Archangel's Kiss picks up about a year after
Angels' Blood left off. After the fight with Uram, when vampire hunter Elena and Archangel Raphael almost died, Elena wakes up from a year long coma to find out that she's been turned immortal. But she's not a vampire; she's the first Angel to be made in recent history. Angels are usually born, not Made. It's extremely rare, and makes her a point of interest for the other Archangels in the powerful Cadre of Ten. In fact, it makes her a target for those who want to strike out at Raphael. In his love for her, she's become his weakness.
Raphael has taken her to the angel's Refuge, where she heals and trains to use her new body. She hasn't lost her hunter born abilities, so she hopes to eventually go back to her Guild Hunter duties. She keeps in touch with her best friend Sara, director of the Guild, and Deacon, Sara's weapons master hubby, who works on some new weapons to fit her new body with wings. Her training and snarky interactions with Raphael's Seven (his top lieutenants who help him to run his holdings) are humorous at times. With the exception of Illium, the blue winged angel we met in Angels Blood, the Seven do not approve of Elena. Although Raphael has ordered them to protect her, they view her as a weakness for their Master. It was also funny seeing Illium's flirtings with Elena, and Raphael's jealous "MINE" responses. I was intrigued to learn more about the Seven and hope to see more of them in future books. I'd love to see a books focused on Illium, Jason and Dmitri. They are my favs. Illium especially...I'd like him to find his HEA.
Elena as a character is very interesting. She's a strong woman who went through a traumatic experience as a child and who is estranged from her family as a result of that experience. No 'mary sue' character, she struggles as she grows in her new body and surroundings, and her struggles make her that much more interesting. She also is challenged with her relationship with Raphael, who is so much older and stronger. She will not become a pet, and seeks to find equal ground between them. One of the strongest beings on the planet and a member of the Cadre of Ten, Raphael is used to getting what he wants. He is not only powerful, he is cruel and vicious at times. With her human heart in an immortal body, Elena is adapting to being surrounded by predators. Elena makes Raphael more human in his love for her.
The plot primarily revolves around what's going on the Refuge--Elena's training as well as a series of kidnappings. The kidnapping and torture of the victims are suspected to be done by a powerful angel hoping to be able to join the Cadre of Ten. There are also suspicious actions that seem like someone is trying to turn Archangels against each other, and upset the inner workings of the Cadre. Elena is targeted as pawn in these actions, trying to pit Raphael against Michaela. Of course, Michaela can't stand Elena anyway and has already targeted her on her own. Elena is involved in the hunt for the perpetrators as they try to determine who is behind the attacks.
Meanwhile, the worries about Lijuan, the oldest and most powerful of the Archangels, continue. Jason, Raphael's spymaster, reports that she is growing her army of the reborn dead. When Lijuan invites Elena and Raphael, as well as the Cadre to her home for a ball, they must take the opportunity to face her even at the high risk to themselves. Lijuan has a nasty surprise for Elena, and the identity of the angel behind the attacks comes to light.
If you've read Singh's Psy Changeling books, her Guild Hunter series is darker...especially so with this book. If you like darker paranormal romance books like Black Dagger Brotherhood by JR Ward, you'll enjoy this series. Raphael is the ultimate alpha and the dark plotlines, intriguing characters, and disturbing enemies will pull you in. Only area for improvement for me was the battle scene at the end. Seems there should have been a bit more to it. But that's really a minor thing. All in all, I love this series--couldn't put it down. Definite keepers!
Other books in the series:
Angels' Blood - book one, full length novel
Must Love Hellhounds - anthology focused on characters from book one
Angels' Pawn: A Companion Novella to Angels? Blood - novella
If you are on the hunt for more books like this, check out my list of paranormal romance and urban fantasy favorites...
http://www.amazon.com/Paranormal-action-romance-must-reads/lm/R214ESW3HL12HM/ref=tag_lag_rb_munk_lmfull
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