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Angel of Death
1st edition paperback, new
416 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
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117 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 6, 2009
I'm not sure what it is as of late, but I have become a magnet for the strange, and by that I mean those novels that contain something so twisted and freakish that you start to wonder if maybe the author is a little too close to these characters and that you should be worried. But then you remind yourself that the author doesn't have your address, just the publisher, and that means you can move before anyone finds out where you live and comes knocking. Maybe that's just my paranoia talking.
Angel of Death is one of those strange novels: twisted and detailed in ways that make you uncomfortable, stylistically gripping, and otherwise a romping good read. And dare I say that J. Robert King has put together something that makes all those movies and books about angels look like child's play? Yes, I dare say.
Angel of Death is hard to describe. The story opens with a serial killer and a metaphysical figure who directs the gruesome killings and accidental deaths of the day--an angel of death, if you will. But when he meets Donna Leland, lead investigator/detective on the serial killer's case, this angel of death finds himself thrust into the real world, rejected by the angelic home he once was a part of. What follows is a dark, terrifying fall into madness and an uncomfortable reminder of how fragile the human condition really is, especially for one who might never have been human before.
Angel of Death is the second book from Angry Robot Books that I have read and loved, though for entirely different reasons. What is most striking, for me, is how King puts you into the mayhem, into the minds of serial killers, the detectives who hunt them, and the innocents who suffer as a consequence. From the start you are thrust right into the mind of death itself, a disconcerting experience for sure, but a memorable one. The result is that King has managed write a thoroughly enjoyable story despite being in a genre that I normally would not find all that appealing (detective mysteries). His twisting of convention, if such a thing is fair to say, has resurfaced all those old, long-forgotten childish joys resurface. I want more of these dark murder mysteries.
King's novel is somewhat like reading a novelization of one of the Saw movies, but with a splash of the fantastic (or seemingly fantastic). A lot of what makes this novel so much more than just another story about fallen angels is that King fiddles with reality in such a profound way that by the end you're not entirely sure what is real and what is imagined. Philip K. Dick did this well, but King is somewhat more subtle about it, despite the characters having very little in the way of subtlety attached to them.
The only problem with Angel of Death is that it takes some time to get into the gritty, page-turning stuff. The first part of the novel is entertaining, but it is the last two-thirds that changes everything. That first third had me curious, and when I ventured into the unknown territory of part two, I couldn't put the book down--someone probably saw me walking and reading on campus over the last few days.
Those who are fans of dark murder mysteries, Andy Remic, the Saw movies (the early ones, not the last three or four), and other twisted tales will certainly enjoy Angel of Death. If you're not one for serial murders and the macabre, even in a powerful form as presented in King's novel, then you should find something else. Angel of Death is a book for those who want that dark edge.
Angel of Death is one of those strange novels: twisted and detailed in ways that make you uncomfortable, stylistically gripping, and otherwise a romping good read. And dare I say that J. Robert King has put together something that makes all those movies and books about angels look like child's play? Yes, I dare say.
Angel of Death is hard to describe. The story opens with a serial killer and a metaphysical figure who directs the gruesome killings and accidental deaths of the day--an angel of death, if you will. But when he meets Donna Leland, lead investigator/detective on the serial killer's case, this angel of death finds himself thrust into the real world, rejected by the angelic home he once was a part of. What follows is a dark, terrifying fall into madness and an uncomfortable reminder of how fragile the human condition really is, especially for one who might never have been human before.
Angel of Death is the second book from Angry Robot Books that I have read and loved, though for entirely different reasons. What is most striking, for me, is how King puts you into the mayhem, into the minds of serial killers, the detectives who hunt them, and the innocents who suffer as a consequence. From the start you are thrust right into the mind of death itself, a disconcerting experience for sure, but a memorable one. The result is that King has managed write a thoroughly enjoyable story despite being in a genre that I normally would not find all that appealing (detective mysteries). His twisting of convention, if such a thing is fair to say, has resurfaced all those old, long-forgotten childish joys resurface. I want more of these dark murder mysteries.
