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Crowning Mercy #2
Fallen Angels
The Lazenders, a gilded family, have been the envy and pride of Britain for centuries. But Toby Lazender, the heir, is now mysteriously absent. His sister, Campion, is running the family estates in his absence.
But Lazen Castle is, unknowingly, a house under siege. The Fallen Angels - among the most powerful and dangerous men in Europe - are plotting to bring revolution to England. To succeed, they need money, and the Lazender fortune can provide it. A web of deceit closes around Lazen, drawing Campion ever closer to a subtle trap that has been laid for her. Her only hope for survival lies with the Gypsy - her brother's aloof horse-master - a man whose loyalties have always been uncertain.
Fallen Angels is a powerful blend of passion, adventure and intrigue, played out in the shadow of the guillotine and the sunlit splendour of an English estate. It is a great successor to A Crowning Mercy, the first chronicle of the Lazender family.
But Lazen Castle is, unknowingly, a house under siege. The Fallen Angels - among the most powerful and dangerous men in Europe - are plotting to bring revolution to England. To succeed, they need money, and the Lazender fortune can provide it. A web of deceit closes around Lazen, drawing Campion ever closer to a subtle trap that has been laid for her. Her only hope for survival lies with the Gypsy - her brother's aloof horse-master - a man whose loyalties have always been uncertain.
Fallen Angels is a powerful blend of passion, adventure and intrigue, played out in the shadow of the guillotine and the sunlit splendour of an English estate. It is a great successor to A Crowning Mercy, the first chronicle of the Lazender family.
482 pages, Paperback
First published October 31, 1983
394 people are currently reading
1116 people want to read
About the author
Bernard Cornwell
536 books19.1k followersCornwell was born in London in 1944. His father was a Canadian airman, and his mother, who was English, a member of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force. He was adopted and brought up in Essex by the Wiggins family, who were members of the Peculiar People, a strict Protestant sect who banned frivolity of all kinds and even medicine. After he left them, he changed his name to his birth mother's maiden name, Cornwell.
Cornwell was sent away to Monkton Combe School, attended the University of London, and after graduating, worked as a teacher. He attempted to enlist in the British armed services at least three times but was rejected on the grounds of myopia.
He then joined BBC's Nationwide and was promoted to become head of current affairs at BBC Northern Ireland. He then joined Thames Television as editor of Thames News. He relocated to the United States in 1980 after marrying an American. Unable to get a green card, he started writing novels, as this did not require a work permit.
As a child, Cornwell loved the novels of C.S. Forester, chronicling the adventures of fictional British naval officer Horatio Hornblower during the Napoleonic Wars, and was surprised to find there were no such novels following Lord Wellington's campaign on land. Motivated by the need to support himself in the U.S. through writing, Cornwell decided to write such a series. He named his chief protagonist Richard Sharpe, a rifleman involved in most major battles of the Peninsular War.
Cornwell wanted to start the series with the Siege of Badajoz but decided instead to start with a couple of "warm-up" novels. These were Sharpe's Eagle and Sharpe's Gold, both published in 1981. Sharpe's Eagle was picked up by a publisher, and Cornwell got a three-book deal. He went on to tell the story of Badajoz in his third Sharpe novel, Sharpe's Company, published in 1982.
Cornwell and wife Judy co-wrote a series of novels, published under the pseudonym "Susannah Kells". These were A Crowning Mercy, published in 1983, Fallen Angels in 1984, and Coat of Arms (aka The Aristocrats) in 1986. (Cornwell's strict Protestant upbringing informed the background of A Crowning Mercy, which took place during the English Civil War.) In 1987, he also published Redcoat, an American Revolutionary War novel set in Philadelphia during its 1777 occupation by the British.
After publishing eight books in his ongoing Sharpe series, Cornwell was approached by a production company interested in adapting them for television. The producers asked him to write a prequel to give them a starting point to the series. They also requested that the story feature a large role for Spanish characters to secure co-funding from Spain. The result was Sharpe’s Rifles, published in 1987, and a series of Sharpe television films staring Sean Bean.
