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The Devil's Concubine
A few hours before her execution a woman narrates, in a fascinating confession to her priest, the story of her passionate love for a fallen angel. A story that plunges us into a world of terror from its beginning in 1212, during the French crusades, until its present-day ending.Through sensual and mysterious characters and settings, the protagonist reveals the amazing events that shape her supernatural existence. Loved by a fallen angel and tormented by others, Juliette lives through horrible, but also sublime experiences she confesses to only one mortal. This unforgettable story puts us in the presence of seductive, powerful, and passionate beings that move naturally between kindness and cruelty. It is also a poetic voyage into the heart of a fallen angel whose intriguing story is impossible to forget. The novel begins in France, during the Cathar conflicts. After the young protagonist's family is brutally murdered by crusaders, she and a friend run away to Marseille, where they take a boat to the Holy Land to participate in the Children's Crusade. This is only the beginning of Juliette's astonishing journey, that develops across diverse geographic settings and time-periods masterfully described, mainly the crusades in France, Egypt, medieval Paris, the renaissance in Florence, and the pre-Columbian Americas.
460 pages, Paperback
First published April 15, 2010
About the author
Ángeles Goyanes
15 books62 followersI live (and I was born and grew up) in Madrid, Spain.
When I was younger I loved learning about different subjects and I studied History, Tourism and New Technologies in the University plus other minor courses.
Because I love traveling, when I write my characters use to travel a lot too, or live in interesting past times.
Most of all I love animals and I allways available to help to protect them.
I read every genre of fiction books. I love especially classical literature, but also horror, suspense and many other modern genres.
I´d love to make friends with book lovers all over the world.
When I was younger I loved learning about different subjects and I studied History, Tourism and New Technologies in the University plus other minor courses.
Because I love traveling, when I write my characters use to travel a lot too, or live in interesting past times.
Most of all I love animals and I allways available to help to protect them.
I read every genre of fiction books. I love especially classical literature, but also horror, suspense and many other modern genres.
I´d love to make friends with book lovers all over the world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
September 8, 2016
Un libro interesante pero que, por lo menos a mí y en un principio, no logró conquistarme. El relato de la relación de los dos personajes principales, que realiza a modo de recuerdo uno de ellos, no convence; por mucho que sea descrito como un amor sublime y pasional, ese sentimiento no se traspasa al lector. Pasa lo mismo con diferentes tipos de relaciones con otros personajes, por lo que en ese aspecto se transforma en una lectura bastante plana, sin emoción.
Por otro lado, la historia no es constante respecto del interés que pueda producir, si bien hay pasajes muy bien logrados, hay otros que realmente se transforman en una prueba a la perseverancia del lector. Lo mismo pasa con partes del relato que se extienden en demasía, a diferencia de otras que parecen escritas a la carrera. Falta equilibrio.
Sin embargo, es en último tercio del libro donde se encuentra la sustancia de éste. Su intensidad y el desenlace propiamente tal, hacen que la lectura y la tozudez de no abandonarlo hayan valido la pena. Lamentablemente uno llega a esta parte acarreando las más de 300 páginas precedentes, pero insisto, vale la pena.
También destaco una muy interesante y original concepción del "ángel caído" y su relación con otros seres divinos y mitológicos en varias culturas.
Por otro lado, la historia no es constante respecto del interés que pueda producir, si bien hay pasajes muy bien logrados, hay otros que realmente se transforman en una prueba a la perseverancia del lector. Lo mismo pasa con partes del relato que se extienden en demasía, a diferencia de otras que parecen escritas a la carrera. Falta equilibrio.
Sin embargo, es en último tercio del libro donde se encuentra la sustancia de éste. Su intensidad y el desenlace propiamente tal, hacen que la lectura y la tozudez de no abandonarlo hayan valido la pena. Lamentablemente uno llega a esta parte acarreando las más de 300 páginas precedentes, pero insisto, vale la pena.
También destaco una muy interesante y original concepción del "ángel caído" y su relación con otros seres divinos y mitológicos en varias culturas.
May 23, 2012
This book took me totally by surprise. The narrator is a woman in prison, waiting for the death penalty, making her last confession to a priest. She was clearly Catholic, though she has a worldly nature that makes the priest uncomfortable. She tells the priest the story of her life, which started in the year 1212 in Angers,France, even though it is now present day. As the story goes on from there, you worry that the woman won't be believed; as she describes slaughter in the name of God, the Children's Crusade, being sold at a slave auction in Alexandria, falling in love with an angel, travelling in time, attack by spirits, alone in a convent, rape, marriage, an evil baby, murders, safe with an angel - and that's just how the book starts.
