Archangel's Storm (A Guild Hunter Novel)

I was disappointed with this book and it was a chore to finish. It seemed like ever so often Ms. Singh would realize the relationship between the characters was just too anemic and she would try to force some passion; then it'd wander back to anemia.

After reading the other books in this series, I was eagerly awaiting this release, and am unfortunately disappointed. There was little build up to their intimate relationship, there was little to no conflict between the two in their emotional relationship. That would have been okay if the other plot related to Mahiya's relationship to Neha or her mother had been well-developed. Unfortunately, there was very little conflict for the main characters themselves, and the outcome of the story was rather predictable.

As Raphael's spymaster, Jason lives his life in the shadows as he goes undercover to garner the best intel. However, his latest charge will take him out of that comfort zone and into the light. The Archangel's Neha's consort has been brutally murdered and her rage is shaking the world. Neha was already quite unstable prior to his death from the pain of losing her daughter, and if she continues on the path into madness, millions will suffer. When offered aid in finding the culprit, Neha agrees in allowing Jason to enter her lands, but only with the stipulation that he bind himself to another of her bloodline, Princess Mahiya. As Mahiya and Jason team up to find the killer along the way they find a passion for one another so unexpected that it threatens to tear apart who they each are at the core.

All of the characters in the Guild Hunter series seem to carry a plethora of scars from their pasts. Each one is damaged, but expresses it in a different way. I had always wondered what made Jason so closed off from the world as he constantly hid in shadows. Throughout the book we are given glimpses of those harrowing events, but it is the reveal later in the book that brought tears to my eyes. Such suffering he endured, it truly is amazing he was able to function at all. Granted, he has survived by completely closing off his heart to everyone, not allowing anything or anyone close at all. Even Raphael is kept at a distance despite the many years of loyalty. I really have to applaud Nalini for her ability to write Jason's character so beautifully, showing his quiet and thoughtful strength and grace. It isn't often that we get to see a non-alpha male take the spotlight making for a rather refreshing read. Don't get me wrong, nothing about Jason is weak, he just doesn't have the arrogance and outwardly brash manner that most heroes do, and honestly, I loved him all the more for it.

I really enjoyed watching the interactions between Jason and Mahiya as they developed from just acquaintances to so much more. I don't think any other woman could have been more perfect for him. Her hidden iron will intrigued him enough to draw him in, but it was her pure heart and untainted kindness in a world of horror that kept him there. It is a true testament to her strength that she wasn't long ago corrupted by her circumstances. Also, Mahiya seemed to understand Jason's needs better than he did, and was able to give him so much with asking a single demand in return. The poor man didn't stand a chance against her giving heart, and and a result may finally know love in return.

The thing I love most about this series is that is the perfect blend between Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance. I'm a huge romance fan, so I really enjoy having that be a larger element in my books and it is nice to have that guaranteed happy ever after in Paranormal Romances. However that happiness also frustrates me as each couple is only featured for one book and then mostly forgotten and don't hold much page time in future books. That just isn't the case in this series as each new book is completely intertwined with the previous ones only adding more to the stories, yet each one also finishes with some sort of happy romantic resolution. In fact, I am honestly in awe at Nalini's ability to ensnare me even further into this amazing world and increase my love for these characters with each new installment. Simply put, Archangel's Storm is an absolute must buy for fans of the series!

FINALLY! I had such a hard time with this one. It took me idk how many tries to get into this book, but yeah this time I managed to overcome the block I've been experiencing and enjoyed the story.

Jason has been a mystery; nobody knew his backstory, it was always eluded that he survived a horrific incident in his childhood. That story was revealed in this book and it was classic Nalini tragic, my heart hurts. I also love that I didn't know the gist of his and Mahiya's story despite having read the later books. The plot for this book wasn't really explained or referenced in the later books so there was a sense of surprise still when I read.

Granted, this book is probably my least favourite?? because Jason x Mahiya can't top the awesomeness that is Raphael x Elena and Dmitri x Honor, but there's a quiet intensity to the couple that I love. Mahiya is such a pure ray of sunshine, I would gladly volunteer to become a human shield to protect her life. I love how Jason acted around her, how he became *alive* around her. There were so many Jason x Mahiya scenes that I highlighted.

