Archangel's Consort (Guild Hunter Series #3)

The third Archangel Guild Hunter fantasy is a terrific entry

Following the harrowing battle with the ancient Archangel of China Lijuan, miraculously newly made Angel Elena Deveraux the Guild Hunter and the Archangel of New York Raphael are recovering from their devastating confrontation with the Archangel of China, Lijuan (see Archangel's Kiss). However, though they sort of won the battle, Lijuan remains dangerous as she has evolved into something beyond the ken of the archangels.

Elena continues her training as an angel, but refuses to hand in her Guild Hunter membership. At the same time vampires are caught up in unheard of blood lust frenzies and too frequently natural disasters are everywhere. Raphael fears the rise of a long dormant insane ancient archangel he knows personally.

The third Archangel Guild Hunter fantasy (see Angel's Blood) is a terrific entry as the lead couple continues to grow separately and as a loving team. The story line is fast-paced with a strong mystery and a great twist to what is the cause of the vampire enigma. The support cast is very strong with distinct personalities as this series remains one of the best with the current entry affirming that for delighted fans of Nalini Singh.

Harriet Klausner

7 out of 7 people found this review helpful.

The Only Thing Exciting About This Book is the Cover

I suggest you read the previous books in the series (novella- Angel's Pawn, Angel's Blood and Angel's Kiss) prior to reading this installment. I procrastinated to read this series. I enjoy it but this series never really grabs me. While reading this installment, I kept wondering where the story was headed. It just seem to be a whole lot of nothing. Nothing really seemed to happen, there was hardly any action and it sucks when the heroine is as weak as a babe. A major negative about this series is it has too many flashbacks and internal dialog; and most of the times Raphael's mood swings so frequently, at times he's downright schizophrenic. The majority of the book was sex and pillow talk with a few sprinkles of random violence but not enough to keep me completely interested. I need to enjoy the books I read and not have them feel like a chore. I really wanted to continue to like this series, however, it's just not happening. Therefore, I regretfully banish this series from my reading list. I will miss Elena and her sleek black wings but the storyline just isn't strong enough to continually lure my attention, pique my interest and make me want to invest my time into the series.

5 out of 8 people found this review helpful.

So, so

I was waiting for this book right after I finished the second one. It was mediocre for me. The descriptions just kept going on and on. Just things in the story were too repetitive for me. I'm kind of disappointed that it wasn't as good as the other two books in the series. =/

4 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

Guild Hunter series continues to soar on wings of ...well, you know.

To build a fictional world with fully realized characters that seem to live and breathe beyond the pages of a book, that linger in the reader's mind longer after the book is closed (or the NOOK is put to sleep!) takes great talent. Nalini Singh deserves great praise for her Psy/Changeling series which has given and continues to give life to a sprawling cast of characters that includes the cold and emotionless Psy, the sexy and half wild everything-for-Pack Changelings, and, in this futuristic world, the lowest on the totem pole Humans. To have succeeded with the best world-building I've read in paranormal romance once is an accomplishment...but to have started another series of the same depth is extraordinary. With Angels' Blood, Singh introduced us to Elena Deveraux, a hunter-born who serves the Guild whose job is to hunt down rogue vampires and return them to their contract holders, the Angels who made them. She accepts a job for the Archangel of New York, Raphael who smashes any image the reader previously had of angels and introduces them to a world of beauty and danger beyond a mortal's imagination. With a little help from her friends, Elena barely survives the first book and Singh kicks it up a notch in bk. 2, Archangel's Kiss in which we see the relationship between Raphael and his hunter develop more despite the doubts of the entire population of the Sanctuary. Here we see how Angel society works,and we watch Raphael's Seven endeavor to train Elena in all the skills she'll need to survive if she remains at Raphael's side even though they believe that she weakens him. It has kick-ass action, emotional storms as we continue to see Elena's tragic backstory unfold, and a villainous Angel that causes even other Archangels to fear for the world. The third book, Archangel's Consort, continues with Nalini's standard of excellence and raises the bar for every other writer of paranormal romance. Raphael and Elena's romance really has no compare amongst the books I've read; Patricia Briggs' Adam and Mercy, and her Alpha and Omega couple Charles and Anna are the only ones that come close and as they're considered paranormal scifi, the emphasis is not on the romance even though these stories continue to enthrall. Both Raphael and Elena continue to struggle with their past mutual histories of abandonment (oh, the importance of Mother-love!) which makes their commitment that "if we fall, we fall together" the most romantic of vows. Elena returns to a very human New York and doesn't know if she can still fit in while also being tormented with the reminder that those mortals she loves will eventually age and die while she will go on. And, of course, the plot about the awakening of a sleeping Ancient who went to ground because she was mad (yeah, most definitely the "crazy" kind)and whose stirring from slumber affects world-wide weather and sends normally sane vampires into a killing blood-lust also adds to the overall excitement. Always welcome is the view of Elena's Guild friends, Sara & Deacon and their Zoe along with Ransom, Ash and the disabled guardian of the Guild's underground, Vivek (ooh, there's a fantastic story just waiting to be told!); and every detail about Raphael's dedicated, deliciously decadent, and always dangerous 7 is to be savored like chococlate brushed with Angel dust. Yummmmm!!! I've already read my advanced reading copy twice; on 01/25/11 you, too, can savor.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Beautifully Written!

What intrigued me most about Archangel's Consort, is the writing. Singh's writing style is Dark, Passionate, Sensual, Emotional, Highly Descriptive...and so much more. As a reader, I felt the emotions of the characters, even the minor ones, as though I was living in their shoes.

Now that Elena is back in New York, she reluctantly realizes how much her life has changed in such a short time. Elena is not just an angel. She is the first ever "made" angel in history as well as the consort to her Archangel, Raphael. The passion between Elena and Raphael is on full blast, and the love Elena feels for her angel is both powerful and intense. Elena's emotions are laid bare in this book, revealing a damaged girl who continues to harbor feelings of fear, resentment, and hurt from her childhood. So many things come to light, especially when Elena's father reveals a family secret, one that Elena must face head on.

Raphael, in my opinion, turns over a new leaf in Archangel's Consort. Raphael is an angel in love and has no qualms about hiding it, nor demolishing those that seek to destroy his relationship with Elena. A softer, more compassionate side to Raphael is revealed, much different from the overly intense Raphael in book #1, Angel's Blood. On more than one occasion, Raphael even jokes around with Elena. As their bond grows, however, Raphael finds it harder and harder to heal himself after injury. In addition, massive storms, crazy vampires, and murders are happening all over the world. Raphael knows immediately who the threat is, his own mother, the monster of all monsters. Raphael knows what must be done, but what alludes him is if he has the strength and heart to do it.

Archangel's Consort confirmed how much I absolutely love this series and I cannot wait to read it again and again. I loved the intensity of the characters, the romance, the emotions, the lurking threat of doom, and so much more. Also, Illium gets some stage time, and as always, Bluebells shines. Dmitri, Jason, and Aodhan also pop in and out, along with Illium's mother, Hummingbird, which by the way, I'm dying to know her secrets, because apparently she's got alot of them. My only complaint with Archangel's Consort would have to be the pacing, which could have been a bit faster. Other than that, this was a wonderful read. Nalini Singh's Guild Hunter series is a "must" for all Paranormal Romance fans. Next up is Dmitri's story, Archangel's Blade scheduled to release September of 2011' and I cannot be more excited!!

Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

great book!

must read this is a good book

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

LOVED IT!!

I have loved every book by Nalini Singh that I have read and this one did not disappoint. The relationship between Raphael and Elena was so raw and honest that at times I felt like a peeping tom. The characters felt real and not just the main characters, but the supporting characters as well. I can not recommend this book highly enough! Hope this helps :)

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Another fantastic read from Nalini Singh

Continuing the story of Guild Hunter Elena Deveraux and archangel Raphael, Ms. Singh delivers a fast paced, exciting trip into her realm of angels and vampires. This book is darker than her Psy/Changeling series but will not disappoint paranormal fans as she draws vibrant images of the world she has created. The continuing development of the relationship between Elena and Raphael is fun to read and allows the reader to feel more deeply connected with the characters first introduced in Archangel's Kiss and Angel's Blood. Readers who have not read the previous novels may find the list of characters a bit confusing and I highly recommend reading the previous two books to fully understand the progression of the story. As with her other novels I found myself reading late into the night to finish it. Overall a great addition to her collection of books. For Psy/Changeling fans there is an excerpt from Kiss of Snow and it makes the wait for that book even harder.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

CANT WAIT!!!

This is a great series into an alternate world. The guild hunter series is a fresh idea with lots of action, wit and spice!!! I read the first two so fast I had to reread them over and over and over, just so I could apease my appetite for the third!!! I am so excited I pre-ordered this book the day it was release!!! Don't miss out!!!

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

I love this series

The books in this series just keep getting better. I love the characters and the "magic" system both. I also like the fact that Elena has to work w/ her angelic powers and doesn't automatically know how to handle the wings and the other changes. I also liked the parallels between her father-daughter and Raphael's mother-son stories.

Pages missing

Pages torn out of the book toward the end. That's why I have to order the second book.

Archangel’s Consort the third in Nalini Singh’s Hunt

Archangel’s Consort the third in Nalini Singh’s Hunter’s Guild Series promises much. Fortunately, Ms Singh delivers. This was an ambition third book about Raphael and Elena. When one writes a series based on two main characters it is easy to get repetitive. To intrigue the readers with a promise of something then once the story gets going it’s the same old same old. Writing a fresh new book and yet maintaining the characters the readers love is a tightrope act and Ms Singh manages it without a net.

Raphael and Elena have left the Refuge, have battled Lijuan and won. While Elena remains an immortal with a human heart it seems The Seven and the Cadre both wonder at Raphael’s “humanity”. He gets injured easier and doesn’t heal as fast and yet Raphael willingly accepts the changes. To him the trade off of a life with Elena is well worth it. He does have to accept that Elena is not a gentle soul, she is hunter born and she must work.

Elena, no matter that she is secure in Raphael’s love and can hold her own in just about any situation still trembles at the mess of her family life. Betrayed by a father who wouldn’t accept her she still needs to care for them. Finding out her sister’s school was attacked and two children murdered, one looking suspiciously like her youngest sister sends Elena’s protective mode into overdrive. She is determined to find the monsters who would hurt children. Then she finds that her father has been keeping secrets and it almost breaks her

The hunt is on and yet it seems there is more in the wind. Earthquakes, Tsunami’s, Hurricanes.. one natural disaster after another an ancient is waking and no one is sure who it is or whether that immortal will awake to madness. The immortal community fear it is Raphael’s mother an ancient before he was ever born. Having gone to sleep more than once and the last time being just a wee bit mad when she went. After the battle with Lijuan no one is sure they will be even able to neutralize a true ancient. And yet, the rules demand.. when an ancient is sleeping one does not hunt them down and kill them. They must be allowed to awake.

There is scheming and intrigue, politics and hints of war. No one is sure what is going on or who is behind it. Everyone WANTS to blame Caliane (Raphael’s mother). The worst part is because when an ancient awakes, the weather is effected, acting like a barometer. The stronger the Angel the worse the side affects. Strong stable angels acting out of character. Whacko ones, well they just get wackier..

Ms Singh leads us on a delightful trip of discovery, decadence and desire. Wrapping her characters in intrigue and drama.. teasing us with one scenario and then taking it back and offering another. Temptation is around every corner.. promises made with a sly wink and a lifted brow.. almost daring us to believe. This story is not a fairytale with love and romance wafting around every corner. It is darker, deeper, edgier and yet remains in essence a story of two individuals creating a family. I am so very glad that I gave this series a chance because it twists me up every chance it gets. I would most definitely suggest you read this book, as per my norm I suggest you read the series in order but.. it stands brilliantly on it’s own.

Shauni

Jakai

This was a really good book. You see that not only the terror of Elenas' past is haunting her, but just how good it used to be may be her biggest obstacle. This book is begging for Illiums story to be told; can't want for his story. Raphael, yummy as always. Great read!!

JaKai

Just ok, liked the ones before better

I loved the first two books in the series but this one was just ok. She is a great author and I just purchased the fourth book. This one can be skipped.

A Great Series

Very enjoyable.

Archangel's Consort

The third novel in the popular series takes everything to a whole new level of the genre. Elena and Raphael return to New York to discover that Caliane might be awakening from her millenia long immortal sleep. It becomes obvious that that is true as a rash of violent outbursts take over Manhattan and the rest of archangel Raphael's territory, soon the world trembles and rolls and it becomes evident that no human or immortal is safe. Through the course of this novel we see a positive change in the relationship of Elena and her archangel, they begin to open up more and lean on each other. Double thumbs up to Nalini for adding more intrigue to the already fascinating world of angels and vampires, she allows the reader more into the world of each character like the seven and Elena.We are able to grasp more on the past of those such as Illuim,Jason and Raphael. I simply love that Nalini takes time to reveal more and more on the characters as the books progress, every novel has a new secret or memory coming to light! The romance is not compromised and takes up a huge part of the book, the thrills and action never let up and it leaves readers desiring to be able to step into this very original and ingeniously-crafted world of the supernatural. The relationship between son and mother is further elaborated on for Raphael and Caliane as well as Illium and his mother,Sharine the Hummingbird who took Raphael in as a child. More secrets are spilled and I can't help but want the novel to continue! It is that addictive! Another spectacular read from the Guild Hunter series! I look forward to Archangel's Blade.

My FAVORITE Series!!!!

I feel like I've waited a lifetime to enjoy a series with as much delicious depth as the Guild Hunters line. Each installment leaves me sated yet starving for more. The characters, the story all remind me of my favorite dessert by my favorite chef, Chocolate Mouuse.....rich, dark, chocolatey decadent, velvety smooth, addictively seductive, lingering, melting pleasure that I get to endulge in as often as I dare.

I can see these characters, hear them, cry and laugh with them. That is when you KNOW an author is gifted. This series will forever be among, if not at the top, of my exclusive favorites list. Angels, Vampires and Hunters! Thank you for breathing life into the legend.

I LOVE THIS SERIES!!

CAN'T WAIT TILL THE NEXT ONE COMES OUT.

Strong 3rd installment in a Fantastic Action-packed Dark Paranormal Romance

Redonk Nutshell: A powerful and threatening ancient Archangel is awakening, casting chaos and disarray across the world and testing the balance between an Archangel and his consort

Book three in the Guild Hunters series picks up after the destruction of another Archangel's home in book two. Newly made angel, Elena, and her lover, Archangel Raphael, come back to Manhattan and begin to settle into their home. Elena is more adjusted to her physical form, and she and Raphael have begun to shift into more emotional territory. Like moving in together. And meeting each other's parents.

Which brings us to the main conflict - Raphael's mother. The ancient and unfathomably powerful Archangel is showing signs of waking from her Sleep. The Cadre of Ten is nervous - Caliane was a NUTJOB before she disappeared, wrecking havoc amongst her people, including her son. Raphael is torn between his initial urge to welcome his mother and his more rational and detached duty to put her down before she becomes an unstoppable problem. Then, of course, there's Elena, whom most of Raphael's fellows view as a weakness. And Elena, in typical Elena-style, works her hardest to prove them otherwise.

When vampires and angels across the globe being behaving erratically, The Guild calls in their hunter-turned-angel to figure out what's going on, and before long Elena and Raphael realize the bizarre occurrences happening around them are linked to his mother's likely revival.

Book Three is probably one of the strongest in the series. We get a stronger Elena, a softer yet still terrifying Raphael, and, most importantly MORE ILLIUM. HA! I've tendered a soft spot for Blue Bell, the blue winged angel who views Elena's "mortal heart," as not a weakness but a strength. He's witty yet broody, and he and Elena hit it off well. We get to see another side of Raphael as well.

If I'm being honest, Raphael is the kind of hero that initially didn't catch my interest but gradually grew on me. I'd say probably about halfway into book two it struck me how incredibly AWESOME he is, and not just in the slang type of way, but Biblical as well. It was almost like an epiphany - oh, he's scary, really scary, yet sexy. I get it now! Elena grew on me more as well. And the relationship between Elena and Raphael really blooms here in Archangel's Consort.

The Guild Hunter series has become a favorite of mine. Great characters, both main and supporting, and a really intriguing world structure. Nalini Singh has proved herself to be a talented writer, able to carry a broad story line amid a complex and dark world.

Archangel's Consort by Nalini Singh, 324 pgs, 2/10/11

Rating: B
Romance: 4/5 Raunch: 3.5/5

I love it.