Archangel's Storm (Guild Hunter Book 5)

I am one of those people who love love love my original characters and then practically bite my nails down to nubs while considering the spin off book. My thought process goes something like this: 1. I love this author....but what if she screws up? 2. What if I don't get enough of my main character in this book? 3. Worse - what if I get a cliff hanger for my main character? 4. What if it is so horrible it RUINS my main character? 5. What to do - buy it or wait and read the next main character book and then go back and get it? 6. On the other hand if it is excellent and I didn't read it I will kick myself for reading inferior books when I could have read that. ::Nervous mental debate pacing:: Whew - It wears me out and then I ponder it for a day or so, especially now that ebooks are just as much as a paperback and if I wait a week I can have the paperback for 3.16. Grrrr. Spin offs make my tummy nervous! So in spite of everything above I went ahead and got this book, and I really enjoyed it! The characters were so well developed and Nalani Singh is one of the only authors that can write the historical back pieces in italics and I read it and enjoy it. Normally I see that and start skimming because it feels like just filler. NS makes it imperative to the book and ties it in nicely. I can not say enough about how much I liked this. It is in the same world, and we get visits from Venom, Aarodan? Raphael, Elena, Dmitry and Chastity, a little of Illium and some nice references to back and future stories. What we also get is such a different Hero. Jason is quiet and reserved, but then so is Mahiya. I loved how they came together and understood each other. So as and FYI because they are so reserved, it is not super racy, it is a pretty sedate courting. I also feel there are some cultural undertones to Mahiya's way of thinking, she is very modest, for instance only believes in having her hair down with her lover, no one else sees her that way. I think this added depth to the character because it would have been jarring to have them be crazy out of control in the bedroom. I liked the change of pace it went with the story. This is a great love story, and I was so glad I read it. They each have such great strengths and they compliment each other. I can not wait to see what the future holds for this couple. Next September feel so far away from now :(. On the other hand, after enjoying the 2 spin off's I am going to pre-order the next book with out quite so much angst. I feel this book is worth the $7.99 I paid (although I do not understand ebook being the same price!!!) This one goes in my Keeper section with the other Angel books. I do feel if you are new to the series you should start at the beginning or it will have spoilers in it for you. They reference the culmination of several books in this, well really all of them, so do yourself a favor and start with ::sigh:: Raphael - still my Favorite, although I can not wait for Illium's story. Here is the link for the 1st book: Angels' Blood (Guild Hunter, Book 1)

The title is on target, and the tales told ....the engagingly elegant reveal and resolve of the quiet storm within Jason , and the fast and furiously raging storm surrounding Neha... are compelling and keep you turning the pages. The Quiet As Dimitri was for me in this series, the most interesting of the vampires in the seven, so Jason was the most fascinating Angel. His physical description and special skills were always so intriguing, and you always felt sorry for his sadness. He came to mean a lot to me, because he meant so much to Raphael (whom I absolutely adore). I was captivated by Jason's reveal, and so in love with his connection to Princess Mahiya . All of the palace intrigue and complications of historical and contemporary family and Cadre relationships that framed the telling of the storm within Jason, and the loving, quiet way he develops a relationship with Mahiya that soothes and heals is just so wonderful. It is a very romantic story told with such dignity, grace, and passion...exactly what was missing in the previous novel about Dimitri. Within the context of "quiet" the author also provided a bit more insight into the Dimitri and Honor duo, and I must say the relationship was portrayed as if they really cared about each other. Such a portrayal would have better served the book about his actual story. It made me almost forgive her for the original portrayal of that relationship....only almost :) The Raging Neha's story of complicated love, progeny, and sibling relationships peaked my curiosity, and held my interest to follow the storyline to it surprising resolution. Her cruelty, narcissism, and treachery were always hinted at in the other books, but the stormy relationships with the significant others in her life, and among her subjects, and her Cadre relationship intrigues, paint a portrait that showcases those characteristics oh so very well. Two of the other more interesting characters from the seven had small parts connected to the storms in the book....Venom (a vampire) and Aodham (and Angel). Aodaham , of all of the seven , despite how many times he has been described, does not form any kind of clear image for me. He, like Jason, has always peaked my curiosity, and I find the fact that I cannot quite imagine him frustrating. I am guessing that their appearance in the storyline may be hints of tales yet to be told. I vote for Aodham to be the first. For those who might have been a bit disappointed with the last book, you won't be with this one. If you have never read any book in the series, reading this one will definitely make you curious about the rest. Five fabulous stars from me!

I finally got a chance to read Archangel’s Storm by Nalini Singh, which happens to be the Spymaster’s (Jason) story. Jason has been a mystery since he was introduced to the series. I was excited to dive into his book. I wanted to know more about his character and find out who he would end up within the series. Although, I could tell from the beginning that he takes his job seriously and is not all about finding love. He is one of Raphael’s Seven, and he tends to keep to the shadows. In the fifth novel of the Guild Hunter series, Jason is sent to India to assist with finding out who murdered Neha’s consort. Neha is the Archangel of India, and she has been unstable since she lost her daughter. She blames Raphael for what happened to her daughter, and Raphael knows that Neha could make his Spymaster’s life difficult in India because of it. Jason knows he will have to gain her trust somehow and agrees to a blood bond oath with one of Neha’s bloodline. Princess Mahiya is Neha’s last remaining bloodline, but unfortunately, she’s not loved by Neha. Mahiya is more of a captive that wants to be freed of Neha’s rule. Jason knows right away that Mahiya has secrets, especially with how Neha treats her. Jason will find out why when he is trying to find the murderer of Neha’s consort. Mahiya is not a kick-butt heroine like Honor or Elena in the previous books. She’s more the damsel in distress since she’s been held captive most of her life thanks to Neha. I felt for her with everything she has gone through and continues to go through in the book. She never loves either and finds it in Jason, but he won’t give love to her entirely due to what he went through in his past. Their love story is more of a slow burn because of Jason being hesitant with being with Mahiya. Believe me, when they do end up being together romantically, it’s steamy. I don’t want to give anything away for readers that haven’t read this book or any of the books in the series yet. I liked this book but didn’t enjoy it like I did the previous books in the series. Jason is not an alpha male like Raphael and Dimitri in the books, and I love alpha males. Don’t get me wrong; I like Jason for his qualities. He’s mysterious, dark, quiet, and focused. I understood why once Nalini Singh told his backstory. It was a heart-wrenching story, and I felt for Jason. Nalini Singh has become one of my favorite authors after starting the Guild Hunter series. I love PNR books that have angels/archangels in the stories, and Nalini’s Guild Hunter series has become a favorite. I’m hoping to catch up on the series before she releases her next book later on. The fifth book in the series may only get four stars from me, but it had me in shock after finding out who was behind the murder of Neha’s consort. I also enjoyed the other mysteries that were uncovered in the book, too, with Jason and Mahiya. Nalini is an author who is a master of writing addicting PNR stories. Story Rating: 4 stars Steaminess Rating: 3 stars Standalone or part of series: Part of series and highly recommend reading in order. Do I recommend this book? Yes. Will I read other books from the author? Yes. Tropes/Elements: Slow Burn; Angels/Archangels; Mystery/Suspense; Vengeance

This 5th book in the Guild Hunter series begins immediately following the conclusion of “Archangel’s Blade” with the wedding of Dimitri and Honor. As Jason, the spymaster for the archangel Raphael, is observing the happy couple and their guests, he is alerted to the brutal murder of Eris, the archangel Neha’s consort. In an effort to prevent revenge-fueled attacks upon other archangel’s territories by a grief-stricken Neha, Raphael offers Jason’s services to her as an impartial investigator into the murder. Since Neha had imprisoned her husband, in “solitary confinement,” some 300 years earlier for having an affair with and impregnating her sister, the number of suspects should be minimal and the investigation quick. Even though Neha despises Raphael, he is the Chief Archangel and she accepts his offer – with conditions. She demands that Jason submit to a blood bond with her niece, Mihaya, for the duration of the investigation so as to prevent territorial secrets from being relayed to Raphael. Mihaya happens to be the daughter produced by the illicit affair. Neha executed Mihaya’s mother (also Neha’s sister) immediately following the birth and has used Mihaya as a weapon against Eris and as a literal whipping post for most of her life. Now that Eris is dead, Mihaya essentially serves no further purpose for Neha. No one, not Raphael nor Jason nor Mihaya, has any doubt that Neha means to extract her vengeance and salve her grief by killing Jason and Mihaya on a “technicality” of violating the blood bond. But then the beaten and eviscerated bodies of courtiers close to Neha begin to literally fall from the sky, the balconies, and the cliff sides. Now the game has changed for everyone. As in each of the previous novels, Nalini Singh’s description of the Archangel World is rich and detailed, from buildings to rooms to clothing. And all the characters – major, secondary and incidental alike – are physically fleshed out from their hair to their boots. Taken together, the animate and the inanimate, these descriptions are so full that the reader can visualize the action as if watching a video instead of reading a book. One can almost hear the hiss of the coiling snakes, see the green and black flames shooting across the sky and feel the touch of a hand on an arm. But it is Singh’s style of expressing the character’s emotions that make the story a fulfilling read. Her explorations of hate, revenge, reason versus excuse, and the mental subtleties that differentiate between “damaged” and “broken” are sometimes uncomfortably blunt but never preachy. Her use of internal monologue positioned between the sentences, sometimes even between the words, of an ongoing dialogue keep the reader clear on characters’ motivations. The major crisis and the ending of the book fall in place naturally, though not predictably, with the beginning and the middle. References to events and conversations from previous books in the series are consistent and repeated accurately, no artistic license being taken with the timeline or previously established characterizations. The story ends cleanly, no cliffhanger. But it is clear that the major characters of this book will reappear in future books as major supporting characters for other members of Raphael’s Seven and Elena’s Guild.

Jason has been a mystery throughout the series. I was so glad he finally got a book so I could find out what makes the stoic spymaster tick. What I found was a horribly shattered past that has shaped Jason into the closed off, emotionless angel that he is. In ARCHANGEL’S STORM, Raphael—archangel of New York—sends his spymaster Jason to the archangel Neha’s territory. Neha’s husband has been murdered and Raphael offers his assistance in finding those responsible by sending Jason to investigate. Raphael also wants to make sure that he’s got eyes on Neha to make sure she doesn’t go batsh*t crazy like another archangel who shall not be named. Since archangels are a ruthless, secretive bunch, Neha demands that Jason swear a blood vow not to reveal any secrets uncovered in her territory. Raphael refuses to allow him to give Neha the vow because he knows Neha would like nothing more than to woo Jason to her side since he is the best spymaster in the world. Raphael and Neha come to an agreement that Jason will give a blood vow to Neha’s niece, Mahiya. I gotta tell you, Jason is a hard nut to crack. Even knowing his brutal past, Jason keeps everything close to the vest, especially when he starts having some unfamiliar feelings for the princess. I really liked Mahiya’s character. She was a sweet, loving angel that refused to devolve into something cruel and uncaring. Neha has treated Mahiya horribly over the years because she represents a grave injustice done to the archangel and all Mahiya wants is to be free to live a life of peace. I thought the couple was paired beautifully: Jason, someone who has closed himself off from all forms of emotion and Mahiya, who yearns to give love and be loved in return. You’d think with a pairing like this that Mahiya would be a doormat but it’s not like that at all. She has a quiet strength and spine of steel. Mahiya doesn’t need to be cruel in order to be powerful and I am looking forward to watching her character blossom throughout the series. The romance was slow in building and definitely took a back seat to the mystery of uncovering the murderer(s) but the romance was no less powerful for it. I love anything Nalini Singh writes and I would recommend any of her books.

I first discovered Nalini Singh with her Psy-Changling series and enjoyed all of them. I fell in love with her writing, however, with the first installment of her Guild Hunter series, Angel's Blood. My admiration for this series has continued unabated with each new installment, and she can't write fast enough for my taste. The brooding, exotic world she created has great originality and credibility, which is an extraordinary thing since it is in direct opposition to our historical and religious myths and superstitions, and this novel about Jason the Archangel's spymaster is as dark as it's outcome is uplifting. Nothing attracts me like good writing, but good writing is as rare as good proofreading and production. Ms. Singh is a joy to read. One is not jarred out of the story by either subtle or not-so-subtle errors. One does not second guess the storyline because although it might be harsh and brutal at times, it is always plausible. Quite a feat, in my opinion. My keeper's bookshelf has a long line up of her work, but this series takes precident. I'm anxiously awaiting her newest edition.

I have been curious about Jason's story since he appeared in the series and now finally I know the answers to The Spymaster's coldness and its a doozy. The story wasn't exciting in the way of the others before it because it suited the way Jason operated- smoothly, carefully and in the shadows playing a cat and mouse game. Not to say it didn't have its moments of action though. That finally battle in the sky was pretty impressive stuff. As usual, the fun and surprise over who would be the perfect fit for Jason was probably the most fascinating to me. Mahiya seems to all outsiders as the last person to attract his interest- pampered princess of Neya's court, silent and submissive even subservient, but is she really? Neya's consort has been murdered and the world fears that on the heels of her daughter's death this might tip her over into madness. Jason has the ability to find justice for Neya and hopefully this will turn the tide of her mental spiral. But even as Neya is so much more complete than she seems so is Jason and his motives. Neya insists on a blood oath tying Jason to the Princess Mahiya while he is at Neya's court investigating. He agrees to it and thus agrees to Mahiya as his shadow through his investigation. He can slip away anytime he wants and does, but he is also intrigued by Mahiya. He sees that she wears a mask and has skills of observation and intellect that equal his own. He needs to search out her secrets as much as he needs to figure out what that sensation she causes inside his cold, dead heart. Mahiya is just as interested in him, but while he promises her his passion, he also promises that he can give her no more. The murderer strikes again and again and the finger is pointing toward a very dangerous adversary who Jason must outwit to save all their lives. The plot takes a more laid back pace on this one. It was very cloak and dagger. It was one where you had to pay attention to all the little things. It was also Jason's story which is told in the present thread, but also through flashbacks and memories. Mahiya's story is equally poignant and involves flashbacks too though not quite so much. I enjoyed that the story moved back and forth between them. They were a great couple and I liked how things went for them and where the story left them. It was perfect for them. The story also pulled away from Jason and Mahiya to go visit Dimitri and Honor as well as Rafael and Elena. I enjoyed the short little check-ins with the others. It was also neat that though Jason is in India, he gets visited by Venom and Aodhan. So many bigger things are on the rise and I love how the story wraps up the individual story while still leaving me eager for what is to come.

Nalini Singh is a brilliant story teller and the worlds she's built in her two series are compelling. While she's on my short list of must-read authors, I sometimes find her writing inconsistent. I love Jason's character, and Mahiya won me over. The close-up look at Neha's court was fascinating, and I was thrilled to see more of Aohdan and Venon. All the pieces for a great book were there, but I found it didn't hold my attention. The chemistry b/w Jason and Mahiya felt forced. The underlying story about the murders in Neha's court didn't go anywhere and nothing was really resolved. The new info about the changes occurring in the world and archangels wasn't that revealing or interesting. Dmitri & Honor's story is continued, and while I loved their book, I didn't feel their presence added anything to Archangel's Storm (on the plus side, unlike Hawke & Sienna's intrusion in Tangle of Need, Dimitri & Honor didn't detract from Archangel's Storm). Even though it felt like something was missing, this is still an entertaining book, and I'd recommend it.

Easy read, charming, interesting and engaging.

