I received this book for free from the library in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Source: the library
The Other Crowd
by
Alex Archer
It is part of the Rogue Angel #30 series and is a magical realism in a paperback edition that was published by Gold Eagle Books on May 3, 2011 and has 312 pages.
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Other books in this series include [books_series]
Other books by this author which I have reviewed include The Soul Stealer, Gabriel's Horn, The Golden Elephant, Swordsman's Legacy, Polar Quest, Eternal Journey, Sacrifice, Seeker's Curse, Footprints, Paradox, The Spirit Banner, Sacred Ground, The Bone Conjurer, Phantom Prospect, Restless Soul, False Horizon, Tear of the Gods, The Oracle's Message, Cradle of Solitude, Labyrinth, Fury's Goddess, Magic Lantern, Library of Gold, Matador's Crown, City of Swords, The Third Caliph, The Babel Codex, Sunken Pyramid, Staff of Judea
Thirtieth in the Rogue Angel urban fantasy series about an archeologist/TV host who “inherited” the broadsword of Joan of Arc.
My Take
This story was all over the place and doesn’t really hold together. Supposedly NewWorld is running this dig but Pierce has made so many phone calls to them protesting, attempting to inform them of Michael’s actions, and gotten nothing back from them. Does he pursue it any further than this? No. Why not??? This is pretty serious business. Annja has remarked on how stringent Irish laws are on archeological artifacts so why are they letting this slide?
Three people have gone missing and everyone is willing to let is slide? Including the gardia?
This is the first story, that I can remember, which opens with a Joan of Arc sequence. It does turn out to be a nightmare Annja is having, but still… The message Annja picks up from this dream is that the power is not hers. Annja’s not sure if the sword is warning or threatening her.
I dunno, this particular story felt even more made up than the others as though Archer didn’t have his heart in it. Although, I do appreciate Garin letting us know his true thoughts about Annja!
The Story
It’s just another jaunt to film a really lame episode for Chasing History’s Monsters, and Doug Morrell, the producer, had just the bait to dangle to induce Annja to accept. Fairies are kidnapping humans from an Irish archeological dig, and Doug knows Annja will do anything to get her hands in the dirt!
Once Annja gets onsite, nothing is right. There are two camps from the same “supposed” company and the guy in charge of the “enemy” camp is running around brandishing a gun, being too secretive, fighting at the drop of a hat, and getting on everyone’s nerves. Nothing loath, Annja steps up and pushes right back even as she befriends others.
In the meantime, Garin and Roux are plotting on a particular gift for Annja. A little something to welcome her to the family.
The Characters
Annja Creed is a serious archeologist, but is not associated with any institution that would pay her way onto a dig site, so she uses her income from Chasing History’s Monsters for sites that she can’t manipulate the show’s producer, Doug Morrell, into using for the show. Annja is not the only host for the show, but she is the scientific one.
Eric Kritz, Annja’s cameraman for the shoot, got his dad to pay for it, and he’s using it to boost his résumé as well as for a class project. Yeah, he’s not even out of high school yet! The further we go in the story, the more Annja starts to question just who his dad is and what kind of side jobs he may pursue.
Wesley Pierce was the original leader for the dig but he got supplanted by Michael Slater who later divided the camp into two. Pierce is certainly an archeologist but Annja has some major doubts about Slater who has more of a military feel to him. Frank Neville is quite ominous sounding until we meet him. Then we know he’s a bad man! Daniel Collins is their guide for the area. A most curious man who collects incredible wines but doesn’t seem to have any money or a job. His mother, Rachel Collins, is certainly interesting with all her little treasures…including the spear of Lugh…read the last few paragraphs…Annja might have competition!
The Cover and Title
Looks like they got a new cover model to stand in for Annja. She’s got her battle stance ready, sword raised about to unleash hell on earth in front of a pretty marked-up standing stone. Pretty weird reflections on that sword although I do like the reddish-brown leather jacket Annja’s wearing over her black jeans and brown, lace-trimmed tank top.
The title refers to the topic of this installment, the wee folk, the fair folk, little people, The Other Crowd.
