Of Love and Evil

The Songs of the Seraphim, Book 2

By: Anne Rice

Narrated by: Paul Michael

Length: 5 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's Summary

“I dreamed a dream of angels. I saw them and heard them in a great and endless galactic night. I saw the lights that were these angels, flying here and there, in streaks of irresistible brilliance.... I felt love around me in this vast and seamless realm of sound and light.... And something akin to sadness swept me up and mingled my very essence with the voices who sang, because the voices were singing of me....”

Thus begins Anne Rice’s lyrical, haunting new novel, a metaphysical thriller of angels and assassins that once again summons up dark and dangerous worlds set in times past. Anne Rice takes us to other realms, this time to the world of 15th-century Rome, a city of domes and rooftop gardens, rising towers and crosses beneath an ever-shifting layer of clouds; familiar hills and tall pines...of Michelangelo and Raphael, of the Holy Inquisition and of Leo X, second son of a Medici, holding forth from the papal throne.... And into this time, into this century, Toby O’Dare, former government assassin, is summoned by the angel Malchiah to solve a terrible crime of poisoning and to search out the truth of a haunting by an earthbound restless spirit - a diabolical dybbuk.

O’Dare soon discovers himself in the midst of dark plots and counterplots surrounded by a darker and more dangerous threat as the veil of ecclesiastical terror closes in around him.

As he embarks on a powerful journey of atonement, O’Dare is reconnected with his own past, with matters light and dark, fierce and tender, with the promise of salvation and with a deeper and richer vision of love.

©2010 Anne Rice (P)2010 Random House

Critic Reviews

“A bullet of a book—and an absolute bull’s eye.” ( Kirkus)

“Readers who enjoy Rice’s larger-than-life tales and elegant writing will find much to appreciate here, and the cliff-hanger ending will leave fans eager for the next installment.”( Booklist)

Very Engaging

I have been a fan of Anne Rice in the past but this short book surprised me. It was an easy listen that kept me interested.

That Ending...

So clearly, after 11yrs this is the conclusion of this story, but Anne I want more! 😢

Amazing

I never thought a book could reach so deep into my soul. I want everyone in the world to read this series!

Wow!! Bravo!!!

Wow!!
Bravo!!!
This one tops the first in Rice’s new Angel series. I can’t wait for more!!!

a captivating adventure for spirit & faith

A beautiful, artistic, charming, at times disturbing tale richly woven in Anne's return to faith in Christ. This will stir your spirit!

Definitely disappointing.

What did you like best about Of Love and Evil? What did you like least?

I loved the period Toby was sent to. The references to Michaelangelo, and Rafael was great. Unfortunately, the reason why he was sent was so uninspiring it was boring. Toby was a great assassin, and very little of his skills were used in this mission.

What was most disappointing about Anne Rice’s story?

I wanted to see more of Toby's skill as an assassin in this story. All he did was reconize a flower, and accuse the brother of murder.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Toby was first sent to Italy. Anne Rice really knows how to put you in the environment.

Could you see Of Love and Evil being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Nope.

ugh

i accidentally ordered this book and could only stomach 3 of 5 hours. i actually enjoyed the author's opening imaginative descriptions of the sights, sounds and impressions of heaven, but the plot turned drippy and predictable. the hero's "deep" theological and philosophical musings are sophomoric and trite.