review 1: Two adjectives: intriguing and repulsive. First I really thought that I might not finish this book. I found characters and their actions and motives vile. I'm not sure if I've ever red a book that main characters are so gross and unlikable yet fascinating. I couldn't let this book down and finished it in no time. So obviously John Patrick Kennedy makes an amazing job writing credibly about bad, worse and worst angels as well as humankind in it's worst behavior. There are glimpses of hope and justice and bravery that shine so brightly among hideousness. I think that by reading this book could make one to appreciate even more everything beautiful, honorable and loving what we have - not a bad achievement for a story. For me this story felt as an introduction for the world se... moretup and main characters. Things just got really interesting at the end. So I can't wait the next book! review 2: Everything we think we know about history and the Bible is wrong. The first fallen Angel is Nyx, Queen of Hell, and she was the lover of Jesus. Who was not a savior, but a judge that determined mankind was corrupt and should be wiped from existence. God refused to carry out the sentence, instead leaving mankind to make its own destiny. This infuriates Tribunal (supposed real name of Jesus), and he sends Nyx to corrupt humanity against the rising Christian Church.Several other bloggers I work with had been raving, so I figured I'd give it a chance, even though I passed on it first go round.What I liked:The book is well written, especially for a debut novel. The author certainly knows the craft, and the plotting is also pretty strong. It's written in 3rd person limited, with some head hopping, but pretty well executed. The basic premise is certainly unique, and at once the novel's greatest strength and greatest weakness.What I didn't like:As I said, the premise ... even knowing it going into the book, it still leaves a little bit of a sour taste. The spiteful, negative picture it paints of Christ is shocking, but moreover, it paints a negative picture of all humanity. Our protagonists conclude all mankind is vile and should be destroyed. No matter what your religious views, that's a bit disturbing. Which kind of leads into the greater problem. Our anti-hero, Nyx, is, for the most part, about as likable as one would expect for the Queen of Hell. She continually rapes and tortures even those close to her, she is driven by reprehensible motives, and unlike most anti-heroes, is never really driven by motivations we can care about. At times I started to like her, as she began to come around. One can almost forgive twisted actions if they are done for understandable reasons. But she always swayed back to darkness.One further warning ... Nyx is given a thousand years to destroy the Christian Church. The vignettes of her doing so are often brief, jumping years ahead. So brief, in fact, that anyone not well versed in history might be unaware of the significance of many of them. It might have worked better to give more focus to fewer events (In fairness, some do get enough focus to gather your bearings).Who I recommend this for:This was a hard book to rate. I was never bored nor really tempted to stop reading. At the same time, reading it didn't leave me too eager to go further, save for the semi cliff hanger ending. Obviously it's not for any one likely to be offended by the basic concepts. For those not bothered by such things, it does have some strong points. less