Sidenote, we got to see Honor's transition into a vampire in this book! I missed Dmitri and Honor. Will probably reread the book again.

Sadly, I don't have any more Guild Hunter books left to read. I need Archangel's Prophecy now!

The scale is 1-5. One being low and five being high.

Cliché: I don’t need to really explain this one…was it a typical story that followed very similar storylines that many authors over use? 1 out of 5---> Not cliché. The way she writes doesn't go into circles. I really enjoyed the slow burn to this dark romance.

Humor Me: How funny was the story? The dialog between the characters? 1 out of 5--->This was more of an adult serious read so there wasn't much to laugh at. But I did for sure smile at the many small romantic moments between the two.

Sizzle & Burn: How romantic was the story? And it is also the scale of how steamy things get between the characters that fall in love. 3.5 out of 5---->This is by no means deep dark erotica. I typically don't read such books. This book was a slow burning romance that surrounded an angel homicide case. The more you read and the deeper you enter into this world the more burn you feel from these two.

Called It!: This one is about the mystery behind the crime, situation, or hardship that is going on in the story. Did the author surprise me or did I know who the bad guy/antagonist was all along? 1.5 out of 5--->This author always gives me a good story to follow that I can't jump to the end to prematurely with my guess. I love the feeling and being able to read a story I have to read to learn what actually happens.

Exciting Extras: Did I fall in love with the background characters? How badly did I want to learn or hear more about the story of the main characters friend(s) or family member(s)? 5 out of 5----> I want to learn about, uhhh, I forgot his name. But the angel that is very light and hates being touched. This one I want to learn his story and see him find love. Also, it would be neat to follow Viper's story line too! Can't wait to read more!

What! It’s Over!: This one is rating how badly I want to read the next book in the series. 5 out of 5----> It is not if it is when I can get my hands on the next book! Can't wait to re-enter into the world Nalini has beautifully created.

This is a series i keep enjoying a lot as Nalini Singh always manage to spice up the series' plot with little elements coming to enlighten the investigation and a lot more coming to show us how bigger and more mysterious it will be. I Love that!

Now that the plot running along the series , the " fil rouge" but each book has a main storyline as well and those are also captivating. I was always intrigued by Jason as we only saw from time to time a little and learned even more little. When I discovered he was the main character in this book i had to get it without delay even if i wasn't that far yet in the series and I'm delighted i did get it.

Jason's story is really heartbreaking, he may be an angel of high power he is broken. We could imagine his past was hard but not too that level or not that early since we know how precious children are in the angels' culture. I always loved his relationship with Elena, while protective of Raphael, Jason wasn't outright hostile and know i understand it even better.

So Jason is Raphael's spymaster, that we knew, however the extent of his talent and of his means wasn't revealed yet. Discovering that an archangel's consort , Eris, is dead and having an idea of the disaster it could cause, he doesn't hesitate to go to the lion den, or the serpent den is more accurate since he goes to Neha, to try to calm things down by finding the culprit.
As an external agent though, he can't go freely so Neha requires a blood vow, a older practice, to bind him to her niece Mahiya and as an archangel you can guess she has ulterior motives as well.

Mahiya can be a princess, she is treated as such in name only as Neha hates her and think of her as a tool only. However under the appearances, Mahiya is a dove in a serpent nest. Fragile but not without strengths she is biding her time until she can leave without being killed or worse. Jason isn't what she expected but soon she sees him as an ally because he is the only one giving her credit and respect.

Those two are a good match and i really loved how they learned slowly about each other and how respect was essential in their relationship.

The investigation is really interesting and kept me turning the page to confirm my suspicions and to get more of Jason and Mahiya. Some chapters though focus on Dmitri and Honor marriage and aftermath. i loved to get more of those but at the same time i admit that at time i was so focused on Jason and Mahiya that the other couple bothered me ( i'm complicated i know)

All together it's really a fantastic book, i still prefer Elena/ Raphael as a couple but i want more of the seven as well so it's a series i will follow with pleasure)

Weeeee! That was awesome and beautiful and crazy!

Jason, where to start? While I was ready to see more of Elena and Raphael, I am introduced to Jason's story. This book is very different from the previous one, focused on Dmitri. We start with a mystery, Eris - Neha's husband - has been found dead inside of his prison. Afraid of Neha's grief and anger, Raphael sends Jason to investigate.

Jason is asked to seal a blood vow, not to Neha, but to Mahiya - Neha's niece and Eris' daughter. As Jason investigates the body count increases. Now, the bodies belong to angels and vampires, these near immortals are thoroughly killed.

Jason and Mahiya share lots of time together and, well, one thing leads to another. Both Jason and Mahiya have endure more than enough. However, their approach to tragedies couldn't be more different.

We do get to follow up on Dmitri and Honor, Elena and Raphael have a brief appearance, we got some more Venom and Aodhan, and Illium calls it in!

Overall, a very satisfying book - even if Rhys is introduced as a vampire and in the next chapter he's an angel.

Archangel’s Storm is book five in the Guild Hunter series by Nalini Singh. We focus on Jason, the Spymaster and one of Raphael’s Seven. He has been in the shadows since the beginning and we don't know anything about him, but here Singh reveals many secrets about the Spymaster in a way that demolishes and dazzles.

Jason and Mahiya are both mysteries. I loved the mystery surrounding both of them and the secrets they have. Neither had a good life and Singh delivers these reveals to the reader in spectacular fashion. The romance between Jason and Mahiya was a slow and steady build. This build was true to the characters and their sexual tension just sizzles throughout the pages.

Mahiya, what can I say, only that she is not like Elana, Honor, or Ash (previous heroines). She’s a shy woman showing more vulnerability then the others, but she has her moments of courage and strength. Singh shows these moments in subtle way’s that add to the characters growth.

Archangel's Storm had some devastating moments, that took my breath away. Their was also no shortage of action and mystery. Something is happening in the world and know one knows how it will play out.

As always Signh delivers a fast-paced action packed read with well developed characters, a world that is vast and every changing, and vivid descriptions that just add to the enjoyment of reading this series. I’m looking forward to pick up the next installment in the Guild Hunter series.

Rated: 4 Stars

I love reading these books. Deep down I do get a little disappointed when I’m reading one that does not evolve around Raphael and Elena but having said that I really enjoyed reading Archangels Storm. Even though this book was mostly based on Jason and Mahiya I really loved that we got to see what was going on Raphael and Elena as well as Dmitri and Honor.

Reading about the ‘spy master’ was a great chance to get to see what Jason really is all about. Having read Archangels Storm it finally answered several questions I had about Jason. Like What was really going on in his head. Jason is not all that disconnected from emotions as I had originally thought of him after the little glimpses we have had of him in previous books.

Once again another fantastic book.

When Neha’s consort is killed, Jason volunteers to investigate and find his murderer. To do that, he must bind himself to Neha’s niece, Princess Mahiya. But when Jason arrives in Neha’s palace, he doesn’t expect to be captivated by the quiet, meek Mahiya. As Jason does his best to figure out who killed Neha’s consort and learn a little about what’s going on inside her court, he finds himself drawn to Mahiya’s inner strength. In hundreds of years, no one’s tempted Jason like Mahiya has and when the search for the killer gets too close to home, will he be able to save Mahiya and fulfill his promise to Neha?

I’ve wanted Jason’s story since I first read him in the series. I was interested in his almost bleak existence and matter of fact way of relaying things. In this book, I loved that he finally got his story and seeing how different he was from Raphael and Dmitri. He’s so possessive and it scares him which I LOVED. I just adored that he was so scared for Mahiya and getting close to her. As for Mahiya, I liked that she was different than Elena and Honor. She didn’t have physical strength but she had inner strength from lasting so long in Neha’s court. She’s the perfect match for Jason because she’s still caring, almost “soft” but has a backbone of steel. Together, they’re passionate and intense and I loved their slow but sweet dance before they finally get together.

I absolutely adored Jason and Mahiya as a couple but I was a little disappointed with the final resolution. With the build up to who killed Neha’s consort (which I found a little obvious), I expected more of an intense resolution, something that had me sitting on the edge of my seat… but I wasn’t so I was a little let down on that :(

In the end, though, I loved getting Jason’s story and seeing his walls come down for someone so unexpected like Mahiya. It was interesting to get to know the mysterious Jason better and loved getting to experience a heroine who wasn’t so badass. I can’t wait to see more of them in the future and see how they adjust as a couple.

4.5 Stars.... Jason and Mahiya, two battered souls seeking solace in one another, combine their strengths to prevent an all out war... These two complex characters become intertwined as they navigate the political machinations of a bereaved archangel; finding themselves inexplicably drawn to one another amongst the terrors surrounding them... Nalini Singh brings the beauty of her words to the tragic nature of her characters to tell a hauntingly exquisite story of heartbreak and healing as the power of hope and love conquers the pain of the past:)

There is reason that Singh is one of may favorite authors, her Guild Hunter world is vividly framed but it is all of the small details that make me believe in that world of powerful, dangerous - and not always sane - winged beings and in Singh's characters who are so well drawn that they have a depth that makes them 'live'.

The story, as are the leads and the romance, in Archangel's Storm is more nuanced and subtle than some of the other Guild Hunter stories but I really enjoyed it. There is a great deal of relationship development between the two angelic leads: the highly observant and very emotionally closed off spymaster, Jason - who suffered severe emotional trauma as a child - and the also watchful Mahiya - archangel Neha's adopted daughter - who is both punished and the punishment for the betrayal by her father that led to her birth. Also very interesting is the background hunt for a murderer - which is the reason that one of Raphael's Seven is allowed access to an 'enemy' archangel's court. I liked that Singh gave enough clues to the mystery to allow the reader to figure out identity of the killer along with Jason and Mahiya.

Following this series since the beginning, I appreciated the chance to touch up with a fair number of the supporting cast that Singh has brought to life of the course of five books and several short stories. In addition to Elena and Raphael, there is just a bit of Venon here, a touch of Aodhan, a brief glimpse of Illium, and an enticing reference to Ashwini and Janvier - I am waiting for another short that finally gives them their HEA. Also given a more significant portion of page time in Archangel's Storm are past starring pair Honor and Dmitri who get an epilog to their HEA.

While in some ways it was nice to see a bit more of Honor and Dmitri - especially since there is a brief conversation that makes it clear that while Honor carries Dmitri's past wife Ingrede's soul, Honor is not Ingrede and Dmitri is in love with Honor as she is now and not just the shade of his dead wife - I thought that their side story was a distraction and I didn't feel that it really had a purpose in 'this' story. If I were to reread Archangel's Storm, I would skip their parts with the exception of the wedding at the beginning.

From a series arc perspective, Archangel's Storm gives hints of interesting things to come with a change in the archangels themselves, and I am very much looking forward to the next book which heads back to NYC and puts Elena and Raphael back in the lead (no title yet, but due out 9/2013.)

My Rating: 4 stars: Enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)

Archangel's Storm opens with the memories of Jason, one of Archangel Raphael's elite guard and his spymaster. It paints a gruesome picture of a terrifying event that shaped Jason's entire life -something that created an angel of few words and full of a fierce darkness. Once we jump forward to present day, we discover these memories constantly haunt the warrior angel, continuing to mold his persona, and therefore, this story.

Taking place immediately after the previous novel, Archangel's Blade, we find ourselves at the wedding of Dmitri (Raphael's second) and Honor (the couple were the primary focus of the last book). While at the celebration, Jason discovers that Eris, the imprisoned consort and husband of Neha, one of the Ruling Archangels known as the Cadre of Ten, has been murdered. Jason is best suited to help solve this mystery, which is necessary to prevent Neha from complete madness and the needless destruction of any territory or loss or lives.

Right from the start I was intrigued by Jason, an angel we know little about. He has a sixth sense which helps him perfect his spying skills. He also has the ability to blend in with the shadows, making him nearly invisible. Through intermittent flashbacks, we find out that Jason was loved by his parents, but something went horribly wrong when he was young, leaving him on his own. He's is an enigma and a riddle worth solving.

