The Day the Angels Fell

Author: Shawn Smucker

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: September 5, 2017

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

Unique, supernatural, and a twist on a tale we have all heard!

The summer that Sam was twelve years old changed him forever. His mother was killed in a terrible accident that left him without knowing how to grieve and a father who didn’t know how to either.  But then the strangers showed up.  First was Mr. Jinn, a neighbor who he had never seen, comes to his house to discuss what happened and if Sam would do anything to bring her back.  Then Mr. Tennin shows up asking Sam’s dad about work and suddenly is living with them.  Mr. Tennin tells a very interesting story about the tree of life that dates back to the Garden of Eden and the two cherubim who were put in place to guard the tree.  The tree of life has the power to bring someone back to life, but the power should not be used as death is a gift.  Sam becomes consumed with bringing his mother back no matter what it cost.

This book was definitely unlike anything I have ever read before. It centers around Sam and is inability to grieve for his mother’s death and how he feels responsible for it.  His father is no help to him and he begins to cut himself off from his only friend.  This book may be difficult for people who have lost someone close to them to understand that death is a gift to leaving this world and the pain that comes with it.  Those that are left still have the pain and it is hard to see through what it will become.

The story bounces between present day elderly Sam and twelve year old Sam. We see that he develops several habits based on the events of this summer; habits that aren’t good to keep.  Ultimately, the supernatural story within this book is what really keeps it moving.  Bringing the story of the Garden of Eden and intertwining it with present day is a fresh way to look at this aspect.  Be sure to grab a copy of this one!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.