#rafael nicolás

[cinnamoth-art]

“This, this here, could be worship. ‘This—’ Lucifer pressed an innocent kiss to the prince’s sweet, divine mouth. This could be religion.”

― rafael nicolás, Angels Before Man

I've been reading Angels Before Man again and it has made me cry just as much as the first time. I think about Lucifer pretty often and the fate he's been saddled with, I figured he's due some righteous anger

#angels before man #rafael nicolás #lucifer #digital illustration #illustration #he deserved the world #blasphemy is kinda sexy

[barkingworms]

Lucis first night in hell

#angels before man #rafael nicolás #abm #lucifer

[chai-and-cherries]

5 Insanely Underrated (Dark) Queer Book Recs for Your TBR (No Spoiler Reviews!)

I ain’t gonna beat around the bush, folks--this post has been a long time coming. Over the past year, I have somehow stumbled into my new favorite genre, leaving the careful days of YA comforting fantasy reads behind (but not forgotten!). I used to never be one for the dark, grisly, and not so man-made horrors beyond comprehension. But with the help of time, mind devouring storytelling, and gut wrenching emotions the world loves to carve out of us all, tastes have changed! So without further ado, let me recommend 5 of my favorite (darker) queer reads of 2022. Titles are linked to official Goodreads summaries while I have included my no-spoiler reviews below.

Some of these are horror, some fantasy, some tragedy, and most a mix of the above. As the new year draws closer, if you’re feeling ready to branch out (or branch in!!) please consider giving these severely underrated titles a read. And support lesser known authors while you’re at it!

As the title of the post implies, these books tend to brew darker than your average cup ‘a joe. So please heed included trigger warnings and take care! 

1. You Will Love What You Have Killed by Kevin Lambert

(Original title: Tu aimeras ce que tu as tué. English Translation by Winkler Donald).

Genres: Adult Fiction, Horror, Canadian Literature, Queer AF

Review: If you’re not a fan of blood, gore, and every horror under the dying sun, scroll away now. Starting off incredibly strong and incredibly twisted with French-Canadian Lambert’s debut novel, You Will Love What You Have Killed, this novel is neither for the faint of heart nor some of the hard of heart. I went into this book knowing next to nothing about what was in store and left somehow feeling more empty than before. As arguably the darkest and most gory book on the list, this surrealist take on childhood rage and post-humous revenge on the town that discarded you before you had a chance to fight back is bound to haunt you long after you’ve finished it. Lambert’s own style of dark and nauseatingly twisted humor will either seal the deal for you, or leave you running for the hills. To be honest, I loathe this book as much I appreciate the queer, surrealist landscape of apocalyptic vengeance. Brownie points for being flat-out strange.

Content Warnings: if you can think of it, chances are its here. loads of death and murder, including that of children, suicide; ableism; homophobia, transphobia; pedophilia, rape, sexual abuse, explicit sexual descriptions, abortion, necrophilia; animal abuse, killing of animals; child abuse, emotional abuse and verbal abuse (by the narrator); cancer; 9/11 (comprehensive list via Ashton on GoodReads)

2. Hell Followed With Us by Andrew Joseph White

Genres: YA Fantasy, Horror, Sci-Fi/Dystopian, Queer AF

Blurb: In this world on the brink of man-made/god-induced apocalypse, trans-boy Benji has to fight not only to survive a hellscape determined to burn itself to the ground, but also his own role in bringing about the End. Hell Followed With Us is a queer rage manifesto, the gospel for those forced to become monsters by the same society that weaponized and then condemned them for being such. White’s novel not only brought healing to a large part of my own religious trauma, but it helped me embrace the very “monster” the so called righteous would have damned. Because when the world will villianize you anyway, revolution may very well be embracing the monster within--the monster the world forced into being. This one is definitely a keeper, and definitely a re-reader. The character diversity in this book is incredible, also for the simple fact that it isn’t forced or seemingly “trying to meet a quota”, and for canonically calling out [redacted].  

Content Warnings: For a comprehensive list courtesy of the author himself, please visit his website here. 

3. Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke by Eric LaRocca

Genres: Adult Fiction, Horror/Psychological Thriller, Short-Stories, Queer AF

Blurb: Shorter but no less impactful than the rest, Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke is a twisted foray into the psychology of human obsession. After reading the blurb, I tried to prepare myself for the following unease and depravity I was promised. And god was that promise delivered on a silver poisoned platter. Set to the backdrop of chat forums and online messaging, LaRocca weaves a sadomasochistic love story between two women searching for deeper connection. But love isn’t exactly the right word, is it? After all, things can only get worse from the start. Suffice to say, wholesome does not live in these pages. And I need more. 

Content Warnings: animal cruelty/death, body horror, gore, mental/emotional abuse, exploration of kink, very toxic example of a dom/sub relationship.

4. Angels Before Man by Rafael Nicolás

Genres: Adult Fantasy, Mythology Retelling, Romance, Paranormal, Queer AF

Blurb: I try not to pick favorites on list recs, but as my most recent read of the year, Nicolás’ debut novel has quickly been shelved in my mind and heart’s hall of fame. Angels Before Man is a queer retelling of the fall of Lucifer from a paradise that may not be as, well, paradise as it seems. With narrative prose so poetic that epics of the ancient world come to mind, and themes of religious rebellion and queer rage reminiscent not only of other novels on this list but also the lives of countless individuals whose love warns at revolution, Angels Before Man tells the story of the greatest disobedience Heaven had to face: the creation of sin, born from the first love that turned a jealous god to rage. As ABM only released weeks ago, I sincerely hope it’s only the beginning for this book and author. Bible? Who needs her. The Word of God? I don’t even know her. I’ve got Angels Before Man. And so will my friends because I’m gifting them this heavenly-gem (heh, see what I did there?) for the holidays. 

Content Warnings: Courtesy of the author himself (list also included at start of book): Blasphemy, off-page sexual assault with related internal monologue post-incident, Self-harm, Atypical depiction of grooming, Animal death, Abuse (emotional, physical), Sexual content, Body horror, Graphic depictions of violence, Incestuous term use, Potential correlation to homosexuality being sinful, Depictions of mental instability

5. Siren Queen by Nghi Vo

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical Fantasy, Magic Realism, Queer AF

Blurb: Of the 5 recs on the list, I have to be honest and say with full disclosure that this is my one cheat as I have not actually finished it yet. But as I can attest from the 60% progress I have made, along with two of my close friends who recommended her in the first place, Siren Queen is a breath of fresh air in a genre that is understandably stifling at times. Interweaving the monstrous industry of Hollywood with actual monsters, Siren Queen explores the sacrifices made and prices paid for the chance at stardom and just being seen, all while embracing the monster society demands of us. Largely character-driven, this book has been a slower read than the rest, but its commentary on workers’ rights and inequalities, among other social issues often at the forefront of WASPish-run Hollywood, has kept me engaged since the start. 

Content Warnings: racism, racial slurs, fatphobia, violence, family violence, homophobia, sexism, drug abuse, addiction.

#book recs #book recs 2022 #queer book recs #you will love what you have killed #Kevin Lambert #hell followed with us #Andrew Joseph White #angels before man #rafael nicolás #things have gotten worse since we last spoke #eric larocca #siren queen #nghi vo

[jhsjykwpdw]

“In vain, I love you; in vain, the dawn streaming onto you, beside me; in vain, I want to be yours, your angel. Angel of love, angel of Michael.”

#angels before man #rafael nicolás #lucifer x michael #lucifer #book recs #queer books #michael

[consilio-cameos]

And Lucifer fell, he fell, he fell to his knees

PRIDE

Angels clothed in gold, in purple, in hyacinth

Genius and love are easy duty.

'Reliquats' from Les Fleurs du Mal, Charles Baudelaire // The Sorrows of Young Werther, Goethe // Angels Before Man, Rafael Nicolás // Murder Mysteries, Neil Gaiman // Angels Before Man, Rafael Nicolás // Murder Mysteries, Neil Gaiman // The Kiss, J. Kirk Richards // Angels Before Man, Rafael Nicolás // Spleen and Ideal, Carlos Schwabe // Murder Mysteries, Neil Gaiman & P. Craig Russell // Hell Followed With Us, Andrew Joseph White // Angel Making Music, Denis Forkas // Hell Followed With Us, Andrew Joseph White // Murder Mysteries, Neil Gaiman & P. Craig Russell //Angels Before Man, Rafael Nicolás // Ange déchu, Alexandre Cabanel // Angels Before Man, Rafael Nicolás // Lucifer Falling to Earth, Gustave Doré & Kevin Pawlowskz

Angels Before Man, Rafael Nicolás @nicosraf

#angels before man core #angels before man #collage #rafael nicolás #lucifer #angel #murder mysteries #neil gaiman

[abmzine]

APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN - IT'S THE ZINE BEFORE MAN

Hello beautiful angels! Applications are open for the Zine Before Man! A fan zine based around @nicosraf 's book Angels Before Man. This is a tiny little zine being organized by @saintxrys with the amazing help of @citrum. We are looking for around 10-12 contribuitors total.

Read more info and apply bellow! Applications are open until September 30th. :)

zine before man application

#angels before man #abm #rafael nicolás #zine #zine applications #zine apps open

[starlesswdz]

'I waited for your touch to save me.'

lucifer and michael from angels before man by rafael nicolás

#angels before man #lucifer #archangel michael #rafael nicolás #digital art #digital illustration

[perpetualthought]

"I was so swelled with affection. We tumbled over one another, and you were laughing — was that the first laugh? If only I could speak too; I wished to cry out your name, loud enough to hurt me, to end me."

angels before man, rafael nicolás

#angels before man #uri-kimah #uriel #rafael nicolás #quote

[gabiioartist]

“In vain, I love you; in vain, the dawn streaming onto you, beside me; in vain, I want to be yours, your angel. Angel of love, angel of Michael.”

@nicosraf 's angel before man is. incredible. I am forever changed by this book, and uhhh. I recommend it so dearly. God its just so fantastic. short positive rambly review out now on youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bck-r-n7fXE&ab_channel=gabiioartist

Also this piece is like everything to me!:D it was so fun to draw and paint. Like. urgh I love gay angels

#angels before man #abm #rafael nicolás #lucifer #art #book review #fan art #abm fanart #my art #angel #angels #god #lucifer abm #artist #small artist #painting #drawing #clip studio paint #csp #speed paint #I need someone to read this book and then. go insane with me over a 10 hrs vc call plsplsplsplsplsplsp #such an insanely well written book #gabiio

[queer-book-character-tournament]

Character, book, and author names under the cut

Phèdre nó Delaunay- Kushiel's Legacy series by Jacqueline Carey

Luo Binghe- Scum Villain's Self-Saving System/Ren Zha Fanpai Zijiu Xitong by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu

Lucifer- Angels Before Man by Rafael Nicolás

Ophelia- To Be Or Not To Be by Ryan North

#Phèdre nó Delaunay #Kushiel's Legacy #Jacqueline Carey #Luo Binghe #Scum Villain's Self-Saving System #Ren Zha Fanpai Zijiu Xitong #SVSSS #MXTX #Mo Xiang Tong Xiu #Ophelia #To Be Or Not To Be #Ryan North #Lucifer #Angels Before Man #AngelsbeforeMan #ABM #Rafael Nicolás #lgbt books #queer book character tournament 2 #polls

[spiritofwhitefire]

“But what does it mean for a body to be perfect? Perfect for what? What does it mean for beauty to be perfect? Because there are different beauties — I’ve seen how daisies are pretty in a way roses quite aren’t. What am I for, Father? In what way am I perfectly made, for what purpose?’”

-rafael nicolás, Angels Before Man

#rafael nicolás #angels before man #quotes #books

[barkingworms]

Tumblr please don't kill the quality PLS PLS PLS

#angels before man #rafael nicolás #abm #Lucifer #queer books

[jhsjykwpdw]

angels before man's lucifer & michael: beloved

#angels before man #rafael nicolás #lucifer x michael #lucifer #michael #books #book recs #queer books

[pegsmothman]

ⁱ. ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵒⁿᵍ ᵒᶠ ᵃᶜʰⁱˡˡᵉˢ ᵇʸ ᵐᵃᵈᵉˡⁱⁿᵉ ᵐⁱˡˡᵉʳ. | ⁱⁱ. ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʳᵉᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿ ᵒᶠ ᵃᵈᵃᵐ ᵇʸ ᵐⁱᶜʰᵃᵉˡᵃⁿᵍᵉˡᵒ. | ⁱⁱⁱ. ᵃⁿᵍᵉˡˢ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ᵐᵃⁿ ᵇʸ ʳᵃᶠᵃᵉˡ ⁿⁱᶜᵒˡᵃˢ.

#the song of achilles #madeleine miller #the creation of adam #michaelangelo #angels before man #rafael nicolás #book aesthetic #things that make me wanna eat dirt #books that make me feral

[hauntedbyharrowhark]

Unless Alecto will be out this year, this is the best book I read in 2023. Yes, I‘m comfortable making this claim in march.

„A Queer Retelling of Satan's fall that's part cozy coming of age, part fast-paced tragedy, with a little love story in between –

In an eternal paradise, the most beautiful angel, Lucifer, struggles with shame, identity, and timidity, with little more than the desire to worship his creator.

It isn't until the strongest angel, Michael, comes into his life that Lucifer learns to love himself. Along the way, their friendship begins to bloom into something else. Maybe the first romance in the history of everything.

But this God is a jealous one, and maybe paradise is not paradise.“

I don‘t have the words to properly describe the experience of this book. The prose is stunning, the emotional journey is wild, the story is cozy, devastating, heartbreaking and encouraging.

If you need a distraction from waiting for Alecto, if you‘re looking for unhinged gay disasters becoming worse and worse, read Angels Before Man by Rafael Nicolás!

#angels before man #rafael nicolás #lucifer #also for fans of #the song of achilles #tlt #the locked tomb #alecto the ninth #disaster gays #blasphemy #heresy #god

[sapphicclaw]

“This, this here, could be worship. 'This—' Lucifer pressed an innocent kiss to the prince's sweet, divine mouth. This could be religion.” FUCK?? OW????

#angels before man #abm #abm lucifer #abm micheal #rafael nicolás #bookblr #book readers #bookworm #book spoilers