Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book to review.

Dull. ( )

Pros: fast paced, focused, interesting worldbuilding

Cons:

It is 1932 and tensions between Germany and France are on the rise. Diagos nightmares of the Great War and sharp violin music are getting worse and he fears los Nefilim will cast him out unless he can prove himself trustworthy. So when his lost violin case is discovered he offers to track down the instrument in Germany. But a past life connection implicates Guillermo’s half brother and a fallen angel.

I really enjoyed this. The plot is quick paced and engaging making the book hard to put down. Everything is focused on the plot, so while there is some groundwork being set for the next book in the series (with regards to the Spanish Civil War and World War II), most of what goes on is directly related to what’s happening at this period of time.

I love the characters and how they support each other. Even the scenes from one of the antagonist’s point of view showed that he has what he feels are noble motivations for his actions. Since Diago is gone for most of the book there isn’t as much family time, which is a shame as their personal dynamics are so wholesome and loving - and hard to find in media.

The alternate history additions of angels and daimons continues to be interesting. I love that the magic system is built around symbols and music.

I’m looking forward to the next book. ( )

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Short Review: Historical UF with angels, exactly the balm my soul needed with this genre. Perfect sequel to the first three novellas. I love the characters, and I loved the story. I can't wait to see more in this series.

Longer Review:

96 points, 5 STARS!
LGBT Themes

Once again, Where Oblivion Lives is everything I needed in an urban fantasy novel. I didn't just want everything to do with this novel, I needed it to soothe a part of my soul that has been struggling against the world. I was drawn into this story with Los Nefilim and I continued to be enchanted through Where Oblivion Lives. From the moment I started, I didn't want the ride to stop.

The lore surrounding the Angels and Demons is just outstanding. There is nothing worse than a weak, humanic, angel and demon race set, but these are good, strong, proper races in Where Oblivion Lives. The plays these two races make are anything but weak. There wasn't as much demonic action during Where Oblivion Lives, but the actions of everyone else more than make up for it. The way music and sound are interwoven into magic...well, it is pure magic itself. Frohock understands that everything is based on vibrations, and if you can change that, you can change the world. It is perfect and exactly what I love in my magic.

In a departure from the majority of the novellas, Diago shares his time with Guillermo and others. The shift from focused novellas to focused novel was handled very well, and I cannot wait to read more full sized stories like this in the future. Where Oblivion Lives has many facets and players, each thinking they are in the right. But, everyone can't be remembering true. The idea of multiple incarnations is explored a lot more in this story. Remembering something in a past life isn't easy, though, and can be used for good or ill. I don't like memory loss, but this isn't memory loss. This is something fundamental to the beings that are nephilim, and I wouldn't have it any other way. It is perfect.

I also love how the mortal world and the supernatural world are interwoven together. Spain is gearing up for civil war, and the characters are aware of the trouble that is ahead of them. The world is a decade away from another world war, which they have seen the signs of as well. It is great how Frohock weaves the two worlds together, with mortals not having any knowledge of their world, and the Nefilim belonging to the mortal world and not. It can be a difficult task for an author to show how the characters belong to the mortal world while also not, and it is often overlooked entirely when there is a masquerade in effect. The fact that it isn't overlooked and it is well handled just raises this series in my eye even more, and I didn't think it could get much higher!

Where Oblivion Lives was everything I wanted and needed right now. This series has already jumped up onto my favourites and I cannot wait for the next installment of this series. I love Diago and his family and I need to see them grow together more.

I received a copy of this book from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to T. Frohock, HarperCollins, and Edelweiss for providing this copy for review! ( )