Customer Reviews

Provenance (Rogue Angel, Book 11)

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A few of the more recent episodes of this series have been weak. This installment shows that the series is getting better again. This one has a lot of action and keeps it going throughout the book. If you're the kind of person who needs a book to provide answers everything and wrap it all up neatly, be prepared to be disappointed. If leaving some things to speculation works for you, I think this will be an enjoyable escape.

I read these as an escape from my usual technical work and generally finish each one in a day or two, so it isn't that I'm expecting literary masterpieces here -- if you're expecting that, keep moving :)

While accompanying Garin on a cruise, the ship is suddenly attacked. And Annja must use her unique abilities and gifts to overcome her captors. When she returns home, she faces a more personal attack. But the assailants disappear mysteriously. When a man who wishes to hire Annja and take advantage of her gifts, he admits to being the man who arranged the personal ambush. But Annja is intrigued about his missing artifact and decides to investigate regardless.

This installment has plenty of action and adventure in many different lands. Annja must make some tough judgment calls. Who is the rightful owner? Several factions claim it. Annja is willing to track it. But who should she surrender the artifact to when she finds it? The artifact in question is shrouded in mystery, and we never do find out anything about it. Which is my main complaint. But we do get to know Annja better on the relationship front, her struggles and hesitation because of her travels and danger in her life.

Even though it includes deeper issues of relationships and politics, this is a fun and exciting installment in the popular Rogue Angel series.

Automatic rifle fire interrupts all the fancy events in the ballroom where Annja Creed and the mysterious Garin are attending the gala event. Garin, a man who has lived through centuries of human conflict casts an eye of suspicion towards the responsibility of the self-proclaimed terrorists, the People's Revolutionaries. When Annja finally escapes this event and the media attention, the tranquility of her living room comes to an abrupt end when the skylight above her shatters and her home is now the site of a commando-type raid. When she later returns to her home to find all visible traces of the previous attack now invisible, a creepy feeling remains. Cedric Milhouse telephones apologizing for the inconvenience of the attack and offers her a job to look into the disappearance of a holy relic. Although a background investigation into Cedric Milhouse poses more questions than answers, archeologist Annja Creed cannot resist exploring the mystery of a relic of possible archeological significance. Her investigation uncovers a n ancient religious sect, the Knights of the Risen Savior, a band of pirates in the South China Sea and the Sultan Wira of Rimba Perak, a man trying to prevent his country from being beholden to and influenced by the Sword of Faith. With rival parties wanting the relic along with its mysterious powers, a choice must be made --- not only as to who deserves ownership of the relic but also whether the mere presence of the relic would unleash a catastrophic effect on humanity by unleashing Armageddon.

Packed with action and intrigue, PROVENANCE is one fast read! Alex Archer sets up an intriguing mix of characters all set on possessing the sacred relic. Annja Creed's archeological background allows her more distance and appreciation for the relic perhaps from the disparate parties set on possessing it for their own ends. The presence of Garin, a man who has lived through centuries and the inclusion of his perspective on the terrorist attack provides an introduction to the philosophical questions posed in this book. In one brief moment, Garin tells Annja that there is always a choice, an idea that PROVENANCE develops throughout this novel. What is good and what is evil? Does the end justify the means?

Alex Archer creates an unusual mix of action and philosophy in PROVENANCE by detailing questions originating from today's political environment. PROVENANCE highlights the excesses and fanaticism that sometimes goes along with politics, religion and all things in life. The political philosophy in later references focuses on 9/11, security measures instituted by the Patriot Act, and sanctioned torture. By focusing on ideas and not mentioning specific personalities, the author adds to the philosophical nature of his questions. Nevertheless, politics are often so divisive that this book may not appeal to readers on certain places of the political spectrum. Additionally, readers who see the world, both politics and religion, in more black and white, right or wrong terms may prefer other books in this series. A look at the other far side of the political spectrum might have strengthened the message.

While PROVENANCE is packed with action and intriguing characters, Alex Archer does not develop the depth of character seen in previous ROGUE ANGEL books. Annja Creed is both sexualized and feminized more in this novel and the author's focus on her weight and thinness seems out of place, especially in conjunction to the action scenes surrounding this section. A romantic involvement with the Sultan added a dimension to her character without the same kind of sexualization. Oddly enough, in the one place a reader might expect more feminization, Annja's intelligence and cunning receive more attention.

Immediately upon finishing this book, I felt disappointed that the author did not develop the relic itself more with descriptions to detail its mystery and significance. Once I stood back a moment from the last page, the author's description of the relic seemed all the more brilliant because the relic as it was written fit so perfectly in with the philosophical questions of the book. PROVENANCE was a good read but more attention to characterization without sacrificing the action and philosophical elements of this book would have made this ROGUE ANGEL a great read. In general, ROGUE ANGEL is a series that appeals to both men and women readers. The action emphasis over characterization and some peculiarities in Annja's character may indicate that the author approached this particular book with more of an eye to the male fans. Nevertheless, PROVENANCE makes for quite a pleasant and thought-provoking quick read for ROGUE ANGEL fans!

Trouble seems to find archaeologist Annja Creed. A relic is being sought after by various factions, each believing it has mystical powers. Annja's skills are in demand as several different groups want her to recover the relic for them. Just who does have PROVENANCE of this relic? What paths will Annja's search lead her on in her latest quest?

PROVENANCE is a book that offers a mixed bag of reactions. On one hand, it is a fascinating, action packed journey in which Annja is left questioning how appearances and extremism can cause such division. Alex Archer writes a tale that is chock full of adventure with nary a dull moment. In fact, it's hard to stop turning the pages as the reader wants to know exactly what and who will end up with the relic. The mysteries that unravel sometimes leave more question than answers. In fact, it is the journey itself that is the real heart of the matter in this tale.

Annja Creed is a character I've grown to love over the course of the Rogue Angel series. PROVENANCE is an intriguing story in itself, but the characterization of Annja is a bit disconcerting. Annja has always been a bit of a feminist heroine but in PROVENANCE she seems almost a caricature of herself. The focus is more on her appearance, her emotions, almost a more "girly" approach rather than the strong heroine of the past books. Several scenes seem to be geared more to a male audience. Annja was not the only character who appears to be a stereotype but hers is the most distressing as she is a heroine that readers have grown to expect more from.

Politics, both international and domestic, play a repeated role in PROVENANCE. The author obviously wants to make some points but there were times when the comments jolted me out of the story. The comments aren't historical but instead only focus on current day events and since Annja usually focuses on both, it came across as a rant rather than anything else. Annja's role as an archaeologist often has her analyzing present day views with the past but this wasn't the case in PROVENANCE. It's not a question as to whether one agrees or disagrees with the comments, as political commentary in fiction is common and has an incredible impact when well done. Instead, it was that the comments didn't always seem consistent with the character of Annja as she has grown throughout the series and the fact that the author had to repeatedly insert details in places where they didn't flow smoothly.

Readers first entering the Rogue Angel series will probably appreciate PROVENANCE. However, those who have been reading this continuity series may find themselves a bit surprised by the discrepancies in Annja's character. Overall, PROVENANCE is a difficult book to rate as the fast paced action makes it a thrilling read. Unfortunately, my disappointment in how Annja was treated as a character made this one more on the average side rather than the brilliant read it could have been.

COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES