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troll_for_initiative's review
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gore, Self harm, Sexual content, Violence, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror, Rape, Sexual assault, and Alcohol
reellyfish's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I really enjoyed this book. However, I probably would not recommend this book if you’re christian/religious.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Sexual content, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Cursing, Incest, Self harm, Sexual assault, and Blood
blasphemyploganiv's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This has become one of my top 5 favorite books. It is such a cool concept, and the author's writing treads the line between poetry and prose in such a sophisticated way. The way Nicolás describes things is so beautiful and tender with his word choices. His imagery and metaphors are next level. It is self-published, so with that, there are some editing errors and style choices I would change, but Lucifer's character is probably one of my favorite arcs I have read in a long time. He starts off so pure and inquisitive as God made him, but as time goes on and he has all these experiences, he doesn't get why things are the way they are. The ending is hard to read, but at the same time, you feel for how he finally brakes. Another aspect I really enjoyed is the way masculinity is presented in the novel. It is really unique and refreshing. These angels live together for eternity and have formed such a loving and caring bond with one another. Rafael just got an agent, so I am so excited to see what he writes next and what comes of this beautifully tragic novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Self harm
Moderate: Body horror, Homophobia, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Violence
Minor: Animal death
ambers's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
'Queer people writing about religion' is (or at least should be) a genre in and of itself, and that genre is hands down one of my fav. I am exactly the kind of audience who would go ape shit for 'Lucifer and Michael are in gay love, and God is the OG villain'. Unpredictably I devoured this book in one sitting.
And while I read this book for fun, it FEELS like something I would've read for an English course. I swear I mean that as a compliment. It's a book that invites you to analyze it, so spend more time thinking about it even after you've finished the final page. I did, and while I originally rated this 3.75 stars, I ultimately bumped it up to 4 after spending some more time with it.
Because there's CLEARLY so much love, care, and thought that the author put into this book, right down to the writing style itself. I wish the author had denoted thought/dialogue a little more smoothly, but otherwise I was fully along for the ride.
From the first half to the second, from the beginning to the end, the writing gets looser, more lush and poetic, and we're introduced to multiple POVs - fitting, as Lucifer's anger, pain, and God-complex all grow. It's essentially two books in one, each with a unique writing style that tells you something key about the lead's mental state, and that's incredibly impressive for a debut novel.
This book is, of course, a heavy one. I would advise anyone to check the trigger warnings before picking it up - but if you're in the right headspace for it, it's absolutely a worthwhile read.
And while I read this book for fun, it FEELS like something I would've read for an English course. I swear I mean that as a compliment. It's a book that invites you to analyze it, so spend more time thinking about it even after you've finished the final page. I did, and while I originally rated this 3.75 stars, I ultimately bumped it up to 4 after spending some more time with it.
Because there's CLEARLY so much love, care, and thought that the author put into this book, right down to the writing style itself. I wish the author had denoted thought/dialogue a little more smoothly, but otherwise I was fully along for the ride.
From the first half to the second, from the beginning to the end, the writing gets looser, more lush and poetic, and we're introduced to multiple POVs - fitting, as Lucifer's anger, pain, and God-complex all grow. It's essentially two books in one, each with a unique writing style that tells you something key about the lead's mental state, and that's incredibly impressive for a debut novel.
This book is, of course, a heavy one. I would advise anyone to check the trigger warnings before picking it up - but if you're in the right headspace for it, it's absolutely a worthwhile read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gore, Self harm, Torture, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Sexual assault
madscanread's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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
5.0
The slow corruption of a pure, innocent angel to a hysterical, unstable beast spurred on by a cruel, jealous father. A book to make you hate god viscerally and while not making you love Lucifer, it at the very least makes you understand and mourn for him.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Emotional abuse, Gore, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Cannibalism
Moderate: Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and War
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Confinement, Incest, Panic attacks/disorders, and Injury/Injury detail
mangosunscreen's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Self harm, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Incest, Sexual assault, and Torture
wolfstackdocks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Complicated feelings here. Did I like it? Was it well written? Yeah, mostly.
The prose was beautiful, right from the beginning, and I absolutely love how it devolves alongside Lucifer’s fall from grace.
The pacing was off. Things felt too slow, and then the lead-up to The Fall itself (or, the final action leading to The Fall) felt like a wild escalation.
I feel like there’s a lot of opportunity for a heart-wrenching story & drawing parallels between being queer and falling from grace. It’s what I expected to get out of this book, and didn’t. It’s certainly a queer book, I would’ve just liked more on The Fall itself.
I’d recommend it to anyone who it appeals to, as the content warnings are in the book itself, and some people might find the pacing as apt as the prose falling apart alongside Lucifer. Though, if you’re going to be weird about angels in a relationship calling each other Brother — get over it (or don’t).
The prose was beautiful, right from the beginning, and I absolutely love how it devolves alongside Lucifer’s fall from grace.
The pacing was off. Things felt too slow, and then the lead-up to The Fall itself (or, the final action leading to The Fall) felt like a wild escalation.
I feel like there’s a lot of opportunity for a heart-wrenching story & drawing parallels between being queer and falling from grace. It’s what I expected to get out of this book, and didn’t. It’s certainly a queer book, I would’ve just liked more on The Fall itself.
I’d recommend it to anyone who it appeals to, as the content warnings are in the book itself, and some people might find the pacing as apt as the prose falling apart alongside Lucifer. Though, if you’re going to be weird about angels in a relationship calling each other Brother — get over it (or don’t).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
angelas_book_nook's review
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Self harm, Violence, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Body horror and Mental illness
Minor: Animal death and Sexual assault
tinyelfarcanist's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“Angel of beauty.” That’s what Lucifer has been called from the moment of his creation. Ashamed of his appearance, he wants nothing more than to spend his days worshipping God. That is until archangel Michael grabs his attention. A lyrical retelling of Lucifer's fall.
This is one of the darkest books I've read and I suggest you look at the content warnings before diving into this one. The following is a list of the topics included in my review, just a meagre example of those contained in this novel.
CW: swearing, blasphemy, and mention of wicked acts.
This is one of the darkest books I've read and I suggest you look at the content warnings before diving into this one. The following is a list of the topics included in my review, just a meagre example of those contained in this novel.
CW: swearing, blasphemy, and mention of wicked acts.
"He is beautiful," the seraph said as the cherub cried out from a scathingly sore throat. "The most magnificent of all your angels, Father."
I loved the prose reflecting Lucifer’s mental state. Lucifer is an interesting character if unappealing at times.
This book is split into two distinct sections. I divided my review as such. Don't be fooled by the sweetness of the first part, this book doesn't shy away from picturing the depravity that a tortured individual is driven to.
Part 1:
So. Fucking. Cute. A naive and recently created Lucifer shares sweet banter with other playful angels in Heaven...
What else could an angel be but happy?
On the surface, this is a story about a beloved bard finding his purpose, a story about a narcissistic pimp and his favourite twink. A story about angels in love.
Why would God make him so beautiful if that beauty wasn’t meant to be admired?
Paradise is not what it seems.
Part 2:
Looking deeper, this is a commentary on jealousy, identity, and religious trauma.
The Lord said, "Sing, angel," His voice all-encompassing, "and you will be saved." Lucifer did so, fearing his God.
For a restless angel like Lucifer, mindless worshipping and hedonism won’t do.
Angels Before Man is powerful in its painfully accurate depictions of depression, wrath, passion, and pride. It is a blasphemous display of the unforgiving Father and the angel who was punished for questioning.
God may have created his equal. He made a perfect angel, and He will soon discover that power corrupts. Lucifer grows more spiteful every time he’s reprimanded.
Let’s not forget that for all of Lucifer’s deviousness, he is God’s creation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Body shaming, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Murder, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Moderate: Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Fire/Fire injury
cryscries's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Honestly if you liked song of Achilles you will probably like this book (but more like lovers to enemies- lots of angst). I was so invested that the second half reminded me how the fall of Lucifer was going to end. The emotions really hit in the second half as Lucifer’s corruption arc.
Before the story starts there is a trigger warning page as well as a helpful suggestion of when to stop reading! Part two isn’t necessary to read (as stated on the page).
Before the story starts there is a trigger warning page as well as a helpful suggestion of when to stop reading! Part two isn’t necessary to read (as stated on the page).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Gaslighting
This mostly happens in the second half of the book which is optional to read. A part of it (like the sexual assault) isn’t explicitly said word for word and rather hinted that it’s happened + a monologue.