A review by readabookortwo
Angels Before Man by rafael nicolás

challenging dark tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

2.0

THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS

Okay, Angel's Before Man, where to start. Where can I even start I don't know. For the first part of this book, I was convinced it could be a 5* read, the writing was lyrical, I liked seeing Lucifer create these friendships and relationships with all of the angels it was all so beautiful and heartwarming, all of part one was. 

However, things went very wrong very quickly. The bare bones of Lucifer and his descent really start in part one, the way he hates himself and is so insecure of himself and the way meeting Michael is the turning point for him and I feel the bones of Lucifer starting to realise his own worth and beauty really start at the end of part one but obviously continue heavily into part two.

Now, I'm not a religious person and I understand that this book healed a lot of religious trauma for other people I get that, I really, really do but the second half of this book for me, was horrific. I actually started to hate read it. I still do not understand the motivation of God raping Lucifer or for that matter, why Asmodeus assaulted Rosier. I really liked the exploration of God and how maybe He isnt a good person(?) And how He is power hungry, jealous maybe that He is a sinner that He doesnt really love the angels, just wants to feel powerful and the way Lucifer questions that I loved all of that because it's a reading of God I've always had but him raping Lucifer was a big step too far for me and i wish there was a different motivation for Lucifer and his descent into his own Godhood.

You know the book isnt going to have a happily ever after that much is obvious but in a way you absolutely crave it, you want Lucifer to have the happily ever.

The quote "Is Father good because He is good or because He says He is good" is my favourite quote in the book and really showcases what Lucifer is starting to learn about Heaven and God and what is happening around him.

Also the relationship between Michael and Lucifer I'm sorry nah, with them constantly calling each other brother it just nope not here for it I'm sorry.

I also feel like so many sentences could have been cut from this book so much of the prose was so long winded and boring in all honesty.

I know people love this and I respect it and honestly I really do understand why they love it. I however, I cant even say I hated it because I loved the first half but the second half I hated I really did so I'm not even sure where that leaves me to be honest. 

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