Hideous Beauty

An Entertaining and Thought-Provoking Read

The Bible has been the inspiration for a ton of literature, far beyond the realm of religious texts, Some is preachy, some ridiculous, but enough has been truly wonderful to keep me going back for more.

This book is from the last category. It was suspenseful, scary, and even funny in parts. It's part of a series, but is a complete story by itself. The author is a seasoned pro and also a minister, but Hideous Beauty has the depth to be appealing to non-religious readers who just like urban fantasy.

It isn't dumbed-down and angsty like some titles I've read. There are a lot of these aimed for young adults. Angels and demons seem as popular for characters in star-crossed teen romances as vampires and werewolves.

This could easily be read by young adults, but it refers to mature concepts that aren't at all simple or even straightforward. It’s full of action, with more than a dash of political thriller thrown in for even more flavor. I loved it.

Normally I'm not a fan of supernatural thrillers, but this book changed everything. Jack Cavanaugh brings forth a wealth of knowledge of Scriptures to back up his plot of angels, demons, and Nephilim, and his characters are so dynamic and interesting that it's easy to get lost in the pages of the story, rather than hung up on the biblical details. Above all, there is nothing preachy about this first book, and in fact the Gospel itself is not presented, but it does introduce the reader to the very real spiritual battle taking place that we cannot see.

This is an entertaining and thought provoking urban fantasy. Though this is part of a series, it has a satisfying ending so it can be read as a stand alone book. It is laced in biblical truths and some deep subjects, but it does not come off as preachy. It is a great suspenseful read and a great start to what promises to be an amazing series.

An interesting beginning to what will no doubt be a riveting series. Stories about other-world beings walking the planet with us are always engaging and never fail to stimulate the imagination. This book was no exception. The characters -- good and bad -- were well drawn and it was easy to either empathize or despise them. Great pacing of the action, with an enticing ending, enough to have you anxiously awaiting the next installment. Excellent read.