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Archangels Fall
When the archangel Gabriel crashes down into a London Accident and Emergency department on a busy Saturday night, Grace's already hellish shift turns into a living nightmare. Soon the spiritual sensitivity that has tortured her most of her life is revealed to be a unique gift passed down through generations-one that could save humanity.
Meanwhile, having come to admire humanity's resolve, the Damned and his dark angels prepare to defend the very beings they were tasked to lead astray. As archangel Michael's minions descend to cleanse creation of humankind, its chief corruptor, the Damned must rally his reluctant compatriots, make hard choices, and choose a side, fast. Can an unlikely band of heroes and imperfect humans come together in time to find their salvation in the Lightbearer?
Blending the grit of Game of Thrones with the supernatural flair of Good Omens, Andrew Bryan introduces us to a world of archangels and fallen angels that weave through human history closer to the mythology's origins than ever before.
Meanwhile, having come to admire humanity's resolve, the Damned and his dark angels prepare to defend the very beings they were tasked to lead astray. As archangel Michael's minions descend to cleanse creation of humankind, its chief corruptor, the Damned must rally his reluctant compatriots, make hard choices, and choose a side, fast. Can an unlikely band of heroes and imperfect humans come together in time to find their salvation in the Lightbearer?
Blending the grit of Game of Thrones with the supernatural flair of Good Omens, Andrew Bryan introduces us to a world of archangels and fallen angels that weave through human history closer to the mythology's origins than ever before.
- GenresFantasy
322 pages, Hardcover
Published April 9, 2024
23 people are currently reading
121 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
January 27, 2025
This was a tough read and very nearly a DNF for me. Pros-the plot was great and had me excited to read, the character development was good, the theme was deep and had so much promise. Cons-the pacing was slow and bored me terribly, the writing style never grabbed ahold of me, and I never felt vested in the character's success until about 70% into the book. The book's promise was definitely unfulfilled for me as well. And the final nail for me, was getting to the end only to find this was book 1! I have no plans to pick up book 2 once it's published to find out how the story ends.
April 9, 2024
Firstly let me just say that waiting for this book gave me anxiety and I can happily say it was worth every minute of angst and anticipation.
Archangels fall delivered on so many levels. I loved the characters. I enjoyed their interaction with each other and their immense growth throughout the book.
I really liked the author’s writing style and the fact that he switched between different character emotions. He added humor, sarcasm and drama all in one go.
Most of all, I have a true appreciation for what this book has left me with. I love that it made me think of what’s happening around us. Things we can’t see or feel. It made me curious to find out more about it and left me with wonder as to what is yet to come.
This book is written in such a way that you’ll fly through it and only at the end realize what a true masterpiece it is when you literally have your mind blown by the pure genius that is Archangels Fall.
I highly recommend this book to all fantasy lovers and everyone that just enjoys a little “think” along the way.
Archangels fall delivered on so many levels. I loved the characters. I enjoyed their interaction with each other and their immense growth throughout the book.
I really liked the author’s writing style and the fact that he switched between different character emotions. He added humor, sarcasm and drama all in one go.
Most of all, I have a true appreciation for what this book has left me with. I love that it made me think of what’s happening around us. Things we can’t see or feel. It made me curious to find out more about it and left me with wonder as to what is yet to come.
This book is written in such a way that you’ll fly through it and only at the end realize what a true masterpiece it is when you literally have your mind blown by the pure genius that is Archangels Fall.
I highly recommend this book to all fantasy lovers and everyone that just enjoys a little “think” along the way.
April 7, 2024
Mind bending and possibly the most thought provoking read ever. This book made me think and then change my perception on my beliefs and that possibilities are not something that can always be proven. I could not put it down after I started. Easy 5 star, incredible experience.
February 21, 2024
What a thrill! Mr. Bryan’s debut novel is compelling and suspenseful. His cast of unforgettable characters creates a world where every moment pulsates with life—leaving readers with breathless anticipation from the first to the last page, and longing for the next book in this series.
August 4, 2025
A slow build up into a world where we are guided by angels, some meaning us harm and others trying to safe us. But can we be saved, or is it too late?
This book took me a bit to get into but as always with fantasy once the world building is done it takes you on a rollercoaster. The writing was easy to follow and I liked the hierachy within the ranks of the angels. I don't know much about religion and the roles angels play, but I liked this version, could imagine that this is how it all works.
I can't wait to read book two and see what happens next.
This book took me a bit to get into but as always with fantasy once the world building is done it takes you on a rollercoaster. The writing was easy to follow and I liked the hierachy within the ranks of the angels. I don't know much about religion and the roles angels play, but I liked this version, could imagine that this is how it all works.
I can't wait to read book two and see what happens next.
February 25, 2024
Reading Archangels Fall I was drawn into the story very quickly! Every time I was very curious to read the next chapter! Amazing how the story describes how the earthly and heavenly creatures influence eachother with their light and dark energies! I was impressed by the way the story was made up and how every character was so well described that as a reader I really had an image of how they looked! The story is exciting but also reads like a novel!
The different storylines all seemed a story on their own, but at the end of the book everything perfectly comes together!
Although I am not a reader of fantasy books I could not stop reading!
