Heaven's Fallen

Mantles of Power, Book 1

By: Benjamin Medrano

Narrated by: Sarah Beth Goer

Length: 12 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's Summary

Fallen, but not defeated.

Betrayed by those she trusted, Isalla was cast down from the heavens and into the heart of the hells. Bereft of her wings, the angel was rescued by Kanae, a demoness who challenges Isalla's belief of what demons should be. She has little choice but to accept Kanae's help, with as far from her homeland as she is, and slowly she begins to understand, then even admire Kanae.

Unfortunately, the forces in the shadows have not forgotten Isalla, and they are willing to target anyone close to her, no matter how highly placed they may be. As their long reach threatens to snuff out Isalla's life, Kanae proves a stalwart ally, and willing to face any danger beside her.

It's an immense surprise to Isalla that in the depths of the hells she can find hope, allies, and possibly even love.

©2019 Benjamin Medrano (P)2019 Benjamin Medrano

Sarah Beth Goer is amazing

the narrator of this book was phenomenal. the story was good. I really just can't get over the.... *spoiler alert*.... 3 people in a relationship but not really and all. And while I like Rose, she needed to be a side character for me not a main one. And I get that polyamorous people deserve representation but... it ruined the whole story for me. Isalla and Kanae really deserved to have a relationship without extras. I still don't buy into Rose's love for Isalla and it didn't feel genuine let alone her 'attraction' to Kanae, that part pissed me off even more. ugh!! this arc really ruined it for me. even though the overall story and world is excellent. I want so much for Isalla.

Get it

Not what I expected Definitely to get the other Books when they come out I do hope the main character gets a little stronger in either abilities or fighting skill the characters are likable and the enemies are definitely capable and you want them to be destroyed In the harshest ways very enjoyable And there's really no true sex scene so if that would put you off on this book If you're expecting tone a sex You're going to be disappointed Here's how the sex scenes go They start playing around sex scenes over you know they had sex but it doesn't tell you anything set they pretty much Had it so don't go in thinking this is one of those Adult books Pretty much I got this book just as the cover it looked interesting So if you thinking this book has a ton of sex You're going to be disappointed But that's your issue But the book is really good

loved it

the characters are well written and constantly surprise you with being both believable and fundamentally different from normal tropes. I looked forward to the next book!

narrator did the best with what she was given.

I got about 90% of the way through this book and just could not bring myself to finish the book. The set up was nice and the idea behind the story was great but pen to paper..... not great. I am going to sum up this book simply and forgive me for being crass about it but this story was like watching a straight man wrote a poem about lesbian girls in a polyatomic relationship without the sex scenes. If that sounds exciting to you then you will love this book and being gay myself, I thought I would enjoy it. However, there is one part towards the end of the book that took me out completely. It was as if the conflict of most book was taken and thrown out because to write an actual conclusion where character choices have weight was getting in the way. It was not the choices that were made I disagreed with, it was as if the author wanted to make moments happen but not make actual characters. Do yourself a favor and skip this book.

Took a little time

Given the content, relationships and strong female presence in the book, I was skeptical about the author’s ability to capture what I am used to in female driven fantasy. While some parts and dialogue felt inaccurate to me and the narrators voice could be cringeworthy, I overall I loved the story and I’ve purchased the second book. I also greatly appreciate self published authors.

Finally its here!

So I was just about to go to work when I checked on audible and found this book was here and went YES SCREW GOING TO WORK!
I wasn't disappointed the character development excellent the story was great and the Narrator was spot on.

I am a bad example probably cause I am a fan of all Benjamin's books but this was more then worth the wait I want book 2 and three ASAP
GET THIS BOOK

The Start of a Beautiful Trilogy

Heaven's Fallen lays the groundwork for a wonderful trilogy set in a rich and highly detailed world. Each character is a well crafted gem, cut from high quality character design and polished into a complex web of interconnected personalities. Their emotions, relationships, passions, and characters are each quite unique and feel real. Adding to this, the world of the Mantles of Power series is an ever growing and detailed environment of powers, places, and cultures, each building a detailed setting which feels alive.

The main characters, antagonist and protagonist, alike, are inspiring and feel real. Their depth and personality leave you wanting to know more about each of them, and what happens to them. So engaging are the plots of each character than you may even feel yourself rooting for both antagonist and protagonist.

While the first book is a little slow, at first, the plot keeps building upon itself into rich story which cannot be put down. Before I had even finished the first book, I had purchased the next two.

On a side note, the voice actress is simply lovely. She had a wide range to her work and maintains a vocal profile for each character, given every one of them a distinct voice. Her work is truly worth of praise.

Beautiful descriptions great adventure story.

Fantastic. Loved it. Light-handed on the sex descriptions works very well if you ask me, more enticing in fact. Great battle and fight scenes. Love The Hells' creatures being generally of good moral qualities, more open-minded, and more hospitable to strangers than the angels and Heavenly Host!

Just not engaging

I have waffled hard trying to get through this story and finally gave up about 70% through. First off the two main characters are well written on their own. they each have interesting stories. the problem is that together they have no chemistry. There was never a point where I told myself, dang I hope these two end up together. nope it was just, hey I get the feeling that they were supposed to be with other people, where are those people? I tried to blame this on the way the narrator voices the interplay but I've gone back over sections without her and it's still got no chemistry.
The final thing that sunk it though? kinda a personal qualm honestly. the way that the Ember was brainwashed is one of those things that angers me to the point where I want to abandon the story so I don't have to put up with it and the predictable results. It's said that there's no magic involved but if that's so then my suspension of disbelief can't handle it. Rose learns that the woman she loves is alive and hurt, surrounded by a literal hellscape and has an assassination contract out on her and she immediately has sex with her captors? She doesn't go all heroic warrior? doesn't even go concerned friend? yeah suspension of disbelief doesn't survive that.

Wanted to really like this...

Overall, I was left kind of disappointed by some of the themes were presented and handled. Such as the Tower of Confession and the Queen making Stockholm syndrome look tame and being built up, only to be swept aside.

Interesting story, some awkward storytelling

I like the stories written by this author, but when listening to the audio, there are some repeated phrasing that rankles, and takes me out of the action. I've noticed it several times with some of the author's other works. In this book it was the phrase "well that's the question, isn't it?", and variations on it, that kept cropping up too regularly. A minor gripe, to be sure, but one that could be easily addressed. Otherwise, a fine enough story. The rather similar formula to most of Benjamin's stories makes me think I might stop reading them. --SPOILERS-- Powerful (often absurdly so) women, beautiful cast of main female characters, body modification, mind control/coercion, naïve neophytes, dark plots unfolding in the background, troubled mother/daughter relationships... Up to now, there have been enough minor twists to keep me reading/listening, but the book series are starting to feel rather same-y.