A post-apocalyptic science fiction adventure thriller with a twist of a reincarnated wife!
The end of the world, December 23. Nuclear war has come and gone, but planet Earth is now a radioactive graveyard, where the laws of physics no longer apply; the dead walk, and angels, demons and ghosts apparently populate the planet.
A survivor to this backdrop of horror is a scientist and medical doctor, Jack Calisto, whose wife had foreseen Armageddon shortly before she died two years earlier. He constructed a facility to take care of survivors and to ensure a small community of human beings survived. Plagued by mutants called Maddogs,
Jack and his people are also faced with irradiated horrors called Stiffers - zombie-like monstrosities that kill without reason. Jack is assisted by a mysterious entity that will not reveal itself to him - called the Guardian Angel. The Angel is actually the reincarnation of his dead wife who has come back to help him battle the forces of evil now unleashed on Earth. She is a bird by day, and turns human by night when Jack is asleep. She can only communicate to him in the written word, and informs him of a young woman he must save, Laura, who may be the new Eve to mankind. Jack Calisto is both scientist and warrior, up against impossible odds, in a world that now defies every known law of nature.
Professional Reviews
A Tragic Love Story and Killer SyFy Novel
My first impression of reading Desert Angles was one of joy in reading how George Saunders was able to bring together the different aspects of metaphysics, i.e. reincarnation mixed in with a touch of quantum physics,{ even Michio Kaku would enjoy this book} along with a healthy dose of post apocalyptic horror with mutations and zombies running amuck. There is plenty of action here for the adrenaline junkies that would even satisfy Woody Harrelson.
Being among the higher echelon writers, one would expect this enthralling type of writing from George Saunders. However, he has far exceeded any of those expectations with this book. Because, to me, Desert Angels is a Tragic Love Story, with a love so strong, that not even death could keep Angela from being with her Jack, even if she comes back as a bird during his waking hours, they cannot be separated. It isn't so much of a romantic love as it is a divine all encompassing love. Yes, to me, this is an incredible tale of tragic love disguised in the form of a killer SyFy novel.
The main character of the story is our reluctant hero, Dr. Jack Calisto whom is thrown into the role of saving humanity while trying to survive in a world that no one could have ever imagined with the twist being a pigeon,{Angela} that adopts Jack. Think of Will Smith in "I am Legend" and you'll get a feel of what our Jack is made of and what he is up against.
In not giving away the plot, the story ends with a deeply insightful thought that life will carry on, that no matter what may come, the essence of man will continue. And somewhere some way, love will remain. I would venture to guess, considering the depth and significance of the story, that there is a part of Saunders soul instilled into this story and that is what makes this work a milestone in his career as a writer.
Even though this is a science fiction novel, the scary aspect of this story is the likely possibility of it really happening. With the tensions today in the Middle East with Iran and Israel along with the rest of the world, it is conceivable that an "end of the world event" could happen. With this touch of realism and relevance to today's events, and the incredible writing talent of George Saunders, this makes for one great read!
A phenomenal adventure
Desert Angels has it all...sci-fi adventure, survival, zombies, reincarnation, lots of action and a tragic love story to boot. The story begins after WWIII which had been predicted to occur two years prior to "End Day" by Jack's now deceased wife. Jack's deceased wife returns in the form of a bird to help guide Jack in his work to save mankind. Jack has been charged with caring for survivors via a facility built into the mountains in the Nevada desert, which as paid for by Jack's wife in anticipation of her "end of world" prophecy. Although the book takes place in a post-nuclear aftermath, there is a shift in the universe and of paradigm. With that, comes some very vivid imagery provides an eerie backdrop that is far different than just a nuclear wasteland. All in all, this is an exciting page-turner with a great pace. It's filled with action and adventure in a story of good vs evil that takes place in a very memorable setting.
The End Of The World Is Always Fun
And a rift where heaven and hell come through with Angels and Demons, a trip though hell, some zombies and reincarnation, Desert Angels really turns into your evening.
The premise is quantum physics related reincarnation (not quite a cliche yet), and in this case the main dead character is the protagonists wife, who only takes human form when Jack Calisto is asleep (can I get one of those?). She can only communicate with him in written form (my wife and I get along much better via texting) and sends him on a journey to help save a world devastated by nuclear war and the spilling over of heaven and hell into the "real world".
Just enough science that you get it without struggling and feeling stupid, some romance and zombies, Desert Angels was a fun read.
