loved the concept of song as magic and it was interesting to see a fantasy version of the period leading up to WWII. It's pretty obvious that it's not the first in the series - there are three novellas that come first that I haven't read - but you can understand the plot without reading the novellas first. I'm definitely going to read those novellas once February 2020 comes around and watch for more books in this series.
upsidedown10's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This series really snuck it's way into my heart. These characters are now Very Important to me. I love watching Diago learn to be a part of a group and a part of a family. I love watching Miquel learn how love Diago with thoughtful care. I love watching Rafael learning how to be loved without fear. These themes go throughout every moment of the series which leaves you with a sense of comfort and love even during the action scenes.
My favorite parts of this book/series are the ones where characters are talking to each other about their relationships, hopes, and doubts. The plot is not important to me, even though it was very good. With a little more time, I think that this could become one of my favorite series.
My favorite parts of this book/series are the ones where characters are talking to each other about their relationships, hopes, and doubts. The plot is not important to me, even though it was very good. With a little more time, I think that this could become one of my favorite series.
belowvaultedsky's review
4.0
For those who are new to the series, Los Nefilim presents an early 1930's Europe in which nefilim, the children of angels and daimons, live hidden amidst mortal kind and serve the angels as earthly soldiers in the angel-daimon war. We follow the activity of the Spanish nephilim branch, Los Nefilim, particularly one Diago Alvarez--a half-angel, half-daimon being who's recently been inducted into the organization.
While I'd enjoyed the novellas (the characters in particular), I did feel like I was getting held back on the worldbuilding and nefilim lore. This full-length novel firmly addresses those problems. So now we get the heart-tugging family dynamic of the novellas plus a deeper exploration into the nefilim's magic and their history. The story also widens its field of view to include Germany, introducing a new kind of tension relating to growing Aryan supremacy and too-curious Nazi officers.
While we don't see a lot of interaction between Diago and his companions (and thus not a lot of development), what we do see of the characters individually I really liked.
Diago's existence continues to spit in the face of toxic masculinity. Besides being a badass half-angel, half-daimon being who can harness musical energy, he's also a loving husband, doting father, and a battler of PTSD, full of insecurities and fears but also a willingness (however reluctant) to voice them, which frankly makes him all the more badass.
Rafael continues to be the best kid character I've encountered in adult fantasy in the past year. So sweet. So adorable. So authentically child-like--not an adult's skewed vision of what a child should be. And so incredibly bad for my heart because it melts every time he shows up on page.
Disappointingly, Diago's husband Miquel takes a backseat in this story, but on the upside, we do see a lot of Guillermo, the leader of Los Nefilim, and through his eyes we get more deeply entrenched into the political side of the war which I wholly enjoyed.
The espionage section of the story is the really interesting bit. The blurb dresses it up in this flashy action-adventure garb, but the reality is something more intimate and ordinary and creepy:
One house, two brothers, strange happenings, and suspense threatening to spill through the edges.
When you lay out such a seemingly mundane setting and plop down a character who's as powerful as Diago is and still manage to make the readers fearful for him, you'll hear me applauding in the background because that's such a hard thing to pull off.
While reading the novellas beforehand would be helpful, I don't think it's necessary for the enjoyment of the story. I heartily recommend this to anyone who likes angel/demon stories, music magic, fantasy mixing with pre-WW2 history, and male protagonists who embrace vulnerability.
While I'd enjoyed the novellas (the characters in particular), I did feel like I was getting held back on the worldbuilding and nefilim lore. This full-length novel firmly addresses those problems. So now we get the heart-tugging family dynamic of the novellas plus a deeper exploration into the nefilim's magic and their history. The story also widens its field of view to include Germany, introducing a new kind of tension relating to growing Aryan supremacy and too-curious Nazi officers.
While we don't see a lot of interaction between Diago and his companions (and thus not a lot of development), what we do see of the characters individually I really liked.
Diago's existence continues to spit in the face of toxic masculinity. Besides being a badass half-angel, half-daimon being who can harness musical energy, he's also a loving husband, doting father, and a battler of PTSD, full of insecurities and fears but also a willingness (however reluctant) to voice them, which frankly makes him all the more badass.
Rafael continues to be the best kid character I've encountered in adult fantasy in the past year. So sweet. So adorable. So authentically child-like--not an adult's skewed vision of what a child should be. And so incredibly bad for my heart because it melts every time he shows up on page.
"Don't come home beat up. Every time you go away without us, you come home beat up."
Disappointingly, Diago's husband Miquel takes a backseat in this story, but on the upside, we do see a lot of Guillermo, the leader of Los Nefilim, and through his eyes we get more deeply entrenched into the political side of the war which I wholly enjoyed.
The espionage section of the story is the really interesting bit. The blurb dresses it up in this flashy action-adventure garb, but the reality is something more intimate and ordinary and creepy:
One house, two brothers, strange happenings, and suspense threatening to spill through the edges.
When you lay out such a seemingly mundane setting and plop down a character who's as powerful as Diago is and still manage to make the readers fearful for him, you'll hear me applauding in the background because that's such a hard thing to pull off.
