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The Angelkiller Triad #1
AngelKiller
Why do bad things happen to good people? Simple. In the ancient war between the Angels of Light and Darkness, the Dark won. Now it is the job of an undercover force simply known as The Army to rectify that. Using every tool available, The Army has worked to liberate our world from The Enemy for thousands of years, slowly and painfully lifting Mankind out of the dark. On the front of the great Conflict are the Angelkillers, veterans of the fight with centuries of experience. Jonah Mason is an Angelkiller, and his cell is targeted as part of plot to unseat a very powerful Minion of The Enemy. Mason and his troop are drawn into a battle that stretches from real-time to virtual reality and back. The Conflict is about to expand into cyberspace, and if Mason is unable to stop it, The Enemy will have gained dominion over yet another realm.
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 20, 2011
7 people are currently reading
200 people want to read
About the author
H. David Blalock
80 books22 followersH. David Blalock has been writing speculative fiction for nearly 50 years. His work has appeared in novels, novellas, stories, articles, reviews, and commentary both in print and online. Since 1996, his fiction has appeared in over two dozen magazines including Pro Se Presents, Aphelion Webzine, Quantum Muse, Shelter of Daylight Magazine, The Harrow, The Three-Lobed Burning Eye, The Martian Wave and many more. His current novel series is the three book Angelkiller Triad from Seventh Star Press. He is editor for parABnormal Magazine from Hiraeth Publishing. His work continues to appear on a regular basis through multiple publishing houses.
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March 28, 2012
4.75 stars truly
"Nature is, after all, a series of cycles: seasons without end, life and death and life again"- location 55
A primary example of the beautifully written prose you will find within the pages constructed throughout this engaging read. AngelKiller` maybe 200 pages long, but this is no Sunday Shorts read. The book is thick, full of a wonderfully wrought world that is feasible to the mind's eye as a definitive reality very near in our future. The reality of the world we live in today, each time the news is turned on or newspaper read, a war being fought in the name of religion. Be it the wars across the oceans that take our soldiers away from us, to the religious and moralistic wars being waged against the LGBT community, we are embroiled in this gigantic cluster F* that has stretched into every orifice of every community since humankind first raised a fist against something that threatened the nature of his existence, not life but beliefs, ideals and darkness.
H. David Blalock presents us with the age-old conflict of Good versus Evil. Though he does not directly name any god, be it Christian or otherwise this is a similar struggle as the one between Satan and God. Yes he does borrow from Christian Mythos for familiarity sake, however any monotheistic subscriber will easily recognize a generalized structure and hierarchy from their own mythos. The names of those involved and their nature including some conventions directly relating to the Christian sect makes it a more comfortable fit for Western Cultural beliefs. However with the inclusion of a sprinkle of epicness I dare add, AngelKiller calls to question, "Is Good really winning?", in its presentation of events within the first of this series. Blalock stacks them in such a manner I was torn from my cradle of warmth and the blinders of my happy life ripped away from my face.
"The question "why do bad things happen to good people?" that plagued philosophers and clerics had a very simple answer. In the Great War between Good and Evil, Evil had come out the victor. The Truth about this was hidden from most of humanity because the victors wrote the history. In the minds of men, evil became the good and vice versa. There were, however, a few who knew the Truth, and that few, calling themselves The Army, waged a continuing war against The Enemy" - (location 327)
We are not winning, he is right. We struggle each day with the expanse of technology, each day riding the wave of temptation and someone else's Machiavellian machinations attempting to construct the outcome through greed, information and exposure. How could a millinial war of Angel and Demons compete?
It has been shown in many different dreamers works the representatives and agents of Evil usually are more with the times and willing to embrace each new temptation within the gluttonous actions and hedonistic-like sensation junky lifestyle humankind live today. or attempt too. I will not to restrict this to Western culture, even in third world countries people strive to own a piece of the future. From childhood we learn it is always a bit easier being bad than being good. Though the end result may not be as fun or rewarding.
Time and time again in all types of consumable media the personification of Good is in the form of a conservative traditionalist therefore needing to force themselves into embracing the emerging technology. Keeping up with the horned and pitchfork wielding Jones' from over on Brimstone Lane if you will. This would obviously be a challenge. The question here is how do you develop and present a believable character that fits this role. One that will still be a traditionalist but yet able to have his actions label him as AngelKiller. I guess you will need to pick the book up and find out , to give you more would spoil the experience. Plus by the end the book it a question still being explored.
"The idea of spiritual warfare had been relegated to the stigma of anti-intellectualism, of the non-scientific. With the rise of the new religion called Science, the supernatural forces that drove the subliminal psyche of humankind paradoxically became even more powerful." - (location 439)
In AngelKiller, The Army's answer to the emerging 'Religion of Science" is recruiting human representatives. Gifting them with longevity, as is the case with Mason. The Enemies hierarchy from the top to the bottom with its egomaniacal and egotistical minions, coerce through promises and trades, as it has always done; "I will give you [insert trade'] though not clear on what the positive aspect of this transaction is, the end result is The Enemy has a skin, a human body to "wear" where the actual essence, or soul of said human is no longer aware until The Enemy moves on or is forced to move on. The war still has two armies but with the complexities of modern society being played by the ancient rules of Good vs. Evil it also adds a different sub-set of rules. Only time and the promise of a series will truly explain just what is going on for these characters, especially our protagonist.
Our main character, Jonah Mason is introduced in the first two chapters with a glimpse at the beginning (or the end of his natural life if you truly want to argue semantics) and a taste of his current life. It opens with him sitting in a glider rocker on a porch, about to face the modern representatives of Evil smoking a Montecristo cigar at the end of a driveway. I can almost feel the chill in the air and the energy as I recall the passage, from both the breeze I can picture coming down the lane and the malevolence that Blalock clearly hints at with the black sedan approaching.
