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Exile of Angels #1
Fall from Grace
Hell was meant to be a timeless prison. It's not.
The Archangel of Secret Knowledge wants some peace of mind after untold millennia locked up in Hell, but the guilt of inhabiting a body that is not his own and of having left behind his brothers and sisters still damned to solitary confinement eats him up inside. He thinks he can atone by doing the right thing—play the older brother to his host body's kin while upturning every secret buried in Creation until he finds a way to free every single angel who fell—but old sins are hard to cleanse. With every fact uncovered, he finds himself one step further from the release he craves and one step closer to more chains that bind. Maybe the only way to be at peace with himself is to face a new war head on…
Exile of Angels
Prequel: Return from Exile (Available to newsletter subscribers)
Book 1: Fall from Grace
The Archangel of Secret Knowledge wants some peace of mind after untold millennia locked up in Hell, but the guilt of inhabiting a body that is not his own and of having left behind his brothers and sisters still damned to solitary confinement eats him up inside. He thinks he can atone by doing the right thing—play the older brother to his host body's kin while upturning every secret buried in Creation until he finds a way to free every single angel who fell—but old sins are hard to cleanse. With every fact uncovered, he finds himself one step further from the release he craves and one step closer to more chains that bind. Maybe the only way to be at peace with himself is to face a new war head on…
Exile of Angels
Prequel: Return from Exile (Available to newsletter subscribers)
Book 1: Fall from Grace
304 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 15, 2017
13 people are currently reading
574 people want to read
About the author
Ron C. Nieto
37 books504 followersRon C. Nieto is a fantasy and romance author who has been writing in her secluded fortress for the longest time. Recently, she had a talk with her cat and decided that she should share her creations, because it was selfish to hoard them all for herself.
If you would like to know more about her, please visit her website.
If you would like to know more about her, please visit her website.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 2, 2017
Long, long ago, a faction of angels rebelled against Heaven and were cast out, stripped of their wings and imprisoned in Hell. They were meant to be there forever.
Now, some of them are out, escaped through means even they don’t understand. The former Archangel of Secret Knowledge finds himself in possession of the mortal body - and the memories - of one Henry Black. And it’s his job to figure out how to release the rest of the angels who fell.
The only problem is that he soon comes to suspect that he’s not being told everything. Who are the humans who have learned to channel divine fire, and why are they hunting angels? Henry has to find allies among humans and other escaped angels, and try to find out what is going on before Hell swallows them back up again… this time for good.
This is an amazingly written story, with a completely consistent magical system and a very likeable hero. I found myself wondering about the angels’ original rebellion, because Henry and the others were certainly not ‘evil’ as we would understand it. Henry cared about people, even those he had no reason to. I’m very, very intrigued as to where the author is taking this series.
This is a thoroughly enjoyable urban fantasy with just a hint of romance included. If you like angel or fallen angel stories, this is absolutely unmissable… and if you’ve never tried them, why don’t you give it a go?
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for review through NetGalley.
Now, some of them are out, escaped through means even they don’t understand. The former Archangel of Secret Knowledge finds himself in possession of the mortal body - and the memories - of one Henry Black. And it’s his job to figure out how to release the rest of the angels who fell.
The only problem is that he soon comes to suspect that he’s not being told everything. Who are the humans who have learned to channel divine fire, and why are they hunting angels? Henry has to find allies among humans and other escaped angels, and try to find out what is going on before Hell swallows them back up again… this time for good.
This is an amazingly written story, with a completely consistent magical system and a very likeable hero. I found myself wondering about the angels’ original rebellion, because Henry and the others were certainly not ‘evil’ as we would understand it. Henry cared about people, even those he had no reason to. I’m very, very intrigued as to where the author is taking this series.
This is a thoroughly enjoyable urban fantasy with just a hint of romance included. If you like angel or fallen angel stories, this is absolutely unmissable… and if you’ve never tried them, why don’t you give it a go?
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for review through NetGalley.
November 23, 2017
The Archangel of Secret Knowledge has been released from his long imprisonment in Hell and now has one major task - to free his brethren from their infernal imprisonment
But occupying a body - a life, a family - that is not his own comes with its own guilt and complexities; how do you explain to a mortal brother that you are trying to free demons from hell?