While reading the novellas beforehand would be helpful, I don't think it's necessary for the enjoyment of the story. I heartily recommend this to anyone who likes angel/demon stories, music magic, fantasy mixing with pre-WW2 history, and male protagonists who embrace vulnerability.
saphirablue's review against another edition
4.0
I love it.
I love Diago so much. His whole being and how he tries and tries and tries and even though it's enough he still feels that it isn't. I love how Miquel and Guillermo remind him that it's enough and have his back. Especially Guillermo - coming to save him and get him out. <3
Also, I would really, really, really love to read about how Miquel and Diago (and Guillermo) meet in each incarnation and how Miquel managed to teach/convince Diago that he is loved and worth it.
I also like that Miquel is forced to reflect that some of his behavior (even though it isn't really bad) still has an impact on Diago that isn't entirely positive.
I love the idea of the sigils and them being damaged during the Great War (and double the love to remind people that the great War hasn't been over that long and that the wounds in people and landscape are still open and healing) and that this leads to an rogue angel trying to break through to our realm.
I love that we got a bit more history on the Nefilim in general and especially Diago and Guillermo. I love that we get to know a bit more about how the re-incarnation and everything else works.
I'm still madly in love with the fact that they all sing their magic. <3
The mirror was creepy! And I'm not easily creeped out while reading. Watching something, yes. But reading? Usually not. But in this case... Also, my heart is breaking for Harvey and the others. If I understood it correctly - they are trapped there forever (or until Frauja finds a way out of there and someone manages to kill him?)? :(
I kind of wanted soul!Rudi to stay with Diago. I may sound creepy/whatever, but I think it would have been adorable. Diago and his little protector soul/shadow.
The only thing that I'm a bit "Hmm" about is, that some things spelled in German should have been written with upper cases. It's a tiny thing to nitpick, but it just throws me out of a story. *shrugs* Also, I'm a bit sad that it's once again about a power struggle between brothers. I hoped for a long time that Jordi is undercover or something and it ends up all of them are on the same side against Frauja. :/ I mean, I still enjoyed reading it but, yeah, I still hoped.
So, yeah, loved it and I'm looking forward to the next part!
I love Diago so much. His whole being and how he tries and tries and tries and even though it's enough he still feels that it isn't. I love how Miquel and Guillermo remind him that it's enough and have his back. Especially Guillermo - coming to save him and get him out. <3
Also, I would really, really, really love to read about how Miquel and Diago (and Guillermo) meet in each incarnation and how Miquel managed to teach/convince Diago that he is loved and worth it.
I also like that Miquel is forced to reflect that some of his behavior (even though it isn't really bad) still has an impact on Diago that isn't entirely positive.
I love the idea of the sigils and them being damaged during the Great War (and double the love to remind people that the great War hasn't been over that long and that the wounds in people and landscape are still open and healing) and that this leads to an rogue angel trying to break through to our realm.
I love that we got a bit more history on the Nefilim in general and especially Diago and Guillermo. I love that we get to know a bit more about how the re-incarnation and everything else works.
I'm still madly in love with the fact that they all sing their magic. <3
The mirror was creepy! And I'm not easily creeped out while reading. Watching something, yes. But reading? Usually not. But in this case... Also, my heart is breaking for Harvey and the others. If I understood it correctly - they are trapped there forever (or until Frauja finds a way out of there and someone manages to kill him?)? :(
I kind of wanted soul!Rudi to stay with Diago. I may sound creepy/whatever, but I think it would have been adorable. Diago and his little protector soul/shadow.
The only thing that I'm a bit "Hmm" about is, that some things spelled in German should have been written with upper cases. It's a tiny thing to nitpick, but it just throws me out of a story. *shrugs* Also, I'm a bit sad that it's once again about a power struggle between brothers. I hoped for a long time that Jordi is undercover or something and it ends up all of them are on the same side against Frauja. :/ I mean, I still enjoyed reading it but, yeah, I still hoped.
So, yeah, loved it and I'm looking forward to the next part!
tomunro's review against another edition
5.0
A delightful standalone excursion into the world of Los Nefilim, part spy thriller, part gothic horror, part magical warfare, as the husband and husband team of Diago and Miquel navigate dangers across Europe on the eve of the Spanish Civil War.
I posted a full review at the Fantasy Hive, here
http://fantasy-hive.co.uk/2019/01/where-oblivion-lives-by-t-frohock-book-review/
The author also kindly answered some interview questions about the book and the process of writing it, here
http://fantasy-hive.co.uk/2019/02/interview-with-teresa-frohock-where-oblivion-lives/
I posted a full review at the Fantasy Hive, here
http://fantasy-hive.co.uk/2019/01/where-oblivion-lives-by-t-frohock-book-review/
The author also kindly answered some interview questions about the book and the process of writing it, here
http://fantasy-hive.co.uk/2019/02/interview-with-teresa-frohock-where-oblivion-lives/
para's review against another edition
4.0
4.5/5 RTC
This was even better than the novellas, since the story got some breathing space. And the novellas were already excellent. Can't wait for the next one.
This was even better than the novellas, since the story got some breathing space. And the novellas were already excellent. Can't wait for the next one.