Archangel's Shadows by Nalini Singh Also in this series: Angels' Blood, Archangel's Kiss, Archangel's Consort, Archangel's Storm, Archangel's Legion , Archangel's Viper, Archangel's Prophecy (Guild Hunter, #11), Archangel's War
Series: Guild Hunter #7
Published by Berkley Sensation on October 28, 2014
Genres: Urban Fantasy Romance, Paranormal Romance, Angels, Vampires
Narrator: Justine Eyre
Length: 13 Hours and 20 Mins
Pages: 361
Format: Audiobook
ISBN: 0425251179
Return to New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh’s sensual and painfully beautiful Guild Hunter world in her new novel of sacrifice, loyalty, and the choices of love that can shatter the heart.
In the wake of a brutal war, the archangel Raphael and his hunter consort, Elena, are dealing with the treacherously shifting tides of archangelic politics and the people of a battered but not broken city. The last thing their city needs is more death, especially a death that bears the eerie signature of an insane enemy archangel who cannot— should not—be walking the streets.
This hunt must be undertaken with stealth and without alerting their people. It must be handled by those who can become shadows themselves…
Ash is a gifted tracker and a woman cursed with the ability to sense the secrets of anyone she touches. But there’s one man she knows all too well without a single instant of skin contact: Janvier, the dangerously sexy Cajun vampire who has fascinated and infuriated her for years. Now, as they track down a merciless killer, their cat-and-mouse game of flirtation and provocation has turned into a profound one of the heart. And this time, it is Ash’s secret, dark and terrible, that threatens to destroy them both.
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.
I’ll show you things that’ll make you laugh in delight, scream in passion, cry for the sheer joy of it.
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.
“You made me traipse through the bayou for weeks,” she muttered now. “Then, right when I had you, you made nice with the angel you’d pissed off.” It wasn’t the first time he’d done that either. “You knew how mad that made me—why did you keep doing it?”
Lifting their clasped hands, he pressed a kiss to her knuckles. “I was courting you.”
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. I found the dynamics of their relationship to be so charming and hilarious and kept me on a roller coaster from beginning to end.
Another plus to the story is a fun segway into Naasir. Now we see some great things from Naasir and right after reading this book I had to pick up his book because he is funny, blunt, full of wild sensuality and a bit crazy so he fits for me!!
“I told Caliane that trying to civilize me is like trying to civilize a jungle cat,” Naasir said with a shrug. “We pretend to like people until we get hungry and want fresh meat.” A glance around, a glint in his eye. “I honestly do like you all. I haven’t thought about eating you for at least two centuries.”
Archangel's Enigma by Nalini Singh Also in this series: Angels' Blood, Archangel's Kiss, Archangel's Consort, Archangel's Storm, Archangel's Legion , Archangel's Viper, Archangel's Prophecy (Guild Hunter, #11), Archangel's War
Series: Guild Hunter #8
Published by Berkley Sensation on September 1, 2015
Genres: Paranormal Romance, Shape Shifting, Angels, Urban Fantasy Romance
Narrator: Justine Eyre
Length: 12 Hours and 25 Mins
Pages: 357
Format: Audiobook
ISBN: 0425251268
Naasir is the most feral of the powerful group of vampires and angels known as the Seven, his loyalty pledged to the Archangel Raphael. When rumors surface of a plot to murder the former Archangel of Persia, now lost in the Sleep of the Ancients, Naasir is dispatched to find him. For only he possesses the tracking skills required - those more common to predatory animals than to man.
Enlisted to accompany Naasir, Andromeda, a young angelic scholar with dangerous secrets is fascinated by his nature - at once playful and brilliant, sensual and brutal. As they race to find the Sleeping archangel before it's too late, Naasir will force her to question all she knows...and tempt her to walk into the magnificent, feral darkness of his world. But first they must survive an enemy vicious enough to shatter the greatest taboo of the angelic race and plunge the world into a screaming nightmare...
Archangel’s Enigma is a much-loved book of the Guild Hunter series and I know when this book first came out so many romance bloggers and reviewers RAVED about this book but I definitely knew that this series needed to be read in order so it took me some time but I finally got to Naasir’s book. Now for the most of the series, Naasir is a mystery…a true Enigma and not until the previous two books did I want and I really NEEDED to have his book so much. Especially in Archangel’s Shadows is where we truly see his personality and I have to say pretty quickly I fell in love with his wild nature, his blunt speech and out funny his character really is and I was so happy that Nalini decided to do his book next because I probably would have skipped ahead.
Naasir is a mix of shifter and vampire and no one really knows except Raphael and Dimitri, what he really is. Naasir is devoted to Raphael and Dimitri, they saved him and showed him the way and his loyalty is to them forever. But now Naasir is experience, a bit more older and is looking for his mate. Raphael and Elena are looking for Alexander, a great ancient archangel who went to sleep. And even though he was bit of a danger to Raphael, there is something more. Because Lijuan is looking for Alexander to kill him in his sleep and Raphael knows that they must get to Alexander first. Lijuan is willing to do the forbidden even murder an ancient in his sleep and there is one person who might know of a possible location so Raphael sends Naasir to the scribe, an angel who is seeking sanctuary from her family. Andromeda is the granddaughter of an Archangel who is aligned with Lijuan and caused hundreds of angels in New York to be severely hurt and a few died from his attacks. Andromeda knows how evil her grandfather is, but her contract of freedom is up soon and she will have to spend 500 years in his care and she knows that it will be hell and she will never be the same. Andromeda because of how her parents lived, she made a vow of celibacy and the only thing that can break that vow would be to find a book “The Grimwar”.
“Not according to your definition. It appears Andromeda has taken a vow of celibacy.”
Naasir groaned. “I think I should jump off into traffic. It’d be less painful than such torture.”
When Naasir comes to Andromeda to begin the search for Alexander, he realizes with stunning realization that she is his mate. She feels just “right” the problem…is convincing Andromeda that they are destined to be together. But right about when they are to leave, Andromeda is kidnapped by Lijuan’s forces and taken to the center of her territory. Andromeda knows that Naasir and Jason will come for her, but she also knows that Lijuan is pure evil and she will have to use her wits to stall for time. Naasir is furious to be delayed in rescuing Andromeda, but he also knows how dangerous Lijuan is and their rescue attempt of Andromeda has to be perfect, nothing can go wrong. This story will take us from the great bustling city of New York City to the wilds of China, to the beautiful mountains of Persia and to the boldness of the African wild lands. This story is full of adventure, intrigue, suspense, sensuality and epic love that is worth fighting for.
A woman who knows me, understands what I am, and who wants to have secret rules with me.
MY GOODNESS!! I can’t even explain how much I adored this book so much!!! I loved everything about this one and its definitely at the top of the list of my favorites and I am going to have to either buy it in print/or ebook (depends on which is cheaper) because this book will definitely go in my future re-read pile for sure. I adore the bond between Andromeda and Naasir. We get to learn the true identity of Naasir and how he was created. We see the inner strength of Andromeda and how cunning she really is. She might not be a big fighter, but she can fight, as long as she has a sword or a knife, she can protect herself. But she knows that while being held captive by Lijuan, that it’s her brain that will protect her and not her talent with a knife. I love her compassion and sincerity and how she never gives up on what is right.
“Why would you say I shouldn’t wait for you?” It was a snarl. “If you’re mine, you’re mine. And I’m yours. Today, tomorrow, always.”
At first Andromeda fights the relationship with Naasir, but Naasir is stubborn and refuses to give up on Andromeda even if they can’t “rut” like he wants hehe I love how he respects her vow of celibacy and is always on her side, no matter what. And boy then we have the adventure of saving Alexander from Lijuan and boy this book KICK BOOTY!! I loved how this story just engages the reader completely and that the intensity of the plot never slows down, I was utterly enthralled by this story and how this author writes such potent story lines and her dialogue is packed with depths. The character in this book is truly full of charm, the story is packed with emotion and playfulness that will spellbind you into a beautiful experience that you won’t easily forget!! AN EXHILARATING ADVENTURE
“I’ll follow you,” she whispered against his lips. “No matter where you go, I’ll be right beside you.”
Archangel's Heart by Nalini Singh Also in this series: Angels' Blood, Archangel's Kiss, Archangel's Consort, Archangel's Storm, Archangel's Legion , Archangel's Viper, Archangel's Prophecy (Guild Hunter, #11), Archangel's War
Series: Guild Hunter #9
Published by Berkley on November 1, 2016
Genres: Urban Fantasy Romance, Paranormal Romance, Angels
Narrator: Justine Eyre
Length: 13 Hours and 23 Min
Pages: 381
Format: Audiobook
ISBN: 0451488008
New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh takes us into a dangerous and exhilarating world where a deadly, beautiful archangel and his once-mortal consort are caught in a fury of twisted darkness…
One of the most vicious archangels in the world has disappeared. No one knows if Lijuan is dead or has chosen to Sleep the long sleep of an immortal. But with her lands falling into chaos under a rising tide of vampiric bloodlust, a mysterious and ancient order of angels known as the Luminata calls the entire Cadre together to discuss the fate of her territory.
Accompanying her archangelic lover Raphael to the Luminata compound, guild hunter-turned-angel Elena senses that all is not as it seems. Secrets echo from within the stone walls of the compound, and the deeper Elena goes, the uglier the darkness. But neither Raphael nor Elena is ready for the brutal truths hidden within—truths that will change everything Elena thinks she knows about who she is…
Nothing will ever be the same again.
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 an 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 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.
-Remember when I was terrified of you?
-You were never terrified of me
– Ha! Are you kidding? I was scared out of my skin, but I still thought you were hot. I’m obviously a little deranged.
Raphael didn’t laugh.- I’m glad you got over the terror- he said quietly- The idea of eternity without you is my personal vision of hell.
-Raphael- Elena touched her fingers to his jaw- This is my heaven. You are my heaven.
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 get 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 supposed to take a vow of celibacy.
View Spoiler »Never lose your heart, Elena. No matter if the world tells you it makes you weak. Immortals have so much power. It is good to have a weakness
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 captivating its reader it its unique depths, mysteries that become unfolded and an epic love tale to tug at your heartstrings and a pairing this reader will never forget!!
But the one thing she no longer had any question about was that they were an impregnable unit. The world might attempt to tear them apart, but the only way it would ever succeed would be through death.
About Nalini Singh
I've been writing as long as I can remember and all of my stories always held a thread of romance (even when I was writing about a prince who could shoot lasers out of his eyes). I love creating unique characters, love giving them happy endings and I even love the voices in my head. There's no other job I would rather be doing. In September 2002, when I got the call that Silhouette Desire wanted to buy my first book, Desert Warrior, it was a dream come true. I hope to continue living the dream until I keel over of old age on my keyboard.
I was born in Fiji and raised in New Zealand. I also spent three years living and working in Japan, during which time I took the chance to travel around Asia. I’m back in New Zealand now, but I’m always plotting new trips. If you’d like to see some of my travel snapshots, have a look at the Travel Diary page (updated every month).
So far, I've worked as a lawyer, a librarian, a candy factory general hand, a bank temp and an English teacher and not necessarily in that order. Some might call that inconsistency but I call it grist for the writer's mill.
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