Archangel’s Shadows by Nalini Singh

NSingh_ArchangelsShadows

NSingh_ArchangelsShadowsAfter finishing Archangel’s Legion by Nalini Singh a few months ago, I was eagerly awaiting Archangel’s Shadows because I was dying to know what happens next for Elena, Raphael, et al. While Archangel’s Shadows isn’t nearly as action packed or intense as Archangel’s Legion, I still loved it and immensely enjoyed Janvier’s, aka the Cajun, and Ashwini’ story.

In the wake of a brutal war, the archangel Raphael and his hunter consort, Elena, are dealing with the treacherously shifting tides of archangelic politics and the people of a battered but not broken city. The last thing their city needs is more death, especially a death that bears the eerie signature of an insane enemy archangel who cannot— should not—be walking the streets.

This hunt must be undertaken with stealth and without alerting their people. It must be handled by those who can become shadows themselves…Ash is a gifted tracker and a woman cursed with the ability to sense the secrets of anyone she touches. But there’s one man she knows all too well without a single instant of skin contact: Janvier, the dangerously sexy Cajun vampire who has fascinated and infuriated her for years. Now, as they track down a merciless killer, their cat-and-mouse game of flirtation and provocation has turned into a profound one of the heart. And this time, it is Ash’s secret, dark and terrible, that threatens to destroy them both.

I will warn you now, if you haven’t read any of the Guild Hunter books yet, first–what are you waiting for?!; and second, do NOT, I repeat, DO NOT read Archangel’s Shadows until you have, especially if you haven’t read Archangel’s Legion. You will be lost and you may miss out on some pretty big information/spoilers.

OK, that disclosure said, Archangel’s Shadows picks up pretty close to where the end of Archangel’s Legion ended.  NYC is fairly calm and everyone is recovering from the epic battle with Lijuan. But, you know Nalini couldn’t just let there be complete peace.  While Archangel’s Shadows is definitely a bridge piece between major events in the series (which was actually quite refreshing, and much needed), we learn things which will affect the overall series story arc.

Archangel’s Shadows is told from several POVs, including Janvier, Ashwini, Elena and I think there might be one or two others, but those are very short.  Some same events/same time on the timeline, are told through various POVs as well as just one POV for a particular event.  Once I got used to this, it wasn’t that big of a deal, though it kind of got confusing at the start figuring out if we were going to get Janvier & Ashwini’s story or if they were just side POVs.  I admit, Elena and Raphael are my faves of the series, so anytime I get scenes with their POV, I thoroughly enjoy it.  I did love getting to know, finally, Janvier and Ash.  They are smoking together! While it’s been hinted at in prior novels, Ash and Janvier work like a well-oiled machine and while they each acknowledge the attraction and desire, neither want to act –until all the secrets are out in the open. Oh man, my heart ached for Ash when I figured out what was going on with her. I won’t spoil it, but you may need a tissue handy.  And Janvier–he was all one could ask for in a partner/lover.

One of my favorite parts, was getting some more glimpses/insight to Naasir. Oh man, other than Bluebell, I cannot wait for his story…and I’m hoping it may be soon after some well placed revelations :).  And my fellow Bluebell girls, you do get some of our favorite, blue-winged angel.  However, no hint of anything to come. Nalini is being quite tight-lipped with that one.

Overall, I greatly enjoyed Archangel’s Shadows and felt that after Archangel’s Legion, we got a nice break in the heavy action and a good bridge into what is next to come for the Guild Hunter series. Now, when do we get Bluebell? ;).

Read Order:
Angel’s Blood
Archangel’s Kiss
Archangel’s Consort
Archangel’s Blade
Archangel’s Storm
Archangel’s Legion
Archangel’s Shadows

About Nicole 146 Articles
Attorney by day, Publicist for Barclay Publicity and reviewer/LE (assistant) editor by night. I'm a huge book nerd and love to read. I have 2 dogs, both Labrador retriever mixed breeds, who are very rotten and think they run the house. Let's not lie, they totally do, I just can't them know it ha ha! My usual genre is romance or urban fantasy. I love all things having to do with paranormal, with the occasional good contemp/BDSM/erotica thrown in to spice it all up.