This dystopian sci-fi book far exceeded my expectations. The original premise of the book was interesting but once you get into it, the story and the world really opens up and leads you down a completely different path than I was expecting. I loved how we jump back and forth between the past and the present as our main characters uncovers/remembers more about himself and his origins. I also thought the world building was very interesting. The animal species, robot types, and an entire religion derived from false pretenses?! So intriguing. I also enjoyed the commentary of humanity and what it means to be human. I love when a book makes me thinking about my feelings, morality and place in society.

Fallen Angel is one of those challenging reads that you just have to love. It isn't just a story. It’s a mirror to questions we ask ourselves everyday. Mainly, what does it truly mean to be good? Especially in hard decisions and dilemmas. Thorpe doesn't offer easy answers to these questions and that's what makes it unforgettable. This is my first book by this author and it was a great read!

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

This book is about a fallen angel, who wanted to betray his God. He got cast out and you follow him through his journey of being human again and his struggles to reunite the people of New Earth.

I think the author did an amazing job of implementing religion and mythology into his story. It was very well written even though it took me until part 2 to really get sucked into the story. But once I was locked in, I couldn’t stop thinking about what would happen next.
It was a good mix of sci-fi and fantasy and I flew through the story.

Some books are meant to entertain. Others make you think. Fallen Angel definitely belongs to the second group and even goes beyond that. What stands out in Thorpe’s work isn’t just his sharp writing or the well-crafted world (which he does really well), but the way he builds moral dilemmas into every chapter.

More than just a story, the book feels like a psychological mirror. The characters’ choices and conflicts raise tough questions: what does it really mean to be “good”? Can we talk about redemption without facing the consequences? The author doesn’t offer easy answers and that’s exactly what makes this such a memorable read.

It was a great experience, and I definitely recommend it to you all. ❤️

Fallen Angel by Devin Thorpe
Soft DNF @ 60%
Look, I gave it a real shot. The concept? Absolutely cool. The execution? A little too technical for my brain on a casual reading day. I might pick this back up, but right now… we’re on a break.

The Premise Deserves a Gold Star

The idea behind this one? Brilliant. A fallen angel grappling with purpose, morality, and humanity’s messy contradictions, all wrapped in philosophical undertones and a touch of political edge. It should’ve been my thing. Celestial drama + social commentary? Yes, please.

But somewhere around the halfway mark, I found myself rereading paragraphs like I was studying for a final I forgot to attend. And no, I do not have the energy to decode angelic treaties, economic theory, and metaphysical debates on a Tuesday night.

Why We’re Taking a Break...It got dense. Like, philosophy professor on a podcast dense. I respect the intellect, I really do — but I was craving a little more story, a little less lecture.

The pacing felt like molasses. Beautiful molasses with grand purpose, sure — but molasses nonetheless.

The technical detail started to overshadow the emotional heart. I wanted to feel the stakes, not just analyze them.

But Credit Where It’s Due

The worldbuilding? Wildly ambitious and unique.

The moral complexity? You can tell the author put real thought into the layers of this universe.

And I’ll be honest — the dialogue had flashes of brilliance that made me go, “Ooh okay, maybe I should keep reading.

This is a case of right book, wrong mood.
Maybe even right book, wrong reader. At least for now.

Soft DNF at 60%, but I’m not writing it off completely. If I ever wake up craving something intellectually heavy with celestial stakes and deep moral questions… I know exactly where to come.

But for now? I’m choosing chaos, caffeine, and something with a bit more plot and a bit less philosophy. Sorry, Angel. It’s not you. It’s me. (Okay, maybe it’s a little bit you.) 😅