nakedsushi's review against another edition
3.0
This one was a sleeper hit. I forgot how this ended up on my To-Read list, and from the description of it, it's not something that I would read, but once I started it with the mentality that it's a fantasy book with some sci-fi elements (the oracles were working on computers, right?), it was easier to take in all of the religious stuff about angels and praying and god.
The descriptions of music and singing were wonderfully written, like I could hear the music in my head. The conflicts between Gabriel and Rachel were believable, but they seemed to have reached a resolution with minimal back and forth. Things just happened to work out too well for me, in the end. And I still have a problem with the whole "okay, so God told us to be together so let's just fall in love and be together" sort of love between them.
The descriptions of music and singing were wonderfully written, like I could hear the music in my head. The conflicts between Gabriel and Rachel were believable, but they seemed to have reached a resolution with minimal back and forth. Things just happened to work out too well for me, in the end. And I still have a problem with the whole "okay, so God told us to be together so let's just fall in love and be together" sort of love between them.
bookhaulin's review against another edition
3.0
Opinion improved after finishing the book with the improvement of the heroine, but the rating's mainly for the music. If I could, I'd give it two and a half stars.
agirlcalledal's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
clarissep's review against another edition
4.0
As seen on The Bookcase Diaries blog.
Actual Rating: 3.75 out of 5
After Angelfall 1 & 2 whetted my appetite for angel stories, I had this one all lined up and ready as my next read thanks to all the wondrous reviews it garnered from people I follow on Goodreads. In the end I must admit this one is a tough book to rate. For the most part I liked it, but a part of me also has some qualms about certain things, many forgivable and some annoying. This book is mostly a love story with a bit of "angel politics" thrown on the side, and though I can't really say much on the politics part-- and I won't discuss the religious implications of this book either; let's just enjoy it as a work of fiction!-- I certainly feel like the love story is a little frustrating.
Let's break it down using my new review format.
The greatest strength of this book without a shadow of a doubt lies in its world-building. It was simply sublime to read something so richly imagined, and of course consequently so easy to envision. I had a wonderful time traveling through Samaria and getting to know its different inhabitants, from the greedy merchants of Semorrah, the slave-drivers of Jansai, down to the colourful Edori nomads. And of course, the angels! The structure of the community within this world was so well planned by the author that many of my questions about the hierarchy of the angels and societal practices of the humans were answered rather easily. The set-up paved the way for an interesting political conflict between future-Archangel Gabriel and current-Archangel Raphael. (I also liked where and when the thunderbolt and smiting happened-- just saying!)
The other thing I loved about the book was Gabriel himself. It's odd that I would find him more relatable than his human counterpart, given that he is an angel after all. But then I understand his struggles more. He tries his best to do the right thing even if that may not please everyone. He also tries his best to understand situations that are new to him. And even if he had a bad temper initially, he changed because he really wanted to try and make it work with Rachel, which is something I must applaud him for. Rachel is not an easy person to like! And the thing is I actually see him grow and become better, stronger, wiser by the end of it all.
I found myself having a rather difficult time sympathizing with Rachel. At a glance she's like the heroine everyone is supposed to like-- strong-willed, a fighter, never let's anyone dictate her actions. She survived five years of slavery, working in a house where her every movement is restricted by shackles. It creates quite a bit of trauma for her. And I suppose I should blame her attitude on her life experiences, but what annoyed me was how she bordered on sulky all the damn time. She is never straightforward with her true feelings, and though yes I understand she hides herself inside her anger, would it kill her to be honest every once in a while? She stayed in that stupid stubborn cocoon of rage until the very end, which is why I felt very little growth in her as a character. She says all the stubborn things on purpose just to spite Gabriel, even if those things are not what she really wants to tell him. I mean, girl, get over yourself! Seriously.
Another thing I dislike is the book cover, which is amazingly bizarre. Okay, that angel standing in the distance is probably Gabriel and I assume Rachel is singing there, but what the heck is she holding? If that orb in her hand is her Kiss of God, the stone that is supposed to be embedded on her arm, then someone did not read this novel before approving that cover. And that feather on her other hand? Angels really hate having their wings touched or even brushed against, let alone have one of their feathers plucked out. Tell me that is the feather of a really big bird. There are better ways to design this cover is all I'm saying.
The romance in the book was something akin to watching a cat and mouse cartoon (Tom & Jerry, anyone?) where both want to kill each other the whole length of the show but end up enjoying each other's company in the end. It was a very aggravating case of "will they, won't they" but then the very last few pages was so sweet I couldn't help but exult with a booming FINALLY!
The reason why the romance aspect is under the blah heading is not because it is terrible or badly written, but because I can't quite place how I feel about it. Mostly I was very frustrated (as if I had not said this enough in my review!) with the actions of both our protagonists. Rachel takes the brunt of it, of course. And yet I liked that the romance was slow, and I liked seeing how it built over time. What started out as a severe dislike and misunderstanding of each other blossomed and turned into something neither of them expected nor acknowledged. But it was there despite their battles against it-- love. I wish I could say the ending all but made up for the rest of the wild goose chase between Gabriel and Rachel, but it barely did. And in the end I couldn't give this book a higher rating since it is after all a romance novel and I am not wholly satisfied with the romance.
I devoured this book initially, until I got to about 70% when I started feeling like the book is taking too damn long to be over. Most of it I think is because of Rachel's tiring attitude-- I'm shocked Gabriel tolerated it for so long. I was beginning to feel dismal about it because until the very end it seemed Rachel was more dead set on testing Gabriel than being real with herself (and him). But thankfully the ending was too sweet not to love. To be quite honest I feel like Rachel's change of heart only happened at those very last pages, and so I am a bit displeased with her growth as a character, but because this book is undeniably well-written I can never say I am disappointed with this book.
Actual Rating: 3.75 out of 5
After Angelfall 1 & 2 whetted my appetite for angel stories, I had this one all lined up and ready as my next read thanks to all the wondrous reviews it garnered from people I follow on Goodreads. In the end I must admit this one is a tough book to rate. For the most part I liked it, but a part of me also has some qualms about certain things, many forgivable and some annoying. This book is mostly a love story with a bit of "angel politics" thrown on the side, and though I can't really say much on the politics part-- and I won't discuss the religious implications of this book either; let's just enjoy it as a work of fiction!-- I certainly feel like the love story is a little frustrating.
Let's break it down using my new review format.
THE GOOD
The greatest strength of this book without a shadow of a doubt lies in its world-building. It was simply sublime to read something so richly imagined, and of course consequently so easy to envision. I had a wonderful time traveling through Samaria and getting to know its different inhabitants, from the greedy merchants of Semorrah, the slave-drivers of Jansai, down to the colourful Edori nomads. And of course, the angels! The structure of the community within this world was so well planned by the author that many of my questions about the hierarchy of the angels and societal practices of the humans were answered rather easily. The set-up paved the way for an interesting political conflict between future-Archangel Gabriel and current-Archangel Raphael. (I also liked where and when the thunderbolt and smiting happened-- just saying!)
The other thing I loved about the book was Gabriel himself. It's odd that I would find him more relatable than his human counterpart, given that he is an angel after all. But then I understand his struggles more. He tries his best to do the right thing even if that may not please everyone. He also tries his best to understand situations that are new to him. And even if he had a bad temper initially, he changed because he really wanted to try and make it work with Rachel, which is something I must applaud him for. Rachel is not an easy person to like! And the thing is I actually see him grow and become better, stronger, wiser by the end of it all.
THE BAD
I found myself having a rather difficult time sympathizing with Rachel. At a glance she's like the heroine everyone is supposed to like-- strong-willed, a fighter, never let's anyone dictate her actions. She survived five years of slavery, working in a house where her every movement is restricted by shackles. It creates quite a bit of trauma for her. And I suppose I should blame her attitude on her life experiences, but what annoyed me was how she bordered on sulky all the damn time. She is never straightforward with her true feelings, and though yes I understand she hides herself inside her anger, would it kill her to be honest every once in a while? She stayed in that stupid stubborn cocoon of rage until the very end, which is why I felt very little growth in her as a character. She says all the stubborn things on purpose just to spite Gabriel, even if those things are not what she really wants to tell him. I mean, girl, get over yourself! Seriously.
