BP: We received a review request for this book and while it seemed interesting we did not have time during the requested window to provide a review, so we suggested a guest post instead. Ms Kindred accepted and is willing to sponsor a giveaway (see below for details) so here is the question that we posed to her. Commonly held western religious beliefs include humans believing in the existence of angels and demons. What drew you to create a world where mankind was unaware of them and that they had their own hierarchy all together up in the heavens?
Interesting question, E, and thanks for having me on The Book Pushers.
In my novel The Fallen Queen, Heaven is one of several spheres of existence, the world of Man being the mundane sphere. The celestial sphere is the home of the angelic race, known as the Host, while angels of mixed blood—or those who’ve forsaken the realm of Heaven for the world of Man—are called Fallen.
Though the Fallen try to blend in, the world of Man isn’t totally unaware of the existence of celestials. Government officials, in particular, have long-established relationships with the powers of Heaven that enable them to keep the Fallen in line. In addition, the members of a secret society known as the Night Travelers serve as liaisons between earthly powers and the Fallen.
The rest of humanity has the same spectrum of beliefs that you’d expect. Thus, for those from Judeo-Christian traditions, angels and demons are creatures of the spiritual realm. This makes it all the more imperative for terrestrial Fallen to maintain a low profile to protect their identity. Nobody wants to end up the object of an exorcism.
I’ve always been fascinated by angelology and demonology, as well as by the classical philosophies of the elements and the celestial spheres. I wanted to write about that mythology from a non-religious point of view. Though the hierarchy of The Fallen Queen—the Choirs and Orders—is based on traditional angelology, my Heaven is strictly a fantasy world, not a spiritual one.
I also wanted to take the familiar trope of angels and demons and apply it to another familiar concept—classism and institutionalized oppression. The hierarchy of Heaven seemed like a lovely complement to pre-revolutionary Russia, with the angels as nobility, and the demons in the role of peasants. While my angels and demons have powers ordinary human beings don’t have, they aren’t really that much different than we are. They deal with hope and heartache, love and loss, and the sometimes inexplicable certainty of desire.
* * *
Blurb for The Fallen Queen:
Heaven can go to hell.
Until her cousin slaughtered the supernal family, Anazakia’s father ruled the Heavens, governing noble Host and Fallen peasants alike. Now Anazakia is the last grand duchess of the House of Arkhangel’sk, and all she wants is to stay alive.
Hunted by Seraph assassins, Anazakia flees Heaven with two Fallen thieves—fire demon Vasily and air demon Belphagor, each with their own nefarious agenda—who hide her in the world of Man. The line between vice and virtue soon blurs, and when Belphagor is imprisoned, the unexpected passion of Vasily warms her through the Russian winter.
Heaven seems a distant dream, but when Anazakia learns the truth behind the celestial coup, she will have to return to fight for the throne—even if it means saving the man who murdered everyone she loved.
About Jane Kindred
Jane Kindred began writing romantic fantasy at the age of 12 in the wayback of a Plymouth Fury—which, as far as she recalls, never killed anyone…who didn’t have it coming. She spent her formative years ruining her eyes reading romance novels in the Tucson sun and watching Star Trek marathons in the dark. She now writes to the sound of San Francisco foghorns while two cats slowly but surely edge her off the side of the bed. Jane is the author of The Devil’s Garden (Carina Press/June 2011) and The Fallen Queen (Entangled Publishing/December 2011), Book One of The House of Arkhangel’sk trilogy.
You can find Jane on Twitter: @JaneKindred on Facebook or on her website.
The Fallen Queen will be available on December 6, 2011.
Links to Purchase:
Indiebound | Powellís | Kindle eBook
This giveaway is open internationally. If the winner can choose pdf or papercopy. To enter leave a comment talking about your favorite aspect of angelology or demonology. This contest will close on the 15th with the winner announced on the 16th. Good luck!
Thanks again for having me on The Book Pushers today. I’m excited to be here!
Just a clarification on the giveaway: the winner may choose whether they want an ebook or print copy of The Fallen Queen, regardless of location.
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Thanks Jane. I fixed the post.
I don’t know much about angelogy and demonology and I think that’s a main reason why they interest me. They have been around in myths and legends for awhile, it’s hard to discount the possibility that they are out there.
I haven’t read very far into these topics and when I’ve read about them they’ve been comedies.I’ve liked how they stay hidden from humans. Even when the humans act like they know every thing about them.
My favorite aspect of angelology and demonology is that not everything is black and white. Each side has their stories. I just believe that in our reality, all we really are doing is choosing the lesser of the two evils.
I haven’t read much of this type of book but it sounds interesting. Thanks for the giveaway.
Thanks for the great post and giveaway! I’ve heard such positive buzz about this book!
I like the whole mythology of both angels and demons. While some of it is “set in stone” b/c of history and all, it’s fun to read an author’s creativity on creating new mythology, worlds, histories. A new spin so to speak.
Happy Holidays!
I think my favorite aspect of angelology or demonology is the fact that Lucifer, The Lucifer, is a Fallen Angel. He fell a Hell of a long way.
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
I like how they tell stories about fallen angels.
usignolc(at)yahooDOTcom
My favorite aspect is the gray – angels can be good, or fallen angels, and demons can be absolutely evil or have a conscience. The whole thing is open to the writer’s interpretation, which makes for some very interesting reading!! Thanks for the awesome giveaway! I would love to win a print copy:)
What I find interesting about angelology and demonology is that neither is necessarily bad or good. In the books I’ve read angels that were bad just the same that there were demons that were good. I enjoy the different takes on angelology or demonology that authors take in their stories… sometimes it really makes you stop and think about humanity itself. Great post!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!
yadkny@hotmail.com
i think most of us like to believe there are angels but if that is so we must also accept there are demons. I am very interested in learning more after reading this post. I would love to win ebook. thanks christina_92 at yahoo.com
I have always been interested in Angels, good or bad. The good are beautiful in their good works, where the bad are just good angels off the tracks, I like to think they still have the ability to be good again.
I am intrigued by the idea of warrior-angels, like the Archangels Michael and Gabriel.
Otherworldly, winged creatures wielding swords.
Interestingly enough Demons are also often depicted as winged creatures wielding swords. Not so different after all 🙂
sparkscribbler(at)gmail(dot).com
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I don’t kno much about angelology or demonology. I do believe in both, if that counts?
I love hearing about the fallen angels. Such a great myth. One of my favorites since it’s not a fairy tale. Finding out that some angels aren’t as angelic as they appear.
Vivien
deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com
I dont know if I have a favorite aspect. I just love how every author explores something different.
Thanks for the chance! 😉
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I love the stories about fallen angels, an easy way to escape reality.