Archangel’s Heart (Guild Hunter #9)

\”He was hers. She was his. And together, they were something far better than either one of them was alone.\” FINAL DECISION: Goes deeper into Elena\’s background in unexpected ways. This book is a tightly drawn suspense story, political thriller and a very human story about surviving and rising above the past. Plus, there is a very settled and sexy couple: Elena and Raphael. THE STORY: This book continues the focus on guild hunter turned angel Elena and her archangel lover Raphael. Things have been quiet since the disappearance of Lijuan, the Archangel of China (who also happens to be crazy dangerous). A year has passed and because no one knows whether she lives or has withdrawn from the world and is sleeping, there is uncertainty. An ancient order of angels called the Luminata calls the Cadre together to make a determination of what to do with Lijuan\’s territory. Attending the Luminata requires Raphael and Elena to travel near the place of her grandmother\’s birth. There, Raphael and Elena must deal with dangerous archangels, mysterious threats, strange events surrounding the Luminata. Elena also hopes to find out more about her past and that of her family. OPINION: The Guild Hunter series returns to focus on Elena and Raphael. I have to admit that I love the Elena and Raphael books most in the series. This book, thankfully, doesn\’t involve problems in the relationship between Elena and Raphael (that remains increasingly strong) but rather Elena\’s own history. This book continues the overarching series story regarding the Cascade, Lijuan and the possible end of the world. While this book doesn\’t have a romance as its organizing feature, it doesn\’t need one. This book delves into the adventure and politics of the Guild Hunter world — but reserves its emotional core for Elena\’s discovery of her own family\’s past. There is a dark suspense story involving the Illuminata who are a mysterious addition to the series. Elena ends up investigating what is going on with this mysterious group and their connection with her own family. That story keeps the pace of this book quick and the pages turning. While the suspense story keeps the books hopping, the theme explored in this book is about how the past makes us who we are and how one can overcome the pain of the past to go forward. Multiple characters in the book have to deal with their past — the question is how will they respond. This is most present in Aodhan who is recovering himself after years of separating himself from those he loves. The events in this book challenge his recovery and he must make a choice. The series has been an increasing interaction between those of Raphael\’s world and Elena. In this book, we see the developing relationship between Elena and Aodhan, which has its own contours. Singh goes deep into the emotions of her characters and even as the events feel dark and dangerous, her characters possess a lightness and beauty that gives the book heart. I always love reading Singh\’s books because even when things seem bad for her characters, they maintain a likeability and a lightness of spirit that overcomes all the darkness. The events of this series appear to be approaching a crescendo and this book provides a little breather that allows the exploration of character and relationships. Elena finds out the truth about her mother\’s family which has been shrouded in mystery. I\’m glad I didn\’t know where this book was going because I enjoyed the resolution which provided a happy ending in an unexpected arena. Without giving away the secrets of this book, I can say that this book is about survival and overcoming darkness. So many characters express this theme and it leaves such a good feeling that I dread that more darkness is on the horizon for these characters. For fans of the series, this book gives more background on the characters you love and gets everyone in the right place for the next stage in this series. There are no new romances but much happens in this book that illuminates where the characters are now and where they have come from. WORTH MENTIONING: We learn more about Aodhan. CONNECTED BOOKS: ARCHANGEL\’S HEART is the ninth book in the Guild Hunter series. This series builds upon each of the prior books in the series and thus should be read in order. STAR RATING: I give this book 4.5 stars.

I read a lot of fantasy/paranormal romance, much of what is classified as urban fantasy really is romance in many cases but I can count on my fingers(with a couple left over) the number of writers that can really pull off a true emotional, gut-felt and truly believable I cant live without you romance. Nalini Singh is one of those very few and this book pulls you right into that love to last the ages feeling while trying to figure out a sinister plot that has you guessing a good bit. We start with a summons to a meeting by a mysterious and ancient order of angels known as the Luminata who call the entire Cadre together to discuss the fate of Lijuans territory since it appears she is no longer in charge of her lands (her actual status is saved until the last page). It soon becomes apparent that this is a dual plot since the above plot gets shunted aside until later in the book because of some very sinister things going on at the fortress of the Luminata. This is a great set of plots and the romance is worked into the story beautifully as well as finally some answers to a few questions that have been hanging around this series for a long time plus it looks like we may add a few secondary characters to the series. This book does reveal something that has not been shown a lot in this series, which is that none of the Cadre are really 1 dimensional characters, we get a bit of time with all of them in this book. Bottom Line: 5 Stars, maybe I am just addicted to the writing of Nalini Singh because there is really nothing to even mention that was negative, The story was riveting, the emotion was heartfelt, the only thing I can ever complain about is this book could have been 200 pages longer and I still would have wanted more, there is so much fertile ground for future stories. 5 Stars for one of the paranormal genres premier writers once again giving us an exceptional story that you will remember long after the last page.

As always Nalini Singh has done it again with another stunning installment in the world of the Cadre, bringing us up to speed with all that has happened in the time since the Cascade with such a sense of presence that it doesnt feel like any time has passed at all. Archangels Heart is the 9th main book in the series and it brings together characters we know and love from previous books Elena, Raphael, Bluebell, Aodhan, Dmitri and The Seven, the other members of The Cadre including two previous sleeping Ancients and as I mentioned above it feels like no time has passed. We dive straight back into the Archangel of New York and his Hunter consorts lives as the effects of the Cascade and the Falling still hit New York at random; we are cordially invited to a meeting of a new entity in the Archangel world previously unmentioned The Luminata who are a sacred sect of monks based in a far off compound called Lumia. What seems to be a simply religious/enlightened sect instead turns out to be one bred of nightmares with secrets meant to be kept hidden from any who could discover them. Elena being the hunter consort that she is, makes it her mission to uncover the secrets being hidden in Lumia as well the potential location of her Grandmother who is believed to have lived in the area. What follows is a story of love, betrayal, reunion and absolute power that has corrupted absolutely. The Luminata are supposed to elect a new leader every 50 years but the current leader Gian (nice name, not such a nice angel) has ruled for far longer than he should have and this ultimate ruling seems to have corrupted his mind. But as absolute power corrupts absolutely he has dragged several members of the Luminata down into the depths or corruption with him including stealing humans from the local town for their own carnal desires. Caliane in this book has this extra otherworldly power that I loved, her voice to sing has definitely improved and its power has increased. Alexander is another force to be reckoned with and he uses this power sparingly. There are a few new characters Laric and Ibrahim who I feel will be integral to the next books (Archangels Viper Im looking at you here and hoping) Laric will be an integral character to Aodhans well-being particularly after the issues with Bluebell. Archangels Heart has been a long awaited read for me Ive had it for months but havent got around to it and Im pleased beyond anything that this was such a strong installment to what is definitely one of my favourite series. The plot line was not one that I expected but Im glad that Nalini hasnt deviated from the Lijuan story arc and that this will continue until they find out what actually happened to her. Also? Storms.

This is mainly about Raphael and Elena. When oh when are we going to get Aodan and Illium\’s stories? The back stories about those two makes me wonder if they\’re going to get together as Quinn and Blay in Black Dagger Brotherhood? I was slightly disappointed that their story is not the next in series as they did not part well when Aodan left with Raphael and Elena to Lumina where all the Cadre have been summoned to discuss what to do about Lijuan\’s territory which is falling into blood lust since her disappearance. Elena takes the opportunity to see if she can find out anything about her family by exploring the vast archives kept by the Luminata brotherhood. I will never tire of stories of Raphael and Elena, he has to be one of my all time favourite male chatacters.

I love Nalini Singh!! So it hurts me to do this, this was not a good book. It seemed rushed as if she needed to create a filler novel before we got to the good stuff. ( Cough Cough Illium)Everything was predictable with no real obstacle. It is a great snap shot of where our heroes and favorite characters are before the real plot development happens. This book as a stand alone falls flat. Nevertheless, eagerly awaiting the next installment.

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