This is a standalone sequel to Archangel, set 150 years later in proverbially interesting times. Samaria is industrialized; the Manadavvi and Jansai are wealthier; the Edori are marginalized, their roaming lifestyle disrupted; and Jovah seems to be turning a deaf ear to his angels' prayers for abatement of increasingly destructive storms. In the midst of all this, Archangel Delilah is incapacitated and replaced by shy, unworldly Alleluia. Alleya must pacify the tribes, calm the weather, make Jovah hear her, forge a reconciliation with Delilah, and find her angelico in order to get married--there's a Gloria due in four months. Unfortunately, the tribes don't want to be pacified, the weather is uncooperative, Jovah is remote, crippled Delilah wants nothing to do with angels, and Alleya's mate is identified only as a "son of Jeremiah.&qupt; If you're stockpiling vacation reading and love a bit of romance (or Anne McCaffrey's writing!), pop Shinn's work in the pile.

From Library Journal
With angels all the latest rage, Shinn (The Shape-Changer's Wife, LJ 10/15/95) pens another fantasy tale in the Archangel world. After a night of revelry, the reigning archangel breaks her wing and is replaced by Alleluia, a nondescript scholar who must rely on the human Caleb, who believes only in science. Competently done but not exciting; recommended for fantasy collections.Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews
Sequel to Shinn's Archangel (1996), set on colony planet Samaria--the inhabitants of which are watched over by genetically engineered winged angels who intercede with Jovah (regarded as God by the colonists) to improve Samaria's miserable climate. Now, 150 years later, the crippled Archangel Delilah can no longer fly and sing for Jovah's help. Alleya, Delilah's replacement, faces mounting problems. Jovah no longer hears the prayers of the angels, Alleya excepted, so the worsening weather brings vociferous complaints from Samaria's wealthy farmers, landowners, and industrialists. Also, archangels must have mates; via the ancient telecommunications system, Jovah advises Alleya, mystifyingly, to seek ``the son of Jeremiah.'' Meanwhile, she grows increasingly friendly with handsome Caleb, an engineer who might be able to fix the angels' broken-down teaching machines. But when Alleya steels herself to communicate with Jovah, he responds tersely: ``Send help.'' No prizes for guessing what Jovah is, or who Caleb turns out to be. Despite some fairly obvious plotting, Shinn's appealing scenario is carefully worked out and persuasively peopled; fans of Archangel will be gratified. -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

One hundred and fifty years have passed since the tenure of the Archangel Gabriel and his angelica Rachel, a time of peace and stability. But now, great storms are sweeping the lands, the deserts flood, and the skies rain down death and destruction. Then the proud and beautiful Archangel Delilah falls victim to the rage of wind, as she is torn from the sky, her wing broken. She can no longer soar in the heavens, guiding and guarding those below. She can no longer be first among the angels. Never before have the oracles had to choose a new Archangel while one still lived. And though Jovah's anger blows all about them, still they must consult him. His choice - the angel Alleluia, a solitary scholar of undistinguished lineage. Now the fate of the planet rests with the reluctant Archangel Alleluia, who believes in her duty and her god. And her fate in turn, may well depend on the mortal Caleb, a man who believes only in science - and himself.

FROM THE CRITICS

Library Journal

With angels all the latest rage, Shinn (The Shape-Changer's Wife, LJ 10/15/95) pens another fantasy tale in the Archangel world. After a night of revelry, the reigning archangel breaks her wing and is replaced by Alleluia, a nondescript scholar who must rely on the human Caleb, who believes only in science. Competently done but not exciting; recommended for fantasy collections.

Kirkus Reviews

Sequel to Shinn's Archangel (1996), set on colony planet Samaria—the inhabitants of which are watched over by genetically engineered winged angels who intercede with Jovah (regarded as God by the colonists) to improve Samaria's miserable climate. Now, 150 years later, the crippled Archangel Delilah can no longer fly and sing for Jovah's help. Alleya, Delilah's replacement, faces mounting problems. Jovah no longer hears the prayers of the angels, Alleya excepted, so the worsening weather brings vociferous complaints from Samaria's wealthy farmers, landowners, and industrialists. Also, archangels must have mates; via the ancient telecommunications system, Jovah advises Alleya, mystifyingly, to seek "the son of Jeremiah." Meanwhile, she grows increasingly friendly with handsome Caleb, an engineer who might be able to fix the angels' broken-down teaching machines. But when Alleya steels herself to communicate with Jovah, he responds tersely: "Send help." No prizes for guessing what Jovah is, or who Caleb turns out to be.

Despite some fairly obvious plotting, Shinn's appealing scenario is carefully worked out and persuasively peopled; fans of Archangel will be gratified.