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Rogue Angel #39
City of Swords
In Charlemagne's footsteps, a man who would be Holy Emperor...
It was the kind of internet posting guaranteed to attract the attention of the American cable TV show Chasing History's Monsters: "Dog-headed men sighted by tourists in Avignon." Drawn to France to explore the myth of Saint Christopher and the cynocephalus, or the dog-headed, archaeologist and television host Annja Creed finds herself repeatedly and inexplicably targeted by vicious mercenaries. Her best defense is to trace this brutal violence back to its source, which she soon discovers to be a millionaire and self-professed descendant of King Charlemagne.
Caught up in a romantic and ruthless sixth-century world, the man is convinced that if he collects mankind's most precious and holy swords, he can fulfill his medieval ancestor's failed goal to build the City of God. And he's stealing the priceless relics one by one to arm his modern-day paladins. Now he has his eye on a very special sword--Annja's.
And he'll have to kill her to get it.
It was the kind of internet posting guaranteed to attract the attention of the American cable TV show Chasing History's Monsters: "Dog-headed men sighted by tourists in Avignon." Drawn to France to explore the myth of Saint Christopher and the cynocephalus, or the dog-headed, archaeologist and television host Annja Creed finds herself repeatedly and inexplicably targeted by vicious mercenaries. Her best defense is to trace this brutal violence back to its source, which she soon discovers to be a millionaire and self-professed descendant of King Charlemagne.
Caught up in a romantic and ruthless sixth-century world, the man is convinced that if he collects mankind's most precious and holy swords, he can fulfill his medieval ancestor's failed goal to build the City of God. And he's stealing the priceless relics one by one to arm his modern-day paladins. Now he has his eye on a very special sword--Annja's.
And he'll have to kill her to get it.
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 30, 2012
9 people are currently reading
359 people want to read
About the author
Alex Archer
99 books238 followersA 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 4, 2019
2.75 stars.
A bit better than the previous instalment, at least the story makes more sense. The potential for a better story is there but not quite delivered. Again, not sure if it's the adaptation by Graphic Audio because there seems to be a few lost threads. .
Roux's presence didn't seem to help much and Garin was glaringly MIA. I would have thought he'd be interested in all these "named" swords.
A bit better than the previous instalment, at least the story makes more sense. The potential for a better story is there but not quite delivered. Again, not sure if it's the adaptation by Graphic Audio because there seems to be a few lost threads. .
Roux's presence didn't seem to help much and Garin was glaringly MIA. I would have thought he'd be interested in all these "named" swords.
January 25, 2013
Thirty-ninth in the Rogue Angels urban fantasy series about a TV host/archeologist who just happens to wield Joan of Arc's sword. Events take place in France with Roux's help.
My Take
It's better than the last one, Matador's Crown . But not by a lot. Is Archer getting bored with this series? Annja is still behaving rather stupidly, believing that she's unbeatable. And she doesn't seem capable of learning since she keeps going back and pulling more stupid stunts. What's with all the yelling in the catacombs? I mean, duh. None of this is the Annja I've come to enjoy. Lately, I'm feeling less and less excited about reading further.
It's intriguing the way Archer leads us in about Archard. I'm wondering if he's like Roux. Archer further enticed me along by dropping partial hints until I was hooked into wanting to know the why and what of their thieving.
"Bitzer". I like it. Archer uses it to describe a particular type of dog: bits of this and bits of that.
Some knowledge had to have come to Lawton for him to set the Romanies on Annja in the first place; it's too bad Archer doesn't see fit to let us in on it.
What is it with bad guys? It's okay for them to come after you, to kill you, but when you defend yourself, and, god forbid, kill one of them to save yourself. Then they get all pissy like you are the aggressor. I do worry about myself. Would I try to be like Annja and do my best to preserve the life of a bad guy? My reactions while reading do not reassure me!
The Story
A sought-for run-in with a gang in the streets of Paris followed by a nasty beating has aroused Annja's curiosity. Who knows about her sword? How did they learn of it?
Annja's own sense of justice combined with the sword's determination will lead her to those who steal history and pervert it for their own ends.
The Characters
Annja Creed is passionate about archeology but is unaffiliated with an organization or university, so she pays for her travels and digs by co-hosting a somewhat exploitive television show. She is in France in this installment to tape a series of episodes for Chasing History's Monsters. Certain events have left her with possession of the sword of Joan of Arc. Roux was one of Joan's knights. The breaking of Joan's sword has left him immortal, and only time will tell if its reforging will affect his life span.
Those associated with Chasing History's Monsters
Doug Morrell is the producer of the TV show. Rembert is a freelance cameraman hired for the French trip.
Dr. Charles Lawton is a single-minded history professor with an obsession for Charlemagne and his knights. Dr. Archard Gichon is a professor of religious studies and under Lawton's sway. Sarah hears voices and has also fallen under Lawton's influence. I think she likes the excuse he provides. Ulrich managed an art gallery and lectures on art history. Jacques and Gaston are hired thugs. Luc and Gaetan are intended to become paladins; both were fencing contenders in the 2008 Olympics.
The Cover
The cover is browns and yellow-greens with Annja in brown jeans, calf-high boots, and a tight-fitting brown T. She's cocky on this cover: on one knee with the other bent at a right angle to the ground, head proud with her long brown hair blowing in the wind, and grasping the hilt of Joan's sword, point to the ground. Take note of the "fence" behind her. Swords of all shapes, lengths, and styles against a background of stone blocks and an old carving.
The title takes its cue from Augustine's City of God, but it will be built by a City of Swords.
My Take
It's better than the last one, Matador's Crown . But not by a lot. Is Archer getting bored with this series? Annja is still behaving rather stupidly, believing that she's unbeatable. And she doesn't seem capable of learning since she keeps going back and pulling more stupid stunts. What's with all the yelling in the catacombs? I mean, duh. None of this is the Annja I've come to enjoy. Lately, I'm feeling less and less excited about reading further.
It's intriguing the way Archer leads us in about Archard. I'm wondering if he's like Roux. Archer further enticed me along by dropping partial hints until I was hooked into wanting to know the why and what of their thieving.
"Bitzer". I like it. Archer uses it to describe a particular type of dog: bits of this and bits of that.
Some knowledge had to have come to Lawton for him to set the Romanies on Annja in the first place; it's too bad Archer doesn't see fit to let us in on it.
What is it with bad guys? It's okay for them to come after you, to kill you, but when you defend yourself, and, god forbid, kill one of them to save yourself. Then they get all pissy like you are the aggressor. I do worry about myself. Would I try to be like Annja and do my best to preserve the life of a bad guy? My reactions while reading do not reassure me!
The Story
A sought-for run-in with a gang in the streets of Paris followed by a nasty beating has aroused Annja's curiosity. Who knows about her sword? How did they learn of it?
Annja's own sense of justice combined with the sword's determination will lead her to those who steal history and pervert it for their own ends.
The Characters
Annja Creed is passionate about archeology but is unaffiliated with an organization or university, so she pays for her travels and digs by co-hosting a somewhat exploitive television show. She is in France in this installment to tape a series of episodes for Chasing History's Monsters. Certain events have left her with possession of the sword of Joan of Arc. Roux was one of Joan's knights. The breaking of Joan's sword has left him immortal, and only time will tell if its reforging will affect his life span.
Those associated with Chasing History's Monsters
Doug Morrell is the producer of the TV show. Rembert is a freelance cameraman hired for the French trip.
Dr. Charles Lawton is a single-minded history professor with an obsession for Charlemagne and his knights. Dr. Archard Gichon is a professor of religious studies and under Lawton's sway. Sarah hears voices and has also fallen under Lawton's influence. I think she likes the excuse he provides. Ulrich managed an art gallery and lectures on art history. Jacques and Gaston are hired thugs. Luc and Gaetan are intended to become paladins; both were fencing contenders in the 2008 Olympics.
The Cover
The cover is browns and yellow-greens with Annja in brown jeans, calf-high boots, and a tight-fitting brown T. She's cocky on this cover: on one knee with the other bent at a right angle to the ground, head proud with her long brown hair blowing in the wind, and grasping the hilt of Joan's sword, point to the ground. Take note of the "fence" behind her. Swords of all shapes, lengths, and styles against a background of stone blocks and an old carving.
The title takes its cue from Augustine's City of God, but it will be built by a City of Swords.
February 7, 2013
What an anti-climatic ending. Boo.
August 17, 2024
If only the characters grew a bit with each story...
March 18, 2021
multi-author series. this one written by jean rabe.
annja is investigating a myth for her tv show but keeps running into mercenaries trying to steal her sword. a man who claims to be a descendant of charlemagne is stealing swords for his 'paladins' to fulfill his failed ancestors goal to build the city of swords.
-4 stars, maybe 3. while there is death, it didnt feel like gratuitous death. the cameraman even escapes alive. (some of the authors kill EVERYONE but annja.)
-learned some new insults, maybe. there was a lot of french and romany and some other languages thrown in as well. that got annoying. i dont speak french, i learned spanish in high school.
marie-salope - slut or bitch?
putain de merde - whore of shit?
espace de pute - species of bitch?
scroafa - female pig
brule en enfer - go to hell
-one of the characters has himself chemically castrated with anti-androgen drugs for his religious fervor. *shudders*.
annja is investigating a myth for her tv show but keeps running into mercenaries trying to steal her sword. a man who claims to be a descendant of charlemagne is stealing swords for his 'paladins' to fulfill his failed ancestors goal to build the city of swords.
-4 stars, maybe 3. while there is death, it didnt feel like gratuitous death. the cameraman even escapes alive. (some of the authors kill EVERYONE but annja.)
-learned some new insults, maybe. there was a lot of french and romany and some other languages thrown in as well. that got annoying. i dont speak french, i learned spanish in high school.
marie-salope - slut or bitch?
putain de merde - whore of shit?
espace de pute - species of bitch?
scroafa - female pig
brule en enfer - go to hell
-one of the characters has himself chemically castrated with anti-androgen drugs for his religious fervor. *shudders*.
November 25, 2023
Basically no eding.
Why do they keep harping on the bad guy being a descendant of Charlemagne? So is basically everyone who is a little European.
Annja seems very different in books written by Jean Rabe. Do not like.
Why do they keep harping on the bad guy being a descendant of Charlemagne? So is basically everyone who is a little European.
Annja seems very different in books written by Jean Rabe. Do not like.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 26, 2013
*Genre* Urban Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5
*My Thoughts*
"Be careful that history's monsters don't come after you." Roux to Annya
City of Swords once again finds our protagonist archaeologist Annya Creed in Paris exploring possible reports of Dog Men aka cynocephalus and ending up in over her head. Apparently her producer Doug has it in his head that they actually do exist and are living in the catacombs under Paris. I'll admit something to the general masses; this series is a bit hokey at times and it stretches your imagination to actually believing that any of this is even remotely possible. I mean, add in Doug's obsession with vampires, and things that he truly believes are real, like aliens, and you get a chuckle now and again by in the end, you are often left rolling your eyes.
What this series DOES to well at, is the historical aspect. I enjoy going to the internet and researching various figures that are introduced in this series. Oftentimes than not, I had not known that these people or events had actually happened.
City of Swords has a few inconsistencies that rear their ugly head. I would love to remember when Annja has started having nightmares about her actually being Joan of Arc? I don't remember that from Matador's Crown or any other previous installments. This is the danger of having unknown authors write this series and not paying attention to the previous installments.
You see, it makes absolutely no sense to try to make these stories standalone and then continue to bring your character back to Paris where Annya has had NOTHING but trouble in past episodes and has nearly lost her lives more times than I can shake a stick at. It also makes no sense for these nightmares to all of a sudden appear in the storyline without making readers understand where they came from. Was it from being in France? Was it because someone is trying to speak to Annya? Is Annya really a direct descendant to Joan of Arc like Roux believes?
City of Swords is an interesting, dark, and bloody story that has Annya chasing down a band of paladins answering to Dr. Charles Lawton who truly believes that he is the direct descendant to Charlemagne and therefore should have been the one to receive Joan of Arc's "Truly" broadsword that she now holds along with other 'holy' and 'named' swords from historical figures like Attila the Hun, El Cid, and William Wallace.
Lawton, and his sidekick Dr. Archard Gichon, who believes he is Charlemagne's Roland, go after other religions with massive attempts to eliminate anyone who is not Christian in order to make France his own City of God. I'm sure this part of the story will get reviewers dandruff up because to portray Christians actually going after and killing Buddhist, Sciencetology, and other non Christian faiths, like Muslims, is just not politically correct these days even though Christians are now targeted in each and every corner of the globe.
In the end, Annya ends up outwitted, outmatched, stabbed, shot, a broken arm and hand, gassed, and in the hospital more times than any other previous installment that I've read. She also somehow manages to come out on top in a curious ending that has left me a little let down. I do like the fact that Roux plays such a major part in this story even though he clearly has his own agenda when it comes to Annya's swords and what to do with her.
