The Crippled Angel [Paperback]

Sara Douglass (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 30, 2003

Hal Bolingbroke, the Demon-King, prepares a tournament in honour of his accession to the throne. Thomas Neville knows that his decision between the angels and the demons must come soon. Meanwhile, the Black Dog of Pestilence arrives. This book is the final instalment of "The Crucible".

Editorial Reviews

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. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers (April 30, 2003)
• ISBN-10: 0732265428
• ISBN-13: 978-0732265427
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 4.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,401,941 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Sara Douglass was born in Penola, South Australia, and spent her early working life as a nurse. Rapidly growing tired of starched veils, mitred corners and irascible anaesthetists, she worked her way through three degrees at the University of Adelaide, culminating in a PhD in early modern English history. Sara Douglass currently teaches medieval history of La Trobe University, Bendigo and escapes academia through her writing.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful 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 - See all my reviews

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, January 11, 2006

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

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, January 23, 2007

By 

Mel - See all my reviews

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!