Book Review :: The Anger of Angels, by Sherryl Jordan

The Anger of Angels by Sherryl Jordan
ISBN: 9781760650605
Published by Walker Books Australia
on 2018-09-01
Genres: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Young Adult
Pages: 336
Source: Walker Books AUS
Find at Walker Books AUS
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In a world where it is a crime to speak against injustice, a jester dares to perform a play that enrages a powerful tyrant prince. The jester’s daughter, Giovanna, must journey into the heart of danger to turn back the terrible consequences unleashed by her father’s words – and becomes entangled in a treacherous plot to overthrow the prince. She alone holds a secret which, if made public, will end the prince’s reign and liberate his oppressed people. But when to openly denounce him brings certain death, will Giovanna have the courage to speak out?

Last updated on 14 October 2023

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What is The Anger of Angels by Sherryl Jordan about?

The Angel of Angels by Sherryl Jordan is about Giovanna, the daughter of the court jester who entertains the ruler of Valenzio, Duke Ubertini. Her father, Ennio, is a genius when it comes to wit, humour, and drawing a crowd. One day the Duke requests a play that Ennio wasn’t ready to show to the world (called ‘Anger of Angels’), a play that mocks and ridicules the neighbouring city of Goretti, and more importantly (or grievously), their ruler, Prince Savernola. While the crowd in Valenzio loves the show, unbeknown to Ennio and the Duke, there is a man from Goretti among the locals who witnesses it all. Word gets back to Prince Savernola, and suddenly Ennio’s life is in grave danger.

“Words hold a terrible power, your Grace. A word can break a heart, or give it a reason to live. A word can grant freedom or life, or begin a war – or end one. I believe words should be used with caution. It is written that the tongue is a dangerous weapon, a restless evil that no man can tame, a flame that sets on fire the world itself. I believe that, Your Grace. I believe in taking great care with words.”

The Prince starts wreaking havoc in nearby towns to try and get Ennio to bring him the book with the play. But the Duke forbids it and puts Ennio under house arrest, for his safety as much as anything. Giovanna is appointed the task by suddenly-taken-ill Ennio to take the book to the Prince and stop a war breaking out between the two cities.

The story follows Giovanna and her trip to Goretti, as well as her relationship with newly made friends Raffael (who has been teased all his life for having a hunched back) his slightly off brother Santo (a court painter), the Egyptian woman called Shai-Nefer who can somehow read minds, and this strange ability that Raffael seems to have. Will she be able to return the book? Will war rage? And what is the hidden message in the play’s riddle that the Prince so desperately wants?

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My thoughts on The Anger of Angels

Never have I read a book set in the Renaissance era (that I can think of), let alone Renaissance Italy, so that in itself was a real treat. But the story and the characters in The Anger of Angels were so brilliant I think it has become one of my favourite reads of the year.

Giovanna is strong-willed, able to think sharply on her feet, not afraid to do the right thing, and fiercely loyal to her father. Raffaele is this sweet young man who is humble, and knows his mind, and is somehow captivating. I haven’t read anything else by Jordan, but if her all characters are like the ones in The Anger of Angels then I really must remedy that.

The plot was a little predictable at times, however, that didn’t stop me from enjoying every second of it. The idea of court jesters in the Renaissance era definitely reminded me of the Hunchback of Notre Dame, especially with Raffael’s curved spine, potential beheadings and burn-you-at-the-stakes, and Clopin Trouillefou (the jester in the Notre-Dame movie). More young adult novels need to be set during this time – it was such a fun read, and yes please, more of that.

The other aspect of the story I really loved was that it was all about words. Ennio gets in trouble to begin with because of the powerful words he writes. The theme of freedom of speech and what it really means is key to this story. Should we have the right to say what we think and feel because we do have that freedom of speech? Do we really have the right to say what we want? Or does that freedom come with responsibility? The responsibility to acknowledge others, to be respectful of and to those around us, to take a moment to gather our words before we blurt them out. All those ideas and concerns are raised in The Anger of Angels, and as a lover of words, that definitely resonated with me.

The Anger of Angels was released at the beginning of September, so it’s pretty fresh to the shelves. If this sounds like something you’d be into, make sure you pick up a copy!

Have you read it already? What did you think? 

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I received this book for free from Walker Books AUS in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.