Angel Gabriel has known for many years that he will be the next Archangel and that he must go to the oracle to discover who Jovah has chosen to be his Angelica or human bride. In Samaria, Archangels are a sort of divine chosen ruler over the land, changing every fifteen years. They lead Samaria in the Gloria (a sort of sung mass) each year, reminding the people of their dependence and love for Jovah. Gabriel has put off the task of finding his bride until he only has six months until his inaugural Gloria - so when he discovers his Angelica Rachel is a young woman from a family of peasant farmers he is shocked and more than a little surprised. Rachel herself has not led an easy life and is not too happy when Gabriel shows up declaring that he will be her husband. All her life her choices have been taken from her and she is not about to let Gabriel take them away from her again.Let me start off by saying what in the heck is going on with this cover? Is Rachel cringing? Singing? Sighing? None really match her personality so I can't really figure it out. Not to mention the odd little ball - is it supposed to be the Kiss which not only allows Jovah to track you but tells you when you've found your one and only? I thought that was supposed to be embedded in your skin? Weird. Too weird. Other than the oddness of the art, I really enjoyed this unusual story of religion mixed with politics set in a brand new world. And once again Sharon Shinn does not disappoint with her wonderfully crafted characters. A competely believable hero and heroine and some nasty villains who really are a little larger than life. The narrative switches back and forth between Rachel and Gabriel, which at times seemed a bit redundant since they would cover each situation twice, but overall served to really give a good understand of each's personality. Inventive and very readable, I can't wait to pick up the rest of this fabulous series.
series reading order:
~ Archangel
~ Jovah's Angel
~ Alleluia Files
~ Angelica
~ Angel Seeker
7 comments:
For breakfast, I had a scrambled eggs sandwich a la ME :)
Archangel was the first Sharon Shinn book I read, and I really enjoyed it! I love Gabriel and Rachel - and their chemistry was just perfect! I cried at some parts when they were fighting, and the way Sharon describes the singing just makes me wish I could hear them!
I've been meaning to pick up the rest of the series, but haven't had the time.
Lol. So funny. I posted on this one a bit today as well.
I'm happy you enjoyed it. I am seriously fond of Rachel and Gabriel. One of my favorite book couples ever, as a matter of fact. And such wonderful side characters in Obadiah, Josiah, Naomi, Maga, etc. Looking forward to your thoughts on the rest of the series. I love them all. For different reasons and in different ways.
Been wanting to read this! Have you read Angelica yet? If so, did you like it? A long time ago I went looking for this book, but ending up reading Angelica instead.
--Sharry
Epic Rat - mmm..eggs... I'm slow joining the Sharon Shinn party but I am totally loving everything I read of hers - Rachel and Gabriel no exception!
Angie - Love your post BTW! The characters in this one really stood out to me too. Judith particularily gave me chills...
xalwaysdreamx - I haven't read Angelica yet, but I really want to read the rest of the series for sure.
Oh my goodness, Judith. She gave me the chills as well. Ugh.
Great review! I bought Angelica a long while ago, and when I realised it was part of a series, I decided to wait - only I forgot about it. Now I'll try to find the first ones!
Infinite shelf - I'm always a little sad when I discover a book I've bought (or started reading for that matter) isn't the first in a series. Oh well, this one was great and well worth starting at the beginning.
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