Angelfall by Susan Ee
When the angels of the apocalypse arrive, they are not here to save mankind. Just the opposite. They are avenging angels who are sent to destroy mankind in revenge for mankind killing the Angel Gabriel – known as The Messenger. The story opens in a war-torn California town not far from Silicon Valley. Seventeen year old Penryn accompanied by her paranoid schizophrenic mother and her younger wheel-chair bound sister venture away from their home as conditions worsen. Only minutes after they depart, they come upon a band of angels who are mercilessly cutting the wings off one of their own. They leave the bloody and battered angel victim where he lays as they make their departure but not before one of them swoops back and lifts Paige, the younger sister, from her wheelchair and carries her away.
Penryn vows to get her sister back and care for her family. But she sees an opportunity before her and acts on it. If she can nurse the wounded angel back to health perhaps he can lead her to where the angels have taken her sister. What follows is a thrilling roller coaster ride through what remains of humankind as they fight for our world and what remains of mankind.
I found this to be one of the best futuristic stories I’ve read in a long time. The characters came alive for me. Not just the humans but the angelic ones as well. The descriptions were vivid and put me right in the middle of the action. I found myself rooting alternately for the angels and the humans and sometimes both at the same time. A world where angels were enemies of humankind rather than our friends took some getting used to but it didn’t take this reader long to acclimate to this new and terrifying world.
Fast paced action will keep you turning pages. Complex characters that surprise at every turn will keep your interest piqued. Looking forward to reading Book 2.
