62 pages • 2 hours read
Amber NicoleThe Book of Azrael
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2022A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Chapters 1-11Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Chapter 1 Summary: “Dianna”
Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of graphic violence, death, death by suicide, and emotional abuse.
Dianna Martinez, a mortal transformed into an Ig’Morruthen (an immortal being that feeds off blood and is capable of shifting into monstrous forms), interrogates Peter, a captured celestial (an immortal soldier created by the gods), under the command of her master and lover, Kaden. Peter recognizes Dianna as an Ig’Morruthen when her eyes flare red, surprising him, as he thought that all Ig’Morruthens died in the Gods War (later explained to have been a conflict over succession, fueled by tensions between the gods and celestials). Dianna uses her abilities to drink Peter’s blood and gain access to his memories. She learns of The Hand of Rashearim, a group of elite guardians, and a mysterious figure known as the “World Ender” whose return is hinted at by Peter’s companions.
Dianna shares her findings with Alistair, an Ig’Morruthen capable of breaking minds and controlling others, and together, they dispose of the corpses left from the battle in which they captured Peter, feeding them to other Ig’Morruthens. Alistair shatters Peter’s mind, turning him into a puppet, but Peter offers no further information about Kaden’s search for the Book of Azrael.
Chapter 2 Summary: “Dianna”
Dianna and Alistair return to Nova’s Island, Kaden’s fortress, where Tobias, Kaden’s third-in-command, reprimands them for their delay. Dianna prepares for Kaden’s council meeting as his second-in-command, the Bloodthirsty Queen. She takes her place at Kaden’s right hand in a council of creatures from the Otherworld (also known as the Netherworld and home to various monsters). The attendees include witches, vampires, Baku (dream eaters), banshees (whose deadly screams can kill), shades (shadowy, mist-like assassins), werewolves, and even a few mortal politicians. The meeting is tense: Vampire leaders send representatives in their place, and Kaden reacts angrily, forcing Dianna to throw them into a pit of lava. Dianna hesitates briefly when a vampire begs for mercy. He says he has a family, reminding Dianna of her beloved sister, Gabriella (“Gabby”).
Kaden reveals that he has discovered information about the Book of Azrael, which could summon the World Ender. Despite concerns, the council agrees to unite under Kaden’s leadership.
Afterward, Kaden confronts Dianna about her hesitation during the meeting. Dianna lies, claiming that it was due to the potential danger of making more enemies. Kaden cruelly refuses her request to see Gabby, asserting his control over her.
Chapter 3 Summary: “Dianna”
Following Kaden’s orders, Dianna transforms into a wyvern (a winged dragon) and flies to the city of Tirin on the continent of Zarall, ruled by the vampire king Ethan Vanderkai. She infiltrates Drake’s nightclub and kills Drake, Ethan’s brother and her close friend, leaving her emotionally torn. Kaden watches the scene through the nightclub’s security cameras and rewards Dianna with a visit to see Gabby.
Chapter 4 Summary: “Dianna”
Dianna visits Gabby only to find her in a romantic moment with her boyfriend, Rick Evergreen. Gabby has built a life with Rick, but Dianna warns her that their relationship is doomed because she will outlive Rick as an immortal. Gabby considers having Drake turn Rick into a vampire, but Dianna reveals that she killed Drake.
The sisters reconnect, spending several days together, but Drake’s death haunts Dianna. At a club, she notices a strange woman wearing silver rings, which unsettles her. Later, a man with identical silver rings approaches Dianna, further disturbing her. She leaves the club, bidding farewell to Gabby and Rick.
Chapter 5 Summary: “Dianna”
Dianna spends two weeks with Gabby, savoring the rare time together. Gabby asks Dianna if she could ever leave Kaden, but Dianna solemnly explains that it is impossible. Their conversation is interrupted by Tobias and Alistair, who bring a message: Kaden demands Dianna’s immediate return.
Chapter 6 Summary: “Dianna”
Based on information from Peter, Dianna, Alistair, and Tobias travel to Ophanium, a wasteland on the continent of El Donuma, to investigate. Although Dianna senses something strange in the area, she finds nothing overtly suspicious. Following a trail of energy, she discovers the ruins of an ancient building buried under the sand. Inside, she finds what appears to be a celestial temple and an abandoned library.
As she explores, the atmosphere shifts, and a male celestial named Zekiel materializes, wearing the same rings as the creatures from the club. He questions Dianna’s presence, recognizing her as an Ig’Morruthen. The two clash in battle, with Zekiel revealing that he is a member of The Hand of Samkiel, guardians of the Etherworld (the mortal realm) and the Netherworld. Zekiel’s rings transform into weapons. The fight escalates, and Kaden arrives just in time to help Dianna by plunging a hand through Zekiel’s chest.
Chapter 7 Summary: “Dianna”
Kaden reprimands Dianna for acting without waiting for him while Tobias and Alistair arrive. Kaden reveals a forsaken blade, a weapon made from Ig’Morruthen bones that is capable of killing celestials, but decides to have Alistair take control of Zekiel’s mind instead of killing the celestial. Dianna grows frustrated as she realizes how many secrets Kaden keeps from her.
Kaden severs Zekiel’s hand, effectively disarming him, but Alistair fails to control his mind. Zekiel then triggers traps that capture Dianna and her companions. Dianna breaks free and pursues Zekiel, who is shocked by her escape. Zekiel realizes that Dianna is unaware of her full power. He removes an earring that transforms into a dagger and stabs himself, declaring that his death will bring the return of Samkiel, the World Ender.
Chapter 8 Summary: “Liam”
Liam, also known as Samkiel, isolates himself among the ruins of Rashearim (the realm of the gods), haunted by nightmares of the Gods War. During the war, rebel gods allied with the Ig’Morruthens, causing catastrophic destruction to both the gods and the planet. Liam is not a god but a “half-breed” born of a god and a celestial, causing dissent among the gods, who refused to accept him as the next leader of Rashearim.
Liam struggles to control his powers, leaving his home littered with signs of destruction. Consumed by guilt and regret for the lives lost during the war, he ignores a message from Imogen, a member of The Hand. After hearing Zekiel’s death chant, Liam rushes to the Etherworld and seeks comfort from Logan, his closest friend and a Hand member. Vincent, the leader of The Hand in Liam’s absence, warns that Zekiel’s death signals the beginning of war.
Chapter 9 Summary: “Liam”
Liam struggles to adjust to the Etherworld, feeling detached as mortals and celestials greet him. Despite Logan’s attempts to persuade him to update his appearance, Liam refuses. The Hand informs Liam of ransacked temples in Onuna (another word for the Etherworld) and the existence of Ig’Morruthens in the Etherworld, which triggers painful memories of the Gods War.
Liam recalls his father, Unir’s, warning about a dangerous “breeding pair” of Ig’Morruthens before the Gods War. As The Hand debates their next move, a mortal ambassador insults Liam and then shifts forms to reveal Dianna. Liam accuses her of killing Zekiel, and Dianna engulfs the room in flames.
Chapter 10 Summary: “Liam”
Dianna’s flames collapse parts of the building, but Liam tracks her to a room where she searches through relics and books. She mocks his invulnerability to fire, but Liam calmly explains that nothing can kill him. The confrontation escalates when Dianna attacks him with a forsaken blade. Liam reiterates his immortality, frustrating Dianna, who attempts to flee. Liam captures her using his powers, knocking her unconscious.
Chapter 11 Summary: “Liam”
Dianna remains unconscious for a day, and The Hand wonders if she will survive. Liam reveals that Dianna possesses powers of regeneration, shape-shifting, and darkness manipulation—abilities that only an Ig’Morruthen king should have. He plans to question her when she wakes up.
As Liam gazes at his reflection in the mirror—he has been freshly trimmed and shaved by Logan—he realizes that no matter how he looks, he will always be Samkiel, the World Ender.
Chapters 1-11 Analysis
Amber Nicole’s Gods & Monsters series features extensive and complex world building, beginning with its setting, which comprises three distinct realms: Rashearim, the Etherworld (Onuna), and the Netherworld (Otherworld). As the series’ first installment, The Book of Azrael contains significant exposition regarding these realms, but this exposition does more than merely establish the series’ backdrop. Rather, the novel’s setting is key to its evocation of theme and character.
For example, Rashearim, once the realm of gods and their celestial minions, lies in ruins following the catastrophic Gods War. Liam, one of the few surviving celestials, lives in isolation on what remains of this broken world, and his surroundings reflect his inner turmoil: “I stared at the new hole I’d added to this massive, run-down estate. Perfect—my house resembled the complete disaster of the world I’d built” (78). While mortals and celestials view Liam as a protector, he perceives himself as a failure, burdened by his inability to save his father or his realm. However, life persists on Rashearim despite its devastation. Lorveg Stags roam the land, and vines and fruit-bearing plants thrive around Liam’s dilapidated estate. These signs of life contrast sharply with Liam’s self-perception, emphasizing how his grief obscures the vitality that endures, including his own, and establishing The Deceptive Nature of Appearances.
While Rashearim represents the divine, the Netherworld is the domain of monsters—or “Otherworlders”—sealed off by the gods. This realm is home to Ig’Morruthens, vampires, witches, Baku, banshees, and werewolves, who align with Kaden to reclaim their freedom and home world from celestial oppression. While most Otherworlders are sealed off, some reside on Onuna and cannot return to their home world. Though the lines between the worlds have become blurred, the existence of a realm distinct from monsters would appear to connote a sharp divide between good and evil.
However, the novel soon challenges this implication. It is with the “monsters” that the novel (and therefore series) begins, and the concept of monstrosity soon emerges as multifaceted. The Book of Azrael loosely defines monsters as creatures with either “monstrous” appearances or dependencies on the blood, flesh, or energy of other sentient beings. However, even this definition falters under scrutiny. Dianna notes that certain Baku clans are peaceful, aiding others by consuming nightmares rather than causing harm. Similarly, Ig’Morruthens, as shape-shifters, are monstrous only part of the time, while vampires and witches might not appear monstrous at all. Gabby, a mortal-turned-Ig’Morruthen, complicates the classification further, as her near-death transformation left her with neither the powers nor the feeding requirements of true Ig’Morruthens.
Actions rather than form reveal true monstrosity in The Book of Azrael. Kaden exemplifies this, as his behavior, not his shape-shifting, cements his monstrous identity. He holds Gabby hostage, manipulating Dianna by threatening her sister’s safety. His unwillingness to perform his own dirty work—forcing Dianna to carry out his orders—further illustrates his moral corruption. Alistair similarly embodies monstrosity in his gleeful destructiveness, breaking minds and reducing others to puppets. In this sense, The Struggle Between Good and Evil does have sharp boundaries, albeit ones that are not delineated by the “type” of being one is.
Dianna, however, embodies a moral ambiguity that challenges strict demarcation of any kind. While she can adopt a monstrous form and commits violent acts, her motives distinguish her from characters like Alistair or Tobias. Dianna takes no pleasure in killing and would prefer to avoid it altogether. Her compliance with Kaden’s demands stems from her desire to protect her sister, making her a complex figure navigating the murky line between good and evil. The novel explores the gray areas in morality through Dianna, suggesting that even monstrous actions can carry threads of justification. Her blend of characteristics further suggests that the battle between good and evil will be as much internal as external as the series progresses.
In keeping with this, the novel is deeply interested in The Duality of Power. Kaden and Dianna’s dynamic illustrates how power can corrupt. Kaden’s insatiable hunger for dominance leads him to abuse and intimidate those around him, turning him into a true monster. Dianna, conversely, seeks only enough power to reclaim agency over her life: “I ached for a life outside of this. A life with my sister. A life where I was loved and could be loved. Just a life” (27). However, she acknowledges that such control remains beyond her grasp, highlighting the tragic cost of her lack of autonomy. In contrast to both Kaden and Dianna, Liam outright rejects power. As leader of The Hand, he could wield immense influence over Onuna, yet his grief and regret render him unable to assume this role. Basic tasks like eating and bathing become insurmountable, reflecting his emotional stasis: “They did not need me. No one did and they were better off without me” (80). Liam’s aversion to leadership underscores how guilt and self-doubt can neutralize even the most capable individuals and implies that skepticism of power can go too far.
Indeed, the juxtaposition of Liam’s rejection of power and Dianna’s yearning for control underscores the nuanced portrayal of authority in The Book of Azrael. The novel presents power not as inherently good or evil but as a force that reveals and amplifies the character of those who wield it. While Kaden’s pursuit of dominance corrodes his morality, Dianna’s quest for autonomy humanizes her, even in her darkest moments. Through these characters, The Book of Azrael delves into the complexities of identity, morality, and the struggle between good and evil.
