Scorn of Angels (The Descended)

These types of book (extreme fantasy, sci-fi, dark fiction) are often overwritten or so heavy-handed that they aren't enjoyable to read, and yet Kennedy manages to nail a tone and a plot that is a perfect balance of philosophy, fiction, sex, violence, scheming, and even humor. After reading the first book in the series, I was bound to pick up the second, and I'm very glad that I did. I think that Nyx is one of my favorite new villains that I love to hate, and instead of being a one-dimensional "destroy the world" type baddie, she has a real personality and a sinister aura that Kennedy clearly enjoyed writing. Delving into the imagined battles between angels and devils is hardly a new approach to fiction, but this is something quite unique, in that we see the sides of good and evil, but also the grey area in between, where one side occasionally dips their toes for their own ends. Kennedy gave these larger than life characters insecurities, fears, ambitions, and emotions just like humans, and then lets them play out their epic quests for power in a book that will keep you riveted to a chair until the very last page. It's hard to create an imaginary war between potentially imaginary beings and have readers still be able to engage and care, but Kennedy managed to really grab me by the throat and never let me go. The tongue-in-cheek humor and sexy elements were unexpected, but delightful, surprises in this book, and I will certainly be picking up more of Kennedy's writing in the future.

Trigger warning: These novels (both Plague of Angels and Scorn of Angels) contain subject matter some will find incredibly disturbing.The Descended series is philosophically complicated. A lot of atheists would likely loathe it, a plethora of Christians would likely want to burn it, and some agnostics might well say "heck yeah!" Your reaction will likely depend on your personal religious or philosophical beliefs. And those who would be most moved to outrage are the least likely to make it to the end of the second book before tossing them down and declaring them, "stupid!"John Patrick Kennedy isn't writing "stupid" or for the stupid. He's writing a nuanced, well crafted fictionalization of many of the well known and beloved religions and philosophies. Are there problems with accuracy? Yeah. I can overlook it.Scorn of Angels is not a stand alone novel. You should absolutely read Plague of Angels first because, even though it is the less brilliant of the two novels, it is the one that sets everything up. It is also the more offensive and triggering of the two novels. All that said, I absolutely loved them. Rarely have I read work from a new writer that so thoroughly captured my attention and imagination that I almost feel compelled to make everyone I know read it. I can't really do that with these novels, simply because of the subject matter. Which is, well, complicated.Absent the articulation of religion, looking simply at the story itself... It's a pretty decent story. The plot is occasionally predictable, occasionally his side characters are a bit one dimensional, and sometimes the dialogue is a bit pedestrian but it's not at all painful. Some of the devices he uses to demonstrate the Bad Person-ness of a character, no matter how shocking or appalling it is, gets a bit repetitive. But making the horrific mundane is sort of the point, I think.

Scorn of Angels, by John Patrick Kennedy, is a fitting book for those that love a combination of fiction, fantasy and great suspense. It by no means exemplifies the biblical role of God, Jesus, and the angels, though the realities of hell would embrace a common agreement. I describe John Patrick Kennedy's writing as a forerunner and taking fantasy to another level. Using his past, his imagination, and passion for writing, he has succeeded in developing a plot that begs the reader to want to know how the drama will play out.This story depicts the conflict between heaven and hell, where good and evil clash. God's Son called Tribunal (Jesus) has put Nyx, Queen of hell in a box where she is continually tormented. Housed in the lake of fire it is Nyx that desires to escape this torment and devises a plan. With striking detail the reader will enter into the heart of dark angels, learning of their motives and plans.The action and suspense is ongoing where Tribunal, along with Lucifer and the descended Angels devise schemes to destroy humanity. It has mature themes woven throughout but will become an enjoyable book if no parts are taken literal but merely as a highly creative work of fiction.

After reading the first book of the Descended series, I wasn't quite sure whether I'd continue to the next. Sure, the "characters" were one-of-a-kind and memorable, sexy, and intriguing, but I worried that there was going to be more of a religious bent as the series progressed, perhaps even getting into a preachy, deeper meaning-type approach, but I still wanted to give the second book a shot. I was very pleased to discover that there was more scheming, sex, humor, torture, battles, and sinister intentions that the first book contained, and instead of making religion a central focus of the book in any way, it deconstructed a lot of the ideas that religion often discusses. Nyx is one of my favorite characters in recent reading, and although she's certainly the nemesis figure in these books, some small part of us is also rooting for her. To create any sympathy for these characters is an impressive enough achievement, but to manage to twist them all into such an exquisite plot shows a true gift for storytelling. Frankly, I just can't wait to see what comes next...

Firstly, if you haven't read book one in this 'series', do so! Don't read the blurb on this one, not even the first sentence.If, on the other hand, you have read the first book and are wondering book 2 is as good, if the continuity works, if the characters evolve, etc?Well yes, it is, it does and they do...in spades!Not much I can say without spoiling the gospel according to Patrick (Kennedy), for potential readers, so I won't say much, other than...this is a tale like none that you have read before.It is a story for adults only, I would suggest. Oh and...it's an absolute blast!I can't wait for more.

The second book in the series. You do have to read the first book as this one follows on from it and you won't have much idea what's going on if you haven't read the first book.Once again a fabulously well written book with twists you never expected and who'd have thought the son of God could be such an evil bugger???Still loving Nyx as much as in the first book but I've also become a rather big fan of Persephone too.

I'm no prude, but the first book was a bit too salacious. Not necessarily because I found it offensive, after a while it got boring with pages of description of tortures and sexual acts. In spite of that it was still a good story that made me stick around for the second. It was much more toned down in the second book so you could focus more on the plot and action. It was an interesting premise from beginning to end and I got involved with the characters.

This is one of the best stories I have ever read. John has taken an impossible task and successfully woven it into a great tale full of enough sex violence and bad language to fill Hell and enough love forgiveness and worship to fill Heaven.

Excellent sequel. Really enjoyable and gripping .I have read this in one sitting and have enjoyed every moment of it.