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Evolution of Angels
After finding characteristics of the "angelic" genetic code hidden throughout the human population, a secret agency decides to recreate angels of their own. The agency's "Double-Helix project" manipulates the gene sequences in certain humans, creating soldiers who can wield the armor and weapons of angels known as the "Aurascales": a sentient armor that forms a symbiotic relationship with its host. In the pursuit of genetic perfection, and the hopes of helping his wife conceive a child, William Sanderson splices the DNA of an angelic donor with that of an unborn child, potentially making a warrior far superior to anything they've seen before. When the boy's abilities can't be controlled, his memory is erased, his powers locked behind a mental wall, and his mother takes him on the run, leaving Sanderson and everyone else to believe them dead. One day, to battle a desperate force from another realm, the boy is unwittingly recruited by the agency, and Sanderson fears the mental wall may be broken.
337 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2014
4 people are currently reading
433 people want to read
About the author
Nathan Wall
8Ìýbooks35ÌýfollowersI am a husband, father, author and wanna-be part-time superhero (because new legislation limits the benefits and tax deductions I can receive as a full-timer) who lives in Texas. I’ve tried just about every self-starting venture known to man, and writing just happens to be one I don’t suck at...or do I? I don’t know, you be the judge.
I’ve been creating stories since before I can remember. I say creating stories, and not writing them, because - as a boy - I had a healthy addiction to superhero action figures, and used to stage my own homemade adventures/movies in my room. Long before the days of the Avengers, and the announcement of Bat-Fleck being in Man of Steel 2, superheroes all over creation were joining forces on my bed...wait, that was just last week.
I am a sports junky, travel enthusiast, and beer connoisseur. I’ve lived in Europe and all over the States, and I can tell where in the world a person grew up by whether or not they say “as well,� “also� or “too,� even though all three pretty much mean the same thing.
I hope you enjoy my writing as much as I do (though I doubt it), and images of my characters flying through the air and crashing through the roof of your local grocery store are forever painted on your mind while you’re in the checkout line. No? Am I the only one?
This was supposed to be an “about the author�, and turned into a rambling. Whatever. As Robbie Hart would say, “Well, I have a microphone (metaphorically) and you don’t. So you will listen to every damn word I have to say.�
I would love to hear from my supposed fans. You can find me here on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ, or stop by the Evolution of Angels Facebook page, give it a like, and send me a message.
I’ve been creating stories since before I can remember. I say creating stories, and not writing them, because - as a boy - I had a healthy addiction to superhero action figures, and used to stage my own homemade adventures/movies in my room. Long before the days of the Avengers, and the announcement of Bat-Fleck being in Man of Steel 2, superheroes all over creation were joining forces on my bed...wait, that was just last week.
I am a sports junky, travel enthusiast, and beer connoisseur. I’ve lived in Europe and all over the States, and I can tell where in the world a person grew up by whether or not they say “as well,� “also� or “too,� even though all three pretty much mean the same thing.
I hope you enjoy my writing as much as I do (though I doubt it), and images of my characters flying through the air and crashing through the roof of your local grocery store are forever painted on your mind while you’re in the checkout line. No? Am I the only one?
This was supposed to be an “about the author�, and turned into a rambling. Whatever. As Robbie Hart would say, “Well, I have a microphone (metaphorically) and you don’t. So you will listen to every damn word I have to say.�
I would love to hear from my supposed fans. You can find me here on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ, or stop by the Evolution of Angels Facebook page, give it a like, and send me a message.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 5, 2014
I have had the honor of receiving an ARC for an honest review. Thank you, Nathan Wall.
The title “Evolution of Angels� is quite deceptive, as this book is not really about angels. Not in the form or from the point of view you would expect, anyway. It is an action-adventure/ urban fantasy/ science fiction novel that deals with superheroes who fight to save the world.
Theme & Plot
The eternal good versus evil theme is not hidden, but presented in a direct way, and we know from the beginning who is good and who is not. We have the angels and the superheroes derived from the angels� essence on one side, and the creatures of the underworld � some of which you will recognize from Greek mythology and some newly-created by the author � on the other.The plot develops on different levels: present and past, human and supernatural. While the main plot seems to take over the novel, with the endless fights between supernatural beings, the secondary plots give a shape to the story, especially to its human side. Each character comes with his baggage, his inner fights and problems. While the author does not insist on these, it still gives us some insight into the characters� lives.
Characters
The source of the characters seems to have its roots both in mythology � we encounter angels, Cyclops, satyrs, the Minotaur, Charon � and in video games - superheroes with their detailed armors and fantastic weaponry.
Author’s attitude towards his characters is detached, you don’t feel that he has a close connection or preference toward any of them.
As to character delineation, most of the characters are sketched, the author paying more attention to their appearance and especially their armors, than to the psychological or moral traits. The motivation behind their actions is well defined, though. The author prefers to “show� rather than “tell�, a laudable characteristic of his style. The numerous flashbacks in the novel show the motivation that drives them.
The characters are not static, but they change, drastically sometimes, from human beings to superheroes with amazing powers, or, in one case, from a tough researcher who disconsiders human life to a caring father and husband, when given a second chance.
My favorite character was Oreios, as he is portrayed with a sense of humor and is the only impartial character in the book; a mercenary monster who doesn’t care about anybody but himself and who chooses which fight is worth fighting by weighing the advantages that it would bring him. I also liked the way the angels are presented, not as innocent chubby cherubs, but as powerful (fully grown-up) beings, dressed in impenetrable armors and making use of weapons. They have a conscience, and they carry their memories from thousands of years ago.
Setting
In his story, the author makes us travel all over the world and beyond: from the Middle East to Russia and then to Texas; from the world as we know it to the underworld; from a normal, earthly environment to a secret base; from the outside to the inside of someone’s head. At one time, we even follow him through space, having a beautiful image of the Earth from out there.
Style
Nathan Wall’s diction floats between casual and slang, making you feel “at home� in his book. He is very original in the way he avoids “he said�/ “she said� tags after or before dialogue lines, by replacing them with action phrases, showing that the action takes place at the same time as the speech.
What I want to highlight is the dialogue itself: it is dominating the book, and I consider it a praiseworthy characteristic of Nathan Wall’s style.
Criticism
I would have liked to know more about the characters, about their personality. At the end of the story, I remained detached and could not relate to any of them.
Also, I think the endless fight scenes take place much too often.
I wish the author had put as much time and effort in describing the characters as he did in describing the fights.
Recommendation
This book will be loved by science fiction readers, and especially by those who enjoy playing RPGs (role-playing games).
The title “Evolution of Angels� is quite deceptive, as this book is not really about angels. Not in the form or from the point of view you would expect, anyway. It is an action-adventure/ urban fantasy/ science fiction novel that deals with superheroes who fight to save the world.
Theme & Plot
The eternal good versus evil theme is not hidden, but presented in a direct way, and we know from the beginning who is good and who is not. We have the angels and the superheroes derived from the angels� essence on one side, and the creatures of the underworld � some of which you will recognize from Greek mythology and some newly-created by the author � on the other.The plot develops on different levels: present and past, human and supernatural. While the main plot seems to take over the novel, with the endless fights between supernatural beings, the secondary plots give a shape to the story, especially to its human side. Each character comes with his baggage, his inner fights and problems. While the author does not insist on these, it still gives us some insight into the characters� lives.
Characters
The source of the characters seems to have its roots both in mythology � we encounter angels, Cyclops, satyrs, the Minotaur, Charon � and in video games - superheroes with their detailed armors and fantastic weaponry.
Author’s attitude towards his characters is detached, you don’t feel that he has a close connection or preference toward any of them.
As to character delineation, most of the characters are sketched, the author paying more attention to their appearance and especially their armors, than to the psychological or moral traits. The motivation behind their actions is well defined, though. The author prefers to “show� rather than “tell�, a laudable characteristic of his style. The numerous flashbacks in the novel show the motivation that drives them.
The characters are not static, but they change, drastically sometimes, from human beings to superheroes with amazing powers, or, in one case, from a tough researcher who disconsiders human life to a caring father and husband, when given a second chance.
My favorite character was Oreios, as he is portrayed with a sense of humor and is the only impartial character in the book; a mercenary monster who doesn’t care about anybody but himself and who chooses which fight is worth fighting by weighing the advantages that it would bring him. I also liked the way the angels are presented, not as innocent chubby cherubs, but as powerful (fully grown-up) beings, dressed in impenetrable armors and making use of weapons. They have a conscience, and they carry their memories from thousands of years ago.
Setting
In his story, the author makes us travel all over the world and beyond: from the Middle East to Russia and then to Texas; from the world as we know it to the underworld; from a normal, earthly environment to a secret base; from the outside to the inside of someone’s head. At one time, we even follow him through space, having a beautiful image of the Earth from out there.
Style
Nathan Wall’s diction floats between casual and slang, making you feel “at home� in his book. He is very original in the way he avoids “he said�/ “she said� tags after or before dialogue lines, by replacing them with action phrases, showing that the action takes place at the same time as the speech.
What I want to highlight is the dialogue itself: it is dominating the book, and I consider it a praiseworthy characteristic of Nathan Wall’s style.
Criticism
I would have liked to know more about the characters, about their personality. At the end of the story, I remained detached and could not relate to any of them.
Also, I think the endless fight scenes take place much too often.
I wish the author had put as much time and effort in describing the characters as he did in describing the fights.
Recommendation
This book will be loved by science fiction readers, and especially by those who enjoy playing RPGs (role-playing games).
June 6, 2014
I was given this book as part of a free giveaway on Facebook.
I was a little bit weary of self pub authors when I was sent this book. It showed up in my news feed as a "if you like this, then check out this" recommendation. After reading it, I'm going to have to start giving indie authors some real consideration.
The thing I liked best, and I see it's been touched on by author reviewers, is how vividly the actions and details of the characters are presented. I felt like I was watching a summer block-buster, and if this book gets half the hype stuff like the Hunger Games and Divergent have, then I suspect I will.
There are a lot of characters in this book. It felt like a combination of watching Game of Thrones and X-Men. I think there are a total of 16-18 characters with major speaking roles, and you get into the motivations and descriptions of all of them. There were two characters, in particular, that really stood out in terms of getting to identify with them. They were Jarrod and Lian, and by the end of the novel you can pretty much guess they're the main characters.
My favorite character was Oreios. He's like a Loki meets Tyrion Lannister. He's probably the most efficiently written character in the book, and I wanted more of him. He has all the best lines, and does some pretty cool and unexpected stuff. His quote in Episode 8 was awesome. I won't ruin it for you, but you'll know it when you see it.
The book is pretty much set up in two halves. The first half is a high-drama, with action as the accent. In the second half, the roles reverse. The same themes, plot devices and characters that propel the story constantly change. In each episode, various characters are shifted up and down the ladder of importance. This was a cool thing, but also the one thing the novel may have going against it.
Because the novel does a great job of focusing on such a large cast, you feel the main heroes you should really root for are less important. Maybe that was a good thing because I never really got complacent and never felt someone was automatically safe.
There are a bunch of really clever twists and "oh shit" moments when certain plot points are revealed. There's a lot of characters getting killed off, and in very descriptive ways. When one bad guy had is arm snapped in half at the elbow in Episode 5, I grabbed my arm and went "eww."
There were a few misplaced punctuation marks throughout the novel, but nothing major. They didn't phase me, mostly because the story was great.
The After Credits scene (hidden after the Acknowledgements and About the Author) is a clever trick I've never seen before. It teases the next novel, which were learn the name of on the last page, along with the tagline "There will be war."
Yeah, damn right there will be.
I was a little bit weary of self pub authors when I was sent this book. It showed up in my news feed as a "if you like this, then check out this" recommendation. After reading it, I'm going to have to start giving indie authors some real consideration.
