Nocturnal Bites: Review: Archangel's Consort by Nalini Singh

Monday, January 24

Review: Archangel's Consort by Nalini Singh

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… (blurb from goodreads)

First and foremost, the cover of this book is absolutely and positively gorgeous! The cover artist, Tony Mauro is pure genius. Archangel's Consort is the third book in Nalini Singh's Guild Hunter series and I could hardly wait to get my hands on this bad boy. Imagine the excitement I felt when I received the book via mail a week prior to the scheduled release date. Hats off and a big Jerzee fist pump goes out to Barnes & Noble. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

For the most part, this review is spoiler free.
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

Book Information
Title: Archangel's Consort (Guild Hunter #3)
Author: Nalini Singh
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Published: January 25, 2011
Paperback, 324 pages