Rating: 
Summary: To Boldly Go....
Review: Sharon Shinn has composed a work of art that examines many of the most basic beliefs of the "western/first world." This book, and the other two books in the trilogy, are definite brain stretchers. Yet despite (or perhaps becouse of) the complexity of some of Shinn's observations about human nature and philosphy, "Archangel" is a very compelling, and interesting, story. Her characters are understandable and, more importantly, believable. Her adaptation of one of the most powerful (to me, anyway) tales of Christian lore is engrossing and entertaining. Shinn has truly gone where few (if any) have dared to go before.
Rating: 
Summary: Archangel by Sharon Shinn
Review: The book itself is wonderful. I'd lost my original copy and wanted a hard cover copy to keep. It was a special order and I waited two months to get it. I was majorly disappointed when it arrived. It's not a real hard cover book at all. Apparently, what they did was take a really cheap soft cover version (porous paper, off center printing) and paste it into a hard cover the same size as a paperback. The spine was not even attached to the cover and felt like it would not last through a single reading. Fortunately, Amazon stood behind its guarantee and refunded both the purchase price (which, considering what it was, was exorbitant) as well as the shipping, so I was able to reorder a regular paperback version to keep. Very disappointing and, I feel, very dishonest of the publisher, Ace Books, NY.
Rating: 
Summary: A Romance novel in disguise
Review: As smoothly written as this book is (the author is, after all, a practiced journalist of 20 some years) it suffers from a lack of tension (we know the protagonist is going to "get" her "angel" in the end, a no-brainer) and its clear deportment as a Romance novel in disguise. Most of the reviewers here have been women and they have elevated Ms. Shinn to the ranks of bestsellerdom because of her leanings toward Romance. To her credit Shinn's protagonist has a bit more assertiveness that the usual female lead in sf novels, but that is all given up when she achieves what she's after in the end. This book actually made me feel creepy, something only Orson Scott Card has been able to do. Brrr.
Rating:
Summary: Best SciFi/Fantasy Book I Have Read In Ages
Review: Start with a unique universe in which not only is God real, you can call him up. The world is populated with angels, oracles and people. The oracles can converse with Jovah through a celestial interface. The angels can intercede with Jovah through song. And the admonishment to sing the praises of god is literal, not figurative.Add the timeless plot convention of boy meets girl, boy gets girl (reluctantly), boy loses girl, and all is resolved by the final reel. Finish it off with an author who is a master wordsmith, laying down layer after layer of poetic imagery. The final result is the most enjoyable book of any genre I have read in a very long time. It compares favorably to "Things Invisible to See" by Nancy Willard and "Silverlock" by John Myers.
Rating:
Summary: Never Would Have Picked This Out On My Own!
Review: Normally I would go to the ends of the earth to avoid a novel which combines, angels, biblical lore, science fiction and romance. It sounds like a recipe for disaster. After numerous friends online kept insisting that I would love this book though, I decided to read it to prove them wrong. Primed to come up with scathing rejoinders regarding this "eccch" of an idea, I naturally fell in love with the novel instead and couldn't put it down. Shinn has an astonishing imagination that cannot be denied! You can see the male archangel on the horizon line, striding towards the heroine, on the front cover if you click on the cover image and enlarge it.
Rating:
Summary: Mesmerizing and complex
Review: I read this book last summer and I absolutely could not put it down. Sharon Shinn's romance changes the aspect of "over mooshy" romance to something that is actually believeable, yet enchanting. I probably have read 11 times, and I'm still determined to read the whole thing in order to relive it in my head. Each character is so deeply thought and developed, that it almost makes it seem that they ARE going to be real people in the future. I thought it was interesting that there was a good looking villain, because usually a villain in a story like this would be some kind of wart fulled alien or a cranky old warlock. I also love her choice of words that makes even the complicated plot easier to read. I really don't think there is anything like the "Archangel" that I've ever read before. This is indeed an original piece, and this has become my most favorite book of all time.
Rating: 
Summary: Flawed, but well-written ...
Review: First of all, this is not Science Fiction. Other than a teaser inside the front cover which comes right out and says Jovah is a ship in orbit, there is only one other hint in the body of the story that Jovah is something other than a true God. It's as if this was added afterward so this Fantasy/Romance could be marketed as Science Fiction/Fantasy. Shame on the marketers. But as a Fantasy/Romance it's a terrific piece of work. Fun to read and a well constructed world asking -- among other things -- how much proof do people need before they will believe? And then the incredible question, "what if an angel didn't believe in God?" And then there's Rachel, the slave-girl chosen as bride to the Angel Gabriel. This girl needs therapy. Early in the book she is happy that Mary is going to buy her and then "free" her, keeping her on as a paid servant. Essentially her duties are the same, only her title is changed. But when the Angels take her away, she complains of being imprisoned on the mountain, even though they offer freely to take her down at her request. Because she fears flying with the angels she rejects this offer and continues to complain about being imprisoned. Later, even when they find a way down for her without flying, she continues to complain. Although she claims to be denied her free will, she is denied nothing throughout the course of the book. Not even the need to fulfil the desires of the God she claims to worship. Near the end, she agrees to sing in order to save the world, but tells Gabriel she is leaving. No one stops her. She leaves with the Edori, and spends much time deciding which Edori boy to seduce. As selfish and irritating as she can be -- and certainly she has that right after five years of slavery and watching angels murder her family -- she moves the story along and maintains the suspense. There is a lot of Old Testament philosphy here. Much "what if there were angels?" As Fantasy, it's a beautiful novel, well worth reading. As Science Fiction it fails completely. Who put the ship in orbit? And why? How were the Angels bred and why do they have powers beyond that of the humans? How is this achieved? For that, check out Frank Herbert's "Destination: Void" and "The Jesus Incident."
Rating:
Summary: Almost flawless
Review: I picked this book up on a whim - I wanted something relaxing to read, and I liked the cover. Somewhat to my surprise, it turned out to be one of the best fantasy books I've read in a long time. Shinn's storytelling is flowing and direct, her characters are believable and sympathetic and her premise is fascinating. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy, fairy tales, or just great storytelling.
Rating:
Summary: Engrossing
Review: A wonderful book! One of Shinn's best. Complex, fascinating characters set in a fantastical but not-unbelievable world. Superficially, a romance story, but one that challenges the reader to re-examine ideas of race, religion and privilege, as well as to rediscover the beauty in the music that surrounds us.
Rating:
Summary: A very enjoyable read
Review: Amazon.com message boards were what pointed out this book to me and I am very glad that I read it. I found this book to be very enjoyable on many levels. As a love story, adventure, theology, etc. There are some very memorable characters in this book including Rachel and Gabriel. Though at times it is very tightly plotted, it did not detract from the storyline. I would also recommend that you read the other two books in the series because they are also very good.
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