Especially when that mission becomes far more complicated, with more actors and manipulations with their own sinister motives than he imagined when he first found freedom.
This book has some really fascinating concepts
Fallen angels and demons are not unknown characters in urban fantasy - but I think this is the first time I’ve seen one with this kind of outlook. Henry is neither angsting about being unworthy of god and self-flagellating; nor is he raging about an unjust most High who must pay for his dastardly deeds. He is sensibly and doggedly trying to rescue his brethren. It’s a very personal story, one very much focused on him and not on big grand themes and revelations.
I also like Henry’s character - introverted, snarky, socially awkward but not in the arrogant-and-brilliant-way we see with so many protagonists. Just an inexperienced demon in the body of a man who was socially inept anyway. There’s a general sense with Henry that he’d much rather just be left alone with his books if he could get away with it.
I really like the conflict over what he is - because he possessed the human Henry Black. But he has all of Henry Black’s memories - and his opinions and even his mannerisms - including Henry’s OCD. Henry Black is dead… but how much of the angel/demon occupying the body is angel/demon and how much is Henry?
The concept of angelic power is also an interesting one - the nature of the word, the angelic inability to not speak truth and in changing reality to make it true. Divine power, the power angels can wield but cannot carry because only beings with a soul can do that. This idea that angels wield incredible power but that, ultimately, that power is human and divine and not their own. It’s a nice twist
Henry himself is both albino and has OCD. Both are parts of his character but while mentioned do not consume him. It’s good to see a disability which doesn’t become a character’s sole defining characteristic, but at the same time I rather think the OCD in particular was brushed over. We’re told Henry has OCD but that largely manifests with a need to have everything around him neat and tidy rather than actual compulsive behaviour
Siddik is a POC but his personality and history have been somewhat wiped with his possession/amnesia. There’s another random POC policeman who doesn’t play a huge role - and no LGBTQ people. But we do have a disabled protagonist
So why didn’t I love this book? Why did it take me so long to read? I’ve been turning this over in my head for a while now because it has so many elements I should love but, in the end, I didn’t. I found it something of a chore - and I think it comes down to it having a fairly laborious writing style. We seemed to slog our way through a lot of the text and there were a lot of explanations and activities that were just a little too abstract and theoretical and the big revelations about what was actually happening didn’t appear until the very end of this book. For a long time we had Henry Black moving to Detroit to explore the possibility of other demons escaping Hell without being summoned and then stuff happened. There’s hellfire humans I don’t entirely understand, and a secret organisation that isn’t explained until the very end of the book and a whole lot of personal drama and some other random events.
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But occupying a body - a life, a family - that is not his own comes with its own guilt and complexities; how do you explain to a mortal brother that you are trying to free demons from hell?
Especially when that mission becomes far more complicated, with more actors and manipulations with their own sinister motives than he imagined when he first found freedom.
This book has some really fascinating concepts
Fallen angels and demons are not unknown characters in urban fantasy - but I think this is the first time I’ve seen one with this kind of outlook. Henry is neither angsting about being unworthy of god and self-flagellating; nor is he raging about an unjust most High who must pay for his dastardly deeds. He is sensibly and doggedly trying to rescue his brethren. It’s a very personal story, one very much focused on him and not on big grand themes and revelations.
I also like Henry’s character - introverted, snarky, socially awkward but not in the arrogant-and-brilliant-way we see with so many protagonists. Just an inexperienced demon in the body of a man who was socially inept anyway. There’s a general sense with Henry that he’d much rather just be left alone with his books if he could get away with it.
I really like the conflict over what he is - because he possessed the human Henry Black. But he has all of Henry Black’s memories - and his opinions and even his mannerisms - including Henry’s OCD. Henry Black is dead… but how much of the angel/demon occupying the body is angel/demon and how much is Henry?
