This book is about the human descendants of angels and demons, after a cosmic battle where evil lost. Centuries later in an era which echoes the Wild West/Just After The Wild West, the living humans dig up demon bones to create wonderful artifices and intricate divine-steampunk machines. These marvelous tools are used by the angelic-upper class to oppress the demonic-lower classes.
This book is a murder mystery. The government is set upon punishing the protagonist’s sister for the crime of murder, even though the protag’s sister is probably innocent. Why? Because the protagonist’s sister is descended from demons, while the government are descended from angels, so they’re deeply antagonistic against one another.
The protagonist solve the murder, overcome the racism laden within this system of saints and sinners, and maybe create a miracle or two along a way.
Spoilers Below. I’m writing this review in good faith, as one author reviewing another’s book, trying to balance positives with negatives.
WHAT IS THE TARGET AUDIENCE? WHAT GENRES? WHAT MAJOR TROPES?
- 16+. Adults are the target audience.
- A frank discussion of racism
- Angels and demons
- The Wild West
- Steampunk-tech powered by the dead body of a fallen demon
- A murder mystery.
- Short! This book is only 200 pages.
- And excellent audiobook.
MY EMOTIONAL RESPONSE/ FUN FACTOR
I had a great time reading this. I can heartily recommend this for anyone in the mood for fun worldbuilding or a good audiobook or a wester. In terms of sheer quality per page, this is the best book I’ve read this year so far.
John Mendez- Book Reviews and More 