The same can be said of Neha's adopted daughter, the Princess Mahiya. Mahiya is Neha's niece, born of Neha's sister Nivriti, and her father is Eris (Neha's husband). Although Neha raised Mahiya as her daughter, the betrayal of her sister and husband left Neha bitter and angry. Mahiya was hated by both Neha and Eris as a reminder of past sins and the reason Eris was imprisoned for over three centuries. Yet, Mahiya is unbroken, even after decades of torment and hatred from her powerful Archangel aunt. We learn early on that instead of falling victim to Neha's mistreatment, Mahiya remains determined to find love and live free.

The pace and feel of Archangel's Storm is different than the previous books in the Guild Hunter series. However, it is reflective of the main character, Jason. He's a shadow with force - a waiting storm. Instead of focusing most of the attention on our hero and heroine falling in love, the primary storyline that drives this book is the mystery of who killed Eris (and a few others) and what motives are behind the seemingly unrelated deaths. Although I correctly guessed early on who was behind the grisly murders, I was still drawn in and unable to put the book down. And thanks to Ms. Singh ability to write in a way (sentence structure, language, prose) that just feels so sensual, the book flows beautifully -- even the violent scenes.

The romance in this story is very subdued. The first hints of any sexual attraction between Mahiya and Jason didn't even occur until after the 40% mark (according to my Kindle). But it's okay. The mystery of who is killing off angels is completely captivating. Meanwhile, Jason and Mahiya play a carefully calculated game of chess, wondering who will break first--who will gain the advantage. Neither are cruel, but both have the skills to be. That's what I love about the pair - they haven't given into the darkness that surrounds them. And I enjoyed seeing both Jason and Mahiya recognize the spark of a greater person and purpose within themselves. It's about two people on two journeys of self-discovery that are tied to one another.

One part of the book that I wasn't a big fan of is the side story of Honor and Dmitri as we follow her decision to become and begin the transition to a vampire. It is always interesting and exciting to find out what happens to favorite couples after their book ends, but in this case, their sections were disruptive to the intensity and flow of the primary storyline. I was hoping the two plots would come together in the end, but they remained as two separate stories.

I love that in the end, Jason is still Jason - no dramatic changes because he fell in love. And that Mahiya accepts this. The pair are so honest with one another. I love that both fought for goodness rather than falling into despair. It's not your typical HEA, but you know that in their way they have found "forever happy."

As I stated, the romance in this book was secondary to the murder mystery and subsequent battle. That may put off some, but I felt the romance infused the story with such subtlety that I unconsciously perceived it much of the time. The slower pace of the story resonated with the characters, and I was completely drawn into the plot. Archangel's Storm did not blaze off the pages, but its quiet influence touched my inner being.

Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

Quick & 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.

Guild Hunter series is back with another amazing book, but unfortunately it didn't made me fall in love with it like all the previous ones did. I was expecting so much from the fifth book, Archangel's Storm, and don't get me wrong, it is still one of the best books I've read this year. Nalini Singh sure knows how to keep her readers interested throughout the book with unexpected twist and turns, and an amazingly written storyline. I love that about her, but when you have read such good books in a series, even a little bad one makes you feel like the worst book you've read. It was disappointing how slow the story turned out to be, and how uninterested I was in the plotline or even the romance wasn't exciting enough.

In Archangel's Storm, we get Jason's story. Jason is a part of Raphael's most trusted Seven people, and he is considered the best spymaster. Previously we knew Jason as a quite mysterious angel with starkling black wings, and a breathtakingly beautiful face. He wasn't one of my favorite characters, so I didn't really knew what to expect from him. In this book, we get to know about his backstory, and it was so heart-wrenching and sad. I understand why Jason is the way he is, and I fully support and love him as it is. The thing that I loved the most was the Ms. Singh didn't change him as a character, he didn't start singing love poetry once he started falling in love. He was the same person as before, and that is the reason why most people will love Jason. That is also the reason why he came across as a dull person. He is very secretive, mute, and didn't get to have many dialogue. I missed that, I wanted more interactions.

Mahiya was a very though-out character. I loved her from the beginning. She did came across as a doormat initially but later on, we get to see the real, very calculative princess. She was strong, passionate, and knew how to use things to her advantage. In some ways, she was like a female Jason. That doesn't sound very good. They both were the lonely people who trusted no one fully, and were just looking for each other to share a part of themselves. I liked them as individuals but not as a couple. I get why they were paired together, but I think that Jason needed a more cheerful person who could actually bring light to his soul. But thats just me.

