The Angel and the Brown-eyed Boy, by Sandy Nathan

I received The Angel and the Brown-eyed Boy, by Sandy Nathan, as a review copy submitted to “Red Adept Reviews” by the author. 

Description (from the author):  

Of the special genre of books and films that include 1984, Brave New World, Brazil, and The Prisoner Series, The Angel & the Brown-eyed Boy takes the reader to a dark future world that is only heartbeats from our own. In the late 22nd century, people are continually watched, disappearing off the streets and from their homes. A shadowy but all-powerful government calls the shots; war rages while the authorities proclaim the Great Peace.  

All is not bad in this fictional realm, for the angelic extraterrestrial, Eliana, appears on the streets on New York City on a mission to save her planet.  As radiant and pure as the world around her is tarnished, Eliana must find the Golden Boy. He turns out to be 16-year-old Jeremy Edgarton, a tech genius in a world where technology is outlawed. He’s also a revolutionary and the FBIs most wanted. Jeremy and Eliana find themselves caught up in an explosive adventure when Jeremy decodes new transmissions and discovers that a nuclear holocaust will take place the next morning. 

Overall:  5 Stars 

Plot/Storyline:  5 Stars 

I have to say that The Angel & the Brown-eyed Boy is probably the most original story that I’ve read in quite some time. Taking place more than a thousand years in the future, earth had become a dystopian society much like that depicted in George Orwell’s 1984. But there were still scattered handfuls of people struggling to overturn the repressive government so that they could live their lives as free people. But did it even matter? Unknown to all but a few government officials, the earth was about to be destroyed in a nuclear cataclysm. 

Into this bizarre situation, Eliana, an alien from another world suddenly appeared, and she was on a desperate mission, one that would not be revealed until near the end of the story. 

The story was ultimately a fascinating and gripping tale about survival and the desperate measures that some—on earth and elsewhere—would take to ensure their survival.   

Characters:  5 Stars 

Eliana, an angel-like extraterrestrial alien, was the star of the story, but there were several other memorable characters. Jeremy, a teenaged computer wizard, was immediately attracted to Eliana. Little did he know that she had big plans for him. Valerie was an FBI agent who was ruthless in breaking suspected revolutionaries, and she became obsessed with finding Eliana. Sam Baahuhd was a simple village leader who became caught up in the action and would soon find his world turned upside down. 

Two of the most interesting characters, Chaz and Veronica Edgarton, were never actually seen, but their lives were vividly described, and each had a profound effect on the events that transpired in the story. 

Writing style:  5 stars 

The writing was very good and of professional quality. 

The author included some very interesting and touching material concerning her inspiration for the story. She also indicated that this is the first book of a series.     

Editing:  4 3/4 stars

I found only a handful of typos, and the Kindle formatting was very good. 

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From the author, Sandy Nathan: 

Where did you get the idea for the novel?

About three years ago, my brother died suddenly and tragically. He was my only sibling and dear little brother. I was grieving, with all sorts of thoughts and feelings arising. About three months after his death, I had a dream. In the dream, a shining creature like an angel hovered above me. She was absolutely good, a being of love and light. She appeared to me as light.

The light approached me and finally merged with me, so that I got to feel what it was like to be that angelic creature .

That was the angel in the book, which my creative process turned into an angelic alien sent to earth on a vitally important mission. 

The rest of the plot was revealed to me in the next few days. The book occurs in earth’s last hours, the days before a nuclear war will destroy the planet. It’s like 1984 or A Brave New World, showing a final outcome if certain trends in our society continue. That part of the current Great Recession filtering through my brain. I’m a former economist and quite disturbed by what I see. 

How did you come up with the title? 

The book is a love story. The angel is Eliana, the alien come to earth on a mission to save her planet. The brown-eyed boy is Jeremy, a tech genius in a world where technology is outlawed. He’s a revolutionary and the FBI’s most wanted–and a dear boy greatly in need of healing. His mother is one of the richest and most powerful women in the world. His father is a famous African American musician. Jeremy has his father’s beautiful, dark brown eyes. 

Voila: The Angel & the Brown-eyed Boy. 

Who is your favorite character? 

My favorite character is Sam Baahuhd, the village headman. He appears in an important, but supportive, role in the second half of the book. Sam’s huge, almost a giant, as tough as they come, a seasoned fighter and defender of the estate, as well as agricultural expert and manager. He’s also been stunted by the serf-like conditions in which the villagers find themselves.

He’s a canny survivor with more than a few bad habits. He’s an archetype. 

I like Sam so much that I wrote a book about him. It’s a love story that takes place in the underground shelter. A great romance. 

Do you have plans for sequels? Can you describe them? When will it/they be released? 

The sequel to The Angel & the Brown-eyed Boy has been written and is in the editorial process. Lady Grace tells what happens to the major characters of The Angel when the radiation clears. High adventure. My publisher hopes to release it in 2011.

I’ve also got the draft of the romance with Sam Baahuhd and the love of his life written. I would expect a 2012 publication date.

And, a fourth story in the series is shaping up in my mind and partially written. That follows directly on Lady Grace. I would assume a 2012 release.

How long have you been writing? How often do you write? 

I’ve been writing full time since 1995. Before that, I wrote academically and professionally. I write every day. I don’t set a particular time limit on myself. I write until I deliver a scene or chapter the way I want it.

Until I feel satisfaction with my work. That can take a long time. 

What authors have inspired you? 

My favorite writer of all time is the Icelandic Nobel Laureate, Halldor Laxness. He can write two simple lines about a fish and have me in awe and tears. That’s good writing. 

D. H. Lawrence is a favorite. Lady Chatterley’s Lover is one of my favorites, as is Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. 

For more popular authors, I love Diana Gabaldon’s work.  I’ve read the entire Outlander Series twice, all the Lord John books, even have the graphic novel of Outlander. 

I’m currently reading my way through Faye Kellerman’s Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus series. Can’t get enough of it.

The Angel and the Brown-eyed Boy, by Sandy Nathan