There are so many things that happen in this book; even on a single page, that you cant help getting totally engrossed. This is not only a page turner, but addresses some fundamental problems of an immortal living with and loving a mortal can have, that I've ever seen discussed anywhere else. A lot of thought and planning was put into this book - it's just not one of those sensationisltic, hit them with actions, over and over. This one, very much has meaning and thought behind the prose- and it comes out in the characters themselves: their thoughts, their feelings, their actions and their dialogue. It is really impressive.
There are three main characters: Juliette, the mortal woman who loves an angel, Shallem, the angel that she loves who loves her back and Canat who is an angel who shares a soul with Shallem. They love each other like no other, because, they are two halves of one whole. The three live together several centuries, having adventures, playing God's on Earth to humans, even having children. But Juliette can't be immortal forever, and Shallem has plans of his own. You have to understand, these angels - they are fallen angels. God exiled them to Earth after they had that fight so long ago. Shallem and Canat escaped the prison, being strongest of the angels, and went around like they owned the place, until Shallem met Juliette - then everything changed. There is a secondary character, Eonar, who is also a fallen angel, but a nasty one, he hates Shallem, and wants to cause him pain. So the three of them have to contend with Eonar too.
There are many differences between mortals and immortals in this book. All immortals can't stand mortals, they'd just as soon kill them as look at them. The only thing stopping them from wiping them out totally is God's injunction not to hurt mortals. That doesn't mean, that they can't kill a few hundred or thousand at a time if they get pissed off, or are simply inconvenienced. It doesn't matter which! Another difference, besides longevity, is that an immortal's soul is built for eternity, where a mortal soul must be renewed by God every 120 years, or it gets sick. Another difference is that immortals don't have to work like mortals. I've seen this in vampire novels before, where one guy will become his own lineage, leaving everything to himself as a younger relative. Here, they have invaluable antiques, looted from tombs and places never found by man, including gold and precious gems. I think Canat had 110 houses all over the world that he kept filled with such treasure. Then there is communication, immortals can communicate across time and space without saying a word - something telepathic, We humans, talk, talk, talk whenever the mood takes us. And then there's entertainment, immortal entertainment may include killing people, horrifying them, or trapping their souls, while mortals might go to a movie. It's all so very different, more than just a matter of perspective - we are on the same planet, but in two, totally separate worlds.
So why Juliette and Shallem? He said it was her soul that he loved. But who's soul was it? Another angel? We know it's not human, because immortals hate humans. Juliette never felt comfortable around humans. So, what could it be? There are hints, but they never tell you, could this mean a sequel? I hope so, I couldn't get enough of this book.
As Juliette goes on with her story, not only does the priest believe her, but he is so wrapped up too, he keeps trying to have her continue. After much love, violence, action, history, tragedy, happiness, betrayal, sadness and joy her story comes to an end. The priest is exhausted - but wait, what's happenening? You'll have to read the book to find out.w
My recommendation is that anyone who can read English or Spanish should read this, it's the thumpingest - thumping good read off all time! I don't think you'll find another one like this one. Wait and see. This is a story primarily about love, in all it's ways, shapes and forms, some which are weird or unusual, like Juliette and Canat. They both love Shallem, totally and completely. When they are alone, all they talk of is Shallam. Yet,in a funny way, they love each other too, and trust each other to do the right thing, at least where Shallem is concerened. It's a funny relationship. Just go out and buy the book, and don't t let one or two typo's or homophones get in the way of enjoying the story!
There are so many things that happen in this book; even on a single page, that you cant help getting totally engrossed. This is not only a page turner, but addresses some fundamental problems of an immortal living with and loving a mortal can have, that I've ever seen discussed anywhere else. A lot of thought and planning was put into this book - it's just not one of those sensationisltic, hit them with actions, over and over. This one, very much has meaning and thought behind the prose- and it comes out in the characters themselves: their thoughts, their feelings, their actions and their dialogue. It is really impressive.
There are three main characters: Juliette, the mortal woman who loves an angel, Shallem, the angel that she loves who loves her back and Canat who is an angel who shares a soul with Shallem. They love each other like no other, because, they are two halves of one whole. The three live together several centuries, having adventures, playing God's on Earth to humans, even having children. But Juliette can't be immortal forever, and Shallem has plans of his own. You have to understand, these angels - they are fallen angels. God exiled them to Earth after they had that fight so long ago. Shallem and Canat escaped the prison, being strongest of the angels, and went around like they owned the place, until Shallem met Juliette - then everything changed. There is a secondary character, Eonar, who is also a fallen angel, but a nasty one, he hates Shallem, and wants to cause him pain. So the three of them have to contend with Eonar too.