The highlight of this book was...wait for it...Dimitri & Honor. I loved seeing them again. Honor has accepted to become a vampire, and Dimitri is taking her through the transformation. Their scenes reminded me of how fun Ms. Singh's previous book were. Also, the connection between the couples was so realistic, and that was something that was missing between Jason & Mahiya. Anyway, we also get to know a little more about Aodhan. Oh, how I wish his book is next. I'm so excited to read more about him. He seems like a very (playful) funny person, we just need to get rid of those shields. Isn't that always the case?

Archangel's Storm was a nice addition to the Guild Hunter series, but it wasn't my favorite. There were some pros & cons like any other book, but on the whole it was a delightful read. This is not something you want to miss if you are a Guild Hunter fan. Heck, maybe you'll enjoy it more than I did.

When the archangel Neha's consort is murdered only a short time after her stupid daughter was put to the death, Raphael's afraid Neha's finally gonna lose it so he volunteers the services of his mysterious broody spymaster, Jason, to solve the murder. Neha will only agree to let Jason come if he swears a blood oath to the equally mysterious Princess Mahiya.

I'd actually giver 3.5 stars but I rounded up. This book is thankfully free of all the rape and torture present in Archangel's Blade, yet it's still a surprisingly sad read. That said, even though it was kind of depressing I still liked it WAY more than Archangel's Blade (which I hated btw). You can read this book without having read the rest of the series though it would be better to read books 1-3 first.

Like most of Singh's characters in this series, Jason is tortured by a violent past that he constantly relives in short annoying flashbacks throughout the book. Due to horrible (yet totally inexplicable) things that happened to Jason in his childhood, the poor guy has sworn never to love or care for anyone for something like the past 500-1000 yrs (really i can't remember his age). He narrates most of the book.

Not surprisingly, Princess Mahiya is also a tortured soul (be prepared to cry cause she has her own depressing reasons). Up until this book she is a completely unknown entity and Jason, ever the spymaster, is a little curious about her. I was surprised by how much I ended up liking her cause she's definitely not the sort of character I usually like. This chick is a gentle mary sue type with Stockholm syndrome and yet I just felt so bad for her that I couldn't help rooting for her.

Still, these have got to be two of the bleakest characters I've read in a while! One of them is constantly tortured by the gruesome memories of his butchered family and the other has never known love or even a kind word or touch and has pretty much been living in hell for the past 300 years and on top of this, has little hope of survival.

Of all of Raphael's Seven, Jason is the most mysterious.. A Man of shadows, dark, seething secrets, all covered by a calm exterior so why would his book be any different. While the rest of the Hunter Guild is fast paced and exciting. Archangel's Storm is brooding, seething, and full of twists. I enjoy when an author writes the book the character needs rather than trying to stuff him into a prescribed format. Nalini Singh has done a wonderful job in this her 5th book of the series.

Jason, 700 years old and having spent most of them in service to Raphael has let few beings touch him.. physically and almost none has he trusted enough to let them touch him emotionally. As a child he survived the murder suicide of his parents and over time he had learned how to shut out anything that could ever have the potential to hurt him. And yet, he has given his loyalty to Raphael and his trust to the Seven. As Raphael's Spymaster his reputation is legend and no one knows how he is able to discern the information he uncovers. When the consort of one of the Cadre is killed Jason is asked to go on a search and discover mission. He is only allowed into her territory if he swears a blood oath. Given his unbreakable loyalty to Raphael no way was he going to offer that oath to Neha, instead he accepts her offer to make the oath to her niece. Neha's quick capitulation causes both Jason and Raphael to question her motives but the need to find the killer is greater than the need for caution.

Mahiya is the product of infidelity, the daughter of an Archangel's consort and her sister. Raised as a bargaining chip, a pawn, a source of vengeance, she has determined that Anger, greed and malice will not run her life. She will not let the emotions that created her define her. At best all who see her, see a weak woman, a sycophant to the Consort. At worst she is pitied. She has walked the line between survival and defiance for over 300 years. Current circumstances may finally allow her to escape and live her life as she desires.

