Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
This is not a simple book..., December 17, 2006
The premise of the book is that 4 authors are drawn into a spiritual war, 3 on the side of Heaven (C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkein and Charles Williams) and one on the side of Evil (famed Satanist Alistair Crowley).
Based on my experience, a familiarity with the work of Charles Williams is recommended. Also recommended: Read the annotations at the end of the book as you read the text. I found it to be a big help and, in the end, much more interesting reading than the text.
I found the premise of the story to be odd and often unclear (what role did Crowley have throughout the book? What was he getting out of the situation?) The Lewis and Tolkein characters were wholly unnecessary - they did little except give the lesser-known Charles Williams a bit of gravitas-by-association.
It would also be helpful if the reader already had a familiarity with the beliefs of gnosticism, Alistair Crowley and the Holy Grail stuff that Dan Brown uses throughout the "DaVinci Code".
I give the text a grade of D. I give the annotations a grade of A-. That averages to a grade of C+.
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Slow, deep and enriching, June 10, 2004
By A Customer
Reviewer Mike Perschon has given a good overview of the story and great guidance on its best audience. To it, I should like to add the recommendation that those readers who pick it up settle down with Heaven's War somewhere quiet, with time to devote to it. Those who are seeking quick entertainment will do neither it nor themselves justice. Some may find this story a slow starter, but there are rich depths that will reward the persistent, and those who go back for a second read will find elements have taken on new levels. If readers aren't familiar with the persons and philosophies involved, they can keep one finger in the notes at the end of the book, which should clear up much of the mystery. Even if the reader is familiar, its worth investigating the notes after reading the novel. They offer depths of their own.My only real criticism of this work is its format. I think the author would have better served the material to present it in novel form, which would have allowed a little more exposition and a little less redundant imagery. While Gaydos seems to be a fine illustrator, the story appeals less to the senses than to the mind and the soul.
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2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Heaven's War, August 25, 2005
First off, let me state the few things I found wrong with this graphic novel:
1. The artwork is mediocre, and really not so hot. I'd like to see it redrawn. It's better art than I can do, but the story deserves better.
2. You really need to have read Descent into Hell by Charles Williams before reading this novel.
Other than that, it was excellent. This is a graphic novel not just to look at, but to really think about. The climax and conclusion are eucatastrophic (to use Tolkien's wonderful phrase).
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