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They Who Fell #3
Adversary
The third and final book in the They Who Fell series by Kevin Kneupper, which readers call "absolutely epic" and a "fantastic story." Jana, Rhamiel, and Thane are on the run, pursued by Suriel and an army of seraphs who've bent their knees in servitude. They thought he was the only threat they faced, and they thought they'd found a way to hide away until her pregnancy was over and the Son could return to the world again. But darker things have come to Earth than Suriel, and the Cherubim are working strange magics from their Hive. Things from Lucifer's Pit are finding their way out of their cage and into the world, and they come whispering about Lucifer himself. Hiding isn't an option anymore, and the only choice left to Jana and Rhamiel is to fight. They need old allies to do it, along with whatever new ones they can scrounge, and the fate of the world will be decided by a final battle with the architect of Heaven's first rebellion. Here's what readers are saying about the They Who Fell " "Holy awesome surprise! Mr. Kneupper hooked me with the first chapter and kept me turning pages until I finished the book in one sitting. Excellent writing, great characterization and a phenomenal plot landed They Who Fell at a solid 5 star rating. By turning the traditionally ingrained idea of benevolent angles on its head and creating a plausible set of circumstances, I seriously questioned what would happen if a second heavenly fall occurred. Would the angels I've viewed as guardians become my worst nightmare? Would God turn his back on all of His creations and let the outcome be determined by the players themselves?" -Renee, Amazon Reviewer "In a word, WOW!!! This book was sad, scary, disturbing and fascinating all at the same time. I didn't want to put it down. As a believer, it had me asking what if? The story made me think and I like that about books. I can't wait for the next installment because I want to know what's going to happen next. Is humanity redeemed? Who knows but I can't wait." -Bookworm2015, Amazon Reviewer "I found the story incredibly fascinating, as seen through the eyes of an innocent young woman who was brought to the angels' stronghold, The Tower, too young to even remember what it was like on the outside. I truly enjoyed reading this book. It is vastly different from any of books I have read to date. Humans tend to think of angels as benevolent beings...and they were...but when they "Fell," they seemed to have lost their compassion for the human race. The author created an angelic caste system of sorts, as well as his own idea of angelic politics. I was enthralled and couldn't help but barrel through the book to see where the next page took me." -Paiutedancer, Amazon Reviewer "I came back after reading the second book to write this review. I couldn't wait to see what befell these characters next! I was intrigued and horrified at how these Angels acted! This is not the typical, Angels trying to save humanity story, it's like a science experiment gone horribly awry, like pulling the wings off of flies! I cannot wait to see if the Author expands on this storyline and I hope he does because I am hooked!" -Kim61, Amazon Reviewer
444 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 23, 2017
196 people are currently reading
179 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
July 2, 2018
A fitting end to a great series. Possibly just a dash too much reflection on emotions for the main protagonist and a couple of the supplementary characters, but the action scenes more than made up for the deep introspective scenes.
I feel that my knowledge of angels and cherubs and the rest of the heavenly hosts has been well broadened! And I have a new desire to remain far away from the clutches of Lucifer and Hell!
The author has done some excellent world building with this series, and has written some truly awesome action/fight scenes. I adored the whole series and I'm pleased I read them all.
I feel that my knowledge of angels and cherubs and the rest of the heavenly hosts has been well broadened! And I have a new desire to remain far away from the clutches of Lucifer and Hell!
The author has done some excellent world building with this series, and has written some truly awesome action/fight scenes. I adored the whole series and I'm pleased I read them all.
September 1, 2017
I have to say, after really enjoying the first two books in this series, I found this disappointing. Not because the story wasn't fresh and interesting, but because the book was Way Too Long and spent way too much time being melodramatic. I wish the author would have stuck to telling the compelling story of Rhamiel, Jana, and the clash between the forces of good and evil and stopped with all the romance novel elements. Seriously, this book should have been 100 pages shorter. I found myself rolling my eyes many times at the soap opera nature of the relationships and everyone's feelings. Oh my God, all the feelings. Just stop already, there was so much redundancy in this novel regarding feelings that I wanted to scream and found my mind wandering while I was reading. It was a struggle at times to get through this because of it. I don't remember the first two books being like this at all, so I don't know what came over the author, but please stop trying to combine a romance novel with fantasy.
November 15, 2017
3.5, rounding up to be nice.
Man, this book got WAAAAAAY too jesus-y. I mean, yeah, the warning signs had been growing. but this book goes FULL ON the jesus train, and as a non-christian, that got preeeeetty grating.
Also, weirdly, this book was surprisingly less sexist (three+ major female characters!) and WAY MORE sexist (lots of lines about how men are warriors/brave/stoic, have even angels have majority male warriors.... uhh that never came up in last two books?) (uhhhh WHY would angels have human gender roles and norms again?) (also the lady charas, while nice, spend a LOT of time thinking about beauty, babies, love, housework, etc. even the leader/warriors)
I skipped ahead and read last page after a bit, and I got excited for a twist that never came. This book would have been 100% better if there was a big twist partway through that Jana's baby WASN'T The Jesus. It was just a weird angel baby. And they needed to find salvation and forgiveness etc... not because of some saviour, just cause it's the right thing to do.
I also got very excited because I thought she'd have a miscarriage and lose the baby. That'd be a big twist! Probably too sensitive for kevin 'the worst writer of women' kneupper to handle. But I would have loved something that devalued the obvious, literaly 'dues ex machina'. Yeah, yeah. Jesus. He's coming, he'll save everyone, rad.
The stakes would have been crazy if we'd lost that thread. if jesus wasn't actually coming, or was in fact lost. if they had to move forward on their own merits, not the promise of a god who, by all accounts, kinda sucks ass for letting this all happen.
(Really, the angel apocalypse is sick to read about, but horrible. and NOW, you send jesus back? C'mon @god. It's been a hard couple of decades at this point) (I also spent a lot of time wondering what the hell was going on in Real Heaven, anyways. What were THEY up to?)
The action is still weirdly well done, it's easy to follow, dynamic, and often has good twists and turns. The pain is that there isn't much stake, since we know we're to get a happy ending. I wanted the obvious formula twisted a little, but in the end most fights are observed. It takes the 50% mark for the plot to pick up, but the next 50% is more boring than the beginning. Lucifer is defeated too easily, and again, via a literal dues ex machina. Jana is very, very stupid and rash for someone ~8 months pregnant, and honestly with the stress she's been in, probably that baby should've been toast.
it was nice getting to the end of this series, it is a guilty pleasure fun sort of thing, but again. Terribly sexist, even if Kev's been trying really hard this book. Increasingly jesus-y, and then this book gets way overboard. And, as mentioned in other reviews, this one spends much more time on characters delicate emotions and such. rhamiel/jana was fun in book one, but they've just become a weird, too in love power couple, and really mopey.
Rhamiel also gets a dramatic reveal/arc thing, and I feel it's then too easily justified. I'd much rather we accept moral greyness than go 'well, it was better they be slaves than die!'. Uh. Rhamiel? You're still an asshole. accept the deep realms of complicated morality.
Also again. The stakes never worked because kevin kneupper didn't have the balls to kill off jesus.
Man, this book got WAAAAAAY too jesus-y. I mean, yeah, the warning signs had been growing. but this book goes FULL ON the jesus train, and as a non-christian, that got preeeeetty grating.
Also, weirdly, this book was surprisingly less sexist (three+ major female characters!) and WAY MORE sexist (lots of lines about how men are warriors/brave/stoic, have even angels have majority male warriors.... uhh that never came up in last two books?) (uhhhh WHY would angels have human gender roles and norms again?) (also the lady charas, while nice, spend a LOT of time thinking about beauty, babies, love, housework, etc. even the leader/warriors)
I skipped ahead and read last page after a bit, and I got excited for a twist that never came. This book would have been 100% better if there was a big twist partway through that Jana's baby WASN'T The Jesus. It was just a weird angel baby. And they needed to find salvation and forgiveness etc... not because of some saviour, just cause it's the right thing to do.
I also got very excited because I thought she'd have a miscarriage and lose the baby. That'd be a big twist! Probably too sensitive for kevin 'the worst writer of women' kneupper to handle. But I would have loved something that devalued the obvious, literaly 'dues ex machina'. Yeah, yeah. Jesus. He's coming, he'll save everyone, rad.
The stakes would have been crazy if we'd lost that thread. if jesus wasn't actually coming, or was in fact lost. if they had to move forward on their own merits, not the promise of a god who, by all accounts, kinda sucks ass for letting this all happen.
(Really, the angel apocalypse is sick to read about, but horrible. and NOW, you send jesus back? C'mon @god. It's been a hard couple of decades at this point) (I also spent a lot of time wondering what the hell was going on in Real Heaven, anyways. What were THEY up to?)
The action is still weirdly well done, it's easy to follow, dynamic, and often has good twists and turns. The pain is that there isn't much stake, since we know we're to get a happy ending. I wanted the obvious formula twisted a little, but in the end most fights are observed. It takes the 50% mark for the plot to pick up, but the next 50% is more boring than the beginning. Lucifer is defeated too easily, and again, via a literal dues ex machina. Jana is very, very stupid and rash for someone ~8 months pregnant, and honestly with the stress she's been in, probably that baby should've been toast.
it was nice getting to the end of this series, it is a guilty pleasure fun sort of thing, but again. Terribly sexist, even if Kev's been trying really hard this book. Increasingly jesus-y, and then this book gets way overboard. And, as mentioned in other reviews, this one spends much more time on characters delicate emotions and such. rhamiel/jana was fun in book one, but they've just become a weird, too in love power couple, and really mopey.
Rhamiel also gets a dramatic reveal/arc thing, and I feel it's then too easily justified. I'd much rather we accept moral greyness than go 'well, it was better they be slaves than die!'. Uh. Rhamiel? You're still an asshole. accept the deep realms of complicated morality.
Also again. The stakes never worked because kevin kneupper didn't have the balls to kill off jesus.
August 9, 2017
What was an intriguing concept that built a little in the second book of the series ends with too much soap opera and not enough care. Seems that over and over a love story was bashed over the readers head and with each strike, not even a clanging gong results. Just silence and maybe a "meh".
What truly makes me angry and wholly disappointed is having to wait almost three years for this conclusion. The longest book of the three and this is what it became: Days of Our Lives, without Marlena nor Stefano.
Read only if you need to finish the trilogy ... otherwise, don't do it.
What truly makes me angry and wholly disappointed is having to wait almost three years for this conclusion. The longest book of the three and this is what it became: Days of Our Lives, without Marlena nor Stefano.
Read only if you need to finish the trilogy ... otherwise, don't do it.
March 24, 2018
Great series
I enjoyed all three books in the series. Ended the only way it could. Looks like the ending left the author an opening for a new series.
I enjoyed all three books in the series. Ended the only way it could. Looks like the ending left the author an opening for a new series.
August 19, 2018
Addiction
Engrossing revelations! Excellent tale of times to come. I have enjoyed this fantasy of the second coming of the son of God! Truly a riveting story!
Engrossing revelations! Excellent tale of times to come. I have enjoyed this fantasy of the second coming of the son of God! Truly a riveting story!
March 30, 2018
Good in places
I found myself getting annoyed reading Jana and Rhamiel's feelings for one another. It was like listening to teenagers in "love". To the extent of stupidity, making issues that simply were not there. Only if they are short sighted and self centred. Which they are, it goes against the reader routing for them. Chapters tend to repeat thing the reader already knows and can quite easily assume. Antagonists don't really put up any fight in the end, which was an anticlimax. Everything ends well in a predictable way. Zupihas storyline was just solved for reasons and Ecanus may as well not have bothered. Even the ultimate evil was underwhelmingly defeated.
