ARC Review : Traitor Angels

Six years have passed since England’s King Charles II returned from exile to reclaim the throne, ushering in a new era of stability for his subjects.

Except for Elizabeth Milton. The daughter of notorious poet John Milton, Elizabeth has never known her place in this shifting world—except by her father’s side. By day she helps transcribe his latest masterpiece, the epic poem Paradise Lost, and by night she learns languages and sword fighting. Although she does not dare object, she suspects that he’s training her for a mission whose purpose she cannot fathom.

Until one night the reason becomes clear: the king’s men arrive at her family’s country home to arrest her father. Determined to save him, Elizabeth follows his one cryptic clue and journeys to Oxford, accompanied by her father’s mysterious young houseguest, Antonio Vivani, a darkly handsome Italian scientist who surprises her at every turn. Funny, brilliant, and passionate, Antonio seems just as determined to protect her father as she is—but can she trust him with her heart?

When the two discover that Milton has planted an explosive secret in the half-finished Paradise Lost—a secret the king and his aristocratic supporters are desperate to conceal—Elizabeth is faced with a devastating choice: cling to the shelter of her old life or risk cracking the code, unleashing a secret that could save her father…and tear apart the very fabric of society.

The Traitor Angels focused on one of the greatest poet in the world, John Milton. His work, Paradise Lost became controversial in the 17th century. Christians and natural philosophers clashed down their arguments about the deepest existence of everything. Between God and science, it was always been a mystery how humanity was able to cope up with its concept and belief.  I actually didn't know any clues about Paradise Lost. I googled it and watched several Youtube videos about it.

There was actually so much to dive in when I started it. And I am not good at comprehending a true meaning of every poem that John Milton has written. But even so, it was interesting to see how the character of Elizabeth Milton made me feel like I am part of the book. She was introduced as the fourth daughter of John Milton. The wealthy man who seen the execution of the King became a fragile and blind man caged with his poems. But Paradise Lost was entirely a poem that can destruct a faith of humanity. The Bible that guided us throughout our lives turns out to have secrets that may distort one's faith.

Traitor Angels was a fun book to read. It was an adventurous kind of book to be precise. There were clues left behind and fights to battle. The characters were noble and intelligent. Antonio and Elizabeth were two unlikely characters who has a different belief in life. Antonio who was raised in Italy, he was surrounded with science and the images of how the world develops. While Elizabeth was raised up on a faith to stand up and protect her family. Both of them has the same God that they believe in, but when it comes on science and religion, it is on a different course.

Unraveling the clues was a tricky part. John Milton trusted the right people to handle the secrets of Paradise Lost and it was a cat and mouse chase. It was thrilling upon reaching the truth behind John Milton and Galileo Gallilei's secret. I am fascinated how Anne Blankman blended all the characters and the facts about them with a dash of romance. The end is the most satisfying of all. I swear. If you love historical ya fiction with a challenge of faith and truth, Traitor Angels is the right book for you.