Monolith

Rating:
Summary: An action packed Angel thrill-ride...
Review: A chilling stone monolith carved with two demonic faces has arisen in the middle of Hollywood Boulevard, leaving many interpretations of it's actual cause. Some believe it is nothing more than an elaborate publicity stunt for a new horror movie, while religious extremists believe it's the sign of an upcoming apocalypse. The Angel Investigations team though come to truly understand the full extent of the threat that the monolith poses to mankind. And with Hyconian demons causing havoc through the streets of L.A., it soon becomes clear that differences will have to be set aside if they're to come out victorious.

Angel: Monolith is a heart pounding, thrill-packed, adventure in Joss Whedon's Angel-verse as seen through the observant eyes of the Bram Stoker Award-winning horror author, John Passarella. Passarella has seamlessly handled the tricky task of bringing life to these characters and situations within the pages of his novel while adding his own unique sense of style to make an instant lasting impact. What makes this novel extra better is the fact that it's written through the pen (or PC) of a fellow fan who has obviously paid serious attention to the way the characters behave down to the even slightest of details.

The action is cranked high throughout but really takes an epic turn in it's final pages in which Angel and co. can't seem to stay six feet away from danger. This isn't the only brilliant factor though in this outstanding novel. The character involvement is far superior to that of any other Angel novels as Passarella has cleverly placed his story in a complex time for it's characters during it's fourth season. This leaves a much stronger plot for the author to develop his story around, one in which relationship triangles and un-easy bonds between characters are tested to their furthest limits, especially that of the two central characters, Angel and his demon-hunting son Connor.

The plot that Passarella has cleverly weaved within the current situation with the Television show is unlike any other previously experienced and you're guaranteed not to read anything like it anywhere else.

Novels by John Passarella always leave a strong sense of satisfaction behind long after you've passed the final pages and undoubtedly, Angel: Monolith is no exception of this. Passarella has perfectly struck the right balance between thrilling action and a strong story making this Angel novel much more widely appealing as a whole than any other, action-heavy, novels.

Angel: Monolith is an essential purchase for every Angel fan's collection.

Highly recommended. Buy it now!

Rating:
Summary: Two Faces Are Never Better Than One...
Review: Driving in Los Angeles is always problematic, but when a giant monolith suddenly appears in the middle of Hollywood Boulevard to signal yet another impending apocalypse, things quickly come to a standstill. Except for Angel and his teammates. They know right away that it's time once again to stop sipping the pig's blood and get to work.

When an ancient demon bamboozles a failing actress into carrying out an ancient ritual that will open the portals to hell, Angel faces a series of ugly problems. Not the least of which is that neither he, nor Wesley, nor anyone else have a clue what is actually going on. They know it must be bad, since every demon in town it headed out, but what kind of bad, or how bad, is still a mystery. Everyone goes into action, but the clues are slow in coming. And time is running out.

As I've noted elsewhere, John Passarella is a natural storyteller. This time he takes a high-tension story line and fleshes it out with two of the show's most complex relationships - that between Connor and Angel (who last buried Angel in the ocean) and that between Gunn and Fred (who seem caught in a web of interlocking guilt and obligation). The result is an action story with moments of poignancy and depth.

In fact, the story has a bit of everything. Demon dogs, creepy wizards, dark soldiers, and wild chase scenes populate the narrative. The characters, who have come through some rough times, are rebalancing their interplay, and Passerella captures the increasing maturity of the cast as well as the high tension of a summoning to end all summonings. One of this year's best Angel books.


Rating:
Summary: I loved it!!!!
Review: Great book!!! I loved it!!! Excellent story about Angel and Connor as well as Cordy, Lorne, Gunn, Fred and Wes.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent!!!
Review: I loved "Monolith." The story was fast paced and kept my interest throughout. I finished reading "Monolith" in one night because I couldn't put it down.

I love the way that John Passarella dealt with the characters in the story. He touched on all of the complicated relationships and treated them with respect, but he didn't get bogged down by spending too much time on relationships between characters.

I especially loved the way that he dealt with Angel and Connor's relationship and with Connor's very complex emotions.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent!!!
Review: I loved "Monolith." The story was fast paced and kept my interest throughout. I finished reading "Monolith" in one night because I couldn't put it down.

I love the way that John Passarella dealt with the characters in the story. He touched on all of the complicated relationships and treated them with respect, but he didn't get bogged down by spending too much time on relationships between characters.

I especially loved the way that he dealt with Angel and Connor's relationship and with Connor's very complex emotions.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.

Rating:
Summary: John Passarella is the best!
Review: I really loved this book! I cant seem to put it down!

Rating:
Summary: Exceptionally Well Written
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I especially loved the way that the author wrote Connor and showed his insecurities. The father/son relationship between Angel and Connor was excellent. All of the other relationships between the main characters of Season 4 of "Angel" were also very well written.

It is very clear that John Passarella understands and loves all of the main characters from "Angel."

Rating:
Summary: Awesome read!
Review: Set sometime in the time period between Connor's return from the alternate dimension and Cordellia's pregnancy, Monolith returns fans of the unfortunately cancelled series to a familiar world. As usual, Armegeddon is on the horizon, this time its heralds are a band of demons that must be killed in a certain order to die permanently and a giant monolith in the middle of LA. Only our heroes fully realize what's going on; an ancient demon is trying to take over the world. The ritual sacrifices are complete, and now all that needs to happen is for Hell to break loose, literally. Angel and Connor must set aside their parental issues and fight together to keep Earth out of demonic hands. It won't be easy, it may even cost a few lives.

**** Reading this book is like seeing an episode in 4 D. Not only can you picture the action in your mind, but see inside the characters' minds. The sardonic wit that is Whedon's hallmark is perfectly captured here, along with all the angst and action. ****

Amanda Killgore for Huntress Reviews.