Review - Flaming Dove by Daniel Arenson

 4 of 5 stars

I purchased this book for my Kindle in August.

Armageddon.  Angels vs. Demons.  Good vs. Evil.  These are the themes in the author’s new book, “Flaming Dove.”  But, for me, the book was much more than these larger-than-life themes.  I found the relationships especially those of Laila, the half-angel, half-demon, had with Beezlebub, Michael, Bat-El and even Zarel, The Demon Queen, were what propelled the book forward and kept me turning the pages.  Mr. Arenson did a magnificent job in portraying Laila – her wants and desires, her sorrow and ultimately her anguish at what her life had become.  She is a sad tortured soul.  Everyone wants a piece of Laila except for her ever-faithful wolf, Volkfair.  It is to Volkfair that Laila pours her heart out -- from her tragic childhood to her current struggle to find some peace and a place to call her own.  This is where the author shines and makes Laila come alive in the reader’s mind.

Being half-demon half-angel means she does not belong in either Heaven or Hell, but that doesn’t stop each side from trying to woo Laila to their side.  Her power could turn the tide in the 27-year long war that continues after Armageddon failed to produce a clear winner.  Beezlebub, King of Hell, and Archangel Michael, Heaven’s highest-ranking angel, would say anything to win her loyalty.  There is no black or white or good vs. evil here, only shades of gray.  Demons are not all bad.  Angels are not all pure and good.  Beezlebub plays on their former love affair, while Michael continually reminds her of her angel side and her responsibility to her sister, Bat El.  Laila doesn’t want to help either one of them because it won’t matter which side wins the war, she will lose her temporary home on Earth, the only place she has found a modicum of peace. 

There are many twists and turns in the story that continually surprised me, but I have some slight criticism.  The author needs to trust his readers more.  There are too many character descriptions that are repeated over and over along with countless instances of dripping fangs.  All of these become distracting after awhile.

Without spoiling the ending, I will say that the climax is exciting and unexpected.  Everything you want in a novel.  This book is a fun read, but on a deeper level it makes you think--nothing is purely black or white, good or evil, it’s much more complicated than that.  It takes a talented author to make you ponder these things long after you finish the book.  I highly recommend “Flaming Dove” and look forward to reading more books by Mr. Arenson.