Jaine Fenn has clearly put a lot of time and creative effort into imagineering her world, and populating it with well presented characters. The plot shifts along nippily enough, and included many elements that I found intriguing; the mysterious and highly suspect Minister, who chooses Angels, the public deciding which politician will pay the ultimate price, the notion that Khesh was partly built by the Sidhe, a vanished super-race who once controlled humanity. Then there was Taro, whose mother Angel was killed by an assassin, in a world where no one takes such liberties. In order to survive, the character is plunged headlong into a seedy lifestyle, and soon finds himself at the centre of a murderous conspiracy. At turns I was reminded of the work of E.E. 'Doc' Smith, that great pioneer of space opera, Logan's Run by William F. Nolan, and the softer, more fantasy oriented characterisation of Tanith Lee. The downside of "Downside" and the elite "Topside" parts of Kesh are that the concept is hardly original, angel assassins are not a million miles away from the Sandmen of Logan's Run, and detailed exposition for the quite twisty plot was in short supply. Those faults identified, I enjoyed Fenn's writing style, and the pregnant revelation concerning Angel Nual's true identity. This is a series which has the potential to go places.

In summary, Principals of Angels came across as a relatively safe début. At the time of writing, Fenn is being somewhat hyped, and I hope this does not backfire, as the difference between what's promised and what's actually delivered is not vast. Fenn does not appear to want to take many chances, not yet, but she tells a good tale and shows plenty of promise for future installments.