Angels Before Man

Before God creates humankind, Lucifer is the most beautiful angel in Heaven, and the least sure of himself. He wants nothing more than to worship his creator in peace. Michael, the strongest of the angels, changes that. Their friendship deepens into a romance neither of them expected, inside a paradise built on obedience rather than choice.

This is a queer retelling of Satan's fall, first in a trilogy built around three biblical catastrophes: the fall, the flood, and the end of days. Lucifer's flaw turns out to be shame, about his body, his desire, and an obedience he was taught never to question. Michael offers him the first taste of being loved as an equal instead of worshipped.

The prose runs poetic and unhurried, closer to a slow, aching coming-of-age than a war fought in the clouds. Tenderness comes first, and the mood darkens only as Lucifer's affection for Michael grows impossible to hide. God's jealousy tightens around them both, until paradise stops feeling like paradise.