Angel's Breath Paperback – June 30, 2012

The friend who lent me his copy of this book knew that I would not have chosen a vampire novel as my next read. But he was curious as to whether I would be as intrigued by the style and storyline of this book as he had been, and he turned out to have been right. I didn't know what I was getting in to -- I didn't even notice that the name of one of the main characters was Dra... Cla...! This story rolls right along, unfolding logically, but never predictably, blending insightful character studies of people like you and me with glimpses into a supernatural realm which are sometimes shockingly graphic, but often subtle enough to allow readers to provide their own explanations of what might be happening beneath the surface.Even though this book is not a mystery novel, it will keep you guessing. Who are Ritter and Jensen, who make their first (and last) appearance in the Prelude? What are the answers to Viara's questions in chapter 16? You will find yourself Googling the Italian architect Laugomente Fiore and trying to find out how long he really lived. If you have heretofore considered vampires to be absurd, one-dimensional products of superstition and fiction, be prepared for a more penetrating view of their souls and emotions.Angel's Breath cries out to be made into a movie. It is an escape/fantasy novel, witty and erudite, with dialogue which is never stilted and rarely trite. In spite of my personal distaste for blood-letting, I ended up downloading the Kindle format and reading the book again, just to savor the writing and its portrayals of academia, the business world, Tuscany, and much more. Although written for adults, the language is unabashedly PG, which makes it a safe gift for Aunt Edna. It is apparently a first novel, and I am looking forward to whatever this author comes up with next.

The friend who lent me his copy of this book knew that I would not have chosen a vampire novel as my next read. But he was curious as to whether I would be as intrigued by the style and storyline of this book as he had been, and he turned out to have been right. I didn't know what I was getting in to -- I didn't even notice that the name of one of the main characters was Dra... Cla...! This story rolls right along, unfolding logically, but never predictably, blending insightful character studies of people like you and me with glimpses into a supernatural realm which are sometimes shockingly graphic, but often subtle enough to allow readers to provide their own explanations of what might be happening beneath the surface.Even though this book is not a mystery novel, it will keep you guessing. Who are Ritter and Jensen, who make their first (and last) appearance in the Prelude? What are the answers to Viara's questions in chapter 16? You will find yourself Googling the Italian architect Laugomente Fiore and trying to find out how long he really lived. If you have heretofore considered vampires to be absurd, one-dimensional products of superstition and fiction, be prepared for a more penetrating view of their souls and emotions.Angel's Breath cries out to be made into a movie. It is an escape/fantasy novel, witty and erudite, with dialogue which is never stilted and rarely trite. In spite of my personal distaste for blood-letting, I ended up reading the book twice, just to savor the writing and its portrayals of academia, the business world, Tuscany, and much more. Although written for adults, the language is unabashedly PG, which makes it a safe gift for Aunt Edna. It is apparently a first novel, and I am looking forward to whatever this author comes up with next.

Angel's Breath is an intriguing and skillfully written novel. The main character, Brean, is a young college student who is both likable and naive. His new professor, Drake Claremont, is the complete antithesis to him; he comes off as cruel and demeaning while Brean is kind and innocent. Unfortunately for Brean, his relationship with his professor takes an unusual turn, and he is stuck in an unfavorable situation. Meanwhile, he has met another student named Viara, and he quickly falls for her.This is not a typical vampire story; it isn't filled with sexy or gory scenes. It has considerable depth, and with its advanced vocabulary and literary elements, I would not recommend it to anyone looking for an easy read. It was still enjoyable, however, and I loved the romance between Brean and Viara.The PEACE organization was interesting and frightening, particularly because its name would infer the opposite of what it actually was. Throughout the novel, Brean discovers abilities that he has inherited and his connection to PEACE. His optimism and his viewpoint on the world are tested, and he can only hope he is strong enough to endure the new obstacles that he is forced to face.This was a book that I definitely looked forward to reading whenever I got the chance. I only wish that my life weren't so busy when I got towards the end because I had to keep stopping even when I didn't want to. If you're looking for something light and fluffy, then this probably isn't the best choice for you. But if you're looking to read a good story that isn't filled with predictable scenes, then you should check this book out.

Angel's Breath is compelling page-turner that will have you rooting for both the hero and, eventually, the villain. In addition to a great plot, Von Innes creates complex characters that struggle emotionally. "What damns a man is the choices he makes, not in the cards he's dealt." Von Innes' vampires are not your normal degenerates, but rather creatures who have the free will to behave as morally (or not) as they decide to. This story is a parable for the battle each of us faces in modern society as temptations are constantly pitted against our desire to be decent. This is both a thrilling and thought-provoking book.