Angel of Death (The Chosen Chronicles #1)

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Angel of Death (The Chosen Chronicles #1)

by Karen Dales (Goodreads Author)

4.54 of 5 stars 4.54 · rating details · 91 ratings · 21 reviews

The Vampires of London are being murdered and only the Angel of Death can save them.

When Father Paul Notus is captured and threatened with a gruesome death by the Mistress of London and her Vampires, the Angel is forced into a dark world of murder and deception to discover who is killing the Vampires of Britain.

Forced into a partnership with the Noble Fernando de Sagres, a...more

ebook, 455 pages

Published June 28th 2011 by darkdragonpublishing (first published May 15th 2009)

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Dec 24, 2011 jD rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2_kindle_own, 2011_5-stars, 2011-read

I can honestly say that my emotional experiences with this book far exceeded my literary one. Angel, the hero, is the type of long-suffering character that is painful to read most of the time. He brought three of my favorite tortured characters to mind as I read the many horrors of his existence.

Take nothing from the order of these, only the comparison. In some parts of the story, I reflected on Fitz from Assassin's Apprentice because Angel was willing to venture into the flames for someone he l...more I can honestly say that my emotional experiences with this book far exceeded my literary one. Angel, the hero, is the type of long-suffering character that is painful to read most of the time. He brought three of my favorite tortured characters to mind as I read the many horrors of his existence.

Take nothing from the order of these, only the comparison. In some parts of the story, I reflected on Fitz from Assassin's Apprentice because Angel was willing to venture into the flames for someone he loved no matter what it cost him and it always did. Next, I was taken back to Louie from Interview With the Vampire because of the sadness that permeated each heartbreak and Angel's inabiliy to move forward. The character that hurt me the worst to remember was the fisherman from The Old Man and the Sea because it seemed Angel was unable capture and hold happiness. Like I said, he is a long-suffering miserable soul with too many valid reasons to be that way.

Ms. Dales has truly written a masterpiece of a level of creativity and boldness rarely seen. I will remember this book and the wonderful emotions I experienced as the mystery of Angel slowly unfolded. The story began with Angel discovering that his mentor has been kidnapped in order to force him to search for the culprits and origins of a mysterious 'vampire' killing blood poisoning. His mentor is the man who made him over 1400 years earlier. The father son relationship they share is the only relationship in Angel's life that allowed him to care without the risk of pain and rejection. Without his mentor, he would be alone since he had not built any other meaningful relationships in his very long lifetime. People scorned him because of his white skin, white hair, and red eyes. He was beautiful to all who saw him but none really care who he was as a man.

The richness of this story is mostly the genius of Angel but there are some strong supporting characters, especially Jeanie, Fernando, and Bridget. The historial waltz was flawlessly interwoven through flashbacks that testify to Angel's broken existence. At the heart of the many mysteries layered throughout the story is one key question -- what exactly is Angel. He believes he is a 'Chosen', those who think of themselves as vampires because that is what legends call them. But are they? The one thing they all share is that they started as humans which no one was certain was true for Angel. It is a head-scratcher for certain.

There is romance and sexual situations but nothing erotic. The love story of Angel and Jeanie made me swoon at times. Jeanie's highlander brougue was music to my mind's ears. There is a R-rated level violence which is at times difficult to read. This is the pefect book for readers that enjoy historical fantasy, vampire mythology, and the fae. I am not sure how many books will compile this series but it is clear that more are to come as this one has a cliffhanger. I am very pleased to have found this book and will continue to read the series.(less)

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Aug 06, 2011 OpenBookSociety.com rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Brought to you by OBS Staff member Autumn

Description:

The Vampires of London are being murdered and only the Angel of Death can save them.

When Father Paul Notus, is captured and threatened with a gruesome death by the Mistress of London and her vampires, the Angel is forced into a dark world of murder and deception to discover who is killing the Vampires of Britain.

Forced into a partnership with the Noble Fernando de Sagres, a vampire of sadistic tastes, and joined by the beautiful and mortal Jea...more

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Jan 04, 2012 Amanda rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This is probably closer to a 3.5, but I'm rounding it up to a 4. Now, one disclaimer: I am not normally a big fan of vampire fiction or romance novels. However, I decided to check out The Chosen Chronicles because it is written by my lovely acquaintance, Karen Dales, who has always been a pleasure to talk with and very interesting. A lot of this carried through into her book, which was a very novel update on the traditional vampire lore, with none of the crap that Twilight and its ilk have impor...more

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Jan 01, 2013 Peter rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is the first book that I have read by Karen Dales. At first I thought another typical vampire novel. The Angel of Death is one of the best vampire novels that I have read in a few years. Dales style in developing the characters through the book is excellent. The storyline is very well written.

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Apr 13, 2012 John Hundley rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I was not particularly drawn to this book by the product description. I purchased it and read it mainly to support the author. Ms. Dales' work deserves attention based on the good will and support she shows for other authors in this genre alone. Hell, she even read my book. So, although I do not like vampires as heroes, and although I am not a fan of the time period and location where the principle action takes place, and the fact that it is part of something called 'chronicles', which for some...more I was not particularly drawn to this book by the product description. I purchased it and read it mainly to support the author. Ms. Dales' work deserves attention based on the good will and support she shows for other authors in this genre alone. Hell, she even read my book. So, although I do not like vampires as heroes, and although I am not a fan of the time period and location where the principle action takes place, and the fact that it is part of something called 'chronicles', which for some reason engenders images in my mind of long, boring lists of names or something, I could not live with myself if I didn't at least give it a try.
As happens more often than not, my preconception of Angel of Death was wrong. Karen Dales has created an intriguing mythos with her version of vampire-like beings, a very strong character duo in Gwyn and Notus, and a broad plot line, the scope of which is truly deserving of a book series. I will eagerly devour the next two, three, or four books, and I actually hope it takes that long for Dales to slowly reveal just who and what Gwyn is.
Based on the above listed strengths, Angel of Death deserves five stars, and it has gotten its share of those from others; but I'm a glass-half-empty kind of guy, and there were a few things that bugged me about it and dragged the rating down to (only!) four.
First of all (no, second - I can't completely get over my preconceptions, dang it), the thing is long, almost 600 pages. There's nothing that isn't well-written, but I thought there was a lot that was unnecessary. Also, I was grateful for the built-in dictionary on my Kindle. I used it often on the many archaic or formal words she has scattered throughout.
Finally (and this is no fault of Dales') the book was poorly edited, with plenty of typos. It was as if the editor had run spell check on it without reading it. (Come on, man, it was a good book. At least read it!) Also, I read the ebook version, which had probably removed the extra spaces placed between scenes within a chapter. It was disconcerting to go to a new paragraph and suddenly be somewhere else, looking at something different through a different pair of eyes.
So, give yourself plenty of time, keep your dictionary handy, and be prepared for an occasional confused pause, and you'll be in for an excellent read. Keep the Chronicles coming, Karen!(less)

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Mar 13, 2012 Ressa Empbra rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

If I could, I'd give this entire series a 10-Star Review!! As it stands, 5-Stars is all I can do. I'll be adding a review soon, so look forward to it! :D

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Feb 06, 2013 Ressa Empbra rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Absolutely and without a doubt, Miss Dales has crafted the richest, deepest, most intricately interwoven tale I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Her imagination and creativity topple the scales completely over, leaving me simultaneously breathless and brokenhearted. It was so powerfully gripping and hauntingly beautiful, I was enraptured page after riveting page as I read the series. If you're into vampires, this is for you. Although, it's a bit darker than many paranormal books we've been...more

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Jul 12, 2012 Sam Marchello rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I really enjoyed this book, and more than I thought I would. First off, I'm not a huge horror or vampire fan. However, Karen Dales crafts a wonderful world, with a vivid cast of characters. I will admit upfront that I wasn't as fond of Changeling, because while it sets everything up so perfectly, there was a lot more show than tell. It also didn't help that I was distracted by the grammar errors in that section (funny since there was none in Angel of Death!).

One thing I loved was the relationsh...more

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Dec 27, 2010 Stephen Pearl rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Having completed Changeling the first book of this two book volume I’d like to share my thoughts.

A review of Changeling by Karen Dales

By

Stephen B. Pearl

I will begin this review by stating I am not a major fan of vampire fiction. I may not know all the conventions of the genera and as such I will be reviewing from a more general perspective. That being said, Changeling seems to be a pleasant departure from the vampire cleashays that we are all too familiar with.

When an albino son is born into th...more Having completed Changeling the first book of this two book volume I’d like to share my thoughts.

A review of Changeling by Karen Dales

By

Stephen B. Pearl

I will begin this review by stating I am not a major fan of vampire fiction. I may not know all the conventions of the genera and as such I will be reviewing from a more general perspective. That being said, Changeling seems to be a pleasant departure from the vampire cleashays that we are all too familiar with.

When an albino son is born into the line of chiefs of a Celtic village he is viewed as a fey changeling and abandoned to the wilds. Rescued by chance and the kindness of an elderly witch the boy, Gwyn, grows to young adulthood forever avoiding the deadly touch of the sun. Feared and persecuted because of his appearance the boy avoids all human contact save his guardian. This solution fails when he is caught outside and beaten by an ignorant thug of a village boy. The albino embraces secrecy as his only safe refuge. Secrecy and the love of the kind and descent witch woman who is mother to him in all the ways that count.

Using the coin of her status as a healer the witch arranges for the boy’s education in the arts of war by the village chieftain, Geraint, who recognises the strange, pail young man as the son he abandoned and has mourned ever since. The boy learns quickly until Geraint must leave to go to war. Garaint is killed in battle. Without Garaint’s leadership the villagers are whipped into a frenzy of mindless hatred by the priest of a forin faith and slaughter the elderly witch and healer who has cared for the albino boy all his life. Gwyn, who was out hunting when the villagers attacked his foster mother, can do nothing but watch as she is murdered and his home burnt. He escapes and takes up residence in a cave.
After a time living wild and alone Gwyn interrupts a Vampire caught in blood lust. Vampire’s call themselves the chosen. Surviving the Vampire’s attack Gwyn escapes to his cave where the vampiric infection transforms him. His attacker, Notus, a Christian monk as well as one of the chosen, finds Gwyn.

Notus instructs Gwyn teaching him how to live on animal blood and the arts of reading and writing. Time passes and Notus decides that Gwyn must go to a larger center and interact with other people if he is to realise his potential.

Gwyn rescues a woman from a band of thugs. This woman becomes his first love. Shortly there after he travels to a village that he, using vampire strength and speed, protects from a mercenary army. Gwyn is wounded revealing that iron is deadly to him. This is an oddity and implies that the fey nature may have something to it. Barely surviving Gwyn and Notus leave the village, and Gwyn’s beloved, and travel to London to complete Gwyn’s education.

The book is really a series of coming of age stories that trace Gwyn from an infant to a young man ready to start making his own way in the world. The allusions to Celtic myth and legend as well as the time period the book is set in, which was one of a tumultuous, forced transition in peoples’ ways of thinking, make an interesting backdrop for the action. Gwyn has all the adolescent doubt and rebellion one expects of a neglected teen but pleasantly enough a central core of decency that informs his actions as much as his doubts and raging hormones. I found him both interesting and likable despite the fact that there were times I wanted to give him a slap upside the head and tell him to get over it. In other words I related to him like I would a real teenager.

In all I found Changeling to be an enjoyable read despite it not being “my type of book”. I would imagine for a fan of the genera this book would exceed all expectations. Consider it highly recommended by this reviewer.
(less)

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Aug 01, 2009 Ruth rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I do not make it a habit to read paranormal books, but this one caught my attention and I decided to take my chances and read it. I am very glad I did! This is an excellent book. It grabbed my attention from the very beginning when a child was born who had white hair and red eyes. Immediately shunned by his mother who sends him away to die, I was pulled into the world Karen Dales magically wove. The prologue explains his childhood and the strange white creatures who haunt him and the way he beca...more I do not make it a habit to read paranormal books, but this one caught my attention and I decided to take my chances and read it. I am very glad I did! This is an excellent book. It grabbed my attention from the very beginning when a child was born who had white hair and red eyes. Immediately shunned by his mother who sends him away to die, I was pulled into the world Karen Dales magically wove. The prologue explains his childhood and the strange white creatures who haunt him and the way he became Chosen.

Then Book One begins, and I already developed an attachment to the grown child who is called the Angel and his mentor/Chooser Father Paul Notus. I really liked Notus. He is what I consider to be a moral compass, and the Angel longs to belong. However, he is different so he doesn't truly belong among other Chosen who now call themselves vampires. Both the Angel and Father Notus are back in London, and we are introduced to two very memorable characters: Jeanie Stuart and the Noble Fernando de Sagres.

The plot to this book is simple: someone is out to kill the vampires and it is up to the Angel and Fernando to find out who is behind it. (The Angel agrees in order to save Notus who is held captive.) Fernando is the opposite of Notus. While Notus is the moral compass, Fernando is a "do whatever feels right regardless of anyone else" kind of person. He was likable despite his savage nature, and I thoroughly enjoyed him. His comments had me laughing through most of the book. He's actually my favorite character.

Jeanie is the Angel's love interest, and she and Fernando clash, which was great to see. But yes, danger is lurking around the corner for Jeanie. I won't spoil that one though, but Karen has a surprise in store that caught me completely off guard.

The white demons we're introduced to in the prologue continue to haunt the Angel in this book, which I very much enjoyed because it built up the suspense and kept me on the edge of my seat. Who are these demons and will the Angel ever conquer them?

So I recommend this book. This is a mature book, and it's probably that reason that makes it easy to enjoy it as much as I did. It's nice to get involved in a story that has multiple layers and depth to it. It's a book for my keeper shelf now. And don't let the number of pages dissuade you. The book reads fast because Karen never lets it slow down.Angel of Death Book One of the Chosen (less)

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Sep 01, 2012 Sally Hannoush rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Karen Dales takes us on a well told love story full of adventure. Her supernatural world is full of suprises in every corner. The ending of this book leaves the reading wanting to know what happens next.

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May 01, 2012 Cindy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book was amazing! It kept me intrigued. I just couldn't put it down, until I grabed the second book to this series. Great author!

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Apr 16, 2012 Laura rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I liked the overall story but the point of view changed a little too often and became a little confusing.

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Jun 07, 2012 Jerri rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Loved the book. New take on old subject. Very fresh

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Aug 16, 2011 Miranda rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle, owned, supernatural

Angel of Death has some interesting new ideas to add to the ever-increasing 'verse of vampire lore, but other than that, it was pretty underwhelming for what sounded like a great concept. I don't usually mind these things, but the numerous typos and gramatical errors made the book difficult to follow at times, and the dialogue was often very unrealistic. Having said that, I did enjoy the story, though probably not enough to read the next book in the series. Just this first installment, at over 5...more

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Feb 27, 2012 Dawn Buchner is currently reading it · review of another edition

Very good book.

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Aug 17, 2012 Shay Fabbro rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Paranormal and vampires isn't really my thing but Karen Dales has managed to make this old girl read about vampires and fall in love!

Well, with this one particular one at least ;) I got to know a little about the Angel after reading her prelude to the series and just had to dive into The Angel of Death as soon as possible. Sometimes the story lagged in spots but the overall plot kept me interested enough that I managed to make it through those scenes. Can't wait to read the next installment.

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May 04, 2009 Karen Dales rated it 5 of 5 stars · (Review from the author) · review of another edition Recommends it for: Everyone

Recommended to Karen by: no one

Okay..I have to admit it, I love this book, but being the author of the novel makes it easy.

If anyone really loves Vampire novels and wants to read something that has romance, mystery, action and adult content that will force you to stay up nights reading it, then this is the book for you!

It's due to be the next block buster! Order yours today!

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Mar 10, 2012 Stephani rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

OOOO!!!!! I need more. Ready for book two no doubt about it. Kinda wish this was in book form rather than an ebook...but OMG!!!!! Great plot, great characters. Just loved it. Glad I read it. She makes you fall for Angel. I did.....

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Jul 10, 2011 Autumn rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed-2011

It ended just when it was getting so good....

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Apr 01, 2010 Karen Dales rated it 5 of 5 stars · (Review from the author) · review of another edition Recommends it for: Everyone

Recommended to Karen by: I wrote it so...me.:)

Two reviews have come out already. Check them out!

Bitten By Books Review - http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=8238

Amazon.com - http://tinyurl.com/aodonamazon

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topics	posts	views	last activity
Horror Aficionados : GIVEAWAY: LIMITED EDTION OF ANGEL OF DEATH	1	15	Oct 07, 2012 06:52am
Vampire Books Fan...: GIVEAWAY: LIMITED EDTION OF ANGEL OF DEATH	1	9	Oct 07, 2012 06:50am
THE JAMES MASON C...: GIVEAWAY: LIMITED EDTION OF ANGEL OF DEATH	1	5	Oct 07, 2012 06:43am
Goodreads Librari...: Out of print edition	4	41	Feb 24, 2012 09:47am
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About Karen Dales

Karen Dales is the Award Winning Author of "The Chosen Chronicles."

She began writing "Changeling: Prelude to the Chosen Chronicles" and "Angel of Death: Book One of the Chosen Chronicles" after she was inspired to create the character of The Angel for an on-line role playing game she was part of. It was from that experience the birth of The Angel was formed and through years of research Karen fles...more

More about Karen Dales...

Books by Karen Dales

Shadow of Death (The Chosen Chronicles #2)

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