At first the prologue or flashback to a life before he accepted the role as a living Representative of The Master (let's call him who he is, God) turned me off. I have to be of the right frame of mind to read books based in the era of Rome, after all I am a medievalist! I balked at reading anymore. But it was a short read and I was trusting my dear friend when she said I would indeed love it. The next chapter did it! I know that when I am holding my breath or clinching my jaw to the point of needing to shake it off, my soul has been lost to the world within the pages of a book.
"He had seen men perform great feats of courage and cowardice. He had even once seen an authentic Cherub, a sight both inspiring and terrifying. He had never seen a Minion in its true form. Until now." - location 2183
A strong and solid example of this new branding and genre of speculative fiction, AngelKiller also sprinkled with alliteration and depth, driving the story forward rarely seen in today's literature. Giving "what- ifs" without actually asking or answering the question. Set in the near future, Blalock engages the use of technology in such a way we accept it as truth of a possible future. The technology is presented and constructed as such to the logical growth from the virtual world we live in today.
"It was inevitable that the interactive capabilities intrinsic in the internet should generate this kind of substructure."- (location 464) "It was the ultimate sterile, passionless outlet for man's basest instinct: destruction." - (location 491)
Being able to plug into a world as so many of us do now, Blalock has the cell The Army's human representatives able to maintain anonymity to the point the cell structure of Mason's particular group is compromised. Not completly but partially because of this handicap. Most of the cell have never met in person, could tell you where they lived or anything other than was discussed in a virtually constructed cyber-world. This speaks loudly to todays emergence of a new techno-culture that many authors bring up to where humankind is headed. Perhaps a subtle hint that occasionally we need to unplug or some ancient army may just unplug for us.
This is the first installment of what is promising to be more than "just" an engaging read. Perhaps not on the level or same arena of Ishmael (though at least sitting in the lobby of that reading room), it is closer to having nuances of fabulistic lessons and ethical questioning we as society need to have spoon fed to us. All gathered together in a nice consumable one-handed wrap! Do not shove morals and ethics down my throat people, give me something like this to read, ponder and allowing me go "hmmm". Write to me and cause me to gather at coffee shops and book clubs with a tattered paperback clutched in my hand discussing why Mason is called AngelKiller and is he part of the army of Good or does he just think he is?
"I intend to kill him if necessary." Jaelon's expression went grim and the other Knights crossed their arms and scowled. "So, they call you Angelkiller for a reason," Malthusan said - (location 1968)
I know many are perhaps wondering where is the review? I promise it was my intent to do so, and I do plan on giving ga nice two dimensional short and sweet one with a side of Angel food Cake this week, but for now my advice (and if you have gotten this far) go and buy the book, grab a notebook (or your stylus if you have a touch reader), write questions, notate & memorable quotes and moments, then ponder and think. I certainly did. I finished this book over a week ago... for the second time. The complexity of the message embedded in this beautifully wrought literary work and within stroke Mr. Blalock's `voice'. Take a chance to go `hmmm' along with everyone else that has read it. Or, if you like, go get this book, sit down and read it with a good cup of tea or a double shot of whiskey and be prepared to be thrilled and chilled, left wanting for more. By the end you will be cursing with fist in the air because the next one is not due out for three long months!*. Till then enjoy the question, is the Army of Light always good? Does evil have a place? What happens if we keep these rose-colored glasses on...
"Nature is, after all, a series of cycles: seasons without end, life and death and life again"- location 55
A primary example of the beautifully written prose you will find within the pages constructed throughout this engaging read. AngelKiller` maybe 200 pages long, but this is no Sunday Shorts read. The book is thick, full of a wonderfully wrought world that is feasible to the mind's eye as a definitive reality very near in our future. The reality of the world we live in today, each time the news is turned on or newspaper read, a war being fought in the name of religion. Be it the wars across the oceans that take our soldiers away from us, to the religious and moralistic wars being waged against the LGBT community, we are embroiled in this gigantic cluster F* that has stretched into every orifice of every community since humankind first raised a fist against something that threatened the nature of his existence, not life but beliefs, ideals and darkness.
H. David Blalock presents us with the age-old conflict of Good versus Evil. Though he does not directly name any god, be it Christian or otherwise this is a similar struggle as the one between Satan and God. Yes he does borrow from Christian Mythos for familiarity sake, however any monotheistic subscriber will easily recognize a generalized structure and hierarchy from their own mythos. The names of those involved and their nature including some conventions directly relating to the Christian sect makes it a more comfortable fit for Western Cultural beliefs. However with the inclusion of a sprinkle of epicness I dare add, AngelKiller calls to question, "Is Good really winning?", in its presentation of events within the first of this series. Blalock stacks them in such a manner I was torn from my cradle of warmth and the blinders of my happy life ripped away from my face.
"The question "why do bad things happen to good people?" that plagued philosophers and clerics had a very simple answer. In the Great War between Good and Evil, Evil had come out the victor. The Truth about this was hidden from most of humanity because the victors wrote the history. In the minds of men, evil became the good and vice versa. There were, however, a few who knew the Truth, and that few, calling themselves The Army, waged a continuing war against The Enemy" - (location 327)
We are not winning, he is right. We struggle each day with the expanse of technology, each day riding the wave of temptation and someone else's Machiavellian machinations attempting to construct the outcome through greed, information and exposure. How could a millinial war of Angel and Demons compete?
It has been shown in many different dreamers works the representatives and agents of Evil usually are more with the times and willing to embrace each new temptation within the gluttonous actions and hedonistic-like sensation junky lifestyle humankind live today. or attempt too. I will not to restrict this to Western culture, even in third world countries people strive to own a piece of the future. From childhood we learn it is always a bit easier being bad than being good. Though the end result may not be as fun or rewarding.
Time and time again in all types of consumable media the personification of Good is in the form of a conservative traditionalist therefore needing to force themselves into embracing the emerging technology. Keeping up with the horned and pitchfork wielding Jones' from over on Brimstone Lane if you will. This would obviously be a challenge. The question here is how do you develop and present a believable character that fits this role. One that will still be a traditionalist but yet able to have his actions label him as AngelKiller. I guess you will need to pick the book up and find out , to give you more would spoil the experience. Plus by the end the book it a question still being explored.
"The idea of spiritual warfare had been relegated to the stigma of anti-intellectualism, of the non-scientific. With the rise of the new religion called Science, the supernatural forces that drove the subliminal psyche of humankind paradoxically became even more powerful." - (location 439)
In AngelKiller, The Army's answer to the emerging 'Religion of Science" is recruiting human representatives. Gifting them with longevity, as is the case with Mason. The Enemies hierarchy from the top to the bottom with its egomaniacal and egotistical minions, coerce through promises and trades, as it has always done; "I will give you [insert trade'] though not clear on what the positive aspect of this transaction is, the end result is The Enemy has a skin, a human body to "wear" where the actual essence, or soul of said human is no longer aware until The Enemy moves on or is forced to move on. The war still has two armies but with the complexities of modern society being played by the ancient rules of Good vs. Evil it also adds a different sub-set of rules. Only time and the promise of a series will truly explain just what is going on for these characters, especially our protagonist.
Our main character, Jonah Mason is introduced in the first two chapters with a glimpse at the beginning (or the end of his natural life if you truly want to argue semantics) and a taste of his current life. It opens with him sitting in a glider rocker on a porch, about to face the modern representatives of Evil smoking a Montecristo cigar at the end of a driveway. I can almost feel the chill in the air and the energy as I recall the passage, from both the breeze I can picture coming down the lane and the malevolence that Blalock clearly hints at with the black sedan approaching.
At first the prologue or flashback to a life before he accepted the role as a living Representative of The Master (let's call him who he is, God) turned me off. I have to be of the right frame of mind to read books based in the era of Rome, after all I am a medievalist! I balked at reading anymore. But it was a short read and I was trusting my dear friend when she said I would indeed love it. The next chapter did it! I know that when I am holding my breath or clinching my jaw to the point of needing to shake it off, my soul has been lost to the world within the pages of a book.
"He had seen men perform great feats of courage and cowardice. He had even once seen an authentic Cherub, a sight both inspiring and terrifying. He had never seen a Minion in its true form. Until now." - location 2183
A strong and solid example of this new branding and genre of speculative fiction, AngelKiller also sprinkled with alliteration and depth, driving the story forward rarely seen in today's literature. Giving "what- ifs" without actually asking or answering the question. Set in the near future, Blalock engages the use of technology in such a way we accept it as truth of a possible future. The technology is presented and constructed as such to the logical growth from the virtual world we live in today.
"It was inevitable that the interactive capabilities intrinsic in the internet should generate this kind of substructure."- (location 464) "It was the ultimate sterile, passionless outlet for man's basest instinct: destruction." - (location 491)
Being able to plug into a world as so many of us do now, Blalock has the cell The Army's human representatives able to maintain anonymity to the point the cell structure of Mason's particular group is compromised. Not completly but partially because of this handicap. Most of the cell have never met in person, could tell you where they lived or anything other than was discussed in a virtually constructed cyber-world. This speaks loudly to todays emergence of a new techno-culture that many authors bring up to where humankind is headed. Perhaps a subtle hint that occasionally we need to unplug or some ancient army may just unplug for us.
This is the first installment of what is promising to be more than "just" an engaging read. Perhaps not on the level or same arena of Ishmael (though at least sitting in the lobby of that reading room), it is closer to having nuances of fabulistic lessons and ethical questioning we as society need to have spoon fed to us. All gathered together in a nice consumable one-handed wrap! Do not shove morals and ethics down my throat people, give me something like this to read, ponder and allowing me go "hmmm". Write to me and cause me to gather at coffee shops and book clubs with a tattered paperback clutched in my hand discussing why Mason is called AngelKiller and is he part of the army of Good or does he just think he is?
"I intend to kill him if necessary." Jaelon's expression went grim and the other Knights crossed their arms and scowled. "So, they call you Angelkiller for a reason," Malthusan said - (location 1968)
I know many are perhaps wondering where is the review? I promise it was my intent to do so, and I do plan on giving ga nice two dimensional short and sweet one with a side of Angel food Cake this week, but for now my advice (and if you have gotten this far) go and buy the book, grab a notebook (or your stylus if you have a touch reader), write questions, notate & memorable quotes and moments, then ponder and think. I certainly did. I finished this book over a week ago... for the second time. The complexity of the message embedded in this beautifully wrought literary work and within stroke Mr. Blalock's `voice'. Take a chance to go `hmmm' along with everyone else that has read it. Or, if you like, go get this book, sit down and read it with a good cup of tea or a double shot of whiskey and be prepared to be thrilled and chilled, left wanting for more. By the end you will be cursing with fist in the air because the next one is not due out for three long months!*. Till then enjoy the question, is the Army of Light always good? Does evil have a place? What happens if we keep these rose-colored glasses on...
November 12, 2012
Review originally posted at The Oaken Bookcase on November 12, 2012.
The Conflict between the Light and the Dark has been raging for centuries. Jonah Mason is a veteran in The Army, working to free mankind from the clutches of evil. Together with his fellow soldiers and an impressive array of high-tech wizardary, they are gradually gearing up for what could be the battle of their lives.
Set in the near future, Mason and the members of his cell have been using full-virtual-reality MMORPGs (online games, for the uninitiated) as the most secure meeting points. At least, they did until their security is breached and a Minion of the Enemy pays them a visit, offering a deal that could strike a decisive blow in the Conflict.
