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
Fury's Goddess
by
Alex Archer
It is part of the Rogue Angel #35 series and is a magical realism in Paperback edition that was published by Gold Eagle Books on March 6, 2012 and has 320 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, The Other Crowd, Tear of the Gods, The Oracle's Message, Cradle of Solitude, Labyrinth, Magic Lantern, Library of Gold, Matador's Crown, City of Swords, The Third Caliph, The Babel Codex, Sunken Pyramid, Staff of Judea
Thirty-fifth in the Rogue Angel urban fantasy series revolving around Annja Creed, archeologist and TV show host.
My Take
Right off the bat, this just doesn’t sound right. A cop who meets Annja at the airport and asks for her help with this investigation? I don’t think so. Sure, if he had any idea who Annja really was and how very capable she is — he might want to pick her brain or, god forbid, ask for her help under the table. But to come right out with it? No.
What’s with Pradesh’s comment about one of them [Frank or Annja] being less than culturally perceptive? I have to assume he’s referring to Frank because Annja is a complete one-eighty from that remark. Then there’s Pradesh’s comments about attending these sort of lavish parties and his comfort level with them. An inspector? A lowly inspector? I don’t think so. Why isn’t any of these raising warning signs for Annja? Why would Dunraj want Annja to take time out to explore the tourist attractions of the city when there’s a man-eating tiger on the loose? Oh, please, no one suspects him when he gets into the ambulance? Annja just allows him to change her IV bag?? What drugs is this girl on?
This just reads as though someone else is writing this. While I enjoyed the repartee between Annja and Dunraj, the way she keeps getting caught and her mounting inabilities to grasp the sword just don’t feel right. Doesn’t feel like an Annja story.
This was a mish-mash of clever back-and-forth and half-assed concepts. It’s definitely a Saturday afternoon at the movies kind of series, but this one just doesn’t work for me with its convoluted plans within plans.
“Tow the line”? Seriously?
The Story
A man-eating tiger is on the loose on the outskirts of Hyderabad, India and Doug thinks the mysterious reports about it are right up the show’s alley. When Annja and Frank show up at the airport, things start getting funky. Starting with a policeman picking them up — he’ll be babysitting — followed by a lavish party thrown for Annja by the most eligible bachelor in Hyderabad.
It’s Frank who really gets the ball moving. No sooner are they back at the hotel, than Frank is pushing for the two of them to get out there and explore. Without the restraining hand of Hyderabad’s finest. Sure, the lack of cop opens up a source, but it also opens up a trap that creates so many more problems — think of an onion with all its layers waiting to be peeled away. Only Annja is peeling with her mind as well as her sword.
The Characters
Annja Creed is an archeologist with a reverence for the past. She’s also the wielder of Joan of Arc’s re-assembled sword with a mandate to protect. The young and horny Frank Desalvo is her current cameraman for the television show she co-hosts, Chasing History’s Monsters. Doug Morrell is the producer for the show and acts more like a hyped-up twenty-year-old.
Inspector Ajay Pradesh is with the Hyderabad City Police Special Investigations Unit and in charge of the case from his particular end. A very particular one. Dunraj is a billionaire, very eligible, and a mover-and-shaker in Hyderabad. He’s also fascinated by Annja.
Kormi is one of the Thuggees albeit one who seems upset with the current direction of their worship. Anup is the leader of the Tamil Tigers.
The Cover and Title
The cover is the Rogue Angel yellows and browns with Annja wearing black cargo pants and a toasty brown tank top, her hair blowing as she steps forward in a battle stance, her sword gripped in both hands and raised over one shoulder. Kali rises up behind her with the stone wall of the mountain behind her.
The title is all about Annja. In her role as Fury’s Goddess striking down the unrighteous.