I have pretty much given up any hope of ever finishing this series any time soon. I mean, look, this is the 39th installment of the Rogue Angel series and there are still 10 more to go that I know of! Of course, I have no access to the upcoming titles until the library ILL once again allows me to request them! See, there's this little bylaw that states that we can't request any titles from the same year the book releases! Such nonsense. Such a pity!
Rogue Angel
40. The Third Caliph (January 2nd 2013)
41. Staff of Judea (March 5th 2013)
42. The Vanishing Tribe (May 7th 2013)
43. Clockwork Doomsday (July 1st 2013)
44. Blood Cursed (September 3rd 2013)
45. Sunken Pyramid (November 2013)
46. Treasure of Lima (January 2014)
47. River of Nightmares (March 2014)
48. Grendel’s Curse (May 2014)
Released: October 30th 2012 by Gold Eagle
*Rating* 3.5
*My Thoughts*
"Be careful that history's monsters don't come after you." Roux to Annya
City of Swords once again finds our protagonist archaeologist Annya Creed in Paris exploring possible reports of Dog Men aka cynocephalus and ending up in over her head. Apparently her producer Doug has it in his head that they actually do exist and are living in the catacombs under Paris. I'll admit something to the general masses; this series is a bit hokey at times and it stretches your imagination to actually believing that any of this is even remotely possible. I mean, add in Doug's obsession with vampires, and things that he truly believes are real, like aliens, and you get a chuckle now and again by in the end, you are often left rolling your eyes.
What this series DOES to well at, is the historical aspect. I enjoy going to the internet and researching various figures that are introduced in this series. Oftentimes than not, I had not known that these people or events had actually happened.
City of Swords has a few inconsistencies that rear their ugly head. I would love to remember when Annja has started having nightmares about her actually being Joan of Arc? I don't remember that from Matador's Crown or any other previous installments. This is the danger of having unknown authors write this series and not paying attention to the previous installments.
You see, it makes absolutely no sense to try to make these stories standalone and then continue to bring your character back to Paris where Annya has had NOTHING but trouble in past episodes and has nearly lost her lives more times than I can shake a stick at. It also makes no sense for these nightmares to all of a sudden appear in the storyline without making readers understand where they came from. Was it from being in France? Was it because someone is trying to speak to Annya? Is Annya really a direct descendant to Joan of Arc like Roux believes?
City of Swords is an interesting, dark, and bloody story that has Annya chasing down a band of paladins answering to Dr. Charles Lawton who truly believes that he is the direct descendant to Charlemagne and therefore should have been the one to receive Joan of Arc's "Truly" broadsword that she now holds along with other 'holy' and 'named' swords from historical figures like Attila the Hun, El Cid, and William Wallace.
Lawton, and his sidekick Dr. Archard Gichon, who believes he is Charlemagne's Roland, go after other religions with massive attempts to eliminate anyone who is not Christian in order to make France his own City of God. I'm sure this part of the story will get reviewers dandruff up because to portray Christians actually going after and killing Buddhist, Sciencetology, and other non Christian faiths, like Muslims, is just not politically correct these days even though Christians are now targeted in each and every corner of the globe.
In the end, Annya ends up outwitted, outmatched, stabbed, shot, a broken arm and hand, gassed, and in the hospital more times than any other previous installment that I've read. She also somehow manages to come out on top in a curious ending that has left me a little let down. I do like the fact that Roux plays such a major part in this story even though he clearly has his own agenda when it comes to Annya's swords and what to do with her.
I have pretty much given up any hope of ever finishing this series any time soon. I mean, look, this is the 39th installment of the Rogue Angel series and there are still 10 more to go that I know of! Of course, I have no access to the upcoming titles until the library ILL once again allows me to request them! See, there's this little bylaw that states that we can't request any titles from the same year the book releases! Such nonsense. Such a pity!
Rogue Angel
40. The Third Caliph (January 2nd 2013)
41. Staff of Judea (March 5th 2013)
42. The Vanishing Tribe (May 7th 2013)
43. Clockwork Doomsday (July 1st 2013)
44. Blood Cursed (September 3rd 2013)
45. Sunken Pyramid (November 2013)
46. Treasure of Lima (January 2014)
47. River of Nightmares (March 2014)
48. Grendel’s Curse (May 2014)
Released: October 30th 2012 by Gold Eagle
November 3, 2012
Rogue Angel is a solid action-adventure series with a likeable protagonist, an intriguing backstory/premise, well-paced, strongly plotted mysteries about a wide variety of bad guys and supernatural objects, and an entertaining geographic breadth. I also like the fact that the series protagonist has an attitude, the set-up acknowledges and deals with how the protagonist manages meshing her bizarre international exploits with the real world of reporters, cops, and passers-by, the series has a tradition of including a bit of historical/archeological information, and the easy-reading narrative includes a touch of humor here and there. This latest installment (no, I haven't read them all, but there is no need to read them in order) carries on those fine qualities, but lands the typical punches with even more than usual force. Stakes are higher, the bad guys are nastier, the exploits are more daring, and the background history, particularly about all kinds of swords, is fuller and more detailed and more intrinsic to the plot than usual. And when you start out with a solid base and deliver on all the major attributes with better-than-average success, you can't help but have a quality installment in a fun, readable, and exciting action-adventure series. Full disclosure: I received a free review copy of this book from the author. Donald J. Bingle, author of Net Impact.
April 8, 2013
City of Swords brought some elements into the Rogue Angel universe that had me shaking my head. Annja is having dreams about Joan of Arc that have never been hinted at previously. She also gets a little insecure when someone tells her that her sword has a name and she starts worrying about why she never knew there was a name or what it was.
Basically, Annja is targeted by an enemy collecting 'holy' and 'named' swords, seeing himself as the return of Charlemagne, planning on making Europe for Christians. He's followed by a group of paladins, two of whom are clearly mentally ill (one hears voices, and the other takes drugs to repress his sexual urges). Targetting of non-Christians was introduced half-way through the book, and I still don't know where that came from, since there was nothing to establish it. I would have been happy to stick with a gang under the influence of a charismatic man who wants to tbe the new Charlemagne trying to steal these famous swords.
In the end, it was enjoyable, but not a standout in the series.
Basically, Annja is targeted by an enemy collecting 'holy' and 'named' swords, seeing himself as the return of Charlemagne, planning on making Europe for Christians. He's followed by a group of paladins, two of whom are clearly mentally ill (one hears voices, and the other takes drugs to repress his sexual urges). Targetting of non-Christians was introduced half-way through the book, and I still don't know where that came from, since there was nothing to establish it. I would have been happy to stick with a gang under the influence of a charismatic man who wants to tbe the new Charlemagne trying to steal these famous swords.
In the end, it was enjoyable, but not a standout in the series.
November 27, 2014
Brutal and Curious
Anna Creed took more whooping than usual, and she didn't clobber the bad guys as much as she normally does, in my opinion. All the same she still rocks. Curiously sympathetic ending that I didn't expect, and that didn't feel quite like the end of this story. I would've liked to have had more closure, and seen a bit more into Rouen's circumstances surrounding some of his acquaintances from his past that affects his actions and outlook at the end. Either way, you've got to love the adventures and Annya's resilience.
Anna Creed took more whooping than usual, and she didn't clobber the bad guys as much as she normally does, in my opinion. All the same she still rocks. Curiously sympathetic ending that I didn't expect, and that didn't feel quite like the end of this story. I would've liked to have had more closure, and seen a bit more into Rouen's circumstances surrounding some of his acquaintances from his past that affects his actions and outlook at the end. Either way, you've got to love the adventures and Annya's resilience.
July 15, 2016
This is the first book I've read in this series. It was fun, but I don't see myself picking up any of the other ones. This is mainly due to the ending because it arrived so abruptly with no proper resolution. The true final conflict happened elsewhere and was told to the main character. I was so disappointed with that that even though I enjoyed the book on the whole, I am done with these books. There is nothing worse than a lot of build up to a disappointing ending.
Read
August 18, 2014This one seemed a little difficult to get into. About halfway through it really started piquing my interest. Thoroughly enjoyed having Roux join in again. Loved all the different swords involved in the story.
October 15, 2012
3.5 stars
December 12, 2012
They are getting better!
April 11, 2013
A fun, fast read that I found at the library with a sword-wielding, kickin' heroine!
March 13, 2022
This was a fun and yet interesting read. I love the series so it makes it better.
November 15, 2012
One of the better ones in this series, though I found the ending a little abrupt.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews