Archangel (Samaria, Book 1) by Sharon Shinn Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Archangel (Samaria, Book 1)
Book Review: Solid Performance from a great author
Summary: 5 Stars
Sharon Shinn is a super-creative writer. My first book was "Summers At castle Auburn" and this was my second book of hers to read. They are two totally different tales from different times and with different people even in other worlds, but her imagination has untold stories that I'm eager to read after sampling this unique and other-worldly tale.
Samaria, a world originally founded for the hopes of a great Utopia of sorts, is extraordinarily created by the mastermind Shinn. As you read Archangel you're gently introduced to this world and the wonders it holds and the amazing thing is you're not overwhelmed with too many details and histories that can bog down the main plot. Shinn gently introduces you to the many facets of Samaria by taking you through the lives of soon-to-be archangel Gabriel and his angelica Rachel. Shinn's atention to detail and dedication to showing you a whole different world emerses you and you cannot help but gobble this book up.
A major plus for this book is that it's a great read for anyone. Whether you're a seasoned sci-fi reader and used to having to pick through the rantings of some authors to grab the jist of the story or you're just starting the genre, you'll find this a most satisfying read from an author who deserves more kudos than she gets.
The only bone to pick was that Rachel and Gabriel were taken a little too far with their bickering and their love for each other needed a smidgeon of more conviction to it, but that's hardly a problem when you're introduced to this series of books from Sharon Shinn. Other supporting characters and even our flawed hero and heroine are fleshy and nearly real to you. I give five shining stars for this book that is leaps and bounds different from any other book.
From what I've gathered, you want to read these books in a general order -- or start out with this one anyway. Others in the series are supposedly stand-alones but if you wanted to read them in chronological order, here's how you'd read them:
Archangel
Angel-Seeker
Jovah's Angel
Alleluiah Files
The last one so far in the Samaria series is Angelica and I've no idea when that tale occurs so I didn't list it above. However, the other books are in right and maybe others would like to read it in that order.
Book Review: A captivating love song
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is a love song. A song of romantic love and a love song to the god that the author has created to watch over her fictional world. As a singer, I was drawn into the power of singing that Shinn invokes in Archangel. If you are reading my review before you read the book and want a spoiler alert, DON'T READ THE BACK COVER OF THE BOOK. I was a little upset when I did so because a VERY important fact is revealed there that is not revealed in the book. I can only assume that it is revealed in part 2 or 3 of the trilogy which I will certainly read. Now that I have read it, I can appreciate what Shinn is calling the reader to ponder: What is prayer?, what is god?, what is love? I found myself considering these questions in the journey of this book. Shinn heightens the anticipation toward the end making this a real page-turner. Book Review: Different
Summary: 4 Stars
The title throws you off a little bit because you expect the book to focus more on Gabriel, but really the book revolved around Rachel. Now, that that's out of the way...this is a really different type of sci-fi novel. It wasn't action-packed and it seemed more psychological. What I mean by this is that while you are reading the book you can't help but compare what we know about our own religion and history to the world and life that Shinn creates. Shinn also creates characters with so many flaws that they seem very real. While you are reading and coming close to the conclusion you find yourself hoping along with the others for proof that Jovah does exist and you want miracles to happen (but then again maybe that's just me). Archangel is beautifully written and believable in the sense that we can relate to it.
What I really loved about this book are the angels. They are far from "angelic". They have their flaws. Gabriel is far from perfect. He's demanding, straight-laced, sees everything in black and white/good and bad, unapologetic, responsible, but you can't help but admire and love his character. Rachel is a strong heroine. Definitely not something you are expecting in a novel with so much religion woven into it. She is hard-headed and yeah she can be hateful and emotional, but you also like her and admire her for her strength. I thought that Gabriel and Rachel were perfect for eachother and you can see that there is love between them. But I gave this book 4 stars because sometimes there was too too much conflict between them two. Rachel could come across as a real -well you know and during some parts you can't help but think she's an idiot. However, if you think about it her behavior is not justified but you do understand why she is the way she is. The plot is interesting but I keep on re-reading the book for the characters.
Book Review: Romantic bickering weakens otherwise powerful story
Summary: 3 Stars
In months, the angel Gabriel is scheduled for promotion to archangel. From him will spring the great mass that preserves the entire planet from the wrath of Jovah--or rather, from him and his wife. Which presents a problem because Gabriel has no wife. Finally, he seeks the prophet and gets a very clear answer--he is to marry Rachel. Finding Rachel is a challenge though as the farming village where she was born has been completely destroyed and the nomadic tribe that rescued her was eliminated by slavers.
Rachel has been enslaved by the rich of Semorrah but a chance meeting with a young bride brings her hope. The bride, Mary, promises to have her freed and to pay her lots of money to be her maid. That life is dashed from her when Gabriel, one of the angels performing at the wedding, recognizes Rachel, seizes her, and declares that she must be his wife.
Rachel's bitterness, her fear that anything she loves will be dashed from her, and her fear of angels and heights clash with Gabriel's arrogant certainty, his belief that his way is the only right way, and his impatience at anything that obstructs him. Small misunderstandings explode into conflict, and disagreements remain unresolved as the two battle for some sense that they are in control of their own lives.
The present archangel, Raphael, is not happy with the upcoming change in leadership. Wanting to retain control, he has come to doubt the existance of the very god that justifies the angels in the first place. He'll do anything to prevent the mass, to stop Gabriel from finally replacing him. And playing on the conflict between the future archangel and his wife is an easy job for an archangel with no morals to fear.
Author Sharon Shinn is at her strongest when she concentrates on the magic of music and the angels who sustain the world with their contined praise of Jovah. For me, the conflict between Rachel and Gabriel too often became bickering--distracting me from the story and reducing my connection with the characters. Then too, both Gabriel and Rachel were a little too perfect in their earnest desires to do good for the poor and downtrodden. Even a little sympathy for the complexities of the world they propose to revolutionize, a little doubt about their own certainties, would have strengthened the story.
Despite some problems, Shinn writes a strong and compelling story set in a fascinating world.
Book Review: Great characterization but garbled religion
Summary: 4 Stars
Sharon Shinn's great gift lies in her ability to create lovable, realistic characters that one feels and roots for. The romance that is at the center of the story also never becomes soppy or cliched. Instead, it is always clever and multi-textured. In my view, Sharon Shinn stands shoulder to shoulder with the other great romance novelist I know -- Erich Segal -- of "Love Story" fame. Erich Segal does not write Sci-Fi, but if you like the romance that Sharon Shinn writes, I'd recommend his books anytime!
From a Christian perspective though, Archangel and other books in the Samaria trilogy are laced with garbled Christianity throughout. There are enough parallels with Christianity - Jovah (Jehovah), the archangel Gabriel, the Gloria song festival on the Plains of Sharon (worship), the reference to Lucifer etc. But each of these biblical concepts is twisted. Jovah (God) makes mistakes; the incumbent Archangel Raphael is into a debauched lifestyle and engages in politics with his fellow angels and intermarriage between angels and mortals is celebrated. Those who are familiar with the bible and Christianity would know that these are obvious perversions of biblical concepts. In short, take this book as pure fiction, because I assure you the religious undertones will lead you further from God than nearer!