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A Kiss Before The Apocalypse (2008)

by Thomas E. Sniegoski(Favorite Author)

3.59 of 5 Votes: 1

ISBN

045146205X (ISBN13: 9780451462053)

languge

English

genre

Paranormal Fantasy

publisher

Roc Trade

series

Remy Chandler

review 1: It's a conventional novel that, somehow, avoids diving headlong into the trap of being TOO conventional. And that, in itself, is a particular brand of talent that deserves an applause. All the themes used in this novel - a PI who's actually a supernatural being, his loving wife, his odd bunch of supernatural mates, his sole human buddy, the impending conflict that has something to do with the protagonist's ravaged and dark past...well, can't say that we haven't heard it all before, it's the same old song, the same old same old cliches that plagued the genre, but the author manages, quite successfully, from turning the story into a whole load of steaming cliches. Quite honestly, I'm not sure myself how he managed to do it, but it probably has something to do with his portra... moreyal of angels. His portrayal of angels is far from perfect, but I'd say it hits pretty close to home. I love how the angels are portrayed as complex beings - not only as creatures of love and light and servitude, but also warriors and soldiers and people, capable of complex emotions like love, hatred, or jealousy, and they exercise their agency, where choices are concerned. They are barely comprehensible, but at the same time ravaged by the desires that plagued their human counterparts, for they are not that far apart - as Nathanuel mentioned, angels were the rough draft for humanity. And this incites complex feelings and dynamics among the angels, including Remiel and Nathanuel.I love the author's subtle discourse on the subject of angelic morality and conscience, as well. I think he captured it quite beautifully on the dynamics between our protagonist and the chief antagonist, both Seraphim, but differed wildly in their opinions on humanity. And at the heart of it lies the moral questions that has plagued humanity for ages. I love how Nathanuel's chief motivation is jealousy, and that his actions - the actions that can easily be deemed as immoral by human beings - reflected how alien an angel's conscience is, if any. The moral dilemma faced by the Angel of Death is another age-old question that fits into the story nicely.I think that is the main strength of this particular brand of "supernatural PI": its portrayal of the angelic beings that populates it. I can't compliment it much on other fronts, although the prose is decent and compelling enough, and the pacing feels just right, although meandering needlessly at times, and I haven't read the other books on the series, but I think it's a rather good start. At least enough to make me want to read the next book in the series. So, I'd heartily recommend this if you were up for a light reading, and would stomach cliches that could be repellent for some readers. At the very least, come for the angels, and stay for Marlowe.Though one glaring mistake irritates me to some degree. Israfil is not Azrael's Islamic counterpart, it should be Izrail. Israfil is often equated with Raphael. Get your facts straight.
review 2: I enjoyed this well enough. I didn't love it but I didn't hate it either! I do Love Luke Daniels and he does a good Boston accent! I really liked Marlowe! I am a sucker for a talking dog! I do get a bit confused when everyone is called .....eil and I have to stop and workout who is who. But as I said I enjoyed it well enough 3.5*'s from me! I'll read book 2 but I hope it's more mystery and less flashback! less

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