Publication Date - 4th March 2010
Paperback - 336 pages
Genre - Paranormal Romance
Source - Purchased
Rating - 4 out of 5: I really liked it!
Book Info - Welcome to a dark new world where lethal, beautiful archangels hold sway over immortals and mortals both, with the Guild Hunters caught in between, tasked with retrieving those vampires who break their contracts with their angelic masters.
Elena Deveraux is a Guild Hunter. She was hired to do the impossible – to hunt down a rogue Archangel – and she succeeded where none had believed she could. But in the process, she fell in love. And not just with anyone: with the Archangel Raphael. It a love that’s as powerful, entrancing and incredible as it is terrifying, and dangerous. But the world won’t stand still while Elena and Raphael enjoy their new-found love. Vampires and angels still go rogue, and it’s still Elena’s job to hunt them down, and return them to their angelic masters. For all that she is exceptional, Elena isn’t invulnerable – and the more obvious her talents become, the bigger a target she could find herself…
My Thoughts - This book continues on from where the first book in the series, Angels’ Blood, left off. If you haven’t read Angels’ Blood then I would advise reading that one first as it will be difficult to completely understand the events in Archangel’s Kiss if you do not read the series in order.
Once again, the romance between Elena and Raphael made for very interesting reading. Elena was a strong and independent woman when she was human, and nothing has changed at all now that she is an angel. She still has trouble obeying Raphael and she prefers dealing with her troubles on her own rather than leaning on her archangel lover. Raphael, on the other hand, is used to being completely in control, so he finds Elena’s independence quite hard to deal with at times. But because of their love for each other they are willing to work hard to try and find a compromise. Also, there is a huge amount of chemistry between these two that will leave most readers feeling a bit hot and bothered!
Although most of the story is told from Elena’s point of view, there are parts told by Raphael and this adds a whole new dimension to the story. Raphael has a tough outer shell that comes from being one of the most powerful archangels around. But the parts of the story written from his viewpoint allow the reader to see exactly how he feels about Elena. He loves her above all else and will do all he can to protect her. The reader also sees that Raphael has a vulnerable side as we get to see the intense fear he feels whenever Elena is in danger or is hurting.
The action/mystery aspects of the novel are gripping and make it a page-turning read, however, at times I found the book to be slightly confusing due to the sheer number of minor characters involved. A lot of names are thrown around whilst trying to find out who is behind the threats towards Elena without many reminders as to who these people are. So I ended up spending quite a bit of time trying to remember if the character in question is archangel/angel/vampire/human and which side they belong to.
Summary - Overall, I loved this story with its interesting mix of unusual angel/vampire mythology, romance, action and mystery. I would recommend this series to all Paranormal Romance fans.
Other books in this series:
1. Angels' Blood
2. Archangel's Kiss
3. Archangel's Consort
4. Archangel's Blade
Other reviews of this book:
Book Chick City / Dear Author / Feeling Fictional / Love Vampires
I still need to read this one. It's yet another that is sitting in my TBR pile!
ReplyDeleteDo you prefer the UK or the US covers for this series?
Hope you get to read it soon. I really do like this series.
ReplyDeleteI actually prefer the US covers. I don't think the UK ones are very pretty, but I do love the background colours that are used on them. How about you?
"But because of their love for each other they are willing to work hard to try and find a compromise."
ReplyDeleteThis is quite possibly the SINGLE thing I love about this series more than ANYTHING else. Raphael and Elena are both stubborn, strong willed, and difficult... but they're clearly madly in love with one another, and the FIGHT for each other, and to make their relationship work. I freaking LOVE this. It's what a real-life relationship takes. Compromise, and hard work.
And YESSS! I loved those little glimpses into Raphael's mind *happy sigh*
So glad you enjoyed it! ♥
I agree Sarah - their love for each other is definitely the best thing about the series. Sometimes I want to bump their heads together a little bit when they are both being stubborn but they always come through in the end ;)
ReplyDelete