Provenance (Rogue Angel, Book 11)

by Alex Archer

Book Overview

When a mysterious man orchestrates an attack on archaeologist Annja Creed and then offers her an assignment, Annja is baffl ed. But the mission is too intriguing for her to refuse. She must fi nd an... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0373621299
• Release Date: March 2008
• Publisher: Gold Eagle
• Length: 348 Pages
• Weight: 0.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.6" x 0.9" x 4.2"

Customer Reviews

Getting better again

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 :)

Action, philosophy and an ancient relic in the 11th Rogue Angel

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