The Angel's Game

Great writing. He does mystery so well. After Shadow of the Wind I expected (somewhat) rational explanations for the apparently supernatural villain and goings-on associated with him, but this kept me wondering to the very end, and surprised me a bit. I'm holding off reading the third book because I don't want this series to end.

I can't say enough good things about this author. As with his other novels, this books grips you from the first page and does not let go! I was so happy that the shipping was fast because I had just finished Shadow of the Wind and could not wait to read this book!

This is a good book, filled with intrigued as only Zafon can write...but, if, for one minute, you lose concentration, or wait a day before picking the book up again, you can find yourself hopelessly lost. Or, you may finish the book and wonder, 'What the hell just happened!'

I would have never heard of the first book Shadow on the Wind--it had just been published in English for the first time and my cousin sent me a copy.Everyone in the house ended up reading the first and second book.
Both books were well written with many plots-characters and subplots-very interesting read.
A must read--especially if you have read the first book.

The Angels Game follows the same characters as Zafon created in the Shadow of the Wind. There are 3 books written with these characters. The Author weaves more color and detail into the tapestry of their lives through all three novels. It doesn't really matter the order in which you read them as they are all independant of each other. Mr. Zafon has a unique writing style in these novels centered in Barcelona, Spain. The story is about life in Spain after the war. The characters struggle through political corruption and poor living conditions in the midst of decaying opulence. It is an excellent book about good people and their constancy through various challenges. Mr. Zafon weaves his story with humor and leaves the reader somehow uplifted, despite the setting and events depicted in the book. I recommend this book although if you are only going to read one, I recommend the Shadow of the Wind as the one to choose.

I read the whole trilogy and found it so interesting. The Library of forgotten books is so well discribed that it makes me feverish to get there! The main character is very appealing as we move from his childhood to the angst of the mystery. I recommend these to everyone.

Loved this book also after reading "The Shadow in the Wind". These books are some of my favorites. Zafon is a great writer with intriguing characters and plots. Have read all 3 of this "trilogy", including "The Prisoner of Heaven" and LOVED them all. Looking forward to the fourth book in this series!

On Holiday in South America, I got to experience life Spanish Style.
Carlos Ruiz Zafon weaves these same elements into his Trilogy about Barcelona some years ago.
You get to meet living characters with a superb dose of mystery. Not something you woudl dare analyse in a petrie dish.
I love to get lost in his mysterious tales.

Wow! This is an intense, engrossing read, part of a series about The Cemetery of Forgotten Books that includes the equally good Shadow of the Wind and The Prisoner of Heaven. I've read them all and will certainly re-read them soon. Like these other books The Angel's Game is well written and has clever, tightly woven threads that make it almost impossible to put down until the ultimate conclusion is reached. This series is totally different from anything else I've ever read yet each book left me hungry for more.

Pcik this book and become enthralled from page one. However, you will loose a lot of sleep, as you will not want to put it down - another page turner. Zafon, keeps you on the edge of your seat! One of my new favorite authors.

This book is very thought provoking. Are we dealing with an angel or the devil? Does he bestow gifts or snare people in traps? It depends on how the recipient uses them. This is a wonderful choice for a book club discussion.

This book was absolutely amazing. Zafon is a literary genius. This book is a great second book for his Barcelona series.
I loved reading it, and although it was darker than The Shadow of the Wind, the story was really good. Definitely read all of these books.

This novel predates, but continues, the first novel, "The Shadow of the Wind". I love Ruiz Zafon's writing; slightly ironic sometimes almost comic. Though a long book, it is an easy, enjoyable read. The third book, "The Prisoner of Heaven" is next on my list.

A good book continuing the story of the Cemetery of Forgotten Books. Not as good as The Shadow of the Wind - it got to be a bit long and lacked some character development but nonetheless had all the mystery and intrigue you would expect and a Barcelona setting that made me feel like I was there.

This is a supernatural story of human greed, failing and love. David Martin is the son of a murderer for hire, who transcends his gruff beginnings and enters into competitive journalism. There he succeeds with a tacky soap opera series placed in his home, Barcelona. This is the early 1900's and yet he meets two "liberated' women, who both love him. Here the story shines. David struggles with his ambitions and his love obsessions, while coming under the influence of the "boss," who has commissioned a bizarre religious story. Who the boss really is, what David's story was about, we never find out. But the characters shine in their truth as they stumble through their lives in the first two thirds of the book. David pursues a mystery surrounding the disappearance of a lawyer, drowned under suspicious circumstances, who also was writing a strange religious book at the time. Here the story weaves all these threads together in a bittersweet tapestry. Yet, suddenly toward the end, there is an unraveling of the tale. Characters disappear, reappear, and we are left disappointed with the happy ending. Not a bad book, filled with great poetry and feeling, but never quite reaching its full potential.

It's refreshing to read an author like Carlos Ruiz Zafon after trudging through the chore that was "The Lost Symbol". Zafon weaves characters effortlessly, they just work. There are no awkward descriptions or pointless side notes that trip up the narrative. The translation seems good, even if some of the words used are a little dated or seldom used - I think it fits with the era. He shows, he doesn't tell. I'm saddened that I sold my copy of The Shadow of the Wind, I feel that I need more Spanish Gothic.

It was a surprise wonderful read. I found it warm, romantic and dangerous; always a winning combination. I had never read any of Carlos Ruiz Zafon's novels. Since completing THE ANGEL'S GAME, I've purchased other literary works of his. If you are a fan of Gothic Lit., this is a must read for you. the store's price was on the money.

There is plenty to chat about with so much symbolism in this book. It's a good example of the contemporary novel. I would suggest if you have anyone in your group who is fluent in Spanish to read the original translation so that you can compare notes - there are subtle differences.