Archangel

Samaria, Book 1

By: Sharon Shinn

Narrated by: Tamara Marston

Length: 17 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

A tale of the distant future by the author of The Shape-Changer's Wife brings listeners to a world in which the fate of all life rests on the voice of an angel.

©1997 Sharon Shinn (P)2009 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Next in line to become archangel in the angel-led dominion of Samaria, Gabriel must lead the next chorale praising the god Jovah, which means he needs a wife - fast - to sing beside him. Guided by the local oracle and the light emanating from the Kiss of the Gods (a homing device in his wrist), he finds his Jovah-selected fiancee in a common Edori slave girl named Rachel. The marriage proves, however, anything but romantic....With place-names such as Gaza and Jordana, she tantalizingly hints at her Samaria's connection to an ancient Israeli past, and she tempers the angelic milieu with talk of her angels' technological heritage in an entertaining sf-fantasy blend that should please fans of both genres." ( Booklist)

An All-TIme Favorite

It was only by chance I read this first installment of Sharon Shinn's "Samaria" trilogy (#1 Archangel, #2 Jovah's Angel, #3 The Alleluia Files) about 10 years ago. I picked it up at a tag sale among the 5/$1 paperbacks, and to my surprise, it joined my list of all-time favorite books. Jovah's Angel is also excellent, and is a necessary sequel because it explains the mysteries of Jovah and the hierarchy of life on Samaria. I thought The Alleluia Files was just OK, and subsequent books in the series seemed like overkill (I never went beyond book 4).

I was dubious about getting the audio version of Archangel both because I know the story and its outcome so well and because I feared bad narration might "spoil" this longtime favorite for me. Despite what others have written about Tamara Marston's performance, however, I truly enjoyed her presentation and loved the book all over again.

It is true that the main characters are self-centered and perhaps not instantly lovable, but they are courageous and honorable and I enjoyed watching their deepening love and humanity unfold as their adventures heated up. The villains are one-dimensionally villainous, but great foils for the heroics, and the book's climax is memorable. It may not rank as great literature, but Archangel presents a unique and thought-provoking "alternate world," as well as an ultimately heart-warming romance.

Wonderful Read

I loved this book and in fact the whole series, so much so that I listen to it often while waiting for my monthly credits to come. I find after listening to the whole series that I miss the characters. If you want to escape from reality for a bit this is the series to get. I wish Ms. Shinn would expand the series. I do find that the series jumps around a bit but if you get them all you can listen to them in the order of time in the story and not the order released. By this I mean that Angel Seeker which is her last book in the series actually takes place at the end of Gabriel's (Archangel) rein. I'm looking forward to Ms Shinn's other books!

Love these books!

I’m so happy these great books are now audiobooks! I have all of the Samaria books & now I’ll get the audiobooks. Great author!

Much different than I expected. Better!

This book was suggested to me. I was not that interested by the written description but within ten minutes of listening I was hooked! It is not preachy or sanctimonious. It has a refreshing, unique storyline and cast of characters. If you like adventures with a hint of romance and protagonists with integrity and intelligence, this will be an interesting book.

The performance was very well done and the reader did a five star job. The only reason I gave four stars is that I feel strongly that this book would benefit from a male reader for the male voice as is done in the Wheel Of Time series. Though this reader does a great job with character separation.

Interesting world-building

Gabriel was the youngest ever angel to be designated to become the next Archangel of Samaria. For 15 years Gabriel’s known that he will replace the Archangel Raphael at the end of his 20 year term, but Raphael has no intention of giving up his power. He no longer believes in God, and has made sure to cultivate his powerful earthbound friends.
Gabriel doesn’t know how much Raphael has interfered in the life of his future Angela-Consort, Rachel. It’s five months until the singing of the annual Gloria, when Gabriel is to take over, and his Angela must lead the worship. But he has to find and marry her first; then tame her.
Spoiler Alert: We get hints that this might be a created colony and “the screen” hints at space oversight:::::
The world building is well done; the story is well written; but don’t expect real fireworks or action sequences. If you don’t need the lively, you can better appreciate the quality.
Marston does a decent job of narration.
I’m giving this 4 stars = Great

