- Hardcover: 368 pages
- Publisher: Tor Books; First Edition edition (Jan 10 2006)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0765303647
- ISBN-13: 978-0765303646
- Product Dimensions: 23.6 x 16.5 x 3.3 cm
- Shipping Weight: 658 g
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #655,820 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Publishers Weekly
In Australian author Douglass's stirring final book in her Crucible trilogy (after 2005's The Wounded Hawk), ex-priest Thomas Neville confronts such thorny issues as man's free will, the morality of angels and the natures of both God and Jesus. If Neville gives his soul to the angels, then mankind will be forever in their thrall. In order to save mankind and allow free will, Neville must find a whore to whom he can wholeheartedly deliver his soul. His anguished decision plays out against the backdrop of such tumultuous events as the reign of Hal "the Demon-King" Bolingbroke, the battle for the French throne at Agincourt and Joan of Arc's fiery martyrdom. This compressed alternate history offers such frightening treats as a view of the angelic heaven and a visit by "the black Dog of Pestilence" (which personally sprays the plague on London). Though the inevitability of Neville's choice is never in doubt, Douglass's excellent grasp of period detail and character is certain to delight fans of historical fantasy. (Jan.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From Booklist
The conclusion of Douglass' Crucible series completes the saga of Thomas Neville, the medieval nobleman turned cleric, whom the Archangel Michael has entrusted with battling a horde of shape-shifting demons unwittingly released from hell. As the fourteenth century comes to a close, Neville has left the Dominican priesthood and is still searching for the late Father de Worde's casket, a mysterious container that harbors the means to overthrow the demons. Neville has also discovered that heaven's angelic minions have the power to mate with human females and produce their own less-than-savory offspring. Amid growing friendship with Henry Bolingbroke (eventually England's King Henry IV), who may be a demon in disguise, Neville is becoming less sure of Michael's beneficence and more conflicted about his mission. Douglass' superior blend of high fantasy and realistic historical settings is a fitting vehicle for exploring the grand themes of religion, morality, and the eternal battle between good and evil. History buffs, fantasy enthusiasts, and admirers of superlative storytelling should thoroughly enjoy this sweeping story. Carl Hays
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.5 out of 5 stars (6 customer reviews)
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Finally...Douglass gets it right..., July 7 2006
By RedSunset - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Crippled Angel: Book Three of 'The Crucible' (Hardcover)
After some rather disappointing conclusions to her huge epic series like the six book Wayfarer Redemption Series and the Troy Game Series, finally Douglass comes up with a satisfying ending for me. After reading the three books in under two weeks, this stunning finale between angels and demons will leave a lasting impression on me for a long while.I think the main reason why I enjoyed this series so much, and the final book especially, was because of the characters. Each of them has their fears, doubts, strengths and weaknesses, making them their role in the story enjoyable. For the first time in any of her series, Douglass makes me like all the main characters. In this book, the characters' accomplishments and downfalls lifted me and saddened me in turn. This series and final book showcases a character-driven story that develops into how relationships can be strengthened and how fragile some relationships are.
My only qualm about this final book was that some plot bits were a bit predictable. But that might actually end up being a good thing as it made me read faster to see if I was right. Another thing was this book was a lot shorter than the previous two books, making Douglass jump quickly from plot point to plot point, but then again she didn't drag out anything. Though I wish there was more to read.
So I highly recommend reading this series even if the first one was a bit slow and a little irritating (but that's for another review). Not only will you get a history lesson of sorts about Kings of England and religion at that time period but a satisfying feeling after reading the three books.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
excellent alternate historical medieval fantasy, Jan 11 2006
By Harriet Klausner - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Crippled Angel: Book Three of 'The Crucible' (Hardcover)
In 1381 Europe is on the brink of destruction as so many no longer believe the Church as is the center of their lives. Rome has lost control with heresies arising everywhere and the affluent increasingly demanding more; peasants doubt scripture as they seek a better life on earth rather than wait for their heavenly reward.Much of the collapse is beyond Rome's control. Demons have escaped their eternal prison and are poised to breech the gates of Heaven. The Great Archangel Michael orders pious monk Thomas Neville to destroy demons cloaked as humans. However, on his quest for what he initially assumes will be his ticket to heaven, Thomas begins to have doubts that he is on the right side especially when he encounters heretics who make sense in their criticism of the Roman Church. Besides agreeing with dissenters like Father John, he also concedes there are probably demons using mortal form to cause dissension. Unbeknownst to him his soul is the battlefield of Armageddon, but which side is good and which is evil remain the question and the fate of the world rests on Thomas's choice
The final tale in the Crucible trilogy is a terrific novel that brings together this excellent alternate historical medieval fantasy. The audience needs to read the previous books first as the dangling threads from THE NAMELESS DAY and THE WOUNDED HAWK lead up to this stirring climax. Thomas is a fabulous representative of the age as he satiates his mortal needs when he has a chance but also begins to live up to his name as a doubter. Mindful of James Blish's fabulous Heavenly War duet (see BLACK EASTER and DAY AFTER JUDGMENT) though they take place in different times, fans of angelic-demon war thrillers will appreciate this miniseries as the fantastic whole is greater than the separate parts.
Harriet Klausner
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
a great read, Jan 23 2007
By Mel - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Crippled Angel: Book Three of 'The Crucible' (Mass Market Paperback)
I fell in love with Sara Douglass when I happened to read the Wayfarer Redemption. Her style was different and pleasant. However I did not get much into her Troy Games series and all these long series were starting to be "boring". Things you saw coming and it lacked that little spark that made the first books really good.When I first glanced at this series, I was surprised and quite guarded. But I devoured the books. It was different. It was very different. A new approach from her other books, but a good one. I had to wait a good while to get my hands on the last book and I cannot say I was disapointed. Yes there were one or two things that were a little odd and that we could really see coming, but in the grand scheme of the story, it worked out quite well.
five stars, it was wonderful to read something different from her, makes me think I might need to go hunt for more good books like this now!
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