There are many differences between mortals and immortals in this book. All immortals can't stand mortals, they'd just as soon kill them as look at them. The only thing stopping them from wiping them out totally is God's injunction not to hurt mortals. That doesn't mean, that they can't kill a few hundred or thousand at a time if they get pissed off, or are simply inconvenienced. It doesn't matter which! Another difference, besides longevity, is that an immortal's soul is built for eternity, where a mortal soul must be renewed by God every 120 years, or it gets sick. Another difference is that immortals don't have to work like mortals. I've seen this in vampire novels before, where one guy will become his own lineage, leaving everything to himself as a younger relative. Here, they have invaluable antiques, looted from tombs and places never found by man, including gold and precious gems. I think Canat had 110 houses all over the world that he kept filled with such treasure. Then there is communication, immortals can communicate across time and space without saying a word - something telepathic, We humans, talk, talk, talk whenever the mood takes us. And then there's entertainment, immortal entertainment may include killing people, horrifying them, or trapping their souls, while mortals might go to a movie. It's all so very different, more than just a matter of perspective - we are on the same planet, but in two, totally separate worlds.
So why Juliette and Shallem? He said it was her soul that he loved. But who's soul was it? Another angel? We know it's not human, because immortals hate humans. Juliette never felt comfortable around humans. So, what could it be? There are hints, but they never tell you, could this mean a sequel? I hope so, I couldn't get enough of this book.
As Juliette goes on with her story, not only does the priest believe her, but he is so wrapped up too, he keeps trying to have her continue. After much love, violence, action, history, tragedy, happiness, betrayal, sadness and joy her story comes to an end. The priest is exhausted - but wait, what's happenening? You'll have to read the book to find out.w
My recommendation is that anyone who can read English or Spanish should read this, it's the thumpingest - thumping good read off all time! I don't think you'll find another one like this one. Wait and see. This is a story primarily about love, in all it's ways, shapes and forms, some which are weird or unusual, like Juliette and Canat. They both love Shallem, totally and completely. When they are alone, all they talk of is Shallam. Yet,in a funny way, they love each other too, and trust each other to do the right thing, at least where Shallem is concerened. It's a funny relationship. Just go out and buy the book, and don't t let one or two typo's or homophones get in the way of enjoying the story!
June 3, 2015
A very detailed and well written story about a woman who falls in love with a fallen angel. As well written as the story was it was a slow read for me. I think the hardest part I had was that although the author was very precise and told exactly what the main character thought and experienced it was hard to relate to her. She is disdainful of other humans and feels like she never really understands them or their motivations. It makes it kind of hard to want to understand someone who hardly interacts with her own race unless it involves observing their artwork, buying clothes and jewelry, and furnishing homes. She shuns conversations and hopes to live as a ghost, just moving through their world with the intent of them not noticing her which is pretty hard to do when you are in the presence of two glorious angels. So as much as I was curious about her life and experiences I just found her life to be somewhat hollow. What is life without developing friendships and learning more about yourself through hardships and enduring the whole human experience. I liked the end of the book best probably because of the human connection and Juliette's transformation gave the plot some momentum. I found Juliette's solution to her existence to be pretty clever although unsuccessful.
April 8, 2012
This was a Goodreads First Reads giveaway book.
Interesting concept for the book - it was not a romance really, although both the cover and cover art would really have you think so. It's much more a paranormal horror story imho - although with a unique, well-thought out premise. I think it could have been edited down to half of the length, as I found that the general storyline of horror of what Cannat could do and the love Cannat and Shallem had for each other and disregard for humans was redrawn over and over again. It was hard to feel much for the characters as they all carried such disdain for human life, and really, all they had going for them was that they liked animals and were attractive. Not much to speak of in terms of moral or character so I found it difficult to care what happened to them.
But, the concept was interesting - I hadn't read a book before about the concept of 'dark' angels who really weren't that great of souls..
Interesting concept for the book - it was not a romance really, although both the cover and cover art would really have you think so. It's much more a paranormal horror story imho - although with a unique, well-thought out premise. I think it could have been edited down to half of the length, as I found that the general storyline of horror of what Cannat could do and the love Cannat and Shallem had for each other and disregard for humans was redrawn over and over again. It was hard to feel much for the characters as they all carried such disdain for human life, and really, all they had going for them was that they liked animals and were attractive. Not much to speak of in terms of moral or character so I found it difficult to care what happened to them.
But, the concept was interesting - I hadn't read a book before about the concept of 'dark' angels who really weren't that great of souls..
March 10, 2016
El título evoca una novela erotica barata, pero, sorpresivamente, resulta una historia bastante decente de amor y obsesión, que si bien involucra no uno si no dos ángeles caídos, evita en la mayoría de sus páginas caer en cursilerias facilonas.
February 2, 2012
Debo reconocer que me apasionan las historias de ángeles, ("Yo no creo en las meigas, pero haberlas haylas"), así que puede que ya estuviera predispuesta a que me gustase.
Este libro me atrapó no desde la primera página, sino desde el primer párrafo. Es una historia increíble en la que Angeles Goyanes nos lleva de la mano a un paseo por la Historia, desde la Alta Edad Media, hasta nuestros días.
Es un libro que habla del amor, de un amor por encima del tiempo y el espacio, de qué estaríamos dispuestos a hacer por amor. También trata de ese regalo envenenado, que es el libre albedrío, algo que tenemos tanto nosotros como los ángeles. Yo no puedo juzgar a la protagonista, porque tal vez, si estuviera en su piel, yo haría las mismas cosas.
Como apunte final, diré, que me enamoré perdidamente de Cannat, desde el primer momento. Tengo debilidad por los chicos malos, lo confieso.
Este libro me atrapó no desde la primera página, sino desde el primer párrafo. Es una historia increíble en la que Angeles Goyanes nos lleva de la mano a un paseo por la Historia, desde la Alta Edad Media, hasta nuestros días.
Es un libro que habla del amor, de un amor por encima del tiempo y el espacio, de qué estaríamos dispuestos a hacer por amor. También trata de ese regalo envenenado, que es el libre albedrío, algo que tenemos tanto nosotros como los ángeles. Yo no puedo juzgar a la protagonista, porque tal vez, si estuviera en su piel, yo haría las mismas cosas.
Como apunte final, diré, que me enamoré perdidamente de Cannat, desde el primer momento. Tengo debilidad por los chicos malos, lo confieso.
August 19, 2012
Una interesante novela que te introduce en un mundo apasionado basado en el amor en todas sus manifestaciones. Mezcla extraña de hombres, la evolución de la tierra, la creencia y la fe, los ángeles caídos y la mano de Dios.
Nuestra protagonísta cuenta su historia personal, de nada más y nada menos que 400 años, a un sacerdote mientras espera su condena.
Sin duda, un libro interesante al que sólo ensombrece la densidad de la autora a la hora de describir los hechos, situaciones y escenarios que hace que, en ocasiones, la continuidad de la lectura sea algo costosa.
Nuestra protagonísta cuenta su historia personal, de nada más y nada menos que 400 años, a un sacerdote mientras espera su condena.
Sin duda, un libro interesante al que sólo ensombrece la densidad de la autora a la hora de describir los hechos, situaciones y escenarios que hace que, en ocasiones, la continuidad de la lectura sea algo costosa.
January 6, 2016
I found the idea of the story intriguing, but the way it was written was awkward. I pushed through 70% of it. I wanted to give it a fair shot so I kept reading. There are grammatical errors throughout and there are even a few instances where the narrator gets Shallem and Cannat mixed up, saying Cannat is with her when he is nowhere near and it is really Shallem. I continued reading, hoping for the story to pick up, but it never really did.
December 20, 2011
I couldn't really get thru this book. I read to page 100 and didn't enjoy it. It could be just the time of the year I was trying to read it, and the busy ness of my life at the moment, OR my mood. It is however very well written, I just didn't enjoy the story. The story starts in 1212 when a woman falls in love with a fallen angel.
May 24, 2012
Unengaging story, childishly written, with some terrible grammatical errors. When I saw "should of" in a sentence instead of "should have", I was so horrified, I gave up. No-one with a half-decent education would have made a mistake like that, and any decent editor would have edited this out. Not worth my time or anybody else's.
October 15, 2015
A must-read if you enjoy romance and history. I couldn't put this book down. Some minor grammar errors but an entertaining story. You almost start thinking about the souls on earth....
February 16, 2016
Fabulous writing, but got a little tedious. If the book was a bit shorter, it would have been better
April 12, 2021
La concubina del diablo es una novela inolvidable que nos llevará al propio corazón de un ángel caído, a través de una historia llena tanto de inocencia como de crueldad. Su lectura será imposible de interrumpir y dejará un mar de sensaciones en el lector, por la presencia de seres seductores, poderosos y pasionales.
February 7, 2017
Must Read
Juliet and Shallem's love for one another it's something most of us wish for. I feel so sorry for the priest. OMG!!!!