King's novel is somewhat like reading a novelization of one of the Saw movies, but with a splash of the fantastic (or seemingly fantastic). A lot of what makes this novel so much more than just another story about fallen angels is that King fiddles with reality in such a profound way that by the end you're not entirely sure what is real and what is imagined. Philip K. Dick did this well, but King is somewhat more subtle about it, despite the characters having very little in the way of subtlety attached to them.
The only problem with Angel of Death is that it takes some time to get into the gritty, page-turning stuff. The first part of the novel is entertaining, but it is the last two-thirds that changes everything. That first third had me curious, and when I ventured into the unknown territory of part two, I couldn't put the book down--someone probably saw me walking and reading on campus over the last few days.
Those who are fans of dark murder mysteries, Andy Remic, the Saw movies (the early ones, not the last three or four), and other twisted tales will certainly enjoy Angel of Death. If you're not one for serial murders and the macabre, even in a powerful form as presented in King's novel, then you should find something else. Angel of Death is a book for those who want that dark edge.
October 18, 2009
J. Robert King’s new urban fantasy Angel of Death from the HarperCollins new imprint Angry Robot Books is an unpredictable thriller, which is why I kept turning page after page until well past midnight.
The Angel of Death arranges death for people marked by God when their time comes in a fitting scenario. He has supernatural powers. He accompanies the murderers and serial killers during their hunts, often orchestrating the details.
The internal workings of the Angel of Death became fascinating when he began to have feelings that angels are not supposed to have. When love comes to him for the female investigator, Donna Leland, his angel existence is doomed. Any union between angel and human is forbidden.
As the story progressed I began to consider whether the angel had really fallen from grace or was this character a mentally irregular person who had accomplices. There are incidents within the story that I found to be suspicious, at least for an angel. This stems from the Angel of Death assuming human form for the benefit of Detective Leland, resulting in a form of transformation for the angel which he finds alien. His thought and behaviour patterns begin to change to those that humans use.
An interesting concept is put forward when the angel uses rationalization of the killings with the use of biblical references taken in a different light than others do. These seem reasonable when presented.
Although Detective Donna Leland is assigned to hunting the murderers and serial killers, there is not much depth to her character. She has a tragic family past that has a slight bearing on the plot as it influences her behaviour toward individuals who are sick rather than monsters. She soon faces a conflict with coming to terms of her love for a man who may be the serial killer.
Rather than go further into the story which will certainly produce plot spoilers, the Angel of Death has interesting elements of human psychological behaviour between the characters. There are graphic scenes of violence that provided more horror elements than I cared to read. The ending may not suit all readers. I found portions of it to be contrived rather than to provide a satisfying ending.
The Angel of Death arranges death for people marked by God when their time comes in a fitting scenario. He has supernatural powers. He accompanies the murderers and serial killers during their hunts, often orchestrating the details.
The internal workings of the Angel of Death became fascinating when he began to have feelings that angels are not supposed to have. When love comes to him for the female investigator, Donna Leland, his angel existence is doomed. Any union between angel and human is forbidden.
As the story progressed I began to consider whether the angel had really fallen from grace or was this character a mentally irregular person who had accomplices. There are incidents within the story that I found to be suspicious, at least for an angel. This stems from the Angel of Death assuming human form for the benefit of Detective Leland, resulting in a form of transformation for the angel which he finds alien. His thought and behaviour patterns begin to change to those that humans use.
An interesting concept is put forward when the angel uses rationalization of the killings with the use of biblical references taken in a different light than others do. These seem reasonable when presented.
Although Detective Donna Leland is assigned to hunting the murderers and serial killers, there is not much depth to her character. She has a tragic family past that has a slight bearing on the plot as it influences her behaviour toward individuals who are sick rather than monsters. She soon faces a conflict with coming to terms of her love for a man who may be the serial killer.
Rather than go further into the story which will certainly produce plot spoilers, the Angel of Death has interesting elements of human psychological behaviour between the characters. There are graphic scenes of violence that provided more horror elements than I cared to read. The ending may not suit all readers. I found portions of it to be contrived rather than to provide a satisfying ending.
January 30, 2023
I would give this 2.5 stars. It was sloppy, disjointed and the characters were not particularly like able or believable. There were many odd points in the book where it felt like the author went off on a tangent that didn’t really have much to do with the story. I did however find parts of the story Interesting and enjoyable. I wish it could have been edited better so that it made more sense.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Did Not Finish
September 8, 2019Why I didn't finish this: I don't remember. I'm not much for serial killer stories, though.
