Rating: 
Summary: a decent read, but not shinn's best
Review: I have to admit, I'm biased. I've read all of Sharon Shinn's books, and I always find myself comparing them to her first Samaria novel, "Archangel"... and they inevitably fall flat in comparison. Still, "Angelica" is a decent read (if a bit heavier on romance than on the discussion of serious themes or plot development). In a nutshell, "Angelica" tells the story of how Archangel Gaaron and the Edori Susannah fall in love. There are two subplots as well --the mysterious black-clad strangers that are destroying cities, and Gaaron's struggles to deal with his young, headstrong sister (and his guilt over not being able to protect her from domestic abuse when she was younger) -- but the story's main focus is on the developing relationship between Gaaron and Susannah. The strength of the story lies in Shinn's characterization, and in the way she develops the world of Samaria and its diverse peoples (the Edori, the Jansai, the Manadavvi, etc). You'll find yourself liking the characters, and reading on to see how they resolve their conflicts. How highly do I recommend it? Well, if you've read and enjoyed other Shinn novels, it's a safe bet you'll like this one too. Still, if this is your first experience with Shinn, I would suggest you first read "Archangel" (in my opinion, the best of the Samaria novels) or "Summers at Castle Auburn" and then decide if you're up for this one.
Rating: 
Summary: Not her best
Review: I honestly enjoyed Ms. Shinn's Samaria series. The plots were interesting, and the characters varied, although she started slipping after Archangel, they were still readable. Angelica is just terrible, and took way too long to accomplish its goal which was to get Gaaron and Susannah together. As hard as I tried I could barely finish and finally just skipped to the ending in frustration. Before reading this I was tempted to pick up Angel Seeker, I doubt I will now. Lif is too short to read boring books.
Rating: 
Summary: I'm Sad.
Review: I just finished Angelica, and I'm sad! I was so thrilled about another Sameria book, I consider the trilogy to be my favorite books ever. It was so wonderful to be immersed in this amazing world again, and now it's over! Samaria just feels like an old friend. Reading about the people, the cities, the angels again was so comforting. I absolutely adore the world Sharon Shinn has created. I think I would be happy with a thousand more tales of Samaria. By the way, I'm with the reviewer who said they had hoped for a book about Hagar. That would be an excellent fifth book! (Wishful thinking!) Now, normally, I don't go for prequels. I don't like the kitschiness of it. I hate that we're supposed to go, "Oh but they don't even know what's going to happen in a few years." To me, it's slightly insulting. I feel like a pawn, and I hate it. But Angelica isn't like that in the slightest. There are very few allusions to events that are going to occur in two hundred years, and I appreciate that. This is simply a tale set on the same world, just at a different time. I loved that Mahalah is free to give her speeches about how the Samarians are forgetting who they are and where they came from. My one and only problem is this: (and when I think about it, I have this problem with all of the books) the ending of the love story was very unsatisfying to me. She did the same thing in Archangel. I want MORE. She really seems to shy away from the physical, and I don't like that. I think she's really not giving us what we want, which is (not necessarily sex) but a more concrete form of intimacy than we're given. To me, she seems really hung up on these Jerry Maguire "you complete me" moments, and that just doesn't work when you end the book right there, you know? When all is said and done, I loved every moment of reading this book. I loved the descriptions of Edori life the most, I think. Miriam's story, in my mind, was far more satisfying than Gaaron and Susannah's. Another great installment. I hope there will be more!
Rating: 
Summary: Again?
Review: I love Sharon Shinn, LOVED every book she's written including the first three books in this continuing series. Halfway through ANGELICA I found myself wondering if I'd accidentally bought one of them over again. It's the same basic idea repackaged, though, this time with less insightful social commentary and more drawn-out chapters that revolve around the less enthrawling (and sometimes annoying) supporting characters. I did read the whole book so I can't complain to much, I guess. But when I'm paying top dollar for a hardcover from an author I've grown to ADORE, I suppose I expect progression and not reiteration. The cynical part of me wonders if she is padding ANGELICA in order to stretch the story line into a second trilogy.
Rating: 
Summary: Definitely not one of her best.....
Review: I think anyone new to Shinn's work would enjoy this but after having read all of Shinn's other novels I found this one...lacking in orginality...the story - especially Gaaron and Susannah - reminded me so much of Archangel that I felt a litle cheated.
But, aside from the main couple (who I still liked reading about) I found the book enjoyable. As always, Shinn's characters are well-developed and the world of Samaria as rich as ever.
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining but unsatisfying
Review: I was excited to discover a new Samaria book, and slightly surprised as well, since the first books that dealt with the planet were dubbed a trilogy. However, given that the story of Susannah, the first Edori angelica, was brought up in more than one of the three, maybe it isn't such a surprise, after all. This is a prequel, of sorts, and as such, it does an interesting job of explaining some things that show up in later books. As a whole, though, the book was rather disappointing. The ending was fairly rushed, no wedding, no Gloria, and we don't find out what happens to some major supporting characters-- like, do Nicholas and the Edori girl actually fall in love or does she return to her tribe? (the fact that I don't remember her name even though I read the book three days ago is an indicator of how very forgettable this book is). In the end, if you're a fan of the series, this book is worth reading.
Rating:
Summary: Good addition, but a little disappointing
Review: I was so excited when I heard Ms. Shinn was going to write another book, I pre-ordered it and harrased the mailman for it. When if finally arrived, I read it in record time (1 day!) I have to honestly say that it was beautifully written with many descriptive details not mentioned in her other books. Half expecting the story to continue after The Alleluia Files, I was pleasantly surprised after reading three chapters to find that it's actually a prequel to Archangel. I thought she could have written more about the origins of the invaders and thus the origins of the settlers of Samaria (more sci-fi). She also didn't fully explore the significance of the second Kiss and Susannah's role until the very end which was disappointing. The answers provided didn't fully satisfy my curiosity. I felt the ending was a little rushed. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed reading this book, but I would recommend reading the other three books first.
Rating:
Summary: wondrous surprise
Review: i was surprised, pleasantly, to see another samaria novel. these books have all been wonderful reads, and this one was no exception. clearly written, with the details and style i expect from her. i was surprised by the story she chose, as i had expected when i saw the title for it to(finally) be a book about hagar, but it was a very enjoyable read, though, not, i think, the equal of archangel.
Rating:
Summary: Each Samaria Books Gets Better
Review: I've only read her Samaria books and this one is better than the rest. Susannah and Gaaron were very likeable characters. Romance readers will probably want more than the gentle double romance in it. Shinn is just unique. I loved a scene early in this book when Gaaron joins a group to sing and they all discover they have completementary voices. It was a happy moment -- cheered me up, too. There are many scenes like this, making the world of Samaria a nice one to explore.
Rating:
Summary: books I didn't finish reading...
Review: In Victorian-era romances, the Tragic Misunderstanding is a common plot device: the handsome He and the lovely, sensitive She are clearly meant for each other, but there is a Misunderstanding that keeps them apart until all is cleared up in the final chapter. In this slow-moving romance, He and She are kept apart by a device even more stale: mutual reluctance to express how they feel. So they stand and talk about anything but themselves, and go off to their lonely beds. This is particularly weak because He is an experienced and wise manager, good at seeing other people's motivations and solving their problems; and She is from a culture that emphasizes warmth and communication. I don't find it ironic that these two, facing each other, can't break through to express their feelings; to me it feels like artificial manipulation of the reader. The fourth or fifth time they stood and looked at each other, and neither could find the nerve to reach out and touch the other (end of chapter 15), I just lost patience with the both of 'em and tossed the book away. Based on reading that much, Shinn is excellent at creating female characters: her women are warm, real, and varied -- nice people to know. But I find her men quite unbelievable. Most of the males in the story are cartoon stereotypes (the Boor, the Sharp Trader, the Farmer, etc.), and the hero, Gaaron has all the life of a cigar-store indian. Only Dathan, the perpetual Other Man, has the feel of actuality; and he's gone from the scene quite early.
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