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Archangel (Samaria, Bk 1)
Archangel - Samaria, Bk 1
Author: Sharon Shinn
Next in line to become archangel in the angel-led dominion of Samaria, Gabriel must lead the next chorale praising the god Jovah, which means he needs a wife -- fast -- to sing beside him. Guided by the local oracle and the light emanating from the Kiss of the Gods (a homing device in his wrist), he finds his Jovah-selected fiancée in a c...  more »
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ISBN-13: 9780441004324
ISBN-10: 0441004326
Publication Date: 4/1/1997
Pages: 390
Rating:
  • Currently 4.1/5 Stars.
 166

4.1 stars, based on 166 ratings
Publisher: Ace Books
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

Cattriona avatar reviewed Archangel (Samaria, Bk 1) on + 200 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 12
I bought this book on Amazon because of the good reviews, but couldn't help feeling that this would turn out to be some religious work. I could not have been more wrong. Shinn's created a new and intriguing way to think of angels in a more human sense. In her world, they interact with the mortals and directly respond to requests for, say, rain to help the crops, and the only real religious references are some familiar Biblical names and vague references to a higher being. This is non-denominational, and thought-provoking to think of angels as, well, people. Highly recommended.
reviewed Archangel (Samaria, Bk 1) on + 287 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 8
I absolutely loved this book - it was so different from things I've read before - as far as the world building was concerned. What a unique, wonderful world. And it had a love story to make me both frustrated and satisfied. What more could I ask for?
reviewed Archangel (Samaria, Bk 1) on
Helpful Score: 7
Readers of Archangel who are familiar with the Bible will see plenty of names which have Old Testament meaning and importance. Nearly all of the important angels during the past six hundred years and the humans who worked with the angels are biblically based and some of their actions reflect those of their Old Testament counterparts, but this is not a biblical retelling in a fantasy setting. How Sharon Shinn mixes the biblical into a believable fantasy setting is impressive. She builds a real story for Gabriel and Rachel and their relationship. It is something of a love story, but it is completely dysfunctional and it is very well written. Shinn's descriptions of the angels and their lives and how they pray for intercession from Jovah is more than overt Christianity. It fits into the context of the world and is more storytelling than preaching. This isn't a Christian novel and I do not believe it is intended to be. It's a well told story. Period
reviewed Archangel (Samaria, Bk 1) on + 25 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
Despite being called sci-fi, it absolutely is not -- perhaps the later books explore that angle, but this book lacks any sci-fi elements. Absolutely worth reading if you like music, angels, politics, sweet love stories, or fantasy world-building with an interesting twist. The few references to sex are oblique and demure.
reviewed Archangel (Samaria, Bk 1) on + 69 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
I really enjoyed this non-traditional epic love/good vs. evil/ religion vs. atheism novel.
Read All 25 Book Reviews of "Archangel Samaria Bk 1"

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tweetibearboo avatar reviewed Archangel (Samaria, Bk 1) on + 11 more book reviews
Excellent
doodlina avatar reviewed Archangel (Samaria, Bk 1) on + 26 more book reviews
I love all Sharon Shinn books. She has a way of writing that gets me there,that make me care about these fictional character.
"Archangel" was the first of her books I read, after discovering her novella "Fallen Angel" in "To Weave a Web of Magic" anthology.
Miss Shinn built a world and its people,with different traditions,beliefs,lifestyles. Samaria and its inhabitant slowly come to life in your mind,in all its colors and flavors.
Yes there is romance,but Miss Shinn is very skilled at integrating it in her stories,so it doesn't become the only focus.
I believe that is almost inevitable when reading the stories on this series, to wonder about what is god,and to think about the power of harmony.
reviewed Archangel (Samaria, Bk 1) on + 168 more book reviews
This was one of my favorite books in the series. I did so enjoy the plot twist at the end of the entire series. The book is very well done, and does a fantastic job of combining fantasy with science fiction. It's so subtle too ... I loved it.


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