Jovah's Angel

Having read (and loved) Shinn's first book about the planet Samaria, I was thrilled to find a sequel. Back to a world where angels fly and their song fills the skies, many years after the exciting and romantic events of Archangel. In Jovah's Angel, the weather patterns on meteorologically-unstable Samaria are deteriorating, and the only voice that seems to be hearable by Jovah, the overseeing "deity" of the planet, is that of shy, scholarly Alleluia, now forced by circumstance to play the role of Archangel, taking the place of a brilliant, injured predecessor. And political brilliance is sorely needed on Samaria, as the different factions jockey for top position, as technological advances are made (and resisted), and the weather worsens (and worsens), as knowledge is lost (and regained). Shinn is, as always, excellent in her society-building---she postulates a set of circumstances and characters and then rings the changes, inviting us along to see what happens...and it's a wonderful trip, really an engaging and wonderful book. Not dissimilar to Anne McCaffrey's Pern books, in its basic premise, but rather stronger in its depiction of a social-religious- political cultural matrix. And her depictions of the glories of human song are amazing and original. Very well done!

Sharon Shinn continues the story of angels and humans on the planet Samaria. This time around, Shinn moves more towards the Sci-fi genre, but still keeping with romantic themes, although this time, the romanctic stuggle is more predictable than in Archangel. Shinn's storytelling is still exquisite and her characters realistic and human. Shinn's work still rings true with the beauty and emotion of her angels' voices.

There is only one word I can think of: WOW! It was breath-taking! Everything was so wonderfully in-depth and carefully planned out. I cannot wait to read "The Alleluia Files" and I hope it is as wonderful as "Jovah's Angel"! The combination of the recluse angel and the eccentric mortal is classic!

It takes a lot for a book to so completely capture my attention as this series did. Ms. Shinn has the ability to transport you mind and body to another world... and then tell you it is really your own! Please, write more!

After reading and loving Archangel, I could not wait for this sequel to be published. After some initial disappointment that the book is not about the characters that so engrossed me in Archangel, I settled back into this fascinating world. Shinn writes in such a way that she can truly take you to a different place and time - you can see the dingy streets of Breven and hear the angels' harmonies through her evocative prose. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it highly - with a caution to all those who may be expecting a typical sequel that this is not one. The Samaria of Jovah's Angel has changed a lot since the first book, but it is still a place that you will enjoy reading about.