September 23, 2023
A great book that keeps you guessing the entire time.
September 21, 2009
Samael is the angel of death assigned to the Chicago-Milwaukee area. Burlington detective Donna Leland is chasing a serial killer who leaves clues like Samael 5:2:356, a reference not found in King James. The investigators soon find that Samael has killed many more times than they first believed. Here follows a twisted tale through the mind of a psychotic and his firm belief in his role as God's messenger on Earth.
When Samael, disguised as a police officer, meets and falls in love with Donna, and Donna returns his feelings, the path Samael has been following suddenly turns. Eventually Donna has no choice but to arrest him when she learns what he has done. After a trial and conviction to a mental institution, Samael learns that Donna has died in a car accident, killing their unborn child. He engineers his escape from the institution, and, in his grief, completes his de-evolution from angel to demon. His path is further complicated when he learns that Donna has not died, but was in a coma, and that their child still lives.
This is a complex, tightly-plotted story with interesting and memorable characters. King keeps you hopping with twists and turns and at the end I still wasn't sure if Samael really was the angel of death or not. I'm not completely sure I liked this story, but it certainly was fascinating and kept me turning pages right to the end.
When Samael, disguised as a police officer, meets and falls in love with Donna, and Donna returns his feelings, the path Samael has been following suddenly turns. Eventually Donna has no choice but to arrest him when she learns what he has done. After a trial and conviction to a mental institution, Samael learns that Donna has died in a car accident, killing their unborn child. He engineers his escape from the institution, and, in his grief, completes his de-evolution from angel to demon. His path is further complicated when he learns that Donna has not died, but was in a coma, and that their child still lives.
This is a complex, tightly-plotted story with interesting and memorable characters. King keeps you hopping with twists and turns and at the end I still wasn't sure if Samael really was the angel of death or not. I'm not completely sure I liked this story, but it certainly was fascinating and kept me turning pages right to the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 15, 2013
I may have spoilers in this review, but read it anyway. It may save you wasted time... This book was awful. I'm not sure what other reviewers read, but my copy was not worth the paper it was printed on. I'm from the area King describes in the novel and it seems that's about all he gets right. The idea for the novel was promising but with so many inconsistencies, it's hard to take it seriously. Here are a few: 1. Leland, a Burlington officer, er, detective having such a wide jurisdiction (Wisconsin AND Illinois!). 2. A loneliness that compels Leland (again a DETECTIVE) to kiss a strange cop at a CRIME SCENE. 3. Later, at her own home, Detective Leland leisurely prepares this strange cop a bagel while a man that just crashed into her house rests on the hood of his burning vehicle, dead, after being thrown through the windshield. Calling the police can wait a bit to talk about food and make tea since he's already dead...? These are just a couple ridiculous instances - all occurring by page 125.
The angel aspect was interesting but everything else was just too ridiculous to entertain... I do NOT recommend this book and would've given it 0 stars if possible. Already grabbing this and his other book I purchased to take back to the bookstore. Hope to find something better.
The angel aspect was interesting but everything else was just too ridiculous to entertain... I do NOT recommend this book and would've given it 0 stars if possible. Already grabbing this and his other book I purchased to take back to the bookstore. Hope to find something better.
March 30, 2016
A serial killer book that is a little too clunky to really enjoy much. There are some interesting concepts in this novel, particularly how an angel of death would operate through trying to find poetic ways to make a person die, but enter in Detective Leland, a woman who apparently has the skills to make an angel fall in love. The concepts are good, and there are a few places where it is well executed, but on a whole, this novel just does not move the way it should. There are too many areas that are red flags that unresolved. The ideas could be compelling but the writing is not. I wouldn't really recommend this to anyone.
April 12, 2013
Wow, qdifferent book. Hard to stay on track with reading it.
October 10, 2013
Awesome, quirky, unusual, suspenseful, mysterious, LOTS of adjectives and very hard to put down. Recommend to anyone who likes unusual and quirky and grab you by the throat and not let go !!!
February 28, 2011
it was good til the end...then it just fell off
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews