A Kiss Before The Apocalypse (2008) - Plot & Excerpts
What a great book, and a wonderful series! The Remy Chandler novels by Thomas Sniegoski are dark and gritty detective tales with a difference: the detective, Remy Chandler, is a Seraphim, a warrior angel who left heaven in search of his own humanity. Remy's angelic nature (and his wings!) are firmly held in check, until occasionally required - generally in battle. One delightful side benefit of an angelic nature is that Remy can speak every language on earth, including that of animals. He has great conversations with Marlowe, his black lab, and occasional (snobby) cats that he comes across. Remy's relationship with Marlowe is well done, and touching, as is his relationship with his best friend, Steven, a policeman. A Kiss Before the Apocalypse is the first book in this series, and sets the stage. Remy had settled down in Boston with the love of his life, bought a house, got a dog, and built a life, only to have it threatened when his wife gets cancer. Remy struggles with her illness while investigating a series of strange events which lead to him being contracted to find a missing angel, Israfil, and battle to keep earth safe. An excellent, engrossing, unique story. One of the most amazing things about this,the first in a trilogy of books by an apparantly wel known fantasy writer,is how completely it had slipped me by.Five years is a long time for word to get out,and in spite of the bombardment of recommendations we get online, I believe the title of this one alone would have hooked me if I had been exposed to it.In fact, it was at a library sale that I saw and acquired the 2nd volume,attracted by the title. When I realized it was the 2nd volume,I did not let that deter me from beginning it. I have had some success with this method of sampling. In this case, I was intruiged enough,almost halfway through it,to stop and get the whole version of the backstory.....and more details on the backstory behind that.For the scope of the series covers the vast distances in time and space between the fall of Lucifers and his expulsion from heaven, and a time and context pretty close to now.Remiel Chandler is the ex-patriot angel who turned his back on heaven,in despair over the division.His pal Francis fought on the other side,in that civil war,but on earth,where the two have chosen to make there home,they may be the only two who care to avert the apocalypse.Populated with outrageous and often menacing characters from the fallout of that heavenly war,AKbtA explores many of the pertinent theological questions over the ages.Leavened with rough humor and love of dogs, the writing occassionally seemed a bit dumbed down,pedestrian with flashes of eloquence,for the most part the perfect container for material that won't stay classified.'He looked to the Heavens,searching for a sign from God,anything that indicayed He would step in and make things right. But he could see nothing,and it didn;t surprise him in the least. God is funny that way.....' p256/7
What do You think about A Kiss Before The Apocalypse (2008)?
Loved it, reminded me of the Nightside novels by Simon R. Green. I can't wait to read more
—Sarah
Decent series. Not as engrossing as Dresden, Sandman Slim or October Daye but fun.
—Mandy
