Transparency note: I've known Ben for 25 years, and consider him a good friend. That being said, I have *not* been comp-ed or in any other way rewarded for this review. I purchased this book with my own funds.
Reign of Angels is the culmination of Chance Fortunato's Origin Story, and what a conclusion it is! Ben's writing has never been more on point. All the suffering Chance has gone through shaped him into who he is today. Together with the allies he's gained along the way, he faces his toughest challenge yet. (I won't go into details, as spoilers are not my thing.)
There is an old saying: "Who must do the hard thing? He who can. Who must do the impossible thing? He who *cares*..." Nothing sums up the spirit of Ben's protagonist and his associates quite so well. However much the world tries to push them this way or that, and no matter the cost to themselves, they plant their feet and tell it "No! YOU move!" Their sheer determination to do what is *right*, as they see it, causes them a lot of trouble, but just as often saves the day in the end.
Ben's characters are one of his strong suits, as is his grasp of Machiavellian plots and schemes. Plot elements he introduced books ago that seemed to be throwaways often are instumental to resolving later stories. It all comes together in a rich stew that rewards one with complex and nuanced flavors that always satisfy the palate.
As Ben says in his afterward, this saga has been a long-term effort, and I'm thrilled to have seen it grow and develop along the way. Whatever the future holds for Chance and his friends, I look forward to reading about it.