queenterribletimy's review
5.0
This review was originally posted on RockStarlit BookAsylum!
Over the summer I hopelessly fell in love with the Los Nefilim series when I read first the novella collection, Los Nefilim then the first full novel in the series, Where Oblivion Lives. I went ahead and bought the next book, Carved from Stone and Dream and you can be sure as hell, I’ll buy the next and last of the series, A Song with Teeth too.
We are in 1939, a few years after the events in Where Oblivion Lives. The second World War is just around the corner, though our characters don’t know that yet. They are more concerned about the Spanish Civil War and Franco taking over – not least thanks to Jordi Abelló, Guillermo’s half-brother. As well as the new German leader, Hitler supported by Die Nephilim’s Queen Jäger who plan to invade France as quickly as possible. Los Nefilim has to retreat and while Ysa, Juanita, Rafael, and some others are already in Paris, Miquel only just stepped over the border waiting for Diago, Guillermo, Carme, and Feran to cross the Pyrenees. But plans have that annoying trait to never go as intended.
I would rather not go into the details regarding the plot as it’s something you have to experience yourself. Events in Carved from Stone and Dream take place within 48 hours or less. Not sure if this is the reason, but the 350 pages long book felt more like 100. It’s a super-fast read and a highly engaging one. Then again, I’m biased, because I just love these characters so much and if it was up to me, this book easily could have been 600 pages long for all I care. And I don’t even like chonky books.
To my surprise and delight, Carved from Stone and Dream introduces Rafael as a POV character. It takes a while to wrap one’s head around the fact that he is 15 years old already. A Civil War is not exactly a time period you would want to grow up in, and young Rafael had seen his share of horror already. Thankfully that did not break him and he had become a remarkable – if still brash – young man. We also get to see a different side of Miquel and Diago. They kind of switch roles, and this time it’s Miquel who is going to need Diago’s unwavering support. I said this before in my Los Nefilim review, but really, my most favorite part about this series is the relationships of the characters.
Frohock in this book brings in another layer regarding angelology with the Watchers or as they called here, the Grigori. As much as I enjoy the plot and the characters, I also enjoy how she uses mythology in her fiction. So. Cool.
The Los Nefilim series never shied away from being dark and dealing with heavy topics, and Carved from Stone and Dream is not an exception. While Spain and France face oppression by either their nation or another one, the characters deal with their own fears and nightmares. Be it drug-induced or otherwise. Bringing drug experiments into the picture was an interesting choice and one that’s probably not very far from what actually happened during the war, or maybe even before that. Though it was likely much more brutal than what we glimpsed here. Just flip up any historical book on Nazis and you’ll see.
Carved from Stone and Dream raises the bar yet even higher in a series that keep giving ever more excellent books. I already can’t wait to read the last book, but I’m also dreading it, because I wouldn’t mind spending eternity with Diago, Miquel, Rafael, Ysa, and all the others. If there is only one historical fantasy series you’ll ever read in your life, then Los Nefilim should be the one.
“Maybe. But animosity murdered empathy and gave understanding little room to grow. The darker emotions had their place. Diago glanced over his shoulder and noted his son’s grim features. But they’re not to be nurtured.“
Over the summer I hopelessly fell in love with the Los Nefilim series when I read first the novella collection, Los Nefilim then the first full novel in the series, Where Oblivion Lives. I went ahead and bought the next book, Carved from Stone and Dream and you can be sure as hell, I’ll buy the next and last of the series, A Song with Teeth too.
We are in 1939, a few years after the events in Where Oblivion Lives. The second World War is just around the corner, though our characters don’t know that yet. They are more concerned about the Spanish Civil War and Franco taking over – not least thanks to Jordi Abelló, Guillermo’s half-brother. As well as the new German leader, Hitler supported by Die Nephilim’s Queen Jäger who plan to invade France as quickly as possible. Los Nefilim has to retreat and while Ysa, Juanita, Rafael, and some others are already in Paris, Miquel only just stepped over the border waiting for Diago, Guillermo, Carme, and Feran to cross the Pyrenees. But plans have that annoying trait to never go as intended.
I would rather not go into the details regarding the plot as it’s something you have to experience yourself. Events in Carved from Stone and Dream take place within 48 hours or less. Not sure if this is the reason, but the 350 pages long book felt more like 100. It’s a super-fast read and a highly engaging one. Then again, I’m biased, because I just love these characters so much and if it was up to me, this book easily could have been 600 pages long for all I care. And I don’t even like chonky books.
To my surprise and delight, Carved from Stone and Dream introduces Rafael as a POV character. It takes a while to wrap one’s head around the fact that he is 15 years old already. A Civil War is not exactly a time period you would want to grow up in, and young Rafael had seen his share of horror already. Thankfully that did not break him and he had become a remarkable – if still brash – young man. We also get to see a different side of Miquel and Diago. They kind of switch roles, and this time it’s Miquel who is going to need Diago’s unwavering support. I said this before in my Los Nefilim review, but really, my most favorite part about this series is the relationships of the characters.
Miquel closed his eyes and inhaled the scent of him. “And you were surprised. Do you remember that? You said I was a fool; that only mortals fell in love at first sight, because their lives were like those of butterflies, short and filled with fleeting beauty. You said no one could possibly love you.” But I did, and I do, and this is all backward and wrong, because I should be saving you.
Frohock in this book brings in another layer regarding angelology with the Watchers or as they called here, the Grigori. As much as I enjoy the plot and the characters, I also enjoy how she uses mythology in her fiction. So. Cool.
The Los Nefilim series never shied away from being dark and dealing with heavy topics, and Carved from Stone and Dream is not an exception. While Spain and France face oppression by either their nation or another one, the characters deal with their own fears and nightmares. Be it drug-induced or otherwise. Bringing drug experiments into the picture was an interesting choice and one that’s probably not very far from what actually happened during the war, or maybe even before that. Though it was likely much more brutal than what we glimpsed here. Just flip up any historical book on Nazis and you’ll see.
Carved from Stone and Dream raises the bar yet even higher in a series that keep giving ever more excellent books. I already can’t wait to read the last book, but I’m also dreading it, because I wouldn’t mind spending eternity with Diago, Miquel, Rafael, Ysa, and all the others. If there is only one historical fantasy series you’ll ever read in your life, then Los Nefilim should be the one.
ohallows's review
4.25
man!!! i really like these books!!! Rafael did not deserve anything jordi did to him and now I want to murder Jordi with my own two hands!!!
tfrohock's review against another edition
Hi, everyone!
If you're looking for the next Los Nefilim novel, it has its own page at [b:Where Oblivion Lives|38376051|Where Oblivion Lives|T. Frohock|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1529705789s/38376051.jpg|60039113].
Thanks so much!
T
If you're looking for the next Los Nefilim novel, it has its own page at [b:Where Oblivion Lives|38376051|Where Oblivion Lives|T. Frohock|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1529705789s/38376051.jpg|60039113].
Thanks so much!
T
chocolatemeerkat's review
5.0
This is one of the few times where I've been genuinely concerned if a character is going to make it out in the end. Which is almost silly since Diego and Miquel made it out alright in the the previous books but when you throw in the heightened tension of Franco and evil angels trying to kill everyone and you know Nazi's it cranks up the oh gods meter up quite a lot. The how will they make it out of this base, how will they make it out of Spain and to France. Will they be safe. It doesn't skimp on the details of how Franco came to power and the effects it had.
With saying that I absolutely loved this latest addition to the book I love how much Rafael has grown in this book but he is still a cocky teenager out to prove himself and that he still has to face the consequences of that. The war isnt leaving anyone unscathed in this.
I liked how Nico changed in this book and that he was more than just Jordi's lover that he was a scientist albeit one that did terrible terrible things.
I also liked how Diego was able to connect with his demonic nature and powers but not lose himself to feelings of pain and darkness that he was able to find the necessary balance he needed in this lifetime.
The relationships in this series are what gives it its backbone of queer found family and queerness in general with the French nefil queen and her lady consort. It is this casual queerness that is ever expanding with each book that makes me relish each page of this series. The relationship of Diego and Miquel is complex and fascinating and not an entirely smooth road which I like because they havent to work through the weight of 4 different past lives occasionally rearing their heads to throw a rench in things.
This series continues to impress me with its ferocity and also gentleness that characters can go through great trauma and come out the other end with their support network helping and holding them.
Hopefully everyone makes it through the war mostly in tact as we've reached the point before the invasion of France by the germans.
With saying that I absolutely loved this latest addition to the book I love how much Rafael has grown in this book but he is still a cocky teenager out to prove himself and that he still has to face the consequences of that. The war isnt leaving anyone unscathed in this.
I liked how Nico changed in this book and that he was more than just Jordi's lover that he was a scientist albeit one that did terrible terrible things.
I also liked how Diego was able to connect with his demonic nature and powers but not lose himself to feelings of pain and darkness that he was able to find the necessary balance he needed in this lifetime.
The relationships in this series are what gives it its backbone of queer found family and queerness in general with the French nefil queen and her lady consort. It is this casual queerness that is ever expanding with each book that makes me relish each page of this series. The relationship of Diego and Miquel is complex and fascinating and not an entirely smooth road which I like because they havent to work through the weight of 4 different past lives occasionally rearing their heads to throw a rench in things.
This series continues to impress me with its ferocity and also gentleness that characters can go through great trauma and come out the other end with their support network helping and holding them.
Hopefully everyone makes it through the war mostly in tact as we've reached the point before the invasion of France by the germans.
lymanhdung's review
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
badmc's review
4.0
Spanish Civil War found our protagonists on the defensive, fleeing to France. Alas, on the Pyrenees, something foul is afoot.
This continues to be great alternate history with magic that comes from music (my favorite magical trope, but usually poorly done - not so here!), engaging characters, and tight plot that usually makes me read deep into the night. I look forward to continuing this story for however long the author continues with it.
This continues to be great alternate history with magic that comes from music (my favorite magical trope, but usually poorly done - not so here!), engaging characters, and tight plot that usually makes me read deep into the night. I look forward to continuing this story for however long the author continues with it.
upsidedown10's review
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book was incredibly tense for me. I spent a lot of my time with it with anxiety in my stomach. I care so much about these characters and their well-being that this one was hard for me. It starts in the middle of the Spanish Civil War, something that I always saw coming, but I was never ready to really see. This entire book takes place in an enemy base with some character being captured and some sneaking around in disguise. It was incredibly stressful to watch, but I have a lot of trust in the author at this point. These books are made on the basis that change for the better is not only possible, but the only way to live (at least for the protagonists; I'll wait and see for the antagonists). Watching the relationship between Diago and Miquel change and shift was so interesting. It feels like Diago is almost fully actualized as a character. He has learned the lessons that he needed to and now it's Miquel's turn. I also loved watching Rafael and how he takes his first tentative steps towards adulthood.
I feel like I can see where some elements of this series are going and I'm not sure if I'm ready for them. Will the series end soon? On the cusp of WWII? Or will we go through the war? Will the main characters stay the main characters throughout all this time or will there be a changing of the guard? Either way, I will be there to find out.
I feel like I can see where some elements of this series are going and I'm not sure if I'm ready for them. Will the series end soon? On the cusp of WWII? Or will we go through the war? Will the main characters stay the main characters throughout all this time or will there be a changing of the guard? Either way, I will be there to find out.
qace90's review
5.0
God, I love this series so much! The blend of history, mythology, and magic is so wonderfully done, it’s so hard to put the book down! And the way events among the nefilim is echoing and influencing the events leading up to WWII! Sometimes graphic and painful to read, I love these characters and this story so much~ and that ending feels like so much foreshadowing! Can’t wait to start the next book! (Good thing I have an arc
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