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Sins of Angels #1
Echoes of Angels
After millennia of oppressive dogma, one rebellious woman seeks to change it all and spark a galactic enlightenment.When Rachel Jordan dares to question the ancient beliefs governing her world, she finds herself alone. For refusing to conform, the inquisitors have branded her a heretic. Redeemers have hunted her to a remote corner of the universe, intent on forcing her back into obedience.But she isn’t hiding.Armed with proof that the angels who saved mankind weren’t angels at all, she will break this cycle and bring freedom to humanity!Echoes of Angels is the first book of Sins of Angels, an epic space opera series set 3000 years after the fall of Earth. With the scope of Dune and the adventurous spirit of Indiana Jones, Sins of Angels delivers a conflict that spans galaxies and rests on the spirit of a single brave researcher.Follow the complete saga, and watch as the fate of our species hangs in the balance.
221 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
329 people are currently reading
455 people want to read
About the author
Matt Larkin
99 books174 followersAlong with his wife and daughter, Matt lives as a digital nomad, traveling the world while researching for his novels. He reads approximately a bazillion books a year, loves video games, and relaxes by binge watching Netflix with his wife.
Matt writes retellings of mythology as dark, gritty fantasy. His passions of myths, philosophy, and history inform his series. He strives to combine gut-wrenching action with thought-provoking ideas and culturally resonant stories.
As a child, Matt read The Lord of the Rings with his parents. This sparked a lifelong obsession with fantasy and started him on a path of discovering the roots of fantasy through mythology. In exploration of these ideas, the Eschaton Cycle was born—a universe of dark fantasy where all myths and legends play out.
Matt writes retellings of mythology as dark, gritty fantasy. His passions of myths, philosophy, and history inform his series. He strives to combine gut-wrenching action with thought-provoking ideas and culturally resonant stories.
As a child, Matt read The Lord of the Rings with his parents. This sparked a lifelong obsession with fantasy and started him on a path of discovering the roots of fantasy through mythology. In exploration of these ideas, the Eschaton Cycle was born—a universe of dark fantasy where all myths and legends play out.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
January 17, 2018
Holy snozberries, you guys, Matt Larkin knows sci-fi.
Which is not the official start of my review, I just wanted to keep that line because it has snozberries in it.
This is the official start of my review:
Psst, you. Yeah you, over there, reading the internet. I've got a secret to share with you. Come 'ere.
ECHOES OF ANGELS WAS FUCKING AWESOME.
It starts off like all good science fiction. Meaning there's a world that doesn't make any sense filled with people who don't make any sense and one person doing strange things. That don't make any sense. And reading science fiction, you expect that. The thing with "Echoes" is that by, like, chapter two you're all "OH MY GOODNESS, I CANNOT TURN THE PAGES FAST ENOUGH."
Or maybe the frantic page turning happened when I hit the bar fight with Knight...
...
Okay, here's the thing. "Echoes" is about a world with these alien things called "Angels" who came to earth and saved all us humans from... basically ourselves and some big bad nasty. But according to Rachel, the main character and Angelolist in disgrace, they were kind of dicks about it. And she said so. Loudly. Now even though angels have been gone for a good long time (over three thousand years) this opinion ticked some people off.
Namely her family.
And they're now tracking her down to wipe her personality in some weird kind of lobotomy without knives. Or maybe with knives. I sort of refused to allow my brain to think to much on that bit, because I enjoy sleeping without dreams of personality wipes.
Anyways, she figures out pretty quickly that she's going to need help. So she tracks down Knight.
WHO IS THE MOST AWESOME CHARACTER IN THE DAMN BOOK.
Don't get me wrong, I liked Rachel and Mac and... I just realized that if I list character names, it might give some stuff away. So I'm going to skip over that bit and just say that while I liked "those other people," it was Knight that pretty quickly established himself as my favorite character. And makes way more sense as...
No that gives away stuff too.
Huh, looks like I'm going to need you to read this book. Turns out, I really need to talk to you about it.
5 Stars. If you like Science Fiction, especially with a bit of romance, you must read this book.
Like five minutes ago.
Please, it's killing me not to be talking about this...
Which is not the official start of my review, I just wanted to keep that line because it has snozberries in it.
This is the official start of my review:
Psst, you. Yeah you, over there, reading the internet. I've got a secret to share with you. Come 'ere.
ECHOES OF ANGELS WAS FUCKING AWESOME.
It starts off like all good science fiction. Meaning there's a world that doesn't make any sense filled with people who don't make any sense and one person doing strange things. That don't make any sense. And reading science fiction, you expect that. The thing with "Echoes" is that by, like, chapter two you're all "OH MY GOODNESS, I CANNOT TURN THE PAGES FAST ENOUGH."
Or maybe the frantic page turning happened when I hit the bar fight with Knight...
...
Okay, here's the thing. "Echoes" is about a world with these alien things called "Angels" who came to earth and saved all us humans from... basically ourselves and some big bad nasty. But according to Rachel, the main character and Angelolist in disgrace, they were kind of dicks about it. And she said so. Loudly. Now even though angels have been gone for a good long time (over three thousand years) this opinion ticked some people off.
Namely her family.
And they're now tracking her down to wipe her personality in some weird kind of lobotomy without knives. Or maybe with knives. I sort of refused to allow my brain to think to much on that bit, because I enjoy sleeping without dreams of personality wipes.
Anyways, she figures out pretty quickly that she's going to need help. So she tracks down Knight.
WHO IS THE MOST AWESOME CHARACTER IN THE DAMN BOOK.
Don't get me wrong, I liked Rachel and Mac and... I just realized that if I list character names, it might give some stuff away. So I'm going to skip over that bit and just say that while I liked "those other people," it was Knight that pretty quickly established himself as my favorite character. And makes way more sense as...
No that gives away stuff too.
Huh, looks like I'm going to need you to read this book. Turns out, I really need to talk to you about it.
5 Stars. If you like Science Fiction, especially with a bit of romance, you must read this book.
Like five minutes ago.
Please, it's killing me not to be talking about this...
June 27, 2019
Set several thousand years in a Dystopian Future, Humans have reached the Age of Enlightenment. This is just after ‘The Angels’ came to Humanity at the time of their greatest crisis, when nearly all was lost, Humanity was about to destroy itself, and it was on the verge of being consumed by an alien species, ‘The Adversary’. The Angels saved Humanity, with the only price being that the follow 3 Rules. For a time, Humanity basked in the glory of the Angels Angelic presence, their technology was far advanced, the Angels created sub-species of Humans to deal with various issues they had – some humans that could breathe in nearly any atmosphere to work on planets with toxic atmospheres, others that were incredibly powerful to help with mining, others to help communicate directly through telepathic communication so no one really saw the Angels and they became things of mystery.
The Angels used ‘The Codex’, a set of divine rules that not only laid down the rules that Humans had to follow, it also told us of our past, and why they had saw fit to step in and save Humanity from the Adversary and Humanity from its own degradation and downfall.
The exquisite world building that has gone into this book, this series, is just extraordinary, beyond most books I have read. The complexity and detail of the history of the past several hundred years, and what has happened to Humanity, how the Angels have altered them so that there are now the 12 races of men, all with a different purpose, the different ‘Conglomerates’ that are Mega Industrial Organisations that control the Galaxy, and the Sentinels, who are like the Galaxy’s Police – the depth of detail is just astounding, and gives such an edge to this series.
Into this we are introduced to Rachel Jordan, the main character of the story, a Empathic who is on the run. She is an Angeloligist, and is being hunted by a fanaticist group called the ‘Redeemers’ who hunt anybody who doesn’t fit in with their way of life. Rachel is on the hunt for Angel artefacts, and on this particular occasion, is seeking a particularly powerful artefact – ‘The Sefer Raziel’
As Rachel searches for the Sefer, she is being hunted by a fanatical group, the Redeemers, who follow the Codex and other Angel rules to the absolute letter, believing any deviation to be a total abomination. Of course, one of the Redeemer groups happens to be Rachels Family, Her Father, Her Brother (Jeremiah who leads the hunt for her), and she has many other brothers and sisters in training. The see her as the ultimate sin, and want to get her back so they can ‘Wash her of her Sins’, which is basically where they brain wash you and mind wipe you so your previous personality doesn’t exist and you become a good little zealot.
Rachel hires a bodyguard, a man named Ezekiel Knight, who is a mercenary, used to work for another company, but is now just death on legs.
To further complicate the story, Rachel’s old sweetheart, David McGregor, a Commander of the Sentinels is also after her and the Sefer.
This book is a fascinating introduction to a future in which humanity was taken over by a race of powerful beings claiming to be Angels – messengers from God, and they changed some planets, humans, gave us tech, and a codex of rules, and ruling us for a period, they vanished, leaving mankind reeling in their wake. Now 1 Woman is on a search to debunk all of these mysteries about Angels, that they were not what they said they were, but in the process of doing so, she might not only get herself killed, she might actually find out what no one else wants to actually know.
This is such a good book, such a fascinating and thrilling read, with sensational characters, unbelievably in-depth back stories on every aspect you can imagine, and a story line that is just outstanding.
