Customer Reviews

God's Demon

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Let me first say that like Mr. Barlowe I am also a fan of John Milton's masterpiece Paradise Lost. I read Paradise Lost for the first time a few years ago and it instantly became my favorite piece of literature.

God's Demon is a fictional story inspired by Paradise Lost. It involves a high ranking fallen angel in hell who decides to struggle for redemption after many millennia of exile away from "the Above."

One must not assume, however, that the ideas in God's Demon are necessarily in line with Paradise Lost. For example, one of the ideas brought across by Milton in Paradise Lost was that "devil with devil firm concord holds," meaning that fallen angels do not fight amongst themselves. In God's Demon the fallen angels, from the beginning, set up fiefdoms in hell and are constantly warring with one another to enlarge their domains. Of course this is also not in line with Biblical ideas, as Christ once said that "if Satan were divided against Satan, his kingdom could not stand." This is just one of a number of incongruencies between God's Demon and Paradise Lost.

That said, anyone interested in a story that involves supernatural forces of good and evil owes it to themselves to read this book. As I see it, the best fantasy and sci-fi works explore one of the most important questions in the history of human philosophy: WHAT IF? In God's Demon Barlowe does an exemplary job of considering the implications of a fallen angel who truly repents for having followed Lucifer in his rebellion against heaven.

There's a lot I want to say after having just finished reading this book, but I'll just share what amazes me most about God's Demon. This book is extremely powerful emotionally. I could feel tears welling up in my eyes in the scene where the character Lilith sees Lord Sargatanas's heavanly murals for the first time. That scene does indeed evoke a sense of divine beauty.

Anyway, to sum it up this is definitely a book worth reading by anyone who is into fantasy fiction. It has vivid descriptions of a hellish landscape, it has suspence, it has romance, and it has some phenomenal action scenes. I highly recommend it.

Outstanding. Truly, truly outstanding.

I will preface this review by admitting a bias. I have a certain penchant for the subject matter, having been fascinated by Dante, Milton, and others who have dealt with Hell before. Given that, I can say with confidence that this is the most "personal" treatment of Hell that I've ever read.

Barlowe captures the essence of supreme sorrow that most typifies what I envision to be the greatest anguish in Hell. By humanizing the protagonist (a Demon) to a certain extent, Barlowe allows the reader to share in the sense of loss and pain that came with the Fall. Nevertheless, Barlowe is eloquent enough with his text that the "alien" nature of the characters is never lost.

There are very few flaws in the work (and I reviewed an Advance Review Copy, so some of them may have been altered in the production release), but I will try to touch on them.

The timeline of the piece can be a bit confusing at times, with the passage of time too often going unsaid (or, at best, loosely implied). Now, it may well be unfair of me to make that statement, as it is true that there is the notion that time itself (at least to the Damned) becomes meaningless in Hell... and Eternity is more than just a "very long time"... Still, as a reader, reading a book with a plot, there were times that I felt that I'd "missed" something and had to flip back (sometimes several chapters) to double-check the timing of an event or discussion. That said, the immersive nature of the narration far outweighs any minor inconvenience in being momentarily confused.

There are many characters, of major importance to the plot that have "similar" names. Again, in all fairness, the nature of the characters requires a certain creativity in naming... but as a reader, sometimes I found myself having to remind myself which demon was which... particularly the ones whose names start with the letter 'A'.

There is a "reveal" at one stage in the novel that, while certainly not obviously telegraphed, was not quite the surprise to me that I felt it ought to be. I do not wish to spoil the plot for the readers, but it revolves around a main character and his/her past. That said, the fact that it wasn't a surprise did not spoil the PLOT any nor ruin my overall enjoyment of the work. I almost feel silly for complaining about it... in fact, it's not even really a "fault" in the work.

Lastly, I did find that there were times when the text seems to take for granted that the reader has specific knowledge of the history/culture/mechanics of Hell that I do not feel are adequately set out beforehand. I understand that this is actually a legitimate literary technique and (to a certain extent) is even REQUIRED by the frame tale of the narration, but it still can be a bit jarring when the reader is forced to read several pages without fully understanding what is happening until later. I think that this might be somewhat obviated by perusing Barlowe's "sister" works Inferno and Brushfire, which deal with similar subject matter, but I did not do so prior to reading the novel.

Regardless of the fact that I've taken up the bulk of the review by discussing flaws in the novel, I've given the work 5 stars. I feel that there are few works in human history that are without any flaws, and the minor flaws here are WELL outweighed by the beautiful and moving text. Barlowe has really created something special in this novel. I hesitate to call it a "masterpiece"... only history should make that judgment. I do not, however, hesitate in saying that the Commedia and Paradise Lost find themselves in excellent company with God's Demon.

Let's face it, there is an inherent fascination and curiosity about the afterlife, particularly Hell and it's Eternal Damnation, the rivers of fire, the torture of the souls... It's always been a popular hit in the past, what with Dante's _Inferno_, Milton's "Paradise Lost"... And visually, I know I can remember details from Hieronymus Bosch's hell panel better than his depiction of Paradise.

So here we have almost a classical portrayal of Hell, replete with fallen Seraphim, now Greater Demons, lording it over the lesser demons and using souls as bricks for buildings or pieces of clothing or flayed skin for decoration--their torment almost negligible, just a part of everyday life in Hell.

And it is only natural to wonder if those who have once lived in Heaven ever have regret over that disastrous War, ever think of going beyond their role as the Punished and the Punisher, the Eternally Damned Lords of the Damned? Aren't such thoughts, dreams, hopeless? There is no Hope in Hell.

Yet, Sargatanas, one of the great Lords of Hell, still hopes and dreams. He has gone beyond despair and resignation and decides upon action--to dare another War, hoping it is not as doomed for him and his followers as was the one led by Lucifer in Heaven.

Barlowe's Hell is pretty much as you would expect. It is horrific, but mundane even in it's grandiosity. The denizens are also what you would expect-- Beelzebub, the Lord of Flies, rules in the absence of Lucifer (which was unexpected, but makes sense... Lucifer has a gorgeousness and dark nobility that is almost Sargatanas' role in this tale; Beelzebub is gross and nasty and a suitable Demon Lord to despise and hate as an antagonist). There is an emotional distance to the writing that oddly suits the tone of this story--how much can you really care for the Damned, after all? The driving question is, of course, will Sargatanas have a hope in hell of succeeding? Does the Divine forgive the Unforgivable??? THAT is not at all in any tales, cannon or no. So much here is as expected, and yet, there's that fascination, still.

Having never known of Barlowe or his other works and having never read Dante's Inferno nor Milton's Paradise Lost, I was merely given this book by a friend who knew I have mainly read romances, Vince Flynn type CIA novels, and the occasional along with 1 or 2 science fiction books over the years. When he gave me the book he told me ignore the cover art (as he knew I wasn't into that taste) and just start reading.

Ignoring the entire cover (art and title) I gave a resigned sigh and opened to the acknowledgment page where the author thanks both living and dead. THAT was unusual but I figured it had something to do with a family member passing on while the book was being written. Skipped everything the author had to say as that's usually worthless - after reading for over 30 years I know why these are written and its usually to assuage something or explain the entire book's premise, when the premise should be understood after reading it. Its like an "I'm sorry" before you read it, so I pass.

I read the Prologue and Chapters 1-5, carried the book with me while I found my friend and started asking questions: What happened to this character? How does this end? Where is this going? My friend told me to read it. I told him, I don't like surprises, that's why I read ROMANCE and Vince Flynn novels. I know the end. My life is chaotic enough that I don't need my reading leisure time to be unenjoyable and filled with tension. He told me it was based on Milton's Paradise Lost and didn't I read the acknowledgment? Well, no. He rolled his eyes and said read the acknowledgment. So I did and then I figured that since I probably wasn't going to finish the book, and would probably lie to my friend about having read it, I skipped to the end so when we had a conversation about it, I'd know enough.

I read the last chapter. Then I read the chapter before that. Then the 3rd to the last chapter. Then I was about 6 chapters before the end and read it straight through, and tears sprung forth.

When my friend asked if I had finished the book I didn't lie, I said yes, but I added that I was going to read it again, and this time I did - taking 5 days. Some chapters were so heart wrenching that I couldn't go on without examining my own life and beliefs compared to the story line in that chapter. On other days I wouldn't, couldn't do anything else but read and then re-read what Barlowe had written.

At the end, I wept openly AGAIN and sat on my couch knowing that my mind had been opened by this author's years long effort.

My friend asked how I liked the book and I told him he wasn't getting it back. Its staying near my nightstand for the rest of my life, for in the dark and lonely times, there is hope, even in Hell.

A capably written, albeit rather dark, tale of the fallen archangel Sargatanas and his attempt to redefine and redeem himself whilst mired in the festering and treacherous environs of Hell as Barlowe has imagined it. It is a classic story of regret and sadness, driven by hope and a longing for salvation. Inspired by Milton's Paradise Lost, it is told from the perspective of those enduring their eternal punishment, as opposed to the rather high-handed and arrogant observer's position taken by Dante in his 14th century epic poem Inferno.

As a writer Barlowe is solid but occasionally uneven, and the dialog stumbles just a bit in places, but the descriptions of Hell and its denizens are outstanding. They also clearly reveal Barlowe's interest in the visual and visceral aspects of the place, but this works in the story's favor, lending an air of realism, and even some familiarity, to an otherwise surreal and terrifying place.

Sargatanas may be the primary character in the drama, but others of historical note also make appearances. Hannibal is a significant supporting character, and he's introduced with a description of the ritual sacrifice that originally shattered his humanity. It is profoundly disturbing (at least it was for me), and Barlowe elicits a sympathetic reaction in the reader that is hard to ignore, and hard to forget. However, Barlowe's resolution for Hannibal, and his personal redemption, is almost as gratifying as his original tragedy is shocking.

Lilith also appears, and some mythologies have proposed that Lilith was the original Eve (i.e. The Alphabet of Ben-Sira). Barlowe works her into the story as a strong, intriguing and sympathetic supporting character.

The conclusion of Sargatana's story is moving without being overly contrived, and Barlowe leaves no major loose ends dangling, only interesting questions arising from his description of Hell and the beings who inhabit it. There's enough left over for a second book, but God's Demon is a solidly told story perfectly capable of standing on its own.

To heighten the experience and put "faces" on the characters as Barlowe sees them, I would recommend picking up the art books "Barlowe's Inferno" and "Brushfire: Illuminations from the Inferno" to examine while reading God's Demon.

God's Demon tells, in a very graphic way, of the next great war among fallen angels in Hell. Barlowe creates his netherworld replete with blood showers, endless labors of the damned, and an existence even more terrifying than anything spelled out in the original Judeo-Christian literature.

It is graphic. As Barlowe drags you into his vision, you are mortified. The thought of sinners spending endless milennia in torturous positions, often contorted into building materials, makes the "lesser" punishment of eternal slave labor seem like the easy path. The weather patterns, the landscape and the atmosphere itself are all portrayed in gory detail. Just when you think you are numb to it, another horrifying details of this existence is revealed.

The plot explodes with intrigue - politics, war, espionage and betrayal consume the attention of our demon and human characters alike. The narration switches focus among a selection of the main characters, one at a time. From this, we are able to explore the individual character development of all but the chief antagonist, Beelzebub himself. The legions of Hell align themselves with those that seek the lost Heaven or those who have found their true home in Hell.

Overall, I highly recommend this to any fan of religious mythology. While there are flaws (detailed below), they are easily overcome by the strength of the storytelling and the rich universe created here.

That said, the downsides:
- Overuse of some "catch-all" mechanisms such as glyphs, Abyssals, and souls themselves to accomplish any task. Where a sci-fi book would have technology, Barlowe uses glyphs - to lock doors, open doors, communicate orders, heal wounds, etc. etc. Souls and Abyssals (creatures who inhabited Hell since before the fall) are also used without limit as raw materials. While this becomes a key plot line (as the economy of Hell is based on this), it's just a little overused.

- To the point above, a soul can be used as raw materials, stretched and plied into any form, yet going into battle, can suffer "mortal," lasting wounds?

- There is a Hell worse than Hell, we learn - a place where demons can find a more punishing version of hell when they "die." This calls into question whether that Hell has it's own Hell, etc.

- There is one major loose end just dropped (unless I missed it), and it deals with a character who never actually appears in the book. To avoid a spoiler here, I will just say we never find out the fate of a very prominent name.

Now, put these aside and enjoy the book! It's a Hell of a read.

First of all, being a VFX Supervisor and Technical Director in some of Hollywoods biggest FX laden movies and Television series I must say that this is one of the most VISUAL books I have ever read. Not since DUNE have I ached to see a book made into a movie. The stories of THE FALL and the building of HELL are vivid and descriptive to perfection. Barlowe has done his homework and it shows. Of course being one of the best concept artists for the film and TV industry makes it even that much more of a treat. It is one of those books that once hooked, forget about anything else for a while, all you will want to do is read. For his first foray into writing Wayne has done a splended job of describing HELL like I have always imagined it must be. The political heirarchy, the cities, the way souls are torchered, I mean what can be worse than being turned into a brick FOREVER and having to watch as life goes on eternaly? Beelzebub is just as sleazy as you would think, but it is in Sargatanas that we indeed find hope springs infernal. From the war in heaven that begat Hell, to the hope of a return of a Seraphim back to the Above to meet again with his lord and be forgiven for ever falling for Lucifer's BS in the first place the book will enthrall you endlessly. One of the best reads since Frank Herbert's DUNE series of books. My hope is to see, first, this made into a HUGE block buster, and with people Like Guierllmo Del Toro and James Cameron as fans, both would be perfect to direct such an epic. Both are more than well adapt at the art of using Visual FX to enhance the story which this book calls for if it is to be made into a movie. I can find no higher praise for a book. It has been a long time since an author has literally grabbed me from my soul and taken me someplace that I have always wondered about, and feared and lived to tell about it!

5 Stars all the way.....Now come on you big desicion makers in Hollywood, BUY THE RIGHTS TO THIS BOOK and MAKE IT A REALITY!!!! Weinstein Bros, are you listening?

I would pray that I would be able to work on just even one shot of the Visual FX of this movie, and I would dare say do it for free just to see it made!

What drew me to this book was the cover--and I was particularly surprised when I realized the author was also the cover artist. That doesn't happen too often.

Unfortunately, while the author is a great artist, his book (like other reviewers have said) is rather clunky and repetitive. I remember the soul bricks driving me crazy...two boring, utility words used together over and over and OVER again. And yes, this story does read something like a rough draft. I suspect, upon reading the other reviews and realizing that the author has a picture book out that's related, the author wrote as if the reader would have access to art other than his coverart. (Probably not on purpose, but out of habit...a style developed alongside the art that doesn't stand as well on its own when the art is absent.) But, obviously, the reader only has the cover art to look at, so we're relying exclusively on his written word to "see" his character and world. You can get away with wooden, laid back, and down-key writing when there's phenomenal visual art accompanying it...people ignore the writing then and drool over the pictures. But when it's the writing by itself, the flaws become much more apparent.

So, overall I wouldn't recommend the book by itself. But if you're familiar with the author/artist's other works, it might stand up much better.

Booklist describes God's Demon as "a fascinating novel that will ring true to anyone who has ever hoped for forgiveness." As reviews go, this gets to the heart of the thematic material in Barlowe's novel.

A professional illustrator, he creates a striking visual world vastly different from our own. With scenes ranging from the disturbingly gruesome to the startlingly beautiful, the novel is a study in contrast, and mirrors the shades of grey that fill our own world.

From the beginning to the end, readers are faced with the juxtaposition of well-developed characters who range across social classes, sides in the war, and even species. Following the rebellion of the fallen seraph Sargatanas, the novel takes its audience on the fascinating visual and emotional journey of a demon major seeking redemption, his followers, and his enemies.

The tale centers on the importance of hope, the chance of redemption, and the choice to pursue one's beliefs in the face of ostensibly overwhelming odds. At the end, readers are left with unanswered questions and a finale that both elates and saddens, filled with victory and defeat, characters whose ends remain mysterious, and unanswered questions. Readers are left simultaneously with the empowering presentation of a hero who achieves his dream, and the cathartic demonstration of a tragic hero whose decisions and traits lead to his downfall.

I, too, really tried to love this book, for the simple fact it sprang from the imagination of Wayne Barlowe, but alas, this work failed me. All of his other works reside in my collection, and when I discovered his attempt to add further dimension to the world introduced in Barlowe's Inferno, I knew I must possess this one as well. The work, however, began to displease me when I realized he failed to change his passive "narrator" voice used so often in the descriptions to his art (Inferno, Expedition or the Fantasy / Extraterrestrial guides). Too much of that "he was" or "they were" or "she had been" murdered any life within the story. Barlowe failed to fulfill an inherent promise of plunging the reader into the center of the action, and found myself sidelined into the role of post-facto observer as in his other works (Imagine a Infernal Geographic, if you will). Others extol the visuals of the work, but I wonder how the prose impacts someone who never perused Barlowe's Inferno or the companion folio.

While this screams "first draft," the work still merits a read, and is a important companion to the other works of Barlowe, so for the collection's completion sake, this cannot be left behind.

I give it 3 stars - the read proved interesting, and it possesses all the potential of an uncut ruby. As an artist, Wayne Barlowe reigns supreme. As a novel writer, his work lacks the polish of a professional storyteller, though the prose within his other works proves his skill with the written word. More practice with demands of a NOVEL and Barlowe may be a serious contender.