X/1999 Vol 5-6

( spoilers are obsessed with symbolic feathers and sakura petals )

A Kiss Before the Apocalypse by Thomas E. Sniegoski

The angel Remiel has lived as a human for over 6000 years. Today, he lives in Boston as P.I. Remy Chandler. When Israfel, the Angel of Death stops doing his job and souls are trapped in bodies that should have died, Remy is contacted by angels sent from above and hired to find him before the Apocalypse comes.

This…should be an awesome book. Or at least, really interesting. As it is, it’s entertaining enough to keep me reading, but it never really takes off. The plot, unfortunately, follows the standard “angels lured by humanity/Death can’t take it anymore” tropes, and none of the characters are exceptionally interesting. The angels are also too…human. That is, they’re pretty much humans with powers who are really old. In something so out there that I can barely recognize it as being rooted in Judeo-Christian doctrine and tradition (like, you know, pretty much any anime or manga to ever have angels or demons) this isn’t really a problem. In something that is clearly trying to adhere to Judeo-Christian doctrine and tradition, however, it can be off-putting.

Then there’s the massive plot hole.
( spoilers involve plot induced stupidity )

So, not a bad book, but not as good as it could have been. It’s a pity, though. I really like the Menagerie series Sniegoski wrote with Christopher Golden (which sometimes had similar plots) and they seem to have left off with that series.

Samurai Deeper Kyo Vol 28

( spoilers )