Jovah’s Angel

Samaria, Book 2

By: Sharon Shinn

Narrated by: Tamara Marston

When the reigning Archangel is grounded with a broken wing, Jovah chooses Alleluia as her successor. But now the fate of the planet rests with the reluctant Archangel Alleluia, whose own fate depends on a mortal man who believes only in science and himself.

©1998 Sharon Shinn (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Shinn's appealing scenario is carefully worked out and persuasively peopled; fans of Archangel will be gratified." ( Kirkus Reviews)

Probably my favorite of the series

This book starts out a little slow but it is so interesting and the twists are great!

What to keep secret?

Set approx 150 years after Archangel, we open with Archangel Delilah crashing and killing her Angelo and maiming herself because she was stupid and drunk enough to fly at night during a bad storm. My opinion of her doesn’t rise during the book. Having another character SAY Delilah has a positive attribute without Delilah exhibiting any of those attributes doesn’t sell it.
I really liked Alleluia trying to step up and be what the angels and Samaria needed her to be. Taking the initiative to learn the old language; to find the ears; etc. The misinterpretation of “Son of Jeremiah“ did get pretty old for me; but I could -just- see how the Oracle derailed the interpretation and how Alleluia was distracted with the demands being made on her.
While I wouldn’t have had faith in Delilah being reinstated; it was absolutely the right for Alleluia becoming the primary Oracle and keeper of secrets. There were hints in the books, but what a secret to keep!
I haven’t yet decided if I’m going to buy other books in the series or just try to get them through my library.
Marston does a decent job of narration.

An Interesting Twist to the Story's World

Would you consider the audio edition of Jovah’s Angel to be better than the print version?

Don't know. Didn't read the print version.

What did you like best about this story?

The character development is done very well by this author. She takes an interesting twist to the plot. However, it did feel like a bit of a stretch.

Have you listened to any of Tamara Marston’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes. I listened to the last book. Seems pretty much the same. She tends to read a little slow, so I'm thankful for the ability to speed it up a bit without messing up the pitch to much.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

You will never expect the new view.

A juxtaposition of science and Faith.

I absolutely love these books. Shinn is a captivating author. The entire series is addictive!

Amazing

Marston, once again, does justice to one of Sharon Shinn's novels. This time being an even more perfect sound for so many of the characters in this story. I believe her voicing of the Archangel Delilah is the high point of this book, as she can convey the wistful, lackadaisical, and sharp nature of the angel better than anyone else I could think of.

Fantastic twist...

This book is a great sequel to Archangel. There is a fantastic twist that you might not see coming if you read Archangel. I would say it's not absolutely required that you read Archangel, but you'll enjoy both books.

Fun and fanciful ... interesting theology

This is an interesting series ... theology mixed with sci-fi ... sort of. Reminds me a bit of the Dragonriders series from the standpoint of plot. If you have an interest in religion, there is some moderately interesting speculations on the nature of godhood. That being said, I am not actually sure where the author stands on the issues she presents. There is a lot of waffling that can get a bit annoying. Still, the books are fun. The reader has a very pleasant voice. A very soothing voice, so don't listen to any of these on a long car trip. I think it would put you to sleep, not because it's boring (it's not), but because the voice is so melodic and sweet. I have actually read this series through book 4 (one to go) and I have to warn you that the series does NOT proceed in chronological order. Books 1 through 3 are in order, but book 4 jumps backward and it is a bit jarring. You might want to read book 4 before book 3 if you are following the series. Each book has a different set of characters, so you can comfortably do that, though it definitely pays to read the first and second books in order. I am enjoying the series. It isn't great fiction, but it is good and pleasant and I can actually remember it even a week or more after reading it ... something not so true of many books. Worth the time and money.

Love thus story

I have read the books in this series many times, the audiobook has given me a new way to enjoy it. the narrator is great. I love how snooty she makes the Manadaavi sound.

Lovely writing, boring plot

Like the first book, Jovah's Angel had lovely writing and lush world-building. Sharon Shinn sure knows how to paint a picture with words. And I actually liked all her characters this time (unlike the psycho Rachel, who is inexplicably idealized by all the other characters in Archangel). If only she knew how to plot...

I'm giving this book 4 stars because the world-building and writing really are top notch. So are the characterizations. But the plot - oh the plot! For a large part of it, I was like, "what plot?" Pages and pages of Edori worship - how these simple nomads are so friggin' perfect! Even though the whole world's supposed to be in danger due to the angels' failing abilities, and even though Alleya uncovers shocking secrets about her world, the whole book lacks any kind of suspense.

Well, despite my kvetching, I still enjoyed it. When I wasn't zoned out.

Disclaimer: Slow-paced plotless world-building books really aren't my thing. I want action!

P.S. The narrator is excellent.

Came very close to stopping

There were a few times I came close to stopping.

Didn’t like some of the outrageous technology issues.

Didn’t like how it seemed to be a religious book that was going to try to disprove God

Fortunately, I had already bought the next one and decided to plod on.

Glad I did but I am not getting the book 4 until I finish 3