There are so many things to about this novel. First of all, it's incredibly original. I haven't read anything in the YA sector that deals with Latino culture and gangs. While it doesn't dive into that world very explicitly, it does give a decent overview and enough context for you to understand what's happening. It might have been strengthened by a little bit more world building for those who are not familiar. I did grow up in Southern California, and lived in a lot of neighborhoods where this was a factor, so I'm very familiar with a lot of those aspects.

This is a faith-based book, but it doesn't overdo it on the religious jargon or theology. The characters are very real and open about their struggles and short-comings. Faith is messy and complicated because people are, and so I think this really showcases that there's no one right way to come to faith or to embrace it; certainly no one is perfect in their efforts. I appreciated that being represented, especially for teens and young adults who are still figuring things out.

I love the idea of angels as reapers, and it definitely makes for a good fantasy read. Angela and the other Destinas are very likable. Michael is a great character and brings a lot of humor to the story. Shawn embodies the right characteristics for his role in this story, which fit nicely into the plot without feeling contrived. He had good reasons for his decisions.

Other than a lack of strong world building, I also feel some of the dialogue was a little cheesey at times, and I would have appreciated separation between scenes within a chapter for clarity-sake.

Overall, this was an unique story with action and heart. I'm looking forward to finding out what happens to these characters in part two.1 Jon Abrahamson1 review

Let me start with the fact that I’m not religious at all and often avoid fantasy as a reader, so I was surprised that I genuinely enjoyed this book. It is hard for me to explain why I was so anxious to see what happens next in battles between female gang members Angels of Death and Lucifer’s minions. In hindsight, I think it was the realistic, believable dialogue in unrealistic situations that drew me in. This book had everything: gang initiations, insightful, relevant passages from the Bible, and nascent feelings of love between Angels of Death. What more could you ask for AND totally appropriate for the young adult markets

Jon Abrahamson. Retired 7th grade English teacher1 Westley Smith7

A war is building between God and The Devil - and both need recruits to win the fight.

After Angela is gunned down in a drive-by shooting outside a gang house, she is chosen by God to be one of his Angel servants - more or less a hitwoman for God. With the help of the Arch Angel, Michael, she sets out on her mission to fight off The Devil's minions, save her former gang member friends from themselves and the streets of LA, all with the help of the only person who can see her, Shawn.

Angela of Death by John Cady is at its core about good vs evil - both externally and spiritually. With its original concept, blending of fantasy and spiritual themes, well-written characters that are flawed but human, it is a must-read!1 Joshua Loyd FoxAuthor 12 books20

Angela of Death is a coming of age (after death) that easily and fluidly tells a story about a young girl who is a really good person but grew up in a bad neighborhood. And so, she tries to get jumped into a gang, where at least there, she will belong. But she isn't able to go through with all of the requirements to join and has to leave the safehouse in shame. Until bullets go flying, and she is caught in the middle.

That's when her real job begins. Conscripted into being an Angel of Death by the archangel Michael, she has to start taking lives with a single kiss, something she couldn't do with a gun, when she was alive.

Only one person has seen her do her work and has seen the fighting and battle she has to go through with demons to get to the souls she has to save. Shawn. The boy who saw her take his grandfather.

And so, together, Shawn being alive, and Angela being dead, they work together to save the lives of the very girls that Angela had tried to join while living. And they have insurmountable odds trying to save these gang banger women.

A lot of preaching and teaching, a huge sacrifice, and a refusal to quit highlight the best parts of this book.

John Cady's breakout novel is a face paced, fantastic read, and I can't wait to read the second one, which I'm told comes out in six months. Well done John, and I hope this book takes you to the top, where you belong.

Five stars because it won't let me give 10. C.I.I. JonesAuthor 8 books34

This is way off the beaten path of my usual writing, but when I always try to check out as much as I can from publishers that I currently work with. That said, it was a very engaging read. Angela of Death is both Christian and Young Adult literature, written in a way that will capture the attention of readers looking for the latter while giving an interesting lesson on the former.

While hitting the usual YA tropes (peer pressure narratives, young love, growing up) this story is definitely unique. The best I could describe it as S.E. Hinton's The Outsiders with a sort of It's a Wonderful Life twist. A young girl, Angela, with a few degrees of separation from her gang-affiliated friends, is caught in the crossfire of a drive-by and is killed. She is sent back as an Angel of Death, with a mission from the big guy upstairs to save her friends from a life of crime. Russell Dupont1 review

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