Sep 26, 2017

The Day the Angels Fell by Shawn Smucker

Genre: Psych Fiction / Christian

Publisher: Revell

Date of Publication: Sep 5, 2017

Number of Pages: 320

Shawn Smucker will capture readers’ imaginations with this masterfully written debut novel that combines elements of mystery and magical realism.

It was the summer of storms, strays, and strangers. The summer that lightning struck the big oak tree in the front yard. The summer his mother died in a tragic accident.

Twelve-year-old Samuel Chambers would do anything to turn back time. Prompted by three strange carnival fortune-tellers and the surfacing of his mysterious and reclusive neighbor, Samuel begins his search for the Tree of Life—the only thing that could possibly bring his mother back. His quest to defeat death entangles him and his best friend, Abra, in an ancient conflict and forces Samuel to grapple with an unwelcome question: could it be possible that death is a gift?

Haunting and hypnotic, The Day the Angels Fell is a story that explores the difficult questions of life in a voice that is fresh, friendly, and unafraid. With this powerful novel, Shawn Smucker has carved out a spot for himself in the tradition of authors Madeleine L’Engle and Lois Lowry.

Shawn Smucker lives with his wife and six children in the city of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The Day the Angels Fell is his first novel.

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

The Day the Angels Fell was captivating. The narrative was engrossing and the setting was perfection. It was realistically created in a present-day world with a huge mysterious element looming over the reader the same way it was taking hold over the characters. I didn't know what to believe just as much as they were questioning the reality of certain aspects.

The presentation of this story was impeccable. The smooth transitions and effortless flow between flashbacks and the present was mesmerizing. The authors ability for storytelling is exceptional and seemed so easy for him throughout this story. Shawn Smucker will definitely be on my TBR list in his future endeavors.

The life stages chosen to showcase this plot were extremely complementary and showcased this story in the best ways. The raw fear and doubt of a twelve year old boy as he starts on this journey as he is internally battling between wanting the independence of his impeding teenage years and still wanting the comfort and backing from his mother drove this story. You didn't have a man that was storming through these quests and simply making these decisions with maybe a little internal fear at certain times. You had a boy that hesitated and thought out every detail and decision having no idea which road to take. He was afraid of the cobwebs, the dark, and the unknown, but still trying to put on a brave front and that emotion was captured beautifully. He exemplifies the roles so perfectly switching from the old grumpy man to the twelve year old he used to be that it is sometimes comical how well he captures them like in the below two quotes that I could easily visualize a old, grumpy man in front of me.

"I hear the knock at the screen door. I sigh. It's probably Jerry, and it's no good pretending I'm not home because he knows I never go anywhere."

"Dress shoes have always put me in a bad mood."

I loved the plot as a whole capturing this unexplored story about the Tree of Life. I definitely was not planning to cancel my Saturday plans and be completely taken by this book, but it was such as fun yet engaging read. I awarded this five out of five NIBs (stars).

"We always think we have one more day. We always think tomorrow can do nothing but come around. It's one of the great illusions we live with, that time will go on, that our lives will never end."

"Some people are so blinded by what's real that they're not ready for what's true."

"There is healing, after all, in sadness, and sometimes only tears will bring it."

"...it is the privilege of old age not to care when people look at you as if you're going crazy. And anyway, who knows, maybe I am."