Archangel

I love this book while simultaneously hating parts of it. It is definitely an engaging book--i couldn't put it down--and the world building and language are really lovely. If I hadn't wanted to throttle the life out the heroine so often, I think I would really, truly love it. Rachel is one of the most irritating characters I've ever read about--it makes her difficult to like at times, especially when you watch her being henious to Gabriel, who (unlike Rachel) really grew on me. I was actually tolerating her fairly well up until the trip to the Plain of Sharon, then I finally lost my patience, and was so exhausted by the drama by the end of the book that I couldn't enjoy the conclusion. Although the book ends happily enough, knowing Rachel, and having suffered through the same tiring cycle about five times before, I can't imagine these two characters living together happily for more than a few hours at a time. I don't believe they lived happily ever after, and I don't see how they could without Rachel having a complete turn around, unless having small spurts of happiness interspersed with long periods of angst driven by childishness and bad communication can be called "happily ever after". I understand Rachel, and if she had spent the last fifty or so pages not being horrible, I think I would be raving about this book. As it is, I lost my sense of empathy for the heroine and, as much as it pains me to say it, the conclusion felt sour and doomed.

I will never forget the fist time I read this book. We were camping, and everyone in my group had decided to go on a hike. I had just read the first chapter, and I told them, "Go without me, I need to read this book." Sharon Shinn has remained a favorite author over the years, but the world she created here remains one of my favorites. I am glad it's available on eBook now, so I have it in an easily portable form. It's one of my comfort reads. I'm sure other reviews will detail the plot, the lyricism, and the rest of it. One thing I will say - I am not generally a fan of Angels, but this book is on my top 20 list of all-time. And I read a lot.

This is a well written story. It's 2018 when I've discovered it, and find it compelling in ways that contemporary authors lack. But in the story is unpleasant events and unlikable behavior, especially in the protagonist, Rachael, so it's difficult to get through. She is a thoroughgoing jerk. Admittedly, the world is fascinating, with its focus on song, and just the right amount of description. I want to learn more. But as the story goes, it gets darker and uglier. The more that is revealed, the more I fear that I will revile it. It's the people; the innuendo; the personal betrayals and callousness that stain human interaction. It is drama. And that's a shame. I write my review at the half way point. I'll return to finish this review if I should finish the book. But I'm sick of her, and will be putting this one down.

This is not a perfect book but it is a perfectly created world. I just loved the concept so much, I was prepared to look over minor flaws. It's well written and fascinating, lots to think about. I loved the finale at the Plains of Sharon, very powerful. I loved most of the characters. I agree with others, that Rachel's rage and stubbornness were a bit hard to take, but the ideas of the book were so fascinating, that I gave her a pass. I read this book originally in 1997, and realize that I have read it again every 10 years or so, so this was my third reading, and that to me is the sign of a keeper, when your mind returns to it every so often and you know you have to reread it once more. I'm happy to have it on my shelves.

I remember loving this book when I was in middle school, then rediscovering it as an adult and I must say, Sharon Shinn has a way of drawing you into her worlds and bringing her characters to life. I am always happy when a book can transport me to a completely different setting and hold my attention rapt. It was as if I was apart of the choir singing at the Gloria or apart of the edori tribe traveling the world, crooning to the god for throwing curses on the city. Her descriptions of events are so vivid and I really enjoyed the religious undertones the book had.Is it worth it ? Yes, Yes and Yes

Sharon Shinn's Samaria books are some of my favorites, even though they're technically "young adult" fiction. Very creative (if somewhat unexplained) world, and she almost always manages a good balance in her characters between "follow your dreams" and "do what is needed of you." This one probably exemplifies that the most out of the series. I'm not sure if it's meant to be the first in the series (chronologically in the storyline, it isn't) but it gives the best setup of what the world is like and the types of characters you'll get to know.I marked some sexual content only because it gets briefly referenced (after all, main characters do end up married), but nothing is described.

This was the first book by Sharon Shinn that I ever read, and it continues to be one of my favorites. Shinn is a talented writer with a deft touch for narrative descriptions and for building interesting characters. The dialog can be just a bit wooden, but that is largely because she makes no attempt to insert slang or colloquialisms in her characters' words. On the other hand, there also aren't a lot of made-up words or faux foreign phrases to plod through, as is often the case with a fantasy novel. Overall, the story of Rachel and Gabriel unfolds beautifully. The longing that each begins to feel for the other becomes almost palpable, even as they refuse to admit to themselves (much less each other) that they're falling in love.One aspect of Shinn's writing that I particularly enjoy is that she does not include gratuitous violence in her stories. Instead, she maintains the story's pace and advances the plot by showing the tensions between what a person's head tells him to do and what his heart insists he do, and what happens as a result of those tensions. She also has a strong focus on character development, and her characters are generally very likable so a reader feels that time spent getting to know them is worth it.

I pushed reading past 10% just in case but could not take another page. The dialogue makes me cringe, the characters are so vague ( I mean really VAGUE) and how that happened is a mystery, considering the title. If one struggles to picture an Archangel in a novel suggesting it is all about him, then it tells how poor the writing is. I would not red it, if it was the last book on Earth. OMG the dense sentences that fail to make a point.OMG the dialogues that start with 'Well,' and 'Oh', the excessive exposition and half harted world building. No.Scrap that.Muddled, foggy attempts at world building. Endless dialogues that lead nowhere and tell nothing about the characters nor the plot. The whole thing is akin an evening class writing competition. I read a lot and rarely write a review -once every few years. But this being called a novel made me really angry. Not every book could/ should become a world classic but equally, no pile of dense pages defying even the basics of storytelling and writing should be called a novel. No world class editing could save this pile of gathered sentences from embarressment.

I my goodness, I loved everything about this book! I just couldn’t put it down. Great storyline, with really interesting ideas and concepts. Whilst not really being religious, I especially loved the idea that each baby born and dedicated to the god receives the Kiss, implanted into their arm, through which Jovah knows you are alive and takes you when you die. It also reacts when you meet the person meant for you. So many moments like this! It is not a conventional love story but rather, it starts you on a journey in a new world where love is part of the tale!

One of my favourite books. I lent my copy to somebody who lost it, so had to buy myself another copy. I have read this many times and enjoy it every time. Just a wonderful book and so sad it is not more freely available. Copies are hard to find now!

Timeless romance - I first read this 15 years ago and wanted to read it again. Well written and engaging.

Fab