I received this book for free from the library in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Source: the library
The Fallen
by
Thomas E. Sniegoski
urban fantasy in Paperback edition that was published by Simon Pulse on September 26, 2006 and has 268 pages.
Explore it on Goodreads or Amazon
Other books by this author which I have reviewed include Mean Streets, A Kiss Before Apocalypse, Where Angels Fear to Tread, A Hundred Words for Hate, Dancing on the Head of a Pin, An Apple for the Creature, In the House of the Wicked, Leviathan, Aerie, Reckoning, Walking in the Midst of Fire, End of Days, A Deafening Silence in Heaven
First in The Fallen urban fantasy series for young adults and revolves around Aaron Corbet, a newly awakened Nephilim.
My Take
The start to this was very confusing, although it certainly did up the tension. I couldn’t read fast enough to try to figure out what was going on. But all it does is set up the tension for what will happen once you get past the prologue.
That was disgusting. I don’t care if Zeke is an angel, fallen or not. He killed Gabe! Just to make a point! And it does weird things to Gabe.
It’s one thing for Verchiel to kill the Nephilim just as they come into their power, but he does it with total disregard for collateral damage. He doesn’t care how many innocent humans die.
Where is God in all this? Supposedly, the Powers are killing in his name and God is allowing Verchiel and his followers to destroy anyone they want. How, in God’s name, is this justice?
All right, just how dimwitted is Aaron? He keeps getting all this information, and even when Stevie has his “fit”, he still refuses to believe. He refuses to act.
I’m just not sure about this series. I had expected more from Sniegoski after his Remy Chandler series… I do like his characters — except for Aaron’s dimwittedness — and the scenario is certainly an interesting twist. Who’d’a thunk that God’s angels could be so cruelly
The Story
It starts with confusing dreams, and then, just after a horrid headache, he suddenly can understand any language of any living thing on the planet. Then men start appearing to him and telling him he’s a Nephilim. That he has a destiny to save fallen angels.
This isn’t right. He’s in his last year at school. He’s supposed to be applying to colleges, finding scholarships. Not talking to dogs or understanding every language on earth!
The Powers have escalated the violence. Verchiel fears the fulfillment of a prophecy. Of a Nephilim “who would be the key to reuniting those who had fallen from Heaven with their most holy Father”.
The Characters
Aaron Corbet just turned 18, he’s in his senior year at school, he has a great foster family, and now he’s hearing voices. Gabriel is the dog he rescued. Lori Stanley is his foster mother; Tom is the foster father; and, Stevie is their autistic, natural son. The Stanleys are very decent people who treat Aaron as if he were their own.
West Lynn Veterinary Hospital is where Aaron works after school. Michelle is the veterinary assistant; Dr. Kris Bufman is the vet. Dr. Michael Jonas is the counselor Aaron saw when he first came to the Stanleys. Vilma Santiago is a very popular girl in his school who recently transferred in from Brazil. Turns out she’s fascinated by angels. I suspect she’s another Nephilim.
Ezekiel is a Grigori and he cruelly forces Aaron’s powers. Camael is a former Power, who has turned from Verchiel’s path. Lucifer Morningstar got greedy and began the Great War. Turns out John Milton’s Paradise Lost wasn’t fiction…
Samuel Chia, Samchia is his angelic name, is a wealthy Hong Kong businessman. And one of the angels who would not choose a side in the war Morningstar initiated. A Grigori. Joyce Woo is the human who manages his business affairs.
Verchiel is the leader of the Powers. A psychotic who believes he can interpret God’s will. He despises humans, referring to them as monkeys, animals. He doesn’t care whom he destroys. Humans. Angels. His own troops. If he were human, he would be arrested for war crimes. Hadriel, Cassiel, Uriel, Sammael, Tufiel, and Sabriel are other Powers. Kraus is a blind human healer whom Verchiel forces to serve him.
Nephilim are the rare children born of angels and human women (who usually die in childbirth). The Powers are secret police, God’s storm troopers, and their job is to destroy what they believe is offensive to the Creator. Only, they’ve gone overboard. Grigori are angels who fell. They fell too in love with helping humans. Originally sent to keep humans out of trouble, the Grigori began teaching them more. About fire, weapons, astrology, makeup, reading the weather. In return, the humans taught the Grigori about drinking, sex, and smoking.
The Cover and Title
The cover is perfect as Aaron is just a high school kid in his jeans jacket, but one with his destiny illuminating the wings that will be his in a brilliant golden yellow glow.
The title starts the first installment as well as introduces the name of the series. And it’s all about The Fallen angels.
