REVIEW: Raising Chaos / Elizabeth Corrigan

In celebration of her recently released fantasy mystery, Catching a Man, I'm dedicating this week to author Elizabeth Corrigan. Today's post is a review of Raising Chaos, the second book in Elizabeth's Earthbound Angels series.

TITLE: Raising Chaos (Earthbound Angels, #2)
AUTHOR: Elizabeth Corrigan
PUBLISHER: Red Adept Publishing
AVAILABILITY: Purchase links on author's website (click here)

GENRE
Fantasy - Urban Fantasy

REVIEW

First, the disclosures – Red Adept Publishing, the publisher for Raising Chaos, is also my publisher for the Jane Colt novels. Neither Red Adept Publishing nor Elizabeth Corrigan requested that I write this review. The below reflects my honest opinion. Dang, this whole disclosure thing is getting old, but I won't be accused of being a meatpuppet!

Anyway, now that that's over and done with, let me start by saying that I was a huge fan of Corrigan's first Earthbound Angels book, Oracle of Philadelphia, and was really excited when I found out that the sequel would expand on the fascinating world of angels and demons introduced in the debut novel. At the end of the first book, the titular Oracle, in her efforts to free a good man from his infernal contract, makes an enemy of the archdemon Azrael. Archdemons are not the type to forgive or forget, and in the second book, Azrael sets out to get revenge. The Oracle's best friend, the chaos demon Bedlam, overhears Azrael's evil plans and races to stop her before it's too late.

Raising Chaos, the second book in the Earthbound Angels series, is told from three different perspectives. The main storyline follows Bedlam as he unlocks ancient clues in his efforts to stop Azrael - told in the chaos demon's signature irreverent voice, of course. Though Bedlam is a demon by definition because he sided with Lucifer thousands of years ago, he had a crisis of conscience shortly before meeting the Oracle (whom he calls Khet) in ancient Egypt and is actually a pretty good guy. Though he is for the most part a lighthearted and amusing character, he has several profound moments that show the depth he hides behind his offhand comments.

Meanwhile, the Oracle from the first book leaves her Philadelphia diner for a cozy beach town, hoping to live as normal human for a while. The reason I call her "the Oracle" is because her name changes pretty frequently – in Oracle of Philadelphia, she called herself Carrie, and in Raising Chaos, she adopts a new identity as Caela (her angelic and demonic contacts call her different things depending on what she went by when she met them – she's Cassia to the archangel Gabriel, Cama to the archangel Michael, etc.). The Oracle's segments are relatively tame compared to her adventures through hell in the first book, but no less interesting. With her ability to read peoples' true natures and see their thoughts, she finds herself struggling to fit in with human society – especially after she learns their secrets.

Raising Chaos also features a third narrator (and new character): the truth angel Siren. Because Siren always tells the truth and makes others around her tell the truth, she's always right and unafraid to inform those around her of this fact. Through Siren, the reader is introduced to the golden clouds of Heaven and made privy to the dealings and politics of the world upstairs. Snappy and sarcastic (there's a "sarcasm loophole" to Siren's truth-telling), Siren is a colorful addition to the Earthbound Angels cast and adds an extra level of richness to the world.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and anyone who liked Oracle will like Chaos just as much – if not more. Alternating between the three perspectives, it's an exciting, profound, adventurous, and contemplative take on angels and demons mythology, including a few retellings of familiar Biblical tales. It's hard to pick a favorite moment, since there are so many – personally, I liked Bedlam the best because I'm a sucker for adventures. The world and characters draw you in and offer tantalizing glimpses into the bigger universe that's sure to unfold.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Elizabeth Corrigan has degrees in English and psychology and has spent several years working as a data analyst in various branches of the healthcare industry. When she’s not hard at work on her next novel, Elizabeth enjoys singing, reading teen vampire novels, and making Sims of her characters. She drinks more Diet Coke than is probably optimal for the human body and is pathologically afraid of bees. She lives in Maryland with two cats and a purple Smart Car.

Visit Elizabeth's Website