Another thing I dislike is the book cover, which is amazingly bizarre. Okay, that angel standing in the distance is probably Gabriel and I assume Rachel is singing there, but what the heck is she holding? If that orb in her hand is her Kiss of God, the stone that is supposed to be embedded on her arm, then someone did not read this novel before approving that cover. And that feather on her other hand? Angels really hate having their wings touched or even brushed against, let alone have one of their feathers plucked out. Tell me that is the feather of a really big bird. There are better ways to design this cover is all I'm saying.
THE BLAH
The romance in the book was something akin to watching a cat and mouse cartoon (Tom & Jerry, anyone?) where both want to kill each other the whole length of the show but end up enjoying each other's company in the end. It was a very aggravating case of "will they, won't they" but then the very last few pages was so sweet I couldn't help but exult with a booming FINALLY!
The reason why the romance aspect is under the blah heading is not because it is terrible or badly written, but because I can't quite place how I feel about it. Mostly I was very frustrated (as if I had not said this enough in my review!) with the actions of both our protagonists. Rachel takes the brunt of it, of course. And yet I liked that the romance was slow, and I liked seeing how it built over time. What started out as a severe dislike and misunderstanding of each other blossomed and turned into something neither of them expected nor acknowledged. But it was there despite their battles against it-- love. I wish I could say the ending all but made up for the rest of the wild goose chase between Gabriel and Rachel, but it barely did. And in the end I couldn't give this book a higher rating since it is after all a romance novel and I am not wholly satisfied with the romance.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I devoured this book initially, until I got to about 70% when I started feeling like the book is taking too damn long to be over. Most of it I think is because of Rachel's tiring attitude-- I'm shocked Gabriel tolerated it for so long. I was beginning to feel dismal about it because until the very end it seemed Rachel was more dead set on testing Gabriel than being real with herself (and him). But thankfully the ending was too sweet not to love. To be quite honest I feel like Rachel's change of heart only happened at those very last pages, and so I am a bit displeased with her growth as a character, but because this book is undeniably well-written I can never say I am disappointed with this book.
blue_bell2001's review against another edition
5.0
I plowed through this book. I thoroughly enjoyed the plot and even the heavy religious themes. I was tempted to take away a star, because I often felt annoyed by the main female protagonist. However, I realized she was intended to be frustrating, and I cannot fault the author for making a convincing character.
Sidenote: The cover art of this book doesn't match the actual character descriptions. Who let this go to print? Do better.
Sidenote: The cover art of this book doesn't match the actual character descriptions. Who let this go to print? Do better.
heidihyde779's review against another edition
3.0
So I'm going to try to be better at writing out reviews. We shall see. Read this book for book club. Might try the next book in the series. The world building was very interesting, a mix of angels and science fiction. So it's been a couple months since I read this but I remember being frustrated by the main characters and could not understand what they saw in the other not super compelling. That being said I really loved the world the author created and like to explore it further.
caedocyon's review against another edition
1.0
Archangel offers interesting potential for sci-fi exploring morality and faith with a highly interventionist, god. It never materializes, though. Instead, the book is split between a mediocre romance novel plot full of tropes I happen to hate and unsuccessful attempts at writing political intrigue.
Considering the abundance of tropes that I totally detest, I should probably be praising Archangel, because it was interesting enough that I did actually finish it. These tropes include arranged marriages between arrogant dudes and the feisty women who are destined to take them down a peg, quasi-Christian mythology, empirically-testable True Love, and a love interest dude who is almost literally Darcy with huge pure-white wings. (The angels are described as having different coloring at the beginning, but I think Shinn forgot, because by the end everyone seems to have pure-white wings.)
I think there's supposed to be politics happening. There's a spark of potential when, but mostly what passes for politics is about as subtle and fruitful as the following:
Gabriel: Hey, I'm about to become ruler of the continent, and I think we should talk about economic policy.
Burgher: Cool, here are my thoughts on trade and taxes.
Gabriel: BTW, I'm interested in ending slavery. How can I go about this to get the support of you and the other merchants?
Burgher: Um, you'd fuck up trade, and I'm not really into it.
Gabriel: *FLIPS THE TABLE* FUCK YOU AND THE HORSE YOU RODE IN ON, MY GOD WILL SMITE YOUR ASS.
The inevitable ending to a series of similar confrontations is:
God: *SMITES ALL THE ASSES*
Everyone who isn't dead: I think I should probably be sad about this?
