HOLY TERROR QUICKENED

Dougherty’s newest installment in his saga featuring Thumos—the mightiest warrior of Yahweh’s heavenly army—explores the origins of the last angel ever created.

A genre-blending fusion of biblical myth, arcane thriller, and gritty crime fiction, Dougherty’s latest braids intertwining storylines. First and foremost is the creation of the avenging angel Thumos, whose opening words signify his sole purpose: “I am the right-hand of vengeance for the Lord Most High.” Sent on numerous missions by Yahweh—from aiding Moses and the Israelites in their exodus from Egypt to defending Jerusalem from the Assyrian King Sennacherib and his armies to assisting Jesus in his time of need—Thumos grapples with exacting Yahweh’s vengeance upon His enemies and following His will. In many cases, Thumos struggles to rely on his faith; Yahweh’s grand plan often seems unknowable. Other story threads, set much more recently, follow the origin stories of the detectives Ian Jelani and Lane Madigan, delving into their backgrounds—from Ian’s father’s childhood in Uganda to the murder of Ian’s wife and Lane’s time as a police cadet in Florida. Lastly is the storyline following Roberto Valenzuela and his transformation from impoverished San Salvadorian child to Miami crime lord. A prequel to Dougherty’s debut novel, 2023’s Holy Terror, the novel’s major flaws are obvious. Thumos’ many missions are only superficially described and feel rushed, and there’s little focus on secondary character depth, worldbuilding, and emotional complexity. Only Thumos’ experiences with Jesus, particularly when he’s crucified, are truly thematically powerful. Ironically, while many characters are thinly described, Thumos is meticulously portrayed: “[His] skin blazed brilliantly, like polished brass, as he allowed his natural angelic appearance to be revealed…His long, leathery ears stood upright like razor-sharp spikes, and his fiery white eyes glowed intensely.” Also, the novel leaves numerous plot threads (like Jelani and Madigan, Valenzuela, etc.) open-ended—not a satisfying conclusion so much as the completion of a foundation to the beginning of the actual series. Ultimately, though, the nonstop action and breakneck pacing compensate well.

Flat characters and worldbuilding notwithstanding, the powerful moral lessons may resonate with fans of Christ-centered stories.