Wonderful Book - Not a Great Narrator

I am another huge fan of Sharon Shinn???s books. I was thrilled to see that the Archangel books had come out on Audible! Unfortunately, the narrator leaves much to be desired; but the story is so enjoyable that I forget that I don???t like the way she reads until someone ???speaks??? with a twang. Oh well, I will overlook it and get all of the books as they are some of my all-time favorites. Now, how about ???Summers at Castle Auburn??? [read well]?

I could listen to Tamara Marston read FOREVER!

The story was captivating and I found myself not wanting it to end! The truth is that a good book was made a GREAT book Tamara Marston's reading of it.

Great book and narrator!!

Don't let other reviews about bad narration prevent you from getting this book. It's a fabulous story and I personally enjoyed the narrator. I did listen to a sample before purchasing since I was concerned based on all the other reviews. Definitely worth a credit!!

Jean C Missed the mark every time it mattered!

Wonderful beginning, but thereafter, the story missed the mark every time it really mattered. I wish I could rewrite it myself! A love story between a slave girl and an angel--what more could you ask for? Still, though I loved the potential, I wanted more. For example, I waited and waited for Rachel to sing, because music was the heart of this love story. Unfortunately, by the time Rachel finally lifts her fabulous voice, the moment is completely overshadowed by other monumental events, and looses all its potential wow. I just couldn't see the point of Rachel hiding her talent just for spite.

I also waited for Rachel and Gabriel to acknowledge their love and consummate their marriage, but by the time they did, it hardly mattered anymore. The perfect moment came and went after Gabriel rescued Rachel and she finally told her story. This should have been their moment. (I'm not talking about a full out Nora Roberts sex scene), but at least a tasteful acknowledgement of their love and passion.

I wanted to see them become a team, fighting together to improve their world. Instead they both cringed or blasted each other at any mention of her years of slavery. It should have been their battle cry and call to arms, instead it was treated as a side issue, prelating only to other people.

I would also have enjoyed seeing some character development and inclusion of minor players such as Rachel's former young mistress who wanted to be her friend and would have freed her. It's clear this gentle lady had a courageous heart and independent values. Moreover, unlike Rachel, this lady makes the best of her arranged marriage and chooses to love her husband. The story suggests that she influences her husband and changes him for the better. She definitely saves his life. I would like to have seen Rachel continue a friendship with this lady. Instead both she and Gabriel dismisse her as weak, powerless and inconsequential.

I was none too impressed with Rachel's angellic shopping friend. (I forget her name). There was nothing interesting about this privileged angel other than her backstory and the fact that she loved a man she couldn't have. Her story is further developed in another book.

I would also have enjoyed more character development regarding the current archangels intended bride and the angelseeker wife he replaces her with. I know I'd have rooted for the chosen bride and would have enjoyed seeing her escape a dreadful fate. (Maybe she and the angelseeker change places--both wanting what the other had!) I didn't especially like or dislike the angelseeker wife but I was interested in her story and would have liked to see her survive to tell it.

I have read most of Sharon Shinn books, and really like this author. My favorite are the Twelve Houses books, but I also enjoyed the Elemental Blessings stories. I haven't wanted to read the shape-shifter books because the topic doesn't interest me. I would try the Echoes series, but I didn't like the narrator, and prefer audible stories.

Did not like this book

I could not even finish this audio. I am the type of person who has to finish everything no matter what and I did not even get thru the 1st part. I was disappointed by the reviews. This book is about a slave girl (who was only a slave for the last 5 years of her life) she is bitter and hates all. She has to marry an archangel. Who they dont even try to get along and do everything to stay apart. The archangel tries but Rachel does everything to keep her distance but comes on to another archangel. That is as far as I could get and had to stop. DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME OR MONEY ON THIS AUDIO.