If you only read one Sci-fi series this year – this is the one to read, you won’t be disappointed!!
The Angels used ‘The Codex’, a set of divine rules that not only laid down the rules that Humans had to follow, it also told us of our past, and why they had saw fit to step in and save Humanity from the Adversary and Humanity from its own degradation and downfall.
The exquisite world building that has gone into this book, this series, is just extraordinary, beyond most books I have read. The complexity and detail of the history of the past several hundred years, and what has happened to Humanity, how the Angels have altered them so that there are now the 12 races of men, all with a different purpose, the different ‘Conglomerates’ that are Mega Industrial Organisations that control the Galaxy, and the Sentinels, who are like the Galaxy’s Police – the depth of detail is just astounding, and gives such an edge to this series.
Into this we are introduced to Rachel Jordan, the main character of the story, a Empathic who is on the run. She is an Angeloligist, and is being hunted by a fanaticist group called the ‘Redeemers’ who hunt anybody who doesn’t fit in with their way of life. Rachel is on the hunt for Angel artefacts, and on this particular occasion, is seeking a particularly powerful artefact – ‘The Sefer Raziel’
As Rachel searches for the Sefer, she is being hunted by a fanatical group, the Redeemers, who follow the Codex and other Angel rules to the absolute letter, believing any deviation to be a total abomination. Of course, one of the Redeemer groups happens to be Rachels Family, Her Father, Her Brother (Jeremiah who leads the hunt for her), and she has many other brothers and sisters in training. The see her as the ultimate sin, and want to get her back so they can ‘Wash her of her Sins’, which is basically where they brain wash you and mind wipe you so your previous personality doesn’t exist and you become a good little zealot.
Rachel hires a bodyguard, a man named Ezekiel Knight, who is a mercenary, used to work for another company, but is now just death on legs.
To further complicate the story, Rachel’s old sweetheart, David McGregor, a Commander of the Sentinels is also after her and the Sefer.
This book is a fascinating introduction to a future in which humanity was taken over by a race of powerful beings claiming to be Angels – messengers from God, and they changed some planets, humans, gave us tech, and a codex of rules, and ruling us for a period, they vanished, leaving mankind reeling in their wake. Now 1 Woman is on a search to debunk all of these mysteries about Angels, that they were not what they said they were, but in the process of doing so, she might not only get herself killed, she might actually find out what no one else wants to actually know.
This is such a good book, such a fascinating and thrilling read, with sensational characters, unbelievably in-depth back stories on every aspect you can imagine, and a story line that is just outstanding.
If you only read one Sci-fi series this year – this is the one to read, you won’t be disappointed!!
February 18, 2019
Humanity was saved by angels thousands of years ago. They sent us across space to colonise the stars, then 500 years ago, they vanished, leaving humanity to fend for itself. This led to the rise of all manner of cults and corporations, all with their own views on how things should be done.
Rachel Jordan is an angelologist and the hero of our tale. Fired from her job as a university lecturer for teaching heretical ideas, she now tracks down angel artefacts. Sent on a mission to retrieve the Sefer Raziel, potentially the key to unlocking the angel code, she finds out she may have bitten off more than she can chew. While she's tough, Rachel can't rake on the galaxy herself, so she employs a bodyguard, Knight, on the former prison planet of Gehenna, who looks like he can.
Meanwhile Rachel's former beau, Mac, finds out she's in trouble and goes against his better judgement and decides he needs to track her down before worse does. In a rare moment of oddness, despite the supposed breeding out racial differences over the years, Mac still manages to maintain a Scottish accent. Anyway that's a minor quibble.
There is an interesting plot, great worldbuilding,fight scenes galore, and some punchy dialogue in a fine space opera that will keep you intrigued throughout. The narrator does a fine job too.
Rachel Jordan is an angelologist and the hero of our tale. Fired from her job as a university lecturer for teaching heretical ideas, she now tracks down angel artefacts. Sent on a mission to retrieve the Sefer Raziel, potentially the key to unlocking the angel code, she finds out she may have bitten off more than she can chew. While she's tough, Rachel can't rake on the galaxy herself, so she employs a bodyguard, Knight, on the former prison planet of Gehenna, who looks like he can.
Meanwhile Rachel's former beau, Mac, finds out she's in trouble and goes against his better judgement and decides he needs to track her down before worse does. In a rare moment of oddness, despite the supposed breeding out racial differences over the years, Mac still manages to maintain a Scottish accent. Anyway that's a minor quibble.
There is an interesting plot, great worldbuilding,fight scenes galore, and some punchy dialogue in a fine space opera that will keep you intrigued throughout. The narrator does a fine job too.
