The first review, written by Joanna Blackburn. If you've written a review, or know where one is, feel free to add it to the comments.

Hand of Mercy is the debut novel from Ni, and as a traditional "Quest" novel it drives through the world of angels and demons with impressive control and pace. The protagonist Helen Hawthorn works in an antiques shop, lives on her own and suffers from knee complaints until she meets the angel Clemael who entrusts her on a sacred mission which leads her far away from normality and deep into another world where fairies, jinn and knights exist to help and to hinder.

I began reading Hand of Mercy quite worried that a lot of the spiritual and angelic content would go over my head, also judging by the size of it I presumed that there would be a lot of accompanying reading necessary to get references. However the story is competently arranged and depicted without being too aloof, even so I would perhaps avoid reading it late at night - with my basic familiarity on the subject I sometimes found myself having to reread complicated sentences and turn back to reacquaint myself with previous events. I found the protagonist the most helpful tool for remaining in touch with the story, un-condescending throughout she often bridges gaps between knowledge; although occasionally says things that allude to understanding far beyond general knowledge of the subject.

Helen Hawthorn is perfectly likeable and is pleasant company throughout the book; the other characters are suitably compatible and offer a variety of contrasting voices. I especially liked Nana Sophie, who reminded me of the oracle from The Matrix, with her homely old woman act disguising her real power (I hope I haven't given too much away there). I liked seeing that even though there was a slight hint of romance, it wasn't dwelled upon too much or written in a clichéd way. The humour involved is soft and disarming without being too childish or naïve and you don't get the impression that a whole chapter is conceived for the sake of a single one-liner.

This novel contains plenty of drama and action, in fact just when I though the plot would be slowing down, there's another vivid turn which sends the story in a completely opposite direction. One part that particularly caught my imagination involved a murdering cult, and considering the possibility of a sequel I could see Helen and angel Clem making a totally unique mystery solving duo, foiling murdering cults and strange religious psychopaths.

The style of writing, the construction of characters and the pattern of the plot, reminds me distinctly of one of my favourite contemporary writers, Neil Gaiman. Where he also deals with quests concerning angels and witches he displays less knowledge and interest in traditional writings and folklore. This makes Hand of Mercy slightly more challenging but makes the resonance of the characters and their actions more commanding. I would therefore see this book appealing to the same sort of audience, probably from teenage upwards it has enough maturity to involve older readers but has the right level of fun and madness to entertain younger people as well.

Accessible to all ages, this novel is suitably balanced between humour and drama and an amazing debut, definitely recommendable and thanks to the characterisation and charm, not only to those already interested in fantasy literature.