Graham Austin-King Apr 29, 2016

it was amazing bookshelves: fantasy

Read 2 times. Last read April 29, 2016 to May 11, 2016. 's review

Los Nefilim is a collection of three novellas, though the story reads so well it combines almost seamlessly into a novel. Frohock has produced a masterwork here, weaving a tale of the offspring of angels and daimons and their struggle in the human realm. The story is set in 1930's Spain and Frohock draws the reader in with ease as the protagonist struggles with his unique heritage of both angel and daimon along with a personal upheaval within his relationship with his partner.



Her worldbuilding is just wonderful. Obviously the book is set within our own world but her take on the nefilim, both angelic and daimonic, is not something I have run across before. Frohock, cleverly, works within our own history but overlays it with an otherwordly struggle taking place behind the scenes. The magic system is intriguing, but not overpowering. This is a race of beings far superior to mankind, yet with all our faults and frailties, and the contrast between the greater strength and the fragile soul is a wonderful thing.



The prose is minimalist and perfect. Frohock doesn't pad. She doesn't use ten words when three will do, and the result is enough to make newer writers weep at her command of the language. The pacing is just marvellous, building towards the threat of a historically obvious confrontation but with enough twists and turns to keep any reader guessing.



Possibly the most impressive aspect however, is Frohock's treatment of her gay main character and his partner. The relationship between the two is written so well, the depth of emotion so obvious, that it somehow manages to make you guilty about any homophobic thought you might have had whilst an ignorant teenager.



The story winds up to a satisfying conclusion yet with enough scope to easily extend out to a full series if the publisher could be persuaded. I can't recommend this collection of novellas enough. Hopefully enough people will snatch up a copy to make the publisher take notice.





