Archangel’s Ascension by Nalini Singh
Guild Hunter #17
Paranormal/Fantasy Romance
May 6, 2025- Berkley
ARC
Review by Angela
This has to be my most anticipated book in years and years. I kept hope alive throughout the series that these two would end up together, and then celebrated the first book in their story, even knowing that it would have to continue on in a later installment. I will admit that I read this book as soon as it hit my Kindle back in December of 2024 and writing a review seemed like a goodbye of sorts, so I’ve put it off. I wasn’t even sure how to write this review in way that would encapsulate how much I loved this couple, and the way this author delivered a love story for the ages as well as a glimpse at what is to come in the future. This is a love letter of sorts to the Guild Hunter readers who have been aching to see Sparkle and Bluebell’s romance play-out on page but were also worried about the break-up of the Seven and how the world would change once Illium ascended.
The continuation of Aodhan and Illium’s story is told in two time periods. Before Bluebell’s ascension and after. Yesterday and today. Yesterday being the current timeline and today being 700 years in the future. I wasn’t expecting the jumps in time, but this method of storytelling really did have maximum emotional impact to me as a reader, as just when the world of Guild Hunter seems to be evolving so much, readers are taken back in time to see how Bluebell and Sparkle’s romance and love story unfolded. There are also lovely scenes of beloved characters reinforcing their bonds and loyalty to each other. I adore each and every member of the Seven and so many of the Archangels (looking at you Titus and The Humingbird), and I always, always want to catch up with them and witness their care and love for each other. I want those slices of life and seeing secondary characters find love and a vital place within the community.
I’m absolutely not going to spoil this beautiful book, you really must experience it for yourself. For me it was perfect. Exactly what I hoped for, and my expectations were extremely high. After finishing I felt like this would be the perfect send-off if this were to be the last book of the series, but I could also see all the wonderful possibilities of where this author could take this world and these characters. One door seems to have closed, but so many were opened that my heart is happy.
As soon as they walked on page it’s always been Bluebell and Sparkle for me. Illium and Aodhan. Best friends and lovers. Now an Archangel and his Second. Where this series goes now, I have no idea, but wherever Nalini Singh decides to take this world and these characters next, I’ll absolutely be along for the ride.
Final grade- A
I’m looking forward to reading this. What I find so interesting about Nalini Singh is that she can do wonderful books in very long series. Not every book is as good as the others, but usually long running series eventually run out of steam and you stop reading them because they are so bad it is a painful reminder of how good they used to be. (I’m looking at you, Black Dagger Brotherhood.) But in both this series and her Psy-Changeling series (and its spinoff) I still want to read them. There are very few authors I feel this way about, maybe only Singh, Patricia Briggs, and Ilona Andrews. I love the good book anticipation these authors give me.