17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A keeper for your shelf, Sep 30 2006
By mkupmvn - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Fallen Angels (Mass Market Paperback)
This title is a permanent keeper in my at-home library. My Mom bought this book for me in hardcover when it was first printed in the 80's by the author Susannah Kells. It went out of print for a while, so I was so happy to see it come out in paperback. If you like the French Revolution, if you like mystery, if you like a little bit of foxy romance thrown in to spice things up, and also, a tad bit of violence (hey, it's the French Revolution - people were losing their heads left and right!) then this will be a great read for you. There are two big surprises, one midway through the book and one at the very end that you just don't see coming. This is a fun and entertaining read, not nearly as ponderous or detail-driven as a lot of Bernard Cornwell's other books. I reread it at least a couple of times a year, and I never get tired of it. Grab a copy for yourself. I'm sure you'll like it.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not what you might expect, Jan 28 2010
By James E. Beckman - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Fallen Angels (Paperback)
The authors are listed as Bernard Cornwell and his wife, Susannah Kells. I get the feeling that Kells had a lot more to do with the writing, although her name is listed second in much smaller print. I bought this expecting another Bernard Cornwell, and what I got is a lot closer to Barbara Cartland. It's mostly a romance - a bodice-ripper. If this is what you want, go for it.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not Quite a Sequel, Dec 19 2006
By John A Lee III "jal3" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Fallen Angels (Mass Market Paperback)
This is not quite a sequel of Cornwells' and Kells' CROWNING MERCY but it is tightly related. Several generations have gone by since the previous book. Instead of turmoil surrounding the English Civil War, the turmoil surrounds the French Revolution. The terror is in full force on the continent and the English are wondering if the chaos is going to jump the channel. The fanatics on the French side have their own worries. They want to know how they are going to continue to finance their excesses. Actually, it is a small group within the leadership that has this worry. There are the Illuminati, who base their actions on a rationalism that has no place in it for mercy or anything else that gets in the way of their goals.
The Illuminati hit upon a scheme. In England there is an heiress who is one of the richest persons in Europe. If someone from within the Illuminati can be maneuvered into marrying her, he can take control of her fortune and funnel that back to the continent. It also provides a bridgehead for exporting the Terror to England.
Standing in the way of this plan is the heiress, Campion Lazender. She is just as bright as her namesake and is in love with a mysterious stranger who may or may not be a part of the plot. She must also watch out for treachery within her own family. Her wealth is lusted after no less than her body.
It is an enjoyable and exciting story.