Archangel’s Storm by Nalini Singh (Guild Hunter #5)
Paranormal Romance
Released: September 4, 2012
Penguin
Reviewed by Mandi
Jason is part of Archangel Raphael’s Seven, the seven angels that have Raphael’s back and his territory centered in New York city safe. Jason is Raphael’s spy, the angel with black wings that can make himself unseen when he wants to. With his ability to see in the dark and his smoothness to not attract attention to himself, it allows him to be the shadow that goes unnoticed.
Jason also has the ability to hear things on the wind, whether it is a name or a hint of a warning. At a wedding of one of the Cadre, he hears the name Eris and knows there is trouble. Far away, the angel Neha, who has immense power, has discovered her consort Eris brutally murdered. Worried she may lose her sanity and cause a rage that would harm many, Jason takes off to her land to see what he can discover. Eris had a daughter with Neha’s sister long ago, resulting in Mahiya. When Neha learned that Eris had this affair, she locked him up for 300 years. She has a rule she doesn’t kill children, but that doesn’t mean she necessarily treats Mahiya well, as she is a daily reminder of Eris’s infidelity.
But now Eris is dead, and Jason has arrived to see if he can solve the murder. In order for some sort of trust to take place between Eris and Neha, he swears a blood vow to Mahiya that he will stay for as long as it takes to discover the guilty party. While Mahiya has a very calm, subordinate outside nature, Jason soon learns she has many secrets and a fire that burns bright inside of her. As more murders occur, Jason and Mahiya work together to sort through the very convoluted politics that take place inside Neha’s court, and become closer together.
I love and adore this world Nalini Singh has created. The way she has created her angels and subsequently the vampires in this world is so unique to me. Her world is dark and violent, and so descriptive and vivid. I really think it is one of the best built worlds. That being said, this book is the least favorite of the series for me. Jason is dark, and I usually love dark heroes. But unlike Raphael who is dark, and extremely intense and powerful, or Dmitri who is dark but has that wicked edge that shocks you, Jason is more somber. He had a horrid childhood, which I think the author does well letting us experience through flashbacks. And if you like quiet, somber heroes, you’ll probably like this book. For me, I feel like we don’t get to see him grow emotionally. Or we don’t dive deep enough into him. I wanted more page time with him, rather than the many we get with Mahiya.
I also got bored with this mystery. There are some nice twists that come in at the end, but I found it was hard to hold my interest as I read this book. It just felt slow and I expected more dynamics with Jason than what we got. A friend pointed out to me that it takes more than one book to erase Jason’s past, and I understand that. But I needed something in the book to keep me interested, and it was hard to find that. I also missed the New York city setting and the other members of the seven. Venom does come to play in this book for awhile, but I missed the other members.
I will say, Nailini Singh does something at the end, or I should say, she doesn’t do something at the end that I give her major kudos for. I don’t want to say what it is, but I really have to cheer for the ending. You will know what I’m talking about once you read it.
While this is a series I always recommend, this one just didn’t do it for me so much. I think the next book goes back to Raphael and Elena and I’m excited to revisit them.
Rating: C
Recent Reviews:
Dear Author – A-
The Book Pushers – B/A/B-
Romance Around the Corner – 4/5
Fiction Vixen – A
Hanging with Bells – 4/5
Goodreads
Author’s Website l Series Listing
I adored this one in particular. I think because of Jason and Mahiya’s circumstances were so similar. Both loved and hated for what they were. I hope Singh continues to develop their relationship through out the rest of the series.
I can understand how some would love Jason…I just didn’t. LOL. Are we still friends? ;)
Forever. *pinky swear* Besides, this just means I don’t have to have him with you. :)
Oh good..because Dmitri and I are shacked up
Say it with me: AODAHN! AODAHN! AODAHN!
Not sure Nalini was all that amused with me when I tweeted her today to ask when I could expect Aodahn’s story. LOL!
YESSSSS. I wants.!!
Venom! He’s totally going to get with Sorrow, I’m calling it now. :-)
He’d better! :)
Oh my, not what I expected. I already don’t like that all the previous characters aren’t in this book. No Bluebell? Sad. I’m still going to read, but not so in a rush anymore.
I’d love to hear your thoughts when you do :)
Nice review. It’s interesting – the things you didn’t care for I loved. I felt the mystery was engrossing, although I figured out early on what was happening. I loved the subdued nature of the romance. I will agree Jason doesn’t grow a bunch, but at the same time, he does in his own way. I like that Nalini didn’t have either of the main characters go through major changes just because of love. I adored this story.
But now I’m trying to figure out what part at the end you are talking about.
I’ll email you about the end.
I see that we can no longer be friends.
KIDDING!
I’ve not read this one yet (amazon has yet to deliver it, dang it) – but I’m really looking forward to it and in reading your review I think I’ll like it a LOT more than you did.
I’m NOT looking forward to more Raphael/Elena. UGH. Their last book was so bad… I really hate revisiting ‘settled’ characters and then having them do nothing but get it on. (that’s how their last book felt to me – I was bored. BORED!)
Anyhow. Great review! I can see how it might not be for everyone – but I’m hoping it is for me. :)
PS: I need Venom’s book. NEED. Bluebell? Eh. He’s sweet but not my fave. *ducks and runs*
I want Venom’s book!!
You can have Jason – I’ll gladly roll around in Raphael and Elena smut with the next book. I LOVE them. I loved the second book and I know that was not a fav of many.
I’m with you, Mandi. I felt very much like you did about this book. I know most people seemed to love it, but I was very underwhelmed.
I wanted more from the romance. Everyone keeps reminding me that Singh “stayed true to Jason’s character,” but that doesn’t change the fact that I wanted the relationship to break down some of his walls. And I hated that the heroine thought she had to love enough for the both of them.
It wasn’t bad. It just didn’t have the same emotional pull for me that others in the series have.
Totally agree – it wasn’t bad..I don’t think Singh can write a bad book :) Just didn’t do anything for me.
I wholeheartedly love all things Nalini Singh and couldn’t wait until this book came out! I just started reading a couple nights ago, and was kinda going slow, but now your comment about the end has me in a rush to finish.
Hope you are enjoying :)