A series of contemporary thrillers with sailing as a background and common themes followed: Wildtrack published in 1988, Sea Lord (aka Killer's Wake) in 1989, Crackdown in 1990, Stormchild in 1991, and Scoundrel, a political thriller, in 1992.
In June 2006, Cornwell was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen's 80th Birthday Honours List.
Cornwell's latest work, Azincourt, was released in the UK in October 2008. The protagonist is an archer who participates in the Battle of Agincourt, another devastating defeat suffered by the French in the Hundred Years War. However, Cornwell has stated that it will not be about Thomas of Hookton from The Grail Quest or any of his relatives.
Cornwell was sent away to Monkton Combe School, attended the University of London, and after graduating, worked as a teacher. He attempted to enlist in the British armed services at least three times but was rejected on the grounds of myopia.
He then joined BBC's Nationwide and was promoted to become head of current affairs at BBC Northern Ireland. He then joined Thames Television as editor of Thames News. He relocated to the United States in 1980 after marrying an American. Unable to get a green card, he started writing novels, as this did not require a work permit.
As a child, Cornwell loved the novels of C.S. Forester, chronicling the adventures of fictional British naval officer Horatio Hornblower during the Napoleonic Wars, and was surprised to find there were no such novels following Lord Wellington's campaign on land. Motivated by the need to support himself in the U.S. through writing, Cornwell decided to write such a series. He named his chief protagonist Richard Sharpe, a rifleman involved in most major battles of the Peninsular War.
Cornwell wanted to start the series with the Siege of Badajoz but decided instead to start with a couple of "warm-up" novels. These were Sharpe's Eagle and Sharpe's Gold, both published in 1981. Sharpe's Eagle was picked up by a publisher, and Cornwell got a three-book deal. He went on to tell the story of Badajoz in his third Sharpe novel, Sharpe's Company, published in 1982.
Cornwell and wife Judy co-wrote a series of novels, published under the pseudonym "Susannah Kells". These were A Crowning Mercy, published in 1983, Fallen Angels in 1984, and Coat of Arms (aka The Aristocrats) in 1986. (Cornwell's strict Protestant upbringing informed the background of A Crowning Mercy, which took place during the English Civil War.) In 1987, he also published Redcoat, an American Revolutionary War novel set in Philadelphia during its 1777 occupation by the British.
After publishing eight books in his ongoing Sharpe series, Cornwell was approached by a production company interested in adapting them for television. The producers asked him to write a prequel to give them a starting point to the series. They also requested that the story feature a large role for Spanish characters to secure co-funding from Spain. The result was Sharpe’s Rifles, published in 1987, and a series of Sharpe television films staring Sean Bean.
A series of contemporary thrillers with sailing as a background and common themes followed: Wildtrack published in 1988, Sea Lord (aka Killer's Wake) in 1989, Crackdown in 1990, Stormchild in 1991, and Scoundrel, a political thriller, in 1992.
In June 2006, Cornwell was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen's 80th Birthday Honours List.
Cornwell's latest work, Azincourt, was released in the UK in October 2008. The protagonist is an archer who participates in the Battle of Agincourt, another devastating defeat suffered by the French in the Hundred Years War. However, Cornwell has stated that it will not be about Thomas of Hookton from The Grail Quest or any of his relatives.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
July 16, 2012
Everyone says that A Crowing Mercy better, but I disagree. I liked The Fallen Angels better.
This may be due to the fact that I adored the French, gypsy hero, Gitan. He’s smooth, stealthy, and highly dangerous. And one of the things I love about Cornwell’s writing is that he shows you his hero is dangerous, he doesn’t just tell you. Gitan can be quite cold blooded. You’re never quite sure if Gitan is a good guy or a bad guy until the end. Yes, you know he’s fond of heroine, but does his loyalty lie elsewhere?
I love the way he’s described in the book.
Gitan leaned against the stones of the archway. Even in repose h was an impressive man with lithe, strong, animal elegance. His face, dark tanned, was thin and handsome. His eyes were light blue, an odd color for a man with such dark skin and black hair. The contrast made his eyes seem bright and piercing. In any crowd Gitan would be remarkable, but among these sweaty, tired people he was like a thoroughbred among mules. He seemed to look on them with an amused tolerance, as though all that he saw he judged against the unfair measure of his own competence. He was a man whose approval was constantly sought by other men.
I kept thinking of Alain Delon.
The heroine, Campion (who shares the same name as the heroine from A Crowning Mercy) is kind of nondescript, typical, beautiful and pretty much like the other Campion. I didn’t dislike her, but I didn’t think much about her either. One scene that cracked me up is she gets to thrash one of bad guys, literally. She has him bent over his desk, held by her servants and gives him a caning (which he had threatened to do with her. lol
The story does move slowly, but I liked all the French Revolution background and historical detail. I don’t think these romances are as good as Cornwell’s adventure stories, but I enjoyed them and I plan to read the third book. I think I will take a little break though before I crack open the last in the series. I’ve read it has little to do with the first two.
This may be due to the fact that I adored the French, gypsy hero, Gitan. He’s smooth, stealthy, and highly dangerous. And one of the things I love about Cornwell’s writing is that he shows you his hero is dangerous, he doesn’t just tell you. Gitan can be quite cold blooded. You’re never quite sure if Gitan is a good guy or a bad guy until the end. Yes, you know he’s fond of heroine, but does his loyalty lie elsewhere?
I love the way he’s described in the book.
Gitan leaned against the stones of the archway. Even in repose h was an impressive man with lithe, strong, animal elegance. His face, dark tanned, was thin and handsome. His eyes were light blue, an odd color for a man with such dark skin and black hair. The contrast made his eyes seem bright and piercing. In any crowd Gitan would be remarkable, but among these sweaty, tired people he was like a thoroughbred among mules. He seemed to look on them with an amused tolerance, as though all that he saw he judged against the unfair measure of his own competence. He was a man whose approval was constantly sought by other men.
I kept thinking of Alain Delon.
The heroine, Campion (who shares the same name as the heroine from A Crowning Mercy) is kind of nondescript, typical, beautiful and pretty much like the other Campion. I didn’t dislike her, but I didn’t think much about her either. One scene that cracked me up is she gets to thrash one of bad guys, literally. She has him bent over his desk, held by her servants and gives him a caning (which he had threatened to do with her. lol
The story does move slowly, but I liked all the French Revolution background and historical detail. I don’t think these romances are as good as Cornwell’s adventure stories, but I enjoyed them and I plan to read the third book. I think I will take a little break though before I crack open the last in the series. I’ve read it has little to do with the first two.
July 7, 2011
This was a page turner. Had everything I like...non stop action, drama, twists and turns...characters who kept me guessing (not who they appeared to be)...suspense...with all the herrings thrown my way keeping me wondering just who the hell are these people? Who can I trust? I had no clue.
The story started out in a violent nightmare of blood and gore as the 'republic' of the French Revolution was in full swing. Aristocrats were hunted, imprisoned and slaughtered....Not necessarily in that order. The guillotine was very busy. The Parisian's termed the beheading as 'sneezing into the basket' because of the similarity of sound the body made as the blade severed the head.
Quickly the story moved to England for the beginning of it's Regency period. Toward the end, it moved back again to France so we reader's could witness the beheading of the King.
Written by Cornwell, I wasn't sure what to expect from this story...or even if it would be a romance. There was so much intrigue/French and British spies/hidden identities/murder/deception/secret societies/lies/violence/murder...I had no idea who to trust. So I cheated 3/4's of the way through because I couldn't stand the suspense any longer. I rarely do this in a book but I scanned a few pages towards the end...I HAD TO KNOW. I was so caught up in adrenaline... without a clue... Well, when I cheat like that I'm always disgusted with myself and regret that I don't have that extra cell that will permit me to hold on just a little longer to get my answers. But, I don't have that cell. Damn.
It turned out to be a romance...which I loved. And, kept me captured to the pages til the last.
Warning: GORE
The story started out in a violent nightmare of blood and gore as the 'republic' of the French Revolution was in full swing. Aristocrats were hunted, imprisoned and slaughtered....Not necessarily in that order. The guillotine was very busy. The Parisian's termed the beheading as 'sneezing into the basket' because of the similarity of sound the body made as the blade severed the head.
Quickly the story moved to England for the beginning of it's Regency period. Toward the end, it moved back again to France so we reader's could witness the beheading of the King.
Written by Cornwell, I wasn't sure what to expect from this story...or even if it would be a romance. There was so much intrigue/French and British spies/hidden identities/murder/deception/secret societies/lies/violence/murder...I had no idea who to trust. So I cheated 3/4's of the way through because I couldn't stand the suspense any longer. I rarely do this in a book but I scanned a few pages towards the end...I HAD TO KNOW. I was so caught up in adrenaline... without a clue... Well, when I cheat like that I'm always disgusted with myself and regret that I don't have that extra cell that will permit me to hold on just a little longer to get my answers. But, I don't have that cell. Damn.
It turned out to be a romance...which I loved. And, kept me captured to the pages til the last.
Warning: GORE
December 12, 2009
Wow. I expected better. Is it Cornwell or his wife that just doesn't get us to that place we have come to expect from Cornwell. Trite might be a description. Forgetable is probably what I am going to be left with on this one.
The period is one of my favorites, it is the dawn of the regency era, when the terror is taking over France. Great we have seen this in before in such works as Dickens, [A Tale of Two Cities:], and in the Scarlett Pimpernel.
With those classic examples, Cornwell should know that he has do as well as they, or better. He doesn't. We have a little princess of a heroine whose backbone is forced upon us. We have a transparent villian, and we have a hero who really shines as hero only through the mist colored eyes of a romance novel. So what is a novel from one of the premier historical novelists is rally a romance with a thin veneer of historical laced on it.
Better has been done elsewhere. Can be skipped.
The period is one of my favorites, it is the dawn of the regency era, when the terror is taking over France. Great we have seen this in before in such works as Dickens, [A Tale of Two Cities:], and in the Scarlett Pimpernel.
With those classic examples, Cornwell should know that he has do as well as they, or better. He doesn't. We have a little princess of a heroine whose backbone is forced upon us. We have a transparent villian, and we have a hero who really shines as hero only through the mist colored eyes of a romance novel. So what is a novel from one of the premier historical novelists is rally a romance with a thin veneer of historical laced on it.
Better has been done elsewhere. Can be skipped.
March 12, 2012
Bernard Cornwell collaborated on this title with his wife Judy Cornwell, under the name Susannah Kells. It happens several generations after the events in "A Crowning Mercy," although it was hard to tell exactly how many. It references quite a bit of the history from the first book, without really using it in any kind of a plot-important way. Which may be part of my disappointment. The other disappointment is that while the Cornwells appear to have done a lot of research on the Illuminati, there is not much depth to the major historical setting, namely France during the French Revolution. Yes, people are called "Citizen," the guillotine appears, and so does the reference "Sneezing into the Basket," but I really did not get a sense for France during that time, which is something I expect from a Cornwell book. Instead the main character agonizes internally over her perceived class difference with Gitan or "The Gypsy" and her (to all appearances) acceptable suitor, which all takes place in England- where apparently nothing historically significant is happening- except that the Illuminati are there, at least according to the book. We have an Uncle who is an refugee, and an absent brother to remind us about the Revolution. Unlike other readers, I did not see the big villain reveal coming at the very end, but on the whole the book was just not as intricate, historically driven and realistic as I expect a Cornwell book to be. It's also a lot shorter.
All that being said, if you are looking for a fast, fun read that is a little heavy on the romance, light on the history, hefty on conspiracies, with a bit of grit and gore thrown in, it's still OK. Just don't expect a hard hitter.
All that being said, if you are looking for a fast, fun read that is a little heavy on the romance, light on the history, hefty on conspiracies, with a bit of grit and gore thrown in, it's still OK. Just don't expect a hard hitter.
November 1, 2013
I listened to this as an audio book and the reader was Anna Bentick who really brought it to live. She used her voice to help create the characters and heighten the tension and mystery so cleverly that you really were not sure about the how the story would end for her reading I would almost like to give the book a 6. The plot and characters really appealed to me. If you get a chance to get it from your library, I highly recommend it.
December 13, 2016
Great story of secret societies, a beautiful and smart heiress, her estate in danger,the times of the terror in France ,and a mysterious gypsy who is breathtakingly handsome and happens to be connected to something sinister. All this makes for an engrossing novel. Another great Bernard Cornwell well crafted story!
September 17, 2019
A change for Cornwell from his usual format of a soldier 's life and battles, this book is co authored by Susannah Kells and her influence shows with the central character being a woman.
This was a twisting tale of conspiracy and espionage set during the French Revolution, which kept me intrigued until the last page.
This was a twisting tale of conspiracy and espionage set during the French Revolution, which kept me intrigued until the last page.
July 21, 2020
This is the second and concluding volume in Cornwell's early work - along with his wife Judy - of the saga of the Lazender family. The original, "A Crowning Mercy" was better because it wasn't as confusing.
Something you need to be made aware of is that this story takes place about 5 generations - roughly 100+ years - after the conclusion of the original. What makes it confusing is that the characters names are the same, the main female character is Campion and the main male character is Toby. Obviously, in the Lazender family, you had to have a Campion and Toby at all times to pay homage to the original Campion and Toby. Knowing those simple facts will make the beginning of the book much less confusing.
While there is some, there isn't nearly as much blood and guts spilled as there was in the predecessor - this one is definitely much more of a romantic work and less an action work. That's not to say there isn't blood and guts - just not as much as an action junkie might like. As with it's predecessor, there are a number of plot twists and turns that will have you saying, "didn't see that one coming" which is the hallmark of a good novel.......it keeps you on your toes.
This is for the die-hard Cornwell reader who may not have been aware of this one or it's predecessor. At 450 pages, it's a bit shorter than the first volume, but reads fast and is one of those page-turners most people like. If you've never read Cornwell, these two are a good introduction.
Something you need to be made aware of is that this story takes place about 5 generations - roughly 100+ years - after the conclusion of the original. What makes it confusing is that the characters names are the same, the main female character is Campion and the main male character is Toby. Obviously, in the Lazender family, you had to have a Campion and Toby at all times to pay homage to the original Campion and Toby. Knowing those simple facts will make the beginning of the book much less confusing.
While there is some, there isn't nearly as much blood and guts spilled as there was in the predecessor - this one is definitely much more of a romantic work and less an action work. That's not to say there isn't blood and guts - just not as much as an action junkie might like. As with it's predecessor, there are a number of plot twists and turns that will have you saying, "didn't see that one coming" which is the hallmark of a good novel.......it keeps you on your toes.
This is for the die-hard Cornwell reader who may not have been aware of this one or it's predecessor. At 450 pages, it's a bit shorter than the first volume, but reads fast and is one of those page-turners most people like. If you've never read Cornwell, these two are a good introduction.
July 10, 2017
This is a much, much darker story than the first book - and I have to say I liked it a little better! Where the first book was first a love story and secondly an action-packed thriller, this one was more of the latter, with a bit of mystery and a love story running alongside.
At first it was hard to get my head out of the first book, as the characters in this one have the same names, passed down through the generations. But once that was realised and absorbed, I found myself enjoying this story immensely.
The mystery surrounds a secret society who are instrumental in the plot to bring down the French Aristocrats during the revolution, but they need money and the Lazen fortune would be perfect. Planning to kill the heirs one by one until they can control the weakest, they underestimate just how strong Toby and his sister, Campion, can be. Of course, as the book unfolds, you come to understand that there is a more personal reason that the Angels are focused on that particular family.
Well written, as are all Cornwell's books, and the last few chapters have to be read in one sitting - you won't have a choice anyway! They are fantastically written and, just like in the first novel, you are never quite sure whose side everyone is on. The one major twist wasn't really that much of a shock, but I still enjoyed the unmasking of the betrayer.
At first it was hard to get my head out of the first book, as the characters in this one have the same names, passed down through the generations. But once that was realised and absorbed, I found myself enjoying this story immensely.
The mystery surrounds a secret society who are instrumental in the plot to bring down the French Aristocrats during the revolution, but they need money and the Lazen fortune would be perfect. Planning to kill the heirs one by one until they can control the weakest, they underestimate just how strong Toby and his sister, Campion, can be. Of course, as the book unfolds, you come to understand that there is a more personal reason that the Angels are focused on that particular family.
Well written, as are all Cornwell's books, and the last few chapters have to be read in one sitting - you won't have a choice anyway! They are fantastically written and, just like in the first novel, you are never quite sure whose side everyone is on. The one major twist wasn't really that much of a shock, but I still enjoyed the unmasking of the betrayer.
July 11, 2017
This was one of the best stories I've read in a long time. Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres and The Fallen Angels had everything a great historical fiction novel should have. I didn't realize this was only book 2 of a series until I found it on Goodreads; however, this book has enough power to stand on its own in the historical fiction/romance world.
I would love to get my hands on the first novel in this Crowning Mercy series, and any others that followed after The Fallen Angels :)
Each character was superbly written, from the villains to the heroes. I absolutely loved hating the members of the secret society known as the "The Fallen Angles" who wanted nothing but to see Britain's aristocracy fall during the French Revolution, and how evil, manipulative and twisted they were. The romance that grows between Gitan the Gypsy and Lady Campion Lazender is a romance for the ages, one of the best in my opinion. And lastly, the historical detail of France, of Britain and the life of an aristocrat, and the life and ways of the "Romani" or gypsy people was extremely entertaining and enjoyable.
Overall, I truly loved this book! A pure gem of a story and one I couldn't stop thinking about even after I finished the last page. Definitely one I would read a second or third time. :)
I would love to get my hands on the first novel in this Crowning Mercy series, and any others that followed after The Fallen Angels :)
Each character was superbly written, from the villains to the heroes. I absolutely loved hating the members of the secret society known as the "The Fallen Angles" who wanted nothing but to see Britain's aristocracy fall during the French Revolution, and how evil, manipulative and twisted they were. The romance that grows between Gitan the Gypsy and Lady Campion Lazender is a romance for the ages, one of the best in my opinion. And lastly, the historical detail of France, of Britain and the life of an aristocrat, and the life and ways of the "Romani" or gypsy people was extremely entertaining and enjoyable.
Overall, I truly loved this book! A pure gem of a story and one I couldn't stop thinking about even after I finished the last page. Definitely one I would read a second or third time. :)
December 5, 2018
“Don’t trust anyone.” This seems to be the theme of this book. Bernard Cornwell, with the assistance of his co-author, actually his wife, has created a real thriller with twists and turns that keep you reading. This book was hard to put down. It is a sequel to “A Crowning Mercy”, taking place about three generations after the first. The enormous wealth that came to the Lazender family at the conclusion of the first book is wanted by a secret branch of the Illuminati who were behind the French Revolution so that they could bring down the British aristocracy and spread their idea of liberty to England. This secret group call themselves the Fallen Angels, thus the title of the book. The vivid descriptions of the action that stimulate all the senses that are typical of all Cornwell novels are at their best in this one. He takes you there and you experience everything that his characters do. While this novel could stand on its own, reading the first in the series would help the reader to appreciate the the second even more. Could there be hope for another novel in this series that centers on a female lead character?
August 24, 2022
I enjoyed this a lot. Twists and turns galore. An adventure alà Alexander Dumas (whom I personally love). This isn’t a continuation of Book 1 which was disappointing for me (as I liked #1 better). Book 2 is a story of the direct ancestors of the main characters in book 1–though the carry the same names which is slightly goofy TBH. It’s the same formula in some ways but with a completely different story. The characters are great and well drawn, the villains are despicable, the love story is nicely done, and the twists and turns are excellent. This is a book of high adventure, a love story, and a mystery with lots of twists and turns. Glad
I came across this two book series. If you like Dumas this is right in your wheelhouse. Highly Recommended.
FYI this isn’t written by Bernard Cornwell, but rather his wife.it was written I believe in the 1980’s when many women wrote under make pseudonyms or used their husbands names as it was much easier to sell books that way. As for Cornwell, he’s a big seller.
I came across this two book series. If you like Dumas this is right in your wheelhouse. Highly Recommended.
FYI this isn’t written by Bernard Cornwell, but rather his wife.it was written I believe in the 1980’s when many women wrote under make pseudonyms or used their husbands names as it was much easier to sell books that way. As for Cornwell, he’s a big seller.
May 21, 2024
Well if I thought there were more twists & turns than a climbing clematis in the first Lazen family story then not sure how to describe the double, tripple, quadruple crosses in this one! Certainly didn’t see the final reveal of who Lucifer really was. Made sense & probably should have seen it coming but I guess that’s what happens when you are the sort of person who takes others at face value. Got a bit lost with who was really who between the Illuminati’s Angel names & their real names but muddled through. Of course it’s another love story but again apt. Interesting reading about the French Revolution as part of the back drop. The authors have a real knack for putting a reader into the day to day of an historical setting. It can be a little unsettling with how real the descriptions make it feel.
October 28, 2017
Well it's over 5 years since I read "A Crowning Mercy" & I seemed to think that Campion had met the love-of-her-life in that but here she is still not wed. As is ever the way, the path of true love doesn't run smooth but it does mean that early in the tale there some so romantic scenes between Campion & the Gypsy -(well I thought so anyway!) For me the book tailed off towards the end & while it was easy enough to figure out Lucifer's true identity, too much double dealing made it harder to figure out where the Gypsy's loyalties lay.
May 31, 2021
Cornwell writes brilliant, gripping historical fiction. Except apparently in this case. Perhaps I might have found the story more engaging had Campion not been such an insufferable Mary-Sue (whom about 90% of male characters in this book either tried to or announced they wanted to rape, which I was sick and tired of the first time it happened), had more of the story revolved around Toby's experiences during the French Revolution, had the secret society conspiracy plot been less ludicrous, had the whole thing not been so very predictable. 2.5/5
December 6, 2021
This book was written in the 1980s and it should stay there. I can't believe I'm writing this about a Bernard Cornwell book, but this is one of three he wrote with his wife. I'm not touching any of the others.
This book is a tawdry, bloated, over-the-top historical novel set in England and France during the French Revolution. An English aristocrat's French fiancee is horribly murdered and he wants revenge. Meanwhile, his sister and family estate in England are targeted by, wait for it, the French Illuminati who are trying to spread the Revolution to the world.
I appreciated the history and the depiction of how brutal the French Revolution was. I have no problem with the extreme violence and appalling callousness in Paris that occurs throughout the story because I know that kind of thing actually happened, but the plot and the characters are just ridiculous. Bad characters are not just bad, they are super ugly and disgusting. Good characters are not just good, but gorgeous. The sister is perfect in almost every way. There are also some strange and uncomfortable sex scenes and brutalization of women that seems to just be for shock value. And the ending was so incredibly contrived and silly.
Ugh. I hated this book and that is a rare thing for me to say!!! Rosemary Rogers at her worst had better bodice-rippers.
This book is a tawdry, bloated, over-the-top historical novel set in England and France during the French Revolution. An English aristocrat's French fiancee is horribly murdered and he wants revenge. Meanwhile, his sister and family estate in England are targeted by, wait for it, the French Illuminati who are trying to spread the Revolution to the world.
I appreciated the history and the depiction of how brutal the French Revolution was. I have no problem with the extreme violence and appalling callousness in Paris that occurs throughout the story because I know that kind of thing actually happened, but the plot and the characters are just ridiculous. Bad characters are not just bad, they are super ugly and disgusting. Good characters are not just good, but gorgeous. The sister is perfect in almost every way. There are also some strange and uncomfortable sex scenes and brutalization of women that seems to just be for shock value. And the ending was so incredibly contrived and silly.
Ugh. I hated this book and that is a rare thing for me to say!!! Rosemary Rogers at her worst had better bodice-rippers.
August 19, 2019
Mills and Boonesque
The book is undoubtedly a page turner however the characterisations are lazy, the plot relatively predictable and all in all a step down from what I usually expect from the author. It really does read like a Mills and Boon at times and is therefore something a daft teenage girl might enjoy.
The book is undoubtedly a page turner however the characterisations are lazy, the plot relatively predictable and all in all a step down from what I usually expect from the author. It really does read like a Mills and Boon at times and is therefore something a daft teenage girl might enjoy.
March 4, 2022
A womens book sir?
Possibly the very worst book by Cornwell, and believe me I've read, and enjoyed almost all of his work. This, however is a "Mills and Boon" type bodice ripper of the very worst kind. If (like me) you're a male Bernard Cornwell fan.... avoid it like the plague. No offence meant ladies.
Possibly the very worst book by Cornwell, and believe me I've read, and enjoyed almost all of his work. This, however is a "Mills and Boon" type bodice ripper of the very worst kind. If (like me) you're a male Bernard Cornwell fan.... avoid it like the plague. No offence meant ladies.
August 9, 2025
Enjoyable historical novel set during the time of the French revolution. Ultimately a love story but with many twists and turns. Who can the main protagonist trust? Can the English aristocracy survive the family's links to the overthrown French aristocracy? I didn't initially realise it was a sequel so maybe reading the first book would have fleshed out the Lazender family characters a bit more.
May 9, 2018
Wow! What a ride. Once you get to 50% and the first Big Reveal, you won't be able to put it down. Eating and sleeping be damned. Then Cornwell makes you wait until the absolute end for the solution. Double wow!
June 5, 2019
A Disappointing Read
The book style of writing does not resemble the other books I have read of him. The ending was disappointing.
This is not the first author where his book is written by another author so the publisher can keep on making money.
The book style of writing does not resemble the other books I have read of him. The ending was disappointing.
This is not the first author where his book is written by another author so the publisher can keep on making money.
January 14, 2020
Excellent read !!
This is by far one of my favourite books.. I have all versions of the book but the audio just blew me away.... it’s well written and funny and engaging.. now I’m just waiting for the film adaption.. now who can play the Gypsy or the uncle ... can’t wait !!!
This is by far one of my favourite books.. I have all versions of the book but the audio just blew me away.... it’s well written and funny and engaging.. now I’m just waiting for the film adaption.. now who can play the Gypsy or the uncle ... can’t wait !!!
October 5, 2024
Best Cornwell book EVER. Forget Last Kingdom. Fallen Angels is so exciting to the very end. I wish Fallen Angels would be made into a movie. This book has so many twists and turns you can't stop reading. And I love the romance between the gypsy and Campion. A true page turner.
June 13, 2025
Another Masterpiece by Bernard Cornwell. Masterful writing in historical fiction - love the plots, themes, romance, chivalry, deceit, conspiracy - all packed powerfully in this tiny book. A super entertaining read!
September 12, 2025
Disappointing
Not up to Bernard's generally high standards. Much ore a standard historical romance novel. Adventure was woven in, but did not approach the believability of most books written by Bernard.
Not up to Bernard's generally high standards. Much ore a standard historical romance novel. Adventure was woven in, but did not approach the believability of most books written by Bernard.
August 5, 2017
Amazing, so many twists and the end was literally everything I hoped for
March 24, 2019
Violent. Graphic. Terrifying. I'm having nightmares. Good job, Judy & Bernard Cornwell. I'd give you 6 stars if I could.
June 23, 2019
Good resd. Ending was
Good read . Ending was a little rushed. The love making was a little dry, needed more passion and titillation
Good read . Ending was a little rushed. The love making was a little dry, needed more passion and titillation
November 14, 2019
Excellent
Plenty of twist in the plot to keep the reader happy
Up to the standards I would expect from the author
Plenty of twist in the plot to keep the reader happy
Up to the standards I would expect from the author
February 14, 2020
Fallen angels
Fallen Angles by Bernard Cornwell great story content and also a good relevant wait till I get around to get next bou
Fallen Angles by Bernard Cornwell great story content and also a good relevant wait till I get around to get next bou
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