God of Thunder

Rogue Angel #7

by Alex Archer (pseudonym), Mel Odom

Recovering artifacts.
Deciphering codes.
Cheating death.
And that's just the beginning...

Archaeologist Annja Creed narrowly escapes an attack by unknown figures when she tries to collect a package near her loft. She later learns that the sender--an old colleague named Fellini--has been brutally murdered. Fellini had been researching the Hammer of Thor, the Norse god of thunder, and had linked it to a Viking warrior and a twelfth-century Latvian village. A coded message in Fellini's package leads Annja on a wild chase along the canals of Venice to Latvia for more clues to an ancient treasure. Rumored to be hidden deep in the forests of Latvia for nine hundred years, this fabled prize is also sought by a ruthless corps of mercenaries. And they will do anything to find it. Including killing Annja Creed.

Genres: Fantasy, Adventure, Urban Fantasy, Fiction, Paranormal, Action, Thriller

348 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 1, 2007

About the author

A house name for the Rogue Angel series, published by the Harlequin Publishing's Gold Eagle division.

The first eight novels were written by Victor Milan and Mel Odom. New writers joining the series starting with book nine include Jon Merz and Joseph Nassise.

Reviews

[Paraphrodite · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

So this one is a take on Thor and his hammer. Of course, there's a treasure somewhere and the bad guys are after it.

In this episode, we see an unexpected softer side to Garin. But it is the relationship dynamics between Roux, Garin and Annja that really keep me interested.

I also loved that we are introduced to another kick-ass female, former thief Erene, in this episode. Together with Kelly Swan from Forbidden City, I can see a remake of "Charlie's Angels" in the making.. :)

[Kathy Davie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first time Annja hasn't found a great secret or treasure. It feels so much more real for this. Personally, I think Annja takes this "let the bad guys live" a little too seriously. I understand her reasoning for it but Tex was right...take 'em out now before they hurt more people.

We discover that the cold Garin does have a heart...who knew! I'm curious as to things develop further down the road with him after the last bit of action in the story. Roux appears to have unexpected considerations...that should also be interesting to watch. Do you think that "Roux" is an alternative spelling for roué??

And then Stanley Younts was a fun surprise. He rather emphasizes the differences between "normal" thinking and Annja and Roux's approach to events. And poor Doug...what am I saying? Poor Annja, what will Doug be plotting after their little interaction?!!

Erene has the potential for future appearances...feels as though Archer has set us up for a major shift in character[s] interaction...it'll be curious to see how it plays out.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think what is frustrating me about these books is the lack of additional characters. Don't get me wrong, Roux and Garin keep coming back, but their roles are decidedly limited, and the other characters either get killed off (Tex Winston) or vanish (Kelly Swan). I'm also annoyed that we keep dancing around a relationship between Annja and Bart. The man is engaged and Annja declared herself uninterested in any sort of lasting relationship with anyone. I think I keep reading these mainly to get a sense of the history. Annja's research has solidified enough that I can find it believable and I enjoy learning about cultures, archaeological research, and archaeology methods. The only other reason I can come up with is hope. The hope that the above frustrations will fix themselves...

I'll give the series two more books because that's what I've got checked out from the library.

[Bob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good but not great

Another good read about Annja Creed. As usual there is lots of action and intrigue. My only disappointment is in the ending, it lacked something to make it memorable.

[Lela · Rating 2 out of 5]

Better than #6 but still a weak ending. The swashbuckling is there but....

[Richard Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 7th in a long-running pulp series written by multiple authors (Mel Odom for this one) and I liked it quite a bit. Entertaining. Annja Creed and the whole Rogue Angel series is like an updated version of men's adventure fiction, like Doc Savage or Mack Bolan or Remo Williams, and though there's still a lot of hand-to-hand fighting, globetrotting, and gun-wielding bad guys the protagonist has to face, the violence feels a bit toned down and secondary. She's interested in history and artifacts, and that focus leads to cool connections with hidden or little-known bits of history that are a pleasure to read about.

The history in this one leads her from the US to Venice, then finally to Latvia, where there is a legend about an ancient viking who once joined a Baltic tribe and protected them with a device that can only be described as Thor's hammer. The usual bad guys get involved and try to beat her to it, and the usual regular folk get in the middle and need protected. Despite the genuine supernatural elements (including a sword that Annja can summon at will) the story and series seems realistic in most ways, like urban fantasy that leans more toward urban than fantasy. It's a mix that works well.

The action plot serves the purpose here, and the writing is quite good, IMO; better than Doc Savage, anyway. The pacing leans toward quick, moving along like an action movie (which it resembles in almost every way) and it makes it a perfectly fun read. (Some people would call these books a guilty pleasure, but my position is that there is no guilt in reading entertaining books. They are produced by Harlequin, the long-time romance publishers, and they know how to make a fortune off books that people enjoy but feel like they shouldn't!)

Anyway, for those who enjoy action books or other pulp fiction, this is a fun series, and this is a good title. Recommended for those readers.

[Warren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know that each of the books in the series is written by a different author...or maybe there was a team of them who rotated, taking turns. Not sure. Still, the plot of #7 here wasn't too bad. Except the end. The author(s) wrapped up the story way too early. The bad guy in this book had potential. Instead, much if the characters were, again, cardboard charicatures.

But as far as escapist mindcandy goes, I have about, what, 40 more in the series to read?

Still. If I was writing this series, I think I'd keep a few of the NPCs around for future plot ideas and such. But maybe that's not the intent and design of the books? As they tie very little in, from book to book, is it all designed to be loosely "one off" plots? Not sure.

[Gail Sawrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Rogue Angel series never disappoints. In this book, Annja Creed goes in search of an artifact, the search for which might have resulted in a friend's murder. (Not a spoiler--this is stated in the book's description.) Traveling to several countries, Annja is determined to find out whether the artifact she is searching for is authentic. And that search may require the use of Joan of Arc's sword.

[Daelith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the action and adventure of this series, but I wish endings of finding the actual treasures are a bit anticlimactic. At least at the end of this one, we did get to hear about what was found even it's vague. The first one of this series I read, the reader got no closer at all as to what the main prize was supposed to be. I've got another book of this series in the TBR pile, but I glad I'm finding these cheap at used book stores and library sales.

[Karen Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fast paced adventure in this series, which has become one of my favorite to curl up with. This one takes Annja from New York to Venice to Latvia, where a mysterious package puts her in the trail of a legendary treasure that has already cost the life of an old friend. The villains are not over the top evil, and enough attention is paid to their motives to make the story more intriguing. Love this series and love Annja!!!

[Mary Mackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first part of the book was interesting. My only beef with the book was the way they hurried through the finding of the artifact and wind up of the story. 345 pages of action, less than 3 to tell of the discovery and subsequent solution to the find. Quite disappointing.

[Lisa Lenox · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here is the problem with these formula serial adventures: the characters never progress. Annja doesn’t really grow in the series. She just goes on her merry way killing. Roux and Gauron aren’t really allowed to interact with her in a meaningful way. It’s all very frustrating.

[Norman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointed the ending fell short.

[Eadrinor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another pretty average Rogue Angel book. The only takeaway for me was the final chapter, otherwise the story was fairly lacking in any events of note.

[Paschalis]

elibrary

[Laurla2]

i liked this one better than the last few, less kill kill kill, more story.

[Kara Rowley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cool

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! The action never stopped on this one. I loved the story! Also, a character grabbed Annja, and kissed her. Too funny.

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was lots of ongoing action, including adding a new character named Erene. Erene isn't exactly a nice person either. I see a trend that this group of authors has decided to take. Last book they added Tex, who subsequently was killed. This book, the group of authors added numerous villians, a world renowned author, and a scene in which Roux actually goes back to save his nemesis's life. However, there was no discovery of any treasure in this book, and the come to the good side by Erene was kind of phony to be honest. The ending was a huge disappointment for me, even though the bad guys/gal got what they deserved as usual. Next?!?!?!?!

[pdarnold · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the kooky new author character introduced in this book! I am happy to see an ongoing friendship with Bart even if it is running into a few bumps within this story. Again, Roux and Garin are a complex mix. I don't know if I want to like them or hate them. Alas, once more friendship with Annja proves deadly. Also, another female character, Erene, is thrown into the group that makes one think "hmmm" is she bad or is she good or just a bit of both? I wonder if she appears later? I for one, hope for that. It's so enjoyable to read not only a quick fiction of action and mystery but also has a bit of travel. Just enough details of the different locales make this all the more fun.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I usually never give these books five stars but this one had be hooked from the first page and never let go. All the major characters were in this story about the Norse warrior Thor. Garin and Roux both had side stories that were alternated with Annja's. I really liked the alternating chapters because it gave you a inside look of "the bad guy" and what motivated him. I also liked Garin's chapters because you learn that he actually has feelings. This is definitely my favorite by far and hope that the many others that come later do not dissapoint.

[Chad Mitchell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book series really is a guilty pleasure. I actually feel bad about reading it considering it is a Harlequin imprint. I know, but the lead is kind of like Lara Croft and who does not like Tomb Raider. The only problem is different people write these books so the character is not always consistent.

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I kind of knew these were not all actually written by the same person. But I've discovered that the odd numbers are written by one author and the even numbers another. Which explains why I really like every other book. This is one I really liked. The evens are all right, but I definitely like the odds better. Figures.

[Michelle Kampmeier · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was very graphic, and not completely the gory graphic. Puking and being sick this time.. and too much cell phone! Geesh. It ended and I didn't even think it was over! I'm not sure if they resolved the deal or not. Whatever. Moving on!

[Linda George · Rating 3 out of 5]

As usual, a good romp with Annja. An old friend sends an artifact for her to study. However there is a group of mercenaries waiting for her, and the adventure is on. This is what I expect from this series, and exciting adventure with a bit of archaeology thrown in.

[Cindy]

LOVED this one. It not only talked about my favorite Norseman "Thor" but it also mentioned one of my all time favorite movies "Thin man". Love all the action and adventure. I'm really liking it isn't full of the kissy face lovie dovie stuff. Once you are in you are in to the end.

[Catherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was a good bit of fun. I enjoyed some of the background for Garin that was given. The theme of family was kinda weird in my opinion and I felt the ending left much to be desired. I did enjoy seeing more of Roux and Garin and their interaction with Annja.

[Ruby Ridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ending could have been better as a conclusion although Annja, gun and sword in hand, killing the bad guys is what we like to see. No romance, just warrior woman. One of the better ones in an excellent series.

[bluetyson]

God Of Thunder (Rogue Angel) by Alex Archer (2007)

[sweetling · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can never get tired of reading these books..thankfully, cause there's ALOT of them :)