Review by 3in1ricecooker - Angels Before Man

Angels Before Man by rafael nicolás

3.0

dark emotional sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

i thought the book would have a bigger emotional impact on me, with its central theme and all
im not a big fan of the writing style tbh. i thought it was pretty at first, but i didn't enjoy reading it towards the end
i love how the angels are discouraged - or even forbade - from desire and how they are punished for it. the
final scene of the remaining angels being punished and being second to man was heartbreaking
. tickles the religious guilt in my brain yk
i did enjoy part one and the early chapters of part 2. i do think it is one of few(?) modern retellings that really draws from existing source material and understanding the characters as such. in contrast to loosely based franchises centering angels i.e. supernatural
i recall coming across one of nicolas's tumblr posts, that lucifer was not really written to be a good person. i loved how complex he is, naive and ashamed but also self-centred and violent. his downward spiral felt so personal, as if i was actually seeing a friend go through it.
also really love the story touching on theological roots of goodness, obedience and the creation of sin
i really liked michael's and lucifer's final battle/confrontation!

Content Warnings