The thing I liked best, and I see it's been touched on by author reviewers, is how vividly the actions and details of the characters are presented. I felt like I was watching a summer block-buster, and if this book gets half the hype stuff like the Hunger Games and Divergent have, then I suspect I will.
There are a lot of characters in this book. It felt like a combination of watching Game of Thrones and X-Men. I think there are a total of 16-18 characters with major speaking roles, and you get into the motivations and descriptions of all of them. There were two characters, in particular, that really stood out in terms of getting to identify with them. They were Jarrod and Lian, and by the end of the novel you can pretty much guess they're the main characters.
My favorite character was Oreios. He's like a Loki meets Tyrion Lannister. He's probably the most efficiently written character in the book, and I wanted more of him. He has all the best lines, and does some pretty cool and unexpected stuff. His quote in Episode 8 was awesome. I won't ruin it for you, but you'll know it when you see it.
The book is pretty much set up in two halves. The first half is a high-drama, with action as the accent. In the second half, the roles reverse. The same themes, plot devices and characters that propel the story constantly change. In each episode, various characters are shifted up and down the ladder of importance. This was a cool thing, but also the one thing the novel may have going against it.
Because the novel does a great job of focusing on such a large cast, you feel the main heroes you should really root for are less important. Maybe that was a good thing because I never really got complacent and never felt someone was automatically safe.
There are a bunch of really clever twists and "oh shit" moments when certain plot points are revealed. There's a lot of characters getting killed off, and in very descriptive ways. When one bad guy had is arm snapped in half at the elbow in Episode 5, I grabbed my arm and went "eww."
There were a few misplaced punctuation marks throughout the novel, but nothing major. They didn't phase me, mostly because the story was great.
The After Credits scene (hidden after the Acknowledgements and About the Author) is a clever trick I've never seen before. It teases the next novel, which were learn the name of on the last page, along with the tagline "There will be war."
Yeah, damn right there will be.
June 5, 2014
FIRST REVIEW YUS!!!!!!!!!
From the beginning I was hooked. ANGELS?!!! HELL YEAH!
Now, this book is a little mix of everything. Angel lore, war, science fiction and brotherhood. THe mind of Nathan Wall is quite extravagant.
His writing style is smooth and sophisticated. Throughout every scene, I was able to clearly picture the setting and actions.
A characteristic of Nathan's style is using commas like breath marks in music to add a short, brief pause to create a certain tone. This is a style I use as well, and it is very... tasteful in a sort of way. It's like my mind is able to breathe in a long sentence.
Another aspect of his style is his dialogue. Rather than keep to the basic he said, she said, he expands the action and creates a clearer picture. So rather than:
"OW!" he cried.
Nathan Wall says:
"OW!" he rubbed the tender spot furiously to rid himself of the discomfort.
I noticed I tend to do this as well. Maybe it's the similarities of styles that maybe attracted me to his writing. Or maybe it's just really that good. But regardless, I recommend this book to ALL paranormal, war, and action fanatics.
And the ending... UGH!!!! WARNING! A HUGE PAINFUL CLIFFHANGER!!!! Now, Nathan. You sir, are cruel. NOW I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL YOU FINISH WRITING A SEQUEL!!!!! D':
Overall. Amazing. Enough said.
Congratulations Nathan. You've written yourself a damn good book.
FIVE STARS!!!
From the beginning I was hooked. ANGELS?!!! HELL YEAH!
Now, this book is a little mix of everything. Angel lore, war, science fiction and brotherhood. THe mind of Nathan Wall is quite extravagant.
His writing style is smooth and sophisticated. Throughout every scene, I was able to clearly picture the setting and actions.
A characteristic of Nathan's style is using commas like breath marks in music to add a short, brief pause to create a certain tone. This is a style I use as well, and it is very... tasteful in a sort of way. It's like my mind is able to breathe in a long sentence.
Another aspect of his style is his dialogue. Rather than keep to the basic he said, she said, he expands the action and creates a clearer picture. So rather than:
"OW!" he cried.
Nathan Wall says:
"OW!" he rubbed the tender spot furiously to rid himself of the discomfort.
I noticed I tend to do this as well. Maybe it's the similarities of styles that maybe attracted me to his writing. Or maybe it's just really that good. But regardless, I recommend this book to ALL paranormal, war, and action fanatics.
And the ending... UGH!!!! WARNING! A HUGE PAINFUL CLIFFHANGER!!!! Now, Nathan. You sir, are cruel. NOW I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL YOU FINISH WRITING A SEQUEL!!!!! D':
Overall. Amazing. Enough said.
Congratulations Nathan. You've written yourself a damn good book.
FIVE STARS!!!
July 15, 2014
“If you have to ask please....� I’ll leave the opener with that, and then let you read the book to find out the rest. You really should. This book has a lot to say, and it’s deceptively dense and purposeful.
When I bought the book, I was first attracted to the unique cover. It’s pretty darn cool. It gave off a vibe I’ve never felt before. I knew that I would be in for a wild ride. I was right.
I downloaded this book a little under a month ago. It hasn’t taken me that long to read it, in fact I’ve read it three times, it’s just taken me this long to formulate my opinions on it in such a way that it would do the book justice, and really help any potential reader understand what they’re getting into. I’ll spend a little time on what crossed my mind each time I read the book.
One: The book is a fun read. It covers many different scenic areas, characters, emotions, motivations, agendas and mythologies. The themes are there, and make themselves known, but I spent most of my time enamored with what was going to happen next. The fight scenes are prolific, the twists surprise you but seem like it shouldn’t have happened any other way. It was an exciting read, and seems like the perfect fit for a vacation at a beach. You’re not going to get deep into a characters head, and this may be a problem for some, but that’s because they’re not paying attention. Stay with me on this, ok? The author did a wonderful job of keeping things on the surface. You are an observer.
Two: The second time I read it, I started picking up on the foreshadowing, hints, easter-eggs and subtle nods to ancient mythologies, Homer epics and Biblical stories that I missed the first time. This is when I garnered a deeper appreciation for what the book really was. It wasn’t just a shoot-em up, dramatic thriller with a thinly veiled theme. It really had something to say, and it did it’s research. I started to see how each character portrayed a different element of the same theme: control. God expects obedience from his Angels. His control is fear of expulsion. Sanderson uses his control over others to keep them safe, even though he seems like a bad guy at first. Elliot, a very interesting character with limited time on the pages, looks to impose his own control through manipulation. Maya controls through lust. Jarrod, Lian and Oreios each fight for control in their own ways. Everyone in this story has their own agenda, and that really helps to create the friction and drive the story, but they’re all just imposing their own will. Free will, or is it free? So this wasn’t just a well-written, intricately described adventure, it was deeply woven with elements that propel it without the reader realizing it.
Three: About two-thirds of the way through my second read, a light clicked on. I kept wondering why it was written in Episodes and scene breaks when really each scene was just a chapter. That’s when it hit me: this isn’t really a book. It’s a written out description of a movie or HBO series. That’s when I fully understood why each Episode was constructed the way it was. I was being fed information like a zombified viewer staring at a giant screen. And with this, I’ll reference my main complaint from read number one: you’re not getting deep into the characters� heads because you’re an observer. Instead, you’re given the shifting of the eyes the author describes, the white-plastered knuckles of a tightly clinched fist. The stiff jaws, the smirks, the rolling of the eyes and chuckles under the breath. These are visual cues most people see when they’re caught up in plot and action that show up prominently on the screen when actors act them out. In movies, you don’t get inside the character’s head (in most films). You see them work. That’s what Evolution of Angels does. It requires more work from the reader, but I’ll be damned if it isn’t there.
The story: I really likes how all the different mythologies and legends were incorporated into what seemed like a religious inception. After the very important prologue, the story leaves behind the blatantly religious sketches and buries them in the undertones. This book is about Evolution and Angels, and how two seemingly different and unrelated entities are in fact united. I enjoyed the large cast, especially after my third-read revelation. Each episode has a different thing working for it, and on the whole come together to give you a complete story. Not all of my questions were answered, not every problem was solved. I suspect, with the After Credits scene and the Epilogue, that those unsolved elements will play a big part in the future installments. The one thing that never completely gelled for me was how the final scenes play out. Seemed a little too simple for a novel this complex. Count me in for the sequels, however.
Each time I read it, I enjoyed a different level of appreciation. This books has something for every type of reader. Those who looks for a deeper life meaning will get it, those who just want a fun read won’t be disappointed. As with any book, this novel will give you what you put into it.
I give it a 4.5 out of 5. But since I can’t give a half a star on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ, I’ll give it a 5 as it is more deserving of that half a star than it is of having half a star stripped away.
When I bought the book, I was first attracted to the unique cover. It’s pretty darn cool. It gave off a vibe I’ve never felt before. I knew that I would be in for a wild ride. I was right.
I downloaded this book a little under a month ago. It hasn’t taken me that long to read it, in fact I’ve read it three times, it’s just taken me this long to formulate my opinions on it in such a way that it would do the book justice, and really help any potential reader understand what they’re getting into. I’ll spend a little time on what crossed my mind each time I read the book.
One: The book is a fun read. It covers many different scenic areas, characters, emotions, motivations, agendas and mythologies. The themes are there, and make themselves known, but I spent most of my time enamored with what was going to happen next. The fight scenes are prolific, the twists surprise you but seem like it shouldn’t have happened any other way. It was an exciting read, and seems like the perfect fit for a vacation at a beach. You’re not going to get deep into a characters head, and this may be a problem for some, but that’s because they’re not paying attention. Stay with me on this, ok? The author did a wonderful job of keeping things on the surface. You are an observer.
Two: The second time I read it, I started picking up on the foreshadowing, hints, easter-eggs and subtle nods to ancient mythologies, Homer epics and Biblical stories that I missed the first time. This is when I garnered a deeper appreciation for what the book really was. It wasn’t just a shoot-em up, dramatic thriller with a thinly veiled theme. It really had something to say, and it did it’s research. I started to see how each character portrayed a different element of the same theme: control. God expects obedience from his Angels. His control is fear of expulsion. Sanderson uses his control over others to keep them safe, even though he seems like a bad guy at first. Elliot, a very interesting character with limited time on the pages, looks to impose his own control through manipulation. Maya controls through lust. Jarrod, Lian and Oreios each fight for control in their own ways. Everyone in this story has their own agenda, and that really helps to create the friction and drive the story, but they’re all just imposing their own will. Free will, or is it free? So this wasn’t just a well-written, intricately described adventure, it was deeply woven with elements that propel it without the reader realizing it.
Three: About two-thirds of the way through my second read, a light clicked on. I kept wondering why it was written in Episodes and scene breaks when really each scene was just a chapter. That’s when it hit me: this isn’t really a book. It’s a written out description of a movie or HBO series. That’s when I fully understood why each Episode was constructed the way it was. I was being fed information like a zombified viewer staring at a giant screen. And with this, I’ll reference my main complaint from read number one: you’re not getting deep into the characters� heads because you’re an observer. Instead, you’re given the shifting of the eyes the author describes, the white-plastered knuckles of a tightly clinched fist. The stiff jaws, the smirks, the rolling of the eyes and chuckles under the breath. These are visual cues most people see when they’re caught up in plot and action that show up prominently on the screen when actors act them out. In movies, you don’t get inside the character’s head (in most films). You see them work. That’s what Evolution of Angels does. It requires more work from the reader, but I’ll be damned if it isn’t there.
The story: I really likes how all the different mythologies and legends were incorporated into what seemed like a religious inception. After the very important prologue, the story leaves behind the blatantly religious sketches and buries them in the undertones. This book is about Evolution and Angels, and how two seemingly different and unrelated entities are in fact united. I enjoyed the large cast, especially after my third-read revelation. Each episode has a different thing working for it, and on the whole come together to give you a complete story. Not all of my questions were answered, not every problem was solved. I suspect, with the After Credits scene and the Epilogue, that those unsolved elements will play a big part in the future installments. The one thing that never completely gelled for me was how the final scenes play out. Seemed a little too simple for a novel this complex. Count me in for the sequels, however.
Each time I read it, I enjoyed a different level of appreciation. This books has something for every type of reader. Those who looks for a deeper life meaning will get it, those who just want a fun read won’t be disappointed. As with any book, this novel will give you what you put into it.
I give it a 4.5 out of 5. But since I can’t give a half a star on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ, I’ll give it a 5 as it is more deserving of that half a star than it is of having half a star stripped away.
February 17, 2015
I am giving this book 4.5 stars.
I received this book from the author Nathan Wall. He had seen that I had marked Evolution of Angels as "to read" after failing to win a copy in a giveaway. So he reached out to me and after a few exchanged emails I found myself with a copy of "Evolution of Angels".
There are very interesting concepts Nathan Wall presents to us in this book. One being that Angels in our plain of existence have DNA and it can be manipulated. The use of this angelic DNA in gene therapies to make healers, telepaths, and even super soldiers was a very cool concept. Another interesting concept was that some maybe all of the ancient gods and goddesses like Zeus are actually angels in his story. I think this idea will be expanded upon in the next book of the series. Regardless though it has me intrigued about where their allegiances might be placed.
The theme of the story is pretty good. We follow two childhood friends, the main characters Jarrod and Austin as adults in the Army Rangers. While hiking their way through Afghan mountains they get sucked into a world they never knew existed. Throughout the story we get glimpses into the past of both characters. They fight together and at times for one another to survive brutal clashes with inter-dimensional beings. There is action, violence, she demons, death, and even explosions. Whats not to like?
Speaking of like I will go into the things I really liked about Evolution of Angels. To start I have to mention the badass angelic armor. I really liked how aside from the remakes each suit of armor was unique to the owner. The visuals this generated while reading were just awesome especially when talking about the facial and head pieces of armor. I hope Nathan Walls gives us more of these astounding suits in the follow up. Moving on what would be the point of armor with no one to fight? There is tons of action in this book. It is delivered fast paced, with intensity, and no shortage of brutality. If you get bored reading this book something is wrong with you. The last positive I will mention about Evolution of Angels is the hook. The whole book you have no clue what actually happened to Zeus. He pops up at the end and well... you'll have to read to find out. Suffice to say Zeus gets in the way of some serious closure. I am eager to find out where he falls on the good/bad spectrum. Good job hooking me Nathan Wall please hurry with the sequel.
Despite how much I like this book I will mention one thing I really didn't like. The reason for the loss of half a star is Jackson, a supporting character. Throughout the story there is hinting that Jackson had a good reason to join the super soldier program called Double Helix. We never get to glimpse anything from his past though. There was so much about him that pointed to tortured past. Especially his seeming complacency with his impending death as a result of the serum treatments. I would have liked to know more about him.
If you're still asking yourself "Should I read "Evolution of Angels"?". The answer should resoundingly be "Yes!". It is an action packed original concept with a touch of intrigue thrown in the mix. This is the first book Nathan Wall has written and released. Being that it is really good it is probable that he will only get better. I will doubtlessly be keeping an eye on this author.
Thank you Nathan Wall for giving me a chance to read and review your book.
November 22, 2014
I began Evolution of Angels with a sense of trepidation. The cover is pretty cool, akin to a Marvel or DC graphic novel and the work itself, with the promise of superheroes/beings, science fiction, fantasy, mythology, apocalyptic stakes and all out action, excited me. These are elements I enjoy enormously. The problem however is that such ambitious genre blends tend to work best in graphic novels and high budget blockbusters and less so in novels. When fans of these works emulate them in prose the result is often less than satisfactory. I’ve read several books and one quite recently (a mix of Xmen Days of Future Past and House of M, Heroes, Highlander and the Matrix) that almost succeeded but by and large they don’t translate well to the medium of the novel (In my humble opinion anyway!).
The prologue with Azreal did nothing to dispel my fears. For example the extract below struck me as stale and clichéd:
“It had been a few millennia since the rebellion of pride and, subsequently, the fall. To the men and women he watched over, the battle was a long lost memory, but for Azrael it seemed like mere minutes had passed.�
I’m pleased to say however that the prologue proved unrepresentative of the rest of the work and by the second page of episode one I realised I was reading something by a very talented author indeed.
I should make clear that whilst highly entertaining ‘Evolution of ‘Angels� is not to be skimmed or read with anything less than full attention for the work is episodic, un-linear and follows a series of characters/story lines. Characters� fortunes continually rise and fall and there is perpetual fluidity to the tale. There is of course a centre to the story, that is the dual protagonists Jarrod and Austin, army rangers who agree to participate in a trans-humanist project called the Double Helix but in many ways they felt more like anchors in a violent narrative sea than traditional main characters.
As stated above I believe Nathan Wall to be a talented writer but I must also point out that on occasion he writes descriptions (such as that of Gabriel’s armour) that to me are a little too detailed for a prose work and reflect the author’s love of graphic novel/comics and movies. For example:
The “armor formed over his head, creating the look of a Tiger, as the red armor stretched across his face, reshaping it. The red skin-like metal formed his nose, mouth, ears and skin, while silver streaks formed three triangular tiger stripes over his eyes, cheeks and chin.�
For perhaps the same reason parts of the novel read in parts more like a movie screenplay than a novel and some of the language between the angels seems a little overly formulaic and majestic, for example between Zeus and Azrael.
On the whole though ‘Evolution of Angels� had everything I wanted in a book and more. The author possess the literary skill and erudition necessary to write an extremely impressive work. In fact I left with the impression that there was a subtext and symbolism that a first reading didn’t pick up on. Apart from classics there aren’t too many books I’m willing to re-read but this is one that definitely requires and fully deserves as second sitting.
I look forward very much to Wall’s next novel ‘Artificial Light� and could very easily become a fan.
The prologue with Azreal did nothing to dispel my fears. For example the extract below struck me as stale and clichéd:
“It had been a few millennia since the rebellion of pride and, subsequently, the fall. To the men and women he watched over, the battle was a long lost memory, but for Azrael it seemed like mere minutes had passed.�
I’m pleased to say however that the prologue proved unrepresentative of the rest of the work and by the second page of episode one I realised I was reading something by a very talented author indeed.
I should make clear that whilst highly entertaining ‘Evolution of ‘Angels� is not to be skimmed or read with anything less than full attention for the work is episodic, un-linear and follows a series of characters/story lines. Characters� fortunes continually rise and fall and there is perpetual fluidity to the tale. There is of course a centre to the story, that is the dual protagonists Jarrod and Austin, army rangers who agree to participate in a trans-humanist project called the Double Helix but in many ways they felt more like anchors in a violent narrative sea than traditional main characters.
As stated above I believe Nathan Wall to be a talented writer but I must also point out that on occasion he writes descriptions (such as that of Gabriel’s armour) that to me are a little too detailed for a prose work and reflect the author’s love of graphic novel/comics and movies. For example:
The “armor formed over his head, creating the look of a Tiger, as the red armor stretched across his face, reshaping it. The red skin-like metal formed his nose, mouth, ears and skin, while silver streaks formed three triangular tiger stripes over his eyes, cheeks and chin.�
For perhaps the same reason parts of the novel read in parts more like a movie screenplay than a novel and some of the language between the angels seems a little overly formulaic and majestic, for example between Zeus and Azrael.
On the whole though ‘Evolution of Angels� had everything I wanted in a book and more. The author possess the literary skill and erudition necessary to write an extremely impressive work. In fact I left with the impression that there was a subtext and symbolism that a first reading didn’t pick up on. Apart from classics there aren’t too many books I’m willing to re-read but this is one that definitely requires and fully deserves as second sitting.
I look forward very much to Wall’s next novel ‘Artificial Light� and could very easily become a fan.
November 16, 2014
Blending the biblical with the mythological, the metaphysical with the scientific, the old with the new, Wall presents an action packed thriller broad in literary scope, rich in characters, and vivid with imagery. And yes, I realize that the last sentence sounded like I was writing an advertisement for him, but seriously, the book is that damn good.
Most of the book follows the principal characters, Austin and Jarrod, two men chosen to take part in the double helix project, a program that creates supersoldiers by erasing the evolutionary changes to their DNA returning the men to a more "angelic" state. Before any of this, however, the story begins with a satanic choice made by the arch-angel Azrael (He's Muslim I believe). For me, and I could be reading too much into this, I was reminded of the first book of Paradise Lost, you know, that old epic poem by Milton. Much like in the poem, the rebellious angels, one of whom was called Zeus another happened to be Vishnu, are the Gods of non-Christian traditions.
It was the breadth of this allusion that hooked me. By combining these religious traditions into one, Wall's novel creates an atmosphere that is both epic and transcendent. Without fear, Wall asks one of literatures greatest questions: Do we make our own choices? Does freewill really exist?
I've noticed that other reviewers have commented on the action sequences. And yes, I agree, there is a lot of action and it is written masterfully.
I also noticed that another reviewer had difficulty following the plot. Well, I can't say anything specific about other reviewers because Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ doesn't allow for that, but I can say this: Anyone who can't follow this plot is either black-out drunk or incessantly stupid.
Wall uses both parallel plot structure and sub-plots. That's part of what creates an "epic" feel in a novel. It shows all the characters separately first, then brings them together. He also uses flashbacks which are mostly used for character development. In both cases, he uses these plot devices beautifully showing the interconnected experiences of the characters' lives. And I feel like I should stress this again: it wasn't hard to follow.
This was an awesome book. I recommend it to anyone who isn't black-out drunk or incessantly stupid. So, in other words, I recommend this to anyone who can read.
Most of the book follows the principal characters, Austin and Jarrod, two men chosen to take part in the double helix project, a program that creates supersoldiers by erasing the evolutionary changes to their DNA returning the men to a more "angelic" state. Before any of this, however, the story begins with a satanic choice made by the arch-angel Azrael (He's Muslim I believe). For me, and I could be reading too much into this, I was reminded of the first book of Paradise Lost, you know, that old epic poem by Milton. Much like in the poem, the rebellious angels, one of whom was called Zeus another happened to be Vishnu, are the Gods of non-Christian traditions.
It was the breadth of this allusion that hooked me. By combining these religious traditions into one, Wall's novel creates an atmosphere that is both epic and transcendent. Without fear, Wall asks one of literatures greatest questions: Do we make our own choices? Does freewill really exist?
I've noticed that other reviewers have commented on the action sequences. And yes, I agree, there is a lot of action and it is written masterfully.
I also noticed that another reviewer had difficulty following the plot. Well, I can't say anything specific about other reviewers because Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ doesn't allow for that, but I can say this: Anyone who can't follow this plot is either black-out drunk or incessantly stupid.
Wall uses both parallel plot structure and sub-plots. That's part of what creates an "epic" feel in a novel. It shows all the characters separately first, then brings them together. He also uses flashbacks which are mostly used for character development. In both cases, he uses these plot devices beautifully showing the interconnected experiences of the characters' lives. And I feel like I should stress this again: it wasn't hard to follow.
This was an awesome book. I recommend it to anyone who isn't black-out drunk or incessantly stupid. So, in other words, I recommend this to anyone who can read.
April 7, 2015
I read this book as part of a 'Book of the month' read on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ. I decided to buy it (instead of a freebee from the author) so I wouldn't have any obligations to finish it and leave a review. To be honest, I wasn't too sure about what I was getting into. The cover didn't appeal much to me. It had a feel of comic books, which I don't read.
As it turned out, the story is reminiscent of those superhero movies such as 'Xmen', 'Fantastic 4', and the 'Avengers'. On one hand, you have two scientists playing god with genetics and their Guiney pigs (people with a close match for DNA). The experiment either turns them into super human beings or kills them. On the other, you have the baddies, Charon (the Minotaur), a bunch of Cyclopes, and thousands of Crills, all led by Maya, a descendant of an angel. We also have Oreios, a man (or a monster?) made out of earth. He's the neutral guy whom you can't really hate and quite frankly I have to admit he was probably my favorite along with Jarrod and Lian.
In the beginning of the book, if you're a little distracted, as I was (grieving for a dear pet), you may get lost a little. First, the prologue doesn't seem to go with the rest. However, what I thought was over describing armors happened to help down the line, so if you decide to read the book, pay attention to the prologue. Second, the author needed the readers to understand quickly what was at stake with the experiment, so the beginning is a little rough and might seem a bit disjointed at first. It didn't help that soon after the characters are introduced, you get a rewind to three years earlier. So ok, it was a bit overwhelming for me at first, but as I mentioned, my mind wasn't all in the story so this might not be a universal problem. Still, after that it gets easier. Once I got used to the format, I jumped along for the ride, and overall, this was a good surprise.
If you like action packed stories, with epic fights, super villains and heroes who smile, grin, and giggle in the middle of adversity (seriously though, they do that a lot), you should like this book. While I admit loving these kinds of stories in movies, it was a bit hard for me to read one. I wanted to shut my reader and watch it on TV instead, but for obvious reasons, I couldn't. And it bugged me. It sure would have made a great movie.
As it turned out, the story is reminiscent of those superhero movies such as 'Xmen', 'Fantastic 4', and the 'Avengers'. On one hand, you have two scientists playing god with genetics and their Guiney pigs (people with a close match for DNA). The experiment either turns them into super human beings or kills them. On the other, you have the baddies, Charon (the Minotaur), a bunch of Cyclopes, and thousands of Crills, all led by Maya, a descendant of an angel. We also have Oreios, a man (or a monster?) made out of earth. He's the neutral guy whom you can't really hate and quite frankly I have to admit he was probably my favorite along with Jarrod and Lian.
In the beginning of the book, if you're a little distracted, as I was (grieving for a dear pet), you may get lost a little. First, the prologue doesn't seem to go with the rest. However, what I thought was over describing armors happened to help down the line, so if you decide to read the book, pay attention to the prologue. Second, the author needed the readers to understand quickly what was at stake with the experiment, so the beginning is a little rough and might seem a bit disjointed at first. It didn't help that soon after the characters are introduced, you get a rewind to three years earlier. So ok, it was a bit overwhelming for me at first, but as I mentioned, my mind wasn't all in the story so this might not be a universal problem. Still, after that it gets easier. Once I got used to the format, I jumped along for the ride, and overall, this was a good surprise.
If you like action packed stories, with epic fights, super villains and heroes who smile, grin, and giggle in the middle of adversity (seriously though, they do that a lot), you should like this book. While I admit loving these kinds of stories in movies, it was a bit hard for me to read one. I wanted to shut my reader and watch it on TV instead, but for obvious reasons, I couldn't. And it bugged me. It sure would have made a great movie.
September 22, 2014
Bought a copy from Amazon. 4.5 stars.
Incredibly detailed character descriptions. Best thing about the novel is the way it paints the characters. Second best thing is the plot.
Incredibly detailed character descriptions. Best thing about the novel is the way it paints the characters. Second best thing is the plot.
September 9, 2014
Picked this up from my wife's Kindle account. Good read - lasted through 4 flights. EoA mixes in mythology, science fiction, and world conflicts in a most interesting Petri dish. There are a number of flashbacks that may be hard to keep track, especially if you pick back up after a couple of days, but it all sorts out and makes sense without flipping back.
There are none of the Clancy 4 page diversions on "blue money" to fill in the spaces, so if you are not up to date on mythology and want the background a trip to wiki may be in order. Not needed to make the story "work", more of a rest of the story backgrounder for those inclined.
There are none of the Clancy 4 page diversions on "blue money" to fill in the spaces, so if you are not up to date on mythology and want the background a trip to wiki may be in order. Not needed to make the story "work", more of a rest of the story backgrounder for those inclined.
Read
May 30, 2014I don't know why Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ makes you rate your own book, but everyone seems to do it.
All I can say is that I had a fun time writing this, and the sequels are fast approaching.
Please enjoy, and send me a friend request!
All I can say is that I had a fun time writing this, and the sequels are fast approaching.
Please enjoy, and send me a friend request!
Read
November 26, 2014I don't know why Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ makes you rate your own book, but everyone seems to do it.
All I can say is that I had a fun time writing this, and the sequels are fast approaching.
Please enjoy, and send me a friend request!
All I can say is that I had a fun time writing this, and the sequels are fast approaching.
Please enjoy, and send me a friend request!
September 18, 2014
I was originally asked to review this book as part of a review trade. I did not receive a promotional copy as I prefer to support an author with a legitimate purchase before I will review. No bias opportunity if I bought a copy by choice. This is the first book that I have ever considered requesting a refund..yes, it was THAT bad. I try very hard to look for a redeeming quality in a book, say something good or say nothing at all. I may not always think a book is perfect but almost always I can find something about a book that has merit. In EoA's case, I was opting to say nothing at all. At the repeated request of the author to share my true and honest opinion even if it was negative, I am sharing my review of Evolution of Angels even though I struggled to find one enjoyable aspect while reading it.
I can overlook grammatical errors and the occasional verb tense oops. I can't overlook a story that doesn't have a logical flow. The book is all over the place, jumping time spans to current, past, future, and there is no logical pattern. The only "warning" you get that there is about to be a time warp is words like "Three Years Ago" or "Thirteen Years Ago" under the chapter number. Worse still is when he makes a totally illogical time warp in the middle of a chapter with the only warning to the reader being *** between paragraphs.
There is no character definition. You will have to write your own mental image of a character's attributes or who they are. The only way you know that a new character is being introduced to the story is seeing a new name pop up. Don't bother to try to get invested in that character though because three paragraphs later, you will be several years before or after and on an entirely different storyline. If I had to say one thing annoyed me the most, it would be the lack of flow with one consistent plot. This book was all over the place, jumping from sub-story to sub-story. Give me progression, build the characters, tell the story logically but this book does not even come close to that. Imagine the mess it would have been if Stephen King put all four novellas included in Different Seasons under one title and broke the chapters up with *** or X number of Years Ago. Hodgepodge MESS it would be...and that's exactly my impression of Evolution of Angels.
It was such a difficult read but I wanted to keep my word and read it cover to cover. It took forever, having to re-read previous chapters trying to find a tie in to the plot jumps. I can't in all honesty or fairness recommend this book to anyone unless they have patience and get great enjoyment from trying to piece together a story like a jig-saw puzzle
I can overlook grammatical errors and the occasional verb tense oops. I can't overlook a story that doesn't have a logical flow. The book is all over the place, jumping time spans to current, past, future, and there is no logical pattern. The only "warning" you get that there is about to be a time warp is words like "Three Years Ago" or "Thirteen Years Ago" under the chapter number. Worse still is when he makes a totally illogical time warp in the middle of a chapter with the only warning to the reader being *** between paragraphs.
There is no character definition. You will have to write your own mental image of a character's attributes or who they are. The only way you know that a new character is being introduced to the story is seeing a new name pop up. Don't bother to try to get invested in that character though because three paragraphs later, you will be several years before or after and on an entirely different storyline. If I had to say one thing annoyed me the most, it would be the lack of flow with one consistent plot. This book was all over the place, jumping from sub-story to sub-story. Give me progression, build the characters, tell the story logically but this book does not even come close to that. Imagine the mess it would have been if Stephen King put all four novellas included in Different Seasons under one title and broke the chapters up with *** or X number of Years Ago. Hodgepodge MESS it would be...and that's exactly my impression of Evolution of Angels.
It was such a difficult read but I wanted to keep my word and read it cover to cover. It took forever, having to re-read previous chapters trying to find a tie in to the plot jumps. I can't in all honesty or fairness recommend this book to anyone unless they have patience and get great enjoyment from trying to piece together a story like a jig-saw puzzle
December 21, 2015
Fascinating concepts reside in Evolution of Angels. Nathan Walls blends mythology together to create an interesting story about a man being recruited to save the world from deadly threats.
The characters are interesting, although they all speak in similar manners. At times, I found it difficult to keep up with who was talking and at what point. That being said, I really enjoyed getting to know and following Jarrod! His sense of humor and personality stuck to me. I also found it interesting how he first came across like the fun loving side-kick, but by the end he is shown to be the hero.
My other favorite character is Oreios! He's demented in a pretty fun way.
The writing is... efficient. It wasn't bad and I could imagine the scenes fairly easily, but there was something missing. This is definitely personal aesthetics, since I tend to enjoy more poetic writing. A few moments, the type of descriptive writing I enjoy did pop up.
For examples:
"Saliva in his mouth strung together from tooth to tooth like spider webs."
Disgusting, but also vivid.
"... launched him thirty yards, causing him to skip across the ground like a smooth stone on a calm lake."
And my personal favorite:
"Jarrod jumped onto the railing, overlooking the bottom floor like a terrifying gargoyle."
There was one other issue that I had with the story, and that was the excessive use of backstory. Most of it could have been discovered through narration and dialogue, but the reader is taken back to months and years in the past to relive certain moments. The most frustrating part was with Episode 4. Right after an amazing battle, an entire section (set up like a chapter, but a little longer) was dedicated to back story, and most of the information would have been perfectly acceptable if a character had sat down and explained one or two points to another character. It wasn't hard to keep up with the time jumps, they just seemed to come at a time where I wanted resolution on something specific. Essentially, they delayed satisfaction, which at moments can be very frustrating.
So, the reason for three stars is a combination of characters not being distinct enough, prose lacking a bit more flare, and backstory interrupting the much more interesting current story.
Other than those three things, however, I still have to recommend this book. If you enjoy action-packed novels which explore fascinating ideas, you should enjoy this!
Also, extra kudos for this line and knowing the difference between the man and the monster!
"I feel like Frankenstein's monster," he joked...
The characters are interesting, although they all speak in similar manners. At times, I found it difficult to keep up with who was talking and at what point. That being said, I really enjoyed getting to know and following Jarrod! His sense of humor and personality stuck to me. I also found it interesting how he first came across like the fun loving side-kick, but by the end he is shown to be the hero.
My other favorite character is Oreios! He's demented in a pretty fun way.
The writing is... efficient. It wasn't bad and I could imagine the scenes fairly easily, but there was something missing. This is definitely personal aesthetics, since I tend to enjoy more poetic writing. A few moments, the type of descriptive writing I enjoy did pop up.
For examples:
"Saliva in his mouth strung together from tooth to tooth like spider webs."
Disgusting, but also vivid.
"... launched him thirty yards, causing him to skip across the ground like a smooth stone on a calm lake."
And my personal favorite:
"Jarrod jumped onto the railing, overlooking the bottom floor like a terrifying gargoyle."
There was one other issue that I had with the story, and that was the excessive use of backstory. Most of it could have been discovered through narration and dialogue, but the reader is taken back to months and years in the past to relive certain moments. The most frustrating part was with Episode 4. Right after an amazing battle, an entire section (set up like a chapter, but a little longer) was dedicated to back story, and most of the information would have been perfectly acceptable if a character had sat down and explained one or two points to another character. It wasn't hard to keep up with the time jumps, they just seemed to come at a time where I wanted resolution on something specific. Essentially, they delayed satisfaction, which at moments can be very frustrating.
So, the reason for three stars is a combination of characters not being distinct enough, prose lacking a bit more flare, and backstory interrupting the much more interesting current story.
Other than those three things, however, I still have to recommend this book. If you enjoy action-packed novels which explore fascinating ideas, you should enjoy this!
Also, extra kudos for this line and knowing the difference between the man and the monster!
"I feel like Frankenstein's monster," he joked...
January 15, 2016
An action packed adventure. There’s a lot to enjoy for fans of good fight scenes. ⅘An action packed adventure. There’s a lot to enjoy for fans of good fight scenes. 4/5
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