I actually have a lot of sympathy for Rachel, despite her being the White Savior who's sort-of-a-member-of-the-oppressed-POC-group.
HoweverDarcyGabriel is a controlling asshole, and his total inability to do politics reflects that.
One thing I really wish Shinn had covered: What are the effects of and issues with the arm-crystal system? If you're going to write quasi-Christian sci-fi, don't you at some point have to deal with why or why not this is like the Mark of the Beast and/or Baptism? The potential here is huge---there's a whole group of people without arm-crystals for political/faith reasons, and they are maybe discriminated against on this basis?---but the only plot purpose the arm-crystals end up serving is to sparkle when people's True Love's are in the room. (BARF.) At least my fears that the sparkly Twu Wuv arm-crystals would gain other, even stupider powers were unfounded.
(15 April 2014) A woman next to me on the plane today was reading a trashy urban fantasy novel and I suddenly wanted to do the same, so I picked up Archangel which a friend lent to us last month.
Do you even know how many fucking books there are titled Archangel? A Lot.
(9 May 2014) I finished this a few weeks ago, and my thoughts on it haven't changed, other than that it was kind of disappointing. Updated my review to append fact to speculation.
Spoiler
mechanicalConsidering the abundance of tropes that I totally detest, I should probably be praising Archangel, because it was interesting enough that I did actually finish it. These tropes include arranged marriages between arrogant dudes and the feisty women who are destined to take them down a peg, quasi-Christian mythology, empirically-testable True Love, and a love interest dude who is almost literally Darcy with huge pure-white wings. (The angels are described as having different coloring at the beginning, but I think Shinn forgot, because by the end everyone seems to have pure-white wings.)
I think there's supposed to be politics happening. There's a spark of potential when
Spoiler
Rafael talks about identifying with LuciferGabriel: Hey, I'm about to become ruler of the continent, and I think we should talk about economic policy.
Burgher: Cool, here are my thoughts on trade and taxes.
Gabriel: BTW, I'm interested in ending slavery. How can I go about this to get the support of you and the other merchants?
Burgher: Um, you'd fuck up trade, and I'm not really into it.
Gabriel: *FLIPS THE TABLE* FUCK YOU AND THE HORSE YOU RODE IN ON, MY GOD WILL SMITE YOUR ASS.
The inevitable ending to a series of similar confrontations is:
Spoiler
Everyone: Hm, do you think God will smite asses? Suspense!!God: *SMITES ALL THE ASSES*
Everyone who isn't dead: I think I should probably be sad about this?
I actually have a lot of sympathy for Rachel, despite her being the White Savior who's sort-of-a-member-of-the-oppressed-POC-group.
However
One thing I really wish Shinn had covered: What are the effects of and issues with the arm-crystal system? If you're going to write quasi-Christian sci-fi, don't you at some point have to deal with why or why not this is like the Mark of the Beast and/or Baptism? The potential here is huge---there's a whole group of people without arm-crystals for political/faith reasons, and they are maybe discriminated against on this basis?---but the only plot purpose the arm-crystals end up serving is to sparkle when people's True Love's are in the room. (BARF.) At least my fears that the sparkly Twu Wuv arm-crystals would gain other, even stupider powers were unfounded.
(15 April 2014) A woman next to me on the plane today was reading a trashy urban fantasy novel and I suddenly wanted to do the same, so I picked up Archangel which a friend lent to us last month.
Do you even know how many fucking books there are titled Archangel? A Lot.
(9 May 2014) I finished this a few weeks ago, and my thoughts on it haven't changed, other than that it was kind of disappointing. Updated my review to append fact to speculation.
eb00kie's review
4.0
Bit slow-paced but good worldbuilding. The character dynamics are choppy as fuck, which nets off against the powerful finale.
I won't change the rating. However, skimming a bit 12 years later, I still remember part of the story. I remember how she fought and how she trained for her singing event. That singing event which would decide whether her pre-selected husband would get a promotion. The underlying assumption that Rachel will 'come to her senses' and get with Gabriel is increasingly jarring every time I revisit the book, and only because their dynamic mellows up believably, it's easier to stomach. If it weren't for the originality of the worldbuilding and outside of the particular context it provides, the barebones story is unbelievable and kind of disgusting.
The sequel pulls the rug from under the fantasy approach in the first book, and the transition to another genre was too jarring to continue reading, hence I didn't stick through with the series.
I won't change the rating. However, skimming a bit 12 years later, I still remember part of the story. I remember how she fought and how she trained for her singing event. That singing event which would decide whether her pre-selected husband would get a promotion. The underlying assumption that Rachel will 'come to her senses' and get with Gabriel is increasingly jarring every time I revisit the book, and only because their dynamic mellows up believably, it's easier to stomach. If it weren't for the originality of the worldbuilding and outside of the particular context it provides, the barebones story is unbelievable and kind of disgusting.
The sequel pulls the rug from under the fantasy approach in the first book, and the transition to another genre was too jarring to continue reading, hence I didn't stick through with the series.
jackirenee's review against another edition
4.0
Gabriel is set to soon become Archangel of Samaria. With less than six months before he takes his rightful place, he is still without an angelica, a wife to stand by his side and lead the singing at the Gloria. Destined by his god's word to marry Rachel, Gabriel must first find her, and then he must convince her to rule by his side.
For fans of the Dragon Riders of Pern sereis, written by Anne McCaffrey, many points of Archangel will feel a bit familiar. From the origins of Samaria to the ways in which the society is developed and situated. Rather than dragonriders, we have angels, beings who sing to change the weather, to ask for the God's blessing, and who sit at a distinguished seat of society.
The relationships in Archangel, as well as some of the characters, also remind me a great deal of the Dragonrider series. Gabriel and his half-brother remind me a great deal of F'lar and F'nor. Rachel and Gabriel are much like Lessa and F'lar. Rachel herself reminds me a great deal of Lessa. Although, I think I wanted to slap Rachel a bit more than Lessa.
This familiarity is what took away a star in my ratings. Archangel does have a unique theological twist, absent in the Dragonriders. It also has a few side characters that I truly enjoyed (or demised as the in the case of the villians). I also greatly enjoyed the importance given to music and song, and loved the idea of a society that grants it so much importance.
The addition of the Edori, a heretical group of individuals who are being enslavement also brought an interesting dimension. Not only can future books explore the notion of "humankind" but understanding how the Edori came to be will be quite fascinating.
All in all, I could not put this book down (except when I wanted to throw it because Rachel was being IMPOSSIBLE yet again) and wish I had not waited so many years to read it.
For fans of the Dragon Riders of Pern sereis, written by Anne McCaffrey, many points of Archangel will feel a bit familiar. From the origins of Samaria to the ways in which the society is developed and situated. Rather than dragonriders, we have angels, beings who sing to change the weather, to ask for the God's blessing, and who sit at a distinguished seat of society.
The relationships in Archangel, as well as some of the characters, also remind me a great deal of the Dragonrider series. Gabriel and his half-brother remind me a great deal of F'lar and F'nor. Rachel and Gabriel are much like Lessa and F'lar. Rachel herself reminds me a great deal of Lessa. Although, I think I wanted to slap Rachel a bit more than Lessa.
This familiarity is what took away a star in my ratings. Archangel does have a unique theological twist, absent in the Dragonriders. It also has a few side characters that I truly enjoyed (or demised as the in the case of the villians). I also greatly enjoyed the importance given to music and song, and loved the idea of a society that grants it so much importance.
The addition of the Edori, a heretical group of individuals who are being enslavement also brought an interesting dimension. Not only can future books explore the notion of "humankind" but understanding how the Edori came to be will be quite fascinating.
All in all, I could not put this book down (except when I wanted to throw it because Rachel was being IMPOSSIBLE yet again) and wish I had not waited so many years to read it.
megmcardle's review against another edition
5.0
I have owned this book for about 10 years but finally got around to reading it. I think it was the premise of angels that made me resist. I'm not religious and that seems like a bunch of hooey. But when I accepted it as a Fantasy world with some creatures that just *happen* to have wings, then I just got swept into the story. It has a great world, with interesting power struggles and peoples. The heart of the story is the relationship between Gabriel and Rachel, which is very angsty and fantastic. If you like romances with the willful, defiant bride going to her marriage determined to hate her husband but attracted despite herself, this will seem familiar. I also liked that there is a sneaky SF tinge to this Fantasy world. I'll have to read the other volumes to find out more about that, I'm sure. All in all, a great read.