Angel-Seeker

Samaria, Book 5

By: Sharon Shinn

Narrated by: Tamara Marston

The award-winning author returns to Samaria in this richly romantic tale that begins where Archangel left off. In that time, the women who craved the attention of angels were known as angel-seekers, a term used with awe by some - and scorn by others.

Listen to more in the Samaria series.©2005 Sharon Shinn (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Shinn smoothly blends the romantic sensibility of yesteryear with the feminism of today, all in a richly textured landscape." (Publishers Weekly)

"A fascinating world built upon a complex system of technology and faith." (Library Journal)

"Shinn's new novel of Samaria, where angels and humans cohabit, is set in the time of rebuilding after the chaos of former archangel Raphael's fall and is told through the intertwining stories of the mortals Elizabeth and Rebekah and the angel Obadiah. Elizabeth, forced by circumstances to be a servant in her cousin's house, leaves abruptly for the new community of Cedar Hills, where she hopes to take an angel lover. Rebekah, a young Jansai woman, is dissatisfied with her life but sees no alternatives to it. Obadiah is sent by Gabriel to live in Cedar Hills and negotiate with the Jansai over issues surrounding the now-forbidden enslavement of the Elori tribes....a solid read." (Booklist)

Read as book 2

Though the 5th book in the Samaria saga, I got it as my second as this is the sequel to Archangel. I suggest you do so. More of a romance than a fantasy novel but still well written.

Favorite book in the entire the series!

Favorite book in the entire series! Best love story and characters! I recommend to all!

Decent but ending dissatisfying

This book is probably my second favorite of this series as it doesn't get mired in the not so well thought out scientific concepts found in the other books. It's a pure and enjoyable romantic tale set in Samaria with second coming of age tale woven through. That said, I find the ending far too abrupt. It could have used a couple more chapters to put a more satisfying cap on Obadiah and Rebbeca's story.

Entertainingly different slant on angels

Though I had not read the previous 4 books in this series, the story was well put together and wholly engaging on its own merits. Sharon Shinn put together a coherent world with very nicely developed characters. I'm so impressed that I'm going to start at the beginning of the series. Maybe by the time I'm done with the first 4 books, the 6th in the series will be written. I recommend this book as good story telling.

2nd read, even more impressive

I read this and the related 1st book in this series before a year or two ago. I absorbed the second time much better, I believe that it is because I read book five directly after book one. The characters, story lines, and even time period are much alike. The hero is Obadiah who was a major supporting character in book one. Gabriel, Rachel, Gabriel’s brother and his wife are all supporting characters in this book. The villains in this book were supporting villains in book one. But they are not individuals but a group who basically hold their own women prisoners in their homes “for their own good “. The culture reminds me of strict Islamic believers and the Old Testament methods of stoning women who don’t follow their rules is in this book. It’s a profoundly moving and well written book.