Very good writing and I can’t wait for the next book
The different storylines all seemed a story on their own, but at the end of the book everything perfectly comes together!
Although I am not a reader of fantasy books I could not stop reading!
Very good writing and I can’t wait for the next book
March 23, 2024
Let's try again... mobile keeps kicking me mid review 😢
Anywho, I know I said on video that the book was a 4 star read. However, since then, and since re-reading Archangels Fall, I would like to say my previous review was purely personal preference. So, without further ado, I believe this book is a five-star read.
Let's begin our spoiler free review!
1. Gripping plot. There is a lot going on, and I would suggest any reader to really take your time reading this epic story so you don't skim past important details.
2. Memorable characters. I absolutely adored the Damned from the very first early pages, and as the story went on, my heart was filled with so many more other characters. A moment that will always spring to mind will forever be the introduction of Eddie lol That scene alone had me laughing out loud.
3. It flowed. The writing structure was easy to follow along.
4. The visual appeal. I loved how the chapter headings tied in with the cover! I love the little details.
5. Unexpected twists, leaving you yearning for more. Refer to reason 1. Like i stated, take your time reading this epic story and buckle up for book two!
It was a good read the first time, and even better the second. It's a great debut novel, in my humble opinion.
Anywho, I know I said on video that the book was a 4 star read. However, since then, and since re-reading Archangels Fall, I would like to say my previous review was purely personal preference. So, without further ado, I believe this book is a five-star read.
Let's begin our spoiler free review!
1. Gripping plot. There is a lot going on, and I would suggest any reader to really take your time reading this epic story so you don't skim past important details.
2. Memorable characters. I absolutely adored the Damned from the very first early pages, and as the story went on, my heart was filled with so many more other characters. A moment that will always spring to mind will forever be the introduction of Eddie lol That scene alone had me laughing out loud.
3. It flowed. The writing structure was easy to follow along.
4. The visual appeal. I loved how the chapter headings tied in with the cover! I love the little details.
5. Unexpected twists, leaving you yearning for more. Refer to reason 1. Like i stated, take your time reading this epic story and buckle up for book two!
It was a good read the first time, and even better the second. It's a great debut novel, in my humble opinion.
September 11, 2024
As an avid reader of fantasy novels, student of theology and a big fan of series with heavy angelic presence, like Supernatural, I was very excited to jump into Archangels Fall, as the premise sounded really interesting and almost tailor made to my likings and interests, and I'm happy to say that the book really didn't disappoint much!
I do feel I have to point that that this is Andrew's first novel (from what I can tell), so some aspects of his writing, such as his prose, is a little bit rough around the edges at times, however, I don't feel that type of issue is significant enough to warrant too much criticism.
Despite being a fairly short book, the story jumps between quite a few different character perspectives, namely Grace, The Damned, Jack, Eddie, Grace's mother and a small handful of other angels, which served as both a pro and con for me. It was a good choice in the sense that it allowed for important world and character building, to help set up future installments and make sure we understood the characters at play, however, it was also a bad choice (in my opinion) as it meant that each chapter was incredibly short, leaving each POV character's story quite fragmented. This kind of writing works well in series like A Song of Ice and Fire because of the length of those books and the enormity of the ongoing story those books tell. In Archangels Fall, however, the book is short, the pace is fairly breakneck and the characters all exist within close proximity of one another, so the rapid jumping between them didn't allow me to really truly connect with any one individual and develop personal favorites. This may not sound inherently bad, and to others it may not be, but for me, it left me largely feeling neutral towards each named character, which lowered the stakes significantly when they were in danger. This isn't to say that the characters themselves weren't developing in a meaningful way, because I feel that they did, and do feel like I understand each of them and their motivations, but I wasn't able to build an emotional connect with any of them, the way I feel I could have if the book was 500+ pages or if the story focused only on 2 or 3 different perspectives.
Essentially, the book was trying to do too much for a novel of its length, however, that doesn't mean the book is bad, I actually really enjoyed my time with it and thought it was quite entertaining, and I'll absolutely buy the sequel whenever it's published, because I do want to know what happens next, it's just that my investment is in the overall plot, not the endgame fate of any of the individuals contained within.
The contrast between the different classes of angels was quite fun, as was the lore behind it all and how it was discovered both literally through the Damned's POV chapters, and theologically through the two professors' POV chapters. Though, the introduction of demons later and their subservience to one particular member of one particular class of angel did raise questions for me the book didn't answer, but I'll assume that'll be addressed in future installments.
As goofy as this might sound, the book also read as a bit anti-American at times, as all but two mentions of Americans are described with negativity, such as "SUV is a ridiculous American term", "cheesy American accent", "American tourists are loud and mindless", and "cheesy American detective shows". This didn't offend me but it did come off as needlessly hostile, and that may not have been the writer's intent, but I felt I should share as I could easily see somebody being bothered by it. Also another minor nitpick is that some dialogue, particularly that of Jade, felt really cheesy and cartoonish at times, though this may have been the author's intent.
