Review: Great story told with heart
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 23, 2013
I can honestly say that Tears of Heaven is one of the most original and affecting stories I have ever had the pleasure of reading.Like any urban fantasy novel it is set in the real world involving the coexistence between humans and paranormal creatures.As the author, McCandless, states in the story, meeting an angel is the scariest,most life-altering moment of any mortal's short existence. Del is a perfect example.The plot unfolds on two planes - past and present. I confess I enjoyed the past story more. In past times, 223BCE, the main character Del, is a slave tall, proud, strong, beautiful, wearing only heavy shackles, traded to Damascus aka Dami for twenty-nine shekels.In present day, Omedelia bar-Azazel, is an assassin for the Throne. In comparison with mortals, who bred and birthed like rabbits, there were only a few like her, half-breeds born of disobedience and lust. She hunts and kills rogue divinities. She receives a job that she doesn't like. Yet the Throne doesn't care what Del likes or doesn't like. The Throne's interdiction made abundantly clear, likes or dislikes, failure or success, she existed so long as she was useful. Omnia glorium Solii- All for the glory of the Throne. Her fee will include exclusion from the List for an additional five years.Del's hand-to hand combat and the pirate battles reminded me of the many beautiful role-play games I used to play, or of a dear to me series-Highlander.Tears of Heaven is a gripping, dark, and gritty read that not only keeps you in suspense constantly, it psychologically melts you and your emotions with every chapter. As the plot thickens, you are compelled to read the next chapter, and it feels like at any second a major plot twist can happen. Tears of Heaven is an on the edge of your seat novel that keeps you begging for more. The entire book has a spontaneous energy that works very well because you never quite know what is going to happen next.