Book Review: "Angelology" by Danielle Trussoni

Title: Angelology
Author: Danielle Trussoni
Publisher: Viking Adult
ISBN, PUB Date: 978-0670021475, March 2010
Reviewed by: R.J. Hamilton for Author Exposure (08/10)

Trussoni’s concept that angels live among us is wonderfully imaginative. In Angelology, angels have been the cause of major conflicts throughout history (including wars, movements, etc.). They have their own hierarchy, with human beings being viewed as disposable. The main character, Sister Evangeline, lives a normal, uneventful life in a convent. However, as she nears her 25th birthday, she stumbles upon a mysterious letter and begins to question everything she’s come to know, including her family who has been deeply involved in the study of earthly angels for years. As she plummets into a delicate past, she puts her own life in danger. You’ll be astounded as you read and discover the truth along with Evangeline.

The author's writing style is outstanding. Her use of the English language is beautifully composed, almost poetic. Her picturesque verbiage allows the reader to waste no time with imaginative guesswork. Trussoni is descriptive without being over-the-top, as other writers sometimes are.

The author's realistic rendering of having angels living amongst us as normal people is astounding. It had me questioning the possibility in our own lives. Consequently, I have changed my views when looking into a crowd of people.

Though it has a religious theory behind its theme, it is not a "religious" writing. If you've ever wondered about the possibilities of the existence of angels in our world, this book will have you wondering even more so. I found the biblical references sending me to my bookcase to retrieve my Bible in order to cross-reference. Genesis 6:1-4 says, “When men began to increase in number on the earth and daughters born to them, the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose. Then the Lord said, ‘My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days will be a hundred and twenty years.’ The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went to the daughters of men and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown.” Reading this Bible passage definitely added to the realism of an already amazing storyline.

I would recommend Angelology to anyone, regardless of their religious standing. I consider myself a "picky" reader because I have a narrow view when it comes to the types of books that I read. Once I began this book, I found myself lost in it. The wonderment of the tale and the gorgeous ending twist left me in awe. I can’t wait to read more by Danielle Trussoni and am hoping that she is planning on publishing another installment.