Book Review: Darksiders The Abomination Vault by Ari Marmell

If you like action, and don't mind some darkness in the story, then you should try this book.

Darksiders The Abomination Vault

by Ari Marmell

• File Size: 2101 KB
• Print Length: 370 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: B008O3ITWG
• Publisher: Del Rey (July 24, 2012)
• Sold by: Random House Digital, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0074CLJDO

Genre: Fantasy

My rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: July 24, 2012

Ride with the Horsemen of the Apocalypse as they seek to unearth a plot that could plunge all of Creation into chaos!

Ages before the events of Darksiders and Darksiders II, two of the feared Horsemen—Death and War—are tasked with stopping a group of renegades from locating the Abomination Vault: a hoard containing weapons of ultimate power and malice, capable of bringing an end to the uneasy truce between Heaven and Hell . . . but only by unleashing total destruction.

Created in close collaboration with the Darksiders II teams at Vigil and THQ, Darksiders: The Abomination Vault gives an exciting look at the history and world of the Horsemen, shining a new light on the unbreakable bond between War and Death.

Review:

This was a very enjoyable fantasy read! I didn’t realize that it was connected with some gaming world. When it began I wasn’t quite sure how I felt about the obvious complete fantasy world with Death as the main character. Soon the action began and I was drawn into the story.  I found Death was not all horrible and wicked even though he is rather formidable.  Later he is joined by his brothers, War and Strife, and sister, Fury.  Although Death doesn’t want them to interfere in his battle, War comes along and helps Death in a battle against two renegades who would unleash destruction, pain and hate in the world.

Death is given an assignment by the Charred Council. They are the group who stands at the pivot point of all Creation, protecting the Balance between the Angels of Heaven and the Demons of Hell. The investigation reveals that a renegade angel is involved in the threat to unleash destruction. I loved how Death teams up with Azrael, an Angel of the White City, to face the danger. Sort of “the enemy of my foe is my friend” alliance.

Death is a one man army; full of action. His skills, beyond killing, include pulling last memories from dying souls. There is great imagery in characters and settings. Even the horses of Death and War have their own personalities.  The adventure involves dark, twisted creatures in dark, bloody places and almost nonstop battles.  I was glad the rough language was stopped at ‘damn’ and there was nothing uglier than that.

Even in the world of Death it is heartening to know that good can defeat evil. I really recommend this story if you like full on action.

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Fun dialogue:

“What do you mean, no?”
“I wasn’t aware the word had multiple meanings,” Death said. Location 326

Good Imagery:

The saddle on which War sat was as much steel as leather; the bridle, like Death’s, was a chain, though this one was thick and free of blemish or rust. Location 1325.

I picked this up through Random House on NetGalley.