September 17, 2013
I received this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I absolutely love this cover! It's gorgeous and it fits the story perfectly. Matt Larkin took a different approach in this series than in his other one. The Skyfall Saga was sci-fi/ fantasy where Echoes of Angels is sci-fi but with angels lol. As I have said many times before Nigel's are not more fortè, but this book was different. It didn't have the same old angel folklore that your typical angel read has.matt Larkin created an amazing new universe where angels have had an invisible rule for centuries and its about to come crashing down. I am excited about how this books ended but also mad because it was kind of a cliff hanger.
These characters were awesome to read about because both Rachel and Knight went against the norm, despite having to continually risk their lives, for what they think was better for humanity. I enjoyed the assumed love triangle that Rachel finds herself in, but I am Team Knight all the way! I can't wait to find out more about the new charger that was introduced in the last few pages of the novel and let me feel you SHOCKER!!
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was a quick read because it was so interesting and original. I can't wait for book two, which luckily is releasing in Winter of 2013, so relatively soon. I would recommend this book to sci-fi lovers and those who enjoy a different type of read.
I absolutely love this cover! It's gorgeous and it fits the story perfectly. Matt Larkin took a different approach in this series than in his other one. The Skyfall Saga was sci-fi/ fantasy where Echoes of Angels is sci-fi but with angels lol. As I have said many times before Nigel's are not more fortè, but this book was different. It didn't have the same old angel folklore that your typical angel read has.matt Larkin created an amazing new universe where angels have had an invisible rule for centuries and its about to come crashing down. I am excited about how this books ended but also mad because it was kind of a cliff hanger.
These characters were awesome to read about because both Rachel and Knight went against the norm, despite having to continually risk their lives, for what they think was better for humanity. I enjoyed the assumed love triangle that Rachel finds herself in, but I am Team Knight all the way! I can't wait to find out more about the new charger that was introduced in the last few pages of the novel and let me feel you SHOCKER!!
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was a quick read because it was so interesting and original. I can't wait for book two, which luckily is releasing in Winter of 2013, so relatively soon. I would recommend this book to sci-fi lovers and those who enjoy a different type of read.
September 17, 2013
If Star Wars was the phoenix that reached the end of its life and burst into flames, this series would be the seed born from the ashes!! The never ceasing action adds to the powerful character personalities embroiled in the search for angel relics. The fight sequences are intense yet easy to visualize, and, readers can feel the grime of the planet Gehenna on their skin with every word they read. The imagination and creativity that it took for Larkin to form this world leaves me in awe!
September 16, 2024
Great book.
Loved the pace and the editing was very good.
Outstanding characters and world building
Definitely up for more of this
Loved the pace and the editing was very good.
Outstanding characters and world building
Definitely up for more of this
November 2, 2017
Wow! What a wild ride of a book! When I read what the book would be about I doubted I would like it. But, I couldn't put it down. Except, you know, to eat and sleep. Well actually just to sleep. Lol.
This book has an intracrite plot and the characters are so exciting. They are well developed and the story line came together so well. Thanks to the blurbs at the beginning of each chapter I learned a lot about what happened in the past and what the people in the book believe in the present.
There is so much action and a lot of emotion. Even though some things were wrapped up at the end it was still left with a cliffhanger. A big one! I'm going to be chomping at the bit to read the next book. I hope the authors write fast! I highly recommend this book. No matter what genre you like. It has a lot of thriller, sci-fi, and a bit of fantasy/magic, and some unrequited love. Just read it. You won't regret it.
I received a free advanced copy of the second edition of Echoes of Angels for an honest review. My opinions are truly my own.
This book has an intracrite plot and the characters are so exciting. They are well developed and the story line came together so well. Thanks to the blurbs at the beginning of each chapter I learned a lot about what happened in the past and what the people in the book believe in the present.
There is so much action and a lot of emotion. Even though some things were wrapped up at the end it was still left with a cliffhanger. A big one! I'm going to be chomping at the bit to read the next book. I hope the authors write fast! I highly recommend this book. No matter what genre you like. It has a lot of thriller, sci-fi, and a bit of fantasy/magic, and some unrequited love. Just read it. You won't regret it.
I received a free advanced copy of the second edition of Echoes of Angels for an honest review. My opinions are truly my own.
July 2, 2019
An interesting concept that goes nowhere.
First off, the biggest problem with this book is the characters, or more specifically, the lack of character development.
