Thomas Cale, Left Hand of God, God’s vengeance on humanity, is not what he once was. His strength is deteriorating, his soul thinning; his quality of life, in general, is at an all-time low – even compared to his time with the Redeemers in the Sanctuary. But with the uncertainty of his survival, Cale is even more desperate to return from whence he came – and kill his once-champion, Pope Redeemer Bosco.

It’s taken three books but I think I finally, finally, appreciate Paul Hoffman’s deliciously written epic. What was at first revulsion (just read my review of The Left Hand of God), and then understanding (see my review of The Last Four Things!) has now become not just appreciation but out and out enjoyment of this epic trilogy. Again, Hoffman’s omniscient narrative voice is superbly laconic in The Beating of His Wings, his authorial commentary dripping with sarcasm and simply marvellous to read. What got me, though, is that Hoffman chooses to end the trilogy in The Beating of His Wings in a far from predictable manner – unlike other authors, who build up to epic, continentally sized battles, Hoffman does almost the reverse, reflecting Cale’s fall from physical strength and entering the realms of political umming and aaahring, ending in a perfectly orchestrated anti-climax that is both fitting and full of bathos. Cale remains one of the best anti-heroes I have encountered in literature, full of contradictions: he is both innocent and experienced, brutal and yet fragile and most of all, he is continuously able to draw on our sympathies even when he’s being a really rather naughty boy.

The Beating of His Wings is the fantastic conclusion to a series that I suspect (and hope) will be remembered as an intensely clever, well written crossover fantasy trilogy. I cannot recommend it enough (unless you have a weak stomach!)