Angel Time: The Songs of the Seraphim, Book One (Songs of the Seraphim Series)

Angel Time; Anne Rice's first leap into full on fiction since finishing the Vampire Chronicles and Lives of the Mayfair Witches the same year her husband Stan Rice died, in 2002, and it's a wonderful start to the brand new series Songs of the Seraphim. Beginning with the mysterious life of a contract killer who has an icy disposition and a sardonic sort of anti-faith, going about his business before being accosted by an Angel of God with an offer for fun filled redemption, traveling in time, angel-time, fixing desperate and doomed situations. Anne is at her best with raw, poignant characters, who are energized by their emotions and their obsessions and beliefs, whether dark or light or uncertain. Anne is also at her best writing of other times and places, really pulling the reader into that far away moment effortlessly and completely and it's always an awesome adventure. It's important to say, I did not find this book preachy at all what so ever, in fact I would go so far as saying, unless you are a militant atheist, you won't find it preachy despite the clearly ''religious'' as well as spiritual facts about the plot. True it comes from a perspective of belief in the Catholic faith, but one can watch Star Wars and not necessarily believe in the Force, albeit through relatability, as with this novel. One can read this story and still enjoy it, learn from it, be inspired by it. If you practice Buddhism or Wicca or in fact are atheist but enjoy good story telling, one can relate to the layers and the values of the story. In fact, most of the book is taking place during the middle ages and it is historically factual, a trait Anne Rices is famous for in her work, but many issues are fascinatingly comparable to issues today, I don't want to give more away than that, the reader can discover it on their own. Again, I am not a Christian or a Jew, I am a spiritual man, open minded to that which is not in-your-face preachy, so very much enjoyed Angel Time. Great ending by the way! The very ending. . . .

I have read every book Anne Rice ever wrote and was never disappointed. Whether she writes about vampires, witches, the life of Jesus, her personal struggles or angels, her stories draw you in and envelop you. Anne fans, this book will not disappoint you. I hadn't thought about my guardian angel for years. This book reminded me that my angel is real and constantly at my side.

I finished this book in 2 days because I couldn't put it down! I sincerely hope there is a sequel because I loved the story and the characters so much. The book was good down to the last paragraph which left me speechless. I highly recommend this book for adults to read.

I suspect that for Anne Rice, after her Jesus books and a great spiritual memoir, that writing this, the first of a promising new series, was a lot like writing her first big novel, INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE. While VAMPIRE is itself a beautifully written piece of fiction, the real difference is that Rice brings all the maturity of a seasoned literary artist, as well as some powerful life experiences, to this current work. There's a lot here that reminds of VAMPIRE. Rice's masterful characterization skills, particularly with Toby, are spot-on and fiercely alive and not only her grasp of historical detail, but also the evocative expression of it are at pure coloratura levels. As always, the baroque and byzantines twists of style and simple storytelling witchery are magical, mystical, and magisterial. This is great stuff and the potential for another great Ricean saga is exciting and immense. If you haven't read Anne Rice before, this would be a great introduction and for fans, this is de rigeur holiday reading. Beautifully silken prose, reminescent of Dickens, George Eliot, and Proust.

I just finished an advanced reading copy of Anne Rice's "Angel Time." I've never read an Anne Rice book before, and almost passed it by, but I was intrigued by the medieval aspect mentioned on the jacket blurb. I literally held my breath throughout the entire book. It was "unputdownable." The suspension of disbelief necessary to accept the concept of an angel or "heavenly being" in an earthly reality is not so farfetched with Rice's masterful development - I could easily imagine the "songs of the Seraphim" from her detailed descriptions. The senses of character, place and time enveloped the reading. The dénouement was amazing and showed perfect symmetry; I didn't imagine - much less predict - the fantastic ending. Toby O'Dare's personal quest was the most compelling aspect, and Rice's Catholic background and research is reflected in his every thought, word and deed. I'll make a point of reading Rice's books now, and will encourage others to do the same. Recommended for Rice fans, those interested in medieval England and France, Catholic history and concepts, angels and heavenly beings and - in an understated but very present way - the relationship of architecture to the spiritual journey.