Book Two in the Angelus Trilogy, Angel City, provided as a net galley copy by the publishers in exchange for an honest review (thank you), is an action-packed, hold on to the edge of your seat read, that’s a cross between a high-octane adventure/crime novel and something akin (but much better) than Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code with doses of philosophy, science and astronomy thrown in for good measure.
Commencing with an explosion that rocks Paris and the cosmic forces protecting and harming humans, we’re once again introduced to Jay Harper, ageless, timeless (in a sense) and very much damaged protector of humanity.
Over two years have passed since the events in Lausanne Cathedral and the dark forces made to retreat at the end of book one are back in full force and twice as virulent. Recruited once more to fight for “good”, the weary Harper is coerced into accompanying a murderous priest and his strange, younger but quite brilliant side-kick on a hunt through the catacombs of Paris, a hunt to uncover a sinister object that may or may not spell the end of life as we know it. Certainly, it’s discovery signals the beginning of the Prophecy is at hand – a prophecy the dark forces will do anything to prevent being fulfilled.
In the meantime, Katherine Taylor, the hooker without a heart, has not only found she has one, but that it’s firmly beating for her adorable son, Max. Whisked to the United States and forced to forget the people and events that almost claimed her life in Switzerland over two years earlier, Katherine is in the protection of the Swiss guard, living a more than sheltered life and medicated regularly.
Segueing between cracking exterior scenes involving Harper to more sedate and intimate domestic ones with Katherine and her son, to the killer priest and his accomplice, Goose, the book sets a relentless pace except when imparting important pieces of information and some essential historical context. Convenient sometimes, but always interesting, these moments of exposition also provide unexpected depths and richness to the novel and the series.
Well plotted, beautifully written, the characters we were introduced to in the first book are developed further, new ones enter and minor players are given significant roles. The heart-warming scenes between Katherine and her son, as well as the growing romance between her and one of the Swiss guards, display a heart and soul that was very much located in the central character of the first book, Marc Rochat. In these parts, Katherine comes into her own, and the relationships she develops with her son and his minders are moving and convincing.
The parts featuring Harper are lashed with grotesque violence, humour and eternal questions about human’s place in the universe. Always distant from those he interacts with, Harper maintains this sense of otherworldiness with the reader as well, which is alternately frustrating and yet understandable.
This is a terrific sequel to a wonderful first novel, I look forward very much to reading the concluding book, The Way of Sorrows.
ls the story of a mysterious plane crash deep in the Maine woods and how, some time after it occurs, two older men stumble upon the wreckage and the contents of the craft. Though there are no bodies, there’s evidence of survivors, but this doesn’t interest the men. Instead, against their better moral judgment, they take some of the cargo, and it’s this decision that sets in motion a series of events and murders in the present and brings Charlie Parker into the story. Unfortunately, his involvement and the stolen cargo also alert other, less salubrious and very, very scary characters, all of whom are intent on retrieving what they believe is rightfully theirs, no matter who they have to kill, regardless of what bargains they have to strike. Some, it seems, are even prepared to sell their souls…at least, they would if they had one…
will change the world. Understanding what he is and what’s expected of him, the role he has no choice but to play, Neville nonetheless struggles with his morals and what he believes he must do, procrastinating endlessly! Despite the apparent wickedness of the angels and deception of those called demons, Neville feels he must search for alternatives or delay the inevitable for as long as possible, bringing everyone and thing to the brink of disaster.
