A review by brianhagan
The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
5.0
I enjoyed reading this book just as much as I enjoyed The Shadow of the Wind. Though much darker, this prequel (which is loosely tied to the 1st book in the series) had me hooked from the first few chapters, all the way through til the end.
I must admit that this novel had me a bit lost towards the end, and there are still some questions I have as to what actually happened. Though I think I understand a lot of what happened, it left me scouring the internet in hopes of getting a fuller explanation of the ending. Unfortunately, finding one is not easy. I did find, however, that the 3rd installment of this series helps answer a lot of the questions revolving around the end of this novel. Needless to say, I have already purchased the 3rd and 4th installments of this series, and eagerly await revealing the answers to these questions, and once more being immersed in 1900s Barcelona (and hopefully reunited with some of the characters I've grown to love).
This book - as Ruiz Zafón has mentioned numerous times about all books in this series - can be read as a standalone...although I will say that I feel I enjoyed this book more having read The Shadow of the Wind previously. I would highly recommend reading that book as well, although based on the two stories, I feel it's fair to say that the order doesn't necessarily matter.
Overall, another 5-star rating for Ruiz Zafón (who has quickly become one of my favorite authors), and I am excited to begin the 3rd installment of this incredible series!
I must admit that this novel had me a bit lost towards the end, and there are still some questions I have as to what actually happened. Though I think I understand a lot of what happened, it left me scouring the internet in hopes of getting a fuller explanation of the ending. Unfortunately, finding one is not easy. I did find, however, that the 3rd installment of this series helps answer a lot of the questions revolving around the end of this novel. Needless to say, I have already purchased the 3rd and 4th installments of this series, and eagerly await revealing the answers to these questions, and once more being immersed in 1900s Barcelona (and hopefully reunited with some of the characters I've grown to love).
This book - as Ruiz Zafón has mentioned numerous times about all books in this series - can be read as a standalone...although I will say that I feel I enjoyed this book more having read The Shadow of the Wind previously. I would highly recommend reading that book as well, although based on the two stories, I feel it's fair to say that the order doesn't necessarily matter.
Overall, another 5-star rating for Ruiz Zafón (who has quickly become one of my favorite authors), and I am excited to begin the 3rd installment of this incredible series!