I’ll admit, the cover and title of Angelkiller did not entice me to pick up a copy of this one during Seventh Star’s open day a couple of months ago, but I’m so pleased I took part in this tour because I really enjoyed reading these two books. They are both fairly short reads which did make them feel a little like one longer work that was broken up into parts, but in the case of this first part, that is not a problem. Occasionally I felt the descriptions of events did not flow as smoothly as I would have liked, but in general the writing style is very enjoyable. There are even a few black and white drawings dispersed throughout the story to aid in visualisation of events!
In Angelkiller, We’re dropped into the action right away with only a few flashbacks to give us context about the cell and their activities in the Conflict. This is a Good versus Evil story on a grand scale, and the author has done a fantastic job of creating the history of the Conflict through the characters and their stories. Even though there are angels and demons involved and plenty of references to “the Master”, this is not a preachy story.
The tension in Angelkiller is brilliant – gradually building up to a tense showdown that was described in loving detail. I was very pleased to have Traitor Angel on hand to carry on with right away!
The Conflict between the Light and the Dark has been raging for centuries. Jonah Mason is a veteran in The Army, working to free mankind from the clutches of evil. Together with his fellow soldiers and an impressive array of high-tech wizardary, they are gradually gearing up for what could be the battle of their lives.
Set in the near future, Mason and the members of his cell have been using full-virtual-reality MMORPGs (online games, for the uninitiated) as the most secure meeting points. At least, they did until their security is breached and a Minion of the Enemy pays them a visit, offering a deal that could strike a decisive blow in the Conflict.
I’ll admit, the cover and title of Angelkiller did not entice me to pick up a copy of this one during Seventh Star’s open day a couple of months ago, but I’m so pleased I took part in this tour because I really enjoyed reading these two books. They are both fairly short reads which did make them feel a little like one longer work that was broken up into parts, but in the case of this first part, that is not a problem. Occasionally I felt the descriptions of events did not flow as smoothly as I would have liked, but in general the writing style is very enjoyable. There are even a few black and white drawings dispersed throughout the story to aid in visualisation of events!
In Angelkiller, We’re dropped into the action right away with only a few flashbacks to give us context about the cell and their activities in the Conflict. This is a Good versus Evil story on a grand scale, and the author has done a fantastic job of creating the history of the Conflict through the characters and their stories. Even though there are angels and demons involved and plenty of references to “the Master”, this is not a preachy story.
The tension in Angelkiller is brilliant – gradually building up to a tense showdown that was described in loving detail. I was very pleased to have Traitor Angel on hand to carry on with right away!
December 5, 2012
First in the Angelkiller Triad, David Blalock’s Angelkiller stands alone on its own merits and draws readers quickly and enticingly into a near-future world of ecological risk, governmental control, virtual reality, and… the great Conflict. The blend of slightly changed real-world and curious technology is pleasingly low-key, adding an almost surreal realism to the tale. Time’s running out. The bad guys, who won when the Enemy was thrown down to earth, are almost ready to make their victory final. And the Army is out to stop them.
Except, of course, in this dark age it’s hard to tell who's good and who's bad. Called an Angelkiller for his long years of service in this Conflict, Jonah Mason seeks to balance the needs of his colleagues against the needs of the Good and finds himself making deals with the devil.
Future history is nicely given with short intriguing details—the “fall of Israel in 2037 to… the new Persian Empire” for example; political analysis is wisely kept to a minimum; and the Enemy has made its grab for “the power structure of humanity itself, increasingly a tool” in its hand. In this battle between Good and Evil, Evil won long ago and Good is fighting a rearguard action, but the elusive Master demands a curious mix of faith and obedience—a mix Jonah struggles to correctly attain.
When Knights step in, the Conflict ratchets up. Lives might be lost. Virtual betrayals might become real. And somewhere behind it all a wondrous truth might shine through the veil—too bright for human eyes. The blend of gritty conflict with spiritual insight and human struggle is seamless, making this the sort of book that grabs you from line one and won’t let go, leaving you gasping for air at the end and wondering, with one of the characters, just what it was you’ve just experienced. “Judgement,” muses Mason, is after all “not something imposed, but something accepted… the awareness of one’s failings and strengths.” This book has many strengths—cyber-war, angels and demons, mystery, intrigue and more—and makes an excellent read.
Disclosure: I got this in a deal and can’t think why I waited so long to read it!
Except, of course, in this dark age it’s hard to tell who's good and who's bad. Called an Angelkiller for his long years of service in this Conflict, Jonah Mason seeks to balance the needs of his colleagues against the needs of the Good and finds himself making deals with the devil.
Future history is nicely given with short intriguing details—the “fall of Israel in 2037 to… the new Persian Empire” for example; political analysis is wisely kept to a minimum; and the Enemy has made its grab for “the power structure of humanity itself, increasingly a tool” in its hand. In this battle between Good and Evil, Evil won long ago and Good is fighting a rearguard action, but the elusive Master demands a curious mix of faith and obedience—a mix Jonah struggles to correctly attain.
When Knights step in, the Conflict ratchets up. Lives might be lost. Virtual betrayals might become real. And somewhere behind it all a wondrous truth might shine through the veil—too bright for human eyes. The blend of gritty conflict with spiritual insight and human struggle is seamless, making this the sort of book that grabs you from line one and won’t let go, leaving you gasping for air at the end and wondering, with one of the characters, just what it was you’ve just experienced. “Judgement,” muses Mason, is after all “not something imposed, but something accepted… the awareness of one’s failings and strengths.” This book has many strengths—cyber-war, angels and demons, mystery, intrigue and more—and makes an excellent read.
Disclosure: I got this in a deal and can’t think why I waited so long to read it!
March 10, 2012
This is a book that has had me curious. The blurb alone is interesting and while many a story is based on the basic premise of good v evil in this case the evil having won and are still waging the battle.
How curious to think that we live our lives and what with wars and religion being such big players in the lives of humans that we assume that good has won when in fact they have lost. You start to think of the world differently. I love that the story played with my head that way. I love that it’s short only about 200 pages but breezes by such an easy enjoyable read. The end in particular I couldn’t stop till I was done.
In addition to this interesting story point was that the Angelkillers yes they are the good guys hunting down evil would communicate in a very WOW like cyber world. The fact that this was how they stayed in touch was interesting in particular at the end with the big reveal. A story based on the age old good v evil played out in cyberspace was a fresh spin and one I really enjoyed. I like how out of the box it was, I really appreciated the uniqueness the author brought to the story.
Two things about the book. It is part one of a trilogy so character development was basic, in 200 pages the story was the focus. Not something that was bad or I could fault the author for simply that I found it more story driven than character focused. Second sometimes I found the characters confusing Azrael and Azazeal being the main issue.
I’m really looking forward to the next books in the story and hope that the good guys finally win. Yes I’m one of those people.Total must add to the TBR list.
How curious to think that we live our lives and what with wars and religion being such big players in the lives of humans that we assume that good has won when in fact they have lost. You start to think of the world differently. I love that the story played with my head that way. I love that it’s short only about 200 pages but breezes by such an easy enjoyable read. The end in particular I couldn’t stop till I was done.
In addition to this interesting story point was that the Angelkillers yes they are the good guys hunting down evil would communicate in a very WOW like cyber world. The fact that this was how they stayed in touch was interesting in particular at the end with the big reveal. A story based on the age old good v evil played out in cyberspace was a fresh spin and one I really enjoyed. I like how out of the box it was, I really appreciated the uniqueness the author brought to the story.
Two things about the book. It is part one of a trilogy so character development was basic, in 200 pages the story was the focus. Not something that was bad or I could fault the author for simply that I found it more story driven than character focused. Second sometimes I found the characters confusing Azrael and Azazeal being the main issue.
I’m really looking forward to the next books in the story and hope that the good guys finally win. Yes I’m one of those people.Total must add to the TBR list.
August 29, 2012
Drawing on Jewish folklore and levels of angels, David has exemplified the battle of angels. This book will grab your attention, and I found it quite intriguing. Very well written and organized. Great Job David
January 14, 2012
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I was very intrigued by the idea behind Angelkiller when it was sent to me for review. There were two reasons for why I was so interested. In the world that Blalock created the war between Light and Dark ended with the Dark winning. I found this to be an interesting way to start the book because it meant the the world was living in a darker set of circumstances and it made the Light side basically a bunch of rebels. The second reason I was interested was because The Army (the rebels in this book fighting against the Dark) has taken this fight into a virtual reality type setting. This was interesting to me because I have seen a lot of books recently incorporating this into their plots. Cyberspace is a world where there are almost no limits, so I thought this was an interesting way to incorporate the fight into a new and fresh realm.
Jonah Mason, the main character is the Angelkiller, where the main title comes from. Everything is kind of opposite in this book, you would think an Angelkiller would be a bad guy killing the good, but it's opposite. The Enemy is made up of Angels and they are on the dark side not the light. Jonah has been in around for a very long time, centuries, and as a fighter it shows his ability to adapt to the situations at hand. I was curious to see how virtual reality was going to play a role within this book, and as it turned out it came in the form of online gaming.
I have a very small experience with gaming online (my husband is really the expert), so I have to admit there were times when I did have to ask my husband to clarify something for me. But even without a complete working knowledge of the technical speak I was still able to understand how the plot was moving alone as well as the benefits to conducting their work through this format, anonymity helps protect you.
I did have a couple things I had problems with in the book though. The book did jump around, which is fine with me, except I did find myself being confused sometimes. Although normally a quick re-read of the past page or so helped to clarify that my confusion. And my other issue was my connection with the characters. I am a reader who likes to really identify with the characters in a story, to really feel their emotions and pull for them. I found myself throughout this book still pulling for the main character but wishing I had a stronger connection to him. But both of these things are minor issues.
Overall I have to say the writing is good. The concept is fresh, creative, and well executed. I could easily see this book working for a lot of different readers, in fact I could see my husband reading this book and enjoying it, and he is one picky reader! People who have a background in computers or gaming might enjoy this book more than someone without that background, but I could see either enjoying it. This is a solid book, and I truly appreciate the freshness of the idea behind it.
I was very intrigued by the idea behind Angelkiller when it was sent to me for review. There were two reasons for why I was so interested. In the world that Blalock created the war between Light and Dark ended with the Dark winning. I found this to be an interesting way to start the book because it meant the the world was living in a darker set of circumstances and it made the Light side basically a bunch of rebels. The second reason I was interested was because The Army (the rebels in this book fighting against the Dark) has taken this fight into a virtual reality type setting. This was interesting to me because I have seen a lot of books recently incorporating this into their plots. Cyberspace is a world where there are almost no limits, so I thought this was an interesting way to incorporate the fight into a new and fresh realm.
Jonah Mason, the main character is the Angelkiller, where the main title comes from. Everything is kind of opposite in this book, you would think an Angelkiller would be a bad guy killing the good, but it's opposite. The Enemy is made up of Angels and they are on the dark side not the light. Jonah has been in around for a very long time, centuries, and as a fighter it shows his ability to adapt to the situations at hand. I was curious to see how virtual reality was going to play a role within this book, and as it turned out it came in the form of online gaming.
I have a very small experience with gaming online (my husband is really the expert), so I have to admit there were times when I did have to ask my husband to clarify something for me. But even without a complete working knowledge of the technical speak I was still able to understand how the plot was moving alone as well as the benefits to conducting their work through this format, anonymity helps protect you.
I did have a couple things I had problems with in the book though. The book did jump around, which is fine with me, except I did find myself being confused sometimes. Although normally a quick re-read of the past page or so helped to clarify that my confusion. And my other issue was my connection with the characters. I am a reader who likes to really identify with the characters in a story, to really feel their emotions and pull for them. I found myself throughout this book still pulling for the main character but wishing I had a stronger connection to him. But both of these things are minor issues.
Overall I have to say the writing is good. The concept is fresh, creative, and well executed. I could easily see this book working for a lot of different readers, in fact I could see my husband reading this book and enjoying it, and he is one picky reader! People who have a background in computers or gaming might enjoy this book more than someone without that background, but I could see either enjoying it. This is a solid book, and I truly appreciate the freshness of the idea behind it.
January 7, 2012
Angelkiller is an interesting take on the battle between heaven and hell, a battle that has been morphing along with society for thousands of years. And, as society evolves and moves forward, so do the tactics taken to fight The Enemy. Jonah Mason, the main character throughout this novel, has been fighting the Darkness for far too long to remember, meeting with his newest cell group through online gaming. This was a very interesting development within the story as it gives each member the anonymity and privacy they need to discuss their plans for action against the Darkness without leaving the comfort of their own home.
I was originally interested in this novel because of this usage of cyberspace; I used to have friends really into gaming, and I wanted to see where Blalock was going with this concept. It turns out the terminology is a little bit beyond me, I’m not a gamer and I don’t know very much about all the logistics of it, but I was able to follow Blalock fairly well as the story progressed, explaining how everything worked while adding suspense to the story, especially once these gaming sessions are compromised and not everyone is who they seem to be.
Though the story jumped around a bit, Blalock does a good job bringing all the pieces of the puzzle together, referencing prior scenes and making them all fit together nicely. Yet, I didn’t feel as connected to the characters within the story as I had hoped, and I think the anonymity of the story overall has a lot to do with that. While I would have liked a lot more character development, I also don’t think it would have fit with the story, especially as the members of the cell are meant to give away as little information about themselves as possible. Thus, I wasn’t attached to any specific characters, but I enjoyed them nonetheless. I think readers especially interested in technology and the gaming world will really enjoy this story...
To see my full review upon release (2/19/12):
http://bookvacations.wordpress.com/20...
I was originally interested in this novel because of this usage of cyberspace; I used to have friends really into gaming, and I wanted to see where Blalock was going with this concept. It turns out the terminology is a little bit beyond me, I’m not a gamer and I don’t know very much about all the logistics of it, but I was able to follow Blalock fairly well as the story progressed, explaining how everything worked while adding suspense to the story, especially once these gaming sessions are compromised and not everyone is who they seem to be.
Though the story jumped around a bit, Blalock does a good job bringing all the pieces of the puzzle together, referencing prior scenes and making them all fit together nicely. Yet, I didn’t feel as connected to the characters within the story as I had hoped, and I think the anonymity of the story overall has a lot to do with that. While I would have liked a lot more character development, I also don’t think it would have fit with the story, especially as the members of the cell are meant to give away as little information about themselves as possible. Thus, I wasn’t attached to any specific characters, but I enjoyed them nonetheless. I think readers especially interested in technology and the gaming world will really enjoy this story...
To see my full review upon release (2/19/12):
http://bookvacations.wordpress.com/20...
November 10, 2012
--Full, review courtesy at Book & Movie Dimension a Blog--
Angelkiller! What a book title this book has and it story background when first saw it on Seventh Star Press enticed me very much. Once I actually read it did enjoy its story and found a very quick attachment to the characters.
First off with Angelkiller the story begins with Mason a fighter for The Army's side who has lived for centuries. He has been in conflict with the supposed bad side known as The Enemy. The Enemy are conspiring to lure humanity into their web and away from the Creator's light( guessing God). For many years and now in the present they have achieved just that so what we know as good is really bad and vise versa. Besides Mason there are other characters that make an appearance in Angelkiller which are: Tripp, Martin, Overguard, and Meeker. Tripp is a long-time friend of Mason's who has huge loyalty toward him. Martin in particular of the group is a fascinating to read about since he's very much intrigued with computers and tech making him the computer expert, so it's interesting to see his side of things at times. Then finally there is Meeker and Overguard who while they are in The Army together its obvious they are romantically involved. This conflict that "rages" is mentioned several times to break up couples since many don't survive. For a reader, you are in for a very suspense-charged Fantasy that even includes romance. All of the before mentioned storylines of the characters are intriguing in Angelkiller.
[Angelkiller, by the way, switches through different character perspectives in a well-balanced way that accentuates the story's overall flow]
This book blogger is grateful to H. David Blalock for writing the Angelkiller Triad Trilogy since for a reader its covering new ground in Fantasy with some Virtual Reality aspects that have not seen before nicely brought to life.
Overall: Touching read
Genre: Fantasy, Speculation Fiction
Angelkiller! What a book title this book has and it story background when first saw it on Seventh Star Press enticed me very much. Once I actually read it did enjoy its story and found a very quick attachment to the characters.
First off with Angelkiller the story begins with Mason a fighter for The Army's side who has lived for centuries. He has been in conflict with the supposed bad side known as The Enemy. The Enemy are conspiring to lure humanity into their web and away from the Creator's light( guessing God). For many years and now in the present they have achieved just that so what we know as good is really bad and vise versa. Besides Mason there are other characters that make an appearance in Angelkiller which are: Tripp, Martin, Overguard, and Meeker. Tripp is a long-time friend of Mason's who has huge loyalty toward him. Martin in particular of the group is a fascinating to read about since he's very much intrigued with computers and tech making him the computer expert, so it's interesting to see his side of things at times. Then finally there is Meeker and Overguard who while they are in The Army together its obvious they are romantically involved. This conflict that "rages" is mentioned several times to break up couples since many don't survive. For a reader, you are in for a very suspense-charged Fantasy that even includes romance. All of the before mentioned storylines of the characters are intriguing in Angelkiller.
[Angelkiller, by the way, switches through different character perspectives in a well-balanced way that accentuates the story's overall flow]
This book blogger is grateful to H. David Blalock for writing the Angelkiller Triad Trilogy since for a reader its covering new ground in Fantasy with some Virtual Reality aspects that have not seen before nicely brought to life.
Overall: Touching read
Genre: Fantasy, Speculation Fiction
October 8, 2012
AngelKiller is a book with an interesting premise that fails on multiple levels.
"Why do bad things happen to good people? Simple. In the ancient war between the Angels of Light and Darkness, the Dark won." Wow. That's a great set-up. Thinking about the balance of power in the world for the last 1000+ years, it has some seriously subversive implication. I was hooked by the idea.Sadly, the book fails to deliver pretty much every aspect of this promise.
Given that Christian powers have heavily dominated the world and its politics for a millennium, give or take, the implication is that they represent the victorious Dark. The reality of the book, however, it boringly predictable in its orthodoxy. It is clearly demonstrated (though never explicitly stated) that the side of Good is Jehovah and his angels and their mortal servants.
In addition to the dull adherence to standard roles of good and evil, the author gives some very problematic examples of the historical Army of Light. An attack on the child-rape apologist Vatican is clearly the work of the Enemy. The Conquistadors "still remembered who their Master was." There are predictable screeds against Middle Eastern terrorists, and no attempt to address the fact that they are also Jehovah worshiping monotheists.
The idea that the Army of Light lost and was now a bunch of freedom fighters also failed to surface beyond shallow appearances. The Army is divided into cells, and the like. But once the conflicts start,
The characters themselves were lackluster, with a few moments to shine.
Finally, a great deal of the book takes place in virtual reality, or deals with computers and data. The author is clearly ignorant in this field and did very little research. In addition there has been a couple of centuries of advancement from our time, but little indication of that in the technology.
I really wanted to like this book, but it just didn't live up to its potential.
"Why do bad things happen to good people? Simple. In the ancient war between the Angels of Light and Darkness, the Dark won." Wow. That's a great set-up. Thinking about the balance of power in the world for the last 1000+ years, it has some seriously subversive implication. I was hooked by the idea.Sadly, the book fails to deliver pretty much every aspect of this promise.
Given that Christian powers have heavily dominated the world and its politics for a millennium, give or take, the implication is that they represent the victorious Dark. The reality of the book, however, it boringly predictable in its orthodoxy. It is clearly demonstrated (though never explicitly stated) that the side of Good is Jehovah and his angels and their mortal servants.
In addition to the dull adherence to standard roles of good and evil, the author gives some very problematic examples of the historical Army of Light. An attack on the child-rape apologist Vatican is clearly the work of the Enemy. The Conquistadors "still remembered who their Master was." There are predictable screeds against Middle Eastern terrorists, and no attempt to address the fact that they are also Jehovah worshiping monotheists.
The idea that the Army of Light lost and was now a bunch of freedom fighters also failed to surface beyond shallow appearances. The Army is divided into cells, and the like. But once the conflicts start,
The characters themselves were lackluster, with a few moments to shine.
Finally, a great deal of the book takes place in virtual reality, or deals with computers and data. The author is clearly ignorant in this field and did very little research. In addition there has been a couple of centuries of advancement from our time, but little indication of that in the technology.
I really wanted to like this book, but it just didn't live up to its potential.
September 21, 2014
As soon as I read the synopsis of this book I knew I wanted to read it. I knew right away that this one was going to be very different from all the other angel books out there that I had been reading recently. I needed different and was glad that this book was just that.
Cyberspace mixed with angels and demon's....well that's defiantly different. That would be the first reason I really enjoyed this book. Another thing I really enjoyed in this book is how well thought out the plot is and the descriptions are great as well.
But, there were a couple things in this book that I didn't really like. One being how much I missed getting that connection with the characters. I love books that I can dive into and connect with the characters and get to know them. This book, I didn't get to do that and its a bummer I would have really liked to get to know them a bit better. The other thing I didn't particularly like was that some of the characters names were so similar that I kept getting confused on who it was talking about. I kept having to reread parts so I knew who it was.
To read more of my review Click here
Cyberspace mixed with angels and demon's....well that's defiantly different. That would be the first reason I really enjoyed this book. Another thing I really enjoyed in this book is how well thought out the plot is and the descriptions are great as well.
But, there were a couple things in this book that I didn't really like. One being how much I missed getting that connection with the characters. I love books that I can dive into and connect with the characters and get to know them. This book, I didn't get to do that and its a bummer I would have really liked to get to know them a bit better. The other thing I didn't particularly like was that some of the characters names were so similar that I kept getting confused on who it was talking about. I kept having to reread parts so I knew who it was.
To read more of my review Click here
February 21, 2013
Ever wonder why bad things happen to good people? Well, what if it was because the Dark won in the Great Angelic War, and the forces of the Light are constantly battling to beat back the Dark?
This is a great story of a near future wherein a rebellion, called The Army, fights to defeat the Dark. The stages of battles are not only in reality but also in cyberspace! Through MMO's and other interactive digital scenarios. The Dark does not wish to relinquish its hold, and the Light has heard the cries of the oppressed and is trying to answer them.
Hopefully, despite your personal beliefs, you will give this read a try. It is rich in the exposure of human nature, and (in some of us) the desire to know that there is more out there than what we see.
Personal opinion: I always delight in stories that take a different angle. Though there are precious little stories that have not been told, it is always an adventure to see how an author will revisit an idea. I like this one, taken in part from Christian mythos, but no so heavy as to desensitize the reader to the great story inside! Wars fought in reality and in cyberspace, every bad thing happening in our time finally making sense as to why, and even the small hope that there is someone working to turn the tide!
This is a great story of a near future wherein a rebellion, called The Army, fights to defeat the Dark. The stages of battles are not only in reality but also in cyberspace! Through MMO's and other interactive digital scenarios. The Dark does not wish to relinquish its hold, and the Light has heard the cries of the oppressed and is trying to answer them.
Hopefully, despite your personal beliefs, you will give this read a try. It is rich in the exposure of human nature, and (in some of us) the desire to know that there is more out there than what we see.
Personal opinion: I always delight in stories that take a different angle. Though there are precious little stories that have not been told, it is always an adventure to see how an author will revisit an idea. I like this one, taken in part from Christian mythos, but no so heavy as to desensitize the reader to the great story inside! Wars fought in reality and in cyberspace, every bad thing happening in our time finally making sense as to why, and even the small hope that there is someone working to turn the tide!
November 10, 2012
This was a great good vs. evil story. This was a short read but by no means a light one. It was pretty intense. It was very plot driven and I am looking forward to more in the series for more character development. I am stickler for in depth characters which sometimes I found myself wondering more about some characters and I am betting that was a way for them to be aloof and mysterious. Which is what they felt like to me and which drew me in wanting to know more. I loved that this was a futuristic story, a Fantasy and a what if story all rolled into one. There are tons of good vs evil books but in Blalock's created world evil won but good did not just lay down and take it. I was surprised when I got to the parts that were battles fought in a Warcraft like setting. I have to say I love that it was a classic good vs. evil story but totally told in a new nontraditional way. I can not wait for the next book. I recommend this book to fantasy lovers, gamers and action lovers. I am very impressed by Blalock's writing style and mastery of storytelling. And I love how original the idea of this book is. This is an author to add to the must read list.
October 7, 2015
I am a big fan of urban fantasy, and was looking forward to reading this book. The premise is, the big battle between Good and Evil already happened - and Evil won, but Good keeps fighting. If this were two different books, separated halfway, they would each have gotten different starred reviews - the first half of the book would get a two-star review and the second half four stars. Why? It took me a long time to get into the story - at least five or six chapters. Due to the expository nature of the narrative (pretty much an infodump), I felt like I couldn't connect with any of the characters. I was reading a bunch of details about who they were, but not really getting into the story.
Once we got over the hump, however, the story started getting interesting. (This may also because the story started happening more in real time.) The team of fighters came together, and began facing some real-world risks. By the time I got to the end of the book, I was ready to take a chance on the next book in the series.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes futuristic urban fantasy, with the caveat that they might need to be patient for the first few chapters.
Once we got over the hump, however, the story started getting interesting. (This may also because the story started happening more in real time.) The team of fighters came together, and began facing some real-world risks. By the time I got to the end of the book, I was ready to take a chance on the next book in the series.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes futuristic urban fantasy, with the caveat that they might need to be patient for the first few chapters.
January 7, 2012
Angelkiller by H. David Blalock
This is a story of good versus evil. Angels and Demons so to speak are the main characters in this story. However they aren't the traditional Angels and Demons. It is the Army versus the enemy, but again not the traditional Army or the traditional enemy.
Jonah Mason is described by some as an Angel killer. And reality of the story Angels are the enemy, the minions of evil. Jonah may not be immortal but he did fight for the Roman Empire. He and his army self find themselves in combat against one of the enemy.
In this story there is a transition from the normal combat of the of the enemy and the Army to a more virtual reality type of combat. In the story virtual is more reality and can prove deadly in combat with the enemy.
I enjoyed the premise and the characterizations. I think there could have been more back story provided better understanding of the plot.
I recommend the book.
This is a story of good versus evil. Angels and Demons so to speak are the main characters in this story. However they aren't the traditional Angels and Demons. It is the Army versus the enemy, but again not the traditional Army or the traditional enemy.
Jonah Mason is described by some as an Angel killer. And reality of the story Angels are the enemy, the minions of evil. Jonah may not be immortal but he did fight for the Roman Empire. He and his army self find themselves in combat against one of the enemy.
In this story there is a transition from the normal combat of the of the enemy and the Army to a more virtual reality type of combat. In the story virtual is more reality and can prove deadly in combat with the enemy.
I enjoyed the premise and the characterizations. I think there could have been more back story provided better understanding of the plot.
I recommend the book.
December 9, 2013
AngelKiller by H. David Blalock made for a very interesting read. At first, the action was intense and you are drawn right in with an introduction to the protagonist early in his life. After the prologue, however,it becomes a little difficult to get into. There are multiple instances where the author seems to assume a certain base of knowledge of technology on the part of the reader. However, it does not take long for the book to take right off. Many times it is simply a matter of reading through a paragraph or two and you can figure out whatever it is that you found confusing. By the end of the book, everything that you need to know has been well explained. The writing is very good, and creates some great visuals with the rich description. This book sets up a world that is on the brink of something big and leaves you wanting more.
December 21, 2011
As I read this short novel, I really became immersed in the world that Blalock has created and began to care for the characters that inhabit it. It's an interesting twist on the whole light versus darkness theme, with aspects of the story being in the relatively new arena of the internet and virtual reality.
Anyhow, I'm glad there's more to come and I will be checking out the rest in the series, to see what Jonah Mason and the rest of his cell are up to.
Anyhow, I'm glad there's more to come and I will be checking out the rest in the series, to see what Jonah Mason and the rest of his cell are up to.
February 5, 2016
I would recommend this book to gamers who play MMORPGs and anyone who enjoys a creative fantasy novel. I even recommend this book to my husband, who hardly reads anything, because I think it would suit his tastes more. I really liked that it was an old idea that was updated (evil wins and up-to-date technology).
See what else I thought about this book at www.vivacioushobo.com
See what else I thought about this book at www.vivacioushobo.com
November 16, 2014
I really liked Angelkiller, it has the right amount of supernatural elements and a really good spy story in it as well. The main character Mason, is well written and as the book went on I cared what happened to him and his cellmates. H. David Blalock has a wonderful style of writing and is able to make me care about the characters and make the evil characters kinda sympathetic.
October 22, 2015
Blalock spins a tale that is both terrifying and thought provoking. Highly recommended!
November 29, 2017
Yeah... no
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