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Angels Fall
Tired of being told—by straight and gay alike—that he loves "incorrectly," vampire Ehrichto Salvatolle gave up on the idea of having romantic love long ago. When a member of the created family he’s focused on instead comes under threat from a mysterious illness, Ehrichto strikes a deal with his own sire, to return to the sire’s bed in exchange for his help. But when he meets the great-grandson of the first man to break his heart, Ehrichto spies a chance to have the one thing he’s always wanted: true love.
"I’ve long admired N.S Beranek’s short fiction, and now she’s given us her first novel. It’s a riveting, elegant, and complex read. Beranek effortlessly weaves together Guatemalan villagers, Louisville teenagers, and a clan of deathless vampires, leaving us amazed at the diversity of her characters and settings." - Jeff Mann, author of Devour Desire and Country
“If N.S. Beranek’s gender-neutral name deliberately avoids accusations of appropriation, it’s moot. Angels Fall drips with gay sensibilities; each page oozes with sensual and sexual authenticity. To suggest Beranek’s juicy storytelling will make you wet is uncontestable and, trust me, it’s more than simply mouth-watering.” - Michael Kearns, actor, writer, director, and activist.
"I’ve long admired N.S Beranek’s short fiction, and now she’s given us her first novel. It’s a riveting, elegant, and complex read. Beranek effortlessly weaves together Guatemalan villagers, Louisville teenagers, and a clan of deathless vampires, leaving us amazed at the diversity of her characters and settings." - Jeff Mann, author of Devour Desire and Country
“If N.S. Beranek’s gender-neutral name deliberately avoids accusations of appropriation, it’s moot. Angels Fall drips with gay sensibilities; each page oozes with sensual and sexual authenticity. To suggest Beranek’s juicy storytelling will make you wet is uncontestable and, trust me, it’s more than simply mouth-watering.” - Michael Kearns, actor, writer, director, and activist.
- GenresM M Romance
400 pages, ebook
Published October 24, 2016
1 person is currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
N.S. Beranek
8 books5 followers"Days of Awe" in Saints and Sinners 2015: New Fiction from the Festival (Bold Strokes Books).
"Odd Man Out" in Diverse Voices Quarterly vol. 6 issue 21.
Available free online.
"Love Thy Neighbor" in Saints & Sinners 2014: New Fiction from the Festival (Bold Strokes Books).
"There's No Question It's Love" in Best Gay Romance 2014(Cleis Press).
"Thou Shalt Not Lie" in Saints and Sinners 2013: New Fiction from the Festival(Bold Strokes Books).
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 6, 2017
This book is like walking through a Mardi Gras festival; colourful, confusing and fantastical, laced with horror and throbbing with erotic promise.
It is worth noting that the book is written in the present tense, which puts the reader right in the heart of Beranek’s world from the get go.
The blurb assumes a lot when it says “when a member of the created family he’s focused on instead comes under threat from a mysterious illness, Ehrichto strikes a deal with his own sire, to return to the sire’s bed in exchange for his help.” I get that this is vampire-speak, but I was left thinking “huh?”
If it puts some people off, that would be a shame, because although the book isn’t that long, it is packed so full of beautiful details and lavish descriptions, it feels like an all-round sensory experience. The smell of blood and sun-tan oil, fresh bodies and sexual promise, all drip from the page. The author has built this incredible, colourful, savage world, filled with family drama, vampire politics, and sexual undertones. There isn’t a lot of actual sex, but despite that, it is a very erotically-charged book. Very clever and not easily accomplished.
An all-round sensory experience
There are a lot of characters, and a lot of different dynamics at play, so much so it seemed confusing at times. I’m still not sure what the relevance of Dorjan’s character is. I feel I have to read the book again to fully grasp all the delicate nuances. Again, this would delight some readers, but I wasn’t wholly gripped enough to do so. As a book reviewer, I don’t have time to read the same book twice. This is a shame, but it’s the author’s job to explain it through the story, not my job to rummage through the book until I finally get it.
Having said that, I believe there is scope for a series. There are some great personalities here, all of which are colourfully described and given their own distinctive voice. I loved Michael’s family, and the way the author dealt with his coming out, the confusion of his parents, his horrendous social-climbing mother. The setting of scenes is first class, and consistent throughout the book. I really wish I loved it more than I did, but the chaotic story-line was a little too distracting for my taste.
No doubt about it though. This is a clever and literary addition to the vampire genre.
It is worth noting that the book is written in the present tense, which puts the reader right in the heart of Beranek’s world from the get go.
The blurb assumes a lot when it says “when a member of the created family he’s focused on instead comes under threat from a mysterious illness, Ehrichto strikes a deal with his own sire, to return to the sire’s bed in exchange for his help.” I get that this is vampire-speak, but I was left thinking “huh?”
If it puts some people off, that would be a shame, because although the book isn’t that long, it is packed so full of beautiful details and lavish descriptions, it feels like an all-round sensory experience. The smell of blood and sun-tan oil, fresh bodies and sexual promise, all drip from the page. The author has built this incredible, colourful, savage world, filled with family drama, vampire politics, and sexual undertones. There isn’t a lot of actual sex, but despite that, it is a very erotically-charged book. Very clever and not easily accomplished.
An all-round sensory experience
There are a lot of characters, and a lot of different dynamics at play, so much so it seemed confusing at times. I’m still not sure what the relevance of Dorjan’s character is. I feel I have to read the book again to fully grasp all the delicate nuances. Again, this would delight some readers, but I wasn’t wholly gripped enough to do so. As a book reviewer, I don’t have time to read the same book twice. This is a shame, but it’s the author’s job to explain it through the story, not my job to rummage through the book until I finally get it.
Having said that, I believe there is scope for a series. There are some great personalities here, all of which are colourfully described and given their own distinctive voice. I loved Michael’s family, and the way the author dealt with his coming out, the confusion of his parents, his horrendous social-climbing mother. The setting of scenes is first class, and consistent throughout the book. I really wish I loved it more than I did, but the chaotic story-line was a little too distracting for my taste.
No doubt about it though. This is a clever and literary addition to the vampire genre.
July 15, 2017
Loved the world building and the writing here.
probably-not-but-freebie
July 10, 2018Freebie at smashie right now: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews