Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Archangel's Prophecy by Nalini Singh Series: Guild Hunter #11
Published by Berkley on October 30, 2018
Genres: Paranormal Romance
Pages: 368
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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Midnight and dawn, Elena’s wings are unique among angelkind…and now they’re failing. The first mortal to be turned into an immortal in angelic memory, she’s regressing. Becoming more and more human. Easier to hurt. Easier to kill.
Elena and Raphael must unearth the reason for the regression before it’s too late and Elena falls out of the sky. Yet even as they fight a furious battle for Elena’s very survival, violent forces are gathering in New York and across the world.
In China, the Archangel Favashi is showing the first signs of madness. In New York, a mysterious sinkhole filled with lava swallows a man whole. In Africa, torrential monsoon rains flood rolling deserts. And in Elena’s mind whispers a haunting voice that isn’t her own.
This time, survival may not be possible…not even for the consort of an archangel.
In Archangel’s Prophecy, we are back to Raphael and Elena as the main characters in this installment. Normally, they aren’t my favorites to hang out with in this Guild Hunter series. *Gasp* I know, I know but I’ve never really warmed to Raphael. However, at least I don’t want to stab a pencil in his eye anymore so we’ve come a long way.
This starts out pretty ominously, with some cataclysmic events happening in the world, and a prophecy that leaves the reader wondering how will Elena fare after all is said and done. Raphael is evolving and it appears Elena will need something significant to happen to her if they will beat the next big bad challenge on the horizon.
Elena also has the challenge of figuring out who tried to kill her brother-in-law and why. There are a few vamps that have come to some gruesome ends recently and somehow Harrison is tied to it. Elena must figure it out before destiny tracks her down if she is going to keep her sister and niece safe.
The Legion is an interesting concept in this series and I like how other worldly they still seem. They are ancient but still like children. I love the interactions Elena has with them throughout this series and how they seem to understand what is happening but have been asleep for so long that the details seem a little like those of a dream. They are so close but also just on the edge of awareness.
The best part of this was the strange stuff happening with Elena and the ‘messenger’ who is watching her. The worst part of the book was also the stuff happening with Elena because I’m so worried about her.
But that ending…Because I received an eARC from the publisher, I don’t get the sneak peak of the next book which might have made me feel better about where Archangel’s Prophecy ended. I’m definitely eager to see what is going on with Elena and Raphael and how this evolution will work. Also, remember how once upon a time I wanted to stab a pencil through Raphael’s eye? Well, he has been totally redeemed. That Angel would rip out his heart for Elena and so I’m going to cut him some slack since he didn’t have any humanity in him when we first met.
Overall, a good side mystery happening to go along with the main story arc. Since this is a well-established couple, most of the story revolved around the mystery and the next step in the Convergence. I definitely wasn’t ready for the book to end this time around.
“Mess with me and I will shoot you through the heart, I swear to God. I am so far past hangry, I’m homicidal.”
“The basic definition of a parasite is an organism that lives on or inside a host and feeds off that host. Therefore all fetuses are technically parasites. A fetus with DNA from an archangel will be a super-parasite,” she added cheerfully. “It’ll suck you dry of energy, so you’d better be really old and strong before you start thinking about the flitter-flutter of tiny wings.”
Elena slitted her eyes and pointed. “You’re having fun making my future offspring”— and jeez, she was never going to be ready for those—“ sound like energy-draining horrors.”
About Nalini Singh
I’ve been writing as long as I can remember and all of my stories always held a thread of romance (even when I was writing about a prince who could shoot lasers out of his eyes). I love creating unique characters, love giving them happy endings and I even love the voices in my head. There’s no other job I would rather be doing. In September 2002, when I got the call that Silhouette Desire wanted to buy my first book, Desert Warrior, it was a dream come true. I hope to continue living the dream until I keel over of old age on my keyboard.
I was born in Fiji and raised in New Zealand. I also spent three years living and working in Japan, during which time I took the chance to travel around Asia. I’m back in New Zealand now, but I’m always plotting new trips. If you’d like to see some of my travel snapshots, have a look at the Travel Diary page (updated every month).
So far, I’ve worked as a lawyer, a librarian, a candy factory general hand, a bank temp and an English teacher and not necessarily in that order. Some might call that inconsistency but I call it grist for the writer’s mill.
Friend me at Goodreads.
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I only tried a few books in the series but it’s been a long time! I need to go back to the series.
Honestly I didn’t really love the first 2 books, and by not love I mean they got 3.5 stars instead of 4 and 5 stars. They were okay but I didn’t like Raphael at all in the beginning. I’m really started loving the series at book 3 an d4 though. Once we start getting to all of the other couples and expanding the world a little bit more I was all in.
This series is another I want to explore. I am glad you are still enjoying them Robin!
She is a strong series writer for sure. I’ve read ~ 22ish books by her and I don’t think that anything has been less than a 3.5 star read for me.
I was the same thing, since I had the ARC too. I’ll have to pick up the audio since I’m listening to this series for the first time in audio and liking it.
Wonderful review. This one had me on an emotional roller coaster ride. I agree the best and worst of this book are the things happening to Elena and OMG that ending… Ahh!!
RIGHT!!! I was like dang it! Now I’ll have to see if someone will please tell me what the sneak peak has in it. Or I’ll listen in the audio if it is there. I love her narrator for this series so I always pick up the audio version too.
I’ve read one book by this author, and found it very difficult to put down. I’m glad this one worked so well for you.
I think I’ve read the entire Phy-Changling series except a few of the short stories and the Guild Hunter Series. I haven’t tried the Rock Kiss or Hard Play series but I’m sure I’ll get to them eventually. She keeps me pretty engaged even 11 books in.
I’m starting this one as soon as I finish my current listen (probably today). Glad you loved it.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
Melanie, I totally hope you love it. I know that most of the books are self contained but this one leaves us guessing a little at the end.
*GASP* I feel like the series is at its best with Elena and Raphael. Their romance only grows stronger with each book. But…
As for the ARC, I wondered if those “sneak look” blank pages at the back were going to be for the next Guild Hunter book, or something else – maybe even the first book or a different series? Now that it’s out, I’ll have to find out from someone who bought the book!!
Jen. I know I’m in the minority here and they are the most developed of all of the couples I just really like the side characters a lot.
I’m totally going to have to beg some answers too.
Robin- I asked the publisher about the pages in the back. They are going to be from Silver Silence. She would love a teaser from the next GH book as well!
Dang it! I need to know and soon.
I can’t believe that I haven’t started this series yet. I do think that this is the kind of series that I would really enjoy. Glad you enjoyed it, Robin!
Haha Carol. I say the same thing about so many books. There are some great series out there I can’t wait to get to.