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mary_soon_lee's review
4.0
This book brings together three novellas in one volume. The novellas are on the border between dark fantasy and horror, featuring angels, daimons, and vampires. At this point, it is worth noting that I don't recall ever having enjoyed a story that featured vampires, even in a small role -- until now. I thoroughly enjoyed these closely-linked novellas. It didn't take long to reach the point where I didn't want to stop reading. Then, unexpectedly, I reached a much rarer point for me. The point where I want to slow down, not because I am bored, but because I don't want to come to the end of the story, to say goodbye to the characters.
The characters captivated me. I love the sweetness in the relationships between Diago, Miquel, and Rafael. It reminds me of the way I felt about Alec and Seregil while reading Lynn Flewelling's Nightrunner books. The plot is well-crafted, the 1930s Spanish setting is darkly distinctive, but the characters are a joy. It makes me so glad to read about a partnership that is caring as well as passionate, that doesn't depend on distrust or dysfunction to drive the story. Highly recommended.
The characters captivated me. I love the sweetness in the relationships between Diago, Miquel, and Rafael. It reminds me of the way I felt about Alec and Seregil while reading Lynn Flewelling's Nightrunner books. The plot is well-crafted, the 1930s Spanish setting is darkly distinctive, but the characters are a joy. It makes me so glad to read about a partnership that is caring as well as passionate, that doesn't depend on distrust or dysfunction to drive the story. Highly recommended.
arachnichemist's review
5.0
I will start this off as I am a straight male. I hate romance in books, because it is usually pretty cringe inducing regardless of sexual orientation. I won't lie that I was dreading that aspect of this book a lot, but the glowing reviews by people I follow made me give a shot.
There is a lot of action and this series moves very quickly. I loved the lore and it is unlike anything I have come across. The romance in this book was very well handled. It was tender and felt authentic. I think that is my biggest issue with romance in novels, it doesn't feel real. The bond between Diago and Miquel felt like something that I have between myself and my wife. I cannot believe how well the author blended the romance subplot with the amazing action scenes. I highly recommend this book.
There is a lot of action and this series moves very quickly. I loved the lore and it is unlike anything I have come across. The romance in this book was very well handled. It was tender and felt authentic. I think that is my biggest issue with romance in novels, it doesn't feel real. The bond between Diago and Miquel felt like something that I have between myself and my wife. I cannot believe how well the author blended the romance subplot with the amazing action scenes. I highly recommend this book.
charlotekerstenauthor's review
“Love is a gift that’s given. Trust is a coin that’s earned.”
So What’s It About?
Diago Alvarez, a singular being of daimonic and angelic descent, is pulled into the ranks of Los Nefilim in order to protect his newly-found son. As an angelic war brews in the numinous realms, and Spain marches closer to civil war, the destiny of two worlds hangs on Diago’s actions. Yet it is the combined fates of his lover, Miquel, and his young son, Rafael, that weighs most heavily on his soul.
Lyrical and magical, Los Nefilim explores whether moving towards the light is necessarily the right move, and what it means to live amongst the shadows.
What I Thought
It’s clear that these novellas are very well-loved by a lot of people whose book opinions I really respect, and now that I’ve read them myself, I can definitely see why. My final rating is 3.5 stars, and it isn’t higher for those mysterious, inexplicable reasons that some books just don’t entirely resonate for some people - while I do have a few quibbles, I don't think those quibbles are why I didn't enjoy it more. It just wasn't totally for me.
The quibbles: a lot of really important explanations about the world are only revealed in the third novella, which leaves some things feeling very vague until then. For instance, we learn about the Key, angels’ vocal words, how angels and daimons feed on the emotions of mortals, and the principalities in the last part of the last book. I wish I had known these things earlier. I was also itching to learn more about all the immortals’ past lives, because we get occasional mentions of really dramatic things like Guillermo killing Diago in his past incarnation and how drastically things have changed between them and how Diago and Miquel met, but they’re only touched on lightly. Hopefully, there will be more about these things in the future books. And while I love that there’s a solid and established gay couple at the heart of this story and the development of their little family with Diago’s son is incredibly sweet, I would say that the romance itself feels a little bit one-note in that it mostly consists of Miquel constantly reassuring and taking care of Diago.
My favorite things about this book are the inventive mythology, the great use of an atmospheric historical setting, and the exploration of Diago's rape. I think this latter one is really interesting. Miquel is actually the one who first identifies what Candela did to Diago as rape, and previous to that, Diago simply blamed himself for" losing control" and betraying his partner. There are a lot of people who still fail to categorize a man being forced to penetrate someone else as “real” sexual assault, just like Lucia in this story, and many of the male survivors I talk to struggle to label their experiences just like Diago does. I respect that Frohock addressed this reality as effectively as she did.
So What’s It About?
Diago Alvarez, a singular being of daimonic and angelic descent, is pulled into the ranks of Los Nefilim in order to protect his newly-found son. As an angelic war brews in the numinous realms, and Spain marches closer to civil war, the destiny of two worlds hangs on Diago’s actions. Yet it is the combined fates of his lover, Miquel, and his young son, Rafael, that weighs most heavily on his soul.
Lyrical and magical, Los Nefilim explores whether moving towards the light is necessarily the right move, and what it means to live amongst the shadows.
What I Thought
It’s clear that these novellas are very well-loved by a lot of people whose book opinions I really respect, and now that I’ve read them myself, I can definitely see why. My final rating is 3.5 stars, and it isn’t higher for those mysterious, inexplicable reasons that some books just don’t entirely resonate for some people - while I do have a few quibbles, I don't think those quibbles are why I didn't enjoy it more. It just wasn't totally for me.
The quibbles: a lot of really important explanations about the world are only revealed in the third novella, which leaves some things feeling very vague until then. For instance, we learn about the Key, angels’ vocal words, how angels and daimons feed on the emotions of mortals, and the principalities in the last part of the last book. I wish I had known these things earlier. I was also itching to learn more about all the immortals’ past lives, because we get occasional mentions of really dramatic things like Guillermo killing Diago in his past incarnation and how drastically things have changed between them and how Diago and Miquel met, but they’re only touched on lightly. Hopefully, there will be more about these things in the future books. And while I love that there’s a solid and established gay couple at the heart of this story and the development of their little family with Diago’s son is incredibly sweet, I would say that the romance itself feels a little bit one-note in that it mostly consists of Miquel constantly reassuring and taking care of Diago.
My favorite things about this book are the inventive mythology, the great use of an atmospheric historical setting, and the exploration of Diago's rape. I think this latter one is really interesting. Miquel is actually the one who first identifies what Candela did to Diago as rape, and previous to that, Diago simply blamed himself for" losing control" and betraying his partner. There are a lot of people who still fail to categorize a man being forced to penetrate someone else as “real” sexual assault, just like Lucia in this story, and many of the male survivors I talk to struggle to label their experiences just like Diago does. I respect that Frohock addressed this reality as effectively as she did.
meghanreadsmm's review
5.0
A true and pleasant surprise. Really appreciate the setting in Spain. Angels, demons and Nephilim fight against each other in the lead up to Spanish Civil War and World War II.
kitvaria_sarene's review
4.0
3 stars for the beginning, 5 stars for the end and 4 stars for the middle.
I had a hard time getting into this one. It started with a slow pace and felt like not much was happening. Also the timeframe and setting took me a while to settle into.
Once I found my way into the story, I was sucked into the world of the Nefilim and needed to know what happens next.
For my personal taste there was a bit much of a focus on emotions, feelings and bonds between family and friends - but that is purely due to personal taste, so no started missing for that.
I liked that the main protagonist is married to another male, and while it IS a topic of the novel, the author doesn't make it a big deal for the reader. It didn't feel like it was there to educate one, or to change ones mind while reading, but rather as a natural part of the story. (Also, no sex scenes whatsoever as a plus for my pet peeve!)
The idea of angels and demons is of course not new, but in this story it was put into a completely different view through the eyes of the Nefilim, so it felt unique and had me interested all the way through.
In the last of the the stories things come to a head in a quite action packed ending compared with the rest of the book. I was devouring the pages to get to know if and how they might find their way out of the situation! It didn't feel like everybody was safe and would surely get to the end.
If you are looking for an alternate setting, and a story that is not just one section scene after the other, but focuses more on the relationships between characters, morals, history, second chances and still has quite some action packed into fighting scenes then this is definitely worth a look!
I had a hard time getting into this one. It started with a slow pace and felt like not much was happening. Also the timeframe and setting took me a while to settle into.
Once I found my way into the story, I was sucked into the world of the Nefilim and needed to know what happens next.
For my personal taste there was a bit much of a focus on emotions, feelings and bonds between family and friends - but that is purely due to personal taste, so no started missing for that.
I liked that the main protagonist is married to another male, and while it IS a topic of the novel, the author doesn't make it a big deal for the reader. It didn't feel like it was there to educate one, or to change ones mind while reading, but rather as a natural part of the story. (Also, no sex scenes whatsoever as a plus for my pet peeve!)
The idea of angels and demons is of course not new, but in this story it was put into a completely different view through the eyes of the Nefilim, so it felt unique and had me interested all the way through.
In the last of the the stories things come to a head in a quite action packed ending compared with the rest of the book. I was devouring the pages to get to know if and how they might find their way out of the situation! It didn't feel like everybody was safe and would surely get to the end.
If you are looking for an alternate setting, and a story that is not just one section scene after the other, but focuses more on the relationships between characters, morals, history, second chances and still has quite some action packed into fighting scenes then this is definitely worth a look!
queenterribletimy's review
5.0
This review was originally posted on RockStarlit BookAsylum along with my choice of song!
I’ve been wanting to read Los Nefilim for quite a while now, even more so since I’ve read Where Oblivion Lives last December, but somehow I never found time for it. Until my vacation. I pretty much devoured the book in 2.5 days. It was soooo good. I jumped in blindly, meaning I never read the blurb – or did just have a shit memory and don’t remember a single thing from it – but as I mentioned, did read the first full novel of the series and that was more than enough knowledge for me. So, on one hand, I had zero expectations, but on the other, I had all of them. Which is an interesting experience in itself.
I think we already established that historical fiction is very much my jam *gestures at her degree in History*. I’m also very interested in religions *gestures at her MA degree in History of Religions* and especially in angels. I wrote both of my dissertations about angels from different angles and using research materials from different ages. But even so, I don’t often read fiction with angels and demons (although demons are more often appear in my different reads) for various reasons. But it’s always a pleasure to come across some which are not only very well written but also go against conventions. At least a bit.
The three novellas in Los Nefilim (In Midnight’s Silence, Without Light or Guide, and The Second Death) are forming a whole story in which Diago learns some hard truths, faces his own demons, and in a way discovers himself through his friends and family. The three novellas kind of work as three acts and the stakes are getting higher in each one. They cover a couple of weeks altogether and they are neatly built on each other. We not only learn about Diago and his immediate family (his husband Miquel and his son Rafael) but also about Los Nefilim (the group of angel-born beings that do the angels’ bidding in Spain, fighting against daimons) and the wider conflict between the existing Inner Guards (like Nos Nefilim and their counterparts Die Nephilim in Germany) as well as the angels and daimons. All this is placed in Spain in the 1930s.
That being said, I loved the setting, the writing, the world-building, the awesome music-based magic (!), the twists, that even angels can’t be labeled as only good, and Diago’s character arc. But what I loved the most was the relationship between characters. The way they interacted. The banters with Guillermo from Miquel and Diago, the caring love between Miquel and Diago. I honestly found myself smiling like an idiot whenever they interacted with each other or with Rafael. Like, damn, it’s so nice to read about non-toxic relationships which are just a warming light in an otherwise dark-toned book. I mean, it deals with topics such as rape, parent-child relationships, and a looming doom over the world. Diago has enough on his plate to prove himself as the good guy and not the Deceiver everyone thinks he is. He definitely doesn’t need a toxic relationship on top of everything. And you know, I’m kind of jealous of him having such an awesome, caring, and kind partner as Miquel.
I’m sorry it took me so long to get on the Los Nefilim bandwagon, but now I’m here I’m going to hold on tight. This series is quickly becoming one of my favorites and I absolutely will make sure to look out for anything T. Frohock writes in the future.
"Within another hour, the tributaries of side streets and alleys that streamed off the main avenue would be packed with jostling men and women, all of whom would be looking to make their troubles disappear for an evening. The songs would be wild and sad, but was all right; the misfortunes of others never bit as hard as one's own troubles."
I’ve been wanting to read Los Nefilim for quite a while now, even more so since I’ve read Where Oblivion Lives last December, but somehow I never found time for it. Until my vacation. I pretty much devoured the book in 2.5 days. It was soooo good. I jumped in blindly, meaning I never read the blurb – or did just have a shit memory and don’t remember a single thing from it – but as I mentioned, did read the first full novel of the series and that was more than enough knowledge for me. So, on one hand, I had zero expectations, but on the other, I had all of them. Which is an interesting experience in itself.
I think we already established that historical fiction is very much my jam *gestures at her degree in History*. I’m also very interested in religions *gestures at her MA degree in History of Religions* and especially in angels. I wrote both of my dissertations about angels from different angles and using research materials from different ages. But even so, I don’t often read fiction with angels and demons (although demons are more often appear in my different reads) for various reasons. But it’s always a pleasure to come across some which are not only very well written but also go against conventions. At least a bit.
The three novellas in Los Nefilim (In Midnight’s Silence, Without Light or Guide, and The Second Death) are forming a whole story in which Diago learns some hard truths, faces his own demons, and in a way discovers himself through his friends and family. The three novellas kind of work as three acts and the stakes are getting higher in each one. They cover a couple of weeks altogether and they are neatly built on each other. We not only learn about Diago and his immediate family (his husband Miquel and his son Rafael) but also about Los Nefilim (the group of angel-born beings that do the angels’ bidding in Spain, fighting against daimons) and the wider conflict between the existing Inner Guards (like Nos Nefilim and their counterparts Die Nephilim in Germany) as well as the angels and daimons. All this is placed in Spain in the 1930s.
“People saw what they wanted to see and heard what they wanted to hear. They made assumptions based on their personal beliefs, which often blinded them to the truth. Daimons were not unlike mortals in this respect.”
That being said, I loved the setting, the writing, the world-building, the awesome music-based magic (!), the twists, that even angels can’t be labeled as only good, and Diago’s character arc. But what I loved the most was the relationship between characters. The way they interacted. The banters with Guillermo from Miquel and Diago, the caring love between Miquel and Diago. I honestly found myself smiling like an idiot whenever they interacted with each other or with Rafael. Like, damn, it’s so nice to read about non-toxic relationships which are just a warming light in an otherwise dark-toned book. I mean, it deals with topics such as rape, parent-child relationships, and a looming doom over the world. Diago has enough on his plate to prove himself as the good guy and not the Deceiver everyone thinks he is. He definitely doesn’t need a toxic relationship on top of everything. And you know, I’m kind of jealous of him having such an awesome, caring, and kind partner as Miquel.
I’m sorry it took me so long to get on the Los Nefilim bandwagon, but now I’m here I’m going to hold on tight. This series is quickly becoming one of my favorites and I absolutely will make sure to look out for anything T. Frohock writes in the future.
tfrohock's review
If you enjoy the Los Nefilim omnibus, the first Los Nefilim novel, [b:Where Oblivion Lives|38376051|Where Oblivion Lives (Los Nefilim, #4)|T. Frohock|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1529705789l/38376051._SY75_.jpg|60039113] is available now, and the second novel in the series, [b:Carved from Stone and Dream|43801242|Carved from Stone and Dream (Los Nefilim, #5)|T. Frohock|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1565293607l/43801242._SY75_.jpg|68152859] is coming February 2020--watch for them ...
chronicreader's review
4.0
Content warning; several mentions of rape of the mc.
I really enjoyed this, the atmosphere created by the book was wonderful. I enjoyed the domestic scenes more than the action scenes I had trouble following what was happening.
I really enjoyed this, the atmosphere created by the book was wonderful. I enjoyed the domestic scenes more than the action scenes I had trouble following what was happening.
gennywren6237's review
5.0
I'm not usually a fan of a story that feels as though it brings you in right in the middle of itself. I'm a bit anal that way. I like a tidy beginning, a middle and an end. I wasn't always like this, mind, but as I got older I got a bit more hidebound.
Sometimes, though, you run into a story that blows right past all the stupid barriers that you put up, that determine what you like and what you don't. Los Nefilim was that story for me. I picked it up because I'm intrigued by the idea of Nefilim. Plus, hey - hot guys being hot together? Well, I've a weakness or two.
Los Nefilim pulled me right in. There was a moment or two in the beginning where I felt a bit adrift - what's happening? What's going on? But the story answered those questions without ever breaking stride - or character.
And let me tell you about the characters. They're fantastic. Not perfect, not always right, frequently irritating but never in that way that made you want to put down the book, because in the end of it all? They were *real*.
And that is the thing that draws me into a story - any story. Books, TV, movies, you can have as thin a plot as you like. You can have cheap production values, and shoddy costumes, whatever. Just as long as the characters are real. Make me believe in them. Make me forget they're a story, that they're actors, bring them to life, and I'm yours.
Ms. Frohock does that with Diago, Miquel and Rafael. Sure, they're Nefilim with amazing powers. Sure the men are gorgeous and the kid is adorable. More than any of that, though, they feel real. When Miquel thinks about Diago, you can feel the love in him, how it shapes him, how it leads his thoughts, his actions. You can feel Diago's confusion and fear, his anger.You *understand*.
I may have puzzled a bit at the beginning, working out where the story was coming from, but right from the moment I met the characters I never puzzled at *them*. I got it. They were real, and their actions, their motivations - those were real too.
So, she had me right from the start. Ms. Frohock, though, delivers all the goods. There's no shabby plotting here, no mediocre nods to costuming or set. She's created a tightly-woven, intricate world into the world we already know. I thoroughly enjoyed visiting it for these three novellas, and I cannot wait for more.
Sometimes, though, you run into a story that blows right past all the stupid barriers that you put up, that determine what you like and what you don't. Los Nefilim was that story for me. I picked it up because I'm intrigued by the idea of Nefilim. Plus, hey - hot guys being hot together? Well, I've a weakness or two.
Los Nefilim pulled me right in. There was a moment or two in the beginning where I felt a bit adrift - what's happening? What's going on? But the story answered those questions without ever breaking stride - or character.
And let me tell you about the characters. They're fantastic. Not perfect, not always right, frequently irritating but never in that way that made you want to put down the book, because in the end of it all? They were *real*.
And that is the thing that draws me into a story - any story. Books, TV, movies, you can have as thin a plot as you like. You can have cheap production values, and shoddy costumes, whatever. Just as long as the characters are real. Make me believe in them. Make me forget they're a story, that they're actors, bring them to life, and I'm yours.
Ms. Frohock does that with Diago, Miquel and Rafael. Sure, they're Nefilim with amazing powers. Sure the men are gorgeous and the kid is adorable. More than any of that, though, they feel real. When Miquel thinks about Diago, you can feel the love in him, how it shapes him, how it leads his thoughts, his actions. You can feel Diago's confusion and fear, his anger.You *understand*.
I may have puzzled a bit at the beginning, working out where the story was coming from, but right from the moment I met the characters I never puzzled at *them*. I got it. They were real, and their actions, their motivations - those were real too.
So, she had me right from the start. Ms. Frohock, though, delivers all the goods. There's no shabby plotting here, no mediocre nods to costuming or set. She's created a tightly-woven, intricate world into the world we already know. I thoroughly enjoyed visiting it for these three novellas, and I cannot wait for more.
pagesofash's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Death, Abandonment, and Homophobia
Minor: Rape, Vomit, and War
More...