Despite much of what I've said so far sounding fairly negative, I really did enjoy this book. It did an excellent job of grabbing my attention with the story of Einstein arguing with his professor, as it helped to properly establish the intended tone of the series. The mix of real life religious lore and new fictional lore to describe the celestial powers at play and their motivations was well written and engaging, and the overarching plot is solid, and left me with enough questions that I anticipate the sequel in hopes for answers, which any good novel (in a series) should do. I also enjoyed that the book itself didn't take place in the USA, as despite being an American, it can get old reading books set in the same cities over and over and over (Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, etc), so the setting was a welcome change of pace.
Overall, I think Andrew Bryan is off to a good start here, and while the book is far from perfect, it's definitely one of the better examples I've seen of an author's first published work. And I definitely look forward to reading Dark Angels Rise in January of 2025. I give Archangels Fall as solid 4 out of 5, it's a good first entry and it left me wanting more!
I do feel I have to point that that this is Andrew's first novel (from what I can tell), so some aspects of his writing, such as his prose, is a little bit rough around the edges at times, however, I don't feel that type of issue is significant enough to warrant too much criticism.
Despite being a fairly short book, the story jumps between quite a few different character perspectives, namely Grace, The Damned, Jack, Eddie, Grace's mother and a small handful of other angels, which served as both a pro and con for me. It was a good choice in the sense that it allowed for important world and character building, to help set up future installments and make sure we understood the characters at play, however, it was also a bad choice (in my opinion) as it meant that each chapter was incredibly short, leaving each POV character's story quite fragmented. This kind of writing works well in series like A Song of Ice and Fire because of the length of those books and the enormity of the ongoing story those books tell. In Archangels Fall, however, the book is short, the pace is fairly breakneck and the characters all exist within close proximity of one another, so the rapid jumping between them didn't allow me to really truly connect with any one individual and develop personal favorites. This may not sound inherently bad, and to others it may not be, but for me, it left me largely feeling neutral towards each named character, which lowered the stakes significantly when they were in danger. This isn't to say that the characters themselves weren't developing in a meaningful way, because I feel that they did, and do feel like I understand each of them and their motivations, but I wasn't able to build an emotional connect with any of them, the way I feel I could have if the book was 500+ pages or if the story focused only on 2 or 3 different perspectives.
Essentially, the book was trying to do too much for a novel of its length, however, that doesn't mean the book is bad, I actually really enjoyed my time with it and thought it was quite entertaining, and I'll absolutely buy the sequel whenever it's published, because I do want to know what happens next, it's just that my investment is in the overall plot, not the endgame fate of any of the individuals contained within.
The contrast between the different classes of angels was quite fun, as was the lore behind it all and how it was discovered both literally through the Damned's POV chapters, and theologically through the two professors' POV chapters. Though, the introduction of demons later and their subservience to one particular member of one particular class of angel did raise questions for me the book didn't answer, but I'll assume that'll be addressed in future installments.
As goofy as this might sound, the book also read as a bit anti-American at times, as all but two mentions of Americans are described with negativity, such as "SUV is a ridiculous American term", "cheesy American accent", "American tourists are loud and mindless", and "cheesy American detective shows". This didn't offend me but it did come off as needlessly hostile, and that may not have been the writer's intent, but I felt I should share as I could easily see somebody being bothered by it. Also another minor nitpick is that some dialogue, particularly that of Jade, felt really cheesy and cartoonish at times, though this may have been the author's intent.
Despite much of what I've said so far sounding fairly negative, I really did enjoy this book. It did an excellent job of grabbing my attention with the story of Einstein arguing with his professor, as it helped to properly establish the intended tone of the series. The mix of real life religious lore and new fictional lore to describe the celestial powers at play and their motivations was well written and engaging, and the overarching plot is solid, and left me with enough questions that I anticipate the sequel in hopes for answers, which any good novel (in a series) should do. I also enjoyed that the book itself didn't take place in the USA, as despite being an American, it can get old reading books set in the same cities over and over and over (Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, etc), so the setting was a welcome change of pace.
Overall, I think Andrew Bryan is off to a good start here, and while the book is far from perfect, it's definitely one of the better examples I've seen of an author's first published work. And I definitely look forward to reading Dark Angels Rise in January of 2025. I give Archangels Fall as solid 4 out of 5, it's a good first entry and it left me wanting more!
April 10, 2024
I was fortunate to receive this ARC from the Author. It was my first mythical fantasy read ever. Let’s just say I loved it. From beginning to end the characters captivated me and I couldn’t put the book down. I was super engaged l loved the characters. This book had me laughing and screaming lol ;)
March 15, 2024
This was a fantastic debut novel that had me marvelling at the beautiful writing style and kept me on the edge of my seat!
The weaving of worlds between the archangels and humans is done so cinematically. It felt like a painting with words sometimes! The way the archangels move through the different planes of the world is beautiful.
The pace is fabulous with short chapters that delve into our cast of characters, leaving you wanting to get back to them to see what happens next!
The author does an amazing job at making you care for each of them, which in a book of many characters is a job well done!
It’s a book that makes you think about deep themes like humanity and how we as humans are not living to our full potential. And yet, the humour that is weaved so well throughout the book makes for the perfect lighthearted comic relief.
I can’t wait for book two!
The weaving of worlds between the archangels and humans is done so cinematically. It felt like a painting with words sometimes! The way the archangels move through the different planes of the world is beautiful.
The pace is fabulous with short chapters that delve into our cast of characters, leaving you wanting to get back to them to see what happens next!
The author does an amazing job at making you care for each of them, which in a book of many characters is a job well done!
It’s a book that makes you think about deep themes like humanity and how we as humans are not living to our full potential. And yet, the humour that is weaved so well throughout the book makes for the perfect lighthearted comic relief.
I can’t wait for book two!
March 14, 2024
4.5 Stars Rounded up for GR
This book read like a movie with cinematic action scenes, characters I could empathize with, and ties with archangel mythology that were obviously well researched. Great philosophical commentary on humanity and modern life, and comic relief that had me laughing out loud!
This book read like a movie with cinematic action scenes, characters I could empathize with, and ties with archangel mythology that were obviously well researched. Great philosophical commentary on humanity and modern life, and comic relief that had me laughing out loud!
March 13, 2024
I was an ARC reader for this book and I found it thoroughly enjoyable. Beautiful characters, easily imaginable settings and an absolutely gripping story. Such a different take on normal fantasy and beautiful use of religious and historical knowledge. Educational and beautiful… highly recommended.
March 13, 2024
Absolutely loved this book! I loved the characters, i loved the story, i just loved everything! It's about angels and when the world was created. There are also fallen angels. In the modern times, there is something out of balance and they need to figure out what it is...
December 17, 2024
I found this book very disappointing, unfortunately.
I'm writing this book not to blast it negatively (honestly) or to take away from what the author has written. He wrote a book. I respect that. That's more than I've done (well, more than I've published formally, anyway).
This review is because I had high hopes for this book, spent money to buy it, and I just don't think that it is quite what it's advertised to be.
Many people out there might enjoy this book, and I hope that they do. For those with different tastes than them (like me), I just want to save you some disappointment and/or wasted money.
Ok, on to my review:
The book is claimed, in the blurb on Goodreads and Amazon, to be ". . . a masterfully crafted tale that seamlessly blends supernatural intrigue with historical context" and to "(b)lend(ing) the grit of Game of Thrones with the supernatural flair of Good Omens..."
Unfortunately, it really doesn't live up to those things. It doesn't have the flair of Good Omens or the grit of Game of Thrones (I assume those were mentioned because one attracts a lot of readers/viewers, and the other has angels and demons). There also isn't really intrigue or historical context... at all.
It is a fairly straightforward tale, and, while trying not to spoil anything, has a plot that feels lifted from the latter sequels to The Prophecy. I hoped that this book would feel more like the original (the one with Elias Koteas and Christopher Walken), but it really comes across more like one of the direct to video efforts, with the same twist-not-a-twist and same make-it-up-and-act-like-it-has-Biblical-or-apocryphal-antecedents.
The description of the depth and historical accuracy is equally as misleading as the author bio, which got my hopes up:
1)
- "studying Divinity at Edinburgh University"
- "With his background in Biblical Diagnostics and Ethics, Andrew Bryan has imagined a narrative closer to the historical origins of Angel mythology than ever before. Nor has any supernatural story on the subject been crafted as dramatically, challenging society's perception on the nature of good and evil."
- No.
- No.
- It get Biblical references wrong, even basic ones (saying, by way of example, that Jesus was the only one to come back from the dead in the Bible), and we have had the same exact story about Lucifer told in dozens upon dozens of other books and movies, with far better drama and basis in mythology and religion.
- Also, how self-aggrandizing is that last quote?
2)
- "Andrew starred in hit shows such as Game Of Thrones."
- I guess by "starring" in GoT he means that he was in one episode, where his character is only referred to on IMDB as "Bolton officer".
- Should this matter? Probably not, but I think this level of puffery gives an idea of how the rest of the book description is similarly inflated.
As for the book itself...
It's fine.
It's fine.
Just really not a fan of the writing style, particularly the facts that it feels like it was written decades ago, and not just out within the last year, how cliche the characters are, and the rampant TELLING INSTEAD OF SHOWING.
Some examples:
- The guys that one of the heroes, Jack (of course), goes up against are called "thugs" and "gangsters" and, in general, all of the bad guys and human antagonists and prisoners are all described in terms of 80s movie cliches.
- The tough criminals refer to each other as "you big dope" and similar oh-so-tough-and-street-vernacular-accurate names.
- Lines like:
1) "Jack casually pulled off his mask to reveal a charming grin. His square jaw and striking features were perfectly balanced by his razor-sharp wit and cheeky demeanour."
2) "There's this intense glow about you - a unique yet familiar warmth." (said by one roomate to another, casually in conversation)
3) "There was a humble, thankful person buried under the bravado of his default setting: ego. In truth, this deeper, repressed part of Jack Causer did not feel at ease. Rather, it longed for the heartfelt connection with his family and loved ones."
- Some angellic being will be mentioned, and then we have a paragraph about the angelic class they belong to, like, "Akin to the guardian class, restoration angels lived in a symbiotic relationship..." etc., which reads like character descriptions to an RPG, not a novel, and DEFINITELY not one based on actual angellic lore. This happens A LOT, like, saying that it seemed likely a woman was a seer... followed by a paragraph of "A scare subset of humans that had not fully walked in their power..." etc., in the middle of what should be a flowing narrative.
- Characters as introduced, and then we are IMMEDIATELY told everything about them. We don't discover it through their actions, or through their interactions and conversations with other characters, but just have every aspect of them dumped on us, i.e. Haylene is introduced, and the next sentence is "Kickboxer by day and dancing queen by night, she could best be described as a muscular goddess."
- A couple of characters are suddenly cursed with herpes. It shows up in ways that show a lack of understanding by the author, based on what I learned in high school health class and what wikipedia would teach you. Other characters then look at them and yell, "Oh my God, they've got herpes!" and "Not herpes!"
Someone other than friends needs to have edited this book, not just for grammar, but for content and a maturity of writing.
The biggest issue for me is that the author never seemed to have learned "Show, don't tell." Everything is just character bios deluged on the reader, with no subtext, no slowly revealed traits or motivations.
Ok, I've been harsh. I just feel that the blurb that made me buy this book is very misleading.
Many people out there may well like this style of writing. I hope that they find this book, that they enjoy it, and that the writer benefits from their purchase and continues crafting the stories that he enjoys crafting.
For those whose tastes in novels and writing, in general, are more like my own: There are better choices out there.
I'm writing this book not to blast it negatively (honestly) or to take away from what the author has written. He wrote a book. I respect that. That's more than I've done (well, more than I've published formally, anyway).
This review is because I had high hopes for this book, spent money to buy it, and I just don't think that it is quite what it's advertised to be.
Many people out there might enjoy this book, and I hope that they do. For those with different tastes than them (like me), I just want to save you some disappointment and/or wasted money.
Ok, on to my review:
The book is claimed, in the blurb on Goodreads and Amazon, to be ". . . a masterfully crafted tale that seamlessly blends supernatural intrigue with historical context" and to "(b)lend(ing) the grit of Game of Thrones with the supernatural flair of Good Omens..."
Unfortunately, it really doesn't live up to those things. It doesn't have the flair of Good Omens or the grit of Game of Thrones (I assume those were mentioned because one attracts a lot of readers/viewers, and the other has angels and demons). There also isn't really intrigue or historical context... at all.
It is a fairly straightforward tale, and, while trying not to spoil anything, has a plot that feels lifted from the latter sequels to The Prophecy. I hoped that this book would feel more like the original (the one with Elias Koteas and Christopher Walken), but it really comes across more like one of the direct to video efforts, with the same twist-not-a-twist and same make-it-up-and-act-like-it-has-Biblical-or-apocryphal-antecedents.
The description of the depth and historical accuracy is equally as misleading as the author bio, which got my hopes up:
1)
- "studying Divinity at Edinburgh University"
- "With his background in Biblical Diagnostics and Ethics, Andrew Bryan has imagined a narrative closer to the historical origins of Angel mythology than ever before. Nor has any supernatural story on the subject been crafted as dramatically, challenging society's perception on the nature of good and evil."
- No.
- No.
- It get Biblical references wrong, even basic ones (saying, by way of example, that Jesus was the only one to come back from the dead in the Bible), and we have had the same exact story about Lucifer told in dozens upon dozens of other books and movies, with far better drama and basis in mythology and religion.
- Also, how self-aggrandizing is that last quote?
2)
- "Andrew starred in hit shows such as Game Of Thrones."
- I guess by "starring" in GoT he means that he was in one episode, where his character is only referred to on IMDB as "Bolton officer".
- Should this matter? Probably not, but I think this level of puffery gives an idea of how the rest of the book description is similarly inflated.
As for the book itself...
It's fine.
It's fine.
Just really not a fan of the writing style, particularly the facts that it feels like it was written decades ago, and not just out within the last year, how cliche the characters are, and the rampant TELLING INSTEAD OF SHOWING.
Some examples:
- The guys that one of the heroes, Jack (of course), goes up against are called "thugs" and "gangsters" and, in general, all of the bad guys and human antagonists and prisoners are all described in terms of 80s movie cliches.
- The tough criminals refer to each other as "you big dope" and similar oh-so-tough-and-street-vernacular-accurate names.
- Lines like:
1) "Jack casually pulled off his mask to reveal a charming grin. His square jaw and striking features were perfectly balanced by his razor-sharp wit and cheeky demeanour."
2) "There's this intense glow about you - a unique yet familiar warmth." (said by one roomate to another, casually in conversation)
3) "There was a humble, thankful person buried under the bravado of his default setting: ego. In truth, this deeper, repressed part of Jack Causer did not feel at ease. Rather, it longed for the heartfelt connection with his family and loved ones."
- Some angellic being will be mentioned, and then we have a paragraph about the angelic class they belong to, like, "Akin to the guardian class, restoration angels lived in a symbiotic relationship..." etc., which reads like character descriptions to an RPG, not a novel, and DEFINITELY not one based on actual angellic lore. This happens A LOT, like, saying that it seemed likely a woman was a seer... followed by a paragraph of "A scare subset of humans that had not fully walked in their power..." etc., in the middle of what should be a flowing narrative.
- Characters as introduced, and then we are IMMEDIATELY told everything about them. We don't discover it through their actions, or through their interactions and conversations with other characters, but just have every aspect of them dumped on us, i.e. Haylene is introduced, and the next sentence is "Kickboxer by day and dancing queen by night, she could best be described as a muscular goddess."
- A couple of characters are suddenly cursed with herpes. It shows up in ways that show a lack of understanding by the author, based on what I learned in high school health class and what wikipedia would teach you. Other characters then look at them and yell, "Oh my God, they've got herpes!" and "Not herpes!"
Someone other than friends needs to have edited this book, not just for grammar, but for content and a maturity of writing.
The biggest issue for me is that the author never seemed to have learned "Show, don't tell." Everything is just character bios deluged on the reader, with no subtext, no slowly revealed traits or motivations.
Ok, I've been harsh. I just feel that the blurb that made me buy this book is very misleading.
Many people out there may well like this style of writing. I hope that they find this book, that they enjoy it, and that the writer benefits from their purchase and continues crafting the stories that he enjoys crafting.
For those whose tastes in novels and writing, in general, are more like my own: There are better choices out there.
October 8, 2024
A fresh approach to angelic beings, wingless and suffering from several similar personality traits that haunt humans: pride, jealousy, anger, and a lust for violence and power. And they can be killed. We are introduced to humans that are "seers," and who can wield power of light like the angels to destroy or heal other angels or humans. It gets a little overwhelming at times, but as is common in books about angels and the supernatural, God is nowhere to be found and Jesus is never mentioned. This book is about a mutiny led by Archangel Michael and his fellow archangel, Samael (angel of Death) against Archangel Gabriel and surprisingly, the "Damned," who I understood to be Lucifer, who form an alliance, along with Archangel Raphael, to save humankind from the bloody slaughter intended by Michael et al. There are numerous human characters, most notably Grace, who is learning that she is a powerful seer in the making. The story jumps from numerous POVs and groups of characters undergoing various challenges. It was so busy that it was almost too difficult to know what was happening and why. I looked up the author, who was trying to write screen plays that were rejected, and thus he turned his writing into a book. That explains the choppy and often abrupt shift from scene to scene and from character groups to other groups. These were meant to be a TV script and the entire book suffers from the "padding" usually found in novels that eases the reader between events and characters. This style made the book choppy to read. Also, there are a lot of descriptions of battles between angels, involving what I suspect were to be visually exciting special effects. However, the same descriptions repeated for different clashes became too formulaic. This feels like it was rushed to print and needed the hand of a really good editor to actually put some background into the storyline to give the reader a chance to learn the motives and desires of the characters through action rather than being told that "this" is what they think. Could have been a much better book. Supposedly a series, but no second book on the horizon is mentioned anywhere. This book leaves the reader up in the air with no idea what will happen. First act only.
February 13, 2024
Perfect for fans of: urban fantasy, a magical world that ingrains itself perfectly into the modern world, Archangels, lore without dumping, darker themes, and multi-Pov.
Wow! This book was incredible! Not only does the author, Andrew Bryan, have an outstanding ability to balance both light and dark topics, he also makes this a fun, enjoyable read. There is a lot of darker edged content in this one for the sake of the plot, but those darker themes may be off-putting for some, and not bothersome to others.
There is something to be said about reading a book on Archangels, the Damned, and a battle over the physical realm for humanity to also be witty, and hilarious! The characters in this book, like Jack and the Damned, feel so real, and by the end of the book, I feel like I knew them well. The Damned is mysterious, but curious about humanity, and Jack is kick-ass, and always has something funny to say, even in those close-call moments. Scratitch was so silly and a great addition to seal together the world-building in a funny way. I would have liked to see the character Grace explored a little more, as it felt a bit too much like she just went along with everything and so did her son and family lol. But the end was very satisfying and left me wanting more from this author!
My favorite part was how imaginative and creative the author got with the ether-gates. People would walk around with no idea archangels and others angelic beings were getting up to all kinds of antics, and this novel explores this in such a satisfying way. The world Andrew Bryan has created is jam-packed, exciting, and well-rounded.
Wow! This book was incredible! Not only does the author, Andrew Bryan, have an outstanding ability to balance both light and dark topics, he also makes this a fun, enjoyable read. There is a lot of darker edged content in this one for the sake of the plot, but those darker themes may be off-putting for some, and not bothersome to others.
There is something to be said about reading a book on Archangels, the Damned, and a battle over the physical realm for humanity to also be witty, and hilarious! The characters in this book, like Jack and the Damned, feel so real, and by the end of the book, I feel like I knew them well. The Damned is mysterious, but curious about humanity, and Jack is kick-ass, and always has something funny to say, even in those close-call moments. Scratitch was so silly and a great addition to seal together the world-building in a funny way. I would have liked to see the character Grace explored a little more, as it felt a bit too much like she just went along with everything and so did her son and family lol. But the end was very satisfying and left me wanting more from this author!
My favorite part was how imaginative and creative the author got with the ether-gates. People would walk around with no idea archangels and others angelic beings were getting up to all kinds of antics, and this novel explores this in such a satisfying way. The world Andrew Bryan has created is jam-packed, exciting, and well-rounded.
April 17, 2024
A definite reread for me!!
A story of good vs. Evil, light vs. Dark, humanity vs. corrupt power. A modern fantasy that has archangels, demons, a battle for life itself, and magical elements.This is action packed from start to finish, full of suspense, tons of detail, and I devoured it! A story of self discovery, redemption, and adventure that's sure to keep you invested. Offers a new perception on humanity and the relationships between the angels, God, and religion itself. As you follow multiple storylines, you find out more about each character, their pov, and follow their journey all to an impacful ending where everything comes to head and find out if the world will be cleansed and a new order will take over or whether humanity is worthy to be saved. With everything we as a people consume, use, or the destruction we cause are we really worth preserving? With funny aspects and characters that lighten the story, twists you won't see coming, and the questions the story brings. Are we as humans doing everything we can, what more can we accomplish?? One to make you think, ask questions, and one I'd recommend to a book group for sure! I'll be rereading this cause I know it's one those books I'll find something new in the second time around. I could feel the passion oozing behind the pages and can tell good things will come from this author in the future!
If you loved the movie Gabriel or Legion, you'll love this, as well as supernatural fans!
A story of good vs. Evil, light vs. Dark, humanity vs. corrupt power. A modern fantasy that has archangels, demons, a battle for life itself, and magical elements.This is action packed from start to finish, full of suspense, tons of detail, and I devoured it! A story of self discovery, redemption, and adventure that's sure to keep you invested. Offers a new perception on humanity and the relationships between the angels, God, and religion itself. As you follow multiple storylines, you find out more about each character, their pov, and follow their journey all to an impacful ending where everything comes to head and find out if the world will be cleansed and a new order will take over or whether humanity is worthy to be saved. With everything we as a people consume, use, or the destruction we cause are we really worth preserving? With funny aspects and characters that lighten the story, twists you won't see coming, and the questions the story brings. Are we as humans doing everything we can, what more can we accomplish?? One to make you think, ask questions, and one I'd recommend to a book group for sure! I'll be rereading this cause I know it's one those books I'll find something new in the second time around. I could feel the passion oozing behind the pages and can tell good things will come from this author in the future!
If you loved the movie Gabriel or Legion, you'll love this, as well as supernatural fans!
June 9, 2024
Archangels Fall is a supernatural fantasy novel centred around the battle between dark versus light and the unseen forces trying to destroy or protect humanity.
It’s told through multiple POVs that seem to be completely separate at the beginning, but as the story progresses some of them intertwine to reveal connections between characters - I love it when a story does this as sometimes the connections between characters are surprising.
From the get go you can feel the story building up to something and with each chapter that tension increases, especially with each changing POVs.
The way the archangels travel and emerge through the different planes was very creative and so descriptive I could totally imagine this on screen.
I especially liked the underlying spiritual and philosophical tones. The battle between good and evil is very a common trope but I particularly like it when characters who previously didn’t question their place, have that moment where they stop and start to think about what they are doing and whether it is ‘right’.
The plot itself is very well thought out and events seem to happen at just the right point in the story. The cast of characters is great and suits the story. The dialogue is very jovial and humorous at times too. I would have liked to see Grace come into her power more but perhaps that is being saved for book two!
All in all a funny and thought provoking debut!
Special thanks to the author for sending me an advanced copy.
It’s told through multiple POVs that seem to be completely separate at the beginning, but as the story progresses some of them intertwine to reveal connections between characters - I love it when a story does this as sometimes the connections between characters are surprising.
From the get go you can feel the story building up to something and with each chapter that tension increases, especially with each changing POVs.
The way the archangels travel and emerge through the different planes was very creative and so descriptive I could totally imagine this on screen.
I especially liked the underlying spiritual and philosophical tones. The battle between good and evil is very a common trope but I particularly like it when characters who previously didn’t question their place, have that moment where they stop and start to think about what they are doing and whether it is ‘right’.
The plot itself is very well thought out and events seem to happen at just the right point in the story. The cast of characters is great and suits the story. The dialogue is very jovial and humorous at times too. I would have liked to see Grace come into her power more but perhaps that is being saved for book two!
All in all a funny and thought provoking debut!
Special thanks to the author for sending me an advanced copy.
November 14, 2024
Archangels Fall by Andrew Bryan is an electrifying blend of mythology, fantasy, and human struggles that immediately pulled me in. This book dives into a gritty, richly imagined world where fallen angels battle alongside humans in an epic clash of good versus evil. Grace, the intriguing lead character, is unexpectedly drawn into a complex war between angelic forces. Bryan's world-building is immersive and atmospheric, with vivid descriptions that bring both celestial realms and dark human elements to life.
The plot explores themes of redemption, free will, and loyalty, offering philosophical depth that elevates the typical fantasy adventure. The multiple POVs add a unique dimension, allowing readers glimpses into the minds of the angels, Grace, and other players in this cosmic battle. Some may find the lore a bit dense sometimes, but it ultimately adds to the story's intrigue and tension. The ending left me with questions I'm eager to explore in the next book. A thrilling, thoughtful read for fans of dark fantasy and mythological adventures!
