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heartbrekker's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
One of the toughest things about writing a novella is that the author has to get readers hooked in a short amount of time while simultaneously concluding it a hundred or so pages later. While I wish Tread of Angels was longer to grow relationship dynamics, I’d still say this was a solid read.
Tread of Angels is an angels and demons fantasy that leans heavily into Christian influences. Celeste is considered a half-breed, having been born both an Elect and Fallen, and she’s dedicated a lot of her life to protecting her Fallen younger sister Mariel. One morning her sister is dragged out by soldiers after being accused of murdering a Virtue, and Celeste will stop at nothing to clear Mariel’s name, including becoming her voice in court aka advocatus diaboli. Readers follow Celeste as she tries to piece together the mystery of what really happened to the dead Virtue, and the truth will ultimately rock her world.
What I loved most about this book is its themes on biased perceptions. Our emotions are so strong when tied to our beliefs that we will rather look at the sun than directly at the mirror, which is the truth/ reality of the situation. Tread of Angels is also a book about relationships from siblings to lovers to government officials. Celeste destroys herself a bit more with every interaction because she refuses to take herself into account and rather jumps straight into the deep end. It’s a reminder that everyone is their own individual, and we gotta allow them to make their own decisions and deal with those consequences. Readers may have mixed feelings on Celeste because she’s an unreliable narrator, and I found myself interested in side characters more than her—Abraxas and Ibrahim specifically—which isn't a particularly good sign. I feel like Celeste's character arc was only just beginning in this book, so it fell a bit flat for me because we don't get to see the ramifications of the ending and its effect on her.
Again, I wish Tread of Angels were longer. It reminded me of those early 2010 years with angels and demons but in an adult and murder mystery lens. I really wish this could’ve been a great standalone that lasted way longer than 200ish pages. The history and world building of this world were just so fascinating that I didn’t want it to end.
Anyway, thank you to Saga Press for sending me a finished copy to review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
10/31: Apparently, the ARC has a slightly different ending, so if any of you know of it, please tell me. I’m going to do a deep dive on here to try to figure out what it is.
Tread of Angels is an angels and demons fantasy that leans heavily into Christian influences. Celeste is considered a half-breed, having been born both an Elect and Fallen, and she’s dedicated a lot of her life to protecting her Fallen younger sister Mariel. One morning her sister is dragged out by soldiers after being accused of murdering a Virtue, and Celeste will stop at nothing to clear Mariel’s name, including becoming her voice in court aka advocatus diaboli. Readers follow Celeste as she tries to piece together the mystery of what really happened to the dead Virtue, and the truth will ultimately rock her world.
What I loved most about this book is its themes on biased perceptions. Our emotions are so strong when tied to our beliefs that we will rather look at the sun than directly at the mirror, which is the truth/ reality of the situation. Tread of Angels is also a book about relationships from siblings to lovers to government officials. Celeste destroys herself a bit more with every interaction because she refuses to take herself into account and rather jumps straight into the deep end. It’s a reminder that everyone is their own individual, and we gotta allow them to make their own decisions and deal with those consequences. Readers may have mixed feelings on Celeste because she’s an unreliable narrator, and I found myself interested in side characters more than her—Abraxas and Ibrahim specifically—which isn't a particularly good sign. I feel like Celeste's character arc was only just beginning in this book, so it fell a bit flat for me because we don't get to see the ramifications of the ending and its effect on her.
Again, I wish Tread of Angels were longer. It reminded me of those early 2010 years with angels and demons but in an adult and murder mystery lens. I really wish this could’ve been a great standalone that lasted way longer than 200ish pages. The history and world building of this world were just so fascinating that I didn’t want it to end.
Anyway, thank you to Saga Press for sending me a finished copy to review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
10/31: Apparently, the ARC has a slightly different ending, so if any of you know of it, please tell me. I’m going to do a deep dive on here to try to figure out what it is.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Death
Moderate: Police brutality, Blood, Gore, Kidnapping, and Gaslighting
Minor: Abortion
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