Angels of Vengeance

The Disappearance #3

by John Birmingham

This is the New World. Born of chaos and madness. Remember that if nothing else. Jed Culver, President Kipper's right hand man, knows that what is right and what is best are rarely the same thing. Can he go against the President's wishes? Mad Jackson Blackstone, rogue governor of the Republic of Texas, is slowly but surely destroying the new United States of America. The time has come. In New York, Caitlin Monroe came within a hair's breadth of vengeance. Is her old nemesis still alive? Lady Julianne Balwyn is being hunted in the grimy freeport of Darwin. Can she survive long enough to save her friends? Sofia Pieraro is completely alone, revenge her only reason to stay alive. This time it's personal. The final battle to save America will not be fought with armies, but the choices of individuals, whose vengeance drives them to make the wrong decisions at the right time.

Genres: Science Fiction, Alternate History, Fiction, Thriller, Post Apocalyptic, Fantasy, Military Fiction

545 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 10, 2012

About the author

John Birmingham grew up in Ipswich, Queensland and was educated at St Edmunds Christian Brother's College in Ipswich and the University of Queensland in Brisbane. His only stint of full time employment was as a researcher at the Defence Department. After this he returned to Queensland to study law but he did not complete his legal studies, choosing instead to pursue a career as a writer. He currently lives in Brisbane.

While a law student he was one of the last people arrested under the state's Anti Street March legislation. Birmingham was convicted of displaying a sheet of paper with the words 'Free Speech' written on it in very small type. The local newspaper carried a photograph of him being frogmarched off to a waiting police paddy wagon.

Birmingham has a degree in international relations.

Reviews

[Graeme Rodaughan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still 3 stars - a classic case of read it once and move on.

A bit like a one night stand that happens after you've had too much to drink, all the good-looking partners have already been taken and you settled for 'whatever's left.'

Just 3 stars. Could have been 2, but lifted by a classy bit of action and overdue vengeance at the end.

[Otherwyrld · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh boy does John Birmingham like to put his characters (and his audience) through the wringer! The third and final part of this series continues to follow through on the story as set up in the first book. The author said in an interview that he likes to start of with a large cast of characters and then whittle them down, and he certainly does so in this book as we lose people we have been following through some 2000 pages of story.

At one point I was getting concerned that there may be a fourth book heaving into sight, as we were hurtling towards the end and there were so many loose ends to tie up. And then - bam! - everything is resolved in just a few pages of high-octane drama. After such a long series, it almost felt anticlimactic, though I for one would not have liked to plough through another doorstop book.

One thing I did like about this series, was the way in which the female characters are handled. Out of all the people we are introduced to in this series, it is Caitlyn, Julianne and Sophia who make most of the running and solve most of the problems. It's an interesting point of view from the author, who recently caused a minor kerfuffle on the interwebs with a blog entry deriding most men for their misogynistic attitudes. Certainly its a refreshing point of view in a series that would have otherwise been a macho sausage-fest and a complete turn-off for many female readers.

So, a qualified success from my point of view, but I think this will go down well with a lot of people.

[Tim Mercer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining read and fast moving. There were some parts of the story that felt rushed but they didn't kill the book for me. The series has been closed off for now but I would happily follow the surviving characters through where life takes them next.

[Somewhatbent · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very nice surprise! I don't knowingly start series in the middle, but as a reviewer I get what I get. In this case it was engaging enough that I'm going to hunt up books one and two, and wait and watch for book 4. I want to see the progression of how they got from wherever to here. The book is the third of a stated Trilogy, but the ending is a clear and unambiguous opening for a book Four.

Strong, smart, resourceful female characters. Without having the backstory from books One and Two I'm still missing some key pieces, but the fundamental basics of each character's thread become clear enough. The interweaving of circumstance that link Caitlin, Jules and Sofia are as complex as the shattered world in which they live. Politics, society, and general order are all in a state of flux and potential upheaval. Each of these women has a Cause -- and in working toward them, end up on paths that cross and sometimes coincide.

This isn't exactly a techno-thriller, an action adventure, or a political intrigue novel, although there are elements of all three. There are very few true surprises, but it's not so predictable as to be a 'formula' book. As a stand alone it's not quite rich enough in detail to make the events of the previous books clear, but it's skillfully written and moves fast. As I said before, it was engaging enough that I *will* find and read Without Warning and After America.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this easy to pick up, and difficult to put down. The action picked up from the first page, and while it took me a chapter or two to place the journey the characters had took, they quickly clicked into place. The plot twists built slowly but surely, using tension to great effect to keep me reading, especially when chapters ended on cliffhangers! The climax was breathtaking and left me feeling broadly satisfied, but I'm still unhappy not knowing the fate of a few characters. I may have to look out for more by this author.

[Jeffrey Schmieder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great series. Intriguing scenario, most of America is gone, but it is starting to come back after a strange accident. Third in the series.

[Matt Mitrovich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Angels of Vengeance by John Birmingham is the latest (and last?) novel in the trilogy that began with Without Warning. Some backstory, our tale begins when a dome of energy descends onto North America on the eve of the Iraq War, covering most of the continent. Millions perish and anyone who attempts to enter the dome disappears as well. The United States of America (except for Alaska, Hawaii, and a small enclave around Seattle) is destroyed, along with large chunks of Canada and Mexico (plus the Bahamas but no one mentions them at all, so screw it). While some mourn or celebrate the loss of life, it becomes clear that a world without America is a bad place indeed. The world economy collapses and the global environment is ruined as nuclear reactors fail and fires rage in the depopulated North America with no one around to stop them.

The story continues in After America. The dome is gone and the North American wilderness is open for recolonization. The United States is struggling to retake its lost homeland from gangsters, pirates, scavengers and Islamist fighters fleeing the irradiated Middle East (after Israel carried out the Samson Option), which comes to a climax in the epic Battle of New York. A greater threat, however, comes from Texas where a mad former general will either remake America in his own image or force the country into a bloody civil war. In the rest of the world, the geopolitical situation is fluid and new powers our testing the old order.

Angels of Vengeance concludes many of the story lines began in the previous two books. While Birmingham uses many point of views to tell the story, there are three characters who are the primary plot movers, our "angels". First, we have Echelon agent Caitlin Monroe, or "Commando Barbie" as some call her. She is on the hunt for the terrorist who instigated the civil war in France and the Battle of New York. She really wants him dead and will go anywhere and do anything to accomplish her goal. Second, we have Sofia Peiraro, a teenage girl who witnessed the murder of her family in Texas and survived the trek north to Kansas City with her father, only to learn that he has been murdered. She suspects it was ordered by General "Mad Jack" Blackstone, governor of Texas, and she is now heading south to avenge her family. Finally there is Julianne Balwyn, a British-born aristocrat turned smuggler. She is being stalked through Darwin, Australia, now a cyberpunk-esque free port in this changed world, by hitmen ordered to take her and her friends out by someone powerful with a score to settle. To stop him, Jules will have no choice but to put herself in the open and let her hunters strike.

I have enjoyed Birmingham's works for three main reasons: bringing techno-thrillers to alternate history, not being afraid to kill off important characters and the use of strong female characters in a genre dominated by men. He did not disappoint me in this novel and I especially was amused by how Microsoft dominates the tech world with their smart phones having that annoying paper clip, Microsoft Where? and people saying "go MSN it." More importantly, the entire series has been a plausible and very descriptive scenario on what was likely to happen if the United States were to disappear. It also had good character development and, of course, action.

If I had any real complaint it was how James Kipper turned out. I felt that he went from a reluctant rebel, to idealistic leader and finally to naive politician. Considering the events of After America I found it odd how he evolved into someone who could not be bothered with making the hard choices. Since he is only a minor character in this novel, however, his presence does not do enough to ruin the story, but it is disappointing to see one of my favorite characters lose what made me like the guy in the first place.

I guess the last thing to talk about is whether or not this novel is a conclusion to the series. Certainly the final epilogue leaves it open for more books and there is still so much going on in the world that could be covered. The ending, however, might just be the only plausible way to end such a story. Life does not stop for the characters just because the book ends. There are no real happy endings, only life going on, with its pitfalls and promises. I really did enjoy the series and I hope those reading this review who have not read the series will go and pick out these books to read.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

I finished the audio book of this one in the bath tonight, cos I was sure I didn't have much to go.

Overall, I found this really hard to concentrate on. I dont know if it was the audiobook format, or the story itself, but I found myself tuning out quite frequently. As I result I'm not sure if the things i feel this book is missing are actually missing, or just missing for me cos I happened to miss that detail.... For example, I still don't know what "the wave" is and I don't know if I missed it or it just wast there.

I also found I wasn't a huge lover over the follow 6 characters at once format. Sometimes the gap between follow up of a single character was so long, by the time we came back to them I had forgotten who they were. I also felt like I couldn't tell how all the characters related. I guess that's typical of this format in the beginning, and I have read other books like this and enjoyed them. I guess with this one I just didn't feel like they had all been sufficiently linked by the end. But again that could be because I missed something.

All in all I can't say I would run out to buy or even borrow a written copy of this. Especially as I didn't like the ending. I found it slow and lacking in intensity or excitement. And it was far to clear that the author was leaving everything hanging so he could write a sequel or follow up story of he wanted. Just didnt do it for me.

Aha. I have just discovered I listened to the third book in the trilogy with know knowledge of the first two, this might have been a huge factor in all the things I didn't understand!

[Nick Brett · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third (and presumably final) volume in the “After America” trilogy. The series started with the premise of a mysterious energy wave killing most of the inhabitants of the US while leaving everything else intact, but encased in the wave. Set back in the early 80’s with the majority of the US Military in the Middle East it was a fascinating view of how the US no longer being in the picture would have an impact on the world economy and how the balance of power would shift and old grudges would play out. In the second book the wave goes away, leaving the US a treasure trove for, pirates, mercenaries and those who are anti-US. The main focus here being the battle to reclaim New York. Much of these stories are seen from the eyes of a number of key characters.
In Angels of Vengeance the focus is on three female characters (the author is fond of strong females) as they seek the vengeance of the title in the world post the wave. Mainly set in the US and Australia this has less of the big picture and more on the three ladies in question, one of whom is a very entertaining James Bond type. Quite a few of the characters we have met over the books make an appearance which was a nice touch.

I have to say I have enjoyed the trilogy, especially the first one which was both thought provoking and clever, the next two were always going to struggle to keep up with the wow factor of the first. You could stop after the first one if it is just the big picture changing world stuff you like, but I liked the characters and the scenario so I am pleased I stuck with this to the end.

[Liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great idea, in all three books. But, the author has not earned my trust. They are all fantastic characters that leave impressions behind. Unfortunately some grammatical flubs (where it seems spell check won over sentence structure) left me confused. Generally, the characters are developed well, but without all having clear purposes...unless that is the point, which is acceptable as a device. The next book seems transparently looming, in favor of a reason to wrap up this one, and in many ways there were more questions at the end. I love where this all could, has, and is going.... But, it left me wanting for more and distracted by odd out of context colloquialisms, abuse of words like "bespoke," and incomplete character thought sequences (where a thought, memory, or historical context would say that a character would not do X and then two sentences later...they were doing X without explanation of the obvious personal compromise implied). Overall, I wish there was more to the story. However, there is real resonance to the idea of chance and circumstance. In that, the series is beautiful and poignant. But, you have to have read 1 and 2, in my opinion, before 3.

However, after one of the first tragic events occurred... I presupposed the outcome and felt it contrived in order to launch another thread...another idea. All valid, and I will indeed keep reading, but not without questioning where the author might be leading me along the way.

[Clay Kallam · Rating 1 out of 5]

A book that is heavy on psychology and subtle gradations of emotion, or one that examines the complexities and philosophic uncertainties of modern life, may be excused for digressions and long stretches where the plot, such as it may be, barely twitches in a forward direction.

But a book that is about action -- and violent, bloody, detailed action at that -- must move at a different pace. It must be lean as well as mean, and the pages must turn without much time spent on introspection or metaphysical meanderings.

Now, John Birmingham’s “Angels of Vengeance” (Del Rey, $26, 530 pages) does have an occasional nod to the ethical aspects of various characters’ decisions to commit bloody mayhem, but at heart, it’s a straightforward action novel – and should be about 300 pages shorter. In other words, Birmingham doesn’t cut to the chase nearly quickly enough in this concluding volume of a trilogy that began with “Without Warning.”

The setup is interesting if highly implausible: Some unknown mechanism causes every human being in 90 percent of the United States in 2003 to die, leaving everything else intact. The world is obviously much different, and the first book explores the political and economic consequences of the disappearance of the United States. By “Angels of Vengeance,” however, all the world-building has been worked out, and all that’s left is a too-long revenge-based action thriller that could have been set pretty much anywhere.

In short, not recommended …

[Francis Fabian · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm about 1/3rd of the way through the first book but I couldn't help myself so I've been reading opinions of books 2 & 3. And, apparently, the "Wave" is never explained. Therefore this is a fantasy series and not SF. I don't do fantasy (save for LotR and that was for high school). I need a plausible (even tenuous) explanation for the wave. Without it it is just a techno thriller dream by some fervent anti-american. Not my cup of tea at all. Certainly there are SF tropes. Examining how the world reacts to the scenario of America disappearing but the very basis for it has to have some (even dodgy) physics behind it. I'm reminded of reading a Synopsis of Robert Charles Wilson's Darwinia where Europe and parts of Asia & Africa disappear. Apparently that has an SFnal basis (I may read it next?) and The Years of Rice and Salt by Kim Stanley Robinson where 99% of Europe dies because of the black death. I wonder if his Axis of Time fails similarly as SF or it might actually be worth reading. Anyway, I move on from the Disappearance to something else.

[Louis · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Angels of Vengeance” is book 3 of a trilogy by the Australian author John Birmingham. The start of this trilogy was set in 2003 before the first gulf war when an energy wave/bubble takes out the USA (most of Mexico and much of Canada). All that's left of our country is Seattle, Alaska, Hawaii, troops in Cuba and the Middle East and any citizens outside of the country at the time.

This final book wraps up the stories started in book 1. One thing I do like about this author is that he’s not afraid to kill off major characters throughout the story. That did keep me guessing.

Overall I enjoyed the series, but I felt that his focus on just his handful of characters without a broader look at the world cheated me of a much grander story. To be fair, while that is my desire that does not have to be his goal. I think I was spoiled by his previous trilogy “The Axis of Time” which would jump between characters and what was occurring on the world stage. With this series I did not feel I was seeing enough of the “world stage” story.

This series is a good beach/vacation read.

Book 1 –Without Warning
Book 2 – After America
Book 3 - Angels of Vengeance

[Dylstra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh look, the short version is “don’t bother.” The first book in the series is kind of interesting as a thought experiment but it quickly devolves into an exercise in tying up loose ends.

The thought experiment—what would happen if the stabilising influence of the US as superpower was suddenly removed?—runs out of steam surprisingly quickly. It rapidly becomes apparent that the author thinks that the current political climate has become completely unwieldy and would be greatly improved if only we could replace the current morally-murky pragmatists with, say, other pragmatists supported by other morally-murky agents who can get the really pragmatic things done.

To reduce the series to a case of nostalgia for when people could mine and burn coal without having to mind the impacts seems unfair, but it wouldn’t be completely unfounded…

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fairly satisfying end to the Disappearance trilogy. Birmingham has no qualms about cleaning out characters he's done with and I'm glad he takes the time to see to their end in the story itself instead of letting them vanish during the break between books. Like his Axis of Time trilogy, I wish he spent more exposition on the political systems that inhabit his new world setting, but I understand the need to balance interests. And to be fair, I think he kept an excellent pace and balance between the three primary characters without neglecting my favorites in Seattle.

[Luciano · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the last book of the trilogy written by John Birmingham. In my previous ratings/reviews of his books, I thought the first one was just brilliant, the second one was inconsistent and unintentionally funny at times. With this last one, the author did an amazing job of tying everything together.

Writing a story is hard, but it's even harder when the story stretches over the course of three books. And it's even more difficult when there are so many characters. I was very impressed that the author was able to maintain the arch of each of the characters and balance them all so that by the end of the story every single last one of them had closure to their particular facet of the story. Everything tied together perfectly. I couldn't detect any loose ends or gaps in the storyline, that could have easily happened when taking on the responsibility of writing a story across three different books. For that alone, the author should be duly applauded.

I would have given the story Five Stars, but for the fact that the first quarter of the story seemed to be getting almost too out of hand. However, by the middle of the story, the story was on all four legs and off and running. I would have liked to have had more background action with Sophia as she is such an important character. I was able to track her progress throughout the story, but then all of a sudden she seems to disappear and then shows up right at the end. This affected my rating as well. She should have been given equal time, given how she changes the outcome of just about everything related to the story by the end of it. In terms of the characters, I would say she turns out to be the most important one, though not necessarily the most interesting.

In terms of how much I enjoyed reading the books, I would say that I liked the first book the best, the third book the second best, and the second book I liked the least. It was worth reading all of them as the story is an excellent one. Good enough to be made into a movie, or better yet a series.

[Frank Mikes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes when it takes me a long time to read a book it's because I wasn't that into it. I'm a slow reader at the best of times though and my reading habits have changed recently so I can assure everyone that Angels of Vengeance is actually one of John Birmingham's better books in my opinion.

The Disappearance series is one of my favourites from Birmingham. He apparently got the idea of an overheard conversation in an airport when someone said, “I wish America (the USA part) would just go away.” Birmingham ran with that concept and shows just how terrifying that can be even if you aren't a big fan of US influence on the world.

Angels of Vengeance is the third and last in the series, tying up all of the loose ends and solving the remaining mysteries. The book has several point of view characters, all from earlier books in the series. These characters are all well developed and interesting as one would expect.

It is an extremely satisfying read to find out what happens to the various people that you have been reading about through these extremely interesting times of 90% of the US population suddenly disappearing and then, when the wave that disappeared them vanishes, how the US tries to re-establish itself in the world.

Birmingham's effortless style and knowledge of geopolitics is well on display in this book and if anyone enjoyed his Axis of Time series, you will probably like this one as well.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is third in a series, and readers will definitely want to read books 1 and 2 first, as events in those books are frequently referred to in this volume. This is a well-researched story environment, involving a world where much of the population of North America has been "Disappeared" by an unknown, cloud-like force. Characters are well developed, interesting and include several strong females. This volume picks up where volume 2, "After America" left off. Without giving any spoilers, there are enough twists to keep the plot interesting, and the ending is a satisfying one. There is quite a bit of politics in the story, more than I prefer in my post-apocalyptic fiction, but that is typical of Birmingham's style. The author has left his options open for a fourth book. I highly recommend this series for fans of sci-fi and post-apocalyptic fiction.

[Philip Higgins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This seemed to meander for long passages with detailed description of post-apocalyptic America and political wrangling. Given that this was the trilogy's big finish, I was expecting a faster pace and more action (as per the previous books). That said, when it finally came the ending tied matters up neatly for all concerned. There was even an intriguing hint of more to come.
Minor gripes: the cover features events from the previous book. There is no explanation of "the Wave", the mysterious energy surge that wiped out swathes of the American population. All is forgiven when you have sympathetic, colourful characters you've followed through thick & thin. The author's voice is....distinctive. Crocodile Dundee spliced with Tom Clancy. A winning combo.

[Mike Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

First class writing. Finally got to read the last in John Birmingham’s trilogy. Bringing to an end the story of what happened after 600 million people were vaporised from an unknown event in the US. The ramifications across the globe. From Israel nuking the Arab States. Civil war in France, and Britain putting the shutters around the Island. A series of interrelated characters in different parts of the world. Fast pace. Great action and witty dialogue. I hope if the Author is reading this (probably unlikely) that he resurrects the story later. My wife is now reading and enjoying the first book.

[Bob Allis · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was expecting a bit more in the convergence of stories, it felt forced, unnatural, and cobbled together at the very end. It almost seemed like the author just wanted to be done with this series, because the first 2 had promise, but this one just seemed disjointed throughout the entire book.

In this Audible version, I had 2 hours left and wondered "how is he going to be able to wrap this up nicely?" At one hour remaining, I realized he will wrap it up, but it's not going to be nicely. With only 10 minutes left, my fears were realized.

I really only finished this one because I needed to see what happened to all the main characters, and it took me a while.

[Eric Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally, finished this book. It took a while because of other commitments, but it's done. And I wish John would to more of these books, maybe I'll look into it sometime. Anyway, the book is really good and has towards the end the climax that you always look for when it gets exciting, and you decide that you don't have anything better to do. I liked the whole series and wished he would have expanded more, but this is it. The series ends well on a sort of bad note, but it's a thriller, not an HEA book. So I would recommend checking out the series, lest you miss a good trilogy that is good reading.

[dennis barron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Angels of Vengeance. John Birmingham

Book three in this series. As in the two prior novels, this is an extraordinarily well written action thriller. I would expect nothing less from J. Birmingham! The world is recovering from a disaster of unknown origins most of America was destroyed, but is rebuilding. The newly elected president has some unsavory enemies . There are twists and turns on every page. Heartbreak and betrayal. This is a fantastic read! I hope there will be a fourth book!!!

[Neville · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title will give you an idea of the cast. Caitlin Munroe is tasked to hunt down killers with one of them Mad Jack Blackstone, a rogue governor of Texas. He has been party to some shifty deals, but one person who is after him is Sofia Pieraro because of the deaths of her family and friends. Also linked to unexplained deaths is Lady Julianne Balwyn. They are linked directly and indirectly throughout the book.
I found that there were parts of the book that made it a bit long winded, but overall, I enjoyed this story.

[Donna Hulsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read After America and at the end had to order this book, because it left everything up in the air. This book also has an ending that leaves us wondering what happens next. This one started out with the loss of a favorite character from the last book. This is a premise that I can see happening to this country, especially with what is happening right now. Very good book, with characters you will love as I did.

[David · Rating 1 out of 5]

What an unmitigated waste of time. Author doesn't seem to have a clue as to how to write a story despite some random sentences and paragraphs of passing mediocrity. A study of the human condition under dire circumstances? Some kind of elaborate secret joke right? Author sure likes to string long chains of disconnected sentences together. Hides misogyny behind a curtain of exceptionally masculine female protagonists. Just plain bad.

[Richard Domey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finely over

Too much padding with unimportant details that have nothing to do with the series plots. The author takes so much space giving us his political philosophy that we fall asleep before the plot continues. He needs to remember that it's the story line that got us hooked, not his philosophy. Yes, most often its the same as mine, but, again we're still here at book 3 of the series for the plot!

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK, not high literature, but that does not diminish the entertainment value — kept me reading. Good beach read. A bit heavy handed in the blood & gore descriptions at times but that comes with the genre. Builds on the events of the 1st and 2nd books, pulls things together, with a satisfying close at the end from an almost forgotten angle when things were looking most dire. And I did like the strong female protagonists — and happy there are 3 of them !

[Dave Jedlicka · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story, but I was let down by never having the "WAVE" or the event explained. Since this is #3 of a series, I presume it was well explained in previous books, but as a stand-alone read, you won't really know what happened to set up this edition.

[Hayden J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just Wow

Okay what a great series of books. Started with a great idea, developed the team of characters and story arcs that kept me entertained to see what happened next, highly recommended.