The Causal Angel

By Hannu Rajaniemi

Book 3 of the Jean le Flambeur series

Review

★★★☆☆

The Causal Angel is the last book in the Jean le Flambeur trilogy. We finally learn le Flambeur was hired to steal the Kaminari Jewel, a Zoku gem with the power to alter reality.

We discover that the Pellegrini extracted two people from the prison: Le Flamebeur and his corrupted copy, the All-Defector, who can predict and counter anyone’s actions. The Pellegrini intended to use the All-Defector as a backup plan if le Flambeur failed, but it betrays her. The All-Defector starts taking over the Sobornost and leads them into war against the Zoku to capture the Jewel. It wants to create a new universe before anyone else can—the ultimate defection.

Layers of scheming are revealed:

• Le Flambeur sent himself to prison to evolve a new personality the Jewel would accept.

• The All-Defector sets up Jean to disrupt the Zoku so the Sobornost he controls can take over.

• Barbicane set up Jean to disrupt the Zoku’s quantum entanglement, allowing him to attempt to destroy the Kaminari Jewel.

The book fleshes out the characters more, and for the first time I actually care bout Mieli, but they’re still the weakest part of the series. However, the book does a good job of wrapping up storylines and the ending is satisfying.

While I enjoyed The Fractal Prince slightly more, The Causal Angel was an ok ending to a ok trilogy.