Bad Book Review 11 (The Guardian, Chapter 13) · 7:25pm Jul 25th, 2019
I'm starting to doubt the idea of reviewing the entire book. I may just finish the first story, then give single post summaries of the other two.
Anyway, last time, we were actually given some backstory for are killer angel, learning he was once a human child that had been forced to fight in a war at the age of six.
Chapter 13 opens with Justin (the police tech specialist from chapter four) holding out a newspaper that claims a tornado tore up an amusement park to Cameron. Cameron returns the paper and goes over to Kirkland's desk. Justin informs Cameron that Kirkland has not been in for the day, then asks Cameron's opinion of the headline.
Cameron muttered under his breath, but just loud enough to for Justin to hear. "That was no tornado. That was one very pissed off angel."
Which, I guess, means he's not trying to keep the fact that angels are real a secret or anything.
Cameron then tells Justin, "Whatever you do, don't even think about praying today."
An office worker tells Cameron someone is here to see him, and in walks a reporter: Lisa Jones of L.A. News. Cameron tries to leave, but Miss Jones asks about the rumors of there being someone committing mercy killings, which Cameron denies, then she mentions hearing it was some sort of supernatural being.
...
This is supposed to be a legitimate newspaper, right? Something that is intended to investigate and write actual news based off facts, not some sort of gossip rag, or something that constantly has outrageous and unbelievable stories like The Weekly World News, right? Seeing a series of deaths by suicide, "accident," or "natural causes" as being done by some sort of person performing "mercy killings" is kind of pushing it, but then going, "by the way, the killer isn't human, but some sort of monster," just breaks the suspension of disbelief. Even if true, no newspaper that thinks themselves professional would go for it, and if it did, the other companies would mock or deride it.
In a world of urban fantasy where the supernatural is known and part of daily life, something like this might work. But in a setting like this where it's supposed to be very much like our own, and most people don't really believe in magic or such, it's kind of out there.
Would anyone believe an article that says angels are real, and one of them is going around, killing people as an act of mercy?
*Takes a breath*
Miss Jones points out people should know the truth, Cameron states they don't want to start a panic. She then references the newpaper article, and claims that tornadoes don't happen in L.A.
According to Google, this isn't true, by the way. According to a 2014 article, over four hundred tornadoes hit California between 1950 and 2013. Most were in the Central Valley, but there were some clustered around the L.A. area. A better argument against the tornado theory would be the fact that tornadoes normally happen during storms, and the that there were no clouds over the amusement park, much less rain, nor were there any reports of high winds around the area.
In fact, why would the paper go with the assumption of a tornado in the first place? The previous chapter mentions that Gabriel trashed the area, but it made it sound like he grabbed stuff he could pick up and throw it around. Maybe some things that were heavier than a person could pick up, but nothing massive. There was also no mention of tearing up any of the rides or structures, or something being off its foundation.
Wouldn't it make more sense to assume it was some act of vandalism, caused by a group of troublemakers or something? Blame it on teenagers, a gang, or some drunks or something? That seems more likely based on what we know.
Cameron claims this is not a tabloid story, then asks if Miss Jones pray. Specifically to guardian angels. She answers that her children do, and he tells her that if she want to save people's lives, "Tell them not to pray to their guardian angels for a while." She asks if it's a joke, he says to trust her.
The scene changes to Cameron pulling up to Kirkland's home. He teleports inside, finding Cameron drunk on the couch. Kirkland asks how Cameron got in, and Cameron comments on the drinking, having Kirkland tell him to mind his own business.
It turns out that Kirkland is drinking due to guilt. He feels he should have been able to save those people, to talk them out of their actions, but couldn't. Cameron says it's not Kirkland's fault, and he saw them die as well. Cameron also claims this is what "he wants to see happen."
Kirkland claims that he doesn't even pray, then asks if Cameron is really telling people not to pray. Cameron clarifies:
"No. I meant thou shall not pray in vain. Don't even think about whining to God until we catch this rogue."
Kirkland asks if it's not just bad luck, and points out all the trouble humans cause for themselves. Cameron tells him to believe whatever he wants, then tells him to go wash up while he (Cameron) gets him (Kirkland) some coffee. Instead, Kirkland leans back on the couch and closes his eyes.
After Cameron leaves:
Kirkland's lips started to move slightly, as if was meditating, mumbling something.
So the chapter ends, with Kirkland praying.
Until next time.
I read the last few words you said as
but I didn't see coffee right away and I read that as Cameron helping Kirkland get sex. I blame that on being tired and not paying attention, but that would be interesting as a random plot point like that.
Also I really like these summaries. It's something nice to end my day on. Something light hearted and chill before I do whatever (in this case, I should be asleep)
I can understand how tedious these can sometimes be, but I myself am enjoying them! You are free to do whatever, but you know my vote!