Der Kreis der Sieben hat sich um Raphael geschart, um die Verbindung von Dmitri und Honor zu feiern. Leider bleibt keine Zeit, dieses Ereignis zu würdigen, denn die nächste Krise kündigt sich bereits an: der treulose Ehemann von Neha, dem Erzengel von Indien, auch bekannt als Königin der Schlangen, wurde auf gewaltsame und schockierende Weise umgebracht. Neha droht die Kontrolle zu verlieren und nach Lijuans Reich noch einen Kontinent ins Verderben zu reissen. Raphael bleibt nichts anderes übrig, als seinen Meisterspion Jason an Nehas Hof zu entsenden. Einen gefährlicheren Auftrag kann es gar nicht geben, denn ein wahres Schlangennest an Intrigen und mörderischen Komplotten erwartet ihn dort. Die einzige Sicherheit für Jason ist der Blutschwur, den Jason mit der Prinzessin Mahiya eingehen soll; dies könnte gleichzeitig zu seinem Verderben führen... Nach der überaus bewegenden Geschichte von Dmitri und Honor konnte man sich (nicht zum ersten Mal) fragen, wie Nalini Singh es überhaupt fertigbringen wollte, die unglaubliche Intensität der Serie aufrecht zu erhalten und den hohen Erwartungen gerecht zu werden - vor allem, wenn man bedenkt, in welch regelmässigen Abständen sie nicht nur eine, sondern zwei mitreissende Serien fortsetzt. Dennoch bekommt sie dieses Kunststück mit scheinbarer Leichtigkeit hin. Der Leser bekommt nicht nur eine wunderbare Fortsetzung der Geschichte von Dmitri und Honor geliefert (alleine dafür hätte es sich schon gelohnt, das Buch zu lesen), sondern wird in die stimmungsvoll geschilderte Welt des Hofes der Erzengels von Indien entführt, wo es von Verschwörungen, Gemeinheiten und tödlichen Intrigen nur so brodelt. Man spürt die Atmosphäre fast mit allen Sinnen, in die man eintaucht, und fragt sich, wie hier selbst ein so gewiefter und scheinbar unerschütterlicher Engel wie Jason hier jemals wieder heil herauskommen will. Neha macht sich selbst mehr als verdächtig, und was sie mit ihrem geliebten Gemahl nach dessen Treulosigkeit gemacht hat und was es mit ihrer Verbindung zu Lijuan auf sich hat, sind nur die dringendsten Fragen, die er zu klären hat. Das größte Rätsel für Jason jedoch verkörpert die Prinzessin Mahiya, die inmitten dieser aufgeheizten Atmosphäre distanziert wirkt wie ein Ornament - scheinbar ohne sich zu wehren, steckt sie die Demütigungen Nehas und ihrer Günstlinge ein. Jason, der sonst alle schnell durchschaut hat, wird nicht schlau daraus, ob sie so unbedarft oder so abgebrüht ist. Er mißtraut ihren Motiven, ihm zu helfen, und fragt sich, ob er für sie nur ein günstiger Weg ist, aus ihrem Dilemma herauszukommen. Wieder einmal glänzt Nalini Singh damit, ihre Hauptfiguren vielschichtig darzustellen und ihre unterschiedlichen Seiten im Lauf der Handlung immer mehr offenbaren zu lassen. Vor allem Mahiya ist eine Heldin, deren Faszination man sich wie Jason immer weniger entziehen kann. Zunächst wirkt sie eher schwach, es scheint, als liesse sich wehrlos jede Gemeinheit gefallen. Wie sie immer mehr ihre innere Stärke zeigt und sich in einer unerträglichen Situation behauptet, macht sie zu einer jener Heldinnen, die kaum jemand so gut wie Nalini Singh in Szene setzen kann. Mit Jason und all seinen dunklen Seiten ergänzt sie sich perfekt, und in einem Plot, der überraschend, spannend und manchmal in seiner Gewalt auch erschreckend ist, sorgt dies für einen atemlosen Lesegenuss bis zur letzten Seite. Leider konnte ich das Buch nicht am Stück lesen, und mit jeder Unterbrechung habe ich ungeduldiger darauf gewartet, bis ich endlich erfahren konnte, wie es mit den beiden weitergeht. Nach dieser überragenden Fortsetzung kann man sich schon darauf freuen, wenn es mit den anderen aus dem Kreis der Sieben weitergeht - nachdem Venom und Aodhan eine Rolle gespielt haben, wäre es mehr als willkommen, mehr über einen der beiden zu erfahren.

Essa autora escreve realmente muito bem e por mais que eu goste mais do livro do casal principal da série essas histórias são fantásticas também. Recomendo a leitura de toda a série para amantes do gênero de fantasia mas que procuram conteúdo de qualidade.

I adore this author and have read everything she's written - I think she'd make a shopping list interesting - she's that good. This is the continuing story of the paranormal fantasy world based around existing cities and lands as we know them. Where archangels, angels, vampires and mortals co-exist within a structured hirearchy, the Archangels at the very top. In my opinion you must read all of the books in order as the characters do cross over and each story so far has been really, really good. You MUST read Raphael's story 'Angel's Blood'as this sets the scene for the series and he is one seriously hot alpha male (fans herself, phew). This is Jason's story, he is an angel and one of Archangel Raphael's cadre of 10. There is trouble in the lands of another archangel Neha and as Raphael's spymaster, Jason is sent to investigate and help Neha find the murderer of her imprisoned consort. To affiliate Jason with Neha so as he can be trusted within her courts he must be blood-tied to the Priness Mahiya who trusts no-one as her secrets have blighted her existance since birth. Jason and Mahiya have to learn to trust one another to work together efficiently to achieve their own agendas although this ignites a passion that threatens them both. As usual, the story and character building is so brilliantly executed that Nalini makes her work into a craft. The tension gradually rises as does the romance between the two leads. The love scenes are hot and you really end up rooting for Jason and Mahiya. This author astounds me with her work, this series is so good, I also adore her other series of psy/changelings on which we are on the 10th book and every single book is a really good, top notch read. These are books that I feel so happy to buy, I know my money will be well-spent and I won't regret the purchase.

Ce 5ème tome de la série "Guild Hunter: Archangel's Storm" est centré sur le personnage de Jason, l'un des 7 et le maître-espion de Raphaël, Jason part enquêter sur le territoire de Neha, l'archange de l'Inde, le compagnon de cette dernière est retrouvé mort, assassiné dans ses appartement appartements. En Inde, Jason va faire la connaissance de Mahiya, la nièce de Neha, qui à vécu toute sa vie cloîtrée dans le palais, tourmentée par sa tante mais aussi par les membres du palais; Mahiya cache de nombreux secrets et a beaucoup de mal à faire confiance (ce qui est compréhensible quand on en apprend un peu plus sur elle et sur l'enfance qu'elle a eu). Le maître-espion qui à toujiura eu du mal à se lier à quiconque, hormis Raphaël et Elena, se sent attiré par cette ange, peut-etre reconnaît il un peu de lui même en Mahiya, tout comme la nièce de Neha, Jason n'a pas eu une enfance facile. A la cour de Neha où le danger rode, nos deux protagonistes vont devoir se montré très prudents. Tout comme avec "Archangel's blade", j'avais un petit à priori quant à la lecture de ce livre, ou Raphaël et Elena n'apparaissent pas bien qu'ils soient souvent cités au cœur du récit; mais là encore, j'ai été prise tout de suite par l'histoire, le cadre et surtout les personnages! J'ai aimé plongé dans le passé de Jason, qui du coup, le met en lumière, lui qui pourtant préfère être dans l'ombre. J'ai d'autant plus appréciée faire la connaissance de Mahiya, qui n'est pas une chasseuse, mais une princesse ange prisonnière de sa tante, et qui néanmoins malgré son aspect fragile et on caractère qui semble soumis, ne l'est pas, elle est tenace et courageuse, à une volonté de fer, et un désir de liberté grandiose; J'ai adoré lire les interactions entre elle et Jason, leur relation romantique naissante, les craintes mais aussi leurs espoirs, la tendresse entre ces deux êtres qui ont dû, bon gré malgré, apprendre à se faire confiance mutuellement. J'ai encore plus aimée "Archangel's Storm" que "Archangel's Blade". Si vous n'avez pas encore commencé cette série, je la recommande pour tout dans d'Urban fantasy!!