Author: Nalini Singh
Pages: 324 pages; 35 chapters
Release Date: January 25, 2011
Synopsis:
Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux and her lover, the lethally beautiful archangel Raphael, have returned home to New York only to face an uncompromising new evil…
A vampire has attacked a girls’ school—the assault one of sheer, vicious madness—and it is only the first act. Rampant bloodlust takes vampire after vampire, threatening to make the streets run with blood. Then Raphael himself begins to show signs of an uncontrolled rage, as inexplicable storms darken the city skyline and the earth itself shudders. The omens are suddenly terrifyingly clear.
An ancient and malevolent immortal is rising. The violent winds whisper her name: Caliane. She has returned to reclaim her son, Raphael. Only one thing stands in her way: Elena, the consort who must be destroyed…
--SPOILERS FOR ANGELS' BLOOD AND ARCHANGEL'S KISS--
Cover:
The cover is perfect. It portrays Elena the exact way I pictured her. I'm so glad her wings look better on this cover than they did on Archangel's Kiss. Now, when Singh says her wings are the color of midnight to dawn, you can see they go from black to indigo to gold to white. Even the details of her weapons are spot on. The arm sheaths for her knives and her knew mini crossbow that shoots knives. The picture on the cover actually holds some significance in the book as a painting hanging in Raphael's room.
Setting:
I've always enjoyed the world Singh has created. Archangel's rule regions of the world as the Cadre. Angels are under their rule and they make vampires who serve the angels. She makes the angels seem so majestic and beautiful while also instilling a sense of fear and intimidation.
Plot and Story:
The story is always exciting and full of character development. Elena's strength is growing and she is settling into her immortality and Raphael, though becoming mortal and weaker in some ways because of Elena, is gaining new abilities and a new found strength. They're both unused to sharing knowledge and power with others but they are quickly learning that together they are far stronger and can accomplish anything. Elena is still haunted by her past and her familial problems do not get solved in this book. We get to learn more about Raphael's mother Caliane through Raphael's memories of her (which still haunt him much like Elena's).
Characters:
I always enjoy the character dynamics of this series. Singh had me laughing at their interactions and biting my lip at some of the sexy things they say and do. I like that Singh made each character different i.e. each angel has a different wing pattern and color, vampires have different abilities and physical characteristics depending on who made them. Favorite characters other than Elena and Raphael? I'd have to say Illium, Venom, Dmitri, Jason, and Ransom. I love how they banter with each other.
Ransom really looked at the other man for the first time, shook his head, stared again.“Holy hell, your eyes are like a fucking viper’s.”My favorite thing about the way they communicate is their mental connections. I like that Raphael is mentally connected to his Seven and that he and Elena frequently communicate in each other's minds. It adds an extra sense of intimacy. Like this...
Venom raised an eyebrow. “You have hair prettier than one of Astaad’s concubines.”
Ransom gave the vampire the finger.
Venom grinned.
Come to me after your talk with Sara. I would hold you.Man sure knows how to make a girl swoon.
Cliffhanger:
There isn't really a cliffhanger at the end of this book but, like many in a series, it is open ended. You find out some interesting things about Elena's family and Raphael's. I'm very interested to see what Singh has in store for my favorite angel couple.
Likes/Dislikes:
I like the way Raphael talks, does that seem weird? The way he talks makes him sound like an immortal, if that makes any sense. You need an example, you say? Okay...
"Death holds no allure for me, Elena.” The power of him cut against his skin, a cold white fire. “Not when I have yet to sate my hunger for you."I like that Raphael still turns to Elena for her hunting abilities. He acknowledges that she is Hunter born and Angel made and it really helps their relationship grow. He accepts her for who she is and we love him for it...that's right, I said we. I love the detail in the character descriptions and how she's molded their surrounding environment to accommodate them i.e. large doors for wings, large beds, large baths, custom made chairs, and the clothing they wear. The only semi negative thing I can think of to say is that she is a little too repetitive with certain descriptions. In the first half of the book she describes Elena's wings as "midnight and dawn" a little too often for me.
What I Hope To See Next:
Aside from the obvious things I'd like to see regarding the direction of the story, I'd like to see something or someone test Raphael and Elena's relationship (not that they haven't been tested in the past) and have them overcome it. I'd also like to learn more about Illium and Jason's past and see them have a happy ending.
Snippet:
For the first time in forever, he was stunned to silence. Not by her words, but by the tenderness in her hands, the worry in her eyes. He was an archangel. He'd been wounded far, far worse and shrugged it off. But then, there had been no woman with skin kissed by the sunset and eyes of storm gray to tear into him for daring to get himself hurt.