Mysterious characters with dubious back stories are intriguing... For a bit. The problem is you can't put those characters in danger, because who cares if they live or die if you don't know them. This problem is present with EVERY SINGLE CHARACTER in this book. We are given little to no back story on any of them, no real insight into their motivations are personalities, no reason to care about them one way or another. The author saying "this is the main character, so her plight is your plight," is not enough. We have to know the character so we can emphasize with them. Forgetting this is the epitome of poor writing.
There is little reason to read this book. The "action" sequences, as they are, are short and unimpressive. Lasting maybe a couple paragraphs at most. Dialog is weak and often goes nowhere. Characters are completely undeveloped until halfway through the book, and then a couple get very basic outlines, but nothing enough to actually make them feel rounded or complete.
The book has an interesting concept, which is the only thing enough to bump it to 2 stars, but it fails to even develop the concept properly. Even the characters in the book don't really know much about the "world" they live in. Everyone is knee deep in the events of the story and not one understands what is going on. And if you think the author is going to let you in on it you're mistaken. Because nothing is revealed in this book.
The plot centers around a space religion, that is akin to dark ages religion on earth. "this is the word of the Lord, do not question". There are strict commandments and inquisitors ready to kill or convert sinners and blasphemers. And the author has...nothing new to say on this. Yes, we get it, religion is oppressive and stifles free thought and technological progressive. Very insightful, who could have predicted that, other than everybody.
The story literally goes nowhere and ends with no conclusion. It's like reading half a book, then having to pay for the other half. What a joke, maybe all the characters development and plot resolution is in book 2, guess I'll never know, because I'm on willing to invest anymore time in this underdeveloped world.
What an utter waste of a good concept.
First off, the biggest problem with this book is the characters, or more specifically, the lack of character development.
Mysterious characters with dubious back stories are intriguing... For a bit. The problem is you can't put those characters in danger, because who cares if they live or die if you don't know them. This problem is present with EVERY SINGLE CHARACTER in this book. We are given little to no back story on any of them, no real insight into their motivations are personalities, no reason to care about them one way or another. The author saying "this is the main character, so her plight is your plight," is not enough. We have to know the character so we can emphasize with them. Forgetting this is the epitome of poor writing.
There is little reason to read this book. The "action" sequences, as they are, are short and unimpressive. Lasting maybe a couple paragraphs at most. Dialog is weak and often goes nowhere. Characters are completely undeveloped until halfway through the book, and then a couple get very basic outlines, but nothing enough to actually make them feel rounded or complete.
The book has an interesting concept, which is the only thing enough to bump it to 2 stars, but it fails to even develop the concept properly. Even the characters in the book don't really know much about the "world" they live in. Everyone is knee deep in the events of the story and not one understands what is going on. And if you think the author is going to let you in on it you're mistaken. Because nothing is revealed in this book.
The plot centers around a space religion, that is akin to dark ages religion on earth. "this is the word of the Lord, do not question". There are strict commandments and inquisitors ready to kill or convert sinners and blasphemers. And the author has...nothing new to say on this. Yes, we get it, religion is oppressive and stifles free thought and technological progressive. Very insightful, who could have predicted that, other than everybody.
The story literally goes nowhere and ends with no conclusion. It's like reading half a book, then having to pay for the other half. What a joke, maybe all the characters development and plot resolution is in book 2, guess I'll never know, because I'm on willing to invest anymore time in this underdeveloped world.
What an utter waste of a good concept.
October 8, 2018
Perhaps I am being harsh. The book is what it is advertised to be, a space opera. It is only 250 pages long for the Nook with 62 chapters. The font is large and the spacing wide, like Matt Larkin is a student trying to stretch his term paper. He describes a universe containing thousands of populated planets and over a trillion humans. But the main characters are a former college lecturer searching for a mythical document that will unlock the secrets of the universe, her brother and father that are trying to stop her even if they have to kill her, the former love of her life who wants to keep her safe, and a Knight. At best, the characters are two dimensional. There is a lot of action, but it is chaotic and seldom advances the plot. And after 250 pages, the novel just ends, expecting you to buy the next one.
I think not.
I think not.
October 14, 2017
Relatively basic sci-fi. While the premise that this universe's religious history may not be all it seems is intriguing, it never really goes anywhere. Several opinions or decisions of the characters are repeated needlessly. Action moves without much background.
It's not written badly, but fails to hold the reader's interest. Later books in the series may improve once the Angels and their history come more into focus. In the meantime this book felt like a long explanatory chapter rather than a stand alone in its own right.
It's not written badly, but fails to hold the reader's interest. Later books in the series may improve once the Angels and their history come more into focus. In the meantime this book felt like a long explanatory chapter rather than a stand alone in its own right.
