Fall From Grace

The Scribing of Ishitar #1

by Carrie F. Shepherd

Ishitar is born on the cusp of a great war between the two ruling Gods of the Heavens and Hells Realms. With his father in control of a repressive society and his mother fighting for free will for all, he believes the game that they play to be just that: a game. Little does he know that the players that he sees are not necessarily the ones who will influence the outcome.

492 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 12, 2012

Reviews

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book in Librarything's member giveaway.
As I started reading, I found it a little difficult to follow, but quickly it became a captivating and unique novel I could not put down. This book, creates a unique twist on the ancient tale of good versus evil. It contains elements of Biblical stories as well as Norse and Greek Gods. (There may be more that I missed) This novel captured my imagination and attention until the very last word. I am now waiting with bated breath for the next installment!Fall from Grace: The Scribing of IshitarCarrie Shepherd

[LaMarr Wenrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love to get lost in the story I'm reading*** It is a gift to us as readers to become a part of it. Carrie takes you on a journey of good versus evil. It is definitely worth reading--the ending will not disappoint. I enjoyed Carrie's style of writing--so will anyone who reads this book. Job well done-- thank you Carrie***

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting! A story told within a story, I love it! I love the characters in this book and I found that I would lay awake at night wondering what was going to happen to Loki and my other favorite characters. The relationships in this book are complicated and deep. Hard to put down!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book

This was an amazing story. If you like books about angels and demons check it out bbecause it definitely doesn't disappoint.

[Lissette · Rating 4 out of 5]

War is never easy, a certainty Lucias learns well when he's cast out from Heaven into Hell. He's been assigned as overlord for wayward souls, reigning supreme over them, the demons, and those who seek to work against Noliminan, Father of all Creation.

Determined to make the best of the situation, Lucias sets into motion a series of events that tip the fragile balance that exists between both realms. He isn't satisfied with the lot he's been dealt, and he'll do everything possible to make sure he comes out on top. Twisting both angels and demons around his finger, he knows he needs to be careful if he's to succeed in winning the war that exists between good and evil.

Part of him knows that Noliminan means well. He's created man and the world around him, after all, but Lucias refuses to bend to his will, much less be considered as an equal to the lowly pigs Noliminan has created. Deep inside, he knows there's a way to achieve his very goals. He just has to figure out what he needs to do.

When it becomes apparent that Ishitar is the key to what he believes is rightfully his, Lucias does his best to cause further discord amongst his own kind and those around him. Granted, in his mind, he's only trying to restore order amongst the chaos he's created, but it doesn't stop him from implementing machinations that will bring things about in his favor. It doesn't matter that things are going from bad to worse. The battle for redemption and prosperity will be won, and he will stop at nothing until he and those he deems worthy are the last ones standing when the time comes.

A truly gripping start to what promises to be a very engrossing series, Fall From Grace will make you rethink what you think you know about good versus evil. Granted, Carrie has tweaked consistently the way we view and think about Heaven and Hell, lending the story unique twists that will keep you guessing until the very end. Truthfully, it's refreshing to see the story of angels versus demons pitted against one another in a light that's different from what we truly know. Each character will do anything to make sure balance is kept amongst the insanity of the worlds they live in. I look forward to what comes next for this series.

[Jan Greene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Astonishing in its scope and detail, this book is truly unique. The author has taken mythic stories from various cultures and created a story about gods, angels, demons, and mortals unlike any modern fiction I have read. She has created a hierarchy of being (which seems to be loosely based on the Elizabethan World Order, or Great Chain of Being) with its own set of rules and has set her characters loose in this imaginative realm. Two gods are at the top of this hierarchy - one who wants free will to be granted to angels and demons and one who wants to grant free will only to mortals.
All of the characters, whether god, angel or demon have distinctly human personality traits, including, lust for power, pride, and jealousy, as well as compassion, loyalty, and the ability to love. Gender is fluid with some characters morphing back and forth between male and female as whim or guile determines. There is long-lasting love, forbidden love, and platonic love. Most of the angels and demons must figure out how to be on the right side of the two gods who are often at odds with each other, yet deeply love each other.
The plot is complicated and in the beginning I was a little confused about what was going on, but as I got into it, it all became clear.
This is an epic story! If you want something different that make you re-think the relationship between good and evil, this book is for you.
I can't leave a review of this book without saying that I think Carrie Shepherd must be very, very smart!

[Natasja Hellenthal · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Fall From Grace' by Carrie F. Shepherd is an epic read. It is unique in its detail and layers of story line.
The author has blended myths from various cultures and created a new story about gods, angels, demons and mortals unlike any novel I have ever read.
There is a hierarchy with its own set of rules and the characters live out their lives in this imaginative realm. At the top of this hierarchy are two gods: one who wants free will to be granted to immortal angels and demons, and one who wants to grant free will to mortals only.
They all have human personality traits, such as lust for power and control, pride, loyalty, different kinds of love and compassion and jealousy.
I enjoyed it and loved the fact that gender was fluid with some characters changing back and forth between male and female when it served a purpose. On top of that they all have to figure out on which side of the two gods to be on; these two gods who are often at odds with each other, yet greatly love each other.
The plot is slightly complicated at times and confusing, but don't worry- all will become clear as you read on!

All in all, this is an epic fantastical story! I would recommend it for lovers of mythology and intelligent fantasy.
Can't wait to read the next book!

[Melba · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been reading all my life, and rarely have I come across a work where a book had a very vivid description in its scope and detail, it was unique. The author did an excellent job keeping my interest going throughout the whole book, this book was epic! I absolutely loved the story line and the development of the characters. This book brought out many emotions and I can guarantee you'll never think about human creation the same way again.

I highly recommend this book. You will be amazed at the detail and imagination of Carrie Shepard!

I am ready for the next installment in this series now!

[Deborah Bowman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hard to get into initially. Once you get the characters figured out and all the variations on their names, the story is creative with the varied mix of mythologies. Not really my cup of tea, but other fans of the genre may enjoy the plot. I guess I personally had trouble with the story being told in first-person by a narrator. It limited the inner feelings of the many characters to just one viewpoint. It was sometimes a little confusing with some of the dialogue whether it was the narrator's words or the character's inner voice, which the narrator would not have been privy to. It got better as you read further into the book.

[P.S. Winn · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I am gifted a book I am always nervous about doing a review, that said I must say that I enjoyed this epic adventure of heaven and hell and angels and archangels. I also have to give a lot of credit to the author for keeping the readers interest throughout this book with its enormous amount of characters. In spite of the numerous people in this book, the reader is able to follow the journey and find a favorite character, I like Loki. I also like the writers style which is flowing and enjoyable. If you like epic adventures this is definitely one to grab for yourself. I am looking forward to book 2.

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like this was a tedious read. While a good book in the end, it was very confusing to follow for the first three quarters of the book.

Based on biblical and mythological ideas, it follows the struggles of the premises of right and wrong from the perspective of the gods, angels and demons. Should all be redeemed and granted forgiveness? Or are only mortals afforded that entitlement? The politics, strategics and conspiracies of an all out war ensue.

*I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a unique story. The author shows the knowledge of the period and has a great way to make the characters come alive. The storyline flowed well and the characters were relatable. This was one book I will be reading again, can't wait to read the next book in the series.