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    Archangel's Storm
    Archangel's Storm
    Archangel's Storm
    Audiobook11 hours

    Archangel's Storm

    Written by Nalini Singh

    Narrated by Justine Eyre

    4/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    With wings of midnight
    and an affinity for shadows, Jason courts darkness. But now, with the
    Archangel Neha's consort lying murdered in the jewel-studded palace that
    was his prison and her rage threatening cataclysmic devastation, Jason
    steps into the light, knowing he must unearth the murderer before it is
    too late.Earning Neha's trust comes at a price-Jason must tie
    himself to her bloodline through the Princess Mahiya, a woman with
    secrets so dangerous, she trusts no one. Least of all an enemy
    spymaster.With only their relentless hunt for a violent,
    intelligent killer to unite them, Jason and Mahiya embark on a quest
    that leads to a centuries-old nightmare . . . and to the dark storm of an
    unexpected passion that threatens to drench them both in blood.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherTantor Media, Inc
    Release dateSep 17, 2012
    ISBN9781452675688
    Archangel's Storm
    Author

    Nalini Singh

    Die internationale Bestsellerautorin verbrachte ihre Kindheit in Neuseeland. Drei Jahre lebte und arbeitete sie unter anderem in Japan und bereiste in dieser Zeit wiederholt den Fernen Osten. Bislang hat sie als Anwältin, Bibliothekarin, in einer Süßwarenfabrik und in einer Bank gearbeitet -- eine Quelle von Erfahrungen, aus der Nalini Singh reichlich schöpft.

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    Reviews for Archangel's Storm

    4/5

    261 ratings26 reviews

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    • 4/5
      Archangel's Storm is the fifth book in the Guild Hunter series and it has been a while since I have read a book from this series and I have no idea why I stopped because Archangel's Storm was superb and I had so much fun with this book. I really loved what Nalini Singh did with this story and it was very obvious that she did her research in the location and I appreciate that quite a bit. Archangel's Storm is fantastic and this is where we take a break from Raphael and Elena and where we get the dark angel's story---Jason.Jason, is in Raphael's close circle of his seven angels and is also known as the man who can get whatever information that Raphael needs and is a bit if a enigma to many. Not many know of Jason's true capabilities. Jason is famous for being the spymaster but there is a plot going on and Jason is to find out the truth behind the murder of Neha's mate. Now Jason is called in because Neha is becoming unstable and the only way to prevent her from going completely beserker on the world is to work with her and make a blood vow with her niece Princess Mahiya, I'll find my vengeance in living a life overflowing with happiness. In drowning myself in love, not hatret.Jason knows there is no one he can trust in Neha's territory but he is determined to get to the truth even if his suspect is Neha herself. But as he and Mahiya start to work together and begin to have a level of trust, Jason starts to realize how different Mahiya is from her aunt. She is strong but it's not quite as obvious as it is with Neha. Mahiya is very young though but has been tormented by her aunt all of her life. She is the product of her mother having an affair with Neha's consort and mate. But as the murders of those in the court keep piling up, the truth of who is behind everything will shock everyone and there is a war coming one only that Jason and Mahiya can prevent. I have so much love inside me, Jason. So much. And I have never been allowed to shower it on anyone--no one has wanted it Let me stretch my wings of my heart with youThis book kicked ASS!! Its was simply a superbly written romance that I easily got on board with here and I am in love with seeing how this book was portrayed. I loved seeing such emotional growth that we see in our characters here but most especially Jason and Mahiya. Jason is a very private individual, he lost his parents when he was young and has learned to be strong and powerful but never lets anyone get close until Mahiya where he learns to let go of those strong shields around his emotions. Mahiya, is young especially in comparison with Jason's age, however, she has such a strong inner core of strength and courage. Some would think her weak, but she isn't. She is cunning, keeping herself alive when her aunt would love nothing better than to see her killed. I love how despite all the years she has known deception and evil in her life, she has never allowed it to touch her and has remained innocent of the evil machinations surrounding her all of her life. She wanted to run her finger over the blade of him even if it made her bleed, wanted to dance too close to the flame, wanted to take a risk that could destroy herNow I would say this romance is a mix of unrequited love and forbidden love. Mahiya knows about 40% way into the story that she is in love with Jason, she is new to love of course, but she knows what she feels for him is genuine and knows that Jason may never feel the same for her. Now Jason is closed off from any deep emotion due to the experiences he had when he lost his family. But boy does he fall hard for Mahiya, it takes him a long while to realize that he really loves Mahiya even though he believes himself not capable of giving that to her. But seeing these two solve the mystery together, find the truth behind what happened to Mahiya's mother and the slow burn love story between these two is breathtaking. Jason and Mahiya are perfect for each other, and find such healing with each other and seeing them overcome obstacles together and find they're happy ever after was so beautifully penned and BRAVO to Nalini Singh in writing a story that is brilliant, endearing and unforgettable!! He was a power, had far more knowledge of the world, but she had a heart strong enough to care for a man who might never fully open his own to her...because even a fragment of Jason's heart, it would be raw, honest, a dazzling joy
    • 4/5
      Enjoyable.. I really did enjoy Jason. His childhood was heartbreaking and he was paired with the perfect princess. I really enjoyed this couple after book 6.
    • 4/5
      Archangel Raphael’s spymaster Jason finally gets his own romance in Nalini Singh’s Archangel’s Storm. With a title like that I was expecting non-stop action and excitement; what I got was a mystery that builds to a stormy conclusion and a quiet romance for a hero who lives in shadow.

      I love Nalini Singh's Guild Hunter series and the broken/damaged characters who are a part of it. All the members of the Archangel Raphael's Seven are intriguing in their own ways, but three of the angels have attracted me the most – Illium (Elena’s angelic best-friend, also known as “Bluebell”), Aodhan (an angel so broken inside he cannot stand to be touched), and Jason. I was thrilled to see Jason was the hero of Archangel’s Storm since I really wanted to know more about his backstory and the childhood that scarred him to the point of contemplating death as a release. I was a little nervous about it, too, since abuse can come in so many horrible forms. While his childhood WAS tragic, thankfully it wasn’t quite as black as I had envisioned (I think Aodhan’s story will be worse). Flashbacks to Jason’s past are spaced neatly throughout the story and provide a counterpoint to events in the present, gradually revealing why he has distanced himself from other angels and the possibility of love. But it is the attraction he feels for Princess Mahiya (Neha’s adopted daughter) that makes him question that distance for the first time.

      Gentle, kind, and scared of developing attachments to others for fear they will be punished for befriending her, Mahiya is a different heroine than previous ones in this series. She is not a fighter but a diplomat, skilled in the evasions and politics of the royal court she was raised in and dreams of escaping. I liked the way she was portrayed by Singh as an angel who has seen the ugly side of life and not allowed it to break her. She is full of hopes and dreams which is a nice balance for Jason’s darker outlook, and has the intelligence to assist him with the ins-and-outs of his investigation. The romance develops gradually and never feels forced, and the chemistry between Jason and Mahiya works. However, the intensity that propelled character actions in previous books is not present here, slowing the narrative down a bit.

      In addition to the slower pace and quieter tone, this is the first book in the series to almost completely remove one of the Seven from the familiar surroundings of North America and the angelic stronghold The Refuge. Jason is separated from his team and placed in a new environment – India – that provides a very different feel to the story, one with a slightly exotic edge to it. There are visits with other members of the Seven, as vampire Venom stops in Neha’s court for an information exchange and Jason keeps in contact with Dimitri with updates via phone. The conversations with Dimitri also give us little glimpses at Honor’s transformation into a vampire, which is a nice addition. The murder mystery at the heart of Archangel’s Storm has some solid twists to it and as the investigation unfolds, the tension gradually builds and the pace quickens. The revelation of who was behind the murder didn’t feel like it was coming out of left field – enough hints were dropped that I began to suspect who was behind everything, but not so many that I felt the reveal was anti-climatic. It also sets things up for major unrest in the area that could have serious consequences in future books.

      Nalini Singh takes a quieter turn with the romance of angels Jason and Mahiya in Archangel’s Storm. With an isolated hero and a gentle heroine investigating a high-profile murder, the tension slowly builds throughout the story and ends in a confrontation that shakes the foundation of Neha’s territory. Mystery and romance, rather than action, are at the heart of Archangel’s Storm, and with its slower pace and more reserved tone it feels more like a spring shower than a hurricane.
    • 3/5
      This one was kind of 'meh' for me. Entertaining enough I suppose, but fairly forgettable.
    • 3/5
      I LOVED this. I love Singh's amazing world building and unique, beautiful characters. Refreshing, intriguing, and fun. This series rules (3.5 stars)
    • 4/5
      Archangel's Storm
      4 Stars

      Jason, Raphael’s spymaster and one of the Seven, is sent to the court of the Archangel Neha to investigate the murder of her husband. In order to gain Neha’s trust, he must tie himself to her bloodline through the princess Mahiya. There is a great deal more to Mahiya than meets the eye and Jason will have to keep all of his wits about him as he uncovers a treacherous plot and fights his dangerous attraction to the princess with too many secrets…

      While the romance between Mahiya and Jason isn't as intense or gripping as Elena and Raphael or Honor and Dmitri's, it definitely has its own charms. There is a sweetness to their relationship that pulls at the reader's heartstrings and it is satisfying in its own right.