July 23, 2014
Loved it!! Could not put the book down. It is a new take on angels
November 4, 2017
Disclaimer first: I received a free advanced copy of the 2nd edition of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Cliffhanger warning second: The book doesn't work as a standalone since not many of the storylines get actually resolved in this book. Read at your own risk, having book #2 on standby is recommended. Unless you're cool with cliffhangers, which I am not so much.
This is the first book in this series I have read, although I have read - and liked - other stories by both authors before. Once again, Matt Larkin and J.S. Morin create an immersive world, and the movie running in my head while reading is quite vivid: Lots of action, space battles (there *is* a Sentinel battleship involved), chases on foot or hoverbikes, plenty of hand-to-hand or rather blade-to-blade combat, all delivered with the familiar occasional snark.
The cast of characters is interesting and thankfully - so far - none of my current favourites have been killed off. Yet. I don't want to get my hopes up, though, this is just the beginning of the series... ;)
Pitching an empath/scholar against megacorps, the military and religious fanatics (family members included) makes for some entertaining storylines, especially after adding an assassin/bodyguard to the mix.
Rachel comes on a bit strong for my taste; she is not quite how I would have envisioned a (former) university professor. At times she sounds a lot like the tough Shieldmaiden Hervor in the Runeblade Saga. Her inner monologue is at times crude enough to make it difficult to distinguish from that of Knight, the assassin.
Aside from that, I found it an engaging story, and I'm looking forward to reading book #2.
Cliffhanger warning second: The book doesn't work as a standalone since not many of the storylines get actually resolved in this book. Read at your own risk, having book #2 on standby is recommended. Unless you're cool with cliffhangers, which I am not so much.
This is the first book in this series I have read, although I have read - and liked - other stories by both authors before. Once again, Matt Larkin and J.S. Morin create an immersive world, and the movie running in my head while reading is quite vivid: Lots of action, space battles (there *is* a Sentinel battleship involved), chases on foot or hoverbikes, plenty of hand-to-hand or rather blade-to-blade combat, all delivered with the familiar occasional snark.
The cast of characters is interesting and thankfully - so far - none of my current favourites have been killed off. Yet. I don't want to get my hopes up, though, this is just the beginning of the series... ;)
Pitching an empath/scholar against megacorps, the military and religious fanatics (family members included) makes for some entertaining storylines, especially after adding an assassin/bodyguard to the mix.
Rachel comes on a bit strong for my taste; she is not quite how I would have envisioned a (former) university professor. At times she sounds a lot like the tough Shieldmaiden Hervor in the Runeblade Saga. Her inner monologue is at times crude enough to make it difficult to distinguish from that of Knight, the assassin.
Aside from that, I found it an engaging story, and I'm looking forward to reading book #2.
November 17, 2017
I loved it! Which is saying a lot because I never considered myself a space opera kind of girl. This is so much more... Space opera meets Science fiction meets Fantasy... Makes for an exciting read!
It was a little slow for me in the beginning but I see it was necessary to lay the groundwork for what was to come. A new Galaxy of worlds, people, and characters to learn. Fantastic worldbuilding!
Rachel Jordan is a strong, independent, free thinking professor. Shunned by her family of Redeemers, she's set in a quest to find a lost relic of the angels (the Sefer Raziel) no matter what the cost. "The Sefer Raziel was said to reveal the location of the Ark, the repository of all Angel knowledge." And this knowledge will change the face of humanity.
In order to achieve her task she must employ the services of a bodyguard but he is so much more than that.
Fast paced, edge of your seat, page turning action.
I enjoyed the notes at the beginning of each chapter. Some were quite comical taken in context!
I received a free advanced copy of the second edition of Echoes of Angels from the publisher/author and this is my unbiased and honest review. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity!
It was a little slow for me in the beginning but I see it was necessary to lay the groundwork for what was to come. A new Galaxy of worlds, people, and characters to learn. Fantastic worldbuilding!
Rachel Jordan is a strong, independent, free thinking professor. Shunned by her family of Redeemers, she's set in a quest to find a lost relic of the angels (the Sefer Raziel) no matter what the cost. "The Sefer Raziel was said to reveal the location of the Ark, the repository of all Angel knowledge." And this knowledge will change the face of humanity.
In order to achieve her task she must employ the services of a bodyguard but he is so much more than that.
Fast paced, edge of your seat, page turning action.
I enjoyed the notes at the beginning of each chapter. Some were quite comical taken in context!
I received a free advanced copy of the second edition of Echoes of Angels from the publisher/author and this is my unbiased and honest review. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity!
November 29, 2017
First in a new series from Matt Larkin and J.S. Morin.
Earth invited the Adversary in and the Angels arrived to save humanity from extinction. For 2500 years the Angels ruled until one day they all vanished leaving mankind to its own fate. But the faith had been indoctrinated and the THREE COMMANDMENTS still apply:
The First Commandment - Man Shall Not Alter the Form of Man
The Second Commandment - Man Shall Adhere to the Bounds of the Conduit
The Third Commandment - Man Shall Populate the Universe
Humanity is spreading throughout the Conduit bound universe with the Sentinels who enforce the laws and the Redeemers who pursue the faithless.
Rachel Jordan moves knows the world is wrong and is willing to go to any end to prove it.
With shades of E.C Tubb's space opera Dumarest's of Terra, Larkin and Morin weave new worlds and new characters into a fast, tension filled story that keeps you turning the page waiting for the next revelation.
Start the new adventure and hang on...
Earth invited the Adversary in and the Angels arrived to save humanity from extinction. For 2500 years the Angels ruled until one day they all vanished leaving mankind to its own fate. But the faith had been indoctrinated and the THREE COMMANDMENTS still apply:
The First Commandment - Man Shall Not Alter the Form of Man
The Second Commandment - Man Shall Adhere to the Bounds of the Conduit
The Third Commandment - Man Shall Populate the Universe
Humanity is spreading throughout the Conduit bound universe with the Sentinels who enforce the laws and the Redeemers who pursue the faithless.
Rachel Jordan moves knows the world is wrong and is willing to go to any end to prove it.
With shades of E.C Tubb's space opera Dumarest's of Terra, Larkin and Morin weave new worlds and new characters into a fast, tension filled story that keeps you turning the page waiting for the next revelation.
Start the new adventure and hang on...
October 5, 2022
Good plot. Interesting world building.
The craftsmanship of the writing is a little lower than I like. I think more editing taking out more text is in order.
As I said in the title. Good plot. Interesting world building.
It finally dawned on me that this novel reads a lot like the original space operas I have read. That means he can still up his game to the "New Space Opera" :)
If the writing had been bad it would have picked up a one star.
I only give 5 stars to Nebula/Hugo winners. There a lot of authors out there that when they write turn out 4 star craftsmanship, plot and world building.
If this is a weaker effort then he should be able to join the newer authors I read for pleasure
Whatever else is going on Please don't stop writing and getting better!
Respectfully.
The craftsmanship of the writing is a little lower than I like. I think more editing taking out more text is in order.
As I said in the title. Good plot. Interesting world building.
It finally dawned on me that this novel reads a lot like the original space operas I have read. That means he can still up his game to the "New Space Opera" :)
If the writing had been bad it would have picked up a one star.
I only give 5 stars to Nebula/Hugo winners. There a lot of authors out there that when they write turn out 4 star craftsmanship, plot and world building.
If this is a weaker effort then he should be able to join the newer authors I read for pleasure
Whatever else is going on Please don't stop writing and getting better!
Respectfully.
September 10, 2024
I'd classify it was a forgettable TV sci-fi plot co-written by someone who mainly does fluff erotica.
This kills me, because I've loved everything I've laid hands on by JS Morin in the past, but I'm fighting to find a reason to read the second book. The book is 1/3 exposition, 1/3 almost but not actual character development, and 1/3 sleazy romance novel as the only thing being an empath does for the main character is make her inconveniently horny any time she's around someone who wants her. And somehow the third bit is the most deeply developed plot or character trait in tbr book.
I'm trying to find reviews of the rest of the series, hoping it gets far better, to stop me from abandoning it and reading a plot synopsis somewhere. I can't express how much this saddens me.
This kills me, because I've loved everything I've laid hands on by JS Morin in the past, but I'm fighting to find a reason to read the second book. The book is 1/3 exposition, 1/3 almost but not actual character development, and 1/3 sleazy romance novel as the only thing being an empath does for the main character is make her inconveniently horny any time she's around someone who wants her. And somehow the third bit is the most deeply developed plot or character trait in tbr book.
I'm trying to find reviews of the rest of the series, hoping it gets far better, to stop me from abandoning it and reading a plot synopsis somewhere. I can't express how much this saddens me.
September 9, 2018
Not quite as clever as it wishes to be.
The many old testament biblical references are too loosely connected. With a bit more effort this aspect of the story could have been fun for deep mining of the series. As it stands the references are just words taken from one source and sprinkled liberally into another. That aside it is written well enough to be enjoyable.
I love Morin's Twinborn series and adore The Mad Tinkerer's Daughter, I also like the robot geneticist books. I have never really liked Black Ocean, so it is with a bit of sadness that I realize I will not be reading the test of this series. It just doesn't work as well for me as I wish it did.
The many old testament biblical references are too loosely connected. With a bit more effort this aspect of the story could have been fun for deep mining of the series. As it stands the references are just words taken from one source and sprinkled liberally into another. That aside it is written well enough to be enjoyable.
I love Morin's Twinborn series and adore The Mad Tinkerer's Daughter, I also like the robot geneticist books. I have never really liked Black Ocean, so it is with a bit of sadness that I realize I will not be reading the test of this series. It just doesn't work as well for me as I wish it did.
February 4, 2022
This started off reasonably well and I most likely would of have moved it forward at 20%.I really liked Rachel at the beginning - she seemed the type of woman who thought through moments of strife and acted accordingly; she was a professor of ancient artifacts and seemed to have professional sensibility.
Well my thoughts certainly did a 180 flip on that - she discovered she was being chased by religious zealots (her father no less) & 2 from that moment on she put herself in impossible situations and fled at every moment she was safe and put herself at more risk. - I'm giving this a 2.5 stars.
Well my thoughts certainly did a 180 flip on that - she discovered she was being chased by religious zealots (her father no less) & 2 from that moment on she put herself in impossible situations and fled at every moment she was safe and put herself at more risk. - I'm giving this a 2.5 stars.
January 4, 2022
The writing was decent. I liked the main characters. The plot lost me fairly quickly, even though I struggled to continue. I usually really enjoy complex science fiction, but this left me rather meh. I am not sure why. I will admit, however, the fact that the drug Mammon was a center point of a lot of the story line was a good portion of my inability to connect with the story. I did, however, really delight in the many sly side references to theological principles and the use of so many religious terms as common words and titles. Those were a delight,
October 15, 2020
Well written series that incorporates religion.
Author freebie. A rewrite of an earlier version, with collaboration. This series does an excellent job of incorporating religion into the future. Better than Dune even. Each chapter starts with a epitaph, hard to do. An angelic race unites humanity, but then leaves. Their last holy book is being fought over by governments, religious orders and megacorporations. Quite complex and well done.
Author freebie. A rewrite of an earlier version, with collaboration. This series does an excellent job of incorporating religion into the future. Better than Dune even. Each chapter starts with a epitaph, hard to do. An angelic race unites humanity, but then leaves. Their last holy book is being fought over by governments, religious orders and megacorporations. Quite complex and well done.
June 17, 2021
The authors have created an original universe, which does have *spoiler*, religious overtones. There are ‘angels’ (or are they?), religious fanatics, mega corporations, heretics and outcasts. Don’t let this put you off buying the book. The detail in this book is great, the plot is very good and the characters are interesting and well developed. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and have purchased the remainder of the series, I like it that much.
October 22, 2017
"Echoes of Angels" may have potential as a series, but it was hard
for me to maintain interest. The main character was not well
developed and the background to the story was very slowly revealed;
then it has a cliff hanger ending, so not my favorite.
I received a review copy, at no cost, in exchange for an honest review
and have no personal affiliation with the author.
for me to maintain interest. The main character was not well
developed and the background to the story was very slowly revealed;
then it has a cliff hanger ending, so not my favorite.
I received a review copy, at no cost, in exchange for an honest review
and have no personal affiliation with the author.
November 4, 2017
This is the start of what I expect will be a space opera masterpiece. I love the lead character, Rachel Jordan, the grand scale and complexity of the plot and world-building, and the very well crafted and layered cast of characters. It really does remind me if Herbert’s Dune, which is high praise from me. Definitely a fun read, and highly recommended.
March 1, 2020
Just couldn't focus on the story - didn't care about the characters and the voice talent was made for insomniacs. After Black Ocean and Astral Prime, this was a complete snoozefest - I've gotten spoiled. I restarted it about 27 times and still found myself thinking about everything but the story or falling asleep immediately.
October 15, 2019
Slow to start, ends with a bang.
A good read with well developed characters. The book was a little confusing at the start and was slow for while then the story speed up and became compelling and entertaining.
A good read with well developed characters. The book was a little confusing at the start and was slow for while then the story speed up and became compelling and entertaining.
December 20, 2022
If you like Shadowrun or any Cyberpunk really, then you’ll love this book.
I was surprised by how good this book was. Mainly because it was advertised to me by Meta. It was honestly a perfect space opera and I look forward to finishing the series.
I was surprised by how good this book was. Mainly because it was advertised to me by Meta. It was honestly a perfect space opera and I look forward to finishing the series.
November 6, 2017
Reminded me of M.R. Forbes "Hell's Rejects". That 99 cent introduction mark was a gateway drug.
July 25, 2019
interesting premise, well written, but ended on an unnecessary cliff hanger.
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