Rage of Angels

This was my first Sidney Sheldon book, and from my experience, it's the perfect example of not judging a book by its cover. I was very surprised by the level of storytelling in these pages. It has many of the clichés of a typical romance novel but so much more depth of character and a more powerful story than I had any right to expect. With strong characters you come to love, twists and turns, big reveals, and a finale that left me absolutely stunned and stuck with me for years after reading, this isn't your typical romance story. It's an emotional rollercoaster all the way through.

This is classic Sheldon at his best. Don't get it twisted, the crap TV movie Sequel The Rage Of Angels: The Story Continues has nothing to do with this book.

This is a lawyer tale about a lawyer names Jennifer Parker. She's young, ambitious, about her business, and is trying to set the legal world on their asses. She just became Assistant DA in NY when the book opens. Unbeknownst to her, she's drug into a mob plot to get Michael Moretti out of being tried for crimes against him and his mob family. They use her and make her look like a fool without her knowing it. Her boss, DA Di Silva, doesn't buy it and thinks Jennifer's in on it. He's so pissed he gets a hard on for destroying her life and career over losing his mob target including show more disbarring her. As she's being investigated by dashing lawyer hopeful Adam Warner, her innocence comes to light and a little romance too (though Adam's already married). The mob love her determination and Moretti starts falling for her too.

Then the drama starts. Adam's wife Mary Beth plays like she's going to divorce him and gets knocked up on purpose to trap him and end his affair/love with Jennifer. Problem is, Jennifer's knocked up too but after Adam says he's staying with his wifeepoo fails to tell him she's preggers. So she goes off, has the baby in secret, and gets back to the courtroom. Meanwhile Moretti makes his move for her which she refuses, until family matters force her to ask him for help. One thing leads to another, they sleep together, and now she's the mob's Tom Hagen.

From here out everything that could go wrong does, and in the end Jennifer is left with nothing she didn't earn.

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Rage of Angels (1980) went to #1 on the bestseller lists the week before its official publication date, it stayed at the top for 18 weeks and on the lists for 42 weeks. I have started reading books after a long time and I am happy I got to read this particular one. The book has a very good pace and pretty intriguing characters. Sidney Sheldon novels are much appreciated by the teenage crowd but I guess anyone will like this book because its a real page turner.

Jennifer Parker is a ambitious and intelligent woman who wants to make her mark as an lawyer in the legal arena. Her life as an attorney takes an unexpected turn when she is wrongly accused of being involved with the Mafia headed by Michael Moretti. Undaunted by the circumstances show more and problems, she establishes herself as a smart woman who excels in all the cases that she handles. Adam Warner(a married lawyer with political aspirations) brings the love quotient to the proceedings. In trying to save her son’s life Jennifer gets embroiled in the unlawful dealings of the Mafia and Moretti himself. She realizes that her life is in a quandary because the two men in her life are on opposite sides of the law. How her life changes due to the actions and decisions of these characters forms the rest of the story.

The plot has a lot of twists and turns that kept me thoroughly engrossed. In fact I felt as if I was watching a movie while reading the book. Interestingly the book was made into a movie with the same title in 1983. The mini series rights were sold to NBC-TV, and Sheldon served as executive producer of the two-part adaptation, which starred Jaclyn Smith, Armand Assante and Ken Howard. It was so well received that a sequel to it called ’’Rage of Angels: The story continues ’’was made in 1986.

Sidney Sheldon has paid a lot of attention to the characters in the story. The thoughts, confusion and the tribulations of the central character are quite identifiable. The workings of the Mafia; their dealings and the court proceedings are presented well clearly indicating that the author has done quite a bit of research on them. This book along with ’’If Tomorrow Comes’’ are two most recommended writings of the author. Every chapter in the book is a cliffhanger compelling you to go on and read the next. Although the novel moves to a somewhat expected tame ending you somehow wish it could have been better. What you realize is that life is not about happy endings or getting true love but in living it to the best of your ability. This 5 star book hurtles you through a roller coaster experience which is definitely enjoyable and is a must-read for any Sidney Sheldon fan. show less

So I apparently picked this up as a Kindle freebie in May 2010 -- since it was first published in 1980, I'm guessing it was maybe a 30-year anniversary celebration freebie or something. Not being very familiar with novels written shortly before I was born, I had no idea how old the book was.

On the whole, it's aged very well. It reads a lot like a combination of John Grisham's best legal thrillers with some Mario Puzo's Godfather thrown in. The storyline had several major twists, basically all of which succeeded in surprising me.

I even enjoyed the parts of the book that were a little dated -- references to national heroes whose names I didn't recognize piqued my curiosity, and a scene where the main character is trying to complete the show more "nearly impossible" task of winning a paternity suit made me chuckle. But the dated parts were fewer than you might think... the main character even turns to Lexis and Westlaw for her legal research, just like I do! show less

Wasn't really feeling this book for about the first 20 pages. Then it took some unexpected turns, at which point I decided to commit to the ride.

The book did take some unexpected turns and presented some interesting twists. Honestly could not have cared less about the romances in this. I was much more interested in the cases and work Jennifer was handling.

This book stands out as one of the top that pissed me off more than any other. The writer is talented but there were so many slap in the face moments from the plot that I can't even...I was depressed for days after reading this one.

Jennifer Parker is in turmoil. Her father is a lawyer who has died inside since her mother left them for someone younger. She goes to school with hopes of joining her fathers practice and becomes a lawyer. However, fate steps in and takes her father from her. So, she heads off to New York with hopes of being something more. Right off the bat, Michael Moretti induces anger and hurt with Jennifer by ruining her career before it ever gets started. With new high enemies of the D.A. Di Silva and a judge, Jennifer faces possible jail time and love in Adam Warner. We follow her story through love and slow success, friendship, motherhood, loss, and more love.

I must say that this tragic story is terrible in the sense that I like for there to be show more some good for people. I loved that it was a page turner and I kept reading that something good would happen to this woman. But, in the end I was terribly disappointed. Not because it wasn���t a good story. It is and well written. I just like slightly happier endings. Unfortunately, even on pages, happily ever after isn���t always possible. Definitely recommend. show less