I can not fathom a better setting for this book than India. A place that still evokes images of sensuality and decadence. Of undercurrents upon undercurrents. A rich lush landscape that embodies Jason and Mahiya. This is a book of intrigue, mystery and deadly desires. The reader is never quite sure who belongs where and who is loyal to whom. There is no joy in this book.. there is triumph. I think we can all relate to that moment when we lost our innocence and Jason and Mahiya share theirs with us. If I needed one single word to describe this book I would say evocative.

Ms Singh allows us peaks into the lives of her wonderful Seven. We get momentary glimpses of Raphael, Elena, Dmitri, Honor and Venom. We even see just a bit more into Aodhan.. While this book could stand alone very easily it is wonderful to see those we love.

Read this book!! You won't be disappointed

Shauni

I love this series.
I really, really, really do.
So much so that you might even say that I fangirl over it.

Okay, so Mr. Turning the Pages is the one who said it but let's be honest. Nalini Singh's Guild Hunter series is AWESOME.

Every time I pick up one of the books in this series I know I better warn people that I will be emotionally unavailable to them for long periods of time whilst I read and with Archangel's Storm I was so glad to see our dark winged angel Jason get his own story because he's always been such an enigma in the previous books so I was glad to learn about him in this one.

Jason was a great character to focus the fifth book in her Guild Hunter series on. While I do want to read a story with Ashwini and Javier, Venom, and Blue Bell but the way things led up to this one really made me curious about Jason's past and future.

One of the many things that I enjoy about the books in this series is that each of them has a mystery that needs solving by the main characters who were Jason and Neha's niece, Mahiya (whose name I just love) and the relationship between them. Jason we know has a dark past, however Mahiya is a newcomer to the Guild Hunter series so everything we learned about her was in this book and I thought the way that Singh wrote the story in such a way that both of the main characters stories were balanced.

As I've come to expect there was a lot of character development. Singh excels at creating strong independent heroines and dark heroes as well as romances that don't have the dreaded insta-love factor. That I think is one of the most enjoyable parts of her books because they take place over weeks and or months at a time so the relationships between the Jason and Mahiya was slow building which suited this novel. Both parties were jaded, traumatized and basically left to their own devices for so long in their pasts it was no wonder that they took time to figure each other out but when they did it was hotter than a volcano!

Also, I enjoyed seeing Elena and Raphael as well as Honor and Dimitri who are the characters from the preceding novels, because while Archangel's Blade and Archangel's Storm deal with members of Raphael the Archangel's team of elite warriors there is in fact events that tie all the books together. As with each book I feel much closer to finding out how things in the world Singh built will turn out.

With lots of adrenaline pumping action, mystery, intrigue, betrayal and hot romance between the characters I loved reading Archangel's Storm since I liked reading about another archangel (Neha) more in depth and getting to know Mahiya and Jason. I can't wait to see where things are going with this series and I'm eagerly anticipating the next book in the series.

I would recommend this to fans of the Guild Hunter series who haven't yet read this installment as well as recommending the first book in the series to newcomers. Fans of gritty, emotional and action packed Urban Fantasy novels with great characters and terrific plots should definitely give this series a try.

Reviewed by ANN & posted at Under the Covers Book Blog

Jason, the spymaster and one of Raphael's Seven has always been in the shadows. It's what makes him good at his job, but as readers we don't know much about him. In ARCHANGEL'S STORM, the fifth book in the Guild Hunter series, Singh reveals those long awaited secrets in a way that devastates and dazzles.

When Jason takes a blood vow that will place him front and center in Neha's territory, he meets Princess Mahiya, a woman whose strength is silent, but is still as lethal as a blade. Neha's husband and consort, Eris is found murdered and mutilated in his prison so it is Jason and Mahiya's task to find out what happened. Several other murders occur and cause suspicion to rise and ask whether or not the strings of deaths are coincidence or calculated.

The romance between Jason and Mahiya is slow and steady. It wouldn't have been true to the characters if Jason suddenly turned into a seducer. He has always been the most reserved of the Seven and he takes his duty seriously. So even though the sexual tension between the Spymaster and the Princess is off the charts, Singh develops a slow burn that sizzles through the pages of this book. Similarly, Mahiya is a shy woman who shows more vulnerability than any of the other heroines we've met so far. She isn't an ass-kicker like Elena or Honor or even Ash, but she does display moments of courage and strength. It's just more in a subtle way.

