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Of Love and Evil: The Songs of the Seraphim, Book Two — Paranormal

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Of Love and Evil: The Songs of the Seraphim, Book Two

Name: Of Love and Evil: The Songs of the Seraphim, Book Two
Price: 17.00 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781400078967

✍️ Anne Rice

Reader Score

4.5

(1 review)

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A metaphysical thriller pairing an angel with a former assassin in fifteenth-century Italy.

The narrative follows Toby O'Dare as he accepts another divine mandate from Malchiah. They travel to Rome during the age of Michelangelo and Pope Leo X. The objective involves stopping a dybbuk while investigating a nobleman's poisoning. Toby adopts the identity of a musician to infiltrate the spirit's circle. This role exposes him to dangerous political and religious conspiracies. The story relies on the tension between his past as a killer and his current angelic duties. Rice uses this framework to explore themes of divine intervention in human affairs.

Key Themes

Angels and assassins Fifteenth-century Italy Dybbuk haunting

Literary Context

The book is set in fifteenth-century Italy, specifically during the era of Michelangelo, the Holy Inquisition, and Pope Leo X. It draws on the traditions of American literature to present a metaphysical thriller involving angels and assassins within this specific historical and ecclesiastical context.

Anne Rice

📚 all books by this author (86) →

Difficulty

●●● Challenging

Recommended For Fans Of

Gothic horror enthusiasts · Fans of angelic mythology · Readers of historical supernatural fiction

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Paranormal

🏛 Anchor Books 📅 2012 📖 208 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781400078967

📝 Description: Of Love and Evil: The Songs of the Seraphim, Book Two

Anne Rice returns with the second volume in her Songs of the Seraphim series, delivering a metaphysical thriller that blends celestial intrigue with mortal violence. Former contract killer Toby O'Dare has barely recovered from his last divine assignment when he is summoned again by the angel Malchiah. Their new mission takes them to fifteenth-century Italy, a period defined by the presence of Michelangelo, the Holy Inquisition, and Pope Leo X. The pair must investigate the poisoning of a prominent nobleman and neutralize a diabolical dybbuk haunting the area. Malchiah tasks Toby with posing as a lute player sent to charm and calm the troublesome spirit. This disguise places him directly within complex plots and counterplots that surround the investigation. As they move through this dark historical landscape, Toby finds himself surrounded by increasingly dangerous threats. The veil of ecclesiastical terror closes in around him, forcing him to confront both external enemies and his own fractured psyche. Rice’s lyrical style brings these past worlds to life with haunting precision. This novel suits readers who enjoy supernatural fiction grounded in specific historical periods and those interested in the intersection of angelic mythology and human assassination. It may not appeal to those seeking straightforward horror without metaphysical layers or readers who prefer contemporary settings over historical intrigue.

💎 Our verdict on Of Love and Evil: The Songs of the Seraphim, Book Two

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Rice delivers a metaphysical thriller that successfully blends celestial intrigue with mortal violence, maintaining the atmospheric tension characteristic of her seraphim series. The narrative effectively utilizes Toby O’Dare’s dual identity as both assassin and angel to explore themes of divine intervention in human affairs. By setting the story in fifteenth-century Italy, Rice creates a rich backdrop for investigating political conspiracies and diabolical hauntings. The lyrical style brings the historical period to life with haunting precision, immersing the reader in a world where ecclesiastical terror is palpable. This book suits readers who appreciate supernatural fiction grounded in specific history and those intrigued by the moral complexities of angelic duties.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

This volume appeals to those who enjoy supernatural fiction grounded in specific historical periods, particularly the complex era of Michelangelo and Pope Leo X. It is ideal for readers interested in the intersection of angelic mythology and human assassination, offering a unique perspective on divine mandates through the eyes of a former contract killer. The narrative provides a deep dive into ecclesiastical terror and political conspiracy, satisfying those who appreciate lyrical prose and metaphysical layers over straightforward horror. Toby O'Dare’s struggle with his fractured psyche against a backdrop of dangerous religious intrigue offers a compelling study of faith, violence, and redemption.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

⭐ HorrorReads editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5

★★★★★

Readers craving atmospheric, philosophical thrillers involving celestial beings will adore this. However, those seeking fast-paced action or straightforward plots may find the dense, lyrical prose too slow and the metaphysical debates overly abstract for their taste.

Reader rating

4.5

Based on 1 reviews

❓ Frequently asked questions

While it functions as a standalone mystery, reading the preceding installment enriches the lore and character dynamics significantly.

The tone is more ethereal and less blood-soaked. It focuses on angelic conflict rather than undead romance, though the lush prose remains familiar.

📖 Who should read this

📜 Historical context

Anne Rice’s work revitalized Gothic horror by blending visceral dread with profound theological inquiry. This volume continues that legacy, weaving celestial mythology into a narrative of violence and redemption. It stands alongside classic supernatural tales that explore the thin line between divinity and damnation, offering a distinctly literary approach to the monstrous.