Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

The Galway Chronicles #2

Of Men and of Angels

Rate this book

An Irishman must stand for what's right when political strife and an English oppressor shatter the peaceful kingdom.

Joseph Connor Burke has reclaimed his ancestral acres and the manor he was born to rule. But in a turbulent time, as England struggles under an unjust English oppressor, Joseph's dreams of a peaceable kingdom are shattered by violence and betrayal. Soon the village of Ballynockanor will be swept into storms of political strife that will eventually spread to the entire Emerald isle.

297 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1998

43 people are currently reading
590 people want to read

About the author

Bodie Thoene

203 books1,364 followers
BODIE AND BROCK THOENE (pronounced Tay-nee) have written over 45 works of historical fiction. These best sellers have sold more than 10 million copies and won eight ECPA Gold Medallion Awards.

Bodie began her writing career as a teen journalist for her local newspaper. Eventually her byline appeared in prestigious periodicals such as U.S. News and World Report, The American West, and The Saturday Evening Post. She also worked for John Wayne’s Batjac Productions (she’s best known as author of The Fall Guy) and ABC Circle Films as a writer and researcher. John Wayne described her as “a writer with talent that captures the people and the times!” She has degrees in journalism and communications.

Bodie and Brock have four grown children—Rachel, Jake Thoene, Luke Thoene, and Ellie—and five grandchildren. Their sons, Jake and Luke, are carrying on the Thoene family talent as the next generation of writers, and Luke produces the Thoene audiobooks.

Bodie and Brock divide their time between London and Nevada.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
473 (43%)
4 stars
392 (35%)
3 stars
187 (17%)
2 stars
36 (3%)
1 star
8 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
Profile Image for Joy Gerbode.
2,024 reviews18 followers
April 2, 2015
I am loving this novelization of the history of Ireland. The novel has romance and intrigue and mystery and crime ... some good things and some bad things ... and woven through all of this is the history of the Irish fight against British rule. So very interesting, and I'm eager to finish the series.
Profile Image for Anne Hamilton.
Author 57 books184 followers
April 26, 2021
Ok, I was totally sucked in by the prologue. And had it not been there, I might not have kept turning the pages so quickly, wondering when the treasure tribute of Brian Boru from the eleventh century would be found. How could it make a difference to the troubled estate of Joseph Connor Burke in nineteenth century Ireland? Who even knew of its existence? Perhaps the mysterious Tinker? Or the man who'd murdered Joseph's father to get his hands on the estate?

This is a story of the troubles in Ireland as momentum gathered against the repressive rule of the British in 1840s Galway. Joseph joins the campaign for Repeal and is soon targeted by pro-British forces and traitorous friends who have set him up to ensure that "the West", even if it is awake, cannot bring real assistance to the fight for freedom. To ensure he is neutralised, he is issued with an exorbitant fine for running an illegal school and an even more exorbitant penalty for unpaid back taxes, dating from before he inherited the estate. What miracle could possibly save him and Kate who has at last given up hating him?
124 reviews2 followers
January 6, 2012
I've not yet met a Bodie Thoene book I didn't like! The style/language of the book feels very authentically Irish, and the historical aspects factual. Combined with a very engaging storyline and characters, it was just lovely.
Profile Image for Belinda Vlasbaard.
3,365 reviews102 followers
August 12, 2022
4 stars- English Ebook

Bodie and Brock Thoene have produced a novel of historical relevance and literary charm in Of Men and Angels. This novel opens the door once again to enchanting Irish villages and folk of the 1840s in their dream of freedom from England's rule.

The story follows the hopes of these Irish country dwellers through betrayal, brokenheartedness, awakening love, and despair. Supporting the Repeal Movement, a nonviolent approach embraced by Irish Catholics and Protestants alike, Joseph Connor Burke and his countrymen and women prepare to stand firmly against England's power.

Their goal is self-rule, and they want to attain it without bloodshed. The reader is further drawn into this world by a story of romance in the face of heartbreaking realities. No home's hearth fire burns more brightly than that of Kate Donovan. But will Joseph's work for the Repeal Movement cost him his chance to put the past to rights with her? Are all of his dreams ill-fated?

Of Men and Angels is a story of a united Ireland, a people rising in hope that their dreams can be realized. Readers will find their hearts joining in the cause as well. 
284 reviews1 follower
October 25, 2020
My heart is sill pounding and I can hardly wait to open the next book in the series. Joseph Burke and his love Kate, finally respond to the love that they knew was building between them. It was a slow blossoming love. A lot of sorrow happens in the book and I wonder how a small group of people can bear such grief in so short a time. One thing that causes the heart to pound is the seeming lack of hope as one tragedy after another occurs. I also makes me anxious to complete the series and finally find the hope that seems so out of reach.
Profile Image for Debbie Cox.
55 reviews1 follower
September 13, 2020
I wouldn't have considered putting it down but the foreshadowing turns me off.i like the story to unfold a little more slowly. But I press on content with the continuing saga.
Profile Image for Kara.
398 reviews36 followers
September 9, 2018
Of Men & of Angels is the second in the Galway Chronicles series. This book started out slow and it took me awhile to get into it. The second half was a much quicker read. As with the first book in the series (Only the River Runs Free), I enjoyed the historical aspect of this novel. It’s thoroughly researched and very interesting. The story itself is entertaining (albeit a little too convenient in how the story plays out and abruptly concludes). The love story between Kate and Joseph seemed to flip like a light switch. I think a slower progression with small gestures given back & forth would have made more sense. There was a character known as the Tinker that I really enjoyed. A suspicious character at first, his true spirit is quickly discovered and they rely on him as a protector & guide as they confront their many challenges. He seemed to be an apostle to Joseph and his clan. 3.5/5
Profile Image for Emma.
40 reviews3 followers
November 29, 2020
"Circumstances are never as dauntin' or as damagin' to us as how we take on about them. There is always something to be done. And the fact that the fiend has trotted out this weapon to use on you means two things: first, the fight you are in ... must be very important, and so must go on with it in any way you can. Second, you can take comfort that despair is the worst thing he can spring on you. Things can appear to grow worse, but if you conquer despair, no deeper pit remains to trap you."
And there were certainly enough reasons to despair. Everything. Absolutely EVERYTHING went wrong. What suffering Ireland had to go through.
And what a book! Again Bodie Thoene has excelled!
762 reviews6 followers
May 13, 2020
A fantastic sequel to Only the River Runs Free! This ws just as good as book 1. We continue the stories of the characters from the first novel.

I love the love story between Joseph and Kate. I really liove the two of them together.

The most intense part of the book for me was the fire at the end. I couldn't help turning the pges, desperate to see what was going to happen next.

My least fvorite character in this series is Mad Mollly. She's not evil, but, she does say a lot of crazy things.


Gonna start book 3 tomorrow!
Profile Image for Godly Gadfly.
605 reviews9 followers
April 11, 2024
Magnificent in at least four ways. (5 stars)

The second entry into Bodie and Brock Thoene’s “The Galway Chronicles” nearly matches the magnificence of the award winning first volume, “Only the River Runs Free.” The cast of characters remains relatively unchanged, as the changing political winds of Ireland in the 1840s create new conflicts. The novel is rooted in history: the British “Act of Union” in 1800 stripped Ireland of self-government, and led to opposition to the ruling British on two fronts: the violent rebellion movement by the Ribbonmen, and the peaceful Repeal movement seeking lawful abolition of the Act of Union. The intensity of this struggle is the catalyst for most of the struggles in “Of Men and Angels”, and forms the nucleus of the novel, giving it much more of a political flavour than its prequel.

Joseph Connor Burke is conscripted by the leader of the Repeal Movement, Daniel O’Connell, and finds that his political allegiances place him at the mercy of the British oppressors, many of whom are willing to go to any lengths to squash Joseph’s support for the Repeal movement. With political enemies bent on nothing less than total destruction of Repeal, a terrible outbreak of small pox in the village of Ballynockanor is the last thing needed. But it is hardly the last adversity that Joseph must face. Accidents and arson result in a fast paced plot, and a gripping story-line that is hard to put down. There’s even a touch of romance, as the possibility of Joseph hooking up with the widow Kate Donovan becomes a more and more pressing and realistic question.

My only criticisms would be that the evil characters are occasionally rather one-dimensional and flat. Moreover, the authors downplay the fundamental divide between Protestants and Catholics. Although it is true that much of the divide can be attributed to politics rather than religion, yet one must be cautious not to express too much optimism about unity between Catholics and evangelicals. Unless they come to agreement on the fundamentals of the Christian faith such a vision will always remain a dream. Any theologian who digs beneath the surface will have to affirm that Catholics and Protestants today remain sharply divided on key points of doctrine.

