The Crippled Angel (The Crucible Trilogy, Book 3)

The third book of The Crucible, the exciting historical fantasy series from the author of the popular Axis Trilogy.The crises enveloping Europe begin to alter the mentality of the world. People are no longer content with their lot in life; they have grown ambitious and disruptive. The Church is losing its grip, not only are the heresies raging out of control, but more and more priests are speaking out against the Roman Church… the order of the world is dissolving into chaos.Neville faces his own crisis as he begins to question his faith. Inflitrating many social circles, gathering information for the Church, he meets the heretic priest John Wycliffe and the peasant rebel Wat Tyler. He suspects strongly that they are shapeshifting demons… yet he cannot help but agree with their criticisms of the traditional structures of society and of the Church itself.Neville does not know it, but his soul has become the ultimate battleground. The choices he makes will dictate the final outcome of the battle between the forces of good, and those of evil.

From Publishers Weekly

In Australian author Douglass's stirring final book in her Crucible trilogy (after 2005's The Wounded Hawk), ex-priest Thomas Neville confronts such thorny issues as man's free will, the morality of angels and the natures of both God and Jesus. If Neville gives his soul to the angels, then mankind will be forever in their thrall. In order to save mankind and allow free will, Neville must find a whore to whom he can wholeheartedly deliver his soul. His anguished decision plays out against the backdrop of such tumultuous events as the reign of Hal "the Demon-King" Bolingbroke, the battle for the French throne at Agincourt and Joan of Arc's fiery martyrdom. This compressed alternate history offers such frightening treats as a view of the angelic heaven and a visit by "the black Dog of Pestilence" (which personally sprays the plague on London). Though the inevitability of Neville's choice is never in doubt, Douglass's excellent grasp of period detail and character is certain to delight fans of historical fantasy. (Jan.) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

The conclusion of Douglass' Crucible series completes the saga of Thomas Neville, the medieval nobleman turned cleric, whom the Archangel Michael has entrusted with battling a horde of shape-shifting demons unwittingly released from hell. As the fourteenth century comes to a close, Neville has left the Dominican priesthood and is still searching for the late Father de Worde's casket, a mysterious container that harbors the means to overthrow the demons. Neville has also discovered that heaven's angelic minions have the power to mate with human females and produce their own less-than-savory offspring. Amid growing friendship with Henry Bolingbroke (eventually England's King Henry IV), who may be a demon in disguise, Neville is becoming less sure of Michael's beneficence and more conflicted about his mission. Douglass' superior blend of high fantasy and realistic historical settings is a fitting vehicle for exploring the grand themes of religion, morality, and the eternal battle between good and evil. History buffs, fantasy enthusiasts, and admirers of superlative storytelling should thoroughly enjoy this sweeping story. Carl HaysCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Library Journal on The Nameless Day (Book One in the Crucible series)

“With a keen eye for detail and the nuances of medieval Europe, Douglass begins a new multivolume fantasy set on alternate, 14th-century Earth. Filled with the intricate weave of religious and political history that made up an era when church and state were not yet divided, this powerfully written tale belongs in every fantasy collection and has strong appeal for fans of historical fiction.”

SFX Magazine on The Nameless Day (Book One in the Crucible series)

“This is an extraordinary novel,...meticulously researched for an authentic 14th century atmosphere, not just in terms of aesthetic details, but in terms of the character’s beliefs and philosophies of life.”

Romantic Times (4 stars) on The Wounded Hawk (Book Two in the Crucible series)

“Historical fantasy aficionados should not miss this compelling multilayered series.”

Publishers Weekly on The Wounded Hawk (Book Two in the Crucible series)

“Douglass seamlessly fuses the period’s class struggle for freedom against tyranny with a disturbingly vivid look at the ambiguous battle between good and evil.”

About the Author

Sara Douglass was born in Penola, a small farming settlement in the south of Australia. She has a Ph.D. in Early Modern English History. Since 1995 Sara has been Australia's leading author of fantasy and one of its top novelists. She lives in Tasmania.

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