The Alleluia Files

Praise for Sharon Shinn and her novels of Samaria …

Archangel … Jovah’s Angel … The Alleluia Files

“The most promising and original writer of fantasy to come along since Robin McKinley.”

—Peter S. Beagle

author of
The Last Unicorn

“I was fascinated by
Archangel.
Its premise is unusual, to say the least, its characters as provocative as the action. I was truly, deeply delighted.”

—Anne McCaffrey

“Shinn can make you see angels …
Archangel
takes advantage of the familiar—goodness, the Bible,
Paradise Lost
—through building its own lively quest narrative with these sure-fire building blocks so that one feels at home in the narrative very quickly; it also has a clean, often wryly funny prose.”

—
New York Review of Science Fiction

“Clever and original. Some may raise eyebrows at Sharon Shinn’s less-than-saintly angels, but they make for far more interesting characters than the winged paragons of legend. Many will no doubt find her end results quite heavenly.”

—
Starlog

“Taut, inventive, often mesmerizing, with a splendid pair of predestined lovers.”

—
Kirkus Reviews

“Displaying sure command of characterization and vividly imagined settings, Shinn absorbs us in the story … an interesting SF-fantasy blend that should please fans of both genres.”

—
Booklist

“[A] book of true grace, wit, and insight into humanity, past and future … Shinn displays a real flair for [music and romance], giving music a compelling power and complexity, while the developing attraction between Archangel Alleluia and a gifted but eccentric mortal should charm the most dedicated anti-sentimentalist and curmudgeon.”

—
Locus

“The spellbinding Ms. Shinn writes with elegant imagination and steely grace, bringing a remarkable freshness that will command a wide audience.”

—
Romantic Times

“Shinn has created an enchanting world … I recommend this [book] without reservation.”

—
Charlotte Observer

“Completely captivating.”

—
Fantasy & Science Fiction

“A marvelous adventure. Although the basic tale is entertaining and exciting, there is a deeper issue at play. The struggle for men and women to understand and love each other while remaining independent beings …
Archangel
is a journey that any reader should gladly undertake.”

—
Rock Hill
(SC)
Herald

Ace Books by Sharon Shinn

ARCHANGEL

JOVAH’S ANGEL

THE ALLELUIA FILES

ANGELICA

ANGEL-SEEKER

WRAPT IN CRYSTAL

THE SHAPE-CHANGER’S WIFE

HEART OF GOLD

SUMMERS AT CASTLE AUBURN

JENNA STARBORN

S
HARON
S
HINN

ACE BOOKS, NEWYORK

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

For Susie,
for when she has time to read

THE ALLELUIA FILES

An Ace Book / published by arrangement with
the author

PRINTING HISTORY
Ace trade edition / April 1998
Ace mass-market edition / May 1999

Copyright © 1998 by Sharon Shinn.
Cover art by John Jude Palencar.

All rights reserved.
This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced
in any form without permission.

The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

For information address: The Berkley Publishing Group,
a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.,
375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.

ISBN: 0-441-00620-5

ACE
^®

Ace Books are published by The Berkley Publishing Group,
a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.,
375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.
ACE and the “A” design are trademarks
belonging to Penguin Group (USA), Inc.

PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

10 9 8 7

The Jacobites

Ben Harm, another Manadavvi landholder Jacob Fairman, their martyred leader Conran Atwell, their current leader Simon Davilet, an importer of technology Rinalda Linise, another martyr, the mother of twins

Tamar, a young woman Zeke, a young man

The Angels & Their Families

Bael, Archangel and leader of the host at the Eyrie

Mariah, Bael’s angelica

Omar, Bael’s son

Mercy, leader of the host at Cedar Hills

Jared, leader of the host of Monteverde

Catherine, Jared’s sister

Lucinda, who resides on Angel Rock

Gretchen, her aunt

The Edori

Maurice, captain of
The Wayward

Reuben sia Havita, his first mate

The Gentry

Christian Avalone, a wealthy Semorran merchant

Isaiah Lesh, a Manadavvi landholder

Ben Harth, another Manadavvi landowner

Simon Davilet, an importer of technology

Isabella Cartera, a Bethel landowner

Richard Stephalo, a Bethel landowner

Annalee Stephalo, his daughter

others

Ezra, a former priest

Jecoliah, oracle at Mount Sinai

Celia and Hammet Zephyr, proprietors of the Gablefront Inn on Angel Rock

Jasper, steward at the Berman House, a hotel in Semorrah

Jenny, a servant at the Berman House

Gene, chief ostler at Cartabella, the home of Isabella Cartera

Figures from the Past

Delilah, Archangel one hundred years ago

Alleluia, briefly Archangel during Delilah’s time, then oracle at Mount Sinai

Deborah, oracle at Mount Sinai after Alleluia

Caleb Augustus, Alleluia’s husband

Michael, Archangel before Bael

Joel, Archangel before Michael