WAITING ON WEDNESDAY #52 Archangel's Enigma (Guild Hunter #8) by Nalini Singh

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine and is where we can talk about books we are looking forward to being released.

Title: Archangel's Enigma

Author: Nalini Singh

Series: Guild Hunter #8

Expected publication: September 3rd 2015

Goodreads

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…

I really can't wait for this one! I -L-O-V-E Nalini Singh! 

What are you waiting on Wednesday??? 

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Review: Archangel's Legion (Guild Hunter #6) by Nalini Singh

Title: Archangel's Legion
Author: Nalini Singh
Series: Guild Hunter #6

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

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Angels are falling from the sky in New York, struck down by a vicious, unknown force.
Vampires are dying impossibly of disease.
Guild hunter Elena Deveraux and the Archangel Raphael must discover the source of the wave of death before it engulfs their city and their people, leaving New York a ruin and Raphael’s Tower under siege by enemy archangels.
Yet even as they fight desperately to save the city, an even darker force is stirring, its chill eyes trained on New York…and on Raphael. Rivers of crimson and nightmares given flesh, the world will never again be the same…

I know what you’re thinking, that’s what I thought as well, “another Raphael and Elena book?” Apparently yeah…

When I finished Archangel’s storm (which I loved) I expected another of the seven to follow. Instead what we get is another book about the never ending drama that is Raphael and Elena’s relationship. Don’t get me wrong. I like the couple but I believe that the first three books in the series plus one more now, is simply too much. Even the third book was too much! The first two books, I loved! The third , not so much! (there was a point I dnf-ed the book and even considered abandoning the series if it continued thus) and now this…

This book was a torture! The only reason I read it, was because I didn’t want to lose any major changes (not that there were any besides the legion)

Just like the third book in the series this book was so unnecessary. Elena’s job and family drama goes on like usual. Hunting, investigating, fighting with her dad, having nightmares about her past and later crying about them to Raphael. This is the book in one sentence. I can’t believe this is the Elena we met in Angel’s blood. The same goes to Raphael as well. His mother is back (and despite what they are saying, she seems to be the most stable and sane of all the archangels) he’s the youngest archangel ever, he has found his soul mate, he has all the money he could ever need and humans think he is a God. How can someone have all that and yet be so lifeless? In contrast with Elena though, I felt like Raphael had improved. His powers continue to change and he acting more like the leader he is (but don’t get your hopes up yet)

On the other hand, once again drama, drama and more drama (that’s actually a line I borrowed from my review of the third book in the series). How is it possible that all of the seven men in Raphael’s league, with Raphael included, have a hunted past?! That’s just absurd! And what’s wrong with all the women in this book! I felt like this book was a battle between men vs women and it’s really not hard to guess who’s the winner (hint- 3 letters). All of the female archangels are so crazy (in a bad way), Elena’s sister, Beth was such a fool for taking Harrison back! He apparently didn’t care for Beth since he decided to become a vampire without checking if Beth could be turned as well. What makes her believe that he’ll care for the baby?! And don’t let me start with Elena.

There was however, one bright spot (maybe two) in the book. The legion and the big fight (ok, that one may not have been a bright spot but after being so bored , believe me you are doing to enjoy this one). Birds falling from the sky, rivers turning red, legions awaking! Fun stuff! Although, I felt like things got more complicated with them, I loved this new addition.

Who’s next? Maybe Illium, Venom or Aodhan (or even Naasir! I don’t know why but I feel that I’m going to love his story). Anyway, I’m a bit hesitant about Illium. In every book the author keeps mentioning his fixation with Elena and the fact that he was once in love with a mortal and never quite got over her. If we get another book like Dmitri’s, I’m definitely abandoning the series. How can a book be romantic when the male can’t truly devote himself to the heroine? If Illium doesn’t get the book he deserves, then that’s the end of the series for me!

Hopefully, the next Raphael and Elena book will be after everyone else gets their own story.

I'm sorry!!! I should have posted this one on Monday but I got distracted by other projects!

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Review: Archangel's Storm (Guild Hunter #5) by Nalini Singh

Title: Archangel's Storm
Author: Nalini Singh
Series: Guild Hunter #5

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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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.

“I’ll be home soon, princess.”

Jason story!!! :)

Before starting, let me tell you that Jason has always been a mystery to me. I couldn’t quite understand if he was a good or a bad guy. Even after finishing his own story, I still feel that there is much more to Jason than he lets on.

Raphael needs a spy inside Neha’s region to help solve the mystery surrounding the murder of Neha’s consort. Neha, of course, would be a fool to accept a spy in her region without a blood bond (a bond with someone of Neha’s line that would oblige Jason to keep the family secrets). Although Raphael is a bit hesitant about the blood bond, Jason finally accepts. But who is he going to bond with?

*drums*

Mahiya, Neha’s “niece” is just as mystery as Jason is. She’s a woman who will do anything to gain her freedom but who in the meantime remain a puppet to Neha’s plans. She follows her orders obediently and knows her place in the palace. When she first meets Jason, she thinks he’s no threat but as they begin spending more time together she begins to understand that Jason could be the man to steal her heart. For he, sees the woman behind the mask, the woman whose heart remains pure despite, living all these years with Neha.

Jason got to me. He was so different from the other males we have seen in the series. Well not that different actually. He had a rough start in life too but he’s the only one who truly knows and acknowledge where the problem lies. I was really sorry for what happened to him, especially in such a tender age.

This was a true Nalini book. I really, really loved this one. Jason and Mahiya were incredible characters. They were so alike but yet, each other had his/her own way in expressing their feelings. Since I loved this book so much, I expected their HEA to be incredible as well. They do get a HEA but to me it wasn’t an appropriate one. How can it be a HEA when one of them will be always missing?

In this book we don’t get to see much of the other characters/couples, which I think was expected since Jason is no longer in Raphael’s region and therefore can’t be in contact with all the others. I should point out though that there were many glimpses of Dmitri and Honor’s life.

In my opinion, this was the best book in the series. Maybe the romance and the action and the suspense even the drama weren’t so obvious, but that’s what kept me going. Archangel’s storm mesmerized me.

Totally recommended!

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Review: Archangel's Blade (Guild Hunter #4) by Nalini Singh

Title: Archangel's Blade
Author: Nalini Singh
Series: Guild Hunter #4

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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The severed head marked by a distinctive tattoo on its cheek should have been a Guild case, but dark instincts honed over hundreds of years of life compel the vampire Dmitri to take control. There is something twisted about this death, something that whispers of centuries long past...but Dmitri's need to discover the truth is nothing to the vicious strength of his response to the hunter assigned to decipher the tattoo.
Savaged in a brutal attack that almost killed her, Honor is nowhere near ready to come face to face with the seductive vampire who is an archangel's right hand, and who wears his cruelty as boldly as his lethal sensuality...the same vampire who has been her secret obsession since the day she was old enough to understand the inexplicable, violent emotions he aroused in her.
As desire turns into a dangerous compulsion that might destroy them both, it becomes clear the past will not stay buried. Something is hunting...and it will not stop until it brings a blood-soaked nightmare to life once more...

“I will love you even when I am dust on the wind.”

*Beware: Spoilers ahead*

Finally!!

After reading Archangel’s consort, I was so disappointed. So, after reading this one, I can say that I’m ready for more.

First thing first, some background story. As most of you may know, Dmitri is one of the seven of Raphael’s. Raphael’s league of seven consists of seven powerful and trusted angels and vampires (Aodhan, venom, Jason, Dmitri, Illium, Galem and Naasir). Dmitri is one of the oldest vampires and Raphael’s second hand. But what many of you don’t know is that Dmitri never wanted to be a vampire.

After brutally losing his wife and two children, Dmitri wants nothing but to join his family. When Raphael gives him the opportunity to join his then forming seven, Dmitri finds some hope. Needless to say, Dmitri accepts.

Now, years later, Dmitri hasn’t changed a bit. Dark, edgy and dangerous, he dominated the streets of New York. I have to admit that in the beginning of the series, Dmitri wasn’t my favorite one but after witnessing his past, I understand why he’s the man he is now.

As long as the romantic part of the book, I can say that I was disappointed. Honor was a great heroine with a hunted past of her own. How she managed to maintain her humanity id beyond me. But she did and that’s what matters in the end.

My problem was with neither Honor now Dmitri. I can’t say I loved them but I can say that I liked them. They just didn’t work out for me. Honor needed a patient, sweet man while Dmitri needed his wife. He couldn’t be with Honor because he couldn’t give her what she needed the most, help. He was stubborn, adamant, always did what he wanted and never discussed anything with Honor. I get it. He was in love with his long gone wife all these years and I can’t judge him. But since you know you cannot love someone else then why are you giving hope to them! Honor had been through much, she didn’t need Dmitri’s pity.

So yeah, all the while I kept thinking that maybe the author was going to bring his wife back to life and give Honor a better match.

What was really weird was seeing Raphael and Elena from Dmitri and Honor’s point of view. After three whole books about them, I didn’t think I could handle their “relationship” any more. But I did miss them a little (weird I know!). we also go to see Illium (who I love), venom (who I’m beginning go like) and Jason (who I’m not sure how I feel about).

In the end, I believe, everything worked out. Both Dmitri and honor got what they were looking for and had their HEA.

Once again, I can’t say that I loved this book but truth is, I enjoyed it! 

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