Archangel's Heart: Book 9 (The Guild Hunter Series)

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 doesn’t feel like any time has passed at all. Archangel’s 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 consort’s 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 (Archangel’s Viper I’m looking at you here and hoping) Laric will be an integral character to Aodhan’s well-being particularly after the issues with Bluebell. Archangel’s Heart has been a long awaited read for me – I’ve had it for months but haven’t got around to it – and I’m 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 I’m glad that Nalini hasn’t deviated from the Lijuan story arc and that this will continue until they find out what actually happened to her. Also? Storms.

I have been super excited for another book about Raphael and Elena and it was so worth the wait ! I loved this story ! Elena seemed younger in this book for some reason but I quite liked that it made her stand out in comparison to the other angels ! I was so happy to find out about elena's background, it definitely was not what I was expecting from the blurb ! Their wasn't as much lovey dovey stuff between Raphael and Elena but I liked that as well because their was more coupley interaction and more story and banter etc. We got to learn more about the other archangel and they seem a little more human now because of it. I also really enjoyed reading about Elena with hannah, I just love their friendship 😍 I loved loved loved everything about this book and I hope that I won't have to wait a year for the next book in my favorite series by nalini singh !

Absolutely love Nalini's Guild Hunter series. Unfortunately I couldn't get into the Psy-Changeling novels, but that wasn't in any way a deterrent of these books. The characters have such depth and are written with such passion. It's clear Nalini has an in-depth bond with each and every character, and she understands just how they work. Elena-Mine. Hannahbelle. I found myself smiling and laughing and weeping throughout this book. It's so, so rare that I get such a strong emotional attachment to anything. The fact I've bonded with this book series just floods me with happiness. It's crazy! Five stars all the way, and I seriously do shove these books under the noses of anyone who will listen.

I really enjoyed this story but I do suspect that it won't be to everyone's taste as it is very character driven, being more about character interactions and growth, particularly Aodhan. Although there is action, it's more of a quiet and subdued mystery and internal politicking, a story about the corruption of power. And I do use the word mystery advisedly as I think that there are great big honking arrows pointing to the answer throughout, I was not exactly surprised by certain events because they were so clearly signposted. So in many respects it does read as a filler leading up to the next book. But that said I thought that the relationship between Elena and Raphael was beautifully drawn by the author who can show you more in one line about shared glances or a touch than many authors can tell you in a whole chapter.

I liked this book a lot! The whole Guild Hunter Series is wonderful! This book was very well written, politics and romance. However here I have to add I wanted to see just a bit more of Raphael- Elene romance. Not that it was not there. I actually loved how stable the whole thing is between them, how the small acts are making this relationship more real and strong. But still somehow I wanted to see more of them. Someone wrote Raphael was too tame and I have to agree. I would have never seen Raphael as someone who would have allowed anyone to hit on his Consort. I expected him to tear out hearts- just as he did with Michaela's vampire. It was strange... Never the less the fact there was a lot of Raphael-Elena in the book and it gave me a picture about the Cadre I give it a 5 Star!

It delivered and then some. One of my favourite things about this series is the Strength of love between elena and Raphael. It is not fickle, it is devoted and I simply love reading about it! The story itself was tense and dramatic. I think I got used to wars from the past book but this book gave me stress than the others. I love this series and I love his 7 and how those mentioned played their part in this. lol. And then new characters were introduced expanding this amazing world. I do not want this series to ever end. Amazing read, amazing Elena and Raphael as always.

Excellent

Seriously amazing! Absolutely recommend this book, the entire series! Action packed, adventurous, exciting and more! You can't miss reading this collection!

Leído en inglés porque parece que no se van a publicar en inglés por lo menos en un periodo corto de tiempo.. y a veces apetece saber cómo continúa la saga

J'adore cette saga, ce nouveau tome ne m'a pas déçu ! Et que de surprises ! J'attends avec impatience les prochains

I am going to admit, I was a bit leery with this one, it sounded ominous and I have not been in a particularly good place of late. But Singh has had me captivated, so I had to read it anyway, and I was so glad I did. I absolutely devoured it. This is book 9 in a series that really should be read in order. Spoilers for the previous books in the series are likely to occur. So the series teaser (as interpreted by me to see if you are interested): an urban fantasy world filled with non-judeo/christian angel's, Archangels, vampires with a hell of a twist, and the human vampire hunters who work the fringes of this mad world have hellacious adventures, live, and love and all that jazz. So seriously, read all the books. But stop reading this review if you haven't already read in the series. Things have gotten super weird in the world. It has been two years since the events of the last book, and the staggering power of the cascade has been on pause and the big bad no where in sight. So needless to say that emotions are running high. This isn't always a good thing, but based on how we have slowly been exploring Aodhan and his relationship with Illium it seems it might just be the perfect thing to break open the cracks in the remnants of our dear Sparkle's solitude. I completely 'ship SparkleBell. And things aren't just in turmoil on the personal fronts, the power vacuum of a territory not under command of an Archangel is an issue that must be dealt with. Enter stage left: the Luminia, an eons old sect but a complete mystery to us and to the relatively new minted angel Elena. And this group has the power and authority to call a meeting of the Cadre of Archangells...duh, duh, DUHHH. Things get dark pretty damned quick. Power corrupts and rots in secret. I think it is fair to say that I was completely surprised by where this book went. In a good way, but still, very surprised. And I think it is excellent that Singh has the power to surprise me, because I was starting to wonder. I will admit, that I initially started this series under duress and desperation (I had nothing to read and had completely demolished-as in reread until the pages fell out waiting for the next Psy-Changeling book came out), and was prepared to dislike it for a variety of reasons...and the first book didn't exactly endear itself to me. But now that I am into it, I think what I enjoy about it is how the power differentials are dealt with. Here a mortal heart in the face of such age and immorality is powerful and can change the course of the future, here there is power in being a scholar, here women can be and are expected to be powers in the own rights. It all just tickles my fancy. Plus, I really enjoy the twist with the vampires and the world building that goes along with this mythology. I also really enjoy the balance. While I do enjoy following an established couple through a series, they can get stale and one-dimensional since we almost never seem them grow through the growth of integral friends. And while I also enjoy series that use each new couple's book to advanced the overall story arc, sometimes it is exhausting meeting new people, plus the time giving more people back stories can make the overall arc disjointed. I find the method in this book about perfect. We do have out main characters who keep things moving along, but then other people close to the main characters have their own books too, which livens the series up. The first three books focus on Raphael and Elena, then we get Dmitri and Honor's book, then Jason and Honor's book, then back to Raphael and Elena, then back to their friends Janvier and Ashwini and then Nassir and Andi, and now we are back with Raphael and Elena, so I think we can expect more from Raphael's Seven now. With Galen having found his heart long ago, that just leaves us with Venom, Sparkle, and BlueBell. And since I 'ship the Sparklebell, you've got a good guess of whose story I want to see next. :D I am hoping for Sparklebell, then Venom...maybe with Sorrow...not at all sure about that. And then the big showdown with the big bad. Meantime, our new guests to New York are I am sure going to shake things up, and I can't WAIT for two of them to meet Elena's father and her two half sisters. I am going to bet it is going to be love at first sight with those little girls, much to Jeffrey's great discomfort. And as it goes along I am going to wallow in how this mortal heart changes such ancient beings, breaking them out of their hidebound ways. It is purely delightful. Fair warning though, there is some darkness. But overall a happy book, that made my afternoon a little brighter. Singh always makes me glad I have read. I am not certain any of this rambling makes a bit of sense, but I was trying not to squee and cooo, and Bieber it all over the place. Happy reading!

As always Ms Singh's stories are a compulsion to be read and reread. Thank you again for these lovely stories you tell.