Miserere: An Autumn Tale
Exiled exorcist Lucian Negru deserted his lover in Hell in exchange for saving his sister Catarina’s soul, but Catarina doesn’t want salvation. She wants Lucian to help her fulfill her dark covenant with the Fallen Angels by using his power to open the Hell Gates. Catarina intends to lead the Fallen’s hordes out of Hell and into the parallel dimension of Woerld, Heaven’s frontline of defense between Earth and Hell.
When Lucian refuses to help his sister, she imprisons and cripples him, but Lucian learns that Rachael, the lover he betrayed and abandoned in Hell, is dying from a demonic possession. Determined to rescue Rachael from the demon he unleashed on her soul, Lucian flees his sister, but Catarina’s wrath isn’t so easy to escape. In the end, she will force him once more to choose between losing Rachael or opening the Hell Gates so the Fallen’s hordes may overrun Earth, their last obstacle before reaching Heaven’s Gates.
Calvin & Hobbes: How do you feel about Calvin and Hobbes? Have either of them, or their worldviews, affected the way you think? No, I’m not talking about Bill Watterson’s delightful comic kid and his tiger sidekick. I’m referring to philosophers John Calvin and Thomas Hobbes. The former espoused Divine Providence and predestination, while the latter championed free will and social cooperation in the avoidance of chaos. In reading Teresa Frohock’s compelling debut, Miserere, I often found myself examining my beliefs and worldview in ways I didn’t expect.
The immersive story is set in a dark and fantastic world—or should I say Woerld, which is the name of Frohock’s parallel dimension. Woerld is a mediaeval battleground between good and evil, full of oh-so-necessary exorcisms, demons in the form of canine companions, demons in the form of brain-burrowing worms (or wyrms), and plotting fallen angels and their complicit conspirators. Many of the elements of the story will be familiar to those who attended a Christian church at some point in their lives. 
The crux of the book’s back story lies in the tale of Satan and his followers being driven from Heaven by the archangel Michael and cast into Hell.
Religion can be a tricky thing. As a reader I am normally unfazed, and often appreciative, when an author brings religious themes and character motivations into their work. But I must admit, I initially found myself disquieted by the strong Christian elements in Miserere. For me, discovering them was akin to having proselytizing callers ring the doorbell at kickoff time on an autumn Saturday. I found the opening pages a bit difficult, and I feared the central conflict would be too simple a dichotomy of good versus evil. I feared the themes would be too Calvinistic for my taste. I pressed ahead, and was rewarded for my diligence. By page 30, when Lucian escapes his evil sister and is set upon his quest, I was all in. I was also delighted to find that all of the religions of Earth were represented in Woerld, united against their common foe: evil. The very things I initially felt hesitant over ended up being the most unboxed (fresh) elements of the book.
Miserere is a riveting tale, rife with political intrigue and pulse-quickening action, but it’s so much more. The unfolding back story between the intricately-drawn and fallible characters not only felt natural but had me craving more. The revelations of the past are marvelously and intrinsically woven into the arc of the plot. Overriding it all are the issues of choice and free will; betrayal, redemption, forgiveness and trust. Again and again, Frohock’s characters’ Hobbesian choices lead to complex consequences and rewards, moreso than simple damnation or salvation.
Fireside Reading: The subtitle of Miserere is An Autumn Tale, which I found apt as I turned its pages beside the hearth during a chilly, damp week ending on All Hallows Eve. Just perfect.
Overall rating:
Unboxed rating:
“The very things I initially felt hesitant over ended up being the most unboxed (fresh) elements of the book.”
Now THAT is a pleasant surprise.
Great review, Vaughn. I have to admit, this is not even close to my type of book, but you make it sound very appealing.
Just one question: Is this a sequel or a part of a series? The opening line makes it sound like there’s possibly a previous book.
Kristan´s last blog post ..DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE by Laini Taylor
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With the amount of backstory, you’d think it was a series book–and there may be more to come. I hope so. I could almost see a prequel. But what she did so brilliantly was reveal the backstory as the plot progressed, showing how the characters’ past choices affected the current situation. Thanks, Kristan!
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Great review!
“The very things I initially felt hesitant over ended up being the most unboxed (fresh) elements of the book.”
Like, Kristin, I loved that what you first thought would be a weakness ended up being a strength. I’m adding this to my list. Awesome!
Heather Reid´s last blog post ..Already There
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This book really turned on a dime for me, fairly early on. But I really grew to love it more and more as I progressed, which was great. Thanks, Heather!
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Swoon! this stuff is right up my alley, but I’d also be turned off by overt religiosity.
“The very things I initially felt hesitant over ended up being the most unboxed (fresh) elements of the book.”
I do think that writers who have the courage to go there and ask their readers to also hang in are rewarded. At the risk of sounding reductionist, genre fiction is usually the most risk adverse for a variety of reasons — writers dont want to “blow” their big change, publishing professionals don’t want to stare at a negative balance sheet.
I’m intrigued. Thanks for a thoughtful first review, Vaughn.
Kathleen Bolton´s last blog post ..Miserere: An Autumn Tale
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I think you’re right, that there was a long-held belief by publishers that genre fans have certain expectations, that they were looking almost for comfort, sometimes to the point of forsaking innovation. This has been particularly true of historical fantasy. Happily I’ve been seeing quite a few game-changers rising to the fore of late (including Miserere). Hopefully publishers are taking note. Thanks so much, Kathleen!
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Intriguing review. Miserere is going on my must-read list. Thanks.
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Sounds like an intriguing book. I don’t typically read this genre. Who knows I might give it a try.
Stacy S. Jensen´s last blog post ..Thankful Thursday: Susanna Leonard Hill
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I had the luck to read book shortly after it was published. Normally I am a big sceptic guy when it comes to christian religion and fiction, but Teresa Frohock did really a great job and the story “sucked” me in after about a dozen pages.
I agree with Vaughn here that the big plot (the backbone of the story) is far greater then to be used only for one book, and if you take a look on the authors’ website you will that there are two follow-up novels are planned.
I hope they are coming as soon as possible because I am curious how the story about Lucian will evolve!
I have read a lot of books this from different genres ranging from historical fiction over zombies to sf and I have to admit that “Miserere” is under my Top 10 this year (for the writing style and the unique story that is told there).
I highly recommend it.
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That’s welcome news, Nic, about the follow-ups. I will be on board, too. Thanks for sharing. And thanks to everyone for stopping by and for considering this interesting, unboxed book!
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I was worried about the “religious element” at first too but so glad I didn’t let that stop me from reading this wonderful book. The writing is lush and stellar. And, whomever edited the book did such a good job – flawless! This book is out of the genre for which I usually read, but I turned the pages quickly and with pleasure.
Well-thought out and well-written review, Vaughn.
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Good point, Kathryn, on the editing. The book reads very smoothly indeed. Thanks so much!
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This book has been on my list for a while–primarily because I know Theresa’s agent, Weronika Janczuk, who in my opinion has an incredible eye for fresh voices/concepts.
Anne Greenwood Brown´s last blog post ..My New Name
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That is clearly true of Ms. Janczuk. As you can see by my Unboxed rating. Thanks for stopping by, Anne!
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