Thinking back on this, I think Mahiya and Jason were a perfect fit for one another. Though this book may not be my favorite of the series, there are still some devastating moments in this book that took my breath away. Jason's backstory in particular was heartbreaking to read. I only wished Singh delved deeper into that dark time so readers could learn more about Jason.

There is also a steady amount of action in this book that really showcased Singh's ability to write fast-paced fight scenes. It just shows how well developed and well-rounded a writer Singh is! Her writing continues to enchant readers with her vivid descriptions and dark tinge to her words. I'm definitely looking forward to returning to Elena and Raphael after this book. Singh never fails to impress.

*ARC provided by publisher

I'm a big fan of the author Psy/changeling series. Even still, this series didn't rock my world at first. However, recently I've found myself getting caught up. I can the mother of all archangel battle on the horizon and I'm completely vested in seeing my favorite characters survive.
Nalini Singh's talent is unmistakable and immutable. She makes the effort to make the important secondary characters as 3 dimensional as the primary characters so that when you get their story you're already comfortable with them.
I loved Jason's story, the introduction and introspection into life history and meeting the women to get his heart. I also loved the opportunity to see into another archangel's territory because I'm convinced this will play a big role in the crescendo of this series. I liked that the mystery was tough but not so tough that I hadn't figured it out long before the end.
I have two complaints about this book. The first complaint applies to the whole series. The names used in series, though beautiful and exotic, are hard to pronounce. My first name is a little unique and I hate it when people mispronounce it. The author takes such care in choosing character named that I would imagine she would hate hearing them butchered. A pronounciation key at the beginning of the book wouldn't be remissed.
My second complaint was about how the story arch of the twins meeting on the field of battle ended. I might be a little bloodthirsty but I wanted Neha to get her butt kicked and I wanted this to be thing that made her sister ascend as cadre. Saying that I think it's clear that I'm just irritated the author didn't end this part the way wanted...so maybe this isn't a true complaint.
I'm not much for angel, probably because my mind is stuck on them being these heavenly creatures, but I do love the characters winged and otherwise. This series has a lot of characters that some people might really dislike if they were corporeal but the fact that they find someone who loves them just the way they is testament of real life. We all need and deserve love and Nalini Singh does a great job proving that with her characters. Well, I'm already on to the next in the series.

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Heidi

*Beware of possible Spoilers*

archangels-storm-guild-hunter-nalini-singhJason is one of Raphael’s Seven, he sticks to the shadows and is always privy to what’s going on, making him the perfect spymaster. Tragedy struck him at a young age forcing him to grow up fast forgoing any semblance of a childhood. It has forced him to grow up hard and to put an impenetrable shell around himself and his heart, letting no one in that could cause him to feel the pain he felt as a child. If he doesn’t love, then he can’t mourn the loss.

Mahiya has grown up in her Aunt Neha’s court after the death of her mother, Nivriti. Even though she is a princess, it hasn’t been a happy life for Mahiya. Neha has always seen her as a weapon to use against her unfaithful consort, Eris, who is actually Mahiya’s father. Neha spends her days punishing them both for Eris’s and Nivriti’s betrayal.

But when Eris is found murdered, Jason volunteers his services to find the killer and to keep an eye on Neha in the process. But the only way Jason is allowed in Neha’s territory is for him to make a blood vow to Mahiya, which he quickly agrees to for the duration of his investigation. But he never expected this delicate princess to penetrate his shields of obsidian and to make him feel once again.

After reading Dmitri’s story in Archangel’s Blade, I had high expectations for this novel. And, it was a good story, but it had a pretty slow start for me. The mystery took a long time to figure out and it was a struggle to keep my interest. I just found things to really drag. It did get better once Jason and Mahiya started giving in to their desires, but it took some time to get to that point, as their relationship had a very slow buildup. But the book ended well and I found that I did enjoy it.

We learned more about the intricacies of Neha in this book. We discovered the betrayals that she has had to face and the things that have made her the difficult and sