What do you think?
Rate this book
Quantum Cat #2
Angelos
When the friary cat, Leo, showed up in the afterlife, Brother Jerome assumed that Leo, too, was dead. But Leo's real name is Quant, and he's a very special cat, for he's a quantum cat, and more. In a quantum leap set off by a rockfall in the labyrinth, the Minotaur and Brother Jerome switch places; the Minotaur is worried by his new location, but Jerome is terrified by his. Quant springs to the rescue, returning the Minotaur to his home and leading Jerome out of the maze, and accompanying him on further adventures. Meantime, the friary Guardian, Father Aidan, finds himself in a spiritual desert. Having lost sight of the divine light, he struggles on through the dark night--until one day he sees his Lord again, in all His dazzling glory. And he and Jerome realize who their cat truly a seraph, the angelos of the title. "Angelos belongs in most fantasy, Christian fantasy, or New Age collections." Library Journal
178 pages, Paperback
First published October 15, 2003
8 people want to read
About the author
Robina Williams
6 books1 followerRobina Williams has an M.A. in Modern Languages from Oxford University and an M.Phil. in English Literature from Liverpool University. It occurred to her that Schrödinger's dead-and-alive Cat would make an interesting character for fantasy novels. She began her Quantum Cat series with “Jerome and the Seraph” in 2004; “Angelos” followed in 2006, and “Gaea” in September 2009.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 18, 2011
As soon as I finished this one, I went and bought the next one in the series. I liked this installment possibly even more than I liked the first one in the series. The story is gaining speed, the initial awkwardness is out of the way and the concepts in the novel are getting deeper and more fleshed out. Here's hoping it continues in that manner into the third one.
There's a new guardian at the friary, and Fr. Aidan is the center of one of the two main storylines and Brother Jerome is back at the center of the second. With Quant, of course. Despite Jerome not visiting the friary much during this book, what he does/sees still reflects the chaps at the friary. And then after the story Robina Williams makes sure to point this out for all the people who were too dumb to notice it.
This is still one thing that I am overly annoyed with. I really don't like how she feels the need to explain most of the allusions from the novel. I know I should just ignore it and not read them if it bothers me so much, but knowing that it's there is grating to me for some reason. Sure, there were allusions in the story which I didn't know much about - that is perhaps one of my favorite things about this series is that it brings so many different elements into its plot - but then I go and research it and spend nearly as much time on the internet as I spend reading the story. I like this and always appreciate novels which tempt me to go learn stuff in order to better understand what happened. Perhaps Williams decided that I am the minority and most people want everything presented nicely to them so they only need to learn the relevant parts of any allusion.
As in the first book, this plot also closely involves a few paintings. Thanks goodness Williams didn't feel the need to include them embedded in the text! But I went and found them, of course, and they fit the story magnificently, of course. I can't think of another book that involved such emphasis on artwork; it is a rather neat part of this author's writing.
Besides the allusions (I've used that word too many times) there is a lot to like about this book (and this series). Fr. Aidan is struggling with his faith. I find the inner turmoil to be very real and relate-able. It never got to be too much, as inner-thought-monologuing can occasionally be and I found it to be very well written and poignant. I felt for Fr. Aidan and identified with him; I wanted him to work things out. By virtue of this storyline (and to lesser extents the other plotlines), there is significantly more God discussion than in the first book. I didn't mind it and think it was a important (and well-done) part of the story. Other people might. Their loss.
On the other plot, Quant takes Jerome around to see the sights, if you will. As always I dislike talking about the plot, but it is this content and the concepts/discussion/whatever that occur with it in the book with make it so thought-provoking to me. I'll try to distill it to say that it involves time, gods and "mythology". And Jerome is really dense. Like a lot of the time. Verging on really being annoying. Perhaps if I were experiencing it first-hand I would have more difficulty grasping things as he is, but since I'm not and I'm just reading it, I'll be frustrated with him. Luckily, it's never so bad as to be off-putting. As mentioned previously (I think I mentioned it previously) this storyline really shows the "high-concept" of the story. And I found it very interesting indeed.
The characters aren't built much more from the first book. They friars are more or less the same without much development. Jerome, though he's experiencing things he never experienced before, is much the same and doesn't really change much besides starting to comprehend what's going on. Aidan, despite being the new character, is the most interesting and fleshed out, courtesy of the aforementioned inner thoughts that are a substantial part of the story. There are other new characters which are fun and perhaps not as expected, but nothing too fantastic. Take that back, they are fantastic, but not because of their character/personality as shown in the book. Right.
There isn't too much more that is noteworthy. The writing is smooth; it tells the story without getting in the way. And overall the book just works. Very well in my opinion. (Can I just comment as an aside, though, that I am not a fan of the cover art of this series. It's a good thing the kindle store doesn't really put much emphasis on the covers.) (I know, that's neither here nor there, but I was thinking it and wanted to mention it.)
There's a new guardian at the friary, and Fr. Aidan is the center of one of the two main storylines and Brother Jerome is back at the center of the second. With Quant, of course. Despite Jerome not visiting the friary much during this book, what he does/sees still reflects the chaps at the friary. And then after the story Robina Williams makes sure to point this out for all the people who were too dumb to notice it.
This is still one thing that I am overly annoyed with. I really don't like how she feels the need to explain most of the allusions from the novel. I know I should just ignore it and not read them if it bothers me so much, but knowing that it's there is grating to me for some reason. Sure, there were allusions in the story which I didn't know much about - that is perhaps one of my favorite things about this series is that it brings so many different elements into its plot - but then I go and research it and spend nearly as much time on the internet as I spend reading the story. I like this and always appreciate novels which tempt me to go learn stuff in order to better understand what happened. Perhaps Williams decided that I am the minority and most people want everything presented nicely to them so they only need to learn the relevant parts of any allusion.
As in the first book, this plot also closely involves a few paintings. Thanks goodness Williams didn't feel the need to include them embedded in the text! But I went and found them, of course, and they fit the story magnificently, of course. I can't think of another book that involved such emphasis on artwork; it is a rather neat part of this author's writing.
Besides the allusions (I've used that word too many times) there is a lot to like about this book (and this series). Fr. Aidan is struggling with his faith. I find the inner turmoil to be very real and relate-able. It never got to be too much, as inner-thought-monologuing can occasionally be and I found it to be very well written and poignant. I felt for Fr. Aidan and identified with him; I wanted him to work things out. By virtue of this storyline (and to lesser extents the other plotlines), there is significantly more God discussion than in the first book. I didn't mind it and think it was a important (and well-done) part of the story. Other people might. Their loss.
On the other plot, Quant takes Jerome around to see the sights, if you will. As always I dislike talking about the plot, but it is this content and the concepts/discussion/whatever that occur with it in the book with make it so thought-provoking to me. I'll try to distill it to say that it involves time, gods and "mythology". And Jerome is really dense. Like a lot of the time. Verging on really being annoying. Perhaps if I were experiencing it first-hand I would have more difficulty grasping things as he is, but since I'm not and I'm just reading it, I'll be frustrated with him. Luckily, it's never so bad as to be off-putting. As mentioned previously (I think I mentioned it previously) this storyline really shows the "high-concept" of the story. And I found it very interesting indeed.
The characters aren't built much more from the first book. They friars are more or less the same without much development. Jerome, though he's experiencing things he never experienced before, is much the same and doesn't really change much besides starting to comprehend what's going on. Aidan, despite being the new character, is the most interesting and fleshed out, courtesy of the aforementioned inner thoughts that are a substantial part of the story. There are other new characters which are fun and perhaps not as expected, but nothing too fantastic. Take that back, they are fantastic, but not because of their character/personality as shown in the book. Right.
There isn't too much more that is noteworthy. The writing is smooth; it tells the story without getting in the way. And overall the book just works. Very well in my opinion. (Can I just comment as an aside, though, that I am not a fan of the cover art of this series. It's a good thing the kindle store doesn't really put much emphasis on the covers.) (I know, that's neither here nor there, but I was thinking it and wanted to mention it.)
February 14, 2019
Prepare for fantasy
I enjoyed this book even as I was confused as to what was really going on. The author spins fantasy both forward in time to the Afterworld and backward in time through history and myth. One wants to keep reading to discover what is happening.
I enjoyed this book even as I was confused as to what was really going on. The author spins fantasy both forward in time to the Afterworld and backward in time through history and myth. One wants to keep reading to discover what is happening.
April 20, 2010
The new book from Robina Williams, Angelos, will keep you reading beyond your bedtime! I was unable to put it down. The author has an entertaining way of embracing complex topics such as time-traveling, life after death, Greek mythology, legends, and Catholic theology braided with philosophy and mysticism. She also uses two famous paintings to bring the book to its climax!
This Young Adult book is suitable for teens and adults. I do not, however, recommend it for children under 13 years of age, since they are not mature enough yet to understand some of the book’s themes.
The book begins with the sudden departure of Father Fidelis and his close encounter with a ginger cat named Leo. However, the sudden departure of Father Fidelis came as a surprise to all the friars and it started a chain of speculations and some admiration among them. Some of them admired his sense of obedience while others wondered, why?
But the knowledge of their newly assigned guardian, Father Aidan, brought joy to the friars. They all knew him. He has been their guardian before. He was flexible and understanding. Upon his arrival, however, Father Aidan’s behavior appears somehow changed towards the other friars. Now they are not so sure if it was indeed a good trade. Perhaps Father Aidan is just tired from his long journey, or is he? The day is still too young…time will tell!
Leo is not an ordinary cat. He is able to travel from “this time” to the afterlife easily. He also has a pair of “mystical eyes” that inspire awe and fear in those who see them. Leo’s real name is Quantum, but he is known in the afterlife as Quant.
Between the departure of Father Fidelis and the arrival of Father Aidan, Leo and Father Peter have a closed encounter, too. Leo’s eyes change to gold while looking at Father Peter, then return again to emerald green. This puzzles Father Peter. He wonders what type of cat this is! He feels unease and very nervous around Leo, so he keeps him at a safe distance.
The deceased Father Jerome, however, is fond of Leo. After all, Leo was his pet when he was alive! He, however, has not yet accepted his deceased state and the world of the dead. So he wanders often around the orchard at the friary. Some of the friars were not pleased with his presence there since it challenges their beliefs about death and life after death!
During one of Father Jerome’s visits to the friary, he is violently catapulted from a hut near the orchard to another place, which appears to be a cellar or a Dungeon. He is confused and perplexed! Where is he? He looks around and explores the place. He finds some human bones and becomes frightened. There is something—or someone—living in this place that eats humans! He cries out for Quant’s help, who doesn’t immediately arrive, and grows tired. He takes a nap while waiting for Quant.
Meanwhile at the friary, the Minotaur is equally puzzled and annoyed. He also explores the small room and searches for something to eat. He finds some jars on top of a shelf and after several attempts, manages to open one of them. He tastes its content and concludes that whatever was inside was not edible. He goes to sleep, hoping it’s all just a nightmare!
Quant finally appears, of course, to sort everything out and show Father Jerome around in this new world, known to the good priest as the world of Greek Mythology. They visit some of Quant’s old friends, including the Deiphobe, the Sibyl of Cumae, St. Jerome and his lion, St. Anthony of Egypt, and St. Paul the Hermit, among others. Father Jerome is fascinated and intrigued and asks tons of questions to Quant. During their traveling in this world, the reader will be exposed to a combination of philosophy, mythology and mysticism from Quant’s point of view. The combination of these topics is essential to the understanding of God’s Creation beyond human comprehension.
The end of the book will leave the reader saying, WOW! It echoes Jesus’ parable of the “Good Servant” and St. Paul’s words of encouragement about finishing the race and fighting the good fight.
This Young Adult book is suitable for teens and adults. I do not, however, recommend it for children under 13 years of age, since they are not mature enough yet to understand some of the book’s themes.
The book begins with the sudden departure of Father Fidelis and his close encounter with a ginger cat named Leo. However, the sudden departure of Father Fidelis came as a surprise to all the friars and it started a chain of speculations and some admiration among them. Some of them admired his sense of obedience while others wondered, why?
But the knowledge of their newly assigned guardian, Father Aidan, brought joy to the friars. They all knew him. He has been their guardian before. He was flexible and understanding. Upon his arrival, however, Father Aidan’s behavior appears somehow changed towards the other friars. Now they are not so sure if it was indeed a good trade. Perhaps Father Aidan is just tired from his long journey, or is he? The day is still too young…time will tell!
Leo is not an ordinary cat. He is able to travel from “this time” to the afterlife easily. He also has a pair of “mystical eyes” that inspire awe and fear in those who see them. Leo’s real name is Quantum, but he is known in the afterlife as Quant.
Between the departure of Father Fidelis and the arrival of Father Aidan, Leo and Father Peter have a closed encounter, too. Leo’s eyes change to gold while looking at Father Peter, then return again to emerald green. This puzzles Father Peter. He wonders what type of cat this is! He feels unease and very nervous around Leo, so he keeps him at a safe distance.
The deceased Father Jerome, however, is fond of Leo. After all, Leo was his pet when he was alive! He, however, has not yet accepted his deceased state and the world of the dead. So he wanders often around the orchard at the friary. Some of the friars were not pleased with his presence there since it challenges their beliefs about death and life after death!
During one of Father Jerome’s visits to the friary, he is violently catapulted from a hut near the orchard to another place, which appears to be a cellar or a Dungeon. He is confused and perplexed! Where is he? He looks around and explores the place. He finds some human bones and becomes frightened. There is something—or someone—living in this place that eats humans! He cries out for Quant’s help, who doesn’t immediately arrive, and grows tired. He takes a nap while waiting for Quant.
Meanwhile at the friary, the Minotaur is equally puzzled and annoyed. He also explores the small room and searches for something to eat. He finds some jars on top of a shelf and after several attempts, manages to open one of them. He tastes its content and concludes that whatever was inside was not edible. He goes to sleep, hoping it’s all just a nightmare!
Quant finally appears, of course, to sort everything out and show Father Jerome around in this new world, known to the good priest as the world of Greek Mythology. They visit some of Quant’s old friends, including the Deiphobe, the Sibyl of Cumae, St. Jerome and his lion, St. Anthony of Egypt, and St. Paul the Hermit, among others. Father Jerome is fascinated and intrigued and asks tons of questions to Quant. During their traveling in this world, the reader will be exposed to a combination of philosophy, mythology and mysticism from Quant’s point of view. The combination of these topics is essential to the understanding of God’s Creation beyond human comprehension.
The end of the book will leave the reader saying, WOW! It echoes Jesus’ parable of the “Good Servant” and St. Paul’s words of encouragement about finishing the race and fighting the good fight.
August 3, 2007
Angelos, Robina Williams, Twilight Times Books, 2006
Here is the second novel about a rural friary somewhere in Britain. Among its inhabitants is a strange, dimension-jumping cat that (depending on which dimension you inhabit) is named Leo or Quant (short for Quantum).
The brothers of the friary are getting a new leader. Their previous leader, Brother Fidelis, practically jumped at the chance to be transferred to a tough, inner city parish. His belief that a cat did not belong in a friary probably had something to do with his sudden departure. After getting used to his new surroundings, his replacement, Brother Aidan, re-imposes supposedly much needed discipline at the friary. He is going through a spiritual crisis, feeling that God has abandoned him. Aidan feels that the only way to re-discover the path to the Lord is to go, for lack of a better term, back to basics. The brothers are as religious as anyone else, but, prayers several times a day, choir practice every day (attendance at both is not optional) and no leaving the friary without signing out, gets old very quickly.
Through some sort of quantum shift, the Minotaur (of labyrinth fame) is brought forward several thousand years, and lands in a gardening shed on the friary grounds. Far from being a carnivorous beast, the Minotaur is actually a vegetarian who didn’t like eating all those Athenians. Leo/Quant convinces one of the brothers to fix a tray of food, and leave it at the door of the shed, without asking questions. The Minotaur is told, by the cat, that leaving the shed would be a very bad idea. Meantime, one of the brothers, Brother Jerome, is sent back in time to the labyrinth (in ancient Crete) and is loudly calling for rescue by Quant. Before the travelers are returned to where they belong, Jerome asks the cat if a short tour of Crete might be possible. Along the way, he meets Deiphobe the Sibyl, St. Jerome and Androcles (and the lion).
This is a "quiet" book, but a really good book. As with any series, reading Part One (Jerome and the Seraph) is a good idea. The story is just weird enough, and is very much worth reading.
Here is the second novel about a rural friary somewhere in Britain. Among its inhabitants is a strange, dimension-jumping cat that (depending on which dimension you inhabit) is named Leo or Quant (short for Quantum).
The brothers of the friary are getting a new leader. Their previous leader, Brother Fidelis, practically jumped at the chance to be transferred to a tough, inner city parish. His belief that a cat did not belong in a friary probably had something to do with his sudden departure. After getting used to his new surroundings, his replacement, Brother Aidan, re-imposes supposedly much needed discipline at the friary. He is going through a spiritual crisis, feeling that God has abandoned him. Aidan feels that the only way to re-discover the path to the Lord is to go, for lack of a better term, back to basics. The brothers are as religious as anyone else, but, prayers several times a day, choir practice every day (attendance at both is not optional) and no leaving the friary without signing out, gets old very quickly.
Through some sort of quantum shift, the Minotaur (of labyrinth fame) is brought forward several thousand years, and lands in a gardening shed on the friary grounds. Far from being a carnivorous beast, the Minotaur is actually a vegetarian who didn’t like eating all those Athenians. Leo/Quant convinces one of the brothers to fix a tray of food, and leave it at the door of the shed, without asking questions. The Minotaur is told, by the cat, that leaving the shed would be a very bad idea. Meantime, one of the brothers, Brother Jerome, is sent back in time to the labyrinth (in ancient Crete) and is loudly calling for rescue by Quant. Before the travelers are returned to where they belong, Jerome asks the cat if a short tour of Crete might be possible. Along the way, he meets Deiphobe the Sibyl, St. Jerome and Androcles (and the lion).
This is a "quiet" book, but a really good book. As with any series, reading Part One (Jerome and the Seraph) is a good idea. The story is just weird enough, and is very much worth reading.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews