*Fair warning before reading this review, spoilers are ahead, but if you love some good spoilers and want to know what to expect, read this review*

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️​
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎​
Cover:📔📔📔📔📔​
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥 🔥​
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒💒​
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞💞​
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂😂​
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖📖​
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧​
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨✨✨​

“Illium the bold. Illium the Courageous. Illium the brillaint,” Aodhan said, a slow smile lighting up his face. “Do you remember how we used to make up those titles for each other?”
“You forgot Illium the Favorite?” Illium grinned. “Aodhan the Bright, Aodhan the Loyal, Aodhan the Audacious,” They’d been so proud of thinking up the last word.
“Well, I have one more for you,” Aodhan cupped the side of his head, those artist’ fingers in Illium’s ahir. “Illium, the Determined, Archangel of his own destiny.”

First Impressions
Archangel’s Ascension is the newest installment in the Guild Hunter series and this book continues off, timing was from the latest installment, however, this is where we see the next phase into Illium and Aodhan’s story. I know that there was some readers that struggled with their first book together, because it wasn’t as spicy as many of her other books. Their relationship is not like any of her other couples and I really admire that she has handled their story so much differently. And even though we really see them come together fully as not just friends….but true mates, don’t expect a spicy book but you can expect to find a beautifully, deeply intimate story that will capture your heart. We also see a well developed mystery that comes into play which I actually get why this one was handled in the way that it was. We also have some flashbacks which we see two timelines which is the present from what we have known the series…..and then 700 years in the future (YEP ) and Nalini Singh developed it just so well.

“My Blue.” He brushed his fingers over Illium’s cheekbones. “I never thought you’d be shy.”
“Neither did I,” Illium muttered, because, despite his flaming cheeks, this, just lying here with Aodhan’s wing over his body while the other man touched his shoulders and chest as if discovering him for the first time, it felt good.
Felt right.
Felt like exactly where he was meant to be.

Summary
Aodhan and Illium…Sparkle and Bluebell have gone from centuries of being friends to something deeper. They are now reunited fully in New York, Bluebell has just returned from traveling to reunite with his sire and most important connect with his sparkle….his Aodhan. They are both members of Rafael’s Seven and have embraced their roles completely. But there is a mystery that has arisen when one of their own has been murdered, and they must find the culprit and it hits close to home as evidence has come out that it was a stalker situation that makes the past of Aodhan come to the surface in a very painful way. But as Adohan and Illium learn to come to the truth and embrace this new chapter in their relationship….there is also change happening in the future that will push the boundaries of their relationship and their lives ….forever.

“You are extraordinary,” Illium whispered, pressing a kiss to the diamond bright strands of Aodhan’s hair as heat stung his eyes.
I love you. More than air and sunlight, more than the sky or art.
Illium’s entire being felt as if it had shifted this night, undergoing a fundamental change from which there could never be any return.

What I Loved
Archangel’s Ascension is one of the most brilliant installments of the series and not only that is one of the best books that this author has ever crafted. I can’t express how wonderful this story was and how thrilled I was to finally get the conclusion for Aodhan and Illium. While I adored Archange’s Light ….Archangel’s Ascension is where we really see their story truly come together in such a epic finale that captures the soul. There are many elements that are brought to the surface within this story.

Pleasure came in many forms, and this night, they found the pleasure available only to two winged beings who knew each other’s most sensitive spots, two combat-ready fighters who understood their bodies inside and out, two lovers who were ready to touch and adore and learn, two aroused men who had no limits with each other, two friends who loved above all else.
It was love, and it was transcendent.

Illium has returned to New York after some traveling, he and Aodhan and learning to be together as more than just centuries long childhood friends. This is where they learn to let go and embrace their next chapter. The intimacy between them is beyond beautiful. You see their closeness, the sensuality and the affection that is so deeply entrenched in their hearts. And while our couple is learning what it means to be together in this new way, they are tasked to solve a riddle….a murder mystery that involved a newer vampire and his fiancée who were murdered by his stalker. We see how this pushes the recovery that Aodhan has worked so hard to rebuilt from his time as being stalked and kidnapped and abused in some of the worst ways. We see as they work slowly to solve the mystery, that we see their connection working through and being built into something just as deep but a different path than what they have walked in the past. There is such beauty and light that is brought into their relationship and I was so deeply touched in their quiet moments together and seeing their intimate bond grow into such a crescendo that was brilliantly penned that was transformative and stunning in its emotional detail.
The next phase is where we see the flashbacks into the future which I rarely see to be honest. But I found it refreshing. Although these flashbacks don’t truly start until the last 1/3 of the story. Where we see what we all have been anticipating for many books….to see our darling Bluebell….our Illium face his destiny and ascend into an archangel and become one of the most powerful beings on earth. We see how his destiny comes for him and the results of that. How his destiny and his life will change forever….how he will never be able to serve his sire again, and be with Elena, or to visit his mother, but will need to embrace who he was meant to be and change what is to be expected. And how his journey into this bright new chapter will deliver changes for him and might push some challenges between him and Aodhan but also between himself and everyone he has ever known. The moments between him and all of our favorite characters struck deep and was so heart-wrenching. But we also see how well he embraces his future, see how their relationship becomes so much more vibrant in the face of this new change. And it leaves off with a Happy For Now feeling and I hope we get another book with them together, to see how Bluebell will maneuver his way into his new position and his territory.

*Our task now,* he added, *is to be friends as we have never before been.* Raphael lifted his hands, his palms and fingers coated with Illium golden rain, his skin a gloaming of mystery. *You know we will lose them both?* They were a pair, had always been a pair.

Illium and Aodhan.

Sparkle and Bluebell.

Archangel and Second.

What I Struggled With
Nothing ….this book was pure perfection in every way!!!

Overall View
Archangel’s Ascension is a book that will carry its reader to new heights of light filled connection, embracing new chapters of beginnings and the brilliance of love that fills the soul in every facet with such shining intricate vibrancy…..A GEM OF DAZZLING LOVE THAT HITS DEEP ON THE SOUL!

“You’re dazzling,” he whispered.
“And you’re mine. I’ll fight for you even against the power of ascension.”

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Urban Fantasy Romance
Character Types: Alpha Hero, Angels, Tortured Hero, Warrior/Soldier
Themes: Tear Jerker, Heart/Emotionally Touching, Holy Grail Mystery
Tropes: Epic Love

Book Perspective
3rd POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Plot Conflict

If you like these authors, I recommend This Book
Christine Feehan
Patricia Briggs
Gena Showalter

Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes