Archangel’s Storm – Review
by Nalini Singh
Category: Adult Paranormal Romance
Keywords: Paranormal, romance, angels, vampires, mystery
Format: Mass market paperback, eBook
Source: Purchased
Synopsis:
With wings of midnight and an affinity for shadows, Jason courts darkness. But now, with the Archangel Neha’s consort lying murdered in the jewel-studded palace that was his prison and her rage threatening cataclysmic devastation, Jason steps into the light, knowing he must unearth the murderer before it is too late.
Earning Neha’s trust comes at a price—Jason must tie himself to her bloodline through the Princess Mahiya, a woman with secrets so dangerous, she trusts no one. Least of all an enemy spymaster.
With only their relentless hunt for a violent, intelligent killer to unite them, Jason and Mahiya embark on a quest that leads to a centuries-old nightmare… and to the dark storm of an unexpected passion that threatens to drench them both in blood.
*Though I try to remain spoiler free, this review may contain spoilers for previous books in the series.*
Thuy’s Review:
Nalini Singh is one of my favorite authors and I await each new book with baited breath. I was especially excited to read Jason’s story, as I have held a fascination for the angel ever since I first met him in the Guild Hunter series. I don’t know what it is, but there’s just something about the quiet, mysterious angel with wings of night that has always intrigued me. Singh has hinted as his dark past in previous books but, in Archangel’s Storm, we finally learn about the events that shaped him into the man he is today.
Jason’s love interest in the story is Mahiya, the illegitimate daughter of Neha’s consort Eris and her sister. Allowed to live as a tool to hurt Eris, Mahiya has never known love or much kindness. But she’s not mean or bitter, like most people might be. Despite her circumstances, she is still able to love and feel joy. While she isn’t a kick ass Hunter like Elena or some of Singh’s other heroines, she has an inner strength that makes her just as formidable.
Jason was all I expected and more. I can understand why Mahiya is drawn to his quiet and intense nature. Mahiya is right, Jason is a storm. Untameable and untameable, he is a force that Mahiya has no defense against. Singh has only hinted at his dark past before this and, in Archangel’s Storm, we finally learn about the tragic events that shaped him. There’s still a lot about Jason that is unknown though and I wish Singh had given us a little more about his past. I am really curious to know how he survived the events of his youth and how he became part of Raphael’s Seven. Also, Jason’s wings are my favorite out of all the angels.
The romance in this book was a little bit different that the other romances in the Guild Hunter books. Though I think Jason and Mahiya had an immediate attraction, their relationship is a slow burn rather than a big bang. Like the characters themselves, their romance is understated but still intense. As usual, Singh uses her skills to ratchet up the sexual tension until you’re just dying for them to get together.
I love the incredible worlds that Nalini Singh creates and it’s always so much fun to get back into them. It was great to see Guild Hunter faves Elena and Raphael as well as Venom, who has a substantial role in the story. I have never been a huge fan of Venom but, I have to say that he is growing on me. There are also quite a few scenes with Dimitri and Honor, which was nice to see, but did take me out of the story a bit. I know I am always waxing lyrical about Nalini Singh but I just love what she does. Now if she would only write a little faster. :)
