Book Review: Archangel’s Legion by Nalini Singh

Adult Paranormal Romance > Angels | Vampires

(Guild Hunter #6)

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…

Book 1: Angel’s Blood review       Book 2: Archangel’s Kiss review

Book 3: Archangel’s Consort review       Book 4: Archangel’s Blade review

Book 5: Archangel’s Storm review

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…so badass. 😀

I believe this is the most action-packed Guild Hunter novel to date. And I was not even distracted by Elena-Raphael lovey-dovey scenes. And that ending, holy smokes, that was ten ways of awesome!

I knew I was right to continue this series. *fist pump*

War is inevitable. When angels fall from the sky, and the Hudson river runs red, it won’t be long before the archangels lose their minds (or stand greater than they ever were) and begin the war.

I saw glimpses of Aodhan, and Illium, too. Yay! And after every installment, Elena and Raphael’s relationship reached a new level, and I liked that. Not only is the plot evolving to new heights, but the characters are turning into hero- and villain-worthy roles. =)

The last few chapters are fantastic. I could not quite turn the pages faster than my excitement! I believe New York is now ready to face the war that’s been brewing even before the Cascade began? *grins*

Archangel’s Legion. I could not grasp the enormity of it, the impact it might have for Elena and Raphael‘s future. But I am going to find that out. Let’s get moving with the writing then,Nalini Singh! (Pretty please?)

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ARCHANGEL’S LEGION by Nalini Singh

Ebook, 384 pages

Published October 29th 2013 by Penguin Group (USA)

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4.5/5 stars

Book Review: Mercy by Rebecca Lim

Young Adult > Paranormal

(Mercy #1)

A fallen angel haunted by her past. Yearning for her immortal beloved. Forever searching for answers.Who will show her Mercy?

Mercy has lost herself. She can’t count how many times she’s “woken up” in a new body, and assumed a new life, only to move on again and again. During the day she survives in the human world on instinct and at night her dreams are haunted by him. Mercy’s heart would know him anywhere. But her memory refuses to cooperate.

But this time is different. When Mercy wakes up she meets Ryan, an eighteen year old reeling from the loss of his twin sister who was kidnapped two years ago. Everyone else has given up hope, but Ryan believes his sister is still alive. Using a power she doesn’t fully comprehend, Mercy realizes that Ryan is right. His sister is alive and together they can find her. For the first time since she can remember, Mercy has a purpose; she can help. So she doesn’t understand why the man in her dreams cautions her not to interfere. But as Ryan and Mercy come closer to solving the dark mystery of his sister’s disappearance, danger looms just one step behind.

Will Mercy be able to harness her true self and extraordinary power in time?

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…well, well, well! Some Aussie angel book just captured my heart. =)

I’ve been eyeing Mercy for a long time now. So upon finishing Mercy’s story, I felt awesome. That basement face-off scene with the bad guy? So badass!

Mercy woke up to find herself inside Carmen’s body, disoriented (again). It amazed me that while she has no idea on who Carmen is, she’s so calm and collected, thinking on how she should impersonate Carmen. Oh, Carmen is still there, a hovering presence inside her own body, but she can do nothing while Mercy play body-snatcher. And at the same time, Mercy’s trying to recall her past ‘lives’ – the bodies of the girls she inhabited prior Carmen – to figure out who she really is.

Mercy ‘loves looking’ at beautiful things, and I found that charming on her character. She’s also not afraid to be condescending. Definitely not a dull moment with Mercy! Especially the first time she met Ryan. Ha! My girl got balls. 🙂

The angelology was alright, but it was a solid take on Lucifer’s fall. The angel theme was halfway elaborated because the mystery element overwhelmed the story. Still, it was okay! Because of Ryan’s adamant refusal to admit his twin sister is dead, Mercy found something else to brood about besides her f*cked-up existence. And of course, being a crime/suspense junkie that I am, I was so delighted on how the story unfolded.

Mercy is to my great liking. Not too paranormal, more like a crime/suspense story with a tinge of angelic. And yet, when Mercy had to embrace her true identity as an angel, it was so darn impressive!

#2 Off-the-Shelf Challenge 2013

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MERCY by Rebecca Lim

Hardcover, 288 pages

Published May 17th 2011 by Hyperion

4/5 stars

Book Review: Angel’s Flight by Nalini Singh

Rating:

Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance > Angels | Vampires

(Guild Hunter #0.5, 1.5, 4.5, 4.75)

In Angel’s Wolf a vampire becomes fascinated with the seductive angel who rules Louisiana. But all is not what it appears to be in her court.

In Angels’ Judgment a hunter must track one of her own gone bad, while surviving the deadly tests placed in her way by the archangels themselves. Unexpected backup comes from a stranger who might just be the most lethal threat of all…

Plus FIRST TIME IN PRINT

In Angels’ Pawn a vampire hunter faces off against two rival factions and the angel manipulating them both, and a vampire whose help is not entirely selfless…

And NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED

In Angels’ Dance an angel trapped in the mountain stronghold of the Refuge finds herself under siege by a warrior angel from a martial court.

Book 1: Archangel’s Blood review | Book 2: Archangel’s Kiss review

Book 3: Archangel’s Consort review | Book 4: Archangel’s Blade review

*****

I will never, never get tired of Nalini Singh’s stories. *happiness*

Angel’s Flight is a compilation of stories for some notable characters in the Guild Hunter series.

Angels’ Pawn – Ashwini & Janvier
Angels’ Judgement – Sarah & Deacon
Angels’ Wolf – Nimra & Noel
Angels’ Dance – Jessamy & Galen

I already read Angels’ Pawn (it has a solo ebook) and I enjoyed it. A little short, but entertaining nonetheless. I heart Janvier. 🙂

Angels’ Judgement is about Sarah before she was Guild Director. Deacon is such a bad-*ss human in the world of angels and vampires! And now i know why their dog is called Slayer. *winks*

Noel’s story is brutal. Cold yet (sometimes) compassionate Nimra is the perfect companion for him. I think Angels’ Judgement is my favorite out of the four novellas.

Angels’ Dance revealed how Jessamy and Galen got together. And the dance… WOW. It was so fantastic to read about it! Also, I thoroughly enjoyed the sparring sessions; Dmitri getting whipped by an angel? So good! And yes, a younger Ilium also appeared here. He’s courting the mortal that will be his downfall. Anywhere he appears, I follow. Haha! Ilium FTW!

Guild Hunter fans will devour Angels’ Flight. I think that every time I get sick of the Elena-Raphael tandem, I will reread the stories in here. 🙂

Book Review: Guild Hunter #5: Archangel’s Storm by Nalini Singh

Rating:

Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance > Angels | Vampires

(Guild Hunter #5)

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.

Book 1: Archangel’s Blood review | Book 2: Archangel’s Kiss review

Book 3: Archangel’s Consort review | Book 4: Archangel’s Blade review

*****

Whenever I thought of my reading experience of Archangel’s Storm, only one word comes to mind. Sophisticated.

This is my favorite Guild Hunter story to date! Jason, you’re so awesome, but Ilium is still the angel for me. 🙂

I’ve known since Angels’ Blood that Jason will be a very interesting character. I was right. Archangel’s Storm has a sturdy storyline, fluid and very consistent characters, and (yes, I felt that I should stress this) refined and not-so-frequent lovemaking scenes. Oh yes, Nalini Singh, I am a very, very happy reader indeed!

Jason is slow-burning. His cunning and brilliant perception of people and situations are amazing. I liked the fact that Jason and Mahiya started off as suspicious of each other. No insta-love there. And their secrets are revealed one at a time. Snippets of Jason’s horrible memories from childhood appeared progressively throughout the book, making me anticipate more with every turn of a page. I reveled at the idea that Jason will never say pretty words and offer beautiful lies to Mahiya. It adhered to his character so much, making his affinity with shadows and darkness all the more enticing.

For Jason and Mahiya who never wanted to reveal all their secrets, intimacy and sex will be an issue. But Singh handled those scenes magnificently. How? It took me half of the book before there ever was a sex scene. And if you ever read any of Singh’s works, that showed restraint! Just like Jason, who contains his strength and allows no one to tie himself with. It was played beautifully, both Jason and Mahiya vulnerable to each other, making it memorable. Horrors of their past compared to finding each other and accepting the darkness with it? So worth it! I wished they have a scene where they could’ve danced at well. *winks*

In some twisted way, I like Neha. Ruthless and cruel, but she has honor. And despite the arrogance that is naturally inherent to archangels, it is apparent that Neha loved her consort.

But I’m not sure why there are Dmitri’s POV in this installment. I think I had enough of him and Honor from Archangel’s Blade. It did nothing to add to Jason’s story… so why am I reading about Dmitri again?

I adored Jason’s story so much. Now. I. Want. Ilium’s. Please, Nalini Singh?

COVERed: Archangel’s Storm by Nalini Singh

Publisher: Berkley Sensation

Book Release: 09/04/2012

(Guild Hunter #5)

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 am so glad this cover is reminiscent of the first three books. I didn’t like Archangel’s Blade’s – Dimitri came across as fake. This cover is not much, and yet it draws me to stare. Probably because Jason’s character is intriguing (and i like him!). Dark, brooding, mysterious. And. I. want. to. know. more. It’s about time Nalini Singh graces us with Jason’s story!!!

While I wait for my beloved Ilium’s story from Nalini, I will gladly anticipate (and later savor, i hope) Jason’s. 🙂

Haven’t heard of the Guild Hunter series? Better read it now. These are not your typical (arch)angels. *evil grin*

 

 

 

 

 

Book Review: Unearthly #2: Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

RATING:

Genre: Young Adult > Urban Fantasy | Supernatural

(Unearthly #2)

For months part-angel Clara Gardner trained to face the raging forest fire from her visions and rescue the alluring and mysterious Christian Prescott from the blaze. But nothing could prepare her for the fateful decisions she would be forced to make that day, or the startling revelation that her purpose—the task she was put on earth to accomplish—is not as straightforward as she thought.

Now, torn between her increasingly complicated feelings for Christian and her love for her boyfriend, Tucker, Clara struggles to make sense of what she was supposed to do the day of the fire. And, as she is drawn further into the world of part angels and the growing conflict between White Wings and Black Wings, Clara learns of the terrifying new reality that she must face: Someone close to her will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning.

Book 1: Unearthly review

*****

ABSOLUTE.

Hallowed left my heart in tatters. While reading, I experienced a lot of heartbreak and loss in more ways than one. Could it be that Unearthly‘s sucess be succinctly followed? I dare say YES. Despite my misgivings on minor inconsistencies in the story, this is a superb sequel. SO not a middle book, you guys. Apart from Angelfall, Unearthly is one of the best YA angel series there is for me. Hallowed cemented that belief.

I really, really like Clara. She’s funny, sarcastic, and honest to a fault. Her defining trait? Unwillingness to submit and depend her life on fate. Her conviction is unbelievable! Christian is so hard to hate, me being Team Tucker and all. He’s the perfect friend and ally. His character is flawed, but still Cynthia Hand wrote him with such delicate trust that readers like me will like him in spite of the love triangle. Tucker… man, I miss him. Not a lot of scenes here but if he’s present, i felt him vibrant and alive. i remembered Clara falling in love with him, fighting for him in the previous book. In the end, he was so mature that i applauded him. Now there’s a man who really knows how to love. *sigh*

Clara’s angelic heritage seems too good to be true. The similarities between her and Christian to fully capture their “we belong together” drama is a stretch for me. I found an inconsistency between the Intangere and Black Wings that made me raise an eyebrow…? Oh, well.

Hallowed is a heartwrenching read, romance-wise and family wise. Many times Cynthia Hand tempted me to spill my tears. Believe me, the tightness in my chest is there. That ending is too sad. Crap, i think i’ll sulk for a while. *walks out*

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.: maria :.

“giving up is the ultimate tragedy.”

Book Review: Angelfall by Susan Ee

RATING:

Genre: Young Adult > Post-Apocalyptic | Dystopia |  Supernatural

(Penryn & The End of Days #1)

It’s been six weeks since angels of the apocalypse descended to demolish the modern world. Street gangs rule the day while fear and superstition rule the night. When warrior angels fly away with a helpless little girl, her seventeen-year-old sister Penryn will do anything to get her back.

Anything, including making a deal with an enemy angel.

Raffe is a warrior who lies broken and wingless on the street. After eons of fighting his own battles, he finds himself being rescued from a desperate situation by a half-starved teenage girl.

Traveling through a dark and twisted Northern California, they have only each other to rely on for survival. Together, they journey toward the angels’ stronghold in San Francisco where she’ll risk everything to rescue her sister and he’ll put himself at the mercy of his greatest enemies for the chance to be made whole again.

*****

OUTSTANDING.

Angelfall blew me away to kingdom come in different, massive movements! It was a brilliant take on the apocalypse and the angels of death. Surely, this is one hell of a YA book you definitely don’t want to miss. How come I did not read this sooner?!! I won an ebook copy from Bookish Ardour months ago and warm, kind Susan Ee sent me a copy. I read this on New Year’s Eve, so it was quite a ride!

Penryn (together with her little sister, Paige and her mother) can barely survive in Los Angeles. Gangs prowl the streets and mark territories by day; Angels sweep them at night. With nowhere to stay and not much food left, she braved the night to get on higher ground (supposedly it is safer there). Unfortunately, she witnessed an angelic conflict that made one of the angels snatched her sister. With her mom fading into darkness (she’s a schizophrenic), all that was left for her is one bleeding, dying angel. Raffe.

I gotta admire Penryn because she’s got spunk. She was terrified of Raffe and yet she threatens him when he refuses to take her to Aerie (where angels congregate & perhaps her sister is there?). She’s not a weakling (for she was trained to defend herself due to her mom’s mental instability), but compared to the magnificent angel, she’s nothing. Still, she bargained with Raffe to take her to Aerie until he said yes. Her determination, street-smarts, and loyalty made her my no. 1 heroine to date. Raffe is cruel, cold, and arrogant (as most angels are). But I saw softness in him when he held Penryn on that night she was plagued by nightmares. I found his character solid for an angel of death. In the end, I saw that perhaps Raffe has a tiny shred of humanity in him. Oh, and of course he’s beautiful! Aren’t all angels? 😉

The story is really good and credible. The pacing is fast but just right for a post-apocalyptic setting. The characters are strong and dependable (meaning I can rely on them staying in their character all throughout the book).

Angelfall‘s ending is not what i expected but it was the bomb nonetheless. So… are you tired of those angel-themed YA books that’s all cutesy and no plot? Then you better read this. Angelfall has the balls to shock you. You think angels are good and kind beings? *snickers* think again. Susan Ee will make you believe in the opposite.

I Highly Recommend Angelfall.

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.: maria :.

“giving up is the ultimate tragedy.”

Book Review: Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

RATING:

(Daughter of Smoke and Bone #1)

Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil’s supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she’s prone to disappearing on mysterious “errands”; she speaks many languages–not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she’s about to find out.

When one of the strangers–beautiful, haunted Akiva–fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

*****

REGAL.

It was a good thing that I did not read The Daughter of Smoke and Bone when everyone was talking about it way back September/October. It would’ve lost its uniqueness to me. So what did i think of  Laini Taylor’s book with so much hype? I was… enthralled. I think that was the word i was looking for. I was drowned in the richness of the myths and tales – hook, line, and sinker! No doubt Taylor is a superb storyteller. I was lost in Elsewhere! And being lost in that world was a sweet escape.

When I think of Karou, i think of her doing her Jujitsu moves, wishing rather immaturely on her pebbles, and keeping her two lives as secret as possible. I love her wryness on hiding the truth from her friends by telling the truth itself. I found her remarkable as a heroine and as a daughter of Brimstone and the others. Akiva‘s character is well-played for me. The transition from being lifeless to confused to enlightened to helplessness was really smooth. I love Akiva, from his exotic name to his remorse.

The part where Akiva and Madrigal’s story unraveled? I rather found it unnecessary. It dragged on with the somber feel I can do without. Nevertheless, the mythical twists and turns are pretty much what gripped me tight. Fave scene? When Akiva attacked Karou the first time they met. He was dead set on killing Karou! *bloodthirsty* LOL

The Daughter of Smoke and Bone is a very adventurous read. Too much information? I think not. I handled the magnitude of Karou’s story with ease and quick understanding. It is unlike any urban fantasy i’ve ever read in a while. Not to mention that Taylor wrote beautifully it made me a fan of her overnight. 🙂

#28 Off-the-Shelf Reading Challenge 2011

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.: maria :.

“giving up is the ultimate tragedy.”

Book Review: Guild Hunter #4: Archangel’s Blade by Nalini Singh

Rating:

(Guild Hunter #4)

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…

Book 1: Archangel’s Blood review | Book 2: Archangel’s Kiss review | Book 3: Archangel’s Consort review

***** ***** *****

DECADENT.

Archangel’s Blade is sinful; very, very sinful! This book is, by far, the strongest and the most solid story among the Guild Hunter series. Nalini Singh wrote Dmitri’s character very consistently and i loved that. Even though I was irritated on how (or why) Honor and Dmitri connected, I can’t deny that I really enjoyed the book. How i’ve missed these cruel angels and impossible vampires!

Honor and Dmitri both have painful, horrible pasts. Whereas Honor still finds compassion among the helpless, Dmitri has none. I can imagine Honor’s struggle and determination to survive, as much as Dmitri‘s decision to kill his humanity through cruelty. They are both fighters, literally and emotionally. Though the general atmosphere of the plot is about dark, bloody vengeance, it was balanced by snippets of Ilium‘s (Yey!) and Raphael‘s humor. Venom is getting really interesting! I believe he’s starting to grow on me. Jason is brooding – an air of sentimentality laced with pain – man, he’s gonna be the bomb for the next book. Ms. Nalini Singh, about Bluebell’s story?!! 😉

Archangel’s Blade is a hard but rewarding read. Dmitri’s world is lethal; Honor’s is unforgiving. Reading it makes me think of a phoenix: in order to rise and have a new life, Dmitri and Honor must die and be grinded into dust until there’s none left. I am still not a fan of Dmitri, but i think his story is more compelling and well-written than Rafael’s.

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.: maria :.

“giving up is the ultimate tragedy.”

Book Review: Guild Hunter #3: Archangel’s Consort by Nalini Singh

Rating:

Synopsis:

Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux and her lover, the lethally beautiful archangel Raphael, have returned home to New York only to face an uncompromising new evil…

A vampire has attacked a girls’ school—the assault one of sheer, vicious madness—and it is only the first act. Rampant bloodlust takes vampire after vampire, threatening to make the streets run with blood. Then Raphael himself begins to show signs of an uncontrolled rage, as inexplicable storms darken the city skyline and the earth itself shudders. The omens are suddenly terrifyingly clear.

An ancient and malevolent immortal is rising. The violent winds whisper her name: Caliane. She has returned to reclaim her son, Raphael. Only one thing stands in her way: Elena, the consort who must be destroyed…

 ***** ***** *****

i have to say that by far, this is the book that i liked the most in this series. more substance, i should say.

this is a book of revealing. about raphael’s past. and ilium’s. and caliane’s. finally, i understood the angels and what made them what they are now.

i think this is Dexter (tv series) – paranormal style. mutilations. body desecrations. you name it, this book has it.

i am so intrigued with Ilium! He is such an endearing character. By now, he somehow admitted to Raphael whatever it is he have with Elena. and if things comes to worse, Raphael is ok with that.

there’s also Ilium’s mom (and her relationship with Raphael) and his pained look whenever talks about his mom arise. it is vague, but at least the author gave me enough to dwell on. i simply can’t get enough of Ilium! Yes, Bluebell, you own my heart. not Raphael.

the twist in the end showed Raphael’s weakness (on how Elena will make him a little mortal) in a whole new light. it was nice.

There’s still sex scenes. But this time around, i finally appreciate it. why? it no longer connotes sex, but lovemaking.

now, isn’t that more enticing to read? 🙂

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.: maria :.

“giving up is the ultimate tragedy.”