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A review by baticeer
Brimstone Angels by Erin M. Evans
5.0
Oh, this is really good. Erin M Evans is only the 4th D&D tie-in author I've read, but she's definitely the best so far. Her prose is quick and engaging, and this is a book that's hard to put down.
Unlike a lot of standard fantasy books and other licensed fiction, this book's plot is heavily character-driven, and its characters are great. Our protagonist is Farideh, a young tiefling [person with devil ancestry] who accidentally falls into making a pact with a devil. That throws her life into chaos, as she, along with her twin sister and adoptive father, has to leave home and ends up embroiled in the plots of various factions (both mortal and Hellish). I really enjoy and sympathize with Farideh as a character, but my other favorite is Lorcan, the cambion [half-devil] with whom she makes the pact. He teaches her to use her newfound magical powers and initially regards her as just a tool, but then devils who are a lot more powerful than Lorcan start getting involved, and he has to work together with her as more of a partner. There are quite a few chapters from Lorcan's perspective, where we get to see the inner workings of the Nine Hells and understand that Lorcan behaves the way he does because it's the only way for him to survive there. He might be an evil fiend, but he's honestly kind of bad at it, and by the end of the book both Farideh and the readers have seen his sympathetic side.
I shelved this as YA, even though it's not marketed as such, because it READS like the best kind of fun YA fantasy novel. Farideh is seventeen, and a lot of the book is about her dealing with awkwardness about romance! having mild sexual tension with Lorcan! having difficult but strong relationships with her father and sister! struggling with how the world discriminates against her heritage! LOTS OF EMOTIONS etc etc. Also, it actually pulls off having a love triangle in the middle of YA fantasy action and having me LIKE it, which is a difficult task, haha. I definitely recommend this book, and I'm looking forward to reading the remainder of the Brimstone Angels series.
Unlike a lot of standard fantasy books and other licensed fiction, this book's plot is heavily character-driven, and its characters are great. Our protagonist is Farideh, a young tiefling [person with devil ancestry] who accidentally falls into making a pact with a devil. That throws her life into chaos, as she, along with her twin sister and adoptive father, has to leave home and ends up embroiled in the plots of various factions (both mortal and Hellish). I really enjoy and sympathize with Farideh as a character, but my other favorite is Lorcan, the cambion [half-devil] with whom she makes the pact. He teaches her to use her newfound magical powers and initially regards her as just a tool, but then devils who are a lot more powerful than Lorcan start getting involved, and he has to work together with her as more of a partner. There are quite a few chapters from Lorcan's perspective, where we get to see the inner workings of the Nine Hells and understand that Lorcan behaves the way he does because it's the only way for him to survive there. He might be an evil fiend, but he's honestly kind of bad at it, and by the end of the book both Farideh and the readers have seen his sympathetic side.
I shelved this as YA, even though it's not marketed as such, because it READS like the best kind of fun YA fantasy novel. Farideh is seventeen, and a lot of the book is about her dealing with awkwardness about romance! having mild sexual tension with Lorcan! having difficult but strong relationships with her father and sister! struggling with how the world discriminates against her heritage! LOTS OF EMOTIONS etc etc. Also, it actually pulls off having a love triangle in the middle of YA fantasy action and having me LIKE it, which is a difficult task, haha. I definitely recommend this book, and I'm looking forward to reading the remainder of the Brimstone Angels series.