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4.13 AVERAGE
4.13 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I adored the vast majority of this story. Absolutely gorgeous prose, the author knows how to make Lucifers uncertainty and pain felt so well, it has so many lines and moments that remain stuck in my head and Lucifers downward spiral hangs over your head like an axe…
For that I am devastated to give this book such a low score.
There is a solid 50 page block that completely ruins the rest of the book for me. I love when stories depict a character in crisis through a change in writing style and pace, it allows readers to connect so much better, but I believe this was done so terribly, I almost put the book down entirely even though I was already so close to the end.
I loved this book so thoroughly up until that point that I thought I would be giving it a 5 star. I’m so disappointed.
For that I am devastated to give this book such a low score.
There is a solid 50 page block that completely ruins the rest of the book for me. I love when stories depict a character in crisis through a change in writing style and pace, it allows readers to connect so much better, but I believe this was done so terribly, I almost put the book down entirely even though I was already so close to the end.
I loved this book so thoroughly up until that point that I thought I would be giving it a 5 star. I’m so disappointed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm
Moderate: Body horror, Sexual assault
Minor: Animal death
emotional
reflective
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
If i could rate it higher i would. i ADORE everything about this book. I felt I could resonate with a lot with the characters. So many good one liners i want to imprint them into my brain. This book has lived in my brain like a parasite rent free since I first read it and don’t plan to ever let it go. Will be an annual reread for me. I can’t be any more obsessed with this book tbh.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I originally gave this book a four star rating due to some areas where there was a lack of clarity as to what was going on, or grammatical errors…
Ultimately, I’m bumping it up two weeks later to a five star review. I’ve been thinking about the book and story regularly, even dreaming about the situation and characters, and feel like I have a new perspective on religion, cults, and religious trauma.
While I think the book needs some serious attention from a high-quality editor, the story and content is a wonderful slice of life chronicling of the “original heaven“ and the downfall Lucifer.
P.S. My only other complaint is the somewhat gratuitous (or at least seemingly unnecessary to the plot) SA between two side characters, and the use of SA as the turning point in a character’s arc. That said, the latter use feels horrifically authentic to many peoples experience of authority figures in the church, so maybe this was well placed use of SA.
Ultimately, I’m bumping it up two weeks later to a five star review. I’ve been thinking about the book and story regularly, even dreaming about the situation and characters, and feel like I have a new perspective on religion, cults, and religious trauma.
While I think the book needs some serious attention from a high-quality editor, the story and content is a wonderful slice of life chronicling of the “original heaven“ and the downfall Lucifer.
P.S. My only other complaint is the somewhat gratuitous (or at least seemingly unnecessary to the plot) SA between two side characters, and the use of SA as the turning point in a character’s arc. That said, the latter use feels horrifically authentic to many peoples experience of authority figures in the church, so maybe this was well placed use of SA.
It hurt to read but it was so good! 10/10 would recommend to everyone.
angels before man was gut wrenching.
we meet Lucifer at the very beginning of his life. it’s hard not to love a character you’ve known since they were born. seeing him go from a kind meek person to a creature fueled off of his pain was such an interesting experience.
at first i was a bit nervous about this book, i thought it would upset me due to the story it is retelling. it did upset me but not in the way that i went in thinking it would. seeing Lucifer experience the things that would lead to his rebellion hurt. seeing the people around him turn a blind eye to his suffering hurt. seeing him struggle with loving himself and just wanting to love others hurt.
overall, this was a beautiful story.
we meet Lucifer at the very beginning of his life. it’s hard not to love a character you’ve known since they were born. seeing him go from a kind meek person to a creature fueled off of his pain was such an interesting experience.
at first i was a bit nervous about this book, i thought it would upset me due to the story it is retelling. it did upset me but not in the way that i went in thinking it would. seeing Lucifer experience the things that would lead to his rebellion hurt. seeing the people around him turn a blind eye to his suffering hurt. seeing him struggle with loving himself and just wanting to love others hurt.
overall, this was a beautiful story.
Very sadly dnf'ing this for the moment. I was SO excited to read this book, but it was really such a let down. Always down for a queer retelling, just wish it was done better.
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Torture, Violence, Blood, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Sexual assault
“‘Will you hold my cheek with one hand and pull me apart with the other?’ […] ‘You’ll say you hate me and lock me for a thousand years, but then you’ll set me free. Father loves all His creations, I sang it in a psalm once, and you smiled. In wrath, you will still love me, won’t you? You will always love me.’”
Nothing hits quite like this. Rafael Nicolás you have reached into the darkest confines of my depths and wrenched my heart dry, and I’ll be thanking you forever.
Nothing hits quite like this. Rafael Nicolás you have reached into the darkest confines of my depths and wrenched my heart dry, and I’ll be thanking you forever.
Stunning prose. This was really lovely.
Also, Lucifer can get it.
Also, Lucifer can get it.