The Devil Who Went to Heaven: Dark Fables of Angels – Book Review
What if there was more to the celestial order than good vs evil? What if the conflict between Heaven and Hell was more complex, with demons and angels battling against one another in ways that reflected human weaknesses? Zwahk Muchoney’s book The Devil Who Went to Heaven: Dark Fables of Angels transports readers to a reconstructed heavenly mythology where darkness and divinity unexpectedly converge.
This new release is launching on April 1, 2025, and is currently available for preorder on Amazon. I was so excited to receive an advanced reader copy (ARC) and I can’t wait to tell you all about it (spoiler-free). I love stories about angels and devils, so I was intrigued by this concept and eager to read it. And it did not disappoint.
This book is an intriguing compilation of stories that subvert conventional storylines and offer a novel viewpoint on the heavenly world. Muchoney investigates issues that challenge the tenets of traditional theology: What if Lucifer and Satan were two different people?
What would Heaven do if angels were decimated by a plague? Is it possible for even the powerful Archangel Michael to succumb to temptation? Each tale in this book invites readers to think about the complexity of divinity outside of the strict parameters of religion by daringly reexamining angelic lore.
It begins with a powerful quote from Fyodor Dostoevsky that sets the tone: “What is Hell? I maintain that it is the suffering of being unable to love.”
Each of the eighteen chapters is a different story, starting with the Tale of Lucifer, which was one of my favorites. There are also nice illustrations throughout to give you a visual representation of what is to come.
One of the most gripping tales is on Pheriel, a fallen angel who takes on the role of guardian for a Victorian woman who longs to escape social norms. Her metamorphosis, aided by Pheriel’s supernatural understanding, is uplifting and moving, showing how the divine may motivate change in the most surprising ways.
The story of Tzyeriel, a kind and innocent creature whose very existence poses a threat to the destruction of Hell’s kingdom, is another standout. Muchoney creates a tapestry of beauty and terror via these stories, exhibiting both the horrific and the ethereal in equal measure.
I love the fresh and unique takes on many notable figures of angelic mythology and each one was so fun to read. But they also make you think. I was so engrossed, I wanted to keep reading chapter after chapter, but I also love the way the stories are broken-down so that you get bite-sized pieces that make it easy to read even if you’re really busy. You could do one chapter at a time in the evening before bed, or on your lunch break. The end of each chapter/story gives you a nice stopping point before you pick back up on the next one.
Thought-provoking issues and exquisite words are blended in Muchoney’s complex and engrossing storytelling. The conflicts, desires, and moral quandaries of the characters – both mortal and immortal – are remarkably realistic. Moments of awe, fear, and discovery abound throughout the book, guaranteeing that every story makes an impression. And it is all very beautifully written, almost poetic in a sense.
You should be ready for the darker elements, though. The collection is a thought-provoking book that questions conventional spiritual ideas because it does not hold back when discussing subjects of heresy, sensuality, or extreme brutality. Even celestial creatures must consider their decisions and the repercussions they cause in this examination of divine imperfection.
The Devil Who Went to Heaven is an essential read for everyone who enjoys dark fantasy, theological re-imaginings, and mythical retellings. Long after the last page is turned, Zwahk Muchoney’s collection remains on your mind. What it means to be divine – and, ultimately, what it means to be human – is boldly and exquisitely explored in this work.
I think it’s one of my favorite ARCs so far this year!