Archangel’s Storm (Guild Hunter #5)

I finally got a chance to read Archangels Storm by Nalini Singh, which happens to be the Spymasters (Jason) story. Jason has been a mystery since he was introduced to the series. I was excited to dive into his book. I wanted to know more about his character and find out who he would end up within the series. Although, I could tell from the beginning that he takes his job seriously and is not all about finding love. He is one of Raphaels Seven, and he tends to keep to the shadows. In the fifth novel of the Guild Hunter series, Jason is sent to India to assist with finding out who murdered Nehas consort. Neha is the Archangel of India, and she has been unstable since she lost her daughter. She blames Raphael for what happened to her daughter, and Raphael knows that Neha could make his Spymasters life difficult in India because of it. Jason knows he will have to gain her trust somehow and agrees to a blood bond oath with one of Nehas bloodline. Princess Mahiya is Nehas last remaining bloodline, but unfortunately, shes not loved by Neha. Mahiya is more of a captive that wants to be freed of Nehas rule. Jason knows right away that Mahiya has secrets, especially with how Neha treats her. Jason will find out why when he is trying to find the murderer of Nehas consort. Mahiya is not a kick-butt heroine like Honor or Elena in the previous books. Shes more the damsel in distress since shes been held captive most of her life thanks to Neha. I felt for her with everything she has gone through and continues to go through in the book. She never loves either and finds it in Jason, but he wont give love to her entirely due to what he went through in his past. Their love story is more of a slow burn because of Jason being hesitant with being with Mahiya. Believe me, when they do end up being together romantically, its steamy. I dont want to give anything away for readers that havent read this book or any of the books in the series yet. I liked this book but didnt enjoy it like I did the previous books in the series. Jason is not an alpha male like Raphael and Dimitri in the books, and I love alpha males. Dont get me wrong; I like Jason for his qualities. Hes mysterious, dark, quiet, and focused. I understood why once Nalini Singh told his backstory. It was a heart-wrenching story, and I felt for Jason. Nalini Singh has become one of my favorite authors after starting the Guild Hunter series. I love PNR books that have angels/archangels in the stories, and Nalinis Guild Hunter series has become a favorite. Im hoping to catch up on the series before she releases her next book later on. The fifth book in the series may only get four stars from me, but it had me in shock after finding out who was behind the murder of Nehas consort. I also enjoyed the other mysteries that were uncovered in the book, too, with Jason and Mahiya. Nalini is an author who is a master of writing addicting PNR stories. Story Rating: 4 stars Steaminess Rating: 3 stars Standalone or part of series: Part of series and highly recommend reading in order. Do I recommend this book? Yes. Will I read other books from the author? Yes. Tropes/Elements: Slow Burn; Angels/Archangels; Mystery/Suspense; Vengeance

This is what I would consider a gentle romance. You have a damsel in distress and a tough guy hero to save her. I appreciated the hero not making any promises on helping her since he wasnt sure of things. I say gentle because the damsel is no warrior but a court trinket trying her best to stay alive. The story was interesting in that she was a whipping boy for her archangel – dont see that very often. But sadly I found her not to be that interesting compared to all the other fights and hunters. Shes intelligent, a survivor, but she has to be quiet and accept degrading treatment because shes completely stuck with no way out. Jason is the typical damaged hero out to save the damsel in distress. I didnt find him all that interesting except he was quite intelligent and out-maneuvered Neha.

While one can skip past these books and just read Elena and Raphael\’s books, I recommend you read the archangel seven\’s books. They not only give the insight of how the team work, but also gives key information to the arc of the consort\’s storyline in the coming books. With this I was thrilled to see Dmitri and Honor again. I am happy where they are leading to with their lives. Jason was one of the seven I was curious about. I finally understand his darkness and why he has always kept to the shadows. His love interest has had a jagged, caged past as well, but kept her strength and love. The two are beautiful together. I loved their ending and can\’t wait to see more of them.

Archangels Storm was better than I anticipated since I wasnt invested in either lead character. It is the story of Jason Raphaels traumatized, introverted, commitment/relationship phobic spymaster- and Mahiya – the abused yet untraumatized daughter of the Archangel Nehas twin sister Nivriti and Nehas Consort/husband Eris so awkward. We knew from previous installments that Nehas Consort went missing about 300 years ago and lots of gossip and speculation surrounded the disappearance. Only Jason the Spymaster knew that Eris was really imprisoned by Neha that is until Eris was murdered. Seeing Neha on the edge of madness, Raphael and his crew worry that she\’ll go Archangel bat-poop crazy and have a cataclysmic, raining down devastation meltdown. So Raphael offers his help the skills of Jason to unearth the murderer. However in order for Jason to be allowed in Nehas court he must bind himself to Neha so he cant be privy to all her secrets and then run tattling to Raphael. Raphael is definitely not down with that but they strike a compromise where Jason will swear a blood vow to the princess (in name only) Mahiya which would make him family and bound to protect that familys interests for as long as the vow is in effect which would be until Jason found the murderer and got his butt out of Nehas territory. Jason and Mahiya have a very slow build, slow burn romance. There is noting wrong with either of them; but again, I didnt really feel the chemistry. I notice Ive been saying that a lot lately so Im willing to entertain the theory that it really isnt ALL of these books, romances, couples that are lacking it really must be me. Jason is supposed to be a dangerous hero in that he is an enemy spymaster but other than Mahiya occasionally reminding me of that I really dont get how (to quote Elena) hes a seriously bad-butt (well that\’s not exactly what she says, but it\’s probably what the Amazon profanity filter will let me get away with) man that a sensible woman would run screaming from. He does however have a cool tattoo over half his face so that counts for something. Mahiya is a strong heroine, determined to retain her spirit and not be broken by the occasional horror of her existence. I did however really enjoy the murder mystery of who killed Eris and the complications of whos killing everyone at Nehas court as the bodies start piling up. As Jason conducts his investigation, with Mahiya tagging along to keep an eye on him he realizes that although she tries to camouflage her intelligence, she is more than just a court trinket. Im not exactly sure what Mahiya sees in Jason other than the fact that hes incredibly damaged in a way that makes you want to take him home, bake him cookies and hug it out. Theres a Venom guest appearance. I really hope we get to his story and that it isnt ruined by a traditional romance like Dmitris was. Dmitri started out as a passable \”mad, bad and dangerous to know bad-butt (I know it sounds ridiculous) and now that he and Honor are all cozy-ed up, hes your typical traditional romantic hero \”booor-ring\”. Speaking of which there are a few interspersed chapters from Dmitris point of view of he and Honor navigating her transformation. Theres brief mention of Lijuan who undoubtedly will turn up in future installments frolicking about in her psycho power hungry burn the world caper. So all in all a decent installment.

I adore this author and have read everything she\’s written – I think she\’d make a shopping list interesting – she\’s that good. This is the continuing story of the paranormal fantasy world based around existing cities and lands as we know them. Where archangels, angels, vampires and mortals co-exist within a structured hirearchy, the Archangels at the very top. In my opinion you must read all of the books in order as the characters do cross over and each story so far has been really, really good. You MUST read Raphael\’s story \’Angel\’s Blood\’as this sets the scene for the series and he is one seriously hot alpha male (fans herself, phew). This is Jason\’s story, he is an angel and one of Archangel Raphael\’s cadre of 10. There is trouble in the lands of another archangel Neha and as Raphael\’s spymaster, Jason is sent to investigate and help Neha find the murderer of her imprisoned consort. To affiliate Jason with Neha so as he can be trusted within her courts he must be blood-tied to the Priness Mahiya who trusts no-one as her secrets have blighted her existance since birth. Jason and Mahiya have to learn to trust one another to work together efficiently to achieve their own agendas although this ignites a passion that threatens them both. As usual, the story and character building is so brilliantly executed that Nalini makes her work into a craft. The tension gradually rises as does the romance between the two leads. The love scenes are hot and you really end up rooting for Jason and Mahiya. This author astounds me with her work, this series is so good, I also adore her other series of psy/changelings on which we are on the 10th book and every single book is a really good, top notch read. These are books that I feel so happy to buy, I know my money will be well-spent and I won\’t regret the purchase.

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