Synopsis: In the late Twentieth Century, the streets of Paris are lined with haunted ruins. The Great Magicians’ War left a trail of devastation in its wake. The Grand Magasins have been reduced to piles of debris, Notre-Dame is a burnt-out shell, and the Seine has turned black with ashes and rubble and the remnants of the spells that tore the city apart. But those that survived still retain their irrepressible appetite for novelty and distraction, and The Great Houses still vie for dominion over France’s once grand capital.
Once the most powerful and formidable, House Silverspires now lies in disarray. Its magic is ailing; its founder, Morningstar, has been missing for decades; and now something from the shadows stalks its people inside their very own walls.
Within the House, three very different people must come together: a naive but powerful Fallen angel; an alchemist with a self-destructive addiction; and a resentful young man wielding spells of unknown origin. They may be Silverspires’ salvation—or the architects of its last, irreversible fall. And if Silverspires falls, so may the city itself.
Review: I have not read books about angels for a long time, so when I saw the release of this book, I was immediately curious about the story. The whole book set in France was also intriguing, especially when it remains the same throughout the novel. This is not something to which I am accustomed to, besides books from French authors but I was intrigued by the idea.
I spoke about angels, but actually we don’t follow them but the fallen angels from paradise and who are forced to rebuild their lives in houses working the ones against the others in the heart of Paris. Besides, the city is not at all the one we know about. Oh no! We discover a completely devastated city whose inhabitants are trying to survive somehow. The human / angels cohabitation is not necessarily easy, especially since it is possible to make a fairly popular drug from the blood and bones of our fantastic creatures. You understand now a little part of the history. From there, we will follow three different characters: Isabelle, a young angel who has just arrived on Earth after being fallen, a naive person and yet full of convictions. She will be linked to Philip, the perfect caricature of the anti-hero, a man who wanders on earth, an entity that is neither human nor fallen and who tries to find the meaning of his life and dreams only of returning where he came from, knowing that this is not possible. Finally we follow at the same time Madeleine, a young alchemist, working in the biggest house but who has a dark secret, being addict of angel essence, something that is completely forbidden.
Thus we follow our three heroes alternately, discovering their lives, their hopes but also their fears. We also discover a Paris far from the one we know about, full of different myths but with places that we all know. We discover a very interesting mythology elsewhere and whom we can learn more about in the chapters. As for the story itself, something is set in motion here and our heroes will have to join forces to deal with it, although nothing will really end well. It was interesting to understand everything and to see where the story was going to lead us but I admit that I struggled to get into the book and to really create a link with the characters. We can read the story fast enough but I stayed a little behind compared to the whole history.
It was a different book and although I had some problems with the story, it was interesting to discover the author’s ideas.
blodeuedd
problems with the story, but still good, hmmm, maybe
Melliane
it was an interesting worl
Jessica @ Rabid Reads
I had issues with this one, too. I’m not a huge fan of angels-as-supernatural-creatures, but this one was interesting, and I liked the twist with the Seine, but . . . eh. I still haven’t finished it 😉 Great review, Melliane!
Melliane
yes the Seine thing was a good idea.
Silvia
Didn’t know about this title, but it sounds intriguing. I’m glad despite the issues you still found the idea quite interesting 🙂
Melliane
yes it was well done
Tracy Terry
Intrigued by thoughts of the Great Magicians’ War, I am however a bit concerned by your having some problems with the story.
Melliane
they’re taken in account yes…
anna (herding cats & burning soup)
Ooo I do enjoy angels and the fallen ones. Can be so interesting. And location? I’ve not read too many there.
Melliane
right? It’s quite rare a whole book in France
Jenny @ Supernatural Snark
This does sound like an interesting read Melliane! I’m always up for a new angel mythology, so I’m curious about this world. It’s too bad you couldn’t really connect as strongly to the characters as you would have liked, but I’m glad it was a solid read overall:)
Melliane
yes thank you
kindlemom1
I really like the cover for this. Sorry you had some difficulties with it and it wasn’t a perfect read. Great honest review!
Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum
It must have been pretty cool reading about a book set in France, and the interesting setting of a crumbling post-apocalyptic Paris. I enjoyed this book, but I rated it the same as you. I think it could have used more world building to truly make it great. The world really was quite amazing, I wanted more! 🙂
Melliane
yes I really liked the idea.
Emma @ Never Judge a Book by its Cover
I have to say its been a long time since I’ve read something about angels. The last book must have been Shadows by Paula Weston which I loved but I haven’t continued yet! Ooops. Anyways, I love the sound of this book and not many I know are actually set in France either. Thanks for putting this on my radar, Mel! 🙂
Ramona
This one is on my list too! I know you’ve been a little underwhelmed by it, but I’m still itching to try it out 🙂 Like you say, it’s been a while since I read an angel story.
Melliane
I hope it will be better for you
LilyElement
This does sound interesting! It’s been awhile since I’ve read an angel book as well 🙂
Heidi
This book was showing up on buzz books for fall lists, and I thought about it, but I am glad I backed off. I am not the biggest fan of angel books, and many readers are having some of the same issues you did. So far the reviews aren’t stellar, so I think I am skipping this one. Too bad.
Melliane
I have a friend who couldn’t read at all…
Molly Mortensen
This book sounds like it could be really good! I understand what you mean though, sometimes good sounding characters don’t necessarily good characters make. I hate it when I expect to like a book and then can’t connect to the characters! Thanks, I’ll put this one off.
Melliane
it’s complicated
Maja (The Nocturnal Library)
Just the fact that this is so different and has such a different setting makes it very appealing to me. I haven’t been to Paris just yet but I’ve read so much about it. I think I’d enjoy seeing a different side of it.
Braine
My blog buddy, Shelley, wasn’t a fan of this so I skipped it. I’m okay with Angel stories but from her review, I don’t think THIS is the angel story for me.
I like how you still made it all positive, though, maybe one day I’ll give this a go out of curiosity.
Melliane
the idea behind is really good
Melissa (My World...in words and pages)
Ooooh. I must say, that cover really caught my attention. And your review too. Now I’m curious. 🙂
Joy // Joyousreads
I’m a fan of angel books, especially those that managed to tell it differently from the rest. Sorry you had problems with this one, though.
kimbacaffeinate
I love the cover and that it was different from other books. I am sorry you had problems with it..but I am curious all the same
Carole Rae
Love, love, LOVE the cover. 😀
Kirsty-Marie Jones
See, following fallen angels is so much more interesting than just angels, so much you can do with it! At least it’s only alternating between three, can definitely deal with that, haha. 🙂