~ ANGELS OF RESISTANCE ~
Volume One
D. V. Mammina

Review by: C. N. Rivera
Reviewed for: Allbook Reviews

Tension runs high from the beginning of Angels of Resistance as Michael Miuriell, the lone survivor of a mysterious attack on his homeland of Pommel, is rescued by the Tinarian ship Santo di Mare . When the captain questions how he came to be stranded in the middle of the ocean, Michael's explanation is both frightening and unsatisfying. He will not be deterred, however, from speaking to the king of Tinaria upon their arrival in the country, for he has grave information that must be heeded immediately.

But it seems that he is too late. The Demon Plague that destroyed his home swoops down upon Tinaria in a wave of bloody destruction and, despite the peoples' best efforts, the kingdom appears on the brink of annihilation. Only the rise of the morning sun may save them long enough to regroup and form a counterattack.

Readers familiar with roleplay fantasy may find Angels of Resistance to their tastes as it reads something like a quest transcribed to paper. The main characters, Michael, Maxim, and Predella fit the roles of the priest, warrior, and rogue huntress quite well, and their quest to save Tinaria and its royal family, likewise, is just the kind of thing one might find in an rpg setting. It's only fitting that those three individuals, each trained by a legendary sage, come together in Tinaria to form its core fighting group.

There's action to spare in this novel. The first half of the story takes place during the Demon Plague fight, with each battle and encounter detailed blow-by-blow. In addition, mysteries appear as the demon generals begin referring to Michael and Princess Shina as important pieces to a puzzle they aren't yet ready to reveal. Further problems arise from the Tinarian allies, particularly Lord Vitae, who has never trusted Michael Miuriell and is determined to argue against him, despite the evidence that what he says is the truth.

In terms of writing, Angels of Resistance might benefit from the hand of a keen editor. While the events move quickly and the characters remain active, the language of the novel is occasionally distracting. Tense changes and direct references to future events pull attention away from the story, and words used out of context cause muddled sentences that readers might trip over.

Despite those weaknesses, Angels of Resistance is fast-paced with many good fantasy elements, and readers can look forward to the continuation of Michael's mission in the next installment.

The first and second volumes of Angels of Resistance may be purchased at lulu.com in a variety of formats.

ISBN: 978-1-4116-4778-7
Edition: Trade Paperback