Wormwood by G.P. Taylor
Wormwood
by G. P. Taylor
(Audio)
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/5764777/
I registered a copy of this book years ago for an animal-related themed release. I had a hard time placing the book as far as genre. Was it sci fi/fantasy? Historical fiction? Drama/literature? Young adult lit? So when I came across this book in an audio bookbox, I decided to give it a try so that I could find out. Problem is, I earread all 9 discs and I still have no idea.
There are a lot of characters in this story and a plot that jumps around among them but is revealed a little at a time. All the jumping makes the overall storyline sort of hard to get invested in. You'd think that in a story where a comet is heading toward England where it will not only kill thousands but change the course of history because of a prophecy, the story would be engaging enough to follow. But I just couldn't get interested. I kept waiting for the moment where I would start caring or start really understanding what was going on. That moment never came.
The story just felt like it was all over the place. Agata gets put under the spell of some crazy woman. There's a fallen angel whose wings get defeathered. There's a guy obsessing over a book of spells and prophecies that seem to be coming to pass. There's another guy obsessed with the same book. And characters keep introducing themselves to each other so you learn their defining characteristics again and again. "This is an angel, but he doesn't have wings. I have to find my friend." "You have to find your friend with this angel?" "Yes, I am with this angel and have to find my friend so I can give him this book." "Hi, I'm Agata's friend. Can I have the book? And who is this?" "This is an angel. he helped me find you. but I suddenly don't want to tell you where the book is. And suddenly I don't think you're my friend." "Hi, I'm an angel and I helped Agata find you but now I don't trust you, even though we just met." ARGH! *flail* Seriously, I had such a hard time trying to figure out motivations because the characters just gave me the same thing over and over and then changed at the drop of a hat because of magic or what-not.
One thing that was interesting was the magic vs. religion vs. science theme throughout. Except that the characters come right out and say these things, instead of just cleverly hinting and exploring the theme. I did like the basic concept, with the guardian angels and a book that sucks people in and controls them. I liked the idea of fallen angels descending to a lower state of being, where the only option is turning into a monster as a punishment for falling from grace. There were lots of little details that were interesting. The problem was that the ideas and little moments weren't strung together with interesting characters or good plot. What a shame.
A search online says that this book is part of a series. I don't think I'll be searching out others in the series, even if they might help explain what was trying to happen in this book.