      Mahiya appears submissive at first, but her intelligence and quiet strength are revealed as more of her background comes to light. Jason initially comes across as cold and uncaring, but slowly opens up to Mahiya and learns to love and trust. That said, there were moments when their HEA were in doubt mainly due to Jason’s hesitancy.

      In terms of the rest of the story, the insights into the political intrigues of the Archangel’s in general and Neha's court in particular are interesting and the mystery into who is killing those closest to her has some exciting moments. Nevertheless, it is pretty easy to figure out who-dun-it.

      The narrator, Justine Eyre, is fabulous. She has the most amazing gravelly voice that suits both the male and female characters and her narration pulls you into the story.

      The next book is back to Raphael and Elena and I’m looking forward finding out what happens next.
    • 4/5
      3.5 I have been intrigued by jason from the beginning. He was the dark, sulking enigma, among already mysterious angels. I got to know some of him in this, but it was limited and filled with so much more than his story he seemed to be put off to the side. It seemed slow at times and chaotic at others. I didn't get involved with the characters, there was something missing. I don't know what, it just lacked something that was in her other stories.
      Dmitri and Honor made some cameo appearances. It was abrupt and disjointing to the story to flash to them and what they were doing. There were these intense moments and then we'd flash to Dmitri and Honor in their private setting and ??? Flash back to the tale.
      Mahiya, the female in the story was an unusual mix of angel, beautiful and abused through her life, she had an unbelievable confidence. I could not believe her actions of motives, she came across to me as very unrealistic.
      Even with all the conflicting feelings with this book I enjoyed it. It is the least enjoyed of the series so far. I will continue the series, this might have been the awkward transition book that leads to great things.
    • 5/5
      Review courtesy of Dark Faerie TalesQuick & Dirty: Archangel’s Storm is a story full of dark and tragic elements. I absolutely love the emotions that Nalini Singh infuses into her characters.Opening Sentence: Jason didn’t know how long he’d been hiding in the dark place in the ground where his mother had put him, telling him to “hush.”The Review:Nalini Singh continues her fantastic Guild Hunter series with Archangel’s Storm. The fifth novel in the series focuses on the mysterious angel Jason and a new character, also an angel, Mahiya. If you are familiar with this series then you’ve glimpsed the quiet angel who hides in shadows. This novel really focuses on Jason’s and Mahiya’s story as it kind of is a standalone in that you don’t have to have read the rest of the series to know what is going on. It mentions some of the wider issues of the series but doesn’t really tackle them. I still recommend reading the rest of the series because it is awesome! And so you know who some of the side characters are.Archangel’s Storm starts with a very sweet wedding between Demetri and Hope. Jason even gives them a very sweet gift before he is sent on his latest mission. The Archangel Neha’s consort, Eris, is killed right under her nose. Neha is very unstable and has the capacity to kill millions. Jason’s temperament and skill can allow him to keep her calm while investigating this cruel murder. The only way he can investigate is by a blood vow marriage to Mahiya, Neha’s niece and Eris’ illegitimate child. The blood vow keeps Jason from reporting back to the Archangel Raphael (Jason’s friend and leader & Neha’s would be enemy) any of Neha’s secrets. Jason agrees to the blood vow as long as it keeps away any unnecessary bloodshed.Mahiya has a tragic past so terrible that it could rival Jason’s. Neha loves to torture her niece and she believes this marriage is just one more terrible thing to inflict upon her beloved niece. Mahiya has learned to just give in to her aunt’s tortures because she knows that to fight it will give her aunt that much more pleasure. Mahiya appears to be a silent and demure princess but inside she is seething and working on her plan to escape her aunts clutches.Jason’s secrets are finally unveiled and he suffers from a past tragedy so terrible that it is no surprise that he keeps himself walled off from any emotions. I really, really enjoyed him breaking down to the surprising emotions that Mahiya brings out of him. Actually, it was fun watching them both break down. They have both been hid away by walls built so high that without the blood vow I’m not sure they would ever have broken. Jason and Mahiya were the perfect, tragic couple. I can only hope that their story will continue for years to come.Archangel’s Storm is told in the third person mainly between Jason and Mahiya but Demetri and Hope also provide brief interludes in between Jason’s story. There are brief glimpses of Raphael and Elena but for the most part they are missing from this story.Overall, Archangel’s Storm is such a dark and tragic story. I really love the dark elements of the story and I always enjoy how Nalini Singh can bring out such emotions from her characters. Her books always move me in such a way that I’m at least teary eyed at some point.Notable Scene:Strong arms, lips against her temple, wings of midnight opening to curve around her, until Jason surrounded her on every side. His heart beat strong and steady, his hands warm on her head and against her lower back, and his heat, it was a smoldering inferno over her skin.Black.That was the color of Jason’s power, she knew that without any doubt. It felt as if she was surrounded by a raging storm. The sensation should’ve been frightening, but the storm didn’t so much as lift a hair on her head, the calm within filled with such protective warmth as she’d never before felt.She didn’t know how long they stood in the center of that storm, but after a while, she could breathe again. And every breath carried the scent of black fire. She couldn’t describe the intense wildness of the scent in any other way, but to her, it was the essence of Jason. Trying to get even closer to him, she managed to tuck her feet between his boots.FTC Advisory: Berkley/Penguin provided me with a copy of Archangel’s Storm. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
    • 4/5
      Jason is sent to India and the Archangel Neha's court where he's investigating the death of her consort, and then more bodies start to turn up. With him is the Princess Mahiya, tolerated in the court, it's her father that's dead but her mother is Neha's twin, she's a constant reminder of her father's infidelity.I liked Mahiya, who calmly did what needed to be done within her limits in court and was just such a smart person. The start of the romance wasn't very obvious but the two of them become a good mix.Almost a 4 star read.
    • 3/5
      This series seems to be rotating primary viewpoint characters as the main story arc goes forward. The main layer here is Jason as he has been sent to find a murder in an angel's palace. The reader finds out more about the angels as usual and of course by the end of the story the mystery is solved. love is found and more players are added to the overall story line. Good entertaining read but not a book to start the series with if you don't want spoilers.
    • 3/5
      I fell behind in this series. It's been at least a year, perhaps two, since I've read a Guild Hunters book. I admit I skipped Dimitri's book and went straight to this one (I have no desire to read a reincarnation story, esp one that features a vampire). I don't feel like I missed anything.

