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4.13 AVERAGE
4.13 AVERAGE
reflective
tense
slow-paced
The writing is very beautiful and different; unique, descriptive word choice that can be overwhelming in scale. The story is interesting but not unique, and by the end I was wishing there had been less focus on the book itself and more on the afterwards.
There are a lot of character inner-voice thoughts that are not made distinct enough from the rest of the dialogue and it can at times be confusing if you are not paying rapt attention.
I'd definitely be interested in reading anything else the author creates but this won't be one of my top favorites for the year.
There are a lot of character inner-voice thoughts that are not made distinct enough from the rest of the dialogue and it can at times be confusing if you are not paying rapt attention.
I'd definitely be interested in reading anything else the author creates but this won't be one of my top favorites for the year.
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
dark
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
as someone who was raised catholic, this hit different
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
i have a soft spot for biblical based books, especially ones dealing with the fall of angels. the two parts of the book are very different, so different that it's jarring as it goes from slice of life to horror. the writing is lovely though and i'm looking forward to reading the next few books.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Rape
Reading some other reviews, there seems to be a divide between those who prefer the first half, and those who prefer the second half. I'm in the latter camp.
Where the first half was mostly exposition, the second half is where the pace picks up. While I'm a sucker for beautifully written prose, there is, as it seems, such a thing as too much. I found myself wanting to skim entire paragraphs because it would go on to describe a mundane activity in incredible detail for the umpteenth time, though this was mostly in the first half. (I also think that the language was fitting for a Biblical story, but that does not mean it made for an easier read.)
Yet at the same time, for all its descriptiveness, the many, many angels often feel indistinguishable from one another (save a few) and it could have greatly benefited from a glossary. Thankfully, Angels & Man (the next in the series) has such a thing.
The second half, in my opinion, wasn't pleasant to read, nor is it intended to be. It is visceral and nerve wracking, especially since the reader already knows how it will end. But I did find myself crying through a lot of it, swept up in the myriad of confusing emotions of Lucifer. The joys and horrors of discovery were beautiful as they were agonizing for some of the characters, Lucifer especially. There are some stylistic choices in terms of editing that only make sense once acknowledged that these are thoughts that do not belong to the Angel of Beauty and Worship Lucifer as we know him.
All in all, however, the book, to me, was much like Lucifer himself: Tragic, sometimes confusing and convoluted, sometimes in search of what it wanted to be, not always likable, but above all, beautiful and unique. (And it should be allowed its pride in being such.)
Where the first half was mostly exposition, the second half is where the pace picks up. While I'm a sucker for beautifully written prose, there is, as it seems, such a thing as too much. I found myself wanting to skim entire paragraphs because it would go on to describe a mundane activity in incredible detail for the umpteenth time, though this was mostly in the first half. (I also think that the language was fitting for a Biblical story, but that does not mean it made for an easier read.)
Yet at the same time, for all its descriptiveness, the many, many angels often feel indistinguishable from one another (save a few) and it could have greatly benefited from a glossary. Thankfully, Angels & Man (the next in the series) has such a thing.
The second half, in my opinion, wasn't pleasant to read, nor is it intended to be. It is visceral and nerve wracking, especially since the reader already knows how it will end. But I did find myself crying through a lot of it, swept up in the myriad of confusing emotions of Lucifer. The joys and horrors of discovery were beautiful as they were agonizing for some of the characters, Lucifer especially. There are some stylistic choices in terms of editing that only make sense once acknowledged that these are thoughts that do not belong to the Angel of Beauty and Worship Lucifer as we know him.
All in all, however, the book, to me, was much like Lucifer himself: Tragic, sometimes confusing and convoluted, sometimes in search of what it wanted to be, not always likable, but above all, beautiful and unique. (And it should be allowed its pride in being such.)
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This is a queer retelling of the fall of Lucifer, that alone made it an auto buy for me, and wow am I so glad I did.
I definitely had to push myself to get through the first 100 pages, it dragged a little in the beginning, but it was worth it. This book is so tragically beautiful. It's one of those books that leaves you feeling deeply unmoored at the end. I was actually expecting something much different than how the story turned out, but I didn't mind this ending. I think I thought there was going to be a bit more romantic tragedy, but it actually seemed to me that the relationship with Michael was a very minor part of Lucifer's changing.
It read similar to a novel in verse, lots of poetic phrases, and reminded me a little of Hell Followed With Us, if that book had more ambiguous morality. It's intense, definitely something you need to be in the mood for reading, but it's an achingly elegant book that you will carry with you once you finish it.
I definitely had to push myself to get through the first 100 pages, it dragged a little in the beginning, but it was worth it. This book is so tragically beautiful. It's one of those books that leaves you feeling deeply unmoored at the end. I was actually expecting something much different than how the story turned out, but I didn't mind this ending. I think I thought there was going to be a bit more romantic tragedy, but it actually seemed to me that the relationship with Michael was a very minor part of Lucifer's changing.
It read similar to a novel in verse, lots of poetic phrases, and reminded me a little of Hell Followed With Us, if that book had more ambiguous morality. It's intense, definitely something you need to be in the mood for reading, but it's an achingly elegant book that you will carry with you once you finish it.