Blood or Loyalty is the opening book in The Wayward Sons of the Empyrean series by Adam Miller, a compelling read for fans of epic fantasy featuring a phenomenal conflict. In fact, the conflict in this novel takes readers back to the time before the creation of the universe. It explores the conflict between the archangels. The archangels, including Gabriel and Lucifer, are wonderful beings with unique gifts and abilities, and they are happy to contemplate God as he designs the universe. However, Lucifer and five other archangels convince many of the angels to follow Lucifer’s rebellious ways and his quest for the throne, and soon heaven is transformed into a battlefield. The war is between those who stay loyal to God and those who follow Lucifer, and the latter is more powerful, exacting painful defeat on the loyal ones, but God’s ultimate design is the twist that Lucifer and his friends never see coming.

This is one of the best books I have read about the primordial conflict between angelic beings. Adam Miller has taken a Christian myth and created a fascinating story from it, crafting characters that readers will be awed by. Characters like Gabriel are very likable and I found myself hoping against all hope that they succeed in bringing Lucifer to his knees. The novel is well-plotted, hugely imaginative, and packed with action. The imagery is strong and the reader is transported to that moment of the seeding of an eternal conflict of good versus evil. Blood or Loyalty features first-rate prose. Lucifer craves an empty throne and Michael and the others stand in his way. The Wayward Sons of the Empyrean is well-written and Ramiel, Rampel, and Douma are characters that readers will want to follow.

Blood or Loyalty is the first book in The Wayward Sons of the Empyrean by Adam Miller. The epic saga of evil versus good begins right where it all started eons ago. Things were perfect in heaven. Gabriel, Lucifer, and all the other archangels kept things in balance. However, that all changed when Father created Adam, and suddenly there was chaos in heaven. While Gabriel and his brothers were ready to follow the path directed by Father, Lucifer and some of his brothers joined forces to destroy Adam and whoever else got in their way. With the majority of angels behind them, Lucifer and the five other archangels had more power at their side than any of them could imagine. Heaven was in chaos, and it seemed like no one could save it. But would Father come to save Gabriel and the others? Was that the end of it all? Or did Father have plans after all?

Biblical and religious epic fantasies often are too complicated or far-fetched for me to make a connection, but not this Blood or Loyalty. The narrative was brilliant, and I do not say that lightly. The action was palpable, it was intense, and it was a contestant companion to Gabriel. He was pushed, cornered, and run over by his bigger and more powerful brothers. His faith was tested along with his belief, and Adam Miller made sure Gabriel’s emotions were relatable. The pace of the story took its cues from Gabriel. It quickened when Gabriel was in action and slowed down when things were not going his way. The author set the momentum and tone of the story from the beginning and kept it going forward until the end. The descriptions of war, especially the opening scenes between Lucifer and Michael, were harrowing and mighty! I loved it!