Heaven's Fury: A Novel Hardcover – September 21, 2010

This book was a tedious, clumsy read. The premise is interesting, and the only reason I kept on until the end, but it was slow going as I kept tossing the book down in frustration at the writing.The main character is a true antihero, but worse than that, he is a dull and leaden narrator. You would expect a book written in first person to benefit somehow from the narrator's perspective, but in this case the protagonist's tepid voice, ponderous explanations, and bleary insights do more to obscure the story than reveal it. We learn very little of interest from his perspective, and I found myself wishing I could get out of his thick head to experience what could otherwise be an engaging story.Despite the challenge of the book's perspective, I did enjoy a few of the male characters. The author managed to make some of them flawed, interesting, and occasionally charming. The same cannot be said of the female characters. Every woman in the book fell into one of two categories: either a dumpy matron, or a slinky, unpredictable nymphomaniac. For a reason that is never explained, the narrator cannot pass a day without some sex-crazed townie trying to unzip his pants.Although the plot has a lot of potential, the way it is executed is clumsy and uneven. The devices the author uses to build suspense don't work well to propel the story. As an example, he repeatedly employs a technique of leading up to a climactic scene, and then cutting away abruptly just before the height of the action. This can be a successful dramatic device, but the way it's done here it's just awkward and disorienting. The first time it happened, I thought the transcription to my Kindle edition must have omitted a couple of pages of prose. It was not until later that I realized that the author did this on purpose.After reading this novel I'm surprised Stephen Frey is such a successful author. Perhaps, as other reviewers have said, this book is not up to his usual standard. If so, he is doing his fans a disservice in releasing such a sloppy work of fiction.

I don't feel this is his best book. After reading Artic Fire, I was expecting more. Too many characters that were intertwined, and some seemed so insignificant. Also, I think he wrote too much about the predicted snow storms. It was enjoyable, but not his best.

Frey writes a good novel here. It kept my interest and reads easy.

This read kept me engaged and pushing forward to see what happens next. A we twists and turns to keep.You guessing.

I love Stephen Frey novels. This and Hell's Gate are a real departure from his Financial / Political thrillers and is just not as well executed as his previous efforts. Okay book, but not a must read.

Stephen Frey has captured my imagination with this book. It is a must read for readers of thriller, mystery, and law & order books. Great read kept my attention right from the start...

I love his novels, this one was terrific with a lot of interesting twists. Will keep him on my must read list.

Stephen Frey delivers again. I love this author's work. His books are a quick read, because you never want to put them down. Don't hesitate to make this purchase.

A very fast read, great plot. This is the second book I have read from Stephen Frey. A recommended read.

If you've read Frey before then you will know what to expect. A good plot with a twistWill read Frey again

Mit seinem zweiten Abstecher weg von der Finanzwelt hat mich Frey nicht überzeugt. Ich musste wiederholt auf den Buchumschlag schauen, ob ich wirklich ein Buch dieses Authors lese. Die Geschichte ist - wenngleich auch spannend - etwas weltfremd und ohne Tiefgang. Die Charaktere sind angesprochen, wirken aber eher oberflächlich. Die düster beschriebene Gegend verstärkt den etwas deprimierenden Inhalt des Buches. Für mich absolut nicht ein Buch, das ich weiterempfehlen würde. Ich hoffe, dass Frey zu seinem früheren Schaffen zurückkehrt - wenn denn dieses Buch wirklich seiner Feder entsprungen ist, was ich ehrlich bezweifle.

it was good