The concept of angelic power is also an interesting one - the nature of the word, the angelic inability to not speak truth and in changing reality to make it true. Divine power, the power angels can wield but cannot carry because only beings with a soul can do that. This idea that angels wield incredible power but that, ultimately, that power is human and divine and not their own. It’s a nice twist
Henry himself is both albino and has OCD. Both are parts of his character but while mentioned do not consume him. It’s good to see a disability which doesn’t become a character’s sole defining characteristic, but at the same time I rather think the OCD in particular was brushed over. We’re told Henry has OCD but that largely manifests with a need to have everything around him neat and tidy rather than actual compulsive behaviour
Siddik is a POC but his personality and history have been somewhat wiped with his possession/amnesia. There’s another random POC policeman who doesn’t play a huge role - and no LGBTQ people. But we do have a disabled protagonist
So why didn’t I love this book? Why did it take me so long to read? I’ve been turning this over in my head for a while now because it has so many elements I should love but, in the end, I didn’t. I found it something of a chore - and I think it comes down to it having a fairly laborious writing style. We seemed to slog our way through a lot of the text and there were a lot of explanations and activities that were just a little too abstract and theoretical and the big revelations about what was actually happening didn’t appear until the very end of this book. For a long time we had Henry Black moving to Detroit to explore the possibility of other demons escaping Hell without being summoned and then stuff happened. There’s hellfire humans I don’t entirely understand, and a secret organisation that isn’t explained until the very end of the book and a whole lot of personal drama and some other random events.
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June 29, 2017
I couldn't stop reading
Such beautiful writing. Such complex and beautiful main character. Such roll coaster ending. Darker than Nieto's previous books, yes, but more heart wrenching at the same time. What a incredible book. Seriously.
The only way to understand what I'm talking about is reading it. I just hope we don't have to wait too much for book 2 (I mean, it says book 1 in the title, so there has to be another one!!)
All her books are a beautiful work of art, it's a pleasure in itself reading her works, not only 'fall from grace' because as surprising as it may be, her writing and plotting skills keep improving with each book. It's incredible.
Such beautiful writing. Such complex and beautiful main character. Such roll coaster ending. Darker than Nieto's previous books, yes, but more heart wrenching at the same time. What a incredible book. Seriously.
The only way to understand what I'm talking about is reading it. I just hope we don't have to wait too much for book 2 (I mean, it says book 1 in the title, so there has to be another one!!)
All her books are a beautiful work of art, it's a pleasure in itself reading her works, not only 'fall from grace' because as surprising as it may be, her writing and plotting skills keep improving with each book. It's incredible.
June 11, 2017
Having read the fantastic five star 'Return from Exile' previously, this book had an enormously high standard of writing to live up to. I was not disappointed in any way.
Henry Black is a great character. Full of inner strength and guilt, yet remorseful. Always thinking of his brothers and sisters that he had to leave behind in Hell, and the humans he is deceiving.
When I say 'Henry Black', I'm not actually meaning the whole 'being' of Henry Black. The body is merely Henry Black's shell now inhabited by another. To Henry's younger brother, Phillip, he is fully Henry. Henry sometimes acts a wee bit out of character, but Phillip has no reason to think that this being is not Henry at all, but a fallen angel searching for information that can only be found in Creation.
Divine fire, the True Tongue, and recognising others from a previous life inhabiting willing human bodies - utterly fabulous! Can't wait for the next book.
I was given a free ecopy of this book which I voluntarily read and honestly reviewed.
Henry Black is a great character. Full of inner strength and guilt, yet remorseful. Always thinking of his brothers and sisters that he had to leave behind in Hell, and the humans he is deceiving.
When I say 'Henry Black', I'm not actually meaning the whole 'being' of Henry Black. The body is merely Henry Black's shell now inhabited by another. To Henry's younger brother, Phillip, he is fully Henry. Henry sometimes acts a wee bit out of character, but Phillip has no reason to think that this being is not Henry at all, but a fallen angel searching for information that can only be found in Creation.
Divine fire, the True Tongue, and recognising others from a previous life inhabiting willing human bodies - utterly fabulous! Can't wait for the next book.
I was given a free ecopy of this book which I voluntarily read and honestly reviewed.
April 21, 2020
“Fall from Grace“ the first volume in the “Exile of Angels” by Ron C. Nieto is a timeless story about what is really means to atone. After centuries of imprisonment in Hell - yes, the one and only - the former Archangel of the Secret Knowledge, wishes for not more than a little me-time away from Hell’s misery. And as wishes have a tendency to come true, he finds himself inhabiting the mortal body of Henry Black, but as wishes also have a tendency to be anything other than the expected, live a Henry Black is not exactly the time of bliss our Archangel was hoping for. On one hand, he feels somehow guilty to have been gone away while his brothers and sisters remain in Hell condemned for eternity. On the other hand, humans are not exactly what he has learned them to be and in the middle of everything some undisclosed fraction is hunting angels. Henry Black has all hand full and while he endures his new mortal existence and fights to free his brethren, we rejoice in a tale that is as old as humanity itself, with a fresh new approach to the biblical myth of the fallen angel.
Nieto’s characters are perfectly drawn, Henry Black is a fantastic study in what it really means to be human, and how the supposedly monster ends up being the hero, as century old misconceptions are ripped apart to show another version of the truth.
A veritable wonderful book and the best…. they are still more stories waiting to be told in the coming volumes in this series.
Nieto’s characters are perfectly drawn, Henry Black is a fantastic study in what it really means to be human, and how the supposedly monster ends up being the hero, as century old misconceptions are ripped apart to show another version of the truth.
A veritable wonderful book and the best…. they are still more stories waiting to be told in the coming volumes in this series.
December 31, 2017
Ron.C.Nieto's imagination and creativity know's no bounds. She has once again produced a book that introduces you to another Angels and Demons genre but with an originality that will leave you wanting more. I don't leave spoilers as you should read this on its own merit. I will admit at the beginning i was intrigued but thought it might be hard work to continue. I am so glad I did, as I found characters I wanted to succeed and some that I did not. It was written with a realism that allows your mind to see all the plots easily and the storyline easy to follow, you can feel, and I mean really feel, the emotions of the characters their, regrets, friendships, loyalty and love are only a fraction of a host of other emotions. To me this book is the start of a journey, and a work of art, where at first you may stand and admire while trying to understand what the artist is trying to tell you. Some may turn away with only a glimpse but those who look deeper won't be able to get it out of their minds, and will recommend it to all they no. As do I. I look forward to the next book.
January 23, 2018
This is the 1st book I’ve read and reviewed for Ron C. Nieto and it was absolutely fantastic and I will be keeping my eyes out for this author. I won’t be giving any spoilers because there would be too much to write about, yes people it’s that good. This book pulled me in from the start and I just couldn’t put it down, I had to know what happens. Well written and intriguing storyline with plenty of twists and turns. I love angels and demon stories and I haven’t read anything like this before. This book deserves more than 5 ⭐️ and I highly recommend this book.
January 23, 2018
Check this out for a different take on a fallen angel's story...
First let me say that I personally prefer a female POV or a back and forth, so that's not the author's or story's issue, it's mine.
Beyond that, it is a very different take on fallen angels. It took me a few chapters to really accept this different way of looking at an age old belief system. After that, I couldn't help but keep rolling with the punches and taking the twists and curves.
If you're looking for a well written book about rebels and angels (and the combo of the two), this book's for you.
First let me say that I personally prefer a female POV or a back and forth, so that's not the author's or story's issue, it's mine.
Beyond that, it is a very different take on fallen angels. It took me a few chapters to really accept this different way of looking at an age old belief system. After that, I couldn't help but keep rolling with the punches and taking the twists and curves.
If you're looking for a well written book about rebels and angels (and the combo of the two), this book's for you.
December 19, 2019
This was really interesting. A fallen angel who fell with humanity's best interest at heart. His love for his body's brother is very strong and may be his undoing. I think it says a lot about him that he clings to that relationship so much. I loved Henry Black's character. Great writing and engrossing story.
October 5, 2017
I was drawn to this book by the description. I just had a really hard time getting into it. I was confused a majority of the time and had to re-read pages over and over again. I don't think I will follow this series.
July 22, 2018
This was a great read! A well written different point of view on Angels and fallen Angels! Lots of twists and turns in this adventure that will have you on the edge of your seat!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 29, 2018
*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher*
February 2, 2019
Very interesting story line of demons and fallen angels. The scenes in Detroit were very realistic like they could really be happening. The characters had a lot of depth, especially Henry Black.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews