Description:
This stand-alone sequel follows Sharon Stinn's other "Angel" books, Archangel and Jovah's Angel in a series reminiscent of Orson Scott Card's Homecoming in tone and structure. Shinn did some interesting world-building here, and The Alleluia Files takes a close look at the history, progress, and society of Samaria. Samaria was colonized long ago as a religious utopia. An orbiting satellite doubles as a god; people have worshipped and succored it for centuries. A class system developed due to the existence of genetically engineered "angels" who can fly and communicate with the satellite by singing, and who often lord it over the regular folks. Tamar is the child of rebellious cultists, raised in the heretical belief that Jovah isn't a god, but merely a technical device set up by ancestors long ago to control weather and events on Samaria. The rebel group is in retreat, with the Archangel Bael on a rampage to capture and kill off as many cultists as possible. Tamar is determined to avenge her friends and family, to free Samaria from the double stranglehold of angelic power and peoples' fear of the "god." Tamar meets Jared, an open-minded angel willing to help her on her quest, and the two disparate young people form an uneasy alliance. Likable characters, a thoroughly realized setting, and a sense of discovery make The Alleluia Files an enjoyable science fiction tale. --Bonnie Bouman--
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