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trudilibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
"I can't be an angel. I'm a librarian. That's absurd."
"You? One of heaven's brutes. Unthinking drones, that's all you ever were, and all you'll ever be. A coward who didn't even have the courage to stand with us and Fall. Now look at you! Neutered. A little puppy dog waiting for its master to throw it a scrap."
I came across this one quite by accident poking around looking for something else. Anything with blood and feathers in the title is going to get my attention. Not because I have anything against birds, mind you; this has much more to do with my on-going fascination with bad-ass angels and when they get to warring with each other in a most epic way and humans are caught in the crossfire.
I could blame all the Catholic catechisms I was forced to endure as a restless child who would have much rather been reading Stephen King, but no. Quite simply, if you extract all of the awesome potential of these creatures away from the sticky, rigid confines of religious canon, what you end up with is a tremendous mythology to fuel a thousand stories and then some. Vampires? Werewolves? Fairies? Shapeshifters? Piss on that. Give me glorious, prideful, warring Angels and their Fallen Brethren any day of the week (and twice on Wednesdays when the CW's Supernatural airs).
This isn't one of the best angel/demon books I've read, but I did enjoy parts of it very much. Lou Morgan has set up her "world" and the rules that govern it quite nicely. I liked her application of angel lore. Figuring out the differences between Earthbounds, Fallen, and Descendeds kept me interested for the first half, and her vision of Hell and its frigid, demented landscape kept me turning the pages for the second half.
Where this one is lacking for me is with character and dialogue. If you're going to introduce Archangels and Lucifer, you better give them some awesome things to say. They shouldn't speak (or act) like anybody else. Just about everything that pours out of their mouths should raise the hairs on the back of your neck. There was a little touch of that, but not nearly enough for my liking. For comic relief, Vin is adorable, but I've seen his character done many times before, and done better. Alice and Mallory should have more chemistry. In fact, for all the main characters I kept expecting to feel more. Even when Alice descends into Hell itself I didn't feel worried or afraid ... just curious, as in ... this should be interesting.
The series shows promise however, and I'll probably seek out the next book. Blood and Feathers is very cinematic and plot-driven. I can see it making a decent movie.
annelyle's review against another edition
5.0
Action-packed urban fantasy with some of the most charming, flawed (and all too often, psychotic) angels you'll ever have the pleasure of meeting - and a heroine who doesn't need to dress in leather or kick ass in order to be strong and awesome. Highly recommended!
(Disclaimer. Yes, Lou is a friend. No, I don't say nice things about books just because a friend wrote them. I'm mean that way...)
(Disclaimer. Yes, Lou is a friend. No, I don't say nice things about books just because a friend wrote them. I'm mean that way...)
leontiy's review against another edition
5.0
Hailed as “dark, enticing” and “wickedly funny”, Blood and Feathers is an urban fantasy hit that offers a classic war between good and evil, Heaven and Hell, described as “Alice in Wonderland goes to Hell”. Hardly standard fare for a genre that’s usually all about the darker underbelly of the world’s sprawling metropolises and the magic within. But that’s what’s so unbearably good about it; it offers something that feels new and exciting in a genre where the detectives, investigators, wizards and vampires have become a little old and tired.
Alice is a normal girl, with a normal life and a normal job—except that she isn’t, only she doesn’t know it until two angels turn up at her house and her father is killed. Alice loses everything and gains a whole new life; at least, that’s the theory of it. In practise, blending in with and adjusting to a new life as a half-angel (which isn’t really new, of course, since she’s always been a half-angel) isn’t nearly as easy as it sounds.
Alice has a job to do, but the angels around her are being sketchy about the details; all she’s told is—in great detail—about the war between Heaven and Hell, and how the ranks of the angels work. That’s all well and good, thinks Alice, but what about the fact that her entire life has been turned upside down, and now she’s being asked to waltz right into Hell and complete a task only she can. Surrounded by angels who are altogether less than angelic, Alice has to deal with her newly realised bloodline, whilst trying to fathom what’s going on behind the scenes and—most importantly—who she can trust.
Whether in Heaven or Hell or the space between, everyone has an agenda: angels are soldiers, politicians, schemers, whether they’re Descended, Earthbound or Fallen, and Alice is going to have a hard time just getting who’s who straight, let alone having to deal with Lucifer’s finest assassins on her trail.
Mallory, an Earthbound alcoholic with a tired smile, a weary leather jacket, and an exhausted gun is there to keep Alice safe. At least, he’s there to train her and guard her, watch over her, which amounts to the same thing—sort of. But he’s not much of a guardian angel and he doesn’t like to talk, so Alice, frustratingly finds out snippets of what’s she’s meant to do and who she is from the others around her. Gwyn, a Descended with a cold stare and a frosty attitude and Vin, another Earthbound with a pair of twin half-borns under his guidance. Then, of course, there are the Fallen. Hot on her trail and just dying to take her to Hell, the Fallen angels will stop at nothing to drag, lure, beg, steal or borrow Alice to their side.
But which side is the right side to choose? When Heaven isn’t all that heavenly, and Hell’s not what she expected, but offers secrets and choices she’s afraid she can’t refuse, which way will she fall? In a dark world, with dark characters and a gripping story that tugs and pulls, Alice needs to be careful, else she might Fall into the darkness forever. With Hellmouths appearing and the balance being tipped in Hell’s favour, Alice doesn’t have much time.
Gripping, witty, gorgeously written and eloquently told, Blood and Feathers is an astoundingly sharp and enjoyable read that is achingly original. The war between Heaven and Hell is brought to life within its pages and with fast pacing, moreish characters and a compelling plot it really is one Hell of a story.
You have never read anything as real and engaging within the urban fantasy genre as Blood and Feathers; it could be real—Alice could be your cousin, Mallory the guy at the bar with the drink in his hand and the memories at his feet. It’s vivid and captures the imagination on a truly visceral level, with perfect dialogue that makes the characters into real people, and real emotions interwoven with a devilishly good setting. Everyone wants angels and demons and magic to exist, and in Morgan’s world, poke your little toe down the rabbit hole, and everything is real.
All I can say about Blood and Feathers is that the sequel can’t come fast enough.
Alice is a normal girl, with a normal life and a normal job—except that she isn’t, only she doesn’t know it until two angels turn up at her house and her father is killed. Alice loses everything and gains a whole new life; at least, that’s the theory of it. In practise, blending in with and adjusting to a new life as a half-angel (which isn’t really new, of course, since she’s always been a half-angel) isn’t nearly as easy as it sounds.
Alice has a job to do, but the angels around her are being sketchy about the details; all she’s told is—in great detail—about the war between Heaven and Hell, and how the ranks of the angels work. That’s all well and good, thinks Alice, but what about the fact that her entire life has been turned upside down, and now she’s being asked to waltz right into Hell and complete a task only she can. Surrounded by angels who are altogether less than angelic, Alice has to deal with her newly realised bloodline, whilst trying to fathom what’s going on behind the scenes and—most importantly—who she can trust.
Whether in Heaven or Hell or the space between, everyone has an agenda: angels are soldiers, politicians, schemers, whether they’re Descended, Earthbound or Fallen, and Alice is going to have a hard time just getting who’s who straight, let alone having to deal with Lucifer’s finest assassins on her trail.
Mallory, an Earthbound alcoholic with a tired smile, a weary leather jacket, and an exhausted gun is there to keep Alice safe. At least, he’s there to train her and guard her, watch over her, which amounts to the same thing—sort of. But he’s not much of a guardian angel and he doesn’t like to talk, so Alice, frustratingly finds out snippets of what’s she’s meant to do and who she is from the others around her. Gwyn, a Descended with a cold stare and a frosty attitude and Vin, another Earthbound with a pair of twin half-borns under his guidance. Then, of course, there are the Fallen. Hot on her trail and just dying to take her to Hell, the Fallen angels will stop at nothing to drag, lure, beg, steal or borrow Alice to their side.
But which side is the right side to choose? When Heaven isn’t all that heavenly, and Hell’s not what she expected, but offers secrets and choices she’s afraid she can’t refuse, which way will she fall? In a dark world, with dark characters and a gripping story that tugs and pulls, Alice needs to be careful, else she might Fall into the darkness forever. With Hellmouths appearing and the balance being tipped in Hell’s favour, Alice doesn’t have much time.
Gripping, witty, gorgeously written and eloquently told, Blood and Feathers is an astoundingly sharp and enjoyable read that is achingly original. The war between Heaven and Hell is brought to life within its pages and with fast pacing, moreish characters and a compelling plot it really is one Hell of a story.
You have never read anything as real and engaging within the urban fantasy genre as Blood and Feathers; it could be real—Alice could be your cousin, Mallory the guy at the bar with the drink in his hand and the memories at his feet. It’s vivid and captures the imagination on a truly visceral level, with perfect dialogue that makes the characters into real people, and real emotions interwoven with a devilishly good setting. Everyone wants angels and demons and magic to exist, and in Morgan’s world, poke your little toe down the rabbit hole, and everything is real.
All I can say about Blood and Feathers is that the sequel can’t come fast enough.
mohsints's review against another edition
1.0
Ugh. Poorly written, utterly inexplicable characterisations and plot devices (i.e. the choice of, rather than inherent complexity of the novel), and all-around just mediocre. Don't waste your time or money on this. It reads like a giant Livejournal emo piece.
vae's review against another edition
4.0
Absolutely loved it - it's a fresh take on angels in so many ways, brilliantly paced and crafted, a joy to read. Can't wait for the next.
cyber_spines's review against another edition
5.0
Blood and Feathers is one of those books I simply don’t know how to write a review of. Why, you ask? Because there is one word that to me feels like it sums up the entirety of the book: perfect. But ‘perfect’ isn’t much of a review, so I am going to have to put away my fanboy grin for a bit, and attempt to explain why I feel this way about this book.
Set in the modern world, Blood and Feathers aims—and manages—to offer a difference in a genre where detectives, wizards, vampires, and werewolves are usually centre stage. It tells an old story: that of the war in between Heaven and Hell. Apart from the fact that this isn’t really like any story of the war in between the two that you have ever read about.
Alice is a normal girl, at least as far as she knows, with a normal job and, as far as possible when images she can’t explain haunt her from her childhood, a normal life. But her world is about to be turned upside down when two angels turn up at her house, and she witnesses her father being murdered. She is dragged into a war that, as far as she knows, she has nothing to do with.
But Alice is a half-angel—daughter of an angel and a priest—and she has an important job to do, whether she is ready for it or not. With Hellmouths opening up everywhere, Hell is tipping the balance in its favour, and the angels, Earthbound, Descended, or otherwise, aren’t about to let that happen.
With Mallory—an Earthbound with a troubled past and a drinking problem—as her guide and mentor, Alice must come to terms with her power if she is to accomplish the task that is set in front of her. But when one must venture into Hell, there are obstacles that no one can prepare you for what you’re going to find, and Alice must face herself and her fears if she is to come outthe other side, having completed her task, without Falling once and for all.
The action takes place in an unnamed modern city, and the lack of places and dates only adds to the fantastical quality of the book. It could be happening anywhere, right outside our door, for all we know, and it adds a certain power to the story.
Alice is a wonderful character that doesn’t need tight leather or kick-ass fight scenes to take centre stage as a strong female lead. She is lost in a world she does not understand, but she does her best to adapt and understand those around her. She is human, in the best of ways; flawed and all the stronger for it.
Mallory was by far my favourite angel of the book, Earthbound and dejected, with a drinking problem and the mind of a soldier, he is Alice’s mentor as she learns to control the astonishing power she possesses. He is both kind and harsh, motivated and a little bit cynical, and more than anything he wants to be given a chance to atone for his mistakes.
Blood and Feathers is wonderfully, beautifully written, with amazing characterisation and some of the most realistic dialogues I have read in a long time. Angels aren’t all white here, but neither are the Fallen all black, and the plot is enthralling from the get-go. The main cast is colourful, diverse, and likeable, and carry the plot effortlessly forward, never breaking the pace of the book. One of the twists at the end even had me staring at the page in disbelief and anger!
Blood and Feathers is definitely one of the best books I have read this year, and definitely will be one of those stories I go back to when my mood darkens and I need a bit of a pick me up. Morgan’s debut left me enthralled, cheering, excited, and surprised, and never once disappointed. I only wish it had been longer, or that the sequel was out already, because no sooner had I turned the last page, that I already missed Alice, Mallory, and the rest of the cast around them.
More reviews at: http://alekcristea.wordpress.com
Set in the modern world, Blood and Feathers aims—and manages—to offer a difference in a genre where detectives, wizards, vampires, and werewolves are usually centre stage. It tells an old story: that of the war in between Heaven and Hell. Apart from the fact that this isn’t really like any story of the war in between the two that you have ever read about.
Alice is a normal girl, at least as far as she knows, with a normal job and, as far as possible when images she can’t explain haunt her from her childhood, a normal life. But her world is about to be turned upside down when two angels turn up at her house, and she witnesses her father being murdered. She is dragged into a war that, as far as she knows, she has nothing to do with.
But Alice is a half-angel—daughter of an angel and a priest—and she has an important job to do, whether she is ready for it or not. With Hellmouths opening up everywhere, Hell is tipping the balance in its favour, and the angels, Earthbound, Descended, or otherwise, aren’t about to let that happen.
With Mallory—an Earthbound with a troubled past and a drinking problem—as her guide and mentor, Alice must come to terms with her power if she is to accomplish the task that is set in front of her. But when one must venture into Hell, there are obstacles that no one can prepare you for what you’re going to find, and Alice must face herself and her fears if she is to come outthe other side, having completed her task, without Falling once and for all.
The action takes place in an unnamed modern city, and the lack of places and dates only adds to the fantastical quality of the book. It could be happening anywhere, right outside our door, for all we know, and it adds a certain power to the story.
Alice is a wonderful character that doesn’t need tight leather or kick-ass fight scenes to take centre stage as a strong female lead. She is lost in a world she does not understand, but she does her best to adapt and understand those around her. She is human, in the best of ways; flawed and all the stronger for it.
Mallory was by far my favourite angel of the book, Earthbound and dejected, with a drinking problem and the mind of a soldier, he is Alice’s mentor as she learns to control the astonishing power she possesses. He is both kind and harsh, motivated and a little bit cynical, and more than anything he wants to be given a chance to atone for his mistakes.
Blood and Feathers is wonderfully, beautifully written, with amazing characterisation and some of the most realistic dialogues I have read in a long time. Angels aren’t all white here, but neither are the Fallen all black, and the plot is enthralling from the get-go. The main cast is colourful, diverse, and likeable, and carry the plot effortlessly forward, never breaking the pace of the book. One of the twists at the end even had me staring at the page in disbelief and anger!
Blood and Feathers is definitely one of the best books I have read this year, and definitely will be one of those stories I go back to when my mood darkens and I need a bit of a pick me up. Morgan’s debut left me enthralled, cheering, excited, and surprised, and never once disappointed. I only wish it had been longer, or that the sequel was out already, because no sooner had I turned the last page, that I already missed Alice, Mallory, and the rest of the cast around them.
More reviews at: http://alekcristea.wordpress.com
kylek's review against another edition
4.0
If I had to use one word to describe this book it would Strange, but it was a good strange. The start was pretty rocky and I know a couple of people who gave up on it because of it, I only kept reading cause it was just so strange I had to find out what was going on, and that's basically what kept me going through the first half of the book.
The MC, Alice, was soo wishy washy...It's like she was in shock or something throughout most of the book, she just goes along with everything and barely questions what is going on. I get the Angels were being incredibly evasive with everything AND underhanded, sneaky little bastards really, but mygod, everyone kept saying how important Alice was, but she just takes it anyway! She doesn't use it for her advantage. She only gets somewhat of a backbone by the last 1/3rd of the book, and her being the 'secret weapon' it makes for a very disappointing one.
Alice's lack of kick-assness for the majority of the book aside, the single most frustrating and annoying thing were the Angels. They were sneaky, evasive, underhanded, manipulative and just plain assholes. They were so bad I was rooting for the Fallen, which is saying something seeing as how they torture people for fun. I was so happy when they got what they deserved by the end :D
The turning point for me in the story was when Alice goes down to Hell, now that's when the good stuff starts (which is like halfway through the book). The descriptions of the levels of hell, the punishments, the cold gives a whole new meaning to the phrase 'when hell freezes over'. This is when Morgan's unique writing style really shines, and the epic battle that takes place is pretty damn awesome. Everything more or less gets explained at the end, and it was incredibly satisfying when Micheal dishes out the punishment, it totally made up for my wanting to beat up some of them throughout the book *cough*Gywn*cough*Gabriel*cough*. Divine retribution at it's best!
So, for those of you who gave up during the first half, try to soldier on, because the second half totally makes up for it.
The MC, Alice, was soo wishy washy...It's like she was in shock or something throughout most of the book, she just goes along with everything and barely questions what is going on. I get the Angels were being incredibly evasive with everything AND underhanded, sneaky little bastards really, but mygod, everyone kept saying how important Alice was, but she just takes it anyway! She doesn't use it for her advantage. She only gets somewhat of a backbone by the last 1/3rd of the book, and her being the 'secret weapon' it makes for a very disappointing one.
Alice's lack of kick-assness for the majority of the book aside, the single most frustrating and annoying thing were the Angels. They were sneaky, evasive, underhanded, manipulative and just plain assholes. They were so bad I was rooting for the Fallen, which is saying something seeing as how they torture people for fun. I was so happy when they got what they deserved by the end :D
The turning point for me in the story was when Alice goes down to Hell, now that's when the good stuff starts (which is like halfway through the book). The descriptions of the levels of hell, the punishments, the cold gives a whole new meaning to the phrase 'when hell freezes over'. This is when Morgan's unique writing style really shines, and the epic battle that takes place is pretty damn awesome. Everything more or less gets explained at the end, and it was incredibly satisfying when Micheal dishes out the punishment, it totally made up for my wanting to beat up some of them throughout the book *cough*Gywn*cough*Gabriel*cough*. Divine retribution at it's best!
So, for those of you who gave up during the first half, try to soldier on, because the second half totally makes up for it.
greykolla's review against another edition
2.0
Well, this was a disapointment. This story had such potential, maybe if someone else had written it it could have been better. I was so excited to read it, but the fact is that I find it to be very badly written.
We just jump RIGHT into the fantasy stuff, we have no idea what Alice life was like before she met the angels. So when she misses it, we don't feel a thing for her. Also, Lou Morgan was clearly trying to write a good story, but it fails horribly.
Good idea for a story, I liked the character ideas but it's not well written.
We just jump RIGHT into the fantasy stuff, we have no idea what Alice life was like before she met the angels. So when she misses it, we don't feel a thing for her. Also, Lou Morgan was clearly trying to write a good story, but it fails horribly.
Good idea for a story, I liked the character ideas but it's not well written.