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Guild Hunter #16
Archangel's Lineage
New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh’s dangerous and beautiful world of archangels, vampires, and mortals has never faced a threat this cataclysmic…
Raphael and Elena are experiencing their first ever year of true peace. No war. No horrors of archangelic power. No nightmares given flesh. Until…the earth beneath the Refuge begins to tremble, endangering not only angelkind’s precious and fragile young, but the very place that has held their most innocent safe for eons.
Amid the chaos, Elena’s father suffers a violent heart attack that threatens to extinguish their last chance to heal the bonds between them and make sense of the ruins of their agonizing shared history.
Even as Elena battles grief, Raphael is torn from her side by the sudden disappearance of an archangel. But worse yet is to come. An Ancestor, an angel unlike any other, stirs from his Sleep to warn the Cadre of a darkness so terrible that it causes empires to fall and civilizations to vanish.
This time, even the Cadre itself may not be able to stop a ticking clock that is counting down at frightening speed…
Raphael and Elena are experiencing their first ever year of true peace. No war. No horrors of archangelic power. No nightmares given flesh. Until…the earth beneath the Refuge begins to tremble, endangering not only angelkind’s precious and fragile young, but the very place that has held their most innocent safe for eons.
Amid the chaos, Elena’s father suffers a violent heart attack that threatens to extinguish their last chance to heal the bonds between them and make sense of the ruins of their agonizing shared history.
Even as Elena battles grief, Raphael is torn from her side by the sudden disappearance of an archangel. But worse yet is to come. An Ancestor, an angel unlike any other, stirs from his Sleep to warn the Cadre of a darkness so terrible that it causes empires to fall and civilizations to vanish.
This time, even the Cadre itself may not be able to stop a ticking clock that is counting down at frightening speed…
378 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 23, 2024
504 people are currently reading
8783 people want to read
About the author
Nalini Singh
248 books26.7k followersI'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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 628 reviews
April 25, 2024
I’m here only because Nalini finally gives us Raphael-Elena content again
Review 24/04
Nice book, but now I need a filler one with every day life and interaction between Raphael and Zoe, Raphael and Illium, Illium and Adhoan, the Seven all in one place, that kind of thing. Thanks Nalini, ily.
Review 24/04
Nice book, but now I need a filler one with every day life and interaction between Raphael and Zoe, Raphael and Illium, Illium and Adhoan, the Seven all in one place, that kind of thing. Thanks Nalini, ily.
May 3, 2024
DNF @ 42%
Sadly, I was practically bored to tears listening to this one. Now that the Lijuan storyline finally ended, and we’re back to a Raphael/Elena centric book, I thought for sure I was going to enjoy this latest addition to the series. I thought wrong. I did not care about a single one of the plot lines in this book, and there were several. To the point that I couldn’t even force myself to make it to the half way point of the book before abandoning ship. This is where I part ways with this series. Sad trombone.
Sadly, I was practically bored to tears listening to this one. Now that the Lijuan storyline finally ended, and we’re back to a Raphael/Elena centric book, I thought for sure I was going to enjoy this latest addition to the series. I thought wrong. I did not care about a single one of the plot lines in this book, and there were several. To the point that I couldn’t even force myself to make it to the half way point of the book before abandoning ship. This is where I part ways with this series. Sad trombone.
May 10, 2024
4,25 stars
I liked it, even though not as much as I thought I would.
This series holds a special place in my heart considering that it’s not just one of my favorites ever, but I also have been reading these books for many years. I adore the characters and Elena and Raphael are for me what makes the story, their books are the ones that I’m most interested in and they remain one of my favorite book couples, so I was really excited about going back to them and seeing what they are doing. One of the things I appreciate the most about their story is that we didn’t just get to read how they got together but also how they faced life together as the years pass, their fights and the way they compromised and worked to build a life together.
The reason for the 4 stars is that not a lot really happened in the first half and there was a lot of repeating of things people who have read all of the previous books already know. The crisis had to be built I understand that, but that was the case in every book and still more stuff happened. Things really picked up and got interesting in the second half and got me super excited all over again. The second half is closer to 5 stars.
As far as topics are concerned this book has some of the things I love the most; I always found very engaging diving into Elena’s complicated family and the Cadre politic.
I love these characters, I love reading about them, about their slices of life, what happens to them as time passes, but I also feel like the story could be over here without leaving anything important unsaid. Archangel’s War concluded the main story that had been built since book one and the books after that showed the aftermath and aimed to close some other issues left, in this one we check with our beloved characters after more time has passed, the last threads connect and are solved, and it could be the perfect farewell. Nalini Singh could of curse come up with a new big storyline, but as of right now there is no over whole arc on the horizon and I feel closure. This would be a great conclusion to the series and it probably should be. It FEELS like the end.
P. S. The cover is stunning. So beautiful! Definitely my favourite.
——
Pre reading thoughts:
I NEED this book!!!!! I missed Elena and Raphael so much and I can't wait to have them back.
Also, stunning cover!
(now i seriously think Elena will have some kind of closure with Jeffrey and in the end he is going to die; on the one hand I really want to dive in their messed up relationship, on the other I'm already sad and heartbroken for her)
I liked it, even though not as much as I thought I would.
This series holds a special place in my heart considering that it’s not just one of my favorites ever, but I also have been reading these books for many years. I adore the characters and Elena and Raphael are for me what makes the story, their books are the ones that I’m most interested in and they remain one of my favorite book couples, so I was really excited about going back to them and seeing what they are doing. One of the things I appreciate the most about their story is that we didn’t just get to read how they got together but also how they faced life together as the years pass, their fights and the way they compromised and worked to build a life together.
The reason for the 4 stars is that not a lot really happened in the first half and there was a lot of repeating of things people who have read all of the previous books already know. The crisis had to be built I understand that, but that was the case in every book and still more stuff happened. Things really picked up and got interesting in the second half and got me super excited all over again. The second half is closer to 5 stars.
As far as topics are concerned this book has some of the things I love the most; I always found very engaging diving into Elena’s complicated family and the Cadre politic.
I love these characters, I love reading about them, about their slices of life, what happens to them as time passes, but I also feel like the story could be over here without leaving anything important unsaid. Archangel’s War concluded the main story that had been built since book one and the books after that showed the aftermath and aimed to close some other issues left, in this one we check with our beloved characters after more time has passed, the last threads connect and are solved, and it could be the perfect farewell. Nalini Singh could of curse come up with a new big storyline, but as of right now there is no over whole arc on the horizon and I feel closure. This would be a great conclusion to the series and it probably should be. It FEELS like the end.
P. S. The cover is stunning. So beautiful! Definitely my favourite.
——
Pre reading thoughts:
I NEED this book!!!!! I missed Elena and Raphael so much and I can't wait to have them back.
Also, stunning cover!
(now i seriously think Elena will have some kind of closure with Jeffrey and in the end he is going to die; on the one hand I really want to dive in their messed up relationship, on the other I'm already sad and heartbroken for her)
April 23, 2024
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Archangel's Lineage is the sixteenth book in the Guild Hunters series set in an alternate earth where the world is ruled by Angels in different territories and the vampires who serve them. It has been around twenty years since we started this series reading of Raphael and Elena's beginning so I think it is fitting we are back with the couple as we possibly end the series.
The world is unsettled, there have been strong quakes and natural disasters all around the world that seem to have no source but also do not seem altogether natural either. Raphael and Elena will strive to protect their people and the Aire, whose natural barrier protecting it from the outside world is starting to fail and no one knows why. Elena will also have to deal with the mortality of family member and finally have to decide whether to deal with the memories of the past to heal while they are still on this earth.
The optimal number for the Cadre to be able to rule and keep things in order is 10 Archangels, unfortunately the Cadre is down to eight and scrambling to cover all the territory. But leave it to Cassandra to be there to help her favorite burgeoning Angel, Elena and help in some unexpected ways that will lead all of the Cadre to question their origins and who were the Angels of long ago.
I enjoyed this book a lot. While there isn't a boogey man the team is up against per say, there is an imminent danger to the world that might destroy them all if they do not learn how to work together. Seeing Elena finally deal with some of the issues in her human family and come to some peace with the choices she is making there felt right too. This was an interesting story and we learned a little more of the Legion's origins along with their original creator.
This very much felt like an end to a series. Whether that is true or not I can't say but the story ends in a place that I can see it having some great closure for all the fans. The entire series has been really good and is for fans of PNR as each story in the series revolves around one of the couples of the series.
Narration:
Justine Eyre has been the narrator for all of the audio in this series. I am used to her narration and cannot imagine the series any other way after so many books. She, of course, does a great job with all the voices for the main and minor characters as always. She is a perfect narrator for PNR and I have enjoyed her in main series as her catalog is prolific. Another great performance by her for this series. I was able to listen at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Archangel's Lineage is the sixteenth book in the Guild Hunters series set in an alternate earth where the world is ruled by Angels in different territories and the vampires who serve them. It has been around twenty years since we started this series reading of Raphael and Elena's beginning so I think it is fitting we are back with the couple as we possibly end the series.
The world is unsettled, there have been strong quakes and natural disasters all around the world that seem to have no source but also do not seem altogether natural either. Raphael and Elena will strive to protect their people and the Aire, whose natural barrier protecting it from the outside world is starting to fail and no one knows why. Elena will also have to deal with the mortality of family member and finally have to decide whether to deal with the memories of the past to heal while they are still on this earth.
The optimal number for the Cadre to be able to rule and keep things in order is 10 Archangels, unfortunately the Cadre is down to eight and scrambling to cover all the territory. But leave it to Cassandra to be there to help her favorite burgeoning Angel, Elena and help in some unexpected ways that will lead all of the Cadre to question their origins and who were the Angels of long ago.
I enjoyed this book a lot. While there isn't a boogey man the team is up against per say, there is an imminent danger to the world that might destroy them all if they do not learn how to work together. Seeing Elena finally deal with some of the issues in her human family and come to some peace with the choices she is making there felt right too. This was an interesting story and we learned a little more of the Legion's origins along with their original creator.
This very much felt like an end to a series. Whether that is true or not I can't say but the story ends in a place that I can see it having some great closure for all the fans. The entire series has been really good and is for fans of PNR as each story in the series revolves around one of the couples of the series.
Narration:
Justine Eyre has been the narrator for all of the audio in this series. I am used to her narration and cannot imagine the series any other way after so many books. She, of course, does a great job with all the voices for the main and minor characters as always. She is a perfect narrator for PNR and I have enjoyed her in main series as her catalog is prolific. Another great performance by her for this series. I was able to listen at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
June 14, 2024
Angels and vampires and mortals, oh my!
The Guild Hunter series is set on an alternate Earth populated by angels, vampires and humans, and ruled by a Cadre of immortal Archangels. In Archangel’s Lineage, the world has recovered from the terrifying Cascade and evils of war. So of course it’s time for something to go wrong, and as simultaneous natural disasters begin occurring all over the globe, threatening the angelic Refuge itself, they must race against time to discover the cause before a cataclysm that will destroy the world. But this is not the first time the world has faced this darkness, and one of the Ancients themselves begins to awaken in response.
Romantasy tends to be set in worlds that are purely fantastical rather than urban fantasy, but I think any romantasy fans will appreciate this series. The relationship between Archangel Raphael and his consort Elena usually takes center stage, with other books featuring developing romances between other characters.
My main issue with this series is that Singh has a strong tendency to tell rather than show, and in repetitive ways. I don’t know how many times Raphael waxes poetic about his strong, brave, loyal, and true warrior consort, etc. Don’t tell me, show me! It’s a shame because the story DOES show us these things, and I think she should trust in her writing and story to get these things across. Also in this book we had several small “Interludes” but they didn’t add anything we didn’t already know. They just repeated information we already had and didn’t seem to relate to this plot. What was the point of these? If they were meant to emphasize something, it went over my head.
Despite that I keep coming back to this series over and over because it’s just FUN. I enjoy the world and the expansive cast of characters, and we get more depth and insight with each book. With a series this long (this is #16!) it can be hard to keep upping the stakes without jumping the shark, but so far it hasn’t failed, and I keep tuning in because I want to know what crazy thing is going to happen next in this world.
I think fans of Anne Bishop will really like this. The worlds are different but the writing styles and power dynamics seem alike to me.
I have my quibbles but I’ll never put this series down. It’s like eating oreos, it may not be a full meal but I’ll always love it for dessert.
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!
The Guild Hunter series is set on an alternate Earth populated by angels, vampires and humans, and ruled by a Cadre of immortal Archangels. In Archangel’s Lineage, the world has recovered from the terrifying Cascade and evils of war. So of course it’s time for something to go wrong, and as simultaneous natural disasters begin occurring all over the globe, threatening the angelic Refuge itself, they must race against time to discover the cause before a cataclysm that will destroy the world. But this is not the first time the world has faced this darkness, and one of the Ancients themselves begins to awaken in response.
Romantasy tends to be set in worlds that are purely fantastical rather than urban fantasy, but I think any romantasy fans will appreciate this series. The relationship between Archangel Raphael and his consort Elena usually takes center stage, with other books featuring developing romances between other characters.
My main issue with this series is that Singh has a strong tendency to tell rather than show, and in repetitive ways. I don’t know how many times Raphael waxes poetic about his strong, brave, loyal, and true warrior consort, etc. Don’t tell me, show me! It’s a shame because the story DOES show us these things, and I think she should trust in her writing and story to get these things across. Also in this book we had several small “Interludes” but they didn’t add anything we didn’t already know. They just repeated information we already had and didn’t seem to relate to this plot. What was the point of these? If they were meant to emphasize something, it went over my head.
Despite that I keep coming back to this series over and over because it’s just FUN. I enjoy the world and the expansive cast of characters, and we get more depth and insight with each book. With a series this long (this is #16!) it can be hard to keep upping the stakes without jumping the shark, but so far it hasn’t failed, and I keep tuning in because I want to know what crazy thing is going to happen next in this world.
I think fans of Anne Bishop will really like this. The worlds are different but the writing styles and power dynamics seem alike to me.
I have my quibbles but I’ll never put this series down. It’s like eating oreos, it may not be a full meal but I’ll always love it for dessert.
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!
May 26, 2024
5+++ stars
PER.FEC.TION
Okay, call me exaggerated, but well, the last Guild Hunter book I read was in 2022! For me, Guild Hunter is one of my favorite series that I still read when there's so many new books released. Elena and Raphael will always be one of my favorite power couple and reading Archangel's Lineage is akin to meet an old friend and ask them "hey, how do you do??".
I know that Elena and Raphael can be so lovey dovey and their love declaration feels sappy, but heh, I need sappy. I need their romance! After the war with the Creepiness Lijuan in Archangel's War, three books that follow mostly feels like filler for me. More like dealing with the aftermath of the Cascade of Death. We got the pairing that "welp, I don't see that coming" in form of Titus and Sharine. We got the pairing that most fans want who are Illium and Aodhan, but for me their story can be delivered better rather than make them like kindergarten child and throwing a woman in the mix (did we need that???). We got that pairing that is so toxic from the get go, Alexander and Zanaya. I think, that's enough. I need my Elena and Raphael's fix. They are the bread and butter of this series, the core. And I'm glad that Nalini didn't disappoint with Archangel's Lineage
I know that in my initial response, I make a joke about this one with mention about Lijuan. But, don't fret, there's no trace of Lijuan other than only mentioning here and there. Nalini also show that Lijuan's crimes was so severe that vampires and angels alike tend to don't want to speak her name. At all. Kinda like Voldemort with his "you-know-who" moniker. Just like another Elena-Raphael's book, major events also happen in Archangel's Lineage. The war is ending and the time flash forward to 15 years later. But, The Refuge's protective shield is falling, Qin abandon his duty as archangel because he can't fathom to be apart from his beloved,Cassandra; The Cadre is now just 8 and they need another Archangel to hold Qin's territory, the mark of the Legion in Raphael's temple suddenly blazing and to make matter worse, Jeffrey just got heart attack and in the verge of death.
For me, Archangel's Lineage tied up some loose end strings. The continuous fight between Elena and Jeffrey finally come to an end, with maybe nearing death Jeffrey change his mind therefore giving chance for father and daughter to mend their relationship. Nalini also further mend Elena's relationship with both her stepmother, Gwendolyn, and her stepsiblings, Amy. I think this book is all about wound mended. Not all wound will heal fully, but at least Elena finally take step forward to let go of her grief and also her anger toward Marguerite's decision to suicide, therefore put a nail in the coffin that is broken relationship between Elena and Jeffrey. I know that the "drip, drip, drip" part might be annoying, but it also show that some nightmare was difficult to disappear. Elena know that and she must live with that for eternity. What I also like is how Nalini portray the price of the immortality and eternity. Lineage show that Elena is now in her 45-ish but her appearance is still the same when she first become angel in Archangel's Kiss. While her sister, Beth already in middle age and also her best friend, Sara. How Elena must face that in the future, her mortal family with long gone. It adding some melancholy feeling to this book, together with how finally Jeffrey and Elena become father and daughter again.
I'm glad there's no talk about baby, lel. The lineage itself come from Raphael and the new archangel that also have connection to the Legion. After 16 books, Nalini finally try to explain the origin of the angelkind although she still not revealed it fully. For certain, they are not alien from space, explained by Raphael's embarrassing moment when he and Uram try to fly to the moon and failed (and begged for Jessamy to not record his young stupidity). The mechanic behind the Refuge's shield also explain, BUT, the origin of angelkind some of it still shrouded in mystery. I don't know for certain if they are will be explained at all.
I have a guts that Archangel's Lineage may be the final arc of Elena and Raphael story, BUT, NOOOO, I WANT MORE OF THEM, sobs. I don't know who the next will be featured if Nalini write about Guild Hunter again. Maybe Vivek with his lady vampire, Katrina. Maybe Andreas with his lady vampire (see a pattern here?). I just hope if there's any future Guild Hunter books, Nalini will again feature my favorite couple!
My initial reaction when the news of the book hit
Released April 23, 2024 (9 months later after writing this in end July 2022)
I swear the title become quite a handful after Resurrection. Also, lineage? Who's lineage? I swear if Lijuan still there, with that "lineage" things... *facepalm. Or...baby coming? I know from the end of Archangel's War that the possibility for Elena And Raphael to finally have their own baby is now pretty much possible. Although, I prefer if there's no babies coming
Still plan to buy the book of course, lol
PER.FEC.TION
Okay, call me exaggerated, but well, the last Guild Hunter book I read was in 2022! For me, Guild Hunter is one of my favorite series that I still read when there's so many new books released. Elena and Raphael will always be one of my favorite power couple and reading Archangel's Lineage is akin to meet an old friend and ask them "hey, how do you do??".
I know that Elena and Raphael can be so lovey dovey and their love declaration feels sappy, but heh, I need sappy. I need their romance! After the war with the Creepiness Lijuan in Archangel's War, three books that follow mostly feels like filler for me. More like dealing with the aftermath of the Cascade of Death. We got the pairing that "welp, I don't see that coming" in form of Titus and Sharine. We got the pairing that most fans want who are Illium and Aodhan, but for me their story can be delivered better rather than make them like kindergarten child and throwing a woman in the mix (did we need that???). We got that pairing that is so toxic from the get go, Alexander and Zanaya. I think, that's enough. I need my Elena and Raphael's fix. They are the bread and butter of this series, the core. And I'm glad that Nalini didn't disappoint with Archangel's Lineage
I know that in my initial response, I make a joke about this one with mention about Lijuan. But, don't fret, there's no trace of Lijuan other than only mentioning here and there. Nalini also show that Lijuan's crimes was so severe that vampires and angels alike tend to don't want to speak her name. At all. Kinda like Voldemort with his "you-know-who" moniker. Just like another Elena-Raphael's book, major events also happen in Archangel's Lineage. The war is ending and the time flash forward to 15 years later. But, The Refuge's protective shield is falling, Qin abandon his duty as archangel because he can't fathom to be apart from his beloved,Cassandra; The Cadre is now just 8 and they need another Archangel to hold Qin's territory, the mark of the Legion in Raphael's temple suddenly blazing and to make matter worse, Jeffrey just got heart attack and in the verge of death.
For me, Archangel's Lineage tied up some loose end strings. The continuous fight between Elena and Jeffrey finally come to an end, with maybe nearing death Jeffrey change his mind therefore giving chance for father and daughter to mend their relationship. Nalini also further mend Elena's relationship with both her stepmother, Gwendolyn, and her stepsiblings, Amy. I think this book is all about wound mended. Not all wound will heal fully, but at least Elena finally take step forward to let go of her grief and also her anger toward Marguerite's decision to suicide, therefore put a nail in the coffin that is broken relationship between Elena and Jeffrey. I know that the "drip, drip, drip" part might be annoying, but it also show that some nightmare was difficult to disappear. Elena know that and she must live with that for eternity. What I also like is how Nalini portray the price of the immortality and eternity. Lineage show that Elena is now in her 45-ish but her appearance is still the same when she first become angel in Archangel's Kiss. While her sister, Beth already in middle age and also her best friend, Sara. How Elena must face that in the future, her mortal family with long gone. It adding some melancholy feeling to this book, together with how finally Jeffrey and Elena become father and daughter again.
I'm glad there's no talk about baby, lel. The lineage itself come from Raphael and the new archangel that also have connection to the Legion. After 16 books, Nalini finally try to explain the origin of the angelkind although she still not revealed it fully. For certain, they are not alien from space, explained by Raphael's embarrassing moment when he and Uram try to fly to the moon and failed (and begged for Jessamy to not record his young stupidity). The mechanic behind the Refuge's shield also explain, BUT, the origin of angelkind some of it still shrouded in mystery. I don't know for certain if they are will be explained at all.
I have a guts that Archangel's Lineage may be the final arc of Elena and Raphael story, BUT, NOOOO, I WANT MORE OF THEM, sobs. I don't know who the next will be featured if Nalini write about Guild Hunter again. Maybe Vivek with his lady vampire, Katrina. Maybe Andreas with his lady vampire (see a pattern here?). I just hope if there's any future Guild Hunter books, Nalini will again feature my favorite couple!
My initial reaction when the news of the book hit
Released April 23, 2024 (9 months later after writing this in end July 2022)
I swear the title become quite a handful after Resurrection. Also, lineage? Who's lineage? I swear if Lijuan still there, with that "lineage" things... *facepalm. Or...baby coming? I know from the end of Archangel's War that the possibility for Elena And Raphael to finally have their own baby is now pretty much possible. Although, I prefer if there's no babies coming
Still plan to buy the book of course, lol
April 27, 2024
scattered thoughts post-reading:
It's been three years since I was last engrossed in the Guild Hunter series. I didn’t read Books 13, 14, and 15, because I wasn't interested in the MCs (don't hate me). I did a re-read of my favourite Guild Hunter books in those years, though.
Anywayyy, when I was presented with the current timeline, I was gobsmacked :
"At some point during her roughly two decades as Raphael’s consort..."
I'M SORRY WHAT
Not to mention Sara being in her forties and the "kids" being between the ages of 18 to 30 (；☉_☉) My little babies and their babies
Okay, moving on from that.
The parts that made me tear up the most were the ones involving Elena's family. NS knows how to tug at one's heartstrings. I never thought I would be crying at 3 o'clock in the morning while reading this.
It's heartbreaking though that it took a heart attack for Elena and her father to mend their relationship. I wished it happened sooner.
As always, NS's writing is a delight. However, while I enjoyed the book, it felt repetitious and formulaic to me. Same old, same old.
I hope NS gives a spin on how she writes the next books in the series.
I've been a fan since I was fifteen years old. As much as it pains me to say this, I feel like the series and I are nearing the end of our relationship (wow, dramatic much).
--
It's official! This is now my most favourite book cover from the series 🥹💙
—
EDIT: WE HAVE A TITLE NOW!!! Archangel's Lineage 💙
MY HEART STOPPED WHEN I READ “ELENA AND RAPHAEL”
YAS, PLEASE!!! I MISSED OUR MAIN COUPLE! 😭
It's been three years since I was last engrossed in the Guild Hunter series. I didn’t read Books 13, 14, and 15, because I wasn't interested in the MCs (don't hate me). I did a re-read of my favourite Guild Hunter books in those years, though.
Anywayyy, when I was presented with the current timeline, I was gobsmacked :
"At some point during her roughly two decades as Raphael’s consort..."
I'M SORRY WHAT
Not to mention Sara being in her forties and the "kids" being between the ages of 18 to 30 (；☉_☉) My little babies and their babies
Okay, moving on from that.
The parts that made me tear up the most were the ones involving Elena's family. NS knows how to tug at one's heartstrings. I never thought I would be crying at 3 o'clock in the morning while reading this.
It's heartbreaking though that it took a heart attack for Elena and her father to mend their relationship. I wished it happened sooner.
As always, NS's writing is a delight. However, while I enjoyed the book, it felt repetitious and formulaic to me. Same old, same old.
I hope NS gives a spin on how she writes the next books in the series.
I've been a fan since I was fifteen years old. As much as it pains me to say this, I feel like the series and I are nearing the end of our relationship (wow, dramatic much).
--
It's official! This is now my most favourite book cover from the series 🥹💙
—
EDIT: WE HAVE A TITLE NOW!!! Archangel's Lineage 💙
MY HEART STOPPED WHEN I READ “ELENA AND RAPHAEL”
YAS, PLEASE!!! I MISSED OUR MAIN COUPLE! 😭
January 31, 2024
A great edition to the Guild Hunter Series. This time we got what I’ve been wanting since Lijuan died, a time skip. It’s been ten years since the end of the war and the ppl in the guild Hunter universe are very much in rebuild mode. Most Archangels are minding their territory and their business and there are no pointless petty fights. We see the first signs of Elena experiencing what being frozen in time while her mortal friends and family age means, and all the kids, Eve, Zoe, etc are grown. However much like during the cascade natural disasters start to plague the world again and for the first time in Angelic history the protections of the refuge can’t shelter their most vulnerable. This book ends up being a race to solve the mystery of why this is happening and the awakening of an ancient so old that he’s literally one of the last universal common ancestors for some of the cadre. Very good book 4.5/5 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2024
I was so happy to be back with Raphael and Elena. They are probably one of my favorite couples. No bs or OM/OW drama, then again, who is going to mess with an Archangel.
Once again, this story involves Elena’s past, which did get on my nerves. I’m done with all of that, but there is a reason for it. I was more interested in the threat to not only the Cadre, but the world.
The ending felt a little strange to me, like almost the end of the series. According to NS website, there is another book coming in 2025. Fingers crossed it’s about R & E.
Once again, this story involves Elena’s past, which did get on my nerves. I’m done with all of that, but there is a reason for it. I was more interested in the threat to not only the Cadre, but the world.
The ending felt a little strange to me, like almost the end of the series. According to NS website, there is another book coming in 2025. Fingers crossed it’s about R & E.
August 29, 2024
4.5 stars. I’m such a big fan of the Guild Hunter series. As someone who loves this world and lore, and who deeply resonates with and loves the cast of characters, it’s no surprise that making a return to it would elicit such a strong positive emotional response. I genuinely didn’t know where else this series could or would go, but I trust in Nalini Singh’s ability to write more in it — and that trust isn’t misplaced. It was really cool to see the lore get larger, that’s for sure! And, of course, being amongst individuals I hold so beloved was a real treat — even when what was going on made me incredibly emotional (in the hysterical screaming in joy and pain sense). Another hit for me, for sure, and I can’t wait to see what comes next.
April 24, 2024
Thank you so much to Berkley Romance and Netgalley for providing an advanced copy of this! All thoughts and opinions are still my own.
I definitely did not expect to finish this book ✨️sobbing✨️. But here we are.
I adore this series and was so excited to get another book back with the main couple.
I don't want to share too many details, because talking about pretty much anything at this point in the series would be spoilery. But I loved how much new information we got, new characters, while still getting to spend plenty of time with the characters we already know and love.
This book really dives into the history and lore of the angels which I loved. And the new character was wonderful. I thought he brought the perfect balance of humor and knowledge.
Plus there's something just so special about getting to see Elena & Raphael's romance across so much time. These series spans quite a few years and I just love getting to be with them long after the "HEA".
I really hope this story is the start to a new main plot. I will never be ready to leave these characters or this world behind.
I definitely did not expect to finish this book ✨️sobbing✨️. But here we are.
I adore this series and was so excited to get another book back with the main couple.
I don't want to share too many details, because talking about pretty much anything at this point in the series would be spoilery. But I loved how much new information we got, new characters, while still getting to spend plenty of time with the characters we already know and love.
This book really dives into the history and lore of the angels which I loved. And the new character was wonderful. I thought he brought the perfect balance of humor and knowledge.
Plus there's something just so special about getting to see Elena & Raphael's romance across so much time. These series spans quite a few years and I just love getting to be with them long after the "HEA".
I really hope this story is the start to a new main plot. I will never be ready to leave these characters or this world behind.
March 26, 2024
The first thing I noticed right away was how good it felt to be transported back to my beloved Guild Hunter world. Even more so than the past couple of books. It’s something magical about it. After the first few pages I felt like I was back in Angel Blood where it all began.
I love when the focus is on Raphael and Elena. I really love when the focus is on Cadre business. And my single favorite part of this series is the Seven and their bond with Raphael. It’s just always something I’ve immensely enjoyed, how they love and support each other.
This story had to come at this point with these Archangels at this time. A combination of old, very old Archangels, very new Archangels and the ancients.
It’s a good thing Michaela was out of the picture, lol, I’m convinced she would’ve been an enemy of progress.
I won’t recap the plot because it’s best experienced as a reader, but my thoughts on my experience:
-Finally, more sexuality. I don’t know what Singh’s approach has been the last few novels, but I sorely missed how sensual and frankly sexual Guild Hunter used to be. Raphael and Elena have never danced like this and while it was only one scene, it was a gooood one. Whew. More of this please!
-This may be a strictly me thing, but I wasn’t a super fan of the Jeffrey sub plot. I’m just not super invested. I feel like we’ve gone over Elena’s trauma ad nauseam. I didn’t need it to be this big a part of the novel and it really slowed things down. I’m thankful that she has closure. But I skipped a lot of the Elena family content. It was overkill for me and I would have preferred more of that time be spent building up the main plot a little more. Some people might love it though, but for me, not so much. This book minus 70% of the focus on Elena’s family would’ve made it perfect.
- Sometimes the descriptions lost me, maybe this is intentional to slow you down and really have to focus and visualize what’s being described. Which is fine, it’s a beautifully arresting world, but sometimes the descriptions ran away a bit.
-Did I mention there is a lot of Cadre! I’d read a book just about the Cadre! I love the different personalities! Never enough of them! Their scenes together are really, really good in this book. Alexander still has my heart but Titus might be my fav Cadre member next to Raphael of course.
-Raphael- love when we get inside his head. Any chapters driven by his dialogue, were the best chapters.
-Did I mention there was too much Elena family history and family content? Too much! lol
-The last 10 chapters are quintessential Guild Hunter action and excitement. Probably one of the best climaxes of the series.
-The flashback mini chapters- love. Loved how they built up to the current day and the unexpected perspectives.
-Has Nalini mentioned taking a break from Guild Hunter? If she is, this reads like it could be the end of the series or the end for now. Which makes me so sad- I love reading these books and visiting this world every year. I sincerely hope there is another book. But like I said, there is no ambiguity or cliffhanger or anything. This book wraps up very succinctly, literally.
-Vivek has a great POV. I enjoyed his chapters a lot and I especially really like and respect how Nalini writes him. He has a handicap, but he is very much all male, lol he had me blushing quite a few times! Whew! more Vivek/Katrina please! I especially like when Vivek asserts himself. Like please don’t be disillusioned by his young vampire age and leg. Not allowing Katrina to steamroll him was *chefs kiss*
- Ok, back to the climax, no spoiler but MAN my heart was READY for what would’ve happened if it was not THAT one but the other one who was needed. Can you imagine what Raphael would’ve had to DO to even allow any of the world saving actions to take place. Whew.
-Nalini, please bring back some of the sexy. Be like Justin Timberlake and bring sexy back. If this book is an indicator that it’s coming back, I’ll take it, but more please. You’re SO good at it!
- Top notch world building. You can FEEL yourself in this world. That feeling is unrivaled.
-Elena is getting so strong and growing into her power. I love it.
- (Redacted) is such an unknown gambit. I like how he has them on edge.
This is a hard one to rate. The Cadre, Raphael/Elena, The Seven, the climax and Vivek scenes scream 5 stars, but it was all kind of bogged down by rehashing and re-litigating her family dynamic. Thank goodness there was resolution there. Going forward Angel politics, history and mysteries are far, far more engaging for me.
Great installment!
I love when the focus is on Raphael and Elena. I really love when the focus is on Cadre business. And my single favorite part of this series is the Seven and their bond with Raphael. It’s just always something I’ve immensely enjoyed, how they love and support each other.
This story had to come at this point with these Archangels at this time. A combination of old, very old Archangels, very new Archangels and the ancients.
It’s a good thing Michaela was out of the picture, lol, I’m convinced she would’ve been an enemy of progress.
I won’t recap the plot because it’s best experienced as a reader, but my thoughts on my experience:
-Finally, more sexuality. I don’t know what Singh’s approach has been the last few novels, but I sorely missed how sensual and frankly sexual Guild Hunter used to be. Raphael and Elena have never danced like this and while it was only one scene, it was a gooood one. Whew. More of this please!
-This may be a strictly me thing, but I wasn’t a super fan of the Jeffrey sub plot. I’m just not super invested. I feel like we’ve gone over Elena’s trauma ad nauseam. I didn’t need it to be this big a part of the novel and it really slowed things down. I’m thankful that she has closure. But I skipped a lot of the Elena family content. It was overkill for me and I would have preferred more of that time be spent building up the main plot a little more. Some people might love it though, but for me, not so much. This book minus 70% of the focus on Elena’s family would’ve made it perfect.
- Sometimes the descriptions lost me, maybe this is intentional to slow you down and really have to focus and visualize what’s being described. Which is fine, it’s a beautifully arresting world, but sometimes the descriptions ran away a bit.
-Did I mention there is a lot of Cadre! I’d read a book just about the Cadre! I love the different personalities! Never enough of them! Their scenes together are really, really good in this book. Alexander still has my heart but Titus might be my fav Cadre member next to Raphael of course.
-Raphael- love when we get inside his head. Any chapters driven by his dialogue, were the best chapters.
-Did I mention there was too much Elena family history and family content? Too much! lol
-The last 10 chapters are quintessential Guild Hunter action and excitement. Probably one of the best climaxes of the series.
-The flashback mini chapters- love. Loved how they built up to the current day and the unexpected perspectives.
-Has Nalini mentioned taking a break from Guild Hunter? If she is, this reads like it could be the end of the series or the end for now. Which makes me so sad- I love reading these books and visiting this world every year. I sincerely hope there is another book. But like I said, there is no ambiguity or cliffhanger or anything. This book wraps up very succinctly, literally.
-Vivek has a great POV. I enjoyed his chapters a lot and I especially really like and respect how Nalini writes him. He has a handicap, but he is very much all male, lol he had me blushing quite a few times! Whew! more Vivek/Katrina please! I especially like when Vivek asserts himself. Like please don’t be disillusioned by his young vampire age and leg. Not allowing Katrina to steamroll him was *chefs kiss*
- Ok, back to the climax, no spoiler but MAN my heart was READY for what would’ve happened if it was not THAT one but the other one who was needed. Can you imagine what Raphael would’ve had to DO to even allow any of the world saving actions to take place. Whew.
-Nalini, please bring back some of the sexy. Be like Justin Timberlake and bring sexy back. If this book is an indicator that it’s coming back, I’ll take it, but more please. You’re SO good at it!
- Top notch world building. You can FEEL yourself in this world. That feeling is unrivaled.
-Elena is getting so strong and growing into her power. I love it.
- (Redacted) is such an unknown gambit. I like how he has them on edge.
This is a hard one to rate. The Cadre, Raphael/Elena, The Seven, the climax and Vivek scenes scream 5 stars, but it was all kind of bogged down by rehashing and re-litigating her family dynamic. Thank goodness there was resolution there. Going forward Angel politics, history and mysteries are far, far more engaging for me.
Great installment!
May 5, 2024
I feel like if the only thing you have to write about/explore with a character is one traumatic event that happened when they were a child, you should stop writing the series.
We have already spent so many books in this series exploring Elena’s trauma with her family and dad; it’s been beaten to death and dragged through the mud and buried and dug back up and cremated. THINK OF SOMETHING ELSE ABOUT THIS CHARACTER TO WRITE ABOUT.
And honestly, Elena needs to go to therapy and move on with her life. At this rate, she’ll spend the entirety of her immortal life having flashbacks and crying about her mommy, and while that is completely valid, it’s a bit inconsistent with this strong, spine-of-steel, warrior character the author is trying to portray.
We have already spent so many books in this series exploring Elena’s trauma with her family and dad; it’s been beaten to death and dragged through the mud and buried and dug back up and cremated. THINK OF SOMETHING ELSE ABOUT THIS CHARACTER TO WRITE ABOUT.
And honestly, Elena needs to go to therapy and move on with her life. At this rate, she’ll spend the entirety of her immortal life having flashbacks and crying about her mommy, and while that is completely valid, it’s a bit inconsistent with this strong, spine-of-steel, warrior character the author is trying to portray.
May 6, 2024
Could it be that this series just doesn't work for me anymore? Book 16 of the Guild Hunter Series is about Elena & Raphael and I was really happy about this because book 15 only got two stars from me. It could only be better right?
I don't know really. I felt it to be a bit of filler although the plot was good, no complaints there. Finally after 16 books Elena has reconciled with her father and put her demons to rest. What I liked was that about over a decade had passed, so all of them were somewhat older.
I really do not know if I shall continue. Probably.
I don't know really. I felt it to be a bit of filler although the plot was good, no complaints there. Finally after 16 books Elena has reconciled with her father and put her demons to rest. What I liked was that about over a decade had passed, so all of them were somewhat older.
I really do not know if I shall continue. Probably.
April 30, 2024
Bir devrin kapanışıydı resmen...
Ve aradan 20 yıl geçtiği gerçeği...Aklıma ilk Sara geldi.40lı yaşlarda şimdi.Kızı Zoe artık bir yetişkin.Kız kardeşi Beth var birde.Saçlarında beyazlar gördüğü, dizlerinin ağrısından şikayet eden Beth.Çocuklar büyümüş, sevdikleri yaş almış😞Ah Elena...
Göreceli olarak pek konu vardı diyemem.Sakindi bence.Duygusal konular ön plandaydı diyebilirim.
Elena'nın babası kalp krizi geçirir.Aralarında çözülmemiş meseleler varken bu büyük bir darbe olur Elena'ya...Raphael'de yanında değildir.
Başta Sığınak olmak üzere dünya depremlerle sarsılır.Kadro çeşitli konularla uğraşırken Raphael'de Qin'in ülkesine kontrole gider.Sevdiceği acı çekerken uzak olmak da zor gelir.
Açıkçası bu kadar duygularını anlatan bir Raphael ilk defa görüyorum sanki.Elena'nın yanında olamamak yiyip bitirdi adamı.Birbirlerine karşı bu kadar açık olmalarını, aralarındaki bağın gelişmesini sevdim.
Beni en çok heyecanlandıran unsurlardan birisi de Vivek ve onun Leydi Katrina'sı...Katrina gizemli bir vampirdir.Soyu, nerden geldiği vs bilinmeyen bir kadın.Aralarında bir iki sahne okuduk ama ben kendi ikayeleri için şimdiden yerimi rezerve etmeye razıyım.
Aksiyondan çok sanki yeni bir olay örgüsünün başlangıcı için giriş kitabı gibiydi.Raphael ve Elena sahneleri 💓 Süpriz bir kişinin de ortaya çıkması ile fena bir okuma olmadı.
Ve aradan 20 yıl geçtiği gerçeği...Aklıma ilk Sara geldi.40lı yaşlarda şimdi.Kızı Zoe artık bir yetişkin.Kız kardeşi Beth var birde.Saçlarında beyazlar gördüğü, dizlerinin ağrısından şikayet eden Beth.Çocuklar büyümüş, sevdikleri yaş almış😞Ah Elena...
Göreceli olarak pek konu vardı diyemem.Sakindi bence.Duygusal konular ön plandaydı diyebilirim.
Elena'nın babası kalp krizi geçirir.Aralarında çözülmemiş meseleler varken bu büyük bir darbe olur Elena'ya...Raphael'de yanında değildir.
Başta Sığınak olmak üzere dünya depremlerle sarsılır.Kadro çeşitli konularla uğraşırken Raphael'de Qin'in ülkesine kontrole gider.Sevdiceği acı çekerken uzak olmak da zor gelir.
Açıkçası bu kadar duygularını anlatan bir Raphael ilk defa görüyorum sanki.Elena'nın yanında olamamak yiyip bitirdi adamı.Birbirlerine karşı bu kadar açık olmalarını, aralarındaki bağın gelişmesini sevdim.
Beni en çok heyecanlandıran unsurlardan birisi de Vivek ve onun Leydi Katrina'sı...Katrina gizemli bir vampirdir.Soyu, nerden geldiği vs bilinmeyen bir kadın.Aralarında bir iki sahne okuduk ama ben kendi ikayeleri için şimdiden yerimi rezerve etmeye razıyım.
Aksiyondan çok sanki yeni bir olay örgüsünün başlangıcı için giriş kitabı gibiydi.Raphael ve Elena sahneleri 💓 Süpriz bir kişinin de ortaya çıkması ile fena bir okuma olmadı.
April 26, 2024
Spoilers ahead, 2.5*
This is one of my top favourite series and couples so I was really excited to get more of my loves Raphael and Elena but I'm not sure how I feel about this
Over a decade after the war with she who shall not be named has passed
It took me forever and a day to get through
Two subplots one with Elena and her father finally finding forgiveness and hopefully forging a new relationship as they discuss their horrific past and Jeffrey's treatment of her in the aftermath
Secondly with worldwide natural disasters and the mantle that's kept angel kinds most precious secret fading it's clear the current cadre doesn't know all they need too of their own history. Another being is awakened to assist them.
Tbvh I was bored a lot of the time, so much repetition of things we already knew and confusion about the things we didn't ughhhhhh
I absolutely love this series but I dnf the one before this and struggled through this one 😭
This is one of my top favourite series and couples so I was really excited to get more of my loves Raphael and Elena but I'm not sure how I feel about this
Over a decade after the war with she who shall not be named has passed
It took me forever and a day to get through
Two subplots one with Elena and her father finally finding forgiveness and hopefully forging a new relationship as they discuss their horrific past and Jeffrey's treatment of her in the aftermath
Secondly with worldwide natural disasters and the mantle that's kept angel kinds most precious secret fading it's clear the current cadre doesn't know all they need too of their own history. Another being is awakened to assist them.
Tbvh I was bored a lot of the time, so much repetition of things we already knew and confusion about the things we didn't ughhhhhh
I absolutely love this series but I dnf the one before this and struggled through this one 😭
April 25, 2024
Peace, at last- or so they think until the earth rumbles beneath their feet and natural disasters begin plaguing the world. The Guild Hunter series by Nalini Singh remains a consistent page-turner wonder including this latest series installment.
Archangel’s Lineage is the sixteenth book in a series that feels like urban fantasy, but occasionally has crossed into the realm of paranormal romance to fit in an expanding cast of characters finding their happily ever after against the setting of global intrigue, world battles, and powerful immortal beings.
Archangel’s Lineage follows a large cast of recurring characters from the series led by Rafael and Elena and a few new players. Elena and Rafael are couple who have a deep and abiding love and partnership, but this latest situation has them mostly tested by being forced to work apart when Elena’s father from whom she’s estranged has a near fatal heart attack and his life is hanging in the balance.
This is perhaps Elena’s final chance to make peace within her family. She helps lead in Rafael’s absence caring for their beloved New York even while sitting at her father’s hospital bedside. Meanwhile Rafael and the other archangel’s attempt to mitigate the damage in their regions and hunt down answers for what seems intent on bringing down the world and the Refuge.
There is a sense of impending disaster and the tension mounts as the clock ticks on. Nalini Singh does such action-suspense with character and world background development all blended so well. The ‘villain’ was no person to fight, but the story was as riveting as ever as survival for all was the goal. The most powerful beings, archangels, are made to feel their own helplessness and struggle to survive like the weak human mortals and immortal angels and vampires who looked to them for a miracle. A miracle comes from ancient past to guide them and I can’t wait to see how this new development will affect the ongoing series.
A former minor Guild character who is a newly turned vamp and top hacker for Rafael’s crew and an enigmatic vampire get an emerging and intriguing secondary story that is ongoing. Oh look, the babies are entering adulthood years and Elena is facing her Guild Hunter friends and family growing old on her. There is a look in on how things are going for ‘Sparkle and Bluebell’ and some of the other couples like my favorite Titus and Lady Sharine. I was struck as Elena learned further how people, including Ilyium’s annoying narcissistic father, are not only black and white, but have surprising depths. And, oh, that brief mention of a creepy archangel of disease makes me curious for what will come in the future.
Another abso-fab entry in the series that fans will devour. I can’t wait for the next installment and heartily recommend this series to both paranormal romance and urban fantasy fans who enjoy angel and vampire warrior and romance action.
I rec'd an eARC via NetGalley to read in exchange for an honest review.
My full review will post at Caffeinated Reviewer 4.24.24.
Archangel’s Lineage is the sixteenth book in a series that feels like urban fantasy, but occasionally has crossed into the realm of paranormal romance to fit in an expanding cast of characters finding their happily ever after against the setting of global intrigue, world battles, and powerful immortal beings.
Archangel’s Lineage follows a large cast of recurring characters from the series led by Rafael and Elena and a few new players. Elena and Rafael are couple who have a deep and abiding love and partnership, but this latest situation has them mostly tested by being forced to work apart when Elena’s father from whom she’s estranged has a near fatal heart attack and his life is hanging in the balance.
This is perhaps Elena’s final chance to make peace within her family. She helps lead in Rafael’s absence caring for their beloved New York even while sitting at her father’s hospital bedside. Meanwhile Rafael and the other archangel’s attempt to mitigate the damage in their regions and hunt down answers for what seems intent on bringing down the world and the Refuge.
There is a sense of impending disaster and the tension mounts as the clock ticks on. Nalini Singh does such action-suspense with character and world background development all blended so well. The ‘villain’ was no person to fight, but the story was as riveting as ever as survival for all was the goal. The most powerful beings, archangels, are made to feel their own helplessness and struggle to survive like the weak human mortals and immortal angels and vampires who looked to them for a miracle. A miracle comes from ancient past to guide them and I can’t wait to see how this new development will affect the ongoing series.
A former minor Guild character who is a newly turned vamp and top hacker for Rafael’s crew and an enigmatic vampire get an emerging and intriguing secondary story that is ongoing. Oh look, the babies are entering adulthood years and Elena is facing her Guild Hunter friends and family growing old on her. There is a look in on how things are going for ‘Sparkle and Bluebell’ and some of the other couples like my favorite Titus and Lady Sharine. I was struck as Elena learned further how people, including Ilyium’s annoying narcissistic father, are not only black and white, but have surprising depths. And, oh, that brief mention of a creepy archangel of disease makes me curious for what will come in the future.
Another abso-fab entry in the series that fans will devour. I can’t wait for the next installment and heartily recommend this series to both paranormal romance and urban fantasy fans who enjoy angel and vampire warrior and romance action.
I rec'd an eARC via NetGalley to read in exchange for an honest review.
My full review will post at Caffeinated Reviewer 4.24.24.
May 5, 2024
This book felt like an end of an Era.
I’m wiping away tears as I write this review because I just finished this book. This book was emotional yet gripping and Nalini should be proud. The emotionally charged moment because Elena and her human family mixed with the drama unfolding for the Cadre was masterful. I also love the addition of Vivek’s POV that you got sprinkled in. At this point- if you made it to book 16 you are already invested in the series, but even then, this book was truly great.
I’m trying so hard to not spoil this book since I read an ARC, but I felt like Nalini wrapped the series up in a way. She left the world open for potential, but it also felt like she ended all of the major issues and brought in a potential for peace in a way that no previous book did. I’m not sure what her intentions are, but if this is the end it is quite a satisfying one. But if it is also just the start of something new? Well I won’t complain.
I’m wiping away tears as I write this review because I just finished this book. This book was emotional yet gripping and Nalini should be proud. The emotionally charged moment because Elena and her human family mixed with the drama unfolding for the Cadre was masterful. I also love the addition of Vivek’s POV that you got sprinkled in. At this point- if you made it to book 16 you are already invested in the series, but even then, this book was truly great.
I’m trying so hard to not spoil this book since I read an ARC, but I felt like Nalini wrapped the series up in a way. She left the world open for potential, but it also felt like she ended all of the major issues and brought in a potential for peace in a way that no previous book did. I’m not sure what her intentions are, but if this is the end it is quite a satisfying one. But if it is also just the start of something new? Well I won’t complain.
November 15, 2023
Received an ARC from Netgalley
I don't know if this is the last book in the series, but it kind of felt like the last book in the series. I enjoy the books about Elena and Raphael more than any of the others (though I do enjoy the others), so it was nice to get back to a book focusing on them and their relationship. It was also nice to have a book that wasn't back to back to back war/violence. While there are certainly catastrophes in the book, it wasn't constant battle which is a nice change from several of the recent books in the series. A lot of this book is about Elena coming to terms with what it means to be an immortal while all of her family and friends (okay, most of her family and friends) are mortal and aging. I was a little disappointed in the Jeffrey/Elena storyline as the timing seemed a little off to me - why when Jeffrey almost died rather than the two times Elena was basically comatose? It just seemed a little odd to me.
I don't know if this is the last book in the series, but it kind of felt like the last book in the series. I enjoy the books about Elena and Raphael more than any of the others (though I do enjoy the others), so it was nice to get back to a book focusing on them and their relationship. It was also nice to have a book that wasn't back to back to back war/violence. While there are certainly catastrophes in the book, it wasn't constant battle which is a nice change from several of the recent books in the series. A lot of this book is about Elena coming to terms with what it means to be an immortal while all of her family and friends (okay, most of her family and friends) are mortal and aging. I was a little disappointed in the Jeffrey/Elena storyline as the timing seemed a little off to me - why when Jeffrey almost died rather than the two times Elena was basically comatose? It just seemed a little odd to me.
May 12, 2025
This feels.a lot like an ending , all the issues left open from previous books are all tied up here in a nice beat bow. Elena and Raphael do deserve their happily every after but I will be sorry if this so the last of them. There is scope for another story, Vivek, Elena's friend finalised an appearance after his transition so fingers crossed. I hate the ends of series and when I know.it's the last book I usually leave it on my to be read like (so I don't have to say goodbye to enveryone) so here's hoping that the series continues, .maybe not with Elena and Raphael at its core but others of this amazing world who deserve to have their H.E.A.
April 28, 2024
3.5 stars
I struggled with how I felt about this book. Despite there seeming to be a lot happening:
- Jeffrey's heart attack
- Seismic forward movement in Jeffrey and Elena's relationship
- New archangel with surprising revelations
- New information about Angelkind
- Elena (hopefully) getting to the final stage of grief -- Acceptance -- with the death of her mother and sisters.
It felt like it meandered and it took too much time to feel like something was actually happening.
I think part of it is because felt repetitive in places. Every time a character came on scene we got a mini-biography of them or a recap of a seminal moment of theirs from a previous book. Or we'd get Elena's feelings about someone only to be reminded of those feelings a few chapters later. Or we's get these 'interludes' that were just side snippets of random characters. I listed on audio and there were several places I simply zoned out and had to rewind.
But for what there was, I actually did enjoy the new information. I enjoyed the scenes with Elena and Jeffrey and all of Deveraux family interactions.
I liked the intro of the new Archangel and his surprising connection to Elena and Ralph as well as what his presence set off. Curious as if we will get to meet his consort.
I really liked that last 20% of the book and curious to see what that portends of the future of Angelkind.
A few other things I liked...
The closer look at Vivek and how he is adapting to vampirism.
And also, I either lost track of the timeline in this series or this is a major jump forward in time because Elena is musing on being consort for two decades, Zoe is in her twenties (she was a toddler last time I knew), Amy is married with kids. So that was a bit of a shock but it ties in nicely with the plot of Elena accepting the death of her mother and sisters because she is also, low key coming to grips with living on as an immortal while watching all the people she loves aging around her.
So while there were some things I really enjoyed about this installment -- and I usually like the Elena/Rafe stuff more than the side couples -- it was sometimes hard to stay engaged.
And an on more shallow note Nalini Singh, ILY, but dang... if I never see the word 'obsidian' in a book again, I'll be fine. This book has overfilled my quota.
I struggled with how I felt about this book. Despite there seeming to be a lot happening:
- Jeffrey's heart attack
- Seismic forward movement in Jeffrey and Elena's relationship
- New archangel with surprising revelations
- New information about Angelkind
- Elena (hopefully) getting to the final stage of grief -- Acceptance -- with the death of her mother and sisters.
It felt like it meandered and it took too much time to feel like something was actually happening.
I think part of it is because felt repetitive in places. Every time a character came on scene we got a mini-biography of them or a recap of a seminal moment of theirs from a previous book. Or we'd get Elena's feelings about someone only to be reminded of those feelings a few chapters later. Or we's get these 'interludes' that were just side snippets of random characters. I listed on audio and there were several places I simply zoned out and had to rewind.
But for what there was, I actually did enjoy the new information. I enjoyed the scenes with Elena and Jeffrey and all of Deveraux family interactions.
I liked the intro of the new Archangel and his surprising connection to Elena and Ralph as well as what his presence set off. Curious as if we will get to meet his consort.
I really liked that last 20% of the book and curious to see what that portends of the future of Angelkind.
A few other things I liked...
The closer look at Vivek and how he is adapting to vampirism.
And also, I either lost track of the timeline in this series or this is a major jump forward in time because Elena is musing on being consort for two decades, Zoe is in her twenties (she was a toddler last time I knew), Amy is married with kids. So that was a bit of a shock but it ties in nicely with the plot of Elena accepting the death of her mother and sisters because she is also, low key coming to grips with living on as an immortal while watching all the people she loves aging around her.
So while there were some things I really enjoyed about this installment -- and I usually like the Elena/Rafe stuff more than the side couples -- it was sometimes hard to stay engaged.
And an on more shallow note Nalini Singh, ILY, but dang... if I never see the word 'obsidian' in a book again, I'll be fine. This book has overfilled my quota.
April 27, 2024
I think this is the second most beautiful book in the series. I was really happy to see Elena close some old wounds, and I’m hopeful that we can now move on from the past. I also think that this book did some thing this series and the other series by Nalini has been lacking in the last few books. It has set up the anticipation for the next book and I am very much looking forward to it.
Edit 4/27: I’ve had a chance to do a reread, and it almost feels like a farewell to our favorite mortal characters. It would not surprise me if the next book had an even bigger time jump. 100 years? The series needs some new characters I think to keep the story moving forward. I’m excited to see what the new overall story arc will be.
Edit 4/27: I’ve had a chance to do a reread, and it almost feels like a farewell to our favorite mortal characters. It would not surprise me if the next book had an even bigger time jump. 100 years? The series needs some new characters I think to keep the story moving forward. I’m excited to see what the new overall story arc will be.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 13, 2025
Después de todas las luchas, las guerras, las perdidas y las reconstrucciones, la cátedra decidió celebrar con una "baile" su próxima reunión y escogieron como lugar para celebrar, El Refugio. Sin embargo, un fuerte y extenso terremoto puso en pausa todas las celebraciones, y activo todas las alarmas de los arcángeles con respecto al Refugio y el futuro del mundo. Así que intentando soportar todos los cataclismos que ocurren en cada reino, los arcángeles se han enfocado en la búsqueda de la razón de los mismos, sin saber que es posible que solo los mas Ancianos de la raza conozcan la respuesta. Pero, serán capaces de encontrar la solución antes de que el mundo que conocemos se acabe? Que deberán hacer para lograrlo? Podrán soportar la presión de no saber todas las respuestas?
Esto es lo que yo llamo un libro epílogo. Un final después del final, la última oportunidad de saber que ha pasado con nuestros "héroes" y como se ha comportado el mundo. Y sin embargo, se enfoca en otros comienzos, otras historias posibles, otros personajes que podrán darle al autor formas de extender el universo un poco mas.
Me gusto bastante la forma como se logro abarcar tanto sin exagerar, y responder muchas de las preguntas que quedaron pendientes y cerrar así una larga serie. Me gusto mucho que reaparecieran los personajes humanos, y sus hijos. También el "final feliz" que le dieron a Elena y Jeffrey.
Así que si, voy a dejar los próximos libros (que seguro seguirá publicando) para otra oportunidad, y voy a enfocarme en cerrar esta serie con todas las historias cortas que hay dentro de este tiempo y este universo.
Esto es lo que yo llamo un libro epílogo. Un final después del final, la última oportunidad de saber que ha pasado con nuestros "héroes" y como se ha comportado el mundo. Y sin embargo, se enfoca en otros comienzos, otras historias posibles, otros personajes que podrán darle al autor formas de extender el universo un poco mas.
Me gusto bastante la forma como se logro abarcar tanto sin exagerar, y responder muchas de las preguntas que quedaron pendientes y cerrar así una larga serie. Me gusto mucho que reaparecieran los personajes humanos, y sus hijos. También el "final feliz" que le dieron a Elena y Jeffrey.
Así que si, voy a dejar los próximos libros (que seguro seguirá publicando) para otra oportunidad, y voy a enfocarme en cerrar esta serie con todas las historias cortas que hay dentro de este tiempo y este universo.
January 16, 2025
I have been reading this series from the start and book one through book 13 has been a great series. Things started taking a turn for me around book 14, less engaging, plot needed a new direction, just overall lack luster.
With the exception of the ascension of a new archangel, the book barely held my attention. It may be time to end the series. I don’t think I will be reading the next one.
With the exception of the ascension of a new archangel, the book barely held my attention. It may be time to end the series. I don’t think I will be reading the next one.
August 15, 2025
3.5 stars
So, this one was kinda boring and featured a pretty big time jump from the last, so there's this gap of time that means nothing
So, this one was kinda boring and featured a pretty big time jump from the last, so there's this gap of time that means nothing
April 14, 2024
Angels live for a very, very long time, so it’s not surprising that Singh jumps readers ahead in time, setting Archangel’s Lineage about 20 years after start of the Guild Hunter series, and roughly ten years since the end of the last Cascade. Things have settled down, and it’s a time of peace. I love that Lijuan and her reborn and Charisemnon’s poisons are finally gone. Yet, the earth itself seems unsettled and something is coming.
Archangel’s Lineage is one of my favorites of the series, and the best book since the Cascade and War. The series finally moves forward and away from the Cascade. It also reads like a series closer. Almost all of the players in Raphael and Elena’s lives are present. We get updates on nearly everyone. There is also substantial growth in Elena’s relationship with her family. There is world peace and it feels like things could be stable for a while. It really could be the last book, but in her March 26th newsletter, Singh makes reference to the next Guild Hunter book.
With that said, something is happening that threatens the very lives of all angels. The world itself is changing, and it is dire. I appreciate that it doesn’t appear to be someone gone rogue or evil. It’s new and different and no one knows what to do. This makes the story unique and so exciting.
I have loved Raphael and Elena since the first book in the Guild Hunter series. They make the series better, and I am so glad Singh has returns us to their story. Their love continues to grow and mature with each book. Elena is still learning, and I appreciate that she still isn’t a “full grown” angel. I love that the author has made her vulnerable, yet strong and tough. And Raphael loves her so much. It’s wonderful to see them working together and also independently for the greater good. They recognize each other’s strengths and complement one another.
And although the story had a lot of closure, there are openings for the future ushered in by two new characters. Katrina is a very old, very powerful vampire who has moved into NY during the ten or so years since the previous book. She’s runs a vampire sex club and trades in information. And she’s caught the attention of Vivek. Vivek is still dealing with his injuries, despite being Made. We see more of him and his darker side. I’m hoping we get their story soon.
Additionally, we meet a long-Sleeping Archangel who has deep connections to Raphael and the Legion. He’s mysterious and different. I don’t know quite what to think yet. But he’s planning on sticking around for a bit so we shall learn more.
In the end, I am so thankful that Singh gives us another round of Raphael and Elena. They are one of my super couples of romance and the stories shine when they are the central focus.
My Rating: B
Review copy provided by publisher
Originally posted at That's What I'm Talking About
Archangel’s Lineage is one of my favorites of the series, and the best book since the Cascade and War. The series finally moves forward and away from the Cascade. It also reads like a series closer. Almost all of the players in Raphael and Elena’s lives are present. We get updates on nearly everyone. There is also substantial growth in Elena’s relationship with her family. There is world peace and it feels like things could be stable for a while. It really could be the last book, but in her March 26th newsletter, Singh makes reference to the next Guild Hunter book.
With that said, something is happening that threatens the very lives of all angels. The world itself is changing, and it is dire. I appreciate that it doesn’t appear to be someone gone rogue or evil. It’s new and different and no one knows what to do. This makes the story unique and so exciting.
I have loved Raphael and Elena since the first book in the Guild Hunter series. They make the series better, and I am so glad Singh has returns us to their story. Their love continues to grow and mature with each book. Elena is still learning, and I appreciate that she still isn’t a “full grown” angel. I love that the author has made her vulnerable, yet strong and tough. And Raphael loves her so much. It’s wonderful to see them working together and also independently for the greater good. They recognize each other’s strengths and complement one another.
And although the story had a lot of closure, there are openings for the future ushered in by two new characters. Katrina is a very old, very powerful vampire who has moved into NY during the ten or so years since the previous book. She’s runs a vampire sex club and trades in information. And she’s caught the attention of Vivek. Vivek is still dealing with his injuries, despite being Made. We see more of him and his darker side. I’m hoping we get their story soon.
Additionally, we meet a long-Sleeping Archangel who has deep connections to Raphael and the Legion. He’s mysterious and different. I don’t know quite what to think yet. But he’s planning on sticking around for a bit so we shall learn more.
In the end, I am so thankful that Singh gives us another round of Raphael and Elena. They are one of my super couples of romance and the stories shine when they are the central focus.
My Rating: B
Review copy provided by publisher
Originally posted at That's What I'm Talking About
September 16, 2024
Rafael and Elena just keep me coming back time and again. They are one of my favorite couples and make this series one of my favorites. I'm looking forward to the next one.
August 12, 2024
16 books in and I still haven’t gotten my fill of this world. But in a word, this 16th novel in my cherised Guild Hunter world is... Wholesome.
Despite there being challenges for all the beloved characters, this book wasn’t As heavy on the drama as some of the previous novels, which I think was good for once. This gave me the opportunity to truly enjoy being back with Elena and Raphael and I’m glad to see that especially on Elena’s part, there’s somewhat of a full circle. I liked that Nalini spend time on all this, finally.
But greedy as I am, I really don’t think I'll ever get enough of this world and I’ll always want more :)
But yes… this was a truly Wholesome experience and a joy to read.
Despite there being challenges for all the beloved characters, this book wasn’t As heavy on the drama as some of the previous novels, which I think was good for once. This gave me the opportunity to truly enjoy being back with Elena and Raphael and I’m glad to see that especially on Elena’s part, there’s somewhat of a full circle. I liked that Nalini spend time on all this, finally.
But greedy as I am, I really don’t think I'll ever get enough of this world and I’ll always want more :)
But yes… this was a truly Wholesome experience and a joy to read.
April 29, 2024
I didn't like it.
There was too much emotional stuff going on and not enough action. It could have been better.
There was too much emotional stuff going on and not enough action. It could have been better.
May 2, 2024
I hate everyone who reads this before me.
omgomgomg
Yessssssss
cover looks really good - 8/19/23
5/2/2024
So, I'm so up in the air about it. It isn't bad but sometimes she writes her MC and gets finds way to get bogged down by the past in an unhelpful way. Something that doesn't beat well. I like the resolution but the constant everybody gonna die omg omg omg. Just becomes a lot to deal with. I think my favorite part was with her sister and her best friend and I wish we had more scenes of that. I'd have love to see her with the younger kids and meeting the childern of her sisters a bit more. the interaction moment were really great I'd love to see more family coming together moments with step mom and the sister and the best friend. I'm just done with jeffery. Even before this happen I was done with him. I get he's complex, I get all of it.
Solid 4, well written interesting wrap up of sorts to main plot. I felt like in parts it was a bit of a info dump that could have been stretch between 3 book peace arc. we had so much stuff that we sorta knew but also could have given her other task and let us ferret out a bit of this larger info. I just felt like there's maybe 50 pages of actual book massive word count of dreg and bog down on omg everyones gonna die. And most of those people aren't actually in real right now danger. (oh and 17ish pages of a side plot romance with the tech guy which i'd like to read)
omgomgomg
Yessssssss
cover looks really good - 8/19/23
5/2/2024
So, I'm so up in the air about it. It isn't bad but sometimes she writes her MC and gets finds way to get bogged down by the past in an unhelpful way. Something that doesn't beat well. I like the resolution but the constant everybody gonna die omg omg omg. Just becomes a lot to deal with. I think my favorite part was with her sister and her best friend and I wish we had more scenes of that. I'd have love to see her with the younger kids and meeting the childern of her sisters a bit more. the interaction moment were really great I'd love to see more family coming together moments with step mom and the sister and the best friend. I'm just done with jeffery. Even before this happen I was done with him. I get he's complex, I get all of it.
Solid 4, well written interesting wrap up of sorts to main plot. I felt like in parts it was a bit of a info dump that could have been stretch between 3 book peace arc. we had so much stuff that we sorta knew but also could have given her other task and let us ferret out a bit of this larger info. I just felt like there's maybe 50 pages of actual book massive word count of dreg and bog down on omg everyones gonna die. And most of those people aren't actually in real right now danger. (oh and 17ish pages of a side plot romance with the tech guy which i'd like to read)
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