I think this book is for a specific kind of reader, and while I think it has a lot to offer, I am not that reader. It had a strong start but didn't stick the landing for me and this is such a silly opinion but I think other author's pull of the Italianate inspo a lot better without it feeling this caricature-ish,

This was well written and the plotting was very intricate, unfortunately, it just wasn't to my taste. The commentary on religion and theology was a bit hollow and didn't leave me anything to chew on since it was so limited by the rules of its world. It was more of a puzzle box than a solid theme. The world building verged on absurdity, which may have been the point but it cheapened the theology rules even further since everything was so clearly constructed to prove a cynical point. The characters were aggressively misanthropic and the dialogue between them was amusing at times but there's no one to root for here which, for me personally, made enjoying this story difficult. I'd recommend this to someone who's interested in the fiddly rules of theology and existential logic puzzles and likes their characters with a bit fo a reddit atheist sensibility.

In this novella, an gangster holds and angel captive in order to blackmail God and wraps the MC up in the plot. The MC spends years trying to fix past mistakes that have been passed down from previous generations and fails over and over again.

This is my second Parker novella and, as always, the humor and wit, was excellent. The bantery dialogue is fun and theological and the crazy situations in the book are better, but this didn't quite match up to the last book I read by Parker. I put it down a fair amount even though it's quite a short read.

All in all, I would recommend to this looking for short, witty fantasy or have previously enjoyed Parker's books!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC!

When I saw this up for request, I clicked pretty much right away: I’ve enjoyed K.J. Parker’s narrative voice in the past, and found the ideas interesting — and novellas are always fun!

Depending on your point of view, it might be fortunate or unfortunate to hear that the narrative voice of this novella is much the same as in a handful of Parker’s other works (I’m not sure if it’s the same as all of them). Irreverent, a little anachronistic, self-serving, just-an-ordinary-dude… all of it rang so familiar from other books I’ve read by Parker, and that kind of spoiled my enjoyment. If you love it, or if you’re not already familiar with it, it might work great for you! I don’t mind the irreverence in the least, though some might; it’s just much less fresh when you’ve read it before.

The plot was, well, it feels like a bunch of different philosophical hypothetical scenarios thrown together to see what shakes out, which is interesting as an intellectual exercise, but didn’t quite work for me as a plot. Novellas may not need to have much of a plot, and your mileage may vary as always, but for me I felt it all hung on that narrative voice and a couple of “what ifs” about God and beliefs.

It was okay, but… shrug?

Parker's writing is both intelligent and thought-provoking, with a dry wit and a sharp eye for detail. The stories are often dark and unsettling, but also have moments of humor and irony that lighten the mood. The characters are well-developed, with complex motivations and flaws that make them feel like real people. Parker also does an excellent job of creating richly detailed worlds, from a magical circus to a bleak post-apocalyptic wasteland.

One of the standout stories in the collection is "A Small Price to Pay for Birdsong," which tells the story of a man who makes a deal with a demon to restore his hearing, only to discover that the cost of his newfound ability is far higher than he anticipated. The story is both chilling and moving, with a haunting ending that lingers long after the final page.

Overall, "Pulling the Wings Off Angels" is an excellent collection of thought-provoking stories that will appeal to fans of dark fantasy and literary fiction. While the stories are not always easy to read, they are rewarding in their complexity and depth. If you're looking for a collection of short stories that will challenge your perceptions of the world, "Pulling the Wings Off Angels" is definitely worth checking out.

KJ Parker does it come. Was a phenomenal writer. He just keeps knocking them out of the park. Deep, funny, one of those books that makes me think long after I've read it. Take all the stars.

Pulling the Wings off Angels by K.J. Parker is thought provoking and creates a dialogue on the nature of God, destiny and the nature of angels. In the compelling narrative, the main character will intrigue you, the concept is unique and the premise fantastic. What I loved most were the theological theories, in particular on mercy versus justice. The main characters are absolutely engaging, complex, and unique individuals. None of them are good but all of them have a particular purpose in the theological dilemma the author presents. It is rare to find characters that are supremely likable despite having few redeeming characteristics. 

For me, I think the reason the story is so compelling is because it involves a real person with a real dilemma. Even though the theological paradox is a type of logic puzzle, the conclusion will make you reconsider your point of view. And ultimately the ending is as engaging as the introduction. The action and the characters will keep you involved while the narrative and the paradox will keep you thinking. If you like your fantasy thought provoking and you want to think about the nature of God and angels, I truly recommend you check out this novel. I found it most interesting and the solution to the paradox creative.

3.5 stars

Classic K.J. Parker flair and wit! Not my favorite in his canon, but still a fun ride.

Concept: ★★
Humor/Wit: ★★★★
Enjoyment: ★★★

I think it's no surprise that I'm a huge fan of K.J. Parker. Both Inside Man and Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City are some of my favorite books of all time—I can't seem to get enough of his wit and no-holds-barred sense of "you better keep up, because I'm not slowing down" energy.

Pulling the Wings Off Angels had that classic wit and barreling-freight-train energy.

What would you do if you found yourself caught in a theological paradox? Think chicken and the egg, but instead of farm animals we graduated right to the big guns: the existence and willpower of God.

A clerical student grew up with the truth and lies surrounding his family name. If you believe the myth, he says, then you believe his grandfather trapped an Angel and thwarted the will of God.

Despite being a supposed clerical student, our main character has always assumed that this was the myth, not the fact. Angels and God aren't actually real, right?

Wrong. Said clerical student finds out the hard way that the unbelievable is possible, and the barometer of believability is much more suggestible and fragile than he imagined.

Enter into the vortex with K.J. Parker and find yourself questioning everything and nothing at the same time... No matter what, you're always in for an experience.

Like all of Parker's works, I find his unique writing voice and sharp wit truly one-of-a-kind. There really isn't another narrative voice out there that matches him. It's a dash of Pratchett, a splash of something sharper than Gaiman, and a heavy dose of... Parker.

Pulling the Wings Off Angels was a truly fun ride. I will admit, I think it's one of my least favorites, but that's not saying much as I still enjoyed it. My personal lower rating is more to do with the subject matter and how heavy-handed the religious theme was in this novella more than anything else. (I can only handle so much theology and philosophical whirlpools.)

K.J. Parker fans are already onto this novella, so my pitch here is for the newbies. If you like irreverent takes on religious, smart humor, and quick stories: pick this one up.

Thank you to Tordotcom publishing for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

KJ Parker is a genius when it comes to religion. Brilliant, funny and always sarcastic, I related to this main character more than id like to admit.

Short and sweet but absolutely fantastic, to say I devoured this one is an understatement. Now if you’re expecting a novella that is sensical and follows a logical narrative, this is probably not the book for you. if you are after something that makes you rethink everything you have ever read and questions theology as a whole, stick around.

This whole novella essentially revolves around the question of what is good and evil and whether it is possible to ‘cheat’ your way out of purgatory. Which sounds strange, is strange but is also absolutely enthralling. Our MC is in a situation whereby he has never really made any choices that could be seen as evil; therefore, he shouldn’t really be headed the way of the worlds greatest dictators. Except, he is. His grandfather made a choice and passed on his legacy. Through a series of events that begin with being an enforcer, eventuated with an angel in a Godproof box, and culminated in his Grandfather finding a loophole into heaven, our protagonist is destined to pay for the sins of his father. Or in this case the sins of his father’s father.

I have to say, this was kind of genius. It was in-depth and convoluted but also got the audience to come to its own conclusions about how things really should have gone. Its characters are interesting and surprisingly deep for a publication that comes in at less than 150 pages and to be honest, while I would have loved it to be longer, by the end it felt like it was that perfect length to keep its efficacy in making the reader question their own beliefs and biases.

I’m going to wrap this one up soon, but I really want to make special mention of the role that the professor has within Pulling The Wings Off Angels. While seemingly a background character, this guy ends up having a HUGE role by the time you hit the final 20%. On face value, he is cool and calm (an all around good guy), underneath readers will come to appreciate him for what he really is – a master manipulator and absolute jerk. I think he was probably my favourite character overall and well worth paying attention to.

So, here's the TLDR. Wings is a short but powerful read for those who don’t mind theological questions within their narrative (think The Library at Mount Char type mind-bending). It’s fast paced but well rounded with characters that are never what they seem. Read it if you love a having your mind messed with.

I really enjoy KJ Parker's darkly funny books, and this novella is in that very familiar style. Set in fantasy-Italy, it's about some quite terrible people and a captive angel, and the nature of sin and God and other chilled out topics like that. I enjoyed it, but it's definitely not my favourite of Parker's books.

K.J. Parker is an amazing writer who creates amazing stories, and this splendid novella is no exception. Stories about heaven, hell, and angels are a particular favorite of mine, so this was right in my wheelhouse. There's not a lot I can say about the plot without giving too much away, so all I'll say about that is that it's a thought-provoking plot that kept me fascinated the whole time. There's a bit of a Good Omens vibe to it. Highly recommended!

You had me at Parker novella. I have had such good luck with Parker's short stories that he has become an automatic read for me. Parker manages to say so much in such a short book. Plus, Salonius is in this one, and he has quickly become an all-time favorite fictional character of mine.

This novella is a religious/metaphysical-leaning story, and while I did enjoy it, I find that I tend to prefer Parker's political/military-focused plots more. Despite this, Parker's trademark humor and sarcastic outlook on life are present and accounted for. I love his dialogue and his wordplay, and each novella leaves me thinking for days to come. Further, I enjoyed the ideas of inheritance and the sins of the father passing on to his sons. 

At this point, I will read anything Parker writes if I can only find the time. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan-Tor Forge and TorDotCom for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

thank you to netgalley and tordotcom for the ARC!

this was the first book i've read from this author. i found the premise interesting and the writing quite fun, but the philosophical discussions and paradoxes—what initially drew me in—were not as interesting or nuanced as i had hoped. most of it reads very much like an atheist's first time in a theology 101 class. yes yes god is unfair and inherited sin sucks and repentance makes no sense, you are very smart.

i liked the character of salonius, so i think i'll check out the author's other work.

Look, another KJ Parker! That's how I approached this novella. I just like the writing style of Parker's first person POV novellas.

The story follows a young man who was born with the proverbial silver spoon in his mouth, likes gambling and suddenly owes a loan shark quite a substantial sum of money. Without wanting to spoil too much, our miserable first person narrator finds himself in a pickle that he might not be able to get out of. Because fate and the sins of his forefathers, justice and mercy are all working against him; as well as that well-meaning brilliant professor of his, Saloninus.

As much as this is a metaphysical/religious/philosophical work and at times felt a bit 'preaching to the choir', I truly enjoyed it. Not least because of Saloninus, who is a self-professed genius.

I absolutely LOVE books featuring Heaven, Hell, angels, and demons, so when I read the synopsis of Pulling The Wings Off Angels, I was instantly intrigued! A man who is roped into turning over to a local gangster the angel his grandfather supposedly stole years ago? Sounds like the setup to a truly interesting and engaging story! But I was ultimately unimpressed with this novella. I really don't have much to say about the novella, other than the worldbuilding was confusing and the "humor" was anything but humorous. The humor felt like the author was trying too hard to be witty and sarcastic, but it just came off as annoying. In terms of worldbuilding, I felt that it was a little too confusing and sparse for a novella. With the limited amount of pages that novellas have, I don't expect worldbuilding that's expansive, but I do expect to be given enough to feel oriented to the setting.

I enjoyed Parker's novella Prosper's Demon, but I don't think that Pulling The Wings Off Angels compares.

Such an odd book. I don't think I enjoyed the author's writing style. The humor was great, it just feels like it was missing something.

I love Parker's work, so I knew I'd love the voice, the prose, and I also liked the plot and characters, Easy 5 star.

https://lynns-books.com/2022/12/01/pulling-the-wings-off-angels-by-kj-parker/
3.5 of 5 stars
As a rule I don’t cut and paste the descriptions of books but as this is a short book I thought the GR blurb would probably be more succinct. So here it is:

‘Long ago, a wealthy man stole an angel and hid her in a chapel, where she remains imprisoned to this day.

That’s the legend, anyway.

A clerical student who’s racked up gambling debts to a local gangster is given an ultimatum—deliver the angel his grandfather kidnapped, or forfeit various body parts in payment.

And so begins a whirlwind theological paradox—with the student at its center—in which the stakes are the necessity of God, the existence of destiny—and the nature of angels.’

So, the narrator here is the theology student who no longer believes in the existence of God. Imagine then his surprise when he finds an angel locked inside his grandfather’s cellar. The angel is unable to escape because her wings have been clipped and God is in no position to help her because the room she is being held in is protected and so she cannot be ‘seen’. The student has gambling debts and is being threatened to either deliver an angel or lose body parts. Having found that the angel exists both the student and his unfriendly loan shark go on to try and reach a deal with God. What could possibly go wrong?

Now, this is a short story – and I will be honest in saying that, one, short stories are not usually my ‘thing’ and I don’t usually make such requests for that reason, two, I hadn’t realised this was a short story – so, mmm, awkward – and also very much DOH on my part! That being said I enjoyed this, obviously it’s a very quick read, it’s thought provoking, it takes a look at religion and raises questions about topics such as inherited sin, repentance, etc, and it is both clever and witty.

The plot – basically, the plot is really just a driver for the overall discussion. It’s entertaining and twisted and I guess you could just read it as a short story but really it’s a brain teaser. Similarly, the world building is only very lightly drawn and this is because it’s not the focus for the piece either.

To be fair, there’s only so much I can really say about this without actually saying too much. It was my first book by this author and although it demonstrates his style and humour I would like to backtrack to some of his other work to see if I favour them. I certainly didn’t dislike this, it is very much a thinking piece and if you like the idea of a theological paradox all rolled up in a nutshell sized nugget then give this a try.

I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.

So. One probably should not pull the wings off angels, right? I feel like that goes without saying. But some of the characters in this novella are... well, they're basically of the mind that if this god cannot see them, it doesn't count. Frankly, it is a very interesting and thought provoking take on religion in general, and I enjoyed it quite a bit, especially from that perspective.

There is also a ton of humor in this novella, which I loved, especially when dealing with darker matters, like the eternal damnation of one's soul for ridiculous reasons. Since this is a short novella, I'll keep my review equally short for fear of spoilers. But suffice it to say, I quite enjoyed the moral questions posited by this story, and was certainly entertained throughout.

Bottom Line: Always, always here for thought provoking, morally messy stories.