Rating: 
Summary: A Happy Surprise
Review: I discovered Sharon Shinn when she was mentioned by the "Anita Blake" character in a Laurel K. Hamilton novel as a writer that could keep her attention. Intriqued, I picked up the first book and found I'd never read any thing quite like it. I won't try to rehash the plot (read what the professional reviewers have to say). The writing is strong, the characters are well defined and realistic and the story is so unique that I, the jaded reader, gave up trying to second guess what was going to happen next. I highly recommend this and the two subsequent books in the series, as well as the prequel which was just released. Shinn is a very special author and I will definitely be reading more of her work.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant!
Review: From the moment I picked up this book, I could not put it down. Sharon Shinn has this wonderful way of telling her story, mixing in character & world development, romance, fantasy and more. The world she creates is original, which is nice to see in the fantasy genre. Her characters are not always perfect, they have human flaws, and that too is appreciated. Her story is magnificent, and I found myself yearning for more with every page I turned. I recommend this book to Romance, Science Fiction & Fantasy readers alike! This book is Brilliant!
Rating:
Summary: I can't wait to read the next book...
Review: My English teacher once told me I could rate how good a book is by reading it more than once. If I still learned something by reading it again, it is usually a good book. This must be a wonderful book, because every time I read it I discovered something new about the characters, the plot, the world. It is such a complex world that it may take someone a few reads to absorb all the little details and descriptions that help make this book great.I must disagree with the person who called this book a trashy romance. I have read (yes, that is what being stuck in an old lady's house with nothing else to do will do to you) some trashy romances, and this is about as far from trashy as it can get. Trashy romances do not deal with plot, with character, or any other literary device. This book has a most excellent plot, the characters are wonderful, though they may be a bit flat at times, and it does not lack for genious. It is true that some of the ideas are not original, but the book as a whole is. I have never read a book that is written and put together like this one is. As for the characters, we could argue and say that all characters have traits like others. Rachel maybe a headstrong young slave, but she has her faults. Her height sickness, "fear" of bracelets, and other insicurities make her more real. She isn't just another head strong girl. And the arrogant Gabriel is humbled, so his character learns something. He is not just another flat character. (Sorry, didn't want to spoil the end) Even though I rate this book highly, I would definately say it was more of a girl-book. I would recomend it to everyone, Guys may like it, but there is just that sweet romantic appeal that girls seem to like. I am afraid to read the next in the series because I am not sure If it would stand up to the first one. If the second and third are half as good as the original, buying them would be a good investment.
Rating:
Summary: It's Worth More Than 5 Stars
Review: I began reading this without very high expectations, and it quickly surprised me. I still can't understand how Sharon Shinn managed to write something so wonderful. It's amazing. First of all, the plot is so engrossing that you won't be able to put it down. Gabriel is to be the next Archangel of Samaria, a world where angels can sing to Jovah (their "god") in order to change weather. They can cause rain to fall or not fall. They can cause waters to rise. They can cause lightning to fall and destroy. The Archangel is the head angel, who can be either male or female. This angel leads the Gloria, an annual day of singing that tells Jovah that harmony reigns on Samaria. If they don't sing, the god will destroy the world with a bolt of lightning. Rachel is a slave-girl in the house of a wealthy merchant. She is also the chosen bride of the Archangel Gabriel, picked out by Jovah through the oracles. Against her will, she is taken to Eyrie to marry Gabriel and become his angelica. And so the story begins. With surprises and plenty of action, the plot unfolds. If the plot is great, then the character development that is intricately twisted into the story is better. Rachel struggles with her new position and her relationship with Gabriel, whom she hardly talks with, except to argue. She also attempts to improve the lives of the abandoned children in Velora, a city by Eyrie. Meanwhile, Gabriel tries to fill his position as Archangel and get along with Rachel. He hopes for a smooth transition between Archangels, especially since Raphael (the former Archangel) seems to have other plans. The setting, the different types of people in Samaria, and the traditions, religion, and history of the planet are well done, too. Somehow, Sharon Shinn manages to create a setting that is so believable that the reader actually slips into the fantasy world, becoming part of the story. This is, by far, one of the best books I have ever read. I have tried writing a few books, and to see a masterpiece like this just amazes me. To anyone who has read this review: get it from your library, buy it (because it is definitely worth the money), whatever. Just read it, because you are missing out on something if you don't. If I could, I would rate this much more than five stars. It's worth it. Unfortunately, the scale is 1-5, so I can only put 5, although I consider it to be far above that number. Archangel is one of the best books I have ever read. **Sharon Shinn has written many other books, including Jovah's Angel and The Alleluia Files, which are the second two installments in the Samaria Trilogy. I have read a few other of her books, all the ones I could get my hands on, and they are also good. I consider the Samaria Trilogy to be the best of her work, though. But that's me. She is a wonderful author, one of the best.
Rating:
Summary: Mesmerizing, Subtle SF Writing
Review: A world where beautiful winged angels sing prayers of supplication and praise to an omniscient god---a god who answers their prayers with weather changes, medicines which drop from the sky, lightning bolts to punish the nonbelievers...A world where oracles speak to the god via half-forgotten heiroglyphics on mysterious glassy screens...SF readers are familiar (perhaps over -familiar) with the theme of lost Terran colonies rediscovering their heritage, and the chaos it causes to their stratified societies---think McCaffrey's Pern, think Bradley's Darkover, think Tepper's Lom, and now add Samaria to that (too-short) list of beautifully-written, fully-realized planets where a talented author has imagined one or two slight alterations/additions/ extrapolations and then let the story fly. And Archangel does indeed fly. A political struggle: between the power-mad Raphael, the out-going Archangel of the planet, and the serious, responsible Gabriel, due to take over as Archangel...A romance: Gabriel must seek and marry the woman which the god has chosen to sing beside him, a woman destined to complement him in every way. This woman, Rachel, having survived terror, poverty, and enslavement, has other plans for her life, but destiny is difficult to escape... I love this book, and its sequels, Jovah's Angel and The Alleluia Files, which take place centuries after Archangel. I admire the writing and characterization greatly, and the subtlety of the "hard" science, and I really love the overarching metaphor of song and harmony as communion with the god and with each other. Shinn makes me want to visit in Samaria---I'd rank her up there with Ursula LeGuin as a world-builder in whom a reader can believe.
Rating:
Summary: By Jovah, I am in LOVE with this book!
Review: Perfect, perfect, perfect. This book has remained on my shelf as one of my all time favorites for several years now. I love the setting, I love the feeling that Shinn gives her angels, I love it all! It's got that perfect blend of romance and fantasy that you just CRAVE sometimes. Whenever I do, I pick up this book and lose myself in Samaria for a few days. The story follows Rachel and Gabriel. Gabriel is about to become Archangel, and Rachel is nothing more than a slave. Gabriel must find his mate decreed by Jovah so she may sing the Gloria with him on the Plane of Sharon next year, or the world will be thrown into chaos, and the evil Raphael will be able to keep control of the world. Only Gabriel's 'perfect mate' is Rachel, who wants no part of him, and spends alot of her time trying to make his life miserable. The conflict between the two of them is absolutely wonderful, and I found myself utterly entranced by the minor characters in this book as well (Magdalena!!! Love her!!). If you are hesitating about getting this book, please don't. My sister found my copy, read it, and promptly went out and bought her own. She is now part of the 're-reading' club as well. If you love fantasy, read this. If you love romance, read this. If you love angels, READ THIS!
Rating:
Summary: A Sweet Love Story
Review: When I read Sharon Shinn's "Summers At Castle Auburn" I was hooked and began reading some of her other books. "Archangel" is by far my favorite. When the angel Gabriel learns that his future wife is a hill farmers daughter he is shocked and displeased. He is even more upset when he learns his betrothed is now a slave. When Gabriel and Rachel meet they instantly clash. But over time they fall in love. But will their differences become too much? This is an amazing story about love and the long road that that two predestined lovers take. While you might find yourself screaming and pulling your hair out in frustration during some parts (as I was), this book will leave you begging for more!
Sharon Shinn creates a beliavable world with beliavable people and customs. I especially loved the angels and their way of life. The characters are interesting and well developed. If you like a love story than you must read this book!
Rating: 
Summary: good story, aside from the romantic aspect
Review: I usually love a good romantic SF novel, but I didn't like Rachel and Gabriel's romance very much. Rachel got on my nerves too much, so I thought Gabriel deserved better. I actually liked the secondary romance between Magdelena and Nathan better and would have loved to read more about them. I look forward to reading the rest of this series, especially since this book made me curious about the true nature of Jovah.
Rating:
Summary: So, there really is a god
Review: Shinn manages to craft a very entertaining and well thought out story, in a world where miracles are commonplace, and angels mingle with mortals.
In many ways the world that she has created is utopic, and in others is simply barbaric. Angels are able to sing to Jovah for miraculous intervention, and yet slavery and all manner of human vices still exist.
Contrary to what most of the reviews have stated this isn't a simple romance, I looked at it as more of a social hypothesis put in print; If we give people a god that has immediate and direct powers, and beings to intercede for them, how will the people evolve and what will become of them.
Similar in theory to this concept is Orson Scott Cards Homecoming series.
Loved the series, well worth the investment in both time and money
Rating:
Summary: a book that just sings
Review: hey fellow readers! i really enjoyed this book, i read it in a day! of course, that could be just me. *grin* there were some slow points in the book, but overall, this book is awesome, especially toward the end, when it gets sweet. gabe rocks! *sigh* love the wings! seems like more of a girl than guy book, though. anyway, here is my synopsis:
Gabriel, an arrogant, but handsome host angel, is destined to become the next archangel, the leader of all angels. but first, he must find his chosen one (aka soulmate), who will sing with him at the annual Gloria to Jovah (their god), where they will become annointed as archangel and angelica within six months. however, if he does not find her in time and fails to sing with her at the Gloria, catastrophic disasters will occur. Gabriel, being as arrogant as he is, believes his soulmate, Rachel, will happily consent to becoming his respected wife. However, Rachel, a fiery slave, has other plans in mind. just as she was about to be freed from her masters, Gabriel, who freely expresses his disappointment in her lack of status, finds her and whisks her away to his hold, expecting a willing wife to be, only to be rudely proven wrong... repeatedly. Furthermore, to add to the love-troubled duo, the ruthless Raphael, the current archangel does not desire to relinquish his position or power as archangel and threatens the balance and harmony of their world. it can't get any worse...or can it?
there, done! hope you like it...i know, i know, i am a sucky book description writer, but it is my first time, give me a break!
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