The plot explores themes of redemption, free will, and loyalty, offering philosophical depth that elevates the typical fantasy adventure. The multiple POVs add a unique dimension, allowing readers glimpses into the minds of the angels, Grace, and other players in this cosmic battle. Some may find the lore a bit dense sometimes, but it ultimately adds to the story's intrigue and tension. The ending left me with questions I'm eager to explore in the next book. A thrilling, thoughtful read for fans of dark fantasy and mythological adventures!
February 28, 2024
Immerse yourself in a world where fantasy seamlessly intertwines with the contemporary in this exceptional novel. From the very first page, I found myself entranced by the profound questions it poses about the worthiness of humanity's salvation and the belief in our inherent value.
The narrative effortlessly carries you through a journey of self-discovery and redemption, leaving you pondering the depths of human nature and the significance of our existence. Despite the complexity of its themes, the story unfolds with remarkable ease, thanks to the author's masterful storytelling.
One of the book's greatest strengths lies in its diverse and compelling characters, each bringing their own unique perspective to the tale. Moreover, the author's wealth of knowledge is evident throughout the book, yet it is presented in a manner that is accessible to readers of all backgrounds.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book, and I'm excited to share that I snagged myself a signed copy!
The narrative effortlessly carries you through a journey of self-discovery and redemption, leaving you pondering the depths of human nature and the significance of our existence. Despite the complexity of its themes, the story unfolds with remarkable ease, thanks to the author's masterful storytelling.
One of the book's greatest strengths lies in its diverse and compelling characters, each bringing their own unique perspective to the tale. Moreover, the author's wealth of knowledge is evident throughout the book, yet it is presented in a manner that is accessible to readers of all backgrounds.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book, and I'm excited to share that I snagged myself a signed copy!
April 9, 2024
Kudos to you on your debut novel Archangels Fall.
'Andrew, it's a remarkable, amazing story and beautifully written book. i adored it from page one and couldn't put it down.
The book is thought-provoking, touching on topics of good and evil, angels, demons, and mythology, all while not being overbearing.
His writing flows perfectly. There aren't any lulls, so it makes it an enjoyable read.
The characters have very detailed descriptions. You will learn to know them and believe that they are real. All the conversations i could hear. I laughed, cried, and screamed.
If you love fantasy, angels, demons, mythology, and religion, then hurry and order your book it now.
'Andrew, it's a remarkable, amazing story and beautifully written book. i adored it from page one and couldn't put it down.
The book is thought-provoking, touching on topics of good and evil, angels, demons, and mythology, all while not being overbearing.
His writing flows perfectly. There aren't any lulls, so it makes it an enjoyable read.
The characters have very detailed descriptions. You will learn to know them and believe that they are real. All the conversations i could hear. I laughed, cried, and screamed.
If you love fantasy, angels, demons, mythology, and religion, then hurry and order your book it now.
April 9, 2024
I love me a good story about war between angels. The power struggle between what's right, who's wrong, and everything mundane in between. A beautiful story about the falling of angels, corrupted power, the search of the light bearer. Embark on a journey with several characters each on their own paths, as they play put roles the universe has set out for them, before it is all questioned when one decides to overrule all. Will the chosen one be able to save the universe and all the species within, or will it take a cleanse and a rise of the new order before it can all fall into place? Read to find out more, can't wait for book 2, because 😱😱❤️ loved it.
May 17, 2024
I want to start my review by saying this is not my typical genre, so I had a bit of a hard time getting into this one but that’s on me and has nothing to do with the story or the writing. However, with that said this was fast paced, with very thought out characters. This definitely makes you think and I couldn’t put it down. I’m so glad I was given an ARC by the author himself and pushed myself out of my comfort zone! I would highly suggest everyone read this because it may surprise you!
May 16, 2024
This was a fun debut fantasy that I enjoyed! Great characters and a great story, really good use of fantasy elements.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 7, 2024
Really intriguing concept
I enjoyed the read -sounds like there's going to be a follow on. Great! I love stories where the supernatural are humanized.
I enjoyed the read -sounds like there's going to be a follow on. Great! I love stories where the supernatural are humanized.
November 10, 2024
Thought provoking, fantastic read
April 11, 2024
Archangels fall is a stunning spiritual urban fantasy with apocalyptic vibes. The Angels are true to the original mythology and so well written. It's action packed from the first chapter and never drops it's tempo. The humour and character interactions in the book feel authentic. I found reading this book incredibly easy, it's short chapters add to the fast pace, before I knew it I was at the end and craving more. This is definitely a 5 star read. Everyone needs to read this book!
May 20, 2024
Thank you Andrew for reaching out to see if I wanted to review your book.
I really wanted to love this book because it sounded soooo interesting but I am not sure what it is I just could not get into the book. There was nothing wrong with the writing style but maybe I just wasn't in the right head space.
I really wanted to love this book because it sounded soooo interesting but I am not sure what it is I just could not get into the book. There was nothing wrong with the writing style but maybe I just wasn't in the right head space.
July 10, 2024
Wow! I throughly enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. I typically don't read fantasy/supernatural books however this one is connected with the real world and I loved that!
Multi pov and amazing character building!! Super fun read with humor that I was not expecting!
Can't wait to read more from the author! ☺️
Multi pov and amazing character building!! Super fun read with humor that I was not expecting!
Can't wait to read more from the author! ☺️
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