      I expected more from Jason's background. He's intrigued me from the beginning. While I think Singh did a good job if giving us his backstory, I felt disconnected somehow. It was told in an almost clinical way.

      I also found Mayhia to be a bit unrealistic. I would have understood her hope and compassion more if we'd seen some type of influence I her life which made her that way.

      Still, the romance was well done. I enjoyed watching them come together. Singh's writing is beautiful. I had no trouble falling into the story.
    • 5/5
      Holy Snickerdoodles Batman! This book was fantastic. I was a little hesitant about it but I bought it because it's Nalini Singh and I love her books. The premise was intriguing but I was concerned about Jason's loyalty being divided, but no need to fret on that count! I really can't express how much I loved this book. When I finished it I started singing, swear to god, singing this: "Sweet Caroline
      Good times never seem so good, so good, so good, so good" I really only sang the "so good" part, but you get the idea.
      We got a look into Jason that we never have before, while staying completely true to the characterization of him present in the other novels. Sometimes authors struggle with keeping characterization of secondary characters constant when they get their own books, not so with Nalini Singh.
      Mahiya was sweet, just completely sweet, there were no negative character traits for her at all. She acted with kindness and poise to everyone and everything.
      Watching them become, well, them was great. They were both protecting themselves with shields of steel, but they each managed to slither their way in until they were indelibly entwined. I loved how Mahiya didn't push for what Jason felt he couldn't give her, she never through a fit because he told her he couldn't love her, never demanded anything from him. Everything he was, was perfect for her.
      I also loved the brief insights in to Honor and Dmitri's new life, it was wonderfully written , I love seeing them together.

      This book was fantastic, 5 out of 5 stars no question.
    • 3/5
      I've really enjoyed this series. I have wanted to learn more about Jason and we do learn a lot about him in this book. His past is heartbreaking and I teared up when his entire past is reveled. I'm not a huge fan of Mahiya's. I just didn't really get into her character. I also enjoyed the short amount of time we get to spend with Venom. He is another character I would like to learn a lot more about. I am grateful that the next book goes back to Raphael and Elena. I miss the city and the wider array of characters that seem to come in their book.
    • 4/5
      Full Review to be posted soon:

      Archangel's Storm, is a much quieter toned entry in this series, although no less intense or passionate. Although it is not my favourite book in the series, I loved the romance between Mahiya and Jason, which was sweet, and subtle.
    • 5/5
      I didn't know what to expect with Jason but the story and romance was great. This plot kept me wondering for much of the book, who was behind the murder, how was Mahiya going to escape, and how was Jason going to finish the oath with out breaking any vow.

      It was really well done, and I enjoyed it greatly. Wish there were more to read but... author's can only write so many books in a year and have them this good.
    • 3/5
      Sexy male angel with a traumatic childhood past is sent to figure out a mystery in another archangel's court. He falls in love with the adopted daughter who has also had a traumatic childhood with her adoptive mother (aunt). The "mystery" wasn't much of a mystery. I like the descriptions of the different colors of wings, and I liked the female lead, and I liked the setting (roughly, in India). But this wasn't breaking any ground for me.
    • 4/5
      A good one - I really like the series, and this one was a very nice read. The love story was nicely done (a little on the romantic side, not so very passionate imo) and the suspense/action part was good, too.
    • 5/5
      Singh has done a gorgeous job of further developing her world and characters. Like Thea Harrison and Eileen Wilks, Singh develops new heros and heroines without abandoning the old. ARCHANGEL'S STORM gives us Jason's love story while offering glimpses of Dmitri and Honor as well as Raphael and Elena. I adore that the heroine in this book isn't automatically great at everything, or that Jason isn't magically cured of his reticent personality, but they both still find happiness. This world and it's characters just keep getting more and more wonderful.
    • 5/5
      I think this might be my favorite of the series -- the world building is more thought-out than previous installments, the plot isn't all slash-hack-gore, and the h/h... I loved them both. Singh's heroes have gotten kind of samey-same for me, but Jason's patience and quietness and gentleness really made him stand out. And watching him and Mahiya sort of unintentionally help each other heal and accidentally fall in love in the process ... yay. Really enjoyed this one in a way that renewed my interest in this author.
    • 3/5
      A solid continuation of the series. The mystery and intrigue was great, and there wasn't too much most-powerful-of-powerful beings that makes it hard to relate. It was still fantastical and moved quickly. I liked it.
    • 5/5
      My absolute most favorite yet! It really appealed to my love of hurt-comfort fic. And it was lovely to get to glimpse another part of the world. Two thumbs up.
    • 4/5
      Excellent addition to this series! I enjoyed getting know the angel Jason better, and his romance with Mahiya felt very real and believable. There wasn't as much suspense as in some previous stories, but there were a few twists that were interesting, and I was still pulled into the story.
    • 4/5
      This was another heart-warming and heart-wrenching romance by Nalini Singh. This one stars Jason who is one of Raphael's seven and who is his spymaster. When Archangel Neha's consort is murdered, Jason goes to her court to try to find out who killed him. There he gets to know Mahiya who is the daughter of Neha's sister and her consort. That makes Mahiya a constant reminder of Neha's consort's infidelity and her betrayal by her sister. Mahiya has learned to keep a smooth face and a low key presence as she struggles to find a way to escape Neha's court. Mahiya has grown up believing that Neha killed her sister after Mahiya's birth.Together Mahiya and Jason try to solve the murder of the consort and the subsequent murders of others in Neha's court while gradually getting to know each other. Jason quickly comes to like Mahiya's hidden strength and intelligence and her optimism even in the face of her troubles. Mahiya also comes to love Jason because he treats her with respect and courtesy. Jason's troubled past - which we see in a variety of flashbacks - has convinced him that he is lacking something that would allow him to connect with other people. He doesn't feel that he will ever be able to love or even understand love. But Mahiya isn't giving up on him. She is determined to love him whether or not he is ever able to love her back. This story also adds to the story arc by featuring some of the strange new powers that some angels and archangels are developing. Neha has developed some very frightening new powers. It also talks about a cascade of power that may cause widespread devastation. This story was a wonderful romance between two strong but damaged characters. I was rooting for them to find a happy ending since the very beginning of the book. I really liked getting to know more about Jason in this story too.This is a must-read episode for all fans of the Guild Hunters series and would also work for those who are new to the series. The intriguing hints about other characters and romances will encourage readers to seek out the other books in the series too.
