Escaping from Hell

Francisco Angulo's spellbinding novel Escaping from Hell whisks readers away to 1930s Spain on the brink of civil war. Weaving together history and myth, this epic tale has earned praise as "an enthralling adventure" (The Times) with "breathtaking prose" (The Guardian). Centered around Andrea, a courageous young archivist, and the mysterious Englishman Lord Edwards, Escaping from Hell seamlessly blends thrilling action with poignant romance.
Andrea becomes swept up in a nationwide hunt for an ancient text believed to hold magical powers. With Nazi forces also seeking the book, she and Edwards race against time to find it first in this "heart-pounding page-turner" (Booklist). Angulo's vivid descriptions transport you directly into the chaos of pre-war Spain. The perilous road trips, evocative Spanish landscapes, and life-or-death showdowns will leave your pulse racing up to the satisfying conclusion.
Critics call Escaping from Hell "an intoxicating escape" (Kirkus) filled with "palpable romantic chemistry" between the two compelling protagonists (Publishers Weekly). Building upon obscure legends and religious myths, Angulo has forged an entirely original story that stands out for its "incredible imagination" (Library Journal). This "unputdownable tale" (BookPage) will linger in your mind long after the final page.
With its cinematic action, timeless themes, and poetic turns of phrase, Escaping from Hell establishes Angulo as a shining new talent in historical fiction. Fish in an aquarium, ants in a terrarium or lab mice running through a maze. Our lives may be nothing more than that, a test to see if we find the cheese. Doing nothing, the easiest solution, but in the end time pushes us to commit unjustifiable acts.
Selfishness, fear, lack of empathy and the weight of the passing years. Ending up desiring the young wife of the neighbor, stealing the inheritance from siblings, falling into addiction to any drug that clouds our judgment. Justifying the unjustifiable and moving forward on our knees, crawling or dragging ourselves like worms. You can't prepare for the race, pace your strength, when you don't know the distance; when you don't know where the finish line is.