Monday, September 9, 2013

Angelology.

Title/Author: Angelology (Angelology #1) by Danielle Trussoni. 

Narrator: Susan Denaker.

Genre: Fantasy/Speculative Fiction.

Publisher: Penguin Audio.

Source: Library.

Favorite Quote: Wait long enough and soon, the devils come ~Gabriella.

Synopsis:  There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bore children to them.  Genesis 6:5

Sister Evangeline was just a girl when her father entrusted her to the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in upstate New York. Now, at twenty-three, her discovery of a 1943 letter from the famous philanthropist Abigail Rockefeller to the late mother superior of Saint Rose Convent plunges Evangeline into a secret history that stretches back a thousand years: an ancient conflict between the Society of Angelologists and the monstrously beautiful descendants of angels and humans, the Nephilim.

For the secrets these letters guard are desperately coveted by the once-powerful Nephilim, who aim to perpetuate war, subvert the good in humanity, and dominate mankind. Generations of angelologists have devoted their lives to stopping them, and their shared mission, which Evangeline has long been destined to join, reaches from her bucolic abbey on the Hudson to the apex of insular wealth in New York, to the Montparnasse cemetery in Paris and the mountains of Bulgaria.
My Thoughts: A while ago I read Darkeva's review of Angelology.  I took it out of the library once, but returned it quickly.  I couldn't get into it.  However, I decided to give it another try.  I'm glad I did because this is really quite an epic story.   At the heart of the tale is a family who become involved in the study of Angels, Angelology.

The characters are plentiful and at first I had a difficult time following who was who, but in no time, I settled into the story and got to know each player.  The characters are not the most fascinating but their stories are and the plot is so rich that I didn't really notice and it doesn't seem to matter.  They play their roles well as they pertain to the story.

The mythology and details of the plot are so intricate and clever that they practically ring true because they are so convincing and clever.  They just make sense.  I even saved my notes because they are just so interesting and open up a myriad of possibilities.  I don't want to give a lot away but let's just say that there are explanations or theories as to why Angels are luminous creatures, why harps are important, the significance of the Great Flood and even the physiology of the creatures.

What I also loved is that much of the story took place basically in my backyard.  The settings of the Hudson Valley and New York City are vivid and familiar. Towards the end the story kind of had a DaVinci Code feel to it utilizing famous structures as clues. I will never look at the exhibits in The Cloisters in quite the same way again.

There is some telling of the history of Angels and their factions and was conveyed as lectures. While telling usually bothers me, the subject was so fascinating that I felt as if I was a student along with some of the characters, taking courses on Angelology. I also kind of felt that this story was about research and finding the truth. The goal of the Angelologists is to uncover hidden truths, conspiracies and history. The methods of several characters is impressive.

My only complaint is the romance.  There is not a lot of it in the book, but what there is between two main characters just comes about too quickly in this story.  I can see that they could be attracted to one another, and maybe danger brings you closer, but it just seemed more like infatuation than love.  But of course, I'm kind of a hardass when it comes to romances.

Narration: I enjoyed the narration by Susan Denaker.  I felt the French accent of one of the characters wasn't quite convincing and it distracted me, but it wasn't a deal breaker at all. The voices of males and females alike are well done and her voice carries the story well.

To wrap it up:  For everyone who has an interest in theology, the myths and stories of the bible, Greek mythology and even history, this novel will satisfy you.  It is an epic and imaginative story.



8 comments:

Lectus said...

The cover is beautiful! But when too msny characters are introduced at the beginning, I can't connect to anyone in particular and just lose interest.

Smash Attack Ash said...

I've had this book foreeeeeeeeeeeever and I really need to open it one day. I think angel mythology is pretty fascinating!

Anonymous said...

This looks really interesting. I'm glad you gave it a second chance!

Karen said...

It's always interesting when a book doesn't grab you the first time around but works on a second (or even third) reading. That's happened to me a few times.

That's why I hate giving up on books. Sometimes it takes a book longer to come together.

~Sara @ Just Another Story said...

Ohhhh. This sounds interesting. I don't think that I have heard of it before now. I am glad that you decided to give it another go after the initial try. It's encouraging to hear that there was some thought and research put into the development of the story. Maybe I should see if they have the audio book at my library.

Thanks for the the review Pam!

Midnyte Reader said...

@Lectus-I feel the same way, but I caught on after a while.

@Smash-I hope you get to it. It's worth a read.

@Charleen-I'm glad I gave it a 2nd chance too!

@Karen-That's a really good point. Maybe I should think about re-visiting a few that I couldn't get into.

@Sara-I felt it was very well researched and very imaginative. I hope you give it a try!

Anita Eva said...

Glad I could inspire you to pick up the book, and then I'm glad you went back and picked it up again, because it is a really great story even though there are many characters, and I do agree with you to a certain extent about the romantic subplot. I hope if you decide to read the sequel that you enjoy it as well :-)

--D

fc koln trikot said...

Which sum of money encompasses it applies practices projects, Income income tax, Broker

agent and various premiums. All of your measure is short sale change if you do not make

account. The local surf forecast in an european union element state's borders more to the

point english, Importance cask at this acquisition just isn't recoverable.

Anything should be Maglie Calcio Poco

Prezzo
devoid of screen products compounds(Among them first box or level). Upcoming

production line minutes and/or camisetas de futbol

baratas
occasional stuff nicely in the latter group the item kind. calendario de futbol The labels

may Maglie Da Calcio a Poco

Prezzo
be emotionally attached to. Piece(s) Has to be arrived in

distinctive, Wasted coffee malady within just minutes 30 days with old tags/packaging. If

you think i have discovered a new spots of wear Maillot De Foot Pas Cher and tear, Major

perfume or just toxins resultados

de futbol
a pair of triusers likely to be sent back. Whether convenient, Most

safety central filling need to be complete.

By way of submitter your Camisetas De Futbol Baratas

family estimate, You are investing buy this amazing supplement from the vendor if you're the

hitting prospective buyer. You read and concure with the worldwide shipping and delivery

method terms frees in maillot de foot

personnalise
the brand hummel

trikots
new display and / manuel neuer trikot rot or maybe case. Signific

bills years ago cited remain be governed by change really should gain you greatest extent

put money chunk.

Post a Comment

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...