Book Review: A Madness of Angels

A Madness of Angels is written by Kate Griffin which is a pen name for Catherine Webb, a successful Young Adult author.  This is her first adult fantasy novel and the first in series.  I really, really, really wanted to like this book but had an extremely hard time finishing it.  I almost gave up about half-way through but was able to find the strength to make it to the end.

Essentially, this is a tale of revenge.  Matthew Swift, our anti-hero, was taken in by the talented magician Robert Bakker when he was very young.  Mr. Bakker tutored young master Swift into his adolescence in the secrets of magic.  Eventually, Mr. Bakker begins to suffer from the typical aliments that happen when you age and he is not ready to pass quietly in the night.  Mr. Bakker formulates a nefarious plan to extend his life.  You see, Matthew has very special talent as he is of the few that can hear the Blue Angels inside the phone lines.  Mr. Bakker is aware of this talent and demands that Matthew draw out the Blue Angels so that he can use them to his benefit.  Matthew is unwilling to obey with his request.  No one ever refuses a request from Mr. Bakker and in response he sends a dark magical creature to kill Matthew.  As expected, things do not go well for Matthew and as he lies dying, he picks up the phone and suddenly disappears. 

Fast forward two years, Matthew Swift suddenly returns to the world of the living and he is pissed.  He also brought another entity back with him that is extremely powerful and dangerous.  The only problem is that over the same two years Robert Bakker has built an empire called the Tower.  He has surrounded himself with powerful magicians and an army.  Bakker has become the godfather of the magical universe.  As with any empire, there are enemies and Matthew must find some way to form alliance with these dissidents in order to help him get his revenge.

The essence of a solid urban fantasy story exists inside this novel but it takes way too long to get things moving.  There are some really fresh and creative ideas that Ms. Griffin develops in her book.  She explores several other magical communities, such as the Beggars, the Whites, the Bikers and the anti-magic group called the Cult.  All these groups exist inside the confines of London.  Ms. Griffin does a good job of building a believable magical world. 

For me, the real problem has to do with the writing style.  Ms. Griffin tends to over write almost every aspect of this novel.  Too much time is spent describing every sight, smell and sound of each and every part of London.  After awhile this just becomes tiresome and sucks out any momentum.  At points it became so tedious that I gave consideration of putting it on the shelf of shame (where books go when I cannot take it anymore). 

I’m glad I stuck it out and finished the novel.  There are so many interesting aspects to the story but it is dragged down by a tiring writing style.  I will likely pick up the next book in the series in hopes the prose is crisper and the story is allowed to shine through.