Archangel's Storm
Guild Hunter - Book 9
By Nalini Singh
Berkley Sensation - September 2012
Urban Fantasy Romance
This review assumes that the reader has read the previous books in Nalini Singh's Guild Hunter series, and does contain spoilers to those books. Due to the complex world building and continuing storylines, it is recommended to read this series in order. However, regarding the romance between Jason and Mahiya, this story does stand on its own.
As one of Raphael's Seven, Jason was the best at what he did. Spymaster, able to blend into the shadows, hear whispers on the wind, and with agents in all corners of the world. When word of the murder of Neha's consort reaches Jason, he knows he needs to offer his services. He can discern what is truth, what is lie, and who would dare challenge the archangel Neha to kill Eris.
There is one stipulation to Neha's acceptance of Raphael's offer to allow Jason to help find the killer. He must agree to a blood vow to Mahiya, an angel of Neha's bloodline. Young, not powerful, but still having been brought up in Neha's court and just as likely to play the dangerous games of intrigue. Jason, however, was a spymaster with no equal. Mahiya would not have the opportunity to ensnare him.
Mahiya had learned long ago that she had a choice. She could either allow Neha's brutality to harden her and kill her spirit, or she could spite Neha by keeping hope and love in her heart. She had chosen the latter. She saw the beauty in the world around her, and soon only saw Jason through the eyes of love. But Jason's loyalty was to an archangel who was Neha's enemy. And Mahiya was too valuable a toy for Neha to relinquish. She could love Jason while they searched for a killer, but she knew better than to expect to be able to leash the wild storm that was Jason with promises of future or love.
Archangel's Storm is exceptional. Intrigue, mystery, suspense, passion, romance - it delivers all of that and more. The secrets of Jason's past is revealed and explains why it caused him to cling more to the world of shadows than the individuals around him. Set immediately following Archangel's Blade, we see glimpses of Dmitri and Honor, and it is always such a pleasure to visit with Venom. With every story in Nalini Singh's Guild Hunter series, we learn more secrets and delve further into this world making readers eager for more.
Kathy Andrico - ReaderToReader.com
FTC Disclaimer: I did receive this ARC from Reader To Reader for review. However, this website only posts "good" reviews. If I cannot post a positive review, I notify whoever has provided me with the book/ARC/ebook.