    • 5/5
      When the consort of Neha, the archangel of India is murdered, Raphael, the archangel of New York offers the use of Jason, his spymaster in the investigation. Neha accepts provided Jason takes a blood oath not to reveal anything he learns that is not commom or public information. Jason accepts and the oath is made using Mahiya, a princess of India and the child of Neha's sister. As Jason investigates that murder and others that follows he learns just how bad Mahiya has been treated and the man who is known as the dark man, the one no one could get close to, starts to feel more and more for Mahiya.This was a good story combining palace maneuvering, sister/sister hatred, love and action, lot of love and action.Will the mystery be solved? Who will survive? Will Mahiya be the one to solve the mystery of the spymaster and perhaps win his love? The answers are awaiting within.
    • 5/5
      I am one of those people who love love love my original characters and then practically bite my nails down to nubs while considering the spin off book. My thought process goes something like this:1. I love this author....but what if she screws up?2. What if I don't get enough of my main character in this book?3. Worse - what if I get a cliff hanger for my main character?4. What if it is so horrible it RUINS my main character?5. What to do - buy it or wait and read the next main character book and then go back and get it?6. On the other hand if it is excellent and I didn't read it I will kick myself for reading inferior books when I could have read that.::Nervous mental debate pacing::Whew - It wears me out and then I ponder it for a day or so, especially now that ebooks are just as much as a paperback and if I wait a week I can have the paperback for 3.16. Grrrr. Spin offs make my tummy nervous!So in spite of everything above I went ahead and got this book, and I really enjoyed it! The characters were so well developed and Nalani Singh is one of the only authors that can write the historical back pieces in italics and I read it and enjoy it. Normally I see that and start skimming because it feels like just filler. NS makes it imperative to the book and ties it in nicely.I can not say enough about how much I liked this. It is in the same world, and we get visits from Venom, Aarodan? Raphael, Elena, Dmitry and Chastity, a little of Illium and some nice references to back and future stories. What we also get is such a different Hero. Jason is quiet and reserved, but then so is Mahiya. I loved how they came together and understood each other. So as and FYI because they are so reserved, it is not super racy, it is a pretty sedate courting. I also feel there are some cultural undertones to Mahiya's way of thinking, she is very modest, for instance only believes in having her hair down with her lover, no one else sees her that way. I think this added depth to the character because it would have been jarring to have them be crazy out of control in the bedroom. I liked the change of pace it went with the story.This is a great love story, and I was so glad I read it. They each have such great strengths and they compliment each other. I can not wait to see what the future holds for this couple. Next September feel so far away from now :(.On the other hand, after enjoying the 2 spin off's I am going to pre-order the next book with out quite so much angst.I feel this book is worth the $7.99 I paid (although I do not understand ebook being the same price!!!) This one goes in my Keeper section with the other Angel books.I do feel if you are new to the series you should start at the beginning or it will have spoilers in it for you. They reference the culmination of several books in this, well really all of them, so do yourself a favor and start with ::sigh:: Raphael - still my Favorite, although I can not wait for Illium's story. Here is the link for the 1st book: Angels' Blood (Guild Hunter, Book 1)
    • 5/5
      I've been looking forward to learning more about Jason since book one of this series. He's the silent spymaster with the hinted at dark past. I was soooo happy when Singh announced Jason was getting his own book. Finally we get to learn why he is so silent and emotionless. His story is so sad and tragic. Gosh, I can see why he doesn't trust emotions, why he pushes them deep inside. He only sees darkness within himself and doesn't believe he could ever have a real connection with anybody.But he finds himself captivated by Princess Mahiya. They meet when he offers his services to the archangel Neha to discover who killed her consort, Eris. Mahiya is the daughter of Neha's sister and Eris. Neha did not take their infidelity very well - killing her sister and imprisoning Eris. Mahiya is now virtually a prisoner in her aunt's court and dreams of freedom. And now that her father is dead, she fears there is no reason for her aunt to keep her alive. She's a very strong character. Mahiya never let her aunt's cruelty break her. And she's smart. Jason never really stands a chance - he's drawn to her almost immediately. Added to that story line - we get some great moments between Dmitri and Honor. I was happy we got a little continuation of their story. And this book begins a story arc that hints at great upheaval and devastation. Label me intrigued.