Juliet and Shallem's love for one another it's something most of us wish for. I feel so sorry for the priest. OMG!!!!
October 2, 2017
It was awesome! I was so engrossed with the story line. Characters were so intense. Loved it.
September 11, 2020
Mind blown! 🤯
October 30, 2020
I love it
I love the story and how intelligently it was written. I've read it many times. I look forward to reading more.
I love the story and how intelligently it was written. I've read it many times. I look forward to reading more.
January 2, 2021
Insípido en algunos momentos
Siento que la obra se extendió demasiado de manera innecesaria, lo que hizo que se hiciera aburrida en la segunda mitad.
Siento que la obra se extendió demasiado de manera innecesaria, lo que hizo que se hiciera aburrida en la segunda mitad.
August 27, 2021
No logro entender por qué este libro no es más popular. Me parece muy bueno en verdad.
August 4, 2022
Fue una interesante lectura, un poco larga. Me quedó la interrogante de la razón que tuvo el ángel para escogerla a ella, Juliette preguntó y no fue respondida.
March 5, 2026
Largo y aburrido, se me hizo muy difícil poder seguir leyendo este libro; se requiere de una imaginación más delirante de lo esperado. Nada mas.
September 2, 2020
Te atrapa y no lo puedes soltar...
July 5, 2013
Este fue un descubrimiento accidental que me resultó muy grato. Buscaba qué ebook comprarme en Amazon y al revisar las listas, este aparecía de primero. Usualmente no me dejo llevar por los reviews, pero qué bien que lo hice esta vez. Me encantó este libro por su argumento con toques bíblicos y por el estilo de la misma autora. Es bastante peculiar. Habrá quien diga que usa un lenguaje rebuscado y abusa de ciertas cosas, pero por alguna razón, me encontré repitiendo en voz alta algunas de sus frases. Eso quiere decir que me encantó. ¡Hasta me lo leí tres veces!
July 13, 2015
I was not really anticipating much from this book, but I have to say that it was better than I thought it would be.
Imagine if you were a priest whom I wanted to confess my sins to, and tell my life story would you be willing to listen? What if I told you that the body I am in is not my own and that I am in fact about to share a complicated confession of my love/hate relationship with not one but two fallen angels over a period of a few hundred years, would you think I was insane? Maybe, maybe not right? Seems like an interesting story worth hearing though.
I recommend this book!!!
Imagine if you were a priest whom I wanted to confess my sins to, and tell my life story would you be willing to listen? What if I told you that the body I am in is not my own and that I am in fact about to share a complicated confession of my love/hate relationship with not one but two fallen angels over a period of a few hundred years, would you think I was insane? Maybe, maybe not right? Seems like an interesting story worth hearing though.
I recommend this book!!!
April 20, 2013
No puedo decir que recomendaria este libro a mucha gente. El lenguaje es demasiado rebuscado (y los varios casos de laismo que me encontre me distraian del libro en si) aunque tengo que decir que la mayoria de los ultimos libros que he leido en espan~ol son mucho peores en ese sentido. Me da la impresion de que la autora queria darnos una historia sobre moralidad o algo asi, pero el argumento no teiene suficiente interes como para que esta idea sea aparente.
October 26, 2012
I want to actually go 3.5 stars. What a thought-provoking story. My biggest complaint is with spelling and some grammatical errors. It makes we wonder who (if anyone) bothered to edit this story...what a disservice to be distracted by improper word usage (taught instead of taut for example). This story did keep me very involved though. I would definitely recommend to others.
June 24, 2016
I liked it, this book was not what i expected. I'm not sure how i feel about it. Over all i gave a 3 star rating becuase of the end. it wasn't a bad ending it was just. The story was well written and very disriptive. The ending is the only issue i had. other than that i am please to have this additon to my library.
June 3, 2013
Omg! Qué buen libro.... Al principio me aburrió un poquito hasta que tomo forma la historia y no pare de leerlo, no se qué pensar de los ángeles pero me encanto la historia de esta muchacha que paso por el tiempo y vivió un amor tan intenso.... Ahora voy a empezar a leer el libro que le sigue.... Los Hijos del Ángel!
July 20, 2012
This made for a decent story and was equally thought provoking. I enjoyed it most for the ideas it proposed regarding religion and human souls, yet perhaps a bit was lost in the translation as I commonly find with books that were originally written in another language.
July 6, 2012
This author reminds me of Anne Rice with slightly less descriptive writing. I liked the story and the character's and felt glad to have a book finish without leading me into 2 more novels...so sick of trilogies.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews