Guild Hunter Series by Nalini Singh
Archangel's Storm, the fifth book in the Guild Hunter series, is being released this week.
Read on to find out why you should catch up on the first 4, and then read about Jason in book 5!
I discovered Guild Hunter in May2011, when the Archangel Raphael beat EricNorthman in the Vampire Book Club’s Alpha Showdown. The Proof I couldn't believe it! I needed to know who this Raphael joker was that beat my main vampire,Eric. So I set to reading the first bookin the Guild Hunter series, Angels' Blood.
Angels’ Blood starts off about a vampire hunter, Elena,who is hired by the Archangel Raphael for a hunt. There are 10 Archangels, called the Cadre ofTen, who are the most powerful beings in the world. In this world, the angels make vampires. Vampires that are made must serve their angelfor 100 years. The immortals in thisbook are not used to feeling human emotions. They are cruel and cold. When someone says they want to kill you, theyaren't kidding. They are really goingafter your ass. There is also afuturistic feel to the world.
Raphael and Elena
Elena’s job mostly entails tracking down vampires that breaktheir contract. Her talent lies in beingable to scent them. She is the best at what she does and handy with a blade. There is a lot ofsexual tension between Elena and Raphael, and it was well written. That keeps us well-occupied until we get intothe meat of the story, which is the hunt she was hired for. By the time she really gets into the hunt, allI care about is when these two are going to finally give into their craving foreach other because I can cut the sexual tension with a knife.
Raphael has an intense personality. He is frightening and hot as hell.
Elena glanced at the bloodstained napkin. "And if I fail?" "Don't fail, Elena." His eyes were mild but his smile, it spoke of things better not said aloud. "You intrigue me--I'd hate to have to punish you." ~ Angels' Blood
I think he's the only paranormalcharacter I've read that I truly felt was frightening. Like Jericho Barrons (Fever Series) says, "judge me by my actions". Well, Raphael's actions were scaring the hell out me! I thought we were cool in book 2. Then in book 3, he was scaring me again!
Elena and Raphael's relationship is not your typical romance. Raphael is also a real subtle dude and full of hidden meanings. My favorite example of this comes in Archangel's Kiss:
She threw the knife with deadly accuracy. Raphael caught it in midair--by the blade. His blood flowed scarlet against the gold of his skin. "Was it not you who bled the last time?" he asked conversationally...
That is as good as an ILU coming from Raphael! They don’t speak of love; they show their love. Elena was afraid of him sometimes, but then she'd convince herself that he would never hurt her. He has also said he would never hurt her. His POV shows how much he loves her and would never hurt her, but Elena's perception of him is sometimes unnerving. There is an edge to their relationship that is thrilling, dark, and very different from other books I have read. Once you get to know both of them, you can see that they really are perfect for each other!
Raphael's Seven
After my glowing praise of Raphael and Elena, you may thinkI’m done, but no! We get the bonus of AMAZING side characters. Raphael’s Seven are the 3 vampires and 4 angels that havehis back. They are intensely loyal to him, to the point that even Elena has to prove to them that she is worthy of Raphael. Raphael's Seven: Dmitri, Jason, Venom, Illium, Naasir, Aodhan, and Galen. I truly hope that each of The Seven will have their own story. Galen has already been featured in a novella since he has already found the love of his life, Jessamy.Look for a future post featuring The Seven to learn more about each of these amazing characters!
The Books
The first three books in the series focus on Raphael and Elena, with enough about the Seven that will leave you craving for more. The action and the Archangels keep you on your toes. The first book has an ending with a twist, and it left me eager to read the second book. Each book has a mystery to be solved.
In the fourth book, Archangel's Blade, the leader of the Seven, Dmitri, finds his HEA. Dmitri, himself, is a fascinatingly erotic character. From Elena's first, exciting and very sexy encounter with him in Angels' Blood, Dmitri has been on my radar. Tinyconfession. I did not care that Elena was Raphael's. Every time Dmitri letloose his scent and turned her on, I was panting. Unquestionably, Dmitri's book, Archangel's Blade is my favorite of the series. Be sure to have a box of tissues handy. Not just one tissue. The box.
I also highly recommendreading Angels’ Flight, an anthology of novellas featuring Angels' Wolf,Angels' Judgement, Angels' Pawn, and the never-before-published Angels'Dance. The novellas are the same qualityof writing that you find in the full length novels.
The fifth book, Archangel's Storm, features Jason, and is due out September 4th. I can't wait to find out more about this enigmatic member of Raphael's Seven! If dark, sexy, and mysterious paranormal romances are your cup of tea, then check out Guild Hunter Series!
Book List:
Angels’ Blood (Raphael & Elena)
Archangel’s Kiss (Raphael & Elena)
Archangel’s Consort (Raphael & Elena)
Archangel’s Blade (Dmitri)
Angels’ Flight (anthology of Guild Hunter novellas)
Archangel’s Storm (Jason - release date 9/4/2012)
