Flaming Dove

By: Daniel Arenson

Narrated by: Heather Costa

Outcast from Hell. Banished from Heaven. Lost on Earth.

The battle of Armageddon was finally fought... and ended with no clear victor. Upon the mountain, the armies of Hell and Heaven beat each other into a bloody, uneasy standstill, leaving the Earth in ruins. Armageddon should have ended with Heaven winning, ushering in an era of peace. That's what the prophecies said. Instead, the two armies--one of angels, one of demons--hunker down in the scorched planet, lick their wounds, and gear up for a prolonged war with no end in sight.

In this chaos of warring armies and ruined landscapes, Laila doesn't want to take sides. Her mother was an angel, her father a demon; she is outcast from both camps. And yet both armies need her, for with her mixed blood, Laila can become the ultimate spy... or ultimate soldier. As the armies of Heaven and Hell pursue her, Laila's only war is within her heart--a struggle between her demonic and heavenly blood.

©2010 Daniel Arenson (P)2018 Daniel Arenson

magic!

I loved this book. It was provided to me as a free copy but I was not Obligated to leave a review.

Origional and intresting concept.

I love the idea that heaven might not ultimately win armageddon. The storyline opens the door for so many possibilities. The endless legions of demon drones together with the unstoppable Arch-demons and near undestructable fallen angels are more than a match for the dwendleing number of angels left to fight. Laila the half breed reluctantly stands to turn the tide of a war that has gone on for way too long. This story brought to my mind Laura Croft meets Underworld with two scoops of girl power and a healthy dose of Twilight-ish forbidden love. The ending, which I wont spoil, gave me more questions than answers, but seems to leave the door open to a sequel I hope to see soon.
Great story telling by the narrator Heather Costa.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Great Look into Armageddon

I loved hearing Laila's story. Getting to hear her struggle to just be herself and to be left alone when it seems as if everyone is pulling at her is really different. I like this view on Armageddon and it's a lot different than most views. Getting to hear about everything going on from the different perspectives is also really great. I will admit that it felt a lot longer than it was while I was listening to the story, but I'm not sure why because the story doesn't drag. Heather does a great job narrating and add a level of urgency and excitement to the story that's all her own.

Flawed demons and angels

This is the first book I’ve read/listened to by this author.

Laila is not accepted in either Heaven or Hell. Not only is she shunned, but she can’t physically survive in either realm. She lives on Earth (along with a few surviving humans)- a place now decimated by the war between the angels and fallen angels/demons. Laila hunts the demons on earth to protect the humans and her home.
Her angel half sister, loves and misses her, and hopes she can convince her to join the angels in the fight. Laila mistrusts all of them. The demons are equally interested in winning her to their side. All she wants is to be left alone find a place where she can live contently. Eventually an opportunity arises, but it will cost her a lot

I enjoyed the story and concept. I like the more casual, imperfect, vulnerable characters, instead of the all-powerful and distinct good/evil versions others have written about. Throughout the book however, it felt as though we were skimming to surface of a great story. I’m not sure what, but something was lacking. The book ends with an obvious lead into the next book.

This is the first book I’ve listened to by this narrator ( Heather Costa ). She does well with the character voices. She brings out the despair and frustration of Laila.

There are no explicit sex scenes, or excessive violence. There was a little bit of swearing.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and voluntarily left this unbiased review.
Please feel free to comment on whether you found my review helpful.

Story 3.5/5
Narration 4/5

Interesting take on angels

Depicting angels as something other than the typical do good angels. They're flawed an imperfect. There is a romance element to the story as well that's done decently.

Angels and demons collide in love and with war.

This was an exciting book light versus dark. The Angels and demons are fighting over who will get earth. Just as it was with humans, the battle bounces back and forth - sometime the Angels won an area and sometimes the demon's won. The stark contrast between war and love shines in this book. I would enjoy passing this book along to others.

Part of two worlds, belonging to none

Laila is part demon, part angel, trusted by neither side yet desperately needed for either side to claim victory. All she wants is to be left alone but unable to get any peace until the conflict inside her resolves where she truly belongs. I liked the way the characters struggled against their place in the world and the idea of Armageddon put on hold. The narrator was great and brought a lot of depth the characters.
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A very human story

I enjoyed the portrail of angles as flawed, and frail as any mortal. I think that imbuing the angels with human emotion and motivations made the story relatable. The Romeo and Juliet undertone gave a bit of depth as well. I need to mention that I received this book without charge and have left this review voluntarily.

Great story, great narration

Great story, great narration. I enjoyed and recommend it.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

One person of two places that's looking for peace

*I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

I listened to Heather narrating another authors book prior to this. I enjoyed her tone and narration so wanted to try another of her books. When this one popped up for review, I had to jump at it. I'm glad I did. I've enjoyed Heather's narrative voice as she gives the characters feeling in their voices. She's one that's easy to listen to and is clear.

This book is full of religious base for the characters, it's angels and demons. I'm not one for religion, but this book isn't preaching to me. It's story base. Also, angels and demons aren't as cut and dry in what they do or say as one would think. The story is enjoyable as it's good verses bad. But there is a middle ground too, which is where Laila comes into play.

Okay. I hate Beelzebub. I really do. When I listen to him talk to woman, my blood boils. He's a user and it infuriates me. On the other hand, this is a huge complement to Daniel in writing Beelzebub. If he didn't write his so well, I wouldn't feel this way about him. But at the same time, I'd like to shake Bat El. Even Zarel. When you read the book, you'll understand.

Laila. I love her. She's of both Heaven and Hell but can't reside in either place because both bloods run through her veins which makes both places hurt her in different ways. She's an innocent that suffers from her heritage. An innocent that's pushed to do things she shouldn't have to in order to survive and be left alone. Alone... something she wishes she didn't have to suffer.

The world... There are an extreme few humans remaining and the world has suffered a great Armageddon. Now, Heaven and Hell fight for domain over Earth. When one of the sides win, Earth will be changed to their setting - Hell fire or Angel light. Which side will Laila fight to help? And what will she do to get there? The story is Laila working to find her peace in a world constantly at odds.

This is a stand-alone story that has an ending but also leaves a bit of thought to the reader. I enjoyed this.