Archangel's Blade by Nalini Singh [Review]

4 out of 5 Robots!

 

Archangel's Blade 
By Nalini Singh
Series: Guild Hunter, #4
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release: September 6, 2011
Paperback: 336 Pages
Publisher: Berkley
My Copy: Publisher
Reviewer: Rex
By the Book: Amazon

Book Summary:

The severed head marked by a distinctive tattoo on its cheek should have been a Guild case, but dark instincts honed over hundreds of years of life compel the vampire Dmitri to take control. There is something twisted about this death, something that whispers of centuries long past…but Dmitri’s need to discover the truth is nothing to the vicious strength of his response to the hunter assigned to decipher the tattoo.

Savaged in a brutal attack that almost killed her, Honor is nowhere near ready to come face to face with the seductive vampire who is an archangel’s right hand, and who wears his cruelty as boldly as his lethal sensuality…the same vampire who has been her secret obsession since the day she was old enough to understand the inexplicable, violent emotions he aroused in her.

As desire turns into a dangerous compulsion that might destroy them both, it becomes clear the past will not stay buried. Something is hunting…and it will not stop until it brings a blood-soaked nightmare to life once more… 

My Thoughts:

Archangel's Blade by Nalini Singh is satisfyingly dark, sexy and just flat-out amazing. Nalini keeps rocking this Guild Hunter series with each book refreshing, violent and fast-paced- I am not going to get bored with these characters anytime soon. Archangel's Blade begins with a prologue that will pull at your heartstrings and give our hero, Dimitri, an incredible back story. Don't skip it! This story could be read as a stand alone, but I recommend reading the previous three installments because they're just as incredible. 

Dmitri, wow. What a character. Dangerously intense and witty, with an undying love for his long lost wife... Sigh. I really didn't think Nalini could create a better hero than Raphael, but she did. And I'm hoping she outdoes herself again whenever she gives my dearest Illium his own story. It is strange that Elena and Raphael aren't at the forefront, but it suited the novel and it was a refreshing break to have a new couple focused on. Though don't worry, we get to catch up with all of our favorites including Elena, Raphael, Illium and Venom. Even Holly who is recuperating from an archangel attack.

The plot is intense, action packed and full of sick little twists and turns that will keep the story flowing. Nalini keeps her plots as gruesome and horrific as ever. Honor had previously been kidnapped and now they're tracking down those that are responsible. Honor is extremely likable, not my favorite heroine, but I enjoyed her character nevertheless. It is fascinating watching her character heal throughout the story. 

Ok, enough is enough. Archangel's Blade is absolutely delectable. Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy fans- get out there and purchase this book, you won't regret it!

Books in this series in the order that they should be read:

1. Angel's Blood

2. Archangel's Kiss

3. Archangel's Consort

4. Archangel's Blade

Archangel's Consort by Nalini Singh [Review]

 4 out of 5 Robots!

   

Title: Archangel's Consort

Series: Guild Hunter, #3

Author: Nalini Singh

Genre: PN Romance

Release: Jan 25, 2011

Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Berkley
ISBN-10: 0425240134
ISBN-13: 978-0425240137

My Copy: Publisher

Reviewer: Rex

My Review:

Archangel's Consort is rich, sexy and full of antagonizing conflict. This is a brilliant new addition to the Guild Hunter series and veteran Nalini Singh fans are going to be tickled when reading this story. If you're looking for a new addiction- go no further. You're going to be hooked on Raphael, Illium and Dimitri.

Raphael's insane, ancient mother is rising and wishes to claim her archangel son that she left broken and alone ages ago. She's causing natural disasters and sending vampires into a violent rage on her way back to immortal consciousness- and only one thing stands between her and Raphael.... Elena Deveraux. Elena and Raphael's love is evolving and we get to spend much more time with it in this novel. It is magnificent watching as their raw and passionate relationship deepens.

I was so engrossed in this book. The plot was incredibly unique and I loved the prospect of Raphael's mother awakening. After getting to know these characters in the previous two novels, it was fascinating to be divulged in their pasts. The climatic build up was enthralling and made it impossible to put the book down. Though the ending was rather anticlimactic, it did tie up lose ends.

The characters are beautifully written and three dimensional. Elena's new found immortality is a struggle for her, which makes Singh's interpretation of the supernatural much more believable. Raphael's Seven are becoming more vulnerable and gutsy. I can't say my love for Elena and Raphael is growing, but I can't get enough of Illium and Dimitri and love them more with each story. Honestly, the supporting characters in this series really make this series.

If you loved the first two books, you're going to love the this one. If you have not tried this series yet, you MUST pick up Archangel's Blood and Archangel's Kiss so that you can read this one and really enjoy it. This is a beautiful mesh of Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy. I highly recommend this series- and if anything, the gorgeous covers are a fantastic addition to any bookshelf. ;)

Purchase your copy of 

Archangel's Consort at Amazon!

Archangel's Kiss by Nalini Singh

5 out of 5 Robots!

 

My Review:

Archangel's Kiss by Nalini Singh was everything I expected it would be- once again proving how brilliant this writer is. I loved loved Elena's debut novel, Angels Blood-  I went into this with my expectations high. It didn't disappoint. It is heart-stirring, dangerous and intensely romantic.  Heeelllllooo, Raphael and Thank You, Nalini Singh- Our beloved archangel took my breath away at least once every five pages.

Elena has finally waken from her year-long coma to find that she is no longer a mere mortal. To her surprise she is now an immortal, an angel. One of the weakest angels, but hey- at least she gets to keep her hunter-born skills and sleep with one of the most erotic, powerful archangels EVER. And now, in gaining his one true love, her archangel  Raphael has showed his weakness- Elena. They are all gunning for her, but she's not just Raphael's plaything, she's hunter-born... an immortal with the heart of a mortal.

Loads of action in this book- Danger is always cooking. Knives always being thrown (literally.) Lijuan is building an army of the reborn, someone is pitting all the archangels against each other, stealing the innocent angel children. An angel crazed enough to believe they can best Elena and the Cadre is terrorizing the Refuge. As frightening as it is to be one of the weakest angels in the Refuge- Elena won't let this trump her efforts to learn how to fly and fight. But she only has a short time if she needs to fly before Lijuans ball... can she do it? Will her efforts be futile against the surprises Lijuan has waiting for her?

This novel holds a pleasant amount of emotional action too. Raphael and Elena have grown to fully trust and love each other, to know each other. Raphael's dialogue made my heart skip a beat. He is so beautiful in everything that he says to his lover. He even begins to realize that for their love to blossom, he must open up. It is fun getting to know him with Elena. There is a monumental amount of character development from her and their relationship. It is delightful that the author chose a realistic path in that Elena must to learn to fly, to train with her new wings. So adorable that she is so weak and for the first time in her life she needs to rely on someone other than herself.

I will now say that I am also perfectly enthralled with Raphael's Seven. They're the seven he trusts with his life, who live to make sure he's always safe. Illium, or Bluebell, the blue winged angel.... oh I can't even put into words how captivating he is. The way Nalini Singh describes just his eyelashes?! To die for. This author puts you right there in the Guild Hunter world. I mean really, how does she make secondary characters so damn intriguing?!

If you love angels, paranormal romance and the like - read this book. I highly recommend it. I was completely absorbed. After reading the last page I was like what? that's it? I want more. I don't know if I am going to be able to wait until next year for another Bluebell fix.

Other books in this series in the order that they should be read:

1. Angels Blood - Amazon

2. Archangel's Kiss - Amazon

Book Details:

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Berkley; Original edition (February 2, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425233367
• ISBN-13: 978-0425233368

Angels Blood by Nalini Singh

4 out of 5 Robots!

My Review:

Angels Blood by Nalini Singh is a must read for all paranormal-romance readers and fans of urban fantasy. I found this book tightly written- I wasn't shaking my head at any plot holes. For those of you that need a lot of romance in your novels, I don't know if this is the place for you. There IS romance, but I felt that there was more urban fantasy than romance... not an even blend. This makes me happy, I don't mind the love story being on the back burner. The hunt was intense.

Angels Blood is the first in a new series- The Guild Hunter Novels. I haven't read anything else by Singh, but I'm definitely adding the Psy-Changeling series to my TBR list after reading this one. So, our heroine is born a vampire-hunter. She has a special talent... a nose like a dog. She tracks her victims by scent. That's right, Elena is a badass with a hardcore past that she needs to come to terms with. Who would have guessed?

The day has come when Elena must accept the toughest challenge she has been offered to date. Yep, she's been hired by THE archangel of New York himself- Raphael. But there is a twist- she won't be tracking a vampire this time. Nope, she's been hired to track another archangel... the bloodiest, craziest archangel currently living. One of the most powerful archangels has decided to go mad and go on a killing spree. Can Elena come out of this hunt with her body and heart still intact?

And before I forget to throw this out there- this book would be 5 stars for me if the first 10-12 chapters weren't so blah. I found it hard to get into Elena and Raphael at first... separately and as a couple. Instead I found myself enthralled with a secondary character- Illium. I'm really craving a book that's all about this sexy blue winged angel. This isn't a bad thing- it just shows how riveting and lovely the supporting characters are. Dimitri too, a very very old vampire. Loved him. Ah, and all the wittily written novel after about chapter 12 made up for the lack of enthusiasm I had for the first chapters. I was engulfed in Elena's hunt.  

This author can express passion and emotions very well in her writings. I felt like the two main characters were a mystery to me and I don't completely understand them- yet I knew exactly how they felt. I felt my heart tense with the characters, I was nervous, excited, frustrated and scared with them too. I have a feeling this is going to be one of my favorite series.

Once again, I feel like I say this in every review of a new series- the book only suffered in the first half because the author had to create a whole new atmosphere for us to divulge into. She did a damn good job at it too! I not only divulged- I plummeted into Elena & Raphael's little world. ...Now I'm ready to plummet into Illium's world. (I'm seriously praying this happens!) Well, I guess I will check out the Psy-Changeling's while I wait for Archangel's Kiss come February!!

Oh, and I have to give credit to @bellie7 for this one! She sent it to me and told me it was a must read- well, she was right! READ THIS!

Book Details

Published: March 3, 2009; Berkley

Paperback: 358 Pages

ISBN10: 0425226921

Books in this series in the order that they should be read:
1. Angels Blood
2. Archangels Kiss (February 2010)