My review and an extended sample of the audiobook are posted at Hotlistens.com.

 

This is a favorite series of mine. I just love it. It is a cross between a paranormal romance and an urban fantasy. The reason I say that is because the first few books all follow a single couple, Elena and Raphael. Then it starts having a different couple with each book, but still goes back to Elena and Raphael every now and then. In this book, we are back with our “main” couple of Elena and Raphael. They spend very little time in New York in this story, so we don’t see many of the other favorites from the book, but we do get some time with Blue Bell and Dimtri.

 

If you’re not familiar with this series, it features angels, archangels and vampires. There are usually 10 archangels that are alive and awake at any given time, but right now, there are 11 because of the Cascade which is increasing the power of angels and wreaking havoc. These archangels each have their own territory that they rule. Raphael is the archangel of New York and his territory is North America. There are angels underneath the archangel. Angels and Archangels can turn humans into vampires. These vampires have to sign a contract to serve their angel for at least 100 years. The Guild, for which this series is named, will track down vampires who try to skip out on their contract. They also help with rogue vampires and even angels if needed. They are humans. Some are “hunter born” which gives them extra senses to make them extraordinary trackers. Elena was in the Guild, but is now the consort to Raphael, but she still does some stuff with them.

 

In this story, Raphael and the Cadre, the group of archangels, have been summoned to meet by the only group that can summon the Cadre, the Luminata. Everyone is required to attend or they could lose their territory. Raphael is permitted to bring his consort and a guard. Aodhan, aka Sparkle for his beautifully sparkling wings, is the guard that is chosen to go with them.

 

This is the first time we’ve heard about the Luminata. They are a very secretive group. They were robes most of the time that even hide their wings. They are seeking perfect luminesces. From the description, they remind me of a group of monks. They are also the collector of the art for the angels. They have an extensive library and art gallery, but because they are so recluse, no one gets to appreciate these treasures.

 

This was a great addition to the series. I loved the story about Lumia (the stronghold of the Luminata that is located in Morocco). There is also a town outside of Lumia that had a great story with it. I love that we got to learn more about Elena’s ancestors, which we know little about until this point. We also learn more about Aodhan. There’s a reason that he is the way he is (I really hope that he might be the next story *pretty please*). This story was full of suspense, more than we are used to in this series, and lots of politics, which is more common. If I had read the book, I would call it a “page-turner”, but since I listened, I will just say that I was finding reasons to keep listening. I wanted to glue the earbuds into my ears.

 

I don’t know that I would say that this book had a cliffhanger, but I will say that it left you wanting more. There are some plot threads that are not wrapped up. It does make me wonder if the next book will be another Raphael/Elena book or where the story will go from here. No matter what comes next, I’m really excited to see where the series goes. I love Nalini Singh and the Guild Hunter series (Psy-Changeling too for that matter). If you haven’t tried this series, I highly recommend it.

 

Narration

This is a series that I started off reading and the eventually changed over to listening. Now, I’m a listener only. I just love Justine Eyre’s narration. She does a great job with all the voices. There are so many different personalities in this series and she nails all of them. I love the men and women’s voices, and there are a lot of men’s voices in this series. She does a great job with her pacing, speeding up or slowing down depending on what the scene needs. If you haven’t tried Justine Eyre, I highly recommend her.

 

**I like to thank the publisher for providing me with a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Outstanding addition to the Guild Hunter Series!!

What I liked: I really want to gush but I'll try to hold it down a bit. Archangel's Enigma is nothing less than I expected from Ms Singh. I started reading it on release day evening and of course couldn't find a spot to stop but I didn't want to rush things and read important details while I was half asleep. I finished the next evening after extending my bedtime by over an hour. (Yes, I have a routine but Ms Singh is one of the few authors who will make me break it).

After being so impressed by the previous book, Archangel's Shadows, I was a little worried about how Naasir was going to fare in his own book. I was hoping for more of his background and Ms Singh delivered up to a point. I guess I just find it very hard, even with my imagination to actually picture him. I'm still not sure exactly what Naasir is so I will stick to what Elena calls him, a tiger-like creature. 

Naasir's character is so very honest, fun-loving, and in some ways childlike. His back story explains mostly why his actions and reactions are what they are. He's seen his "family" find their mates and in Archangel's Enigma, Naasir is on a quest to find his but his Archangel, Raphael, needs him to find an Ancient before the evil Archangel (Zhou) Lijuan) can kill the Ancient while he sleeps.

Enter Andromeda, a scholar who might have the clues needed to save the Ancient. Andi (as Naasir calls her), is in danger and keeping secrets from just about everyone. She is fascinated by Naasir, who wouldn't be, and he's making her feel things her vow of chastity can barely overcome. To Naasir, Andi smells like mate and he's impatient to claim her but he believes vows are sacred even if Andi is willing to break hers. "Stupid Grimoire book"

Archangel's Enigma is Naasir and Andi's story but so much more. Just about every character makes an appearance to help further the plot line of the story and believe me, it's a doozy! So much information about each character is explained and the story just keeps moving forward.

What I didn't like: I have no idea what to write here. I enjoyed each and every character, each morsel Ms Singh reveals and the chemistry between not only Naasir and Andi but the central group surrounding and including Raphael and Elena.

This series has gripped and held me from the very beginning. It's one of the first recommendations I make to friends and others wanting something spectacular and unusual to read. I re-read some books in this series so many times that I had to re-buy them for my e-reader.

Highly Recommended!!!!!<span "font-size:="" 10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"times="" roman","serif""="">

I love getting audiobooks for less than $5....while I did not go on a spree like I did last year I grabbed a couple that had been on my wishlist, some from Tantor and some from Audible

You know, I kept seeing the title for the fourth in this series Archangel's Blade as a recommendation on Barnes and Nobles-- you know, the recommendations after you buy a book of a certain genre, they not-so-subtly nudge you to buy another book and waste more money. 

 

It's a common ploy. Retail does it all the damn time.

 

So... I bit the bullet. I bought it from iBooks, the first one where Elena meets Raphael while tracking a blood-born angel named Uram.

 

See, in this world, arch angels rule different quadrants of the world. The Archangel Raphael (who is an actual archangel according to Judeo-Christian views) is the ruler of North America. And it doesn't hurt that Raphael is sexy as sin. 

 

The archangels that rule the world are grouped together in a cadre. This is where they meet to make decision and generally talk. The problem that brings Elena into the picture is that the Archangel Uram has gone mad with the toxins in his body that hadn't been drained. The toxins have to be drained or the angel will lose his or her sanity. It's not explained in this book about this toxin other than this is what creates vampires-- not the usual blood drain, etc. 

 

Of course she and Raphael get together, too. 

 

My thoughts? I liked this book. I truly enjoyed it. It was sexy, hot, fun, and had a plot that was actually original. I was hesitant at first, but the plot gripped me, wouldn't let me go, and I've read every other book since and I'm eagerly waiting for the seventh book so I can preorder it. 

Over the last few weeks, everyone has been raving to me about the Guild Hunters series and since I really enjoy Singh's Psy-Changeling series, I thought it was time to give it a try.

Raphael is the Archangel of New York. He is one of a Cadre of Ten Archangels that essentially control the world. From his office in Archangel Tower, he watches over the city and he controls it. When one of the Cadre of Ten turns rogue, the only person that Raphael can turn to to try to capture him is a Guild Hunter. This group of bounty hunters are in charge of capturing rogue vampires and since the Archangel Uram has turned into one - essentially - the group has the necessary skills to track him down. And Raphael will only accept the best of the Guild Hunters - Elena.

For the full review, please go to http://www.thewindowseat13.com/2013/12/nalini-singh-angels-blood.html