The Way of Sorrows by Jon Steele

Review by The Mole

(Angelus Trilogy book 3)

After the cliff hanger ending of book 2 (Angel City), the story reopens as the dust has settled - but not how we expected it to settle. The pace of the opening chapters is much slower than we had left, more sombre, more hopeless - I was left desperately wanting the hope-levels and mood to lift. The action soon resumes as frenetic as any part of the earlier books and gradually the story comes to it's hiatus in Jerusalem with death, mayhem and blood and gore letting more proliferous than at any previous point.

I have to admit that so much happens so fast in this book that I feel I need to go back some time and reread it.

Entirely in keeping with books 1 and 2 it very much relies you having read book 2 but please do make sure you start at book 1 - you will understand the characters so much better.

In The Watchers we meet all the characters in violent clashes as Katharine Taylor, a high class prostitute, is drawn in as a pawn by Komarovsky in a plot to end all life on earth. As the story progresses we learn that she is not a pawn in Komarovsky's plans, but in fact the lynch pin. By the end of book 1 we got to feel that maybe Harper, an angel in the body of a man, had in fact defeated Komarovsky.

Angel City is not an add on but very much a continuance where loose ends are picked up again and shaken off. Komarovsky is very much alive as are Taylor and Harper but loose ends we didn't know existed are also shown to us and Taylor gives birth to a child - but who is the father? Komarovsky? One of the dark shadows that raped her in The Watchers?

The Way Of Sorrows opens with the child, Max, missing and Taylor not knowing who or where she is and although there is evidence of a child having been there she has no idea whose the child might have been. Harper is unwell, unsure and in the dark as to his involvement in events of the past but Krinkle, another angel in human form, is there to guide, awaken and chauffeur him around the world  to a showdown with Komarovsky that may herald the end of mankind as we know it. But prophecy has it that Harper cannot and will not defeat Komarovsky as he sacrifices Max to bring about the final defeat of everything that is good on the earth.

The characters truly came to life for me throughout this series and the final ending, as I'm sure you will guess, is not as bleak as it sounds although Steele does set about killing off most of the characters I had grown attached to.

An excellent climax to an excellent series - a story that is so definitely fantasy but tries to win you over as philosophical sci-fi. Once you've read it you'll understand what I mean - but I won't be swayed. Enjoy this one because fantasy doesn't get closer to sci-fi than this.

Publisher -Blue Rider Press
Genre - Adult Fantasy

Angel City by Jon Steele

Review by The Mole

(Angelus Trilogy 2)

2 years have passed since the happenings at Lausanne Cathedral that resulted in it's total destruction (The Watchers). The "angels" managed to get the building repaired before any of the locals noticed but a chain of events was started that comes to fruition in this, the second book.

Katherine Taylor has had a son and is living in America. Her memory has been wiped of the events surrounding the Cathedral especially any recollection of Harper.

Harper is sent on missions that expose to him more of his own time line through his 2.5 million year life and he learns of his own role in the events that are unfolding.

Meanwhile Astruc, a seemingly mad man and his helper, Goose, are working to hurry the events along.

Action, adventure and plot twists abound as the story develops with violence and explosions figuring highly. Where the story ended up going was very much a surprise to me as fantasy and religious references intertwine to expose the author's take on some of the many bible stories - but not with any irreverence.

My only issue with this book it that it ends on a cliff hanger - and what a cliff hanger!

We very much leap into the characters and pick up the story afresh so much of the work in book 1 is not repeated. Having said that this book COULD be your starting point but you will miss out on so much if you don't start at the beginning of the trilogy. I have started the series late so I don't have long to wait to resolve the cliff hanger but if I'd had a year to wait then perhaps I would be a little frustrated.

Another fantastic fantasy from Steele with just book 3 to go now to resolve all the outstanding issues. And I'm very much looking forward to it.

Publisher -Blue Rider Press
Genre - Adult Fantasy

The Watchers by Jon Steele

Review by The Mole

(Angelus Trilogy 1)

Three characters pass each other in Lausanne exchanging simple pleasantries unaware how their lives are destined to merge.

Marc Rochat, a young man with a crippled foot who displays lower than average mental capacity but whose heart and trust is so large that the reader will love him from the off. He is the caretaker of Lausanne Cathedral and this is focus of his life until he sees Katherine Taylor.

Katherine Taylor, a woman who had a very challenging start in life but is now one of the highest class prostitutes in Europe. Somehow her openness and honesty means the reader overlooks her life choices but worries over her safety.

And Jay Harper, a man with no memory but steeped in honour. He doesn't miss his past but finds his strings are being pulled by the head of the Swiss police and while he resents it he accepts it as a "fait accompli".

The author develops these characters brilliantly over the book and when they are in jeopardy you truly share their fears. Even the bad guys are developed to the point where you can comfortably hate them.

If you read the synopsis then you know you are embarking on a fantasy, and like most fantasies it is quite a sizeable read at nearly 600 pages.

As you read you get to about half way through before the fantasy starts to become apparent - but somehow it seems unimportant. During the first half the three main characters' lives start to cross with increasing frequency and a bond starts to build between them. We get to know Marc in detail and get to really understand him, we start to really pity and fall in love Katherine while Jay...? Well the enigma that is Jay becomes more intriguing than ever as the head of police controls him more and more. But most importantly the first half of the story flies past with little or no fantasy evident, and holding the reader's attention in a most compelling manner.

Violence and intrigue increase as the book develops and we learn of why Jay has, as yet, no memory. His memory is restored to him piece by piece as he learns what is expected of him and who he really is.

There are "sex"scenes and strong language but always in context and not in any way gratuitous.

The thickness of the book may seem daunting but put that to one side... The story is continually evolving and deepening and while you may not like the ending for several reasons it is, none the less, a most excellent ending that leaves the reader waiting for the second of the Angelus series.

Truly a fantastic read for lovers of fantasy or for newbies trying the genre for the first time.

Publisher -Blue Rider Press
Genre - Adult Fantasy