Matt McAvoy Book Review

Although long and very wordy, this book was actually a great deal more enjoyable to read than it might have been.  A very simple tale with a basic, linear premise: two ancient souls separated by different paths, but the forbidden love between them is eternal – even if one of them doesn’t yet know it.  Other than this, there isn’t really much more of a story arc – and, in fact, that’s a good thing.  The author rather prefers to concentrate on the emotions, expertly crafting the two primary characters.  There aren’t really many other players developed in this book – and that’s actually good, too, because the mysteriously named C.R. has written a simple love ballad.  There is no threat, no violence, no sex, even though it is a cerebral romance (or, as the author calls it, “ethereal romance”) and nothing particularly nasty to tarnish it; this is cosy fiction at its warmest.  Which is surprising, considering that one of the two protagonists is Lucifer himself.  Or, in that case, should he then not be called the antagonist?  Well, actually no, because this Lucifer is not characteristic of those who came before him, and Hell is portrayed as a transitional, beneficial and even forgiving place.  Lucifer, the latest bestowed with the title simply by virtue of his birthright, is a kind and loving soul – too loving, as it turns out, because he simply cannot leave the side of his beloved Rosemary.  Rosemary herself is also sugary sweet and virtuous, her career of choice running her own animal rescue, with a team of volunteers.  She is a kind-hearted soul herself, to all but those who harm animals – and I could certainly relate to that.  The author herself, one can tell, also clearly has her own soft spot for our furry friends, and it does feel that a very large part of this book – perhaps the lion’s share of it – is a warm hug and tribute to them.  The violence and abuse against the animals in this book is, thankfully, really only implied, with the exception of one scene, but it is definitely emotive enough that you are rooting for these two parallel universe lovers, and wishing damnation on the animal abusers.  Yet, even that isn’t forthcoming, because, as mentioned, Lucifer is more of a forgiving soul – and, actually, you are happy for that, too. 

You might have guessed, I actually enjoyed this book a good deal.  It could do with a bit of refinement perhaps; it is very drawn out at times, with a long word count, and some of the chapters feel exceptionally long.  But it was nice to read a very affectionate, cosy fantasy which doesn’t delve too deeply one way or the other, yet still manages to leave you hoping for a sequel.