Review of The Prisoner in the Sky by F.R. Colom-Brana

 Review of “The Prisoner in the Sky” by F.R. Colom-Brana

*Small disclaimer, while I do not know the author personally, this book was given to me as a gift by a family member that does know the author. I will give my honest opinion on the book, but just note there is a small connection to the author.*

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The Prisoner in the Sky is based on Gods and Angels mythology, but the themes and tone aren’t heavy handed Christian messages. The story is about a Nephilim (part human, part angel) named Athed, that is framed for the murder of the Arch Angel Lumen. On the run to complete Lumen’s quest, Athed is joined by a motley crew, some of whom die. Others join him on his quest across the land to the Fortress in the Sky to finish what Lumen started.

This book has a simple plot that is easy to follow, and travels across several landscapes in pursuit of the mission. The characters are likable even though they are a bit one note. Unfortunately, some of the best characters don’t survive until the end. The author is not afraid to kill of characters, which does add to the stakes and tension of the journey. While there are some romantic relationships, they are subtle and do not interfere with the plot.

One of the things that I like about this book is the setting. It feels like a fantasy world out of Game of Thrones, except that the technology is a bit different. This story uses motor bikes, and to good effect. I like this blending of the fantasy world with some modern conveniences, it makes this story unique. Throughout the book, the characters travel from the coastal capital city to the desert to the forest and finally the Fortress in the sky. The sprawling landscapes help pace the story and keep the plot moving forward because somethings are gained and lost at each place.

The book is an easy read, while there are some minor issues in the writing (sentence structure, grammar and cliché dialogue) it doesn’t detract from the narrative and are things the author could fix, if he writes another book. We learn early in the book what the main goal is, and the book ends having fulfilled part of the first part of Lumen’s plan. The ending of this first book is a big cliffhanger, so I would love to see where this story goes from here.

Overall, this is a light, fun fantasy book with interesting mythology and some likable characters. Even though this is written by a first-time author and has some problems, Colom-Brana has the imagination and vision to tell story that captures your attention. I hope that Colom-Brana writes the sequel.