I found myself getting annoyed reading Jana and Rhamiel's feelings for one another. It was like listening to teenagers in "love". To the extent of stupidity, making issues that simply were not there. Only if they are short sighted and self centred. Which they are, it goes against the reader routing for them. Chapters tend to repeat thing the reader already knows and can quite easily assume. Antagonists don't really put up any fight in the end, which was an anticlimax. Everything ends well in a predictable way. Zupihas storyline was just solved for reasons and Ecanus may as well not have bothered. Even the ultimate evil was underwhelmingly defeated.
November 29, 2018
Rating: 9/10
Pages: 442
This third of the trilogy does not disappoint. As Jana, Rhamiel, Thane, and their ragtag group of humanity pour through the land, desperate for Jana to have the baby in a safe space, you can't stop turning the pages. The main line of the story is as old as time. They are creating a new legend of hope and kindness.
The evil angels, are as in the other two, such good foils. But it was enjoyable to see some of the characters waver. And as before, it is their own need for their own self serving that causes turmoil amongst themselves.
Really a great way to end the series
Kindle
Pages: 442
This third of the trilogy does not disappoint. As Jana, Rhamiel, Thane, and their ragtag group of humanity pour through the land, desperate for Jana to have the baby in a safe space, you can't stop turning the pages. The main line of the story is as old as time. They are creating a new legend of hope and kindness.
The evil angels, are as in the other two, such good foils. But it was enjoyable to see some of the characters waver. And as before, it is their own need for their own self serving that causes turmoil amongst themselves.
Really a great way to end the series
Kindle
May 22, 2017
Well worth the wait!!!
I went back and re-read the second book since it had been quite awhile and immediately began reading The Adversary. I was instantly back into the story and felt anxious throughout the story for the danger the characters faced. I am so glad Ecanus and a couple of the other characters finally got their comeuppance. I pray that Jana and Ramiel's story continues, I would love to see what happens to them all next.
I went back and re-read the second book since it had been quite awhile and immediately began reading The Adversary. I was instantly back into the story and felt anxious throughout the story for the danger the characters faced. I am so glad Ecanus and a couple of the other characters finally got their comeuppance. I pray that Jana and Ramiel's story continues, I would love to see what happens to them all next.
November 12, 2020
Just finished this trilogy. It had a great premise and although I fully read through the series till the end - it just was not my cup of tea. I felt that there was so much scope for much more action and adventure with its wealth of great characters like Thane, Cassie and Rhamiel but it didn't quite deliver on the climactic ending I was hoping for.
I see a lot of promise in this author but I would love to see the world building and action suspense facets grow up some.
I see a lot of promise in this author but I would love to see the world building and action suspense facets grow up some.
August 21, 2017
Fabulous Series
I read all 3 books in less than a week. Such an unusual concept but wrapped up very nicely. Every question I had was answered. Maybe not right away or even in the same book, but answered. Excellent character development. You really love, hate, mourn for and cheer these characters. Reading this Series is like actually living it through their eyes.
I read all 3 books in less than a week. Such an unusual concept but wrapped up very nicely. Every question I had was answered. Maybe not right away or even in the same book, but answered. Excellent character development. You really love, hate, mourn for and cheer these characters. Reading this Series is like actually living it through their eyes.
February 9, 2018
Enter Satan.
Well that the last book in the series finished and it was all I'd expected it to be. Sadly Satan didn't get enough coverage in these books but when he did, at least he was as vile as you'd expect. A jolly good read which providers a different take on all things angelic.
Well that the last book in the series finished and it was all I'd expected it to be. Sadly Satan didn't get enough coverage in these books but when he did, at least he was as vile as you'd expect. A jolly good read which providers a different take on all things angelic.
July 10, 2018
Mix of emotions and action
It's been a long time since a series gripped me to the point is reading them in such which succession.
