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A Thousand Fiendish Angels: Three Short Stories Inspired By Dante's Inferno
Three short stories inspired by Dante’s Inferno, linked by a book of human skin passed down through generations. On the edge of horror, thriller and the occult.
Sins of the Flesh: When the tortured and mutilated corpse of a wealthy author is discovered, the police officer sent to investigate finds a curious diary amongst the occult objects at the scene. Will he uncover the author’s secret at the ruined chapel, and can he pay the price that it demands?
Sins of Treachery: On the death of their Grandfather, twin brothers Simon and Gestas are left a map covered in alchemical symbols that could lead them to great wealth and power. But they find more than they expected in the frozen wastes of the Arctic north …
Sins of Violence: In a brutal post-apocalyptic world, a young girl is about to be taken to The Minotaur for a Blessing that will end her innocence. Can her sister gain access to the fortified city of Dis in time to stop the ritual and avenge her own lost youth?
Includes the Prologue of Desecration, a dark crime thriller, at the end of the book.
Sins of the Flesh: When the tortured and mutilated corpse of a wealthy author is discovered, the police officer sent to investigate finds a curious diary amongst the occult objects at the scene. Will he uncover the author’s secret at the ruined chapel, and can he pay the price that it demands?
Sins of Treachery: On the death of their Grandfather, twin brothers Simon and Gestas are left a map covered in alchemical symbols that could lead them to great wealth and power. But they find more than they expected in the frozen wastes of the Arctic north …
Sins of Violence: In a brutal post-apocalyptic world, a young girl is about to be taken to The Minotaur for a Blessing that will end her innocence. Can her sister gain access to the fortified city of Dis in time to stop the ritual and avenge her own lost youth?
Includes the Prologue of Desecration, a dark crime thriller, at the end of the book.
53 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 26, 2013
28 people are currently reading
223 people want to read
About the author
J.F. Penn
55 books2,234 followersI'm the award-winning, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of thrillers, crime, dark fantasy, horror, short stories, and travel memoir.
Reading order: https://jfpennbooks.com/pages/reading...
The fast-paced ARKANE thrillers weave together historical artifacts, global locations, a kick-ass protagonist and a hint of the supernatural. Described by readers as "Dan Brown meets Lara Croft."
The Brooke & Daniel Crime Thriller Series features British detective Jamie Brooke alongside museum researcher Blake Daniel, as they solve dark crimes around London.
The Mapwalker fantasy adventure trilogy is set between Bath, England and the Borderlands in a split world fantasy where Sienna and the Mapwalker team travel through maps to adventure ...
A Thousand Fiendish Angels is a collection of 3 short stories bound together by a book of human skin. Inspired by Dante's Inferno.
You can buy books directly from me https://jfpennbooks.com/
I have a blog and podcast at http://www.BooksAndTravel.page
I'm passionate about writing and I love reading. My favorite authors include James Rollins, Jonathan Maberry, John Connolly, Daniel Silva, and I also read a lot of travel books.
Reading order: https://jfpennbooks.com/pages/reading...
The fast-paced ARKANE thrillers weave together historical artifacts, global locations, a kick-ass protagonist and a hint of the supernatural. Described by readers as "Dan Brown meets Lara Croft."
The Brooke & Daniel Crime Thriller Series features British detective Jamie Brooke alongside museum researcher Blake Daniel, as they solve dark crimes around London.
The Mapwalker fantasy adventure trilogy is set between Bath, England and the Borderlands in a split world fantasy where Sienna and the Mapwalker team travel through maps to adventure ...
A Thousand Fiendish Angels is a collection of 3 short stories bound together by a book of human skin. Inspired by Dante's Inferno.
You can buy books directly from me https://jfpennbooks.com/
I have a blog and podcast at http://www.BooksAndTravel.page
I'm passionate about writing and I love reading. My favorite authors include James Rollins, Jonathan Maberry, John Connolly, Daniel Silva, and I also read a lot of travel books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
April 29, 2016
Joanna wrote these three short stories as part of an online contest for the launch of Dan Brown’s thriller novel, Inferno. At the end she explains about her writing, the language, imagery and symbolism used.
Joanna writes really well and this is quality on the page. These three horror stories really pack a punch. A lot of work has gone into these short stories and the writing is rich in content, depth and language. Her writing style is top quality and the best way for me to describe it is to give a brief quote to illustrate her talent…
Simon had succumbed to his own tug of desire for influence far beyond his brother’s petty pleasures, but there were days when he still longed to lose himself in an orgy of flesh, and take intimacy to the realm of ritual.
...You don’t get this quality of writing in many short stories and Joanna has really raised the bar with her collection. I got a lot of pleasure from reading her three short stories. They are also great in length to read one within your 45 minute tachograph rest break. These stories are snappy, you can finish them and not have to drive for up to 4 hours 30 minutes before you can find out what happens next!
I was really impressed by these short stories and found them to be top class entertainment. I could find nothing wrong with them and they made me one very happy reader, so it’s 5 stars from me.
Joanna writes really well and this is quality on the page. These three horror stories really pack a punch. A lot of work has gone into these short stories and the writing is rich in content, depth and language. Her writing style is top quality and the best way for me to describe it is to give a brief quote to illustrate her talent…
Simon had succumbed to his own tug of desire for influence far beyond his brother’s petty pleasures, but there were days when he still longed to lose himself in an orgy of flesh, and take intimacy to the realm of ritual.
...You don’t get this quality of writing in many short stories and Joanna has really raised the bar with her collection. I got a lot of pleasure from reading her three short stories. They are also great in length to read one within your 45 minute tachograph rest break. These stories are snappy, you can finish them and not have to drive for up to 4 hours 30 minutes before you can find out what happens next!
I was really impressed by these short stories and found them to be top class entertainment. I could find nothing wrong with them and they made me one very happy reader, so it’s 5 stars from me.
March 5, 2016
A trilogy of darkly suspenseful tales, all interlinked by a book bound in human skin. Each short story is rich in a dark atmosphere, but all suffered from the same fault. The endings felt rather abrupt. It does give a reader, who is unfamiliar with the writer, an insight into what can be expected in other books.
January 26, 2021
While I imagine these three short stories could be read in isolation, they work so well together to add layers of meaning to each other. The stories are dark and hellish, each one showing the cost of greed, treachery, and violence. I was so captivated, I read them all in one sitting.
Recommended for fans of supernatural horror.
Recommended for fans of supernatural horror.
March 14, 2019
Really enjoyed this audiobook featuring three interlinked short stories inspired by Dante's Inferno. Creepy, atmospheric and unsettling in the best way, replete with imagery of angels and demons.
March 13, 2016
This is a tiny book, a sum of three short stories that juggles horrific subjects and has an uncanny knack for have kept me completely absorbed. The 40 pages or so was a free offer I saw while browsing my local ebook store. Being a long-time fan by now, a short story or not, this collection needed to be added to my library.
I was captivated from the start by the stories inspired by Dante’s Inferno. In the short moment it took me to zip through the pages those three edges of horror thrillers covered so much from torture and mutilated bodies to alchemical symbols and occult object and managed to transport me right into a post-apocalyptic world. The author’s expertise in detailing for her readers brilliant imagery and rich words makes her book most fascinating. Indeed Ms. Penn, has a penchant for the macabre and loves giving her readers morbid morsels to digest bit by bit.
Reading this book is not a massive commitment but be warned: you will be hooked in no time and definitely wanting more.
I was captivated from the start by the stories inspired by Dante’s Inferno. In the short moment it took me to zip through the pages those three edges of horror thrillers covered so much from torture and mutilated bodies to alchemical symbols and occult object and managed to transport me right into a post-apocalyptic world. The author’s expertise in detailing for her readers brilliant imagery and rich words makes her book most fascinating. Indeed Ms. Penn, has a penchant for the macabre and loves giving her readers morbid morsels to digest bit by bit.
Reading this book is not a massive commitment but be warned: you will be hooked in no time and definitely wanting more.
January 7, 2017
I think the concept was superb. But the plot ended so abruptly and without enough explanation that it just wasn't impactful enough... Some of the other works by Joanna in the similar genre is quite breathtaking, so I can definitely say there's quality in her writing. But I dont think it shone through in this book.
January 14, 2018
I really enjoyed this collection of short stories - all of them packed a punch and it got better as it went along. I never realised that all three short stories were written for contest for the launch of Dan Brown's Inferno.
Each story worked well on their own and yet all of them are connected by one major thing: a book made out of human skin. It seems that whenever someone encounters the book a lot of crazy shit happens. It's a bit like an omen if the truth be told. I like how the seven deadly sins are incorporated into this book, even if they're used in subtle ways. It kinda makes me curious about the most famous poem, Dante's Inferno.
Sins of the Flesh is about a detective coming across a mutilated body of a famous author and finding different types of religions items to help protect him from something. Then the biggest clue comes in the form of his diary. The imagery was fantastic and the mystery and tension was developed nicely. The best scene for me is when the cop went to the church/graveyard and then came across the bad omen book. The woman from the author's past makes such an interesting appearance and from there you start to realise she could be the cause of the mysterious death. While it's not my favourite short story of the collection I felt it was a good start.
The Sins of Treachery had to my favourite out of the lot. And for some strange reason it really reminded me of the Biblical story of Cain and Abel. There's a sense of sibling rivalry among the adventure to the Arctic. The brother's relationship and the differences between them is such a driving point of this story and I felt sorry for Simon as Gestas was portrayed as the most successful and daring of the twins. All along I wanted Simon to triumph over Gestas and let's just say that I was stunned at the ending. I did saw it coming in a way but it was so fantastically done. I would love to see a follow up of that particular story.
As for the Sins of Violence I felt that it was inspired by a mixture of futuristic sci fi/fantasy genre. Ari's loyalty and her resolve to free her sister from the clutches of the Minotaur really spoke to me and I liked her straight away. She is a strong female character and it was good to see that. As I was reading this it reminded me of Greek Myths, especially the Theseus victory over the feared half man/half bull, Minotaur. The descriptions were beautiful and haunting to read. A most interesting thing I'd say is the role of the Furies. I thought it was a little odd in the Furies, being female, served a male. It very much contrasted with the traditional mythology of the Furies hunting down men to wreck punishment and judgement.
Overall this collection was incredible. However I think that all three stories had an open ending as they ended quite abruptly. I would have wanted to find out the fate of the characters in more details.
Each story worked well on their own and yet all of them are connected by one major thing: a book made out of human skin. It seems that whenever someone encounters the book a lot of crazy shit happens. It's a bit like an omen if the truth be told. I like how the seven deadly sins are incorporated into this book, even if they're used in subtle ways. It kinda makes me curious about the most famous poem, Dante's Inferno.
Sins of the Flesh is about a detective coming across a mutilated body of a famous author and finding different types of religions items to help protect him from something. Then the biggest clue comes in the form of his diary. The imagery was fantastic and the mystery and tension was developed nicely. The best scene for me is when the cop went to the church/graveyard and then came across the bad omen book. The woman from the author's past makes such an interesting appearance and from there you start to realise she could be the cause of the mysterious death. While it's not my favourite short story of the collection I felt it was a good start.
The Sins of Treachery had to my favourite out of the lot. And for some strange reason it really reminded me of the Biblical story of Cain and Abel. There's a sense of sibling rivalry among the adventure to the Arctic. The brother's relationship and the differences between them is such a driving point of this story and I felt sorry for Simon as Gestas was portrayed as the most successful and daring of the twins. All along I wanted Simon to triumph over Gestas and let's just say that I was stunned at the ending. I did saw it coming in a way but it was so fantastically done. I would love to see a follow up of that particular story.
As for the Sins of Violence I felt that it was inspired by a mixture of futuristic sci fi/fantasy genre. Ari's loyalty and her resolve to free her sister from the clutches of the Minotaur really spoke to me and I liked her straight away. She is a strong female character and it was good to see that. As I was reading this it reminded me of Greek Myths, especially the Theseus victory over the feared half man/half bull, Minotaur. The descriptions were beautiful and haunting to read. A most interesting thing I'd say is the role of the Furies. I thought it was a little odd in the Furies, being female, served a male. It very much contrasted with the traditional mythology of the Furies hunting down men to wreck punishment and judgement.
Overall this collection was incredible. However I think that all three stories had an open ending as they ended quite abruptly. I would have wanted to find out the fate of the characters in more details.
October 1, 2021
This book does what it says on the tin. :-)
Three short stories with lots of religious symbolism, inspired by Dante’s Inferno. They’re called “short stories” because they are self-contained, and I suppose you could read them independently of each other, if you really wanted to. But they follow on from each other, so you really should read them consecutively, if you want to really get a feel for the world they describe.
I particularly enjoyed the author’s note at the end, where she talks about her inspiration and motivation for writing each story, and also unpacks much of the symbolism she used.
If you enjoy the J.F. Penn’s writing, and her philosophy and outlook on life, I think you’ll enjoy these stories.
Click here to find out where you can get your hands on a copy: https://books2read.com/u/boak7v
* Note: That's an affiliate link, so if you click through to a store and end up buying anything, I might earn a commission from your purchase.
Three short stories with lots of religious symbolism, inspired by Dante’s Inferno. They’re called “short stories” because they are self-contained, and I suppose you could read them independently of each other, if you really wanted to. But they follow on from each other, so you really should read them consecutively, if you want to really get a feel for the world they describe.
I particularly enjoyed the author’s note at the end, where she talks about her inspiration and motivation for writing each story, and also unpacks much of the symbolism she used.
If you enjoy the J.F. Penn’s writing, and her philosophy and outlook on life, I think you’ll enjoy these stories.
Click here to find out where you can get your hands on a copy: https://books2read.com/u/boak7v
* Note: That's an affiliate link, so if you click through to a store and end up buying anything, I might earn a commission from your purchase.
May 29, 2019
I gave this book 4 star mostly because of the style of writing. Which is kind of weird since it was the style that also annoyed me :)
So three short stories connected by an item, a mysterious book. I had problems reading the first story because the detective, told in first person, seems to know a lot about occult, past histories, details and materials and is poetically describing sunsets. This would've worked better if the narrator wasn't the detective.
Although I didn't find the second story very interesting (hey this is completely subjective) there was some good dialogues written there.
I loved the postapocaliptic world of the last story, although I wonder how could all this happen in the small spawn of time described between the stories, and the years of the main character should've been revised.
So three short stories connected by an item, a mysterious book. I had problems reading the first story because the detective, told in first person, seems to know a lot about occult, past histories, details and materials and is poetically describing sunsets. This would've worked better if the narrator wasn't the detective.
Although I didn't find the second story very interesting (hey this is completely subjective) there was some good dialogues written there.
I loved the postapocaliptic world of the last story, although I wonder how could all this happen in the small spawn of time described between the stories, and the years of the main character should've been revised.
April 12, 2022
Sins of the Flesh
The author clearly has artistry in words. The pictures she paints in this first short story jump out at the reader and give clear images to the scene. The evil brought by living the sins of the flesh are in full display.
Sins of Treachery
The book from the first story leads to twins both tortured by the evil which raised them. The author brings the contest between the twins to the forefront, and then the inevitable evil of treachery takes over.
Sins of Violence
The evil has overtaken the world. Ari has only one hope for her sister. It is a last desperate move to rid the world and her sister of this evil. Well told story, but a sad ending.
See the images www.pinterest.com/jfpenn/dante-inferno that the author portrayed so well from Dante's Inferno.
The author clearly has artistry in words. The pictures she paints in this first short story jump out at the reader and give clear images to the scene. The evil brought by living the sins of the flesh are in full display.
Sins of Treachery
The book from the first story leads to twins both tortured by the evil which raised them. The author brings the contest between the twins to the forefront, and then the inevitable evil of treachery takes over.
Sins of Violence
The evil has overtaken the world. Ari has only one hope for her sister. It is a last desperate move to rid the world and her sister of this evil. Well told story, but a sad ending.
See the images www.pinterest.com/jfpenn/dante-inferno that the author portrayed so well from Dante's Inferno.
March 30, 2025
This is a collection of three dark short stories inspired by Dante's Inferno. The tales are connected by a mysterious book bound in human skin, passed down through generations. Each story explores themes of sin and redemption:
Sins of the Flesh: A police officer investigates the mutilated corpse of a wealthy author and discovers a curious diary among occult objects. The investigation leads to a ruined chapel and a secret that demands a heavy price.
Sins of Treachery: Twin brothers inherit a map covered in alchemical symbols after their grandfather's death. Their quest for wealth and power takes them to the Arctic north, where they encounter unexpected dangers.
Sins of Violence: In a brutal post-apocalyptic world, a young girl faces a ritual that will end her innocence. Her sister races against time to access the fortified city of Dis and stop the ritual.
Sins of the Flesh: A police officer investigates the mutilated corpse of a wealthy author and discovers a curious diary among occult objects. The investigation leads to a ruined chapel and a secret that demands a heavy price.
Sins of Treachery: Twin brothers inherit a map covered in alchemical symbols after their grandfather's death. Their quest for wealth and power takes them to the Arctic north, where they encounter unexpected dangers.
Sins of Violence: In a brutal post-apocalyptic world, a young girl faces a ritual that will end her innocence. Her sister races against time to access the fortified city of Dis and stop the ritual.
February 25, 2019
These stories fit J.F. Penn's style of writing with a touch of suspense and mystical. There is a religious element used to the stories. I really enjoy J.F. Penn's writing from word selection to pacing. J.F. Penn has great talent in selecting words to describe the feeling in that action. She holds my attention in each short story.
Each story is not long, but they feel complete in telling. Even if they have a time jump, I feel as though it's not an impact time we are missing. I get what I want from each scene written, and it continues along with completing the story we are getting.
****FULL REVIEW TO FOLLOW****
Each story is not long, but they feel complete in telling. Even if they have a time jump, I feel as though it's not an impact time we are missing. I get what I want from each scene written, and it continues along with completing the story we are getting.
****FULL REVIEW TO FOLLOW****
October 6, 2023
As I write this review, I'm reading Joanna Penn's excellent book 'How To Write A Novel', which made me want to check out some of her own novels. Maybe I should't have started with this one, because it's in a genre that is not really my cup of tea... These graphic horror stories are inspired by Dante's 'Inferno' and were written in the lead up to the publication of Dan Brown's novel Inferno. They are well written, although they all end quite abruptly. Even though the individual stories are supposed to be related, I missed a good overal conclusion to wrap them all together.
September 6, 2017
This story is somewhat short, but it is filled with ritual sacrifice, crime scenes, demons, minotaur, there is so much packed into this short amazing story. I loved the author's explanation of his references to Dante's Inferno, although if the references were at the beginning I think it would have been even better, to go into the story with that knowledge.
She also mentioned that there might be a full novel come from the story, that would be interesting.
She also mentioned that there might be a full novel come from the story, that would be interesting.
February 15, 2019
Joanna Penn has put together a trio of short stories related through the theme of Dante’s Inferno. According to the author’s notes at the end of the stories these were submitted as contest entries of Dan Brown’s Inferno.
I was intrigued from beginning to end with these stories, the rich descriptions, the suspense and the underlying connection kept me hanging on to the end. I wish Joanna would write a full book around this set of short stories, it seems like there is more story to be told.
I was intrigued from beginning to end with these stories, the rich descriptions, the suspense and the underlying connection kept me hanging on to the end. I wish Joanna would write a full book around this set of short stories, it seems like there is more story to be told.
September 6, 2020
Love the cover!
A real page-turner that I couldn’t put down. The imagery, the symbolism and the echoes of what the world could so easily turn into made this a thrilling read (that I probably shouldn’t have read before bedtime…).
Brilliantly crafted. I would have liked to read more than just three interlinking stories, though.
Trigger warning: violence, gore, death, allusions to rape, murder
*I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest opinion.
A real page-turner that I couldn’t put down. The imagery, the symbolism and the echoes of what the world could so easily turn into made this a thrilling read (that I probably shouldn’t have read before bedtime…).
Brilliantly crafted. I would have liked to read more than just three interlinking stories, though.
Trigger warning: violence, gore, death, allusions to rape, murder
*I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest opinion.
May 17, 2021
J. F. Penn used Dante’s Inferno as inspiration for this trilogy of short stories superbly. The trio is linked by a horrific book bond in a despicable manner. I read all three straight through and enjoyed the storyline and diverse characters very much.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this ebook from the author and this is my honest and unsolicited opinion.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this ebook from the author and this is my honest and unsolicited opinion.
October 12, 2017
This book is a series of three short, related stories. There naturally isn't a lot of depth to any of the stories, but they are well-written and interesting. I'm usually not a fan of books like this, but I enjoyed this one.
October 13, 2017
Very Different
These 3 short stories were very different to what I usually read, but I must say I enjoyed them. They were a free download, and I would definitely read this type of novel in the future, it was exciting had action and quite graphic.
These 3 short stories were very different to what I usually read, but I must say I enjoyed them. They were a free download, and I would definitely read this type of novel in the future, it was exciting had action and quite graphic.
May 8, 2020
A trio of interrelated stories based on Dante’s Inferno. Each of them is full of symbolism and imagery from Dante’s masterpiece. I enjoyed this but really wanted more stories and wanted them to be longer! J F Penn is a solid writer and I’ve never read anything from her I didn’t like.
May 9, 2021
I have had this in my 'reading' file for too long, and I didn't even start reading it.
Today, while I was avoiding other things, I read it.
All three stories are pretty damn creepy, and some of the links to the Inferno are obvious, some less so.
3 stars
Today, while I was avoiding other things, I read it.
All three stories are pretty damn creepy, and some of the links to the Inferno are obvious, some less so.
3 stars
March 6, 2023
I always marvel how an author can write so few words in a story, yet provoke such wild and wonderful images - for me, the power lies in what is unsaid, leaving one's imagination run wild, with what the words are trying to show. Bravo.
March 17, 2017
Great horror with a classic literary bent.
Well written, lots of reader cookies for the classical fan. These are three great horror stories with depth and sophistication.
Well written, lots of reader cookies for the classical fan. These are three great horror stories with depth and sophistication.
June 1, 2017
Horror in three stories
Horror, with three stories , that connect together somewhat. I have never read Dante, but now I want to. Since these stories were inspired by him.
Horror, with three stories , that connect together somewhat. I have never read Dante, but now I want to. Since these stories were inspired by him.
August 3, 2017
More Lovecraft than Dante.
Read my full review here: http://nouw.com/cwidmann/j-f-penn---a...
Read my full review here: http://nouw.com/cwidmann/j-f-penn---a...
November 11, 2017
Loved this book....characters were well defined
February 23, 2018
Very Interesting
Kept my interest all the way through the short stories. It was very intense and kept me at the edge of my seat.
Kept my interest all the way through the short stories. It was very intense and kept me at the edge of my seat.
July 23, 2018
I wanted more!
I'm not sure I felt like this was actually brought to a conclusion and I do hope there's a full length piece somewhere in the pipeline for this.
I'm not sure I felt like this was actually brought to a conclusion and I do hope there's a full length piece somewhere in the pipeline for this.
February 18, 2019
I was lucky enough to have gotten a free audio book from the author. J. F. Penn wrote and narrated a awesome a collection of short stories.
April 20, 2019
A totally intriguing book that has you gripped. An important author is murdered. You are completely enthralled in the story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews