The Crippled Angel

by Sara Douglass

Book Overview

The world that the former monk Thomas Neville knows is crumbling about him. The Holy Mother Church of Rome is losing its power and men are coming to question the nature of religion and the role of those who rule them by sword and cross.Thomas knows that it is not merely the dawning of a new time for men to try to think and judge for themselves but it is a direct result of the rift in the fabric of the world, where demons have escaped their prison...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0765303647
• ISBN13: 9780765303646
• Release Date: January 2006
• Publisher: Tor Books
• Length: 365 Pages
• Weight: 1.52 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.4" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

a great read

I fell in love with Sara Douglass when I happened to read the Wayfarer Redemption. Her style was different and pleasant. However I did not get much into her Troy Games series and all these long series were starting to be "boring". Things you saw coming and it lacked that little spark that made the first books really good. When I first glanced at this series, I was surprised and quite guarded. But I devoured the books. It was different. It was very different. A new approach from her other books, but a good one. I had to wait a good while to get my hands on the last book and I cannot say I was disapointed. Yes there were one or two things that were a little odd and that we could really see coming, but in the grand scheme of the story, it worked out quite well. five stars, it was wonderful to read something different from her, makes me think I might need to go hunt for more good books like this now!

When white is black - a rewrite of Christian beliefs

Orleans and Agincourt. Fair King Hal, the Demon King. Joan of Arc, super heroine, beloved of the evil archangel and the French, martyr par excellens.King Charles the coward, made great.The absurdly conflicted protagonist, Thomas Nevillle fits rather well in this world, where the supremely powerful angels are grossly lecherous and ever so evil, and their demon children are sort of loveable. The author's uncanny ability to weave a gripping tale from such dubious elements is remarkable. Devout Christians will certainly be outraged at this harshly revisionist treatment of their icons, and pagans will bemoan yet another theological false creed twisting the real world into unfamiliar landscapes. The author's Troy Games series remains her best accomplishment, but this concluding volume of The Crucible is not bad.

A fascinating time in English and French history

Sara Douglass concludes her Crucible series with this third book that takes place among the royal courts of 14th-century England and France in an altered reality that closely resembles our own, but for the interference of angels in mortal affairs. I didn't fall in love with the series, but this is a very interesting time in English (and French) history, and Douglass definitely has a way with words!

Finally...Douglass gets it right...

After some rather disappointing conclusions to her huge epic series like the six book Wayfarer Redemption Series and the Troy Game Series, finally Douglass comes up with a satisfying ending for me. After reading the three books in under two weeks, this stunning finale between angels and demons will leave a lasting impression on me for a long while. I think the main reason why I enjoyed this series so much, and the final book especially, was because of the characters. Each of them has their fears, doubts, strengths and weaknesses, making them their role in the story enjoyable. For the first time in any of her series, Douglass makes me like all the main characters. In this book, the characters' accomplishments and downfalls lifted me and saddened me in turn. This series and final book showcases a character-driven story that develops into how relationships can be strengthened and how fragile some relationships are. My only qualm about this final book was that some plot bits were a bit predictable. But that might actually end up being a good thing as it made me read faster to see if I was right. Another thing was this book was a lot shorter than the previous two books, making Douglass jump quickly from plot point to plot point, but then again she didn't drag out anything. Though I wish there was more to read. So I highly recommend reading this series even if the first one was a bit slow and a little irritating (but that's for another review). Not only will you get a history lesson of sorts about Kings of England and religion at that time period but a satisfying feeling after reading the three books.

excellent alternate historical medieval fantasy

In 1381 Europe is on the brink of destruction as so many no longer believe the Church as is the center of their lives. Rome has lost control with heresies arising everywhere and the affluent increasingly demanding more; peasants doubt scripture as they seek a better life on earth rather than wait for their heavenly reward. Much of the collapse is beyond Rome's control. Demons have escaped their eternal prison and are poised to breech the gates of Heaven. The Great Archangel Michael orders pious monk Thomas Neville to destroy demons cloaked as humans. However, on his quest for what he initially assumes will be his ticket to heaven, Thomas begins to have doubts that he is on the right side especially when he encounters heretics who make sense in their criticism of the Roman Church. Besides agreeing with dissenters like Father John, he also concedes there are probably demons using mortal form to cause dissension. Unbeknownst to him his soul is the battlefield of Armageddon, but which side is good and which is evil remain the question and the fate of the world rests on Thomas's choice The final tale in the Crucible trilogy is a terrific novel that brings together this excellent alternate historical medieval fantasy. The audience needs to read the previous books first as the dangling threads from THE NAMELESS DAY and THE WOUNDED HAWK lead up to this stirring climax. Thomas is a fabulous representative of the age as he satiates his mortal needs when he has a chance but also begins to live up to his name as a doubter. Mindful of James Blish's fabulous Heavenly War duet (see BLACK EASTER and DAY AFTER JUDGMENT) though they take place in different times, fans of angelic-demon war thrillers will appreciate this miniseries as the fantastic whole is greater than the separate parts. Harriet Klausner