Archangel Errant

Earthbound Angels #3

by Elizabeth Corrigan

Divine intervention isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Gabriel didn’t expect his return to Heaven to be filled with trumpets and celebration, but he thought he would do more than sit at Michael’s side, listening to endless catalogs of unfulfilled prayers. He’s tried blending into every aspect of Heavenly life, but he can’t help but feel that the constantly praying Faithful and flower-dispensing Handmaidens lack the motivation to do any true good in the world. Some days, he longs for nothing more than to return to Earth and tell his beloved Cassia how he feels about her.

When Heaven is suddenly attacked, all the angels become trapped in their own nightmares. With Michael gone on an angelic mission, Gabriel must rally the remaining seraphim to rouse the sleeping angels and discover who seeks to take the agents of Heaven out of the celestial battle. All fingers point to Bedlam, but Gabriel can’t believe the ex-demon would threaten his salvation so soon after gaining it.

With few people he trusts, Gabriel must rely on all the lessons he learned on Earth to save Heaven, Bedlam, and maybe even himself.

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Fantasy

280 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2017

About the author

Elizabeth Corrigan has degrees in English and psychology and has spent several years working as a data analyst in various branches of the healthcare industry. When she’s not hard at work on her next novel, Elizabeth enjoys singing, reading teen vampire novels, and making Sims of her characters.

She drinks more Diet Coke than is probably optimal for the human body and is pathologically afraid of bees. She lives in Maryland with two cats and a purple Smart Car.

Reviews

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Rating: 4.5 Stars

Angelic beings, powerful, ethereal, and, well, heavenly, right? Not if you are an angel, Earthbound or not, created by Elizabeth Corrigan! ARCHANGEL ERRANT is the archangel Gabriel’s story, or rather what happens when he is returned to Heaven and all hell breaks loose.

Gabriel is summoned back to heaven, but he never expected to be the prayer secretary. Not that prayers aren’t important, it’s just that maybe someone should be answering them, maybe? They say you can’t go home and Gabriel is now the square peg in the round Heavenly world pegboard. Maybe he should have been left on Earth where he found love?

Little did he know he would need to rally the angelic troops against a mysterious evil when his brethren fall into a world of their worst nightmares, one they cannot awake from. Gabriel did want a more meaningful role, but this is far beyond anything he could ever imagine.

Angels with attitudes, deadly blades, some warriors, some not and everyone has an idea of how things should be done. Elizabeth Corrigan’s angels have snark, bold moves and sticky romantic entanglements, just like us mere mortals! It just may be his own contact with mortals that will save the day for Heaven, if he can get everyone to play nice.

A quick read filled with great dialogue, action and one Archangel in over his head. Elizabeth Corrigan’s angels are definitely NOT the angels we grew up knowing!

I received an ARC edition from Red Adept in exchange for my honest review.

Series: Earthbound Angels - Book 3
Publisher: Red Adept Publishing, LLC (August 9, 2017)
Publication Date: August 9, 2017
Genre: Paranormal Fantasy
Print Length: 198 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[Kirsty ❤️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third in the series and one where it realy would have helped to have read the previous two books as I found it hard to understand in several places. It also, for a book about Gabriel, is pretty much a book about Michael as it covers his POV quite a bit and also that of his relationships. 

A lot of people on Goodreads seem to really enjoy this so I have a feeling this is just a case of not being the right book for me. 

[Caitlyn Lynch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Archangel Errant is the third in Elizabeth Corrigan's Earthbound Angels series, something I didn't realize when I picked it up for review on NetGalley. Nevertheless, I believe that every book in a series should be able to stand on its own, and that a reader who is not familiar with previous books in the series should be able to pick up the thread of the story.

Yeah... not so much with this one. Archangel Errant is purportedly about Gabriel, who returning to Heaven after a long stint on Earth, finds himself struggling to find his true purpose. Gabriel was actually a really intriguing character, and the romance between him and the immortal human Cassia was one of the most interesting parts of the book.