But those weaknesses aside, the Thoenes deserve high commendation for this excellent work in at least four respects.

1. They have created a successful and suspenseful story-line. Unlike many Christian writers, they are not guilty of creating sub-standard fiction. This is fiction of the highest calibre, with a skilfully portrayed setting, realistic characters, and captivating plot.

2. The novel is not marked by an overly optimistic view of life which characterizes much popular Christian fiction. Many writers plunge their characters through a multitude of dangers, but leave them unscathed and alive at the end. Such novels may be enjoyable, but they can not avoid the criticism that they are escapist. The Thoenes, however, are not afraid to portray life as it really is, even though it is often a harsh reality. They are not afraid to let their protagonists be afflicted by diseases, or even to have them die. Let’s face it, that’s real life. This realism may be harsh, but by facing up to reality, the Thoenes make it possible to convey important truths about how to endure the harsh realities of real life and impart important lessons for today’s readers.

3. The historical context is not merely incidental, but is thoroughly at the heart of the novel. It is a completely convincing fabric on which the Thoenes paint the events of “Of Men and Angels”. It enables readers to gain an awareness and appreciation for the struggles underlying Irish history, struggles that still leave their unmistakable mark on present day Irish politics.

4. This series conveys important and enduring truths about living the Christian faith in today’s world. The Thoenes make it clear how God helps his people even in the face of horrendous evil. Only in fairy tales do people live happily ever after, but the Galway Chronicles make it clear that even where people don’t live happily ever after, God uses pain and adversity as a refining fire to make them stronger in their faith. The authors also make no bones about drawing connections to contemporary politics. Their condemnation of the evil methods employed by the Ribbonmen has an unmistakable relevance for today: using violence for a good cause cannot be justified. The lesson for the struggle in Ireland today, and the condemnation of typical IRA methods does not miss the mark. The contemporary struggle in Ireland has its roots in the history that the Thoenes describe, and their endorsement of a lawful repeal movement as an alternative to revolutionary rebellion is as applicable today as it was then.

It’s not hard to see that this novel - like its prequel - is a remarkable success. By the end of the novel, Repeal is not accomplished, and there are many unfinished loose ends that make the reading of volumes 3 and 4 of the series necessary. But if volumes 1 and 2 are anything to go by, reading the rest of this series will be a most rewarding pleasure!
Profile Image for Sarah-Kate Elizabeth.
20 reviews
January 25, 2019
4.5 stars.

The writing was beautiful and I loved the Irish accents! I found myself loving (or hating) the characters from early on and greatly enjoyed the rich historical content (though it did occasionally seem to slow the plot down).
Would definitely recommend to teens who are fans of historical fiction or books related to the Irish/Ireland.
Note: I read this book before the first one in the series on accident. I didn't realize this till I was almost done with the book, but still thoroughly enjoyed it and (basically) understood everything. I'm going to go back and read the first book next though ;)
Profile Image for Mallory.
989 reviews
July 19, 2023
Heavier and darker than the first book. Much more tragedy, too. I don't know how people managed to keep their spirits up and keep the faith during times like these, but somehow they did. The idea of the English wanting to subjugate the Irish and believing they had a right and moral duty to do so comes across more strongly in the background characters that oppose Repeal by various means. Miss Susan's character also provides the image of how this is occurring in America at the same time, through enslavement. I found the concept of an American wake for those who emigrated fascinating.
Profile Image for Barbara Grant.
61 reviews3 followers
January 4, 2024
So interesting! I used to listen to the news in the 70’s and hear about the conflict in Ireland all the time. I never knew what it was about or how it is being dealt with. This series doesn’t deal with current times, but its description of the past helped me to understand the foundation of how Ireland/Northern Ireland came to be.
Profile Image for Cactuskid.
556 reviews
November 27, 2024
This doesn't go the way you expect. With Ireland struggling under English rule and trying to peacefully have their own government, things go awray. Different writing style by these authors but once you get used to it, it's quite good. There are two more books in this series. It will be interesting to see how this all ends.
Profile Image for Tessa Asher.
6 reviews
August 21, 2025
This book was written wonderful, with a plot you can’t help but love! It is filled with unforeseen twists, memorable characters and dramatic events. The authors show how God can use even the worst situations for his glory, how even when it seems all hope is lost God still takes care of his children.
120 reviews2 followers
July 22, 2021
Excellent book of historical fiction. Found myself looking up the history of 1843 in Ireland. Unfortunately it was 80+ years before Ireland became a free nation from England’s rule. Looking forward to the next Thoene book!
Profile Image for Erica.
125 reviews13 followers
February 24, 2019
Great fictional telling or interpretation of the history of Ireland - has romance, crime, mystery and faith all in one.
Profile Image for Melanie.
159 reviews
June 22, 2020
Good as always.
Even more Bible references in this book than usual.
76 reviews1 follower
May 4, 2021
It was fine. I learned something of Irish history but the characters fell flat and plot was predictable.
262 reviews
November 5, 2022
Good, poignant. Walks through some nasty parts of history that I was previously unaware of.
Profile Image for Marla .
18 reviews1 follower
August 17, 2023
Of Men and of Angels!

Excellent book. I love it so much!! I must read the others in this series.
I'm never disappointed reading Thoene books. God bless em.
7 reviews
December 5, 2010
I am not necessarily a huge historical fiction fan. I am, however, a literature geek and a history buff, but sometimes, depending on the author, the historical fiction business can be misleading. While all history is, to some extent, revisionist, lazy or sloppy research can completely skew a meaningful tale of past events.

My middle age (?) passion has become Irish history and Irish literature. My bride ran across a listing for the Galway Chronicles, a tetralogy of Eyre historical fiction covering about 50 years of very late 18th century through the mid-century famines by Bodie and brock Thoene (pronounced TAY-nee). I have read the first book, "Only the River Runs Free" and am now on the second, "Of Men and Angels." As I have a fair grasp of things Irish, I am being watchful of the reasonable accuracy of events, and I must say, thus far, I am impressed by the depth of research evident and the cultural tone learned. The writing is above average, and although it does contain its fair share of somewhat gimcrack violence and romance, it has thus far been a very entertaining and quick read. I suggest it to those like minded readers.

Next, however, on the flip side, after decades of promising myself that it was time to do so, I engage Joyce's Ulysses.
Profile Image for Sheila.
217 reviews
January 18, 2019
It is hard to believe that empires can want to have power and dominate to the point of cruelty and dismissing an entire group of people. I'm certain the beautiful Emerald Isle would be coveted by any power, but to degrade the people and have so little lack of respect for humanity is heart wrenching. Because there isn't any group of people on planet Earth who haven't wielded force and treated humanity with a nonchalant attitude, I am not finger pointing, as the human heart is despitefully wicked above all things.

The authors did a fantastic job of researching the times and then creating characters that made the history come alive. I see the need for Kate's stubborn pride. I applaud Martin stepping into the headship of the family and above all, I am overwhelmed that men like Joseph can undo the ravages of cruel men and give hope to the human soul.

This 2nd book is packed with less action and more history, but it is, nonetheless, a great read and will bring understanding and a thoroughness to the entire Galway Chronicles series.

The Thoene's do a superb of story telling and I love their use of personification, similes, and metaphors. Their use of rhetoric is so beautiful and melodic. Well done!
Profile Image for Echo.
896 reviews47 followers
June 4, 2010
This is the second book in the Galway Chronicles, a series set in 1800s Ireland. This book follows the events of the first and takes place just a few years before the Great Famine. It follows the main character, Joseph, after he has reclaimed his family's land and starts to make an effort to improve the lives of his tenants. In the meantime, he is also trying to help political figure Daniel O'Connell push for Repeal - a cause that may cost him everything he worked so hard to get back.
I like this series pretty well. There's always something bad happening to the main characters, but in 1840s Ireland, that's just a realistic portrayal of how things were. If I can ever track down the other books, I'll probably go on and read the rest of the series to see what happens.
Profile Image for Jeni Enjaian.
3,640 reviews53 followers
January 25, 2013
A review from my old blog...

I read the first book in this series... The Galway Chronicles... over a year ago. My mom had the book from many years past and I lamented the fact that the rest of the series was out of print.

Thankfully many of those out of print books can be found at the library. Thus I picked up the second book in the series and fell in love all over again with the characters of Ballybacknor... Kate, Joseph, Mary Elisabeth, Mad Molly and etc.

Like most of the books I prefer of the Thoene's this book shifts between very few different points of view. The story moved along at such a pace that i couldn't have read slower even if I had wanted to.

I love almost anything Irish or Scottish so I heartily recommend this book as well.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.