"
Lydia Morehouse
Roc, May 2001, 6.99, 352 pp.
ISBN: 0451458273
In the near future, mankind invents a weapon of mass destruction, the Plasma Bomb that turns anything organic within its wide range into glass. For instance, two decades after such an explosion, The Bronx remains a contaminated zone. Science has lost its lofty esteem with religion taking over the high rung among Americans, as the country has become a theocracy with everyone belonging to a church.
Most people are also hooked up to the LINK, an interactive computer implanted inside the human brain. Deirdre, a former cop, is disconnected from the LINK because the Pope excommunicated her, but she still knows about the mysterious LINK Angels. Agents of the Church and the government believe they are real and signify the Second Coming. Deirdre believes they are a fake, but even she feels shaken when the Archangel Michael visits her office to request her help.
Lydia Morehouse delivers a blunt message in her debut novel ARCHANGEL PROTOCOL that the Internet is a form of an addicting high no different than alcohol or drugs. The future is bleak and repressive in an Orwellian-like society. The repartee between Michael and Morningstar is fascinating, but the mortal Deirdre owns the show as she adapts to angels visiting her (after the initial shock passes). This science fiction novel will keep readers glued to the very end, but keep a religious artifact like a crucifix or a Star of David handy.
Harriet Klausner
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Harriet Klausner, Resident Lyda Morehouse Scholar
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Overall Review
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Plot
Tone of book
- very upbeat
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?
- part earth & part fantasy world
Romance
Yes
Romance plotlets:
- destined love (dream or prediction)
Political power play
Yes
Political plotlets
- factions fight within govt for control
Tech./$$$/Info hunt
Yes
Stealing/recovering/destroying
- state secrets
Robots, Computers, VR
Yes
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Main Character
Identity:
- Female
Profession/status:
- private investigator
Age:
- 20's-30's
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events?
Yes
How sensitive is this character?
- middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 40's-50's
Profession/status:
- small businessman
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a substantial amount
How sensitive is this character?
- hard edged
Sense of humor
- Cynical sense of humor
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
Physique
- average physique
Setting
Earth setting:
- near future (later in 21st century)
Takes place on Earth?
Yes
Style
Person?
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
scientific jargon? (SF only)
- a moderate amount of scientific explanation
Sex in book?
Yes
How much dialogue?
- roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
