Archangel Rising

Archangel One #2

by Evan Currie

Archangel Squadron faces off against the forces of the brutal Protectorate to claim a prize, and save humanity, in a gripping novel of deep space jeopardy by the author of the Odyssey One series.

At the helm of a commandeered freighter, Captain Steph Michaels has infiltrated the Free Star systems. Leading a captive crew, and posing as a privateer, he’s on a mission to seize a precious resource from an enemy outpost. Backed by his Archangel Squadron, it’s a smash-and-grab operation he can pull off in his sleep. Until it isn’t.

Before he and his “pirates” can strike, they’re met with an unexpected obstacle. The mining compound they’re targeting also houses camps of slave laboring families. It’s an innocent population Steph refuses to sacrifice as collateral damage, and his morality will drive him to greater extremes than ever before. With a ruthless enemy commander facing them down, Steph will find himself in conflict with not just the Free Stars but potentially with the Empire itself.

The odds of victory? Impossible to foretell.

Genres: Science Fiction, Space Opera, Military Fiction, Audiobook, Fiction, Military Science Fiction, Futuristic

286 pages, Paperback

First published January 14, 2020

Reviews

[Christi M · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is almost no worse feeling for a book lover than when you fall in love with a series and the next one isn’t available yet to immediately pick up and read, which is exactly where I am with this second book in the Archangel One series. This military science fiction novel kept me on the edge of the seat the entire journey through and I am left wanting more.

Thoughts:

In the continuation of this Terran/Priminae saga, we find that Captain Steph Michaels (or Captain Teach) has been able to start integrating his crew with those who remained from the destroyer captured in the last book. It’s not a perfect fit yet, as these new crew members aren’t as trained as those from Earth, but Steph has ideas on how to give them a little confidence. When Steph and his crew learn of a resource that the Imperials value, they come up with a bold plan to acquire it for themselves or at least disrupt the flow of service.

While Steph and his crew are on a daring pirate adventure, Captain Weston and the Proximae are still waiting for the ever-silent, but watchful Imperial fleet to make their move and when they don’t Weston comes up with a plan to force their hand.

Fans of this series will really enjoy this latest book, which showcases Steph’s playing up the pirate role and creating a legend/myth about him and their group. You can almost see the crew members eyes rolling when he does certain things. Numerous references to well-known pirates, pirate songs, and famous ships are mentioned through-out the book to help bring out the humor and remind us of their overall mission. The Archangel chapters go back and forth between the mining station, Hele Protectorate, and Imperial Fifth Fleet commanded by Jesan Mich.

But while Steph is playing the role of Blackbeard, Captain Weston is playing a cat-and-mouse game of his own with the 8th fleet commander. He gets a bit tired of knowing that the Imperials are secretly watching them (as he discovered in the last book) and decides to entice them to make a move, which gives us the space battle scenes that we all love to read. I think one of the things readers really enjoy about this series and the Odyssey One series is how we are shown what the other side is thinking at certain times – where we get to watch the Imperialists overconfidence in motion while at the same time knowing that Captain Weston has them caught in his own web. Weston also has a bit of fun messing with them too, which is rather enjoyable since the Imperialists kind of deserve it.

Overall, it’s a non-stop space fun. Loved the cat-and-mouse game the two sides played and honestly it was about time we turned the tables on the Imperials. Captain Michaels/Teach and his crew once again also find ways to surprise us and keep us entertained while furthering their legend within the Free Star system.

Rating: 5 stars

Thank you to Netgalley and 47North for the advanced reader copy and opportunity to provide an honest review.

[H (trying to keep up with GR friends) Balikov · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The six Double A fighter-gunboats he had were wholly insufficient to the task that he’d assigned them, if you assumed a conventional battle on either side. Steph was certain, however, that the opposing force had no idea what conventional even was, and he had no intention of playing by rules the enemy wasn’t aware of, let alone followed. Of course, that didn’t make the whole problem any easier to solve exactly. It just opened up a host of different options he could pick and choose from in his attempt to find the solution he was seeking. Options he desperately needed, given the relative dearth of conventional ones available. When in doubt, make the enemy doubt even harder, Steph thought wryly,"

"“This isn’t gutsy, Jen, this is nuts.”
Cardsharp gestured idly.
“The difference between the two is often only determined by the outcome. I suppose we can revisit the point after we see whether he can pull it off.”
“We’re all gonna die,” Jack moaned.
“Yes we are,” Cardsharp agreed cheerfully. “It only remains to be seen if today is the day.”"

This is the kind of pedal to the metal action that we expect from an Evan Currie novel. And, in many ways, Archangel Rising doesn’t disappoint.

"“I hope you have a plan, Commodore.”
Eric grinned at the tone of resigned exasperation in the commander’s voice. “No faith in me, Miram?” he asked lightly.
She shook her head, eyes rolling at the question. “I have faith that you’ll be you,” she said flatly. “But the rest of us may not be quite so lucky.”
“Being me is a pretty good gig,” Eric admitted cheerfully.
“Too bad being around you isn’t the same,” Miram countered sourly."
and
"No plan survives contact with the enemy.’
“Great, already knew that, but the plan isn’t supposed to be scrapped twice even before contact is made. This is nuts."

Some may find this effort by Currie a bit confusing because the author has so many different factions, so many different venues and so much history (from Book 1 and another series as well) to keep track of. But once the action kicks in, it’s easy to go with the flow and enjoy this Grade 4 ride down Currie’s Rapids.

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book in a goodreads drawing.

This is the second book in the series. I didn't read the first.

Apparently, a space faring Earth is at war with some other space faring races. Most of them are tyrannical.

Anyway, A bunch of Marines masquerading as pirates take over a remote mining station that mines rare elements necessary for the Empire and every other faction. From there things get complicated, as everybody is hiding something, and has ulterior motives.

Fast moving and engaging.

[Carolyn Breckinridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was finishing the novel ‘Archangel Rising’ when Author Evan Currie received recognition from Amazon’s 47North for his accomplishment of selling more than 1 million copies of his books with this publisher. This, of course, speaks to the caliber of his imagination and writing, as well as the interest readers have in outer space and the civilizations, power struggles, and starships that might be present in such science fiction fantasy novels. ‘Archangel Rising’ is the second in this particular series (Archangel One) and carries on the legacy of a swashbuckling, brilliant human captain who is not fearful of taking immense risks. The commander, known as Steph and also as Captain Teach, fancies himself to be an interstellar pirate, or in the mind of this reader, a space-voyaging Robin Hood. As in the first of this series, the enemy force to be reckoned with is the Imperial Empire, however, those who fight for the Empire are once again painted not as evil warriors, but more as subjects of an empress who are basically trying to live their lives and use their skills for the good of their own careers and people. The story line hops from destroyer to destroyer, starship to starship, captured freighter to captured enemy base, and as such, it resembles a clever chess game in which Steph and his opponents must carefully match experience, intelligence, vessel capabilities and overall battle skills. But ultimately it is the reader whom this author cleverly checkmates, adding a twist to this novel’s ending that is sure to surprise and delight.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another crackerjack of an entry in the "Archangel One" Series. "Archangel Rising" is essentially two large space battles. Currie has at his best when he's having his characters fighting against overwhelming odds with ingenuity and smarts. I'm really curious to see where this series is going! Watching Steph's character evolve over the course of the series has been a delight. His transition from fighter pilot, to leader, to pirate king is fantastic!

[Paulo Laorden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Evan's Best Book Yet

I have read and listened to every Currie book and this is the best one yey! Every book is pure excitement and suspense and you never get frustrating cliff-hangers. Currie always gives you a closure at the end (and not just happy ones). His satisfying completion of story arcs instead of continuously opening how plot lines and disregarding old unfulfilled ones tryly makes his stories satisfying and enjoyable to read over and over again. Great Job Evan Currie!

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, I had really not intended to read this book straight through. But, you know, the sane bedtime be damned.

Obviously, I enjoyed this book. However, now I'm frustrated, waiting for the next installment. Maybe, if I'm lucky, lots of you will buy the book, and Evan will get enthused and write several more in this series this year.

[Hex · Rating 1 out of 5]

Installment two of three of this 'kill 50000 boars' sidequest.

Roughly the first 20-25% of the book is filled with the most boring version of an infodump you can imagine, even going all the way back to the Block War (this war took place before book one of the Odyssey One series, mind you). None of the information is noteworthy, interesting, or relevant. We're nine books deep into this series currently, and all we get is filler.

Story-wise, all of a sudden, we're supposed to care about several new powers/governments/polities/whatever the author wants to call them. They are not really powerful, of course, because that's not convenient for the plot. Instead, these new governments are weak if they're considered 'good', and weak and cruel if they're considered 'bad'. That's about as deep as it goes. And on top of that, every individual within is unintelligent and/or clueless, but most importantly, easily subdued.

Whatever the plot needs to advance is served right up without any real problems or danger to our band of 'pirate mercenaries', turning this book into a snorefest with no tension at all.

The entire pirate theme and this little sidequest are ludicrous in the grand scheme of things, but the author seems to think it's good to double down on it. Let's just forget there's a looming existential war near our home world; we'll just send some of our best people on some misguided and absurd quest to gather... well... what exactly? The reader will know by now because it's fairly obvious what the author is planning, but our protagonists didn't, and that's the crux.

The chapters featuring The Odyssey and Weston continue to shine, but perhaps more like a flickering candle in a dimly lit room; not overly original but still the brightest spot in this literary dimness.

I'm glad I managed to finish this because I was ready to throw the towel several times. This series is definitely going on hold for now.

1/5.

[Patiscynical · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun ride!

I absolutely enjoyed this book. It was an adrenaline rush to the end.
If you haven't read the previous books in this series you'll probably still enjoy it, but you won't have any idea about what's going on. I recommend you read the others first.
Steph continues to play pirate, and that adds a lot of amusement to the story. Eric and the Odysseus also have major parts to play. The Empire is still trying to roll over everything in it's way, but the Terrans are still finding ways to fight back, to be David to the Empire's Goliath.
Results: this was one of the best in the series. It makes me very ready for the next book, and I hate having to wait.
I very rarely give a book 5 stars, but I had so much fun reading this that I couldn't rate it any less.
I hope you give it a chance.

[Online Eccentric Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/

Top of my list for guilty pleasures definitely has to be the books in the Odyssey One/Odysseus/Archangel ongoing series. I absolutely adore those books and eagerly devour them as soon as I can get my hands on them. In much the same way that the original Star Wars was just plain fun, these books are thrilling, have great characters, and at the end always make me want to punch my fist in the air and yell superlatives. With this second book in the Archangel Series, we have the same great adventure, space battles, outwitting of opponents, and the humor at watching the Imperials think the Earth people are insane.

For those wondering where these Archangel books take place in the series, they are a seamless continuation of the original series and other than a new name, nicely continue the major storylines. Odysseus characters are half the book along with the Archangel assignment of pirating/privateering. So the change in name has really to do about this being a new arc in the main series (in this case, Steph using the new Archangels to gain intel through anonymous privateering) rather than a side story or deviation from the main plot.

Story: Steph has gained valuable intelligence for Earth but needs some 'tribute' to impress his Kingdom partners. They decide to hijack a remote mining outpost that provides a valuable and extremely rare material that Earth could use (and that the Kingdom needs). But once there, they find a slave colony whose families are kept in a small station under constant threat of instant annihilation if the slaves revolt. Steph will have to be clever here - not to blow his cover, not to give away the valuable tech of the Archangels, and especially to stay alive when the mission complicates in very unpredictable ways. Meanwhile, Weston has the Odysseus escorting Priminae transport ships to evacuate border colonies jeopardized by Imperial incursions. When they come across a fleet lying in wait and cloaked, Weston is badly outnumbered and gunned. A cat and mouse game ensues that could go very wrong if Weston doesn't read the enemy commander correctly.

As can be seen, the book has two fronts: Steph's attack on the mining colony while Weston has to figure out a way to engage the Imperial fleet with seriously inferior tonnage and firepower (he has to prevent them from attacking the colony). The mining station assault is great - with Steph putting his valuable marines in key places that can't fail while also trying to create a viable force out of the Free Stars pirates he took on when he captured his Flying Dutchman ship. The key theme is that the Free Stars have been living in the shadow of the Imperials for so long that they have forgotten strategy and tactics - as well as being victim to poor funding.

Weston, meanwhile, has his faithful ships of Bellerophon ("Bell") and Boudicca as well as a small fleet looking to aid the Priminae colony. They won't make it to the colony; Weston's key crew spots the Imperial fleet using stolen Earth cloaking tech and thus begins a game Weston plays with the enemy intelligence officer: "do we see you or don't we?" It's quite fun and I enjoyed the cat and mouse game quite a bit.

In both arcs, Steph and Weston outwit their opponents several times but not always without serious incident. That's what makes the books so much fun - the surprises that always come, both good and bad, as they play their war games. Currie provides a lot of humor in the scenarios and is clearly having fun with Steph especially in allowing him to enjoy his "yo ho" pirating. The underlying premise is always that the Imperials (and Free Stars polities) are so unused to war at that level that they no longer know how to pivot or pounce. As well, they are all severely constrained by their social structures.

From start to finish, I was fully invested in Archangel Rising. I used to dislike the sheer number of POVs in Currie's books, especially the aliens who, for the most part, always thought like the Earth people. But now I really enjoy reading them (most are only a few pages long at most). From the various archangel pilots, Imperial commanders, Free Stars miners, security force, families, etc., there are quite a few here. But always we come back to Steph and Weston as the leads in the two arcs of this book. As well, there is the reappearance of an old foe at the end - and I couldn't have been happier about it, too!

So yes, a great book with a LOT of action this time, both assaulting a space station and, of course, space battles. The book ends both arcs nicely but always with an eye to the next book's arc. There are plenty of surprises, escalations of conflict, complications in battle, and enjoyable humor to make this a great read. The language always flows smoothly and the books never get bogged down on the science. If anything, Currie tends to spend more time musing on social issues than on the science. This is also a series whose audible books I've enjoyed in the past, though this is reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

[Bart Welch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another solid release from Evan Currie and a solid addition to the Odyssey/Odysseus line

I am a huge fan of this series, more so than his other work. Humanist military sci-fi with heart is a rare thing, and Mr. Currie does it well here.
Without getting into spoilers, legends continue to grow, and the Priminae actually seem to grow a bit, compared to how they have been written in the past.
As with the whole series, this was another fun and relatively quick read. Like the tastiest of treats, a pleasure to devour, but none far to quickly.

I can hardly wait for the next one.

[Tony Hisgett · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is divided into two main stories following Eric & The Odyssey and Steph and The Archangels. I was pleased the author concentrated on just these two storylines, but I wish he had been more concise. There was far too much description, but it was still interesting, especially once Eric got past playing ‘cat and mouse’ with the fifth fleet.

[Fred Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book two in the series sees the Archangels get some super new ships with stolen technology. Now they can really harass the Empire.

Epic space battles with fantastic strategies from the Archangels.

Some politics but mostly just a fun read.

Highly recommended Author and series

[Dow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series!

I'm sad now that I've finished the book and have wait for the next one. Evan is a masterful story teller. I sure hope it won't be long before the next one comes out. Read "Into the Black" and start your journey through the series. You'll end up thanking Evan Currie if you do.

[Samuel Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Good second book in the series
I enjoyed how the author mixed the main series characters into this volume. Would recommend having read one of the previous books in the main storyline

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazingly well Don

Two separate but loosely linked storylines are incredibly deftly interwoven here with great twists and turns especially at the end. Beautifully done, Evan. Bravo. I can hardly wait for the next in this series.

[Steven B. Starks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still one of the best series, spinoffs

If you have not read any of the Odyssey series, you’ll be confused, read those first, then King of Thieves. Fast read full of action and humor, Stephanos is one of my favorite characters and I’m still waiting for Milla and him to move to the next level. Like the reference to historical parallels too.

[Nick Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imaginative pure science fiction

I have loved sci fi since my teens. It is a wide genre. This has real imagination and gripping space battles. There are power politics but this does not detract from the narrative

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Next Chapter

Fun read with great Characters Too much story to tell for one book. Could be twice as long and still hold interest. When can I pre-order the next one?

[Shane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four and a half stars. It will be interesting to see where Currie goes with this. Is this the middle book of a trilogy or the second book of five? While the current missions both home and away get nicely wrapped up, there is a lot of potential for further action. We didn't get many clues in this which was a fun way to leave things.

The most fun for me was watching the new Archangle Squadron come together as a team while at differing levels starting to step up to playing 'pirate'. My only real complaint was that it was too short. Not that it was incomplete in any way, it's just after waiting, I wanted it to last a bit longer.

[colin c ball · Rating 5 out of 5]

The continuing adventures of the ArchAngels and the crew of the Odysseus!

The book has everything you need and want from this series, the only disappointment is i got through it in one evening, not because it's short but because it's so good!
Wish these books would come faster but then they probably wouldn't be half as good.
Looking forward to what comes next, unfortunately not pre-order at the end of this one or anything to say when it will be out!

If you want fun, adventure,humour and space battles these are for you!

[Darryl A. Pennywell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not as good as the 1st of the series....

1- clearly an entertaining read, so 5 stars
2- I was actually surprised on 3 occasions, like really caught napping. Bonus plus 2
3- still not leveraging existing tech from earlier series.... minus 1
4- pirate ending was way too easy/simple minus 1, Odessyous ending was really smart, plus 1
5- book was kind of short. Minus 1

Results are a 5 star. Enjoy the read.

[Ralen Darkwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

I can't say enough good things about this series. The only bad thing I'll say is that I want the next book now!

[James Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read.

This is another great book by Evan Currie that dives deeper in to the the universe he has created and how to fight the Imperials.

[Dcdfn · Rating 5 out of 5]

More, please.

[Trax Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much.

Was expecting this release to be good as always.

Turned out to be a great, fantastic read.

Can't wait for the next one.

[Donald Plummer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Too of the line as akways

As usual Evan Cutie has written another of what has to be the ultimate in military Scifi. Can't wait for the next in the series.

[Dale (Aus) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story

I like these. Quick and full of action with relatable characters. Nothing more I need to enjoy a book more.

[Aleksander Wistrand · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read, however short it was

Finished the book in about 4 hours, other than that a stellar part in the series. Just what we've come to expect from Evan Currie.

[Christian Bauman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great!

This book is a great addition to an excellent series. The author has done a good job in maturing the characters, and creating an interesting universe as a backdrop. I would highly recommend it to any sci-fi fan.