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In 1996, Sharon Shinn introduced us to the world of Samaria, a place of mortals and angels living in harmony. This world remains one of my favorites in literature, so imagine my delight when I heard Shinn wrote a new Samaria novel, Angelica.
Once again it is time for an angel to take a bride. Gaaron is soon to become archangel, and he needs an angelica to sing by his side. The god chooses an Edori woman, a woman who is already in love with another man.
Susannah's love is not such a simple thing, for she soon discovers her lover has been with another woman. When an angel sweeps down from the sky and carries her off to his home, she believes it to be a good thing. She wants to forget her lover, but taking on a new life is unlike anything she expected.
Slowly, unspoken affection blooms between Gaaron and Susannah. He has never been good when it comes to speaking to women and believing he has no interest in her, Susannah keeps her mouth shut.
When strange black-clad strangers begin to rain fire upon the people of Samaria, Susannah and Gaaron must place their fragile relationship on the back burner, so they might make the world safe once again.
Whether you're new to the series or a long-time fan like me, you'll slip easily into this new novel. The world is both accessible and deep; Samaria is a rich dessert, full of texture and flavor that leaves you hungry for more. It is a delightful blend of science-fiction, fantasy, mystery, and romance. For me, it doesn't get much better than that.
Other books in the series: Archangel, Jovah's Angel, and The Alleluia Files. The dust jacket of Angelica says it's an "earlier time" in the series--it predates Archangel. Let us hope Shinn continues going backward to one day tell us Hagar's story.
