Contains Spoilers Archangel's Heart is another fantastic addition to the series and where we see more growth to Raphael and Elena's relationship. This book shows that there has been some time between Archangel's Enigma and this one. Its been a year or so since Lijuan disappeared after being hurt by Raphael as he saved Alexander's life and now they have a alliance of sorts. But then with Lijuan disappearing and rumors of the vampires having a blood lust, they know that something must be done with her territory. Then the whole Archangel Cadre has been called to the Luminata to discuss what will happen to her territory. The Luminata is a sect of the angels, that are very similar to a monastery order, all males, that come to find a spiritual peace and find the beyond. But having all the archangel's together is never a good idea so Elena expects something more going on. But what Elena doesn't expect is to find clues of something underhanded going on in the sect of brothers and something that has to do with her grandmother. And when they find clues and a nearby town in fear of them as angels, Elena knows something very WRONG is going on and she is determined to find out what is going on. There is a mystery that Elena is trying to solve and with Raphael's help, they get to the bottom of it which will bring some surprises in for the reader that you don't expect and will change Elena's world forever.Man....I swear that this author can do no wrong and this book was simply a ride of my life and I didn't ever want to get off of it. This might be a 13 hour audiobook but I listened to it in one day, that is how GOOD this story was. I always love the books where we see more depth to Raphael and Elena's relationship and this book just adds to that. I love how much these two give to one another. Their relationship is definitely one to envy and I adore their story so much. I love how much they just "get" each other in perfect ways even though neither of them are perfect but what I do admire in their relationship is how true they are to themselves and never lie to each other or keep secrets, they are fully open in each other. I love that Raphael loves the strength and courage in Elena and adores her vulnerabilities and never ever puts her down, always trying to raise her up. Elena on the other side is always there for Raphael, trying to keep him on the right path and not letting him getting too full of himself with his power changes. Their story is so EPIC and so packed with emotion. I love the intimacy we get to see in this pairing and with each book we get a little bit more depth in their in depth relationship. In this book we see how Elena has Raphael's back, always ready to go on the offensive and defense if she is needed. But Raphael knows how important family is to Elena, and is on her side in discovering the truth behind her grandmother having a presence here among the Illuminati who are suppose to take a vow of celibacy. [spoiler]Now what happens is after visiting the town and finding a friend of her grandmother, they were friends and she is told that her grandfather was a vampire who disappeared after trying to go to the illuminati to get her grandmother to be a vampire so they could be together for a longer period. But it only raises more questions for Elena and after one of the illuminati angels, a younger one who befriended Elena is attacked brutally, she knows that someone is obsessed with Elena and her questions lead her to a secret tunnel where Elena learns that her grandparents are ALIVE and have been tortured all this time. But great justice given to the members involved in kidnapping innocent women and many innocents killed for certain depravities involved by the illuminati. [/spoiler]I have to say after seeing what really happens in the end here, I was so full of happiness, I had so many tears shed for Elena who found something so priceless and this is where we see how family is so important and love seeing Elena find justice and discover that evil exists in places we least expect. Love how Elena finds some more peace and justice and I can't wait to see what happens next in their fight again Lijuan. This complex world that Singh has created with Raphael and Elena with captivate its reader it its unique depths, mysteries that become unfolded and a epic love tale to tug at your heartstrings and a pairing this reader will never forget!!
This book continues off pretty soon after the first book. Our heroine Elena is learning how to fight and learning to strengthen her wings so that she can learn to fly. They have two months to have her ready to meet one of the oldest of their kind and the most powerful. And Raphael and Elena need to be ready for any trick she may pull including trying to kill them. Elena is considered a "baby" and weak and can be killed pretty easily. But Elena is just as fierce in this book as she is in the first one. This story isn't as intense in building of plot and suspenseful moments, but it goes on a different take and one that I really liked. We see more focus on the emotional bonds between Raphael and Elena. The sexual tension between these two is enough to start a fire or more, boy these two have some wicked chemistry and see more focus on that in this story. Which is what I loved most about it, was seeing these two really come together in the way they both needed to. The supporting characters were unique and some of them were some bat crazy, we fall in love with a little boy angel and we get more of the "seven" and Elena holds her own where they are concerned. Overall this is a couple to keep your eye one...excited to see what the next book brings to us!!
Question To The Readers:
Have you read this series? What do you think of Raphael and Elena?
“They didn't understand that she held his heart, held it so utterly that there was nothing he wouldn't do, no line he wouldn't cross to keep her safe.
“We'll build our own home." The promise curled around her heart, a vivid ray of sunlight. "In Manhattan?" "Of course." A slow, slow smile. "What kind of mansion would you like?" Damn, but the archangel was playing with her again. The sunshine grew, filled her veins. "Actually, I kind of like yours." She slid her arms around his neck. "Can I have it? Oh, and can I have Jeeves, too? I've always wanted a butler." "Yes." She blinked. "Just like that?" "It's only a place." "We'll make it more," she promised, her mouth to his. "We'll make it ours.”
“But you, you’ve always been the rain, the wind, inside my mind. I taste you when I sleep, when I wake, when I breathe.”
Archangel's Legion is book six in the Guild Hunter series and I am so happy that I have returned to this series and after reading this book I wanted to read book one again, because I love me some Raphael and Elena. They are one of my favorite pairings and boy these do were EPIC in this novel and Nalini Singh has really outdone herself in this book. Now, this review will probably contain spoilers, so readers beware.
Archangel's Legion begins with Raphael and Elena, going about their duties in their lives and to their territory. Elena is still trying to face up to her past especially that past with her mother's death and her father's abuse over the years of her childhood. She is still having nightmares but they are becoming less the more time she has spent with Raphael. But there is a change coming for both of them. There is a Archangel who is building a army of death soldiers but she is the most powerful of them all and Raphael isn't even sure he can kill her with all of his power. With Elena's influence, Raphael is starting to see the power and good thinking in building allies and friendships with other powerful Archangel's.
“Raphael, in case you're getting ideas - I won't be this civilized if you decide you need a concubine. In fact, it's a good bet I'll turn homicidal. He didn't look up from his conversation with Astaad as he said, A pity, in that cool "Archangel" tone of his. I will now have to ask the pilot to empty the hold of my chosen females. We're going to have to talk about this new sense of humor of yours.”
There is a change that we see from the first couple of books in Raphael and Elena to this book. I love seeing how powerful they are together both as leaders and as a couple working out kinks in their relationship. They are living in their HEA, but we see that life isn't full of roses and daisies either, they have many conflicts to overcome.
The situation starts to escalate when there are falling birds in the sky and including many angels falling from the sky and many being brutally injured and a handful being killed from this phenomenon. Raphael has no clue who is behind it all, but there is a new power rising in him that he doesn't truly understand yet, and there is a facial mark that is beginning to form and it isn't worrying Raphael too much but its terrifying Elena. Now Elena is having to face some real fears because of what is happening around them and she doesn't think she could survive losing Raphael, she has lost so much and what I really liked in this book is the vulnerability that we see in Elena. She can kick ass, of course, she is a Guild Hunter but she does have vulnerabilities and I really love seeing her flaws and seeing her trying to overcome them and becoming a better person as a whole. But when there is a sickness killed vampires, Elena goes on the hunt to find out what or who is behind it all and before Raphael and Elena know it, a new power is coming into Raphael and war is coming onto their doorstep, a war that they might not be able to win....one that could destroy Raphael and Elena.
“The power, it seduced, whispering to me to weave it into my own cells." A glance over his shoulder. "Before you, I would've no doubt accepted it and it would've destroyed me from the inside out." "Before you," she whispered, "I was shut up inside my heart, protecting it from harm, and never knowing the glory I missed." She linked her hand in his. "You and I, we're a unit. I dare any evil on this earth to tear us apart.”
THIS BOOK!!! I can't even describe in words how much I adored this book and its one of my favorites of the series. These books just get better with each installment and after reading this book I remembered how much I truly adore Raphael and Elena. They are so epic together and it's in this book that you realize why they are such a favorite couple among so many readers. I love how strong they are together,
Eternity would mean nothing without you. For no power on this earth would I trade my Elena
This book I was able to listen to and boy Justine Eyre does such a good job with these books, she really displays Singh's voice so well and I love how she portrays these stories. I would like to say that I didn't want to put this book down, it was SO SO delicious. We have some fun sexy times between Raphael and Elena and they definitely still get creative and hot in the bedroom. There is a built up of plot twists in this book and boy the intensity and suspense in this book was SO fantastic. Definitely beats some romantic suspense novels I have because it's a roller coaster of action and intrigue and loved seeing one of my favorite couples in action once again.
Overall I found Archangel's Legion to be an intense whirlwhind of action, drama, world shattering romance and a story to soak into and never want to let go of!! STUNNING!
Archangel's Shadows is book seven in the Guild Hunter series. I have been loving this series so much, and after finding out all the books in the series except for the most recent release are in the Audible Romance Package, I was so delighted because I have really fallen behind on this series and this past week I wanted to take some time to get fully caught up. Archangel's Shadows begins two years following Archangel's Legion which is where we saw the great battle between Raphael and the evil (and crazy) Lijuan who is the archangel over China who wants to take over the world and Raphael is the one she probably fears the most because he is the youngest Archangel but also one of the most powerful. But now its been two years and New York is slowly recovering from the great battle that destroyed many. The Legion is becoming more prominent and Elena is trying to make an effort to make them feel welcome and being the best consort she can be and keeping up with her skills and gaining strength. But there is something happening to the vampires in the city, a blood lust is starting to happen and suspicion on a new drug that is coming and Ashwini and Janvier have been called upon by the Guild to find out where the drug is coming from and to stop the source. There has always been some sizzling chemistry between Ash and Janvier but there is plenty of angst between them until Ash almost dies and Janvier saves her life and now their relationship has changed. Ash is powerful and can kick some vampire booty when she needs to, but she is starting to see the sexy Cajun vampire in a new light. I really adored the sexy bantering between these two and man Justine Eyre is one of my favorite narrators for a good reason because man the way she handled Janvier's accent was pure sensuality. I just got the shivers listening to her portrayal of his undertones and accent. There is a mystery that is developing with both Raphael/Elena and Ashwini/Janvier as they work both sides to find out what is going on in their city. Elena is trying to track down the blood that this "poison" is coming from and Ashlin is trying to hunt down the culprit behind everything. I really had a blast with this book and once I fully got into it I just found myself addicted to Janvier and Ashwini, their relationship is different but just as compelling as the others we have read in the series so far.
Archangel's Storm is the fifth book in the Guild Hunter series and it has been a while since I have read a book from this series and I have no idea why I stopped because Archangel's Storm was superb and I had so much fun with this book. I really loved what Nalini Singh did with this story and it was very obvious that she did her research in the location and I appreciate that quite a bit. Archangel's Storm is fantastic and this is where we take a break from Raphael and Elena and where we get the dark angel's story---Jason.
Jason, is in Raphael's close circle of his seven angels and is also known as the man who can get whatever information that Raphael needs and is a bit if a enigma to many. Not many know of Jason's true capabilities. Jason is famous for being the spymaster but there is a plot going on and Jason is to find out the truth behind the murder of Neha's mate. Now Jason is called in because Neha is becoming unstable and the only way to prevent her from going completely beserker on the world is to work with her and make a blood vow with her niece Princess Mahiya,
I'll find my vengeance in living a life overflowing with happiness. In drowning myself in love, not hatret.
Jason knows there is no one he can trust in Neha's territory but he is determined to get to the truth even if his suspect is Neha herself. But as he and Mahiya start to work together and begin to have a level of trust, Jason starts to realize how different Mahiya is from her aunt. She is strong but it's not quite as obvious as it is with Neha. Mahiya is very young though but has been tormented by her aunt all of her life. She is the product of her mother having an affair with Neha's consort and mate. But as the murders of those in the court keep piling up, the truth of who is behind everything will shock everyone and there is a war coming one only that Jason and Mahiya can prevent.
I have so much love inside me, Jason. So much. And I have never been allowed to shower it on anyone--no one has wanted it Let me stretch my wings of my heart with you
This book kicked ASS!! Its was simply a superbly written romance that I easily got on board with here and I am in love with seeing how this book was portrayed. I loved seeing such emotional growth that we see in our characters here but most especially Jason and Mahiya. Jason is a very private individual, he lost his parents when he was young and has learned to be strong and powerful but never lets anyone get close until Mahiya where he learns to let go of those strong shields around his emotions. Mahiya, is young especially in comparison with Jason's age, however, she has such a strong inner core of strength and courage. Some would think her weak, but she isn't. She is cunning, keeping herself alive when her aunt would love nothing better than to see her killed. I love how despite all the years she has known deception and evil in her life, she has never allowed it to touch her and has remained innocent of the evil machinations surrounding her all of her life.
She wanted to run her finger over the blade of him even if it made her bleed, wanted to dance too close to the flame, wanted to take a risk that could destroy her
Now I would say this romance is a mix of unrequited love and forbidden love. Mahiya knows about 40% way into the story that she is in love with Jason, she is new to love of course, but she knows what she feels for him is genuine and knows that Jason may never feel the same for her. Now Jason is closed off from any deep emotion due to the experiences he had when he lost his family. But boy does he fall hard for Mahiya, it takes him a long while to realize that he really loves Mahiya even though he believes himself not capable of giving that to her. But seeing these two solve the mystery together, find the truth behind what happened to Mahiya's mother and the slow burn love story between these two is breathtaking. Jason and Mahiya are perfect for each other, and find such healing with each other and seeing them overcome obstacles together and find they're happy ever after was so beautifully penned and BRAVO to Nalini Singh in writing a story that is brilliant, endearing and unforgettable!!
He was a power, had far more knowledge of the world, but she had a heart strong enough to care for a man who might never fully open his own to her...because even a fragment of Jason's heart, it would be raw, honest, a dazzling joy
This review was originally posted on Addicted To RomanceI received this book for free from Berkley Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Archangel's Sun is a story that follows a bit after "Archangel's War" and even though I know many fans of this series were really disappointed this wasn't Illium's book ---well I was excited LOL Illium's book will come when its the right time for the author and I think more needs to happen before we will see his story...but we did get his mama's book so I am SO not complaining and quite frankly I was so eager for Titus' book, I have adored his character and "booming voice" in the previous books.
In Archangel's Sun the world is still fighting from the consequences of the plans of Lijuan and even though she and her main fighting force are dead....there are still the remnants of her plans to destroy and every territory is fighting to help their people recover. But Titus has it the worst with the least amount of angels and vampires to help fight the scourge. But there is one angel that can help so Raphael and Elena ....a woman who is highly respected in the angel world "Hummingbird" and also the mother of the infamous Illium. Sharine also known as "Hummingbird" has hidden herself away just working her own little world for so long. She was once in love in the beginning but when she lost him she lost a part of herself. But now she is regaining herself and her own identity. So when Raphael asks her to help Titus contain the evil there, Sharine feels its the right time for her now. While fighting evil she also has to fight Titus who has certain "ideas" and must stand her ground, but as Titus and Sharine learn to work together, their relationship takes a surprising turn ....but will they find the balance they need in their tumultuous relationship?
What a story! I have to say that even though this is not my favorite work from Singh or even in the series, not even close actually, I had such a fun time with this one. And quite frankly I just couldn't put this book down at all. I just loved every moment of this book that this author shows in the story. I had my issues with a couple of things, but overall it was such a fun wild ride with these two at the helm of the story. Now I found this pairing to be one of the most unique of pairings that I have really seen from Singh. When I first heard about Sharine and Titus being the couple in this one....I was a bit dumbfounded to be frank. Because these two (at least appearance portrayal) were complete opposites when in reality they make such a perfect team. I absoultely adored seeing them work so well together.
We do see a great journey that Sharine goes on, and boy does she have hidden powers and abilities we just see her coming into her own strength. She has been lost in her art and herself really for so long, that seeing her be strong and vibrant is so breathtaking in so many real moments. But at the same time I struggled with her character. I felt like it came off too strong in some points and especially in her dealings with Titus she could be emotionally abusive. And it just didn't sit right with me at times, really rubbed me the wrong way. Now I am not saying that Titus is perfect because well he is an alpha male so what do you expect? He is going to be aggravating and protective and stubborn. Its in his DNA for crying out loud (hahaha) but no one deserves the treatment she gave him at times. Even though I loved her character, I just can't stand by that.
Another issue I seemed to have with this book was the ending....it disappointed me so much. I like to have my couple being together together and living together and have a HEA....this ending felt more HFN in some ways and I struggle with those endings. I understand some of the why but I couldn't grasp why Sharine felt the need to be away from her man and wouldn't take the "consort" title. Maybe down in future books we will see her make that final commitment to Titus. *crossing fingers*
Overall I found Archangel's Sun to be a thrilling and laugh out loud dialogue that has you eager for more and flipping through the pages as fast as you can read them....a stunning addition to a powerhouse of a series!
This review was originally posted on Addicted To RomanceI received this book for free from Berkley Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Archangel's War is the newest installment in the Guild Hunter series now before I begin I would like to mention that this won't be too long of a review, and much shorter than what I normally do. I honestly just don't want to spoil this book for anyone and so I am not going to go into plot details or anything of that nature today just because I know how many of you are eager to read this book. I am truly blessed that I was able to have access to the ARC copy of this story. I honestly never expected it but Berkley has really been gifting me great books and this was at the top of my list of books to read this year and honestly there is something about this series that I love more than any other Urban Fantasy series. What I have truly marveled at is seeing how incredible this author has in balancing out this incredible world building but also maintaining the romance focus. THIS NEVER HAPPENS IN UF by the way so I truly appreciate the way this author balances out both worlds so seamlessly.
Archangel's War is a truly power packed story, and boy to see what happens in this story is EPIC and life changing is so many ways that you don't quite see coming. This author definitely is one that will keep you on your toes with this one. I was very impressed with the flow and how she worked all the elements together. I wasn't quite sure how it would end or anything....NO WORRIES no cliffhanger in this one. *Whew* I was worried about that one too. But Nalini Singh doesn't disappoint and truly delivered a story of edgy suspense, all the feels that tugs at the heartstrings and a story you won't ever regret picking up!! This author works her delicious magic in every way and its magnificent!!