The big problem I had was that Gabriel was hardly in the book. The author jumps from one PoV to the other to tell seemingly unrelated parts of the story; we spend most of the book in the head of either Michael (who has an appalling case of OCD) and Bedlam, a demon turned angel who spends half the book whining about being blamed for everything that goes wrong when by his own admission, in the past most things that go wrong were actually his fault.

If I'd read the first two books in the series, maybe I could have enjoyed this, but as it was I was just utterly confused and wishing to see more of what Gabriel (the supposed hero of the book) was doing and less of everyone else.

The book is well written with few errors, but even so, I can't give it any more than three stars.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for review through NetGalley.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Archangel Errant (Earthbound Angels Book 3) by Elizabeth Corrigan

This is Gabriel's book. “Archangel Errant” is told through three Points-Of-View, which are clearly marked in the chapter headings: Gabriel, Michael, and Bedlam. Gabriel is still not sure where he fits in on earth or in heaven. We are given a back history of Cassia and his relationship through the millennia. It’s insightful to see how clueless Gabriel has been with Cassia and not surprising Bedlam asked him to stay away from her.

I found it easy to be swept away by the dynamics of the relationships of all the characters involved. The heavenly hierarchy and politics weigh heavily in this story as we are given insight into the past and present. This may cause some readers to think parts of the plot read more slowly, but I found it enthralling.

When Michael goes down to earth to assist Cassia, heaven is mysteriously attacked and all evidence points to Bedlam as the culprit. With Gabriel in charge he scrambles to figure out what happened, who is responsible, and set things right again. In the process Gabriel is able to sort out his purpose.

The most surprising part of the whole story is Michael’s trip to earth to assist Cassia. Michael has always viewed Cassia as an evil entity even though she has never chosen to do evil. A lot is revealed in Cassia’s talks with Michael as well as the reason she believes she was chosen by God to be an immortal human.

I found “Archangel Errant” to be an excellent addition to the “Earthbound Angels series” and thoroughly enjoyed it. As always Bedlam is my favorite character. Who doesn’t need a little chaos in their lives to stir things up once in a while? The fact that he is an angel now just makes it that much more intriguing. I’m looking forward to seeing who is next. I suspected Michael, but we learned a lot about him in this story. Is Ms. Corrigan going to make me say, “I only thought I knew Michael?”

FYI: “Archangel Errant” is book three in Ms. Corrigan’s “Earthbound Angels series”. I would highly recommend reading this series starting with book one, “Oracle of Philadelphia.” There are also a few F-bombs, but only four. **Originally written for "BigAl’s Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. ** August 31, 2017
Format/Typo Issues: No significant proofing issues.

[A Voracious Reader (a.k.a. Carol) · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Book source ~ ARC. My review is voluntary and honest.

After two thousand years on Earth Gabriel has returned to Heaven. And Bedlam has been turned from demon back to angel. That means he has access to Heaven after thousands of years and not many angels are happy with that fact. When Heaven is attacked while Michael is away on Earth meeting with the Oracle, everyone except Gabriel believes Bedlam is behind the attack. Not only is Bedlam not behind the attack, but he figures out what has happened and how to wake up from the nightmares that are afflicting the other angels. Now they just need to figure out who is behind the attack and why.

I love coming back into the world of the Earthbound Angels! In this story there are several POVs and for the first time we get an extended look inside Michael’s head. Um, he’s a bit of a mess. Who would have thought?! Anyway, there are a lot of flashbacks and they fit into the present very well. An advantage to the flashbacks is there is a lot of expansion on characters we haven’t seen much of, so the world becomes a bit deeper and more fully rounded. Plus, there’s Bedlam - my most favorite character. I’m not exactly sure where this series is heading and I really don’t care. I’m thoroughly enjoying the journey.

[Mary Fan]

Full disclosure: Elizabeth and I share a publisher (Red Adept Publishing, which published my Jane Colt trilogy). I bought this book on Kindle with my own dang money, and neither Elizabeth nor Red Adept asked me to leave this review, which reflects my opinion as a reader.

I've been a fan of the Earthbound Angels series since Book 1 (Oracle of Philadelphia), which introduced us to a world of angels and demons in the modern-day world. Now, in Book 3, we get a glimpse of this world's version of Heaven.

Before I go on, I just want to say that this series is very much A SERIES, as in it only really makes sense if you start from the beginning and read in order (no, you can't just pick up Book 3 and jump right in... you gotta read the set up!). So if you haven't read Oracle of Philadelphia (Book 1) or Raising Chaos (Book 2) yet, get outta here and go check 'em out! Because the rest of this review will probably spoil their plots.

In Archangel Errant, the archangel Gabriel has returned to Heaven after spending two thousand years on Earth, doing what good he can in the mortal world. So has the Bedlam who, after millennia spent as a chaos demon for rebelling against Heaven, has regained angel status (but is still quite chaotic). The rest of Heaven is not happy about this, so when a mysterious attack traps the angels in their own nightmares, he's the prime suspect. But Gabriel believes in Bedlam's innocence (in this matter, anyway) and sets out to wake the angels and find the real culprit.

Archangel Errant is an imaginative retelling of Biblical mythology (I'm atheist, so it's all mythology to me) that depicts the angels as being as flawed and fallible as the humans they're meant to preside over. Which makes them really interesting to read about. Retelling Biblical stories from an alternate angle has become an important element of all the Earthbound Angels books, and Archangel Errant delves into that once more. It also expands the Earthbound Angels world by going deeper into the world of the angels (so far, we've had a good look at Hell and at how the angels have interacted with Earth, but this is our first real foray into their realm).

My favorite part of the book, though, was getting to know the archangel Michael, who up until now has been portrayed as something of a sanctimonious jerk. Archangel Errant has several chapters from his POV as he seeks the Oracle (Carrie/Khet/Cassia/Cama... she's gone by many names by this point), who he's always seen as an abomination because her powers were granted by Lucifer. Because the last two books were told from the POV of the Oracle and her best friend (Bedlam), all we saw was how jerk-ish Michael could be. Now, we get to know what's going on in his head, offering a completely different perspective on his actions. It's a fascinating character development, and it opens the door for much more interesting character interactions to come (according to the author, there are several more sequels planned to this saga).

With its imaginative storytelling and expansive world-building, Archanel Errant is a fantastic addition to the Earthbound Angels saga, and I can't wait to read on when Book 4 comes out! (But don't worry, there's no cliffhanger!)

[Jessica Bronder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gabriel has been called back to heaven and finds that he doesn’t fit in anymore. He has been given the role of listening to endless prayer alongside of Michael. When Michael goes to earth to help Carrie heaven is attacked. Everything looks like it is new angel Bedlam’s fault. Gabriel is in charge of figuring out what is going on, who is responsible, and how to stop this attack. Thankfully Bedlam knows what has happened to the angels and how to stop it. They just need to figure out who is behind the attack and stop it.

This is a great series but one that you need to read in order. There is a lot of information that you will be missing if you don’t. This story is told through three POV: Michal, Gabriel, and Bedlam. Of course Gabriel and Bedlam have their hands full with the attack in heaven. But the book is really about Michael and Carrie.

Michael hates Carrie and has always been a jerk to her. In this book we see that it is because her ability came from Lucifer. As you learn about this you start to warm up to Michael and see that he is not the jerk that he has come across as through the other two books. It is actually funny to see how this big powerful angel is more human than I thought he could be.

This is a great addition to the series and a wonder fresh point of view with Michael. There are a couple things left open which make it possible to have another book in the series. This is definitely a series with checking out.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

[Kimi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and it was an interesting insight into the purpose of the angels. What they care for and what they feared. Oddly enough, considering what the series is about, this is the first book that actually dealt with the religion itself. The previous had been more about the stories and what really happened, but this one delved into whether or not God is real and the faith of the people. However, the real thing that moves the story is the moments between Michael and Khet. More than anything, it was finally getting to see why Michael acts the way he does, and why he hates Khet. Yet, even as I enjoyed it, this book read like one of those episodes of a show that is nothing but flashbacks of how everyone met each other. It allows you to better understand the characters, and it was at least new information, but it left the plot itself rather thin and slow to move along. What bothered me the most though, was we never find out why Khet went to that hospital. It’s a loose thread, and I feel like Michael being driven mad because it wasn’t pulled in with the rest of the weave. Paltry complaints aside, it was still a good story and works well as a possible set up for the next in the series, which really needs to come out soon.

[Natasha du Plessis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Archangel Errant is the third book in this series and according to me you can't read this as a stand alone as you need some of the information in the previous books for background.
This book was different for me than the others as that it was about Michael and not Gabriel, Bedlam and Cassia. Although I enjoyed this book I loved the first two more than this one. I hope in the next book Elizabeth goes back to Gabriel, Bedlam and Cassia. I love the characters and the writing style.
Thank you to Red Adept Publishing via Netgalley for the copy.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have to say that this probably could have been a great book. However, it seemed to switch between different characters POVs too much for me. It has great potential but fell flat for me because it skipped around too much. I am sure there are many who will enjoy it as some reviews suggest but I struggled to finish it.

I did receive an eAR from NetGalley.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story bounces me around to the characters the author wants me to follow. Characters are likable and thought the story had a nice steady pace. I was tickled that Gab and Khet finally told their feelings for each other.
“I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book and was not required to leave a review.”
Thank you for sharing your book with us.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book three of the Earthbound Angels series a well written story that grabbed my interest from the first page. This is the first book I have read by this Author I now want to read the other books in this series.

[Ginny Corrigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

the best of the series so far.

[J.A. Mortimore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 3 of unusual trilogy which I really enjoyed.

[Lindsey Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Original Review Here

After adoring Rising Chaos, I was looking forward to the third book in the Earthbound Angels series, Archangel Errant. It didn’t disappoint.

With Heaven under attack, all suspicion is placed on Bedlam. But despite being the Angel of Chaos, this one wasn’t on him. He wouldn’t have even been in Heaven at the time if Michael hadn’t dragged him there! Along with a reluctant Siren, Bedlam attempts to find the real culprit while Gabriel assists the angels. It would be easier if Michael wasn’t on Earth with Cassia the entire time!

I loved this book was about Gabriel and Michael. Gabriel has been a flickering presence for the first two books, but we only see him properly through Cassia’s eyes. After Bedlam’s announcement at the end of Rising Chaos, it was fun to learn that Gabs’ feelings for Cassia were the reason why he spent two thousand years hiding from his Heavenly duties and remaining on Earth.

Despite being the Angel of Joy, Gabriel’s character definitely has a certain amount of innocence. He wants to find where he belongs and is struggling to fit back into a place he used to help rule. But his compassion for others is why he is the only one who can wake the angels up – he is the one who understands and connects with them.

Although I love Gabriel, I was more excited to see Michael. He has been this formidable figure for two books, stern and unshakeable in his belief that Cassia is destined for Hell.

Only this time, the reader gets to experience just how human Michael is. He has made some of the toughest decisions but questions everything and constantly doubts what he is doing. He is jittery, nervous and scared of airplanes. He is such a relatable character in so many ways and the fact that he is ultimately prepared to accept he was wrong about Cassia, and has been for a few thousand years, just made me melt. I think he might have kicked Bedlam out of the favourite character spot!

Despite the plot (Heaven under attack!), the pacing is steady. It’s not about building tension and big battles. It’s about empathy and understanding and knowing what motivates someone to act as they do. I got completely swept up in the story!

Considering it is a relatively short book, there were perhaps too many angels involved. The majority we had met before, but Gabriel’s connection to each of them, plus the usual back story that takes place, meant the plot didn’t move on for a lot of the book. It made it slow, but as it added depth and complexity to the characters, it worked in its own way!

Overall, I thought this was a very satisfying third book to the series. Characters are given more depth and we even learn more about Heaven’s prayer system! I hope there is more in this series, as Corrigan has swept me up on a magical adventure here. Definitely recommend this series!

[JenniferFour · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good one in the series

Really enjoyed the pace of this book and the spin it gave on the angels. Only wish there had been more Cassia/Khet etc in it. Great character.