Rating: 
Summary: A Special Read
Review: My reading interests vary across the entire spectrum. But SF & Fantasy hold a special place in my heart as it was what really got me into reading more than 40 years ago.I stumbled upon Archangel browsing markdowns/ remainders at a bricks & mortar bookstore and thought it might be an interesting read. It has certainly exceeded that expectation. To my delight, it is a story I enjoyed immemsely and it has not left me alone. And the sequels I've found to be even better [and I have a special note about that later for those interested]. An SF/Fantasy author's challenge - as faced by any author - is the creation of a full, rich world, alive with people you believe in and care about. Shinn has most certainly achieved that in the Samaria trilogy. I found, of the three books, Archangel seemed - as noted by the Amazon.com reviewer - to be "plotty and calamitous;" and maybe just a bit too much of that for my taste. It seems Rachel and Gabriel have to go through just a bit too much "angst" (and in too repetitive a manner) that it starts to become a bit tedious for the reader. But not enough to break the storyline. My initial impression was that of a writer who was still somewhat immature in her writing style, and trying a little too hard in getting the emotions across to the reader. But if you take the opportunity to read the sequels, I believe that you will see that Shinn's style has matured and grown. She seems to be a very solid author, and one from whom I will look for other high-quality work. Shinn also accomplishes something many others attempt - a memorable and fully-defined set of female characters who truly stand on their own. Rachel, Alleluia, Tamar, Lucinda - each a strong, determined and interesting person - and who take a seat to no other character in these books. Overall, these have been a pleasure to read. And this is one series that gives the reader that bittersweet feeling of wishing for more, but knowing that the author has moved on to other worlds and challenges. [Now the special note about the series: By chance - I was heading out the door on a long trip - I grabbed The Alleluia Files to read instead of Jovah's Angel. Usually I like to read related books in the date published order. But I have to recommend that others consider reading the books in that order as well (Archangel, then The Alleluia Files, followed by Jovah's Angel). I found that the story in The Alleluia Files was more intriguing not "knowing" the answers about the source of some of the key story elements revealed in Jovah's Angel. It was a pleasure to "go back" and read Jovah's Angel as a 'prequel.'] I hope you take the opportunity to read these books. It is worth the time.
Rating:
Summary: Definitely Out of the Ordinary
Review: I'm die-hard fan of fantasy novels, so I must've read hundreds of such books, but "Archangel" definitely stands out for its uniquely imaginative environment, symbolism, characters, and plot. Shinn's work is a proof of my thesis that female authors indeed are usually better than their male colleagues at portrayals of memorable heroines. Compare Shinn's portrayal of the herione against that of Donaldson's "Mirror" books and Barker's "Imajica", and you will clearly recognize Shinn's superior skills in characterization. (Well, relatively speaking - "Gone with the Wind" and "Jane Eyre" are in different universe altogether...) My only complaint was the repeated descriptive reminders that the angels look like... a cross between Chippendale and Calvin Klein models. Overall, however, a must-read for fantasy fans.
Rating: 
Summary: Ineffably good
Review: I typically stay away from science fiction, avoid books centered around romance, and scoff at the idea of angels and other religious matters. I picked this up only because I had liked Shinn's The Shape-Changer's Wife and was badly in need of something to read. Needless to say, no one was more astonished than I was to find that I loved Archangel. It definitely ranks among my favorite five books. Part of Archangel's appeal for me is inexplicable, but some can be attributed to the incredibly rich and intriguingly different world building (complete with legends, religion and economy) that never feels pointlessly detailed. Another factor was that Rachel is the one character in all my reading with whom I have best identified. I was surprised to find that I enjoyed the romance very much; it is done with extreme skill, which is a major change from multitudinous, anonymous bodice-rippers. For whatever reason, Archangel deeply affected me, and I am still thrilled every time I read it. Now all I want is to hear Rachel and Gabriel's duet... The latter two books (Jovah's Angel, The Alleluia Files) do not match the brilliance Archangel achieves, but they are still well worth reading.
Rating:
Summary: Archangle
Review: This book keeps getting better and better every time I read it. It grabbs you and flings you into the world of Semorah and makes you laugh, cry, and sigh with envy. And awesome read.
Rating:
Summary: a story of all time!
Review: Hi all you readers out there. I must share my interest in this book, cuz i found it so breathtaking i didn't wanna get it outta my mind. Reading shinn's story is like living it every step of the way. A troubled world but tempting as ever. Who wouldn't wanna live on samaria. After reading the rest of the samaria books i fell in love with the characters in every book and most of all SAMARIA! Since i liked the book so much i wrote a song about it being that i couldn't get it off my mind, and i would like to share it with all u other readers out there! : A HUMAN ANGEL You came to me from out of the light/ You were the sight of something i never seen/ You knew where i'd be, and i was lost/ With the presence of your breath/ you keep reviving me again and again, like manna from it's pouring rain/ after all the hard times and insufferable pain/ with an open mind and heart/ you always show me the way to go..... With you by my side, I can walk on water/ float in the wind, spin the world/ do just about anything/ cuz i found a human angel/ I can love you when you are not here to stay/ I can love you when you are far far away/ i found a human angel/ i hear his heart beat from miles and miles away / When the world is lost/ You pick me up and fly me off, into the night/ through dark clouds and shooting storms/ I never worry/ within the reach of your wings, i know i'll be alright/ you always show me the way to go/ i know it's all for the best/ no need to tell me cuz i know/ it's the love for me you're trying to show.... With you by my side, I can walk on water/ float in the wind, spin the world/ do just about anything/ cuz i found a human angel/ I can love you when you are not here to stay/ I can love you when you are far far away/ i found a human angel/ i hear his heart beat from miles and miles away/ with an open mind, an open heart/ you always show me the way to go....../ and i know, it's the love for me you're trying to show........ wingsan@hotmail.com
Rating:
Summary: My favorite
Review: I came upon this book in my local library and thought I would try it. I loved it. I have read it five times since then. It has just romance that wont make you gag. The charactors Rachel and Gabriel are intriguing. I only wish the author would have a sequel to the story of Gabriel and Rachel. Read this bookl. You will love it!
Rating:
Summary: Engrossing character drama set in a bold new world
Review: I was thorougly impressed by this book, which creates a fully realized world and dares to also have -- gasp! -- human relationships as the centerpiece of the drama. Thank god some authors aren't afraid to challenge the stereotypical notion that all science fiction readers find romance "icky." If you think that two souls discovering each other is automatically "chick romance," then this book is not for you. If, however, you feel a book has not truly succeeded unless it has drawn you into the minds and hearts of the characters as fully as it has absorbed you into their otherworldly milieu, then you're sure to enjoy this timeless story set in a fascinating and thought-provoking world. Kudos to Sharon Shinn for creating a breath-taking tale.
Rating:
Summary: pretty good!
Review: I thought this was a good book. I liked the way Ms. Shinn added biblical fantasy with SF. The only reason why I gave this book 4 stars, is because she doesn't use the same characters in her next book _Jovah's Angel_.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Reading
Review: I thought this book was excellent and i dont usually like sci-fi books. Not to classify it into a catagory. I have read the trilogy: and I thought it was excellent. A rarity..I have found a new favorite author..I would recommend this to anyone who's looking for an interesting read..
Rating: 
Summary: Strictly for the unicorn set.
Review: This exemplifies everything that's wrong with 'chick SF': The histrionic characters, the slapdash plot, the gratuitous, predictable, and manipulative drama. Hard to believe this is the same Shinn that wrote the excellent _The Shape-Changer's Wife_. I'm sure the same people that buy the endless outpouring of Perncrap will get this. I guess someone has to keep the McCaffrey ghostwriters in biscuits and cold water.
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