The action towards the end of this book kept me tense and eager to turn the page. Some great characterisation too.
A fitting end, yet equally left in such a way that there could be more, if the author wanted to.
It's been a long time since a series gripped me to the point is reading them in such which succession.
The action towards the end of this book kept me tense and eager to turn the page. Some great characterisation too.
A fitting end, yet equally left in such a way that there could be more, if the author wanted to.
May 13, 2019
A great read, literally could not put the kindle down. I've been with the serious from the beginning and was truly disheartened to find that there would not be a book four released. The writer captivated me with the strong characters and the decisions they were forced to make throughout the series. An exceptional story and a must read for all!
March 20, 2020
The first book was interesting. Second definitely slowed down a bit and then the third? What was that? Horrible ending. Got weirdly super religious, not in an interesting fiction way. Disappointed. Finally saw how much of a new author Kevin Kneupper was. Probably won't read and wouldn't recommend any of his future books. Kevin Kneupper does not deliver.
June 24, 2017
Amazing best series I've read
What an emotional rollercoaster of a series. Vividly written, well developed characters,exciting plot loved every word written so well it was like watching a movie in my head while reading
What an emotional rollercoaster of a series. Vividly written, well developed characters,exciting plot loved every word written so well it was like watching a movie in my head while reading
August 15, 2017
Best of the series. Enjoyed book one a lot. Two was okay, but seemed more a set up for the third. The third book? Paid off. The action in this was non stop and epic. The characters we all know are all in play, and couldn't put it down. Worth the wait!
August 2, 2019
Loved the trilogy disappointed by the ending
Thrill ride throughout but felt ending deserved more. Better. We lived the love story of Jana and Rhamiel and deserve,to know the Sons truth. Is he or isn’t he? Only the Maker knows - sighhhhh
Thrill ride throughout but felt ending deserved more. Better. We lived the love story of Jana and Rhamiel and deserve,to know the Sons truth. Is he or isn’t he? Only the Maker knows - sighhhhh
November 29, 2024
Wow...it started and continued to be really strong up until the ending. The ending was absolute garbage and I typically don't say such harsh, critical things. I was just so let down. Lucifer went out like a punk...hardly a climax.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2017
Great read.
Really great story. Loved the characters.
Fantastic Story. Could not put it down.
Really great story. Loved the characters.
Fantastic Story. Could not put it down.
June 13, 2017
This is the best book of the three so far, I couldn't put the book down and read it all within a 2 hour train journey, I couldn't put it down.
October 26, 2017
Really had high hopes for the series, but the plot was predictable and the ending was completely unimaginative.
January 18, 2018
Great read
Great read. Looking forward to next one. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Great read. Looking forward to next one. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
February 26, 2018
Great story
I totally enjoyed this book. The characters were multi dimensional. The Action had me At The Edge Of My Seat.
I totally enjoyed this book. The characters were multi dimensional. The Action had me At The Edge Of My Seat.
March 16, 2018
Love, love , love this series
March 19, 2018
Great read
It we a good read couldn't wait to read 2nd and 3rd book can't wait for next one loved it
It we a good read couldn't wait to read 2nd and 3rd book can't wait for next one loved it
May 21, 2018
Love this story!
I absolutely love this series! I have enjoyed reading all of the books and am always a little sad when I finish them but then find myself re-reading all of them.
I absolutely love this series! I have enjoyed reading all of the books and am always a little sad when I finish them but then find myself re-reading all of them.
May 26, 2018
predictable outcome, not a very well written series
June 28, 2018
Loved it
I loved this book. The story grabs ahold of you and doesn't let go. It is really a great read.
I loved this book. The story grabs ahold of you and doesn't let go. It is really a great read.
July 16, 2018
Enjoyed the read
An enjoyable end to a very good trilogy. Good storytelling that had me binge reading late into the night more than once!
An enjoyable end to a very good trilogy. Good storytelling that had me binge reading late into the night more than once!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews