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violetlunablossom's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Oh Angels & Man...where do I begin? I feel as if Rafael Nicolás ripped out my heart, blended it in a blender, served it back to me as a smoothie, and watched in glee as I gagged it down. This book is a volley of tragedy and just like Angels Before Man, I was left with an unintelligible feeling of sorrow when I finished it.
Azazel and Samyaza were fantastic dual protagonists and I love how their trauma from Lucifer's rebellion was portrayed in this book; there's so much anguish, denial, and confusion. It makes the contrast between Samyaza's righteousness and Azazel's guilt so much more engaging, especially when it came to the way that they dealt with characters from the previous book. And speaking of characters from the previous book, I absolutely love how they're brought back and included in the main plot. So many of my favorite chapters include the manifestation of Lucifer and Michael's bitter yearning or Asmodeus and Rosier's rattled relationship. Nicolás has such a talent for writing broken and regretful relationships, it really shows through the immaculate dialogue (both inner and outer) and brilliant descriptions.
There were times, however, when I felt the pacing of the book got a little show, and it really shows when the Watchers and the humans are the focus of the chapter. Yes, I know this book is called Angels AND Man but I felt like the human characters were far less interesting than their angel partners. It was much more interesting to read about the angels interacting with the humans than the humans interacting with the angels (if that makes any sense at all). Despite that, I feel like the ending was one of the most impactful endings I've read in a while. Everything felt earned and the build-up to it all is undeniably remarkable. I think I may like it even more than the ending of Angels Before Man.
In essence, Angels & Man is nearly everything that I could want out of the sequel to one of my favorite books. There are moments where things get a little rocky but all the positives of the book vastly outweigh the negatives. I wait in excited apprehension for how Nicolás will end this incredible trilogy with the final book.
Azazel and Samyaza were fantastic dual protagonists and I love how their trauma from Lucifer's rebellion was portrayed in this book; there's so much anguish, denial, and confusion. It makes the contrast between Samyaza's righteousness and Azazel's guilt so much more engaging, especially when it came to the way that they dealt with characters from the previous book. And speaking of characters from the previous book, I absolutely love how they're brought back and included in the main plot. So many of my favorite chapters include the manifestation of Lucifer and Michael's bitter yearning or Asmodeus and Rosier's rattled relationship. Nicolás has such a talent for writing broken and regretful relationships, it really shows through the immaculate dialogue (both inner and outer) and brilliant descriptions.
There were times, however, when I felt the pacing of the book got a little show, and it really shows when the Watchers and the humans are the focus of the chapter. Yes, I know this book is called Angels AND Man but I felt like the human characters were far less interesting than their angel partners. It was much more interesting to read about the angels interacting with the humans than the humans interacting with the angels (if that makes any sense at all). Despite that, I feel like the ending was one of the most impactful endings I've read in a while. Everything felt earned and the build-up to it all is undeniably remarkable. I think I may like it even more than the ending of Angels Before Man.
In essence, Angels & Man is nearly everything that I could want out of the sequel to one of my favorite books. There are moments where things get a little rocky but all the positives of the book vastly outweigh the negatives. I wait in excited apprehension for how Nicolás will end this incredible trilogy with the final book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cannibalism, Pregnancy, Death, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Child death, Self harm, and Gaslighting
peggy_racham's review
5.0
Will I ever recover from this book?
"The same God that loathes you loves you. He abhors you the same way that he adores you — over fire. "
"The same God that loathes you loves you. He abhors you the same way that he adores you — over fire. "
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Body horror, Child abuse, Murder, Pregnancy, Death, Grief, Physical abuse, Rape, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Self harm, Violence, War, Miscarriage, Blood, Cannibalism, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Suicide, Torture, and Toxic relationship
dead_colonel's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Sexual content, and Death
Moderate: Self harm, Suicide, Miscarriage, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Child death
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