What do you think?
Rate this book
Rogue Angel #31
Tear of the Gods
The legacy of a pagan king could unleash terror on the world
It started as a dream—a redheaded warrior king fought and died for his men centuries ago. The dream would lead archaeologist Annja Creed to the king's undisturbed corpse...and one of England's greatest mythical artifacts.
Deep in an archaeological dig in England's Midlands, Annja locates a braided necklace around a mummified king's neck. Made of an unusual material—not quite obsidian, but gleaming with multihued color—the torc is an astonishing find. But someone knows exactly what the torc means. And he will do anything to get his hands on the Tear of the Gods. When the dig is compromised and innocent archaeologists are slain, even Annja herself is left for dead. Now she is fleeing for her life, not knowing the terrifying truth about the relic she risks everything to protect—or the devastating consequences should it fall into the wrong hands....
It started as a dream—a redheaded warrior king fought and died for his men centuries ago. The dream would lead archaeologist Annja Creed to the king's undisturbed corpse...and one of England's greatest mythical artifacts.
Deep in an archaeological dig in England's Midlands, Annja locates a braided necklace around a mummified king's neck. Made of an unusual material—not quite obsidian, but gleaming with multihued color—the torc is an astonishing find. But someone knows exactly what the torc means. And he will do anything to get his hands on the Tear of the Gods. When the dig is compromised and innocent archaeologists are slain, even Annja herself is left for dead. Now she is fleeing for her life, not knowing the terrifying truth about the relic she risks everything to protect—or the devastating consequences should it fall into the wrong hands....
319 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2011
6 people are currently reading
435 people want to read
About the author
Alex Archer
99 books237 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 9, 2011
Thirty-first in the Rogue Angel urban fantasy series revolving around a woman archeologist who inherited the broadsword of Joan of Arc, possibly a reincarnation of the saint herself.
My Take
It's corruption, greed, and fanaticism that make this story go round. The aim of archeology is to discover the past, learn its stories, appreciate the beauty of what our ancestors created. Instead, that beauty is corrupted by the Committee and its greed for hiding history behind closed doors for private pleasure, to fulfill a need to hoard, to have what no one else has, to have it simply to sell it for the money. No matter who it may destroy. Then there's the fanatic who kills for it simply to further their own cause.
I do enjoy the combination of history, action, and taking down the bad guys. Annja is the epitome of it all with her love of the past, her fighting skills, and her own sense of justice. Reinforced by Joan of Arc's broadsword, Annja has some formidable gifts we're only too glad she uses on the side of good. Now, if only her presence didn't kill so many off. I was really hoping to see more of Sebastian Cartier.
My quibbles include: How did the people Annja freed at the camp get recaptured? Did she ever give the reporter his exclusive? If the torc was radioactive, why did Archer ignore that particular danger? Just how did Garin get his hands on it? Please, tell me something happened to Dr. de Chance. There's just too many holes for this story to get a "5".
The Story
One severed head popping up out of a bog was a curiosity to be explored. A second required a small dig. The third and fourth provided yet more credence and when Dr. Craig Stevens invited Annja to come over to the dig at Arkholme in the West Midlands in England and lend a hand in exploring this head-filled bog, she was delighted to accept. Even better, Doug Morrell saw an opportunity for Chasing History's Monsters and is providing funding for it.
Everything changed, however, when the Tear of Gods was found. A black torc supposed to imbue its wearer with invincibility. Worn by Queen Boudica in her war against the Romans but given to one of her most trusted advisors on the eve of her last battle.
A spy on the site sent word that the torc had passed its test. That pass sealed all their fates and David Shaw sent Death to retrieve the torc. Only, Death wasn't counting on Annja Creed. Left for dead, she rose again, the torc hidden on her person and so the chase begins. Each time Annja reaches a safe point, they find her. The priest who picks her up on the road. The hotel room that gives her breathing room. The testing laboratory.
The Characters
Annja Creed is a well-regarded archeologist who also happens to co-host a cheesy television show entitled Chasing History's Monsters. Annja brings science to the Photoshopped effects Doug sticks in the show. The broadsword she wields reinforces Annja's own natural inclination to justice including greater strength and a faster healing ability. Doug Morrell is the producer for the TV show and is so incredibly singleminded about how to capture viewers, it's just plain scary!
Roux was old in the time of Joan of Arc. He was her knight, her protector, and he failed her. Henshaw is Roux's majordomo and a former SAS officer. Garin Braden was his squire at the time. Between them, when Joan was burned at the stake, somehow, both their lives became immortal. When Annja touched the shards of the sword, it re-forged itself. Now Roux and Garin are working together to ensure Annja's safety.
Detective Inspector Ian Beresford is with the Counter Terrorism Command "handling high-profile cases and working multijurisdictional task forces". Due to the nature of the murder scene at Arkholme, he has been placed in charge of the case. Sebastian Cartier is the gorgeous geologist to whom Dr. de Chance, an expert in the subject, sends Annja to have the torc analyzed.
David Shaw is the head of the Red Hand Defenders, an Irish terrorist cell, intent on freeing Ireland from the British yoke. With the Tear of Gods, Shaw intends to go much further than merely the British Isles. Trevor Jackson is Shaw's merciless commander; he's a bit stupid, too. Together, they are losing their men right and left...go, Annja!
The Cover
The cover has Annja clad in a black leather jacket and black jeans wearing knee-high black boots, her body in profile with her face turned to us with her broadsword poised over one shoulder ready to strike. The background has a Union Jack across the top half with the middle a collage of that Roman vs. Celt battle with a city skyline tucked in at the right and a wrought iron fence in the bottom third.
The title is the torc itself named for the Tear of the Gods with which it is made.
My Take
It's corruption, greed, and fanaticism that make this story go round. The aim of archeology is to discover the past, learn its stories, appreciate the beauty of what our ancestors created. Instead, that beauty is corrupted by the Committee and its greed for hiding history behind closed doors for private pleasure, to fulfill a need to hoard, to have what no one else has, to have it simply to sell it for the money. No matter who it may destroy. Then there's the fanatic who kills for it simply to further their own cause.
I do enjoy the combination of history, action, and taking down the bad guys. Annja is the epitome of it all with her love of the past, her fighting skills, and her own sense of justice. Reinforced by Joan of Arc's broadsword, Annja has some formidable gifts we're only too glad she uses on the side of good. Now, if only her presence didn't kill so many off. I was really hoping to see more of Sebastian Cartier.
My quibbles include: How did the people Annja freed at the camp get recaptured? Did she ever give the reporter his exclusive? If the torc was radioactive, why did Archer ignore that particular danger? Just how did Garin get his hands on it? Please, tell me something happened to Dr. de Chance. There's just too many holes for this story to get a "5".
The Story
One severed head popping up out of a bog was a curiosity to be explored. A second required a small dig. The third and fourth provided yet more credence and when Dr. Craig Stevens invited Annja to come over to the dig at Arkholme in the West Midlands in England and lend a hand in exploring this head-filled bog, she was delighted to accept. Even better, Doug Morrell saw an opportunity for Chasing History's Monsters and is providing funding for it.
Everything changed, however, when the Tear of Gods was found. A black torc supposed to imbue its wearer with invincibility. Worn by Queen Boudica in her war against the Romans but given to one of her most trusted advisors on the eve of her last battle.
A spy on the site sent word that the torc had passed its test. That pass sealed all their fates and David Shaw sent Death to retrieve the torc. Only, Death wasn't counting on Annja Creed. Left for dead, she rose again, the torc hidden on her person and so the chase begins. Each time Annja reaches a safe point, they find her. The priest who picks her up on the road. The hotel room that gives her breathing room. The testing laboratory.
The Characters
Annja Creed is a well-regarded archeologist who also happens to co-host a cheesy television show entitled Chasing History's Monsters. Annja brings science to the Photoshopped effects Doug sticks in the show. The broadsword she wields reinforces Annja's own natural inclination to justice including greater strength and a faster healing ability. Doug Morrell is the producer for the TV show and is so incredibly singleminded about how to capture viewers, it's just plain scary!
Roux was old in the time of Joan of Arc. He was her knight, her protector, and he failed her. Henshaw is Roux's majordomo and a former SAS officer. Garin Braden was his squire at the time. Between them, when Joan was burned at the stake, somehow, both their lives became immortal. When Annja touched the shards of the sword, it re-forged itself. Now Roux and Garin are working together to ensure Annja's safety.
Detective Inspector Ian Beresford is with the Counter Terrorism Command "handling high-profile cases and working multijurisdictional task forces". Due to the nature of the murder scene at Arkholme, he has been placed in charge of the case. Sebastian Cartier is the gorgeous geologist to whom Dr. de Chance, an expert in the subject, sends Annja to have the torc analyzed.
David Shaw is the head of the Red Hand Defenders, an Irish terrorist cell, intent on freeing Ireland from the British yoke. With the Tear of Gods, Shaw intends to go much further than merely the British Isles. Trevor Jackson is Shaw's merciless commander; he's a bit stupid, too. Together, they are losing their men right and left...go, Annja!
The Cover
The cover has Annja clad in a black leather jacket and black jeans wearing knee-high black boots, her body in profile with her face turned to us with her broadsword poised over one shoulder ready to strike. The background has a Union Jack across the top half with the middle a collage of that Roman vs. Celt battle with a city skyline tucked in at the right and a wrought iron fence in the bottom third.
The title is the torc itself named for the Tear of the Gods with which it is made.
March 5, 2012
First off, I wish the publisher had done a better job of scheduling. The previous book in the series involved Annja
going to an archaelogical dig in Ireland, and arms dealers. This one involves Annja being called to an archaelogical dig
in England, and Irish terrorists with plans involving weapons.
In this case, the dig uncovers the burial of one of Queen Boudica's generals. Around his neck is a torc (a type of celtic
necklace) that might be the one that Queen Boudica owned, The Tear of the Gods, which supposedly grants
invincibility in battle. Terrorists descend on the camp and kill everyone except Annja, who manages to hide the torc
before being knocked out by a glancing bullet to the side of her head.
When she wakes up with bodies, dumped in the bog, she ends up on the run with the torc, leaving behind bodies at
various locations, before finally calling on Roux and Garin to help her. Oh yeah, and the police want to talk to her as
well.
There were a few plot points that had me shaking my head. First there was the fact that none of the terrorists noticed
that one of the bodies they were dumping was actually still alive. Stupid for the purpose of advancing the plot. Also,
right before that, Annja gets the students out of a tent, then goes to provide a distraction, but they all end up dead by
the next scene with no reference to how they got recaptured. And at the end, everyone seems to shrug when the plutonium vanishes, since the equipment to use it was recovered. Loose plutonium would never be dismissed that easily.
I did like the reference back to Joe Nassise's previous Rogue Angel book when a character makes a comment about
finding the tomb of Ghengis Khan and Annja replies 'Been there, done that.' It's nice having some acknowledgment of
past events that readers know about, which doesn't happen a lot in series with multiple writers.
going to an archaelogical dig in Ireland, and arms dealers. This one involves Annja being called to an archaelogical dig
in England, and Irish terrorists with plans involving weapons.
In this case, the dig uncovers the burial of one of Queen Boudica's generals. Around his neck is a torc (a type of celtic
necklace) that might be the one that Queen Boudica owned, The Tear of the Gods, which supposedly grants
invincibility in battle. Terrorists descend on the camp and kill everyone except Annja, who manages to hide the torc
before being knocked out by a glancing bullet to the side of her head.
When she wakes up with bodies, dumped in the bog, she ends up on the run with the torc, leaving behind bodies at
various locations, before finally calling on Roux and Garin to help her. Oh yeah, and the police want to talk to her as
well.
There were a few plot points that had me shaking my head. First there was the fact that none of the terrorists noticed
that one of the bodies they were dumping was actually still alive. Stupid for the purpose of advancing the plot. Also,
right before that, Annja gets the students out of a tent, then goes to provide a distraction, but they all end up dead by
the next scene with no reference to how they got recaptured. And at the end, everyone seems to shrug when the plutonium vanishes, since the equipment to use it was recovered. Loose plutonium would never be dismissed that easily.
I did like the reference back to Joe Nassise's previous Rogue Angel book when a character makes a comment about
finding the tomb of Ghengis Khan and Annja replies 'Been there, done that.' It's nice having some acknowledgment of
past events that readers know about, which doesn't happen a lot in series with multiple writers.
August 6, 2020
I finished another of my urban fantasy purse books and I really enjoyed this one. It's a good, old fashion treasure hunt adventure story. It's perfect for what I use it for, passing time while I wait in line.
This time Annja, our world traveling archaeologist and cable television host, is working a dig in the boglands of England's Midlands. She's on a little vacation from her cable show. The dig has found a king/war leader. Around his neck is a torc, a braided metal necklace called the Tear of the Gods. It is said to have mystical properties.
Certain evil people want the torc. They will do whatever they need to to get it, like kill all the members of the archaeological dig crew. They missed Annja, who took off with the torc. So starts the chase and the treasure hunt, as Annja seeks to find out what makes it so valuable. She eventually involves her faithful friends, Roux and Garin. The adventure ends with the sword and gunfire and police cleaning up the survivors.
I have been enjoying this series for years. Yes, it's highly formalist and easy to pick up and put down. That's the joy of the series. I will always have a book in my purse I can read while I have to spend time in a waiting room that I can get back into easily.
This time Annja, our world traveling archaeologist and cable television host, is working a dig in the boglands of England's Midlands. She's on a little vacation from her cable show. The dig has found a king/war leader. Around his neck is a torc, a braided metal necklace called the Tear of the Gods. It is said to have mystical properties.
Certain evil people want the torc. They will do whatever they need to to get it, like kill all the members of the archaeological dig crew. They missed Annja, who took off with the torc. So starts the chase and the treasure hunt, as Annja seeks to find out what makes it so valuable. She eventually involves her faithful friends, Roux and Garin. The adventure ends with the sword and gunfire and police cleaning up the survivors.
I have been enjoying this series for years. Yes, it's highly formalist and easy to pick up and put down. That's the joy of the series. I will always have a book in my purse I can read while I have to spend time in a waiting room that I can get back into easily.
April 20, 2012
Annja was invited by her old friend Criag Stevens to a peat bog where some decapitated heads had been found.She has a dream later that night and from that dream she learns of the location of a body.The body is of a Iceni Cheiftain who is wearing a necklace made out of a unusual material.Someone wants this necklace for their own purposes & will kill anyone who gets in their way.
This book was filled w/ nonstop action, intrigue, backstabbing of course, & apperances from both Roux and Garin. I highly recommend this book if U are a Annja fan.
This book was filled w/ nonstop action, intrigue, backstabbing of course, & apperances from both Roux and Garin. I highly recommend this book if U are a Annja fan.
August 24, 2012
Another fun one, I enjoyed it.
August 8, 2019
OMG!~ my daughter and I met this group of authors and local publishers. This was great!! I want more of this series!!!! The Rogue Angel is fantastic. I'm trying to give spoilers if your a history buff or have a New Orleans connection want intrigue and modern fiction not all fantasy!! This I couldn't put down. I'm a chronic pain person so my evenings this helps me get away from it in my mind when I can't sleep!! But I had to take it out with me to sit with the horses and finish it up during the day. I just couldn't put this down!! I'm excited to find more of this. So like Kevin Herne's Iron Druid but a totally new ideas areas and set of what's going on its hard to keep up with her travels.
November 9, 2023
No chapters
This book, along with the last two, did not have chapters . it was one continuous story. The story was great but it wasn't easy to read. It was like it hadn't even been to the editing department.
This book, along with the last two, did not have chapters . it was one continuous story. The story was great but it wasn't easy to read. It was like it hadn't even been to the editing department.
August 21, 2019
3 stars.
Again, the dead count is quite high in this one. And if I was the bad guys, I'd make sure Annja was really dead before I leave her!
Again, the dead count is quite high in this one. And if I was the bad guys, I'd make sure Annja was really dead before I leave her!
March 8, 2012
*Genre* Science Fiction/Fantasy/
*Rating* 3.0
Tear of the Gods, by Alex Archer, is the thirty-first installment in the Rogue Angel series. Our heroine, Annja Creed, is a world-traveling archaeologist with a penchant for adventure, lost cities, mysterious codes and puzzles, and shadowy history that was never recorded.
Heir to Joan of Arc's mystic sword, Annja finds herself drawn into the webs of darkest villainy with lives on the line. Creed is also co-host of Chasing History’s Monsters where it seems she finds trouble wherever she goes. Annya’s unofficial role is that of protector of innocents; something she has realized only too clearly over the past two years since the sword found its way into her hands after being lost for hundreds of years.
Dr. Craig Stevens, Oxford University Professor and a friend, invites Annja to come over to the dig at West Midlands in England and lend a hand in exploring this head-filled bog he discovered. When she gets there, it’s not 2, or 3 heads that’s discovered. It’s actually 4! Naturally, Annya’s producer Doug Morrell is all too happy to pay Annya’s way to England where he believes bog monsters reside.
Annya later has a very vivid dream which leads her to discover a black torc supposedly worn by Queen Boudicca in her war against the Romans. It was said to imbue the wearer with invincibility.
David Shaw, of the Vanguard Group, is this story’s villain. Shaw collects valuable artifacts and goods and sells them to a group of individuals known as The Committee for which Roux is a member. He is also part of a group known as the Red Hand Defenders Terrorist group of Northern Ireland.
Annja, left for dead by Shaw’s group of cutthroats and being shot in the head, is the only survivor of the massacre that leaves Stevens and everyone else dead in the bog.
*Bone of contention*
Annya supposedly rescues several archaeologists from the terror group before being shot in the head by one of the Terrorists and then is left for dead without anyone checking her for weapons, or the torc.
Ok, fine this is fantasy/science fiction. Where did the people Annya saved go? Were they caught and killed like the rest of the group? Why didn’t they find their way to the authorities so that they could explain what happened?
Roux makes an appearance in this novel in a major way. From being a part of the Committee, to finding out that Shaw was looking for a nuclear bomb, to saving Annya after she nearly dies at the hands of Shaw’s terrorist group who were made to appear totally incompetent and stupid in the eyes of this reader.
Garin Braden also makes a showing in this book and walks away with the Tear of the Gods after disposing of Shaw. My question is how? How is he so damn lucky to walk away with something that Roux and Annya fought hard to hold onto? How is it that Roux time and time again seems to lose out to his onetime apprentice?
I’m a bit puzzled about the release of this book after Annya just spent time with the Other Crowd (Rogue Angel #30) searching for the kinfolk. Even though Annya clearly claims to have had two months off since going back to the UK, this still doesn’t make much sense to me as a follower of the series.
*Rating* 3.0
Tear of the Gods, by Alex Archer, is the thirty-first installment in the Rogue Angel series. Our heroine, Annja Creed, is a world-traveling archaeologist with a penchant for adventure, lost cities, mysterious codes and puzzles, and shadowy history that was never recorded.
Heir to Joan of Arc's mystic sword, Annja finds herself drawn into the webs of darkest villainy with lives on the line. Creed is also co-host of Chasing History’s Monsters where it seems she finds trouble wherever she goes. Annya’s unofficial role is that of protector of innocents; something she has realized only too clearly over the past two years since the sword found its way into her hands after being lost for hundreds of years.
Dr. Craig Stevens, Oxford University Professor and a friend, invites Annja to come over to the dig at West Midlands in England and lend a hand in exploring this head-filled bog he discovered. When she gets there, it’s not 2, or 3 heads that’s discovered. It’s actually 4! Naturally, Annya’s producer Doug Morrell is all too happy to pay Annya’s way to England where he believes bog monsters reside.
Annya later has a very vivid dream which leads her to discover a black torc supposedly worn by Queen Boudicca in her war against the Romans. It was said to imbue the wearer with invincibility.
David Shaw, of the Vanguard Group, is this story’s villain. Shaw collects valuable artifacts and goods and sells them to a group of individuals known as The Committee for which Roux is a member. He is also part of a group known as the Red Hand Defenders Terrorist group of Northern Ireland.
Annja, left for dead by Shaw’s group of cutthroats and being shot in the head, is the only survivor of the massacre that leaves Stevens and everyone else dead in the bog.
*Bone of contention*
Annya supposedly rescues several archaeologists from the terror group before being shot in the head by one of the Terrorists and then is left for dead without anyone checking her for weapons, or the torc.
Ok, fine this is fantasy/science fiction. Where did the people Annya saved go? Were they caught and killed like the rest of the group? Why didn’t they find their way to the authorities so that they could explain what happened?
Roux makes an appearance in this novel in a major way. From being a part of the Committee, to finding out that Shaw was looking for a nuclear bomb, to saving Annya after she nearly dies at the hands of Shaw’s terrorist group who were made to appear totally incompetent and stupid in the eyes of this reader.
Garin Braden also makes a showing in this book and walks away with the Tear of the Gods after disposing of Shaw. My question is how? How is he so damn lucky to walk away with something that Roux and Annya fought hard to hold onto? How is it that Roux time and time again seems to lose out to his onetime apprentice?
I’m a bit puzzled about the release of this book after Annya just spent time with the Other Crowd (Rogue Angel #30) searching for the kinfolk. Even though Annya clearly claims to have had two months off since going back to the UK, this still doesn’t make much sense to me as a follower of the series.
August 7, 2013
I have this as an audiobook and really enjoyed the story. My brother and I were on the edge of our seats trying to figure out what was going to happen next, how it all connected, and it kept us awake on our long drive. Really enjoyed it, can't wait to pick up another in the series :)
October 28, 2013
The words complete and rubbish spring to mind. Alex Archer is a house name, but one thing all the men behind the Alex Archer identity have in common, is a disinclination to do any research about the places and cultures in which the stories are set. This is of the worst examples
Read
January 6, 2021-she's still a kick-ass woman character and i really like reading about strong, smart, capable women who can kick serious ass. but at this point in the series its amazing she has any living friends with how many people die in every book.
Read
July 27, 2014Enjoyed this one. Many twists and turns. As always I enjoyed having the characters Roux and Garin return. Action packed for sure.
November 3, 2014
lots of action
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews