: Re: Subverting the essence of fictional and/or religious entities; is it acceptable? I talked to a critique partner not too long ago about an angel in my book. I said, he was a subversive character,

@Sent2472441

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Not only is it acceptable, I’d say it’s encouraged. Original ideas and interesting stories often come from “what if” tweaks.

There are several successful examples of angels that do not conform to the “goody two-shoes” or “humanoid with wings” molds:

Satan.
Aziraphale, from Good Omens.
Neon Genesis Evangelion’s Angels.

The one thing you need to keep in mind is that by calling it by a word that already exists (“angel” and not something made up like “rekcz”) you’re anchoring the reader’s expectations, so there should be something they can recognise or you can justify. In your case, you have plenty.

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