How Angels Die by David-Michael Harding – Book 25

How Angels Die by David-Michael Harding is a book focusing on some strong and sexy girls who work to defeat the Nazis.  What could be better than that?

How Angels Die is a novel about two strong sisters who are part of the French Resistance Movement that works to stop the Nazis who have invaded their country.  Claire is the younger sister and is very rebellious.  Her way of stopping the Nazis is by going on raids and murdering them.  Monique, the older sister, seduces the high-ranking Nazis in order to loosen their lips with pillow talk, and then passes on pertinent information to the Resistance.

Both girls set about the same purpose, but the varied ways in which they resist tears apart the family and their friendship.  Claire and her father believe that Monique is as good as a prostitute, and that she is not doing the resistance any favors by sleeping with Nazis.  Monique and her mother believe that Claire is too brazen and will be killed in battle that is unnecessary.

When Monique meets a German soldier named Pieter, both individuals, and the Resistance, get more than they bargained for.

The book was phenomenal.  I liked that the main characters were two strong women who fought for what they believed in, and while they argued as sisters will (I know from experience, right Deborah?), they maintained the familial bond until the end.

I’m not a romantic, nor do I like to read romance novels, but the romance between Monique and Pieter was a plot twist that was a little reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet, without being too much.  However, I do think that Harding could have chosen a synonym for the word “lovers,” which permeated the beginning of the book a little too much for my taste.

The ending shocked me beyond belief.  Some of the ending I saw coming, but most of it took me by surprise, and had me crying with both sadness, and then happiness.

Harding was witty at times, with stinging lines such as: “As often happens to those who find themselves astride a fence, they would eventually take a hard hit to the groin” (p. 33).

I loved how many connections there were amongst the characters.  Even the smallest character had a significant purpose in the story, many times had multiple purposes.  The story was cyclical as well in many aspects (although I can’t share them with you or I would be giving away some spoilers)!

I received this book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest opinion.  However, when I say that How Angels Die was one of the most compelling books I have read in a while, I mean it.  The book does contain instances of blatant sex, murder, and rape.  If you can handle that, then I believe this historical fiction book is a read many would enjoy.