Veena’s review of Archangel’s War (Guild Hunter, Book 12) by Nalini Singh
Urban Fantasy published by Berkley 24 Sep 19
Only Ms. Singh can take her readers to the edge of a cliff, where she leaves her two main protagonists fighting life and death, and then bring them back evolved in a way that her readers gasp in awe. This is one of the most difficult reviews to write, since the entire book is a spoiler and you really have to read it to believe. The author’s attention to detail to each aspect of the battles and the battle strategies is precise, and, of course, there’s Raphael and Elena at the heart of it all, unique in their world for who and what they are.
Lijuan’s evolution into the Archangel of Death is described in sickening horror as she consumes her people to build personal power or transforms the children in her territory into monsters. Clearly, Raphael, with his wild fire, seems to be one of the few individuals in the world who can withstand her dark legacy. Elena’s reference to her as her creepiness is very apt.
From Elena and Raphael’s awakening, the story gets a slow start as the author gets very descriptive of the possible powers they posses and the impact of the cocoon and Raphael’s heart and blood on Elena, but, fortunately, the story picks up pace with the introduction of new ancients. We get to meet Illium’s father and see the hummingbird deal with the trauma of his return, even as she learns knife throwing from Elena to help her deal with a possible future confrontation with him.
While elements of the battle scene are familiar, as Raphael tries to hold the line against Lijuan and is almost exhausted to the end of his power, the actual battle scenes and strategies are described in loving detail and are fascinating how New York uses old and new battle techniques to face a formidable enemy.
With the introduction of a lot of new characters and a possible love interest for Aodhan, I believe the author is posed to deliver us a new story arch in this series that will steer away from war. Potentially we might even get Illium’s happily ever after. All in all, a good story, but in order to get the most from it, you do have to read it in some order. Otherwise, you’ll be lost.
Grade: B
Summary:
Wings of silver. Wings of blue. Mortal heart. Broken dreams. Shatter. Shatter. Shatter. A sundering. A grave. I see the end. I see. . . .
The world is in chaos as the power surge of the Cascade rises to a devastating crescendo. In furiously resisting its attempts to turn Elena into a vessel for Raphael’s power, Elena and her archangel are irrevocably changed. . .far beyond the prophecy of a cursed Ancient.
At the same time, violent and eerie events around the world threaten to wipe out entire populations. And in the Archangel Lijuan’s former territory, an unnatural fog weaves through the land, leaving only a bone-chilling silence in its wake. Soon it becomes clear that even the archangels are not immune to this deadly evil. This time, even the combined power of the Cadre may not be enough. . . .
This war could end them all.
