About this title: This romantic science fantasy launched author Sharon Shinn's Samaria series. Five hundred years ago, refugees from a war-torn planet settled on Samaria, supposedly carried there in the hands of Jovah, their god. At that time, Jovah also created angels, whose sung prayers control Samaria's turbulent weather. Gabriel is soon to take up his role as Archangel, political leader of both angels and humans. One of his most important responsibilities is to lead the Gloria, a mass performed yearly by representatives of all the people of Samaria, demonstrating their desire to live in peace and harmony. ...
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Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group
Date Published: 1996
ISBN-13:9780441004324ISBN:0441004326
Description: Grade: B. Catalog: Science Fiction General Synopsis: 390 pages. And so it came to pass...Through science, faith and force of will, the Harmonics carved out for themselves a society that they conceived o... read more
Description: Very Good. Former Library book. Great condition for a used book! Minimal wear. Shipped to over one million happy customers. Your purchase benefits world literacy! read more
Description: Good. Ace, PB, 1997, 1st PB printing, cover art by John Jude Palenchar. Good reading copy, wear on cover and corners, no markings or highlighting, solid binding. read more
Binding: Mass-market paperback
Publisher: Ace Books
Date Published: 1997
ISBN-13:9780441004324ISBN:0441004326
Description: Very good. No dust jacket as issued. Lightly read. Clean, bright, and sharp. Ready for immediate delivery! Mass market (rack) paperback. Glued binding. 400 p. Audience: General/trade. Through science, faith, and the force of will, the Harmonics carved out for themselves a society that they perceived as perfect. Diverse peoples held together by respect for each other and the prospect of swift punishment if their laws were disobeyed. read more
Description: Good. 1996-Paperback----Used-Good-Hall Street Books proudly ships from Brooklyn, NY. All orders are processed and shipped within 24 hours, M-F. 100% money back No-Worry guarantee with expedited delivery and delivery confirmation available. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Ace
Date Published: 1997-04-01
ISBN-13:9780441004324ISBN:0441004326
Description: Good. Save some $$$. Perfectly Good Reading Copy. Shelfwear from storage in box with other books. Great Copy. Ships Lightning Fast. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Ace
Date Published: 1997-04-01
ISBN-13:9780441004324ISBN:0441004326
Description: Very Good. *** Paperback in Very Good + condition. Binding secure, pages clean. No previous owner names. Very light crease to spine. *** read more
Edition: First edition. Ace ed.
Binding: Trade paperback
Publisher: Ace Books, New York
Date Published: 1996
ISBN-13:9780441003303ISBN:0441003303
Description: New. No dust jacket as issued. (121405) Trade Paperback is an advance uncorrected proof review copy in Near Mint condition. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. Audience: General/trade. read more
Binding: Mass-market paperback
Publisher: Ace Books, New York
Date Published: 1997
ISBN-13:9780441004324ISBN:0441004326
Description: New. No dust jacket as issued. (022807) 1st Mass market paperback edition is brand new in Near Mint condition with slight age browing outside page edges. Mass market (rack) paperback. Glued binding. 400 p. Audience: General/trade. read more
Description: New. Brand New! Buy with confidence-your satisfaction is guaranteed at B-Logistics! Due to the large scale of our operation, we do not have access to the specific contents/condition of our items. Please note that Expedited shipping is not available at this time. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Ace Books, New York
Date Published: 1997
ISBN-13:9780441004324ISBN:0441004326
Description: Good. * Good-Very Good Duodecimo(12mo), approx.7" Solid paperback with some creasing to the covers and spine, some yellowing of pages and light general edgewear, but overall classified as good+ copy or better. We promptly attend to requests for more detailed description, scanned images, further information on this book's condition. read more
"Set in a world where angels and mortals live together, Rachel and Gabriel, the new angelica and Archangel, must overcome their differences and sing the Gloria to Jovah before he destroys the world. However, Raphael, the current Archangel, doesn't want to give up his power.
I enjoyed this book very, very much. The characters were rich and interesting, and the romance was very well done. I also loved the way Shinn handled religion. Religion runs very heavily throughout the book, but each community had its own view of how to worship. It was handled very well, and I didn't feel like it was being shoved down my throat. My one complaint is that she got rid of the bad guy entirely too quickly. There wasn't much of a climax or a fight at the end.
"I hate it when I get through a book and think, "Blah."
Wasted potential is draped all over this book. Shinn's ideas are really interesting, and I wanted her to do more with them. More of everything. She tries to tie in this sci-fi, technological element to a fantasy-ish story and she does almost nothing with it. Wow, okay. Alternate world where there are angels and humans, and communication with the God figure is done via computers. Tying spiritual elements to technology isn't super original, but I kept waiting for Shinn to do something, anything, interesting with that idea and she never did. Oh hey, let's explore this dynamic of power in a world where Angels communicate with God, and God communicates with human oracles. Nope, let's focus on a the (frankly kind of annoying) love story, and the very tired corrupt villain plot. I kept waiting for this book to surprise me, because everything I had heard about it was how original it is. And the potential for originality is there, which makes it a disappointing read.
Instead I got two characters who apparently love each other because they're pre-destined to, so even if their relationship isn't working it STILL IS, because God says they are Meant To Be. I was supposed to be convinced that they are truly in love because their relationship is kind of like that of a famous couple of yore mentioned in the book, and that they kind of enjoy each other's singing. I'm not sufficiently curious enough to finish this series."
"Angel Gabriel has known for many years that he will be the next Archangel and that he must go to the oracle to discover who Jovah has chosen to be his Angelica or human bride. In Samaria, Archangels are a sort of divine chosen ruler over the land, changing every fifteen years. They lead Samaria in the Gloria (a sort of sung mass) each year, reminding the people of their dependence and love for Jovah. Gabriel has put off the task of finding his bride until he only has six months until his inaugural Gloria - so when he discovers his Angelica Rachel is a young woman from a family of peasant farmers he is shocked and more than a little surprised. Rachel herself has not led an easy life and is not too happy when Gabriel shows up declaring that he will be her husband. All her life her choices have been taken from her and she is not about to let Gabriel take them away from her again.
Let me start off by saying what in the heck is going on with this cover? Is Rachel cringing? Singing? Sighing? None really match her personality so I can't really figure it out. Not to mention the odd little ball - is it supposed to be the Kiss which not only allows Jovah to track you but tells you when you've found your one and only? I thought that was supposed to be embedded in your skin? Weird. Too weird. Other than the oddness of the art, I really enjoyed this unusual story of religion mixed with politics set in a brand new world. And once again Shinn does not disappoint with her wonderfully crafted characters. A competely believable hero and heroine and some nasty villains who really are a little larger than life. The narrative switches back and forth between Rachel and Gabriel, which at times seemed a bit redundant since they would cover each situation twice, but overall served to really give a good understand of each's personality. Inventive and very readable, I can't wait to pick up the rest of this fabulous series."
"I couldn't finish it. I tried to like it. The story is just so slow and boring. The main characters are annoying as all heck. Rachael has the type of personality I hate the most. Gabriel is just forgettable. All the side characters are just fluffy filler. And the whole blond Aryan getting the position of power was tiring (:the only fair one among dark featured people would be the chosen one...the special one, that irked me).
I am surprised that so many people like it. Considering my rating I thought I should support it with evidence. When you come to the halfway point in a book and nothing memorable or noteworthy has happened, and due to the fact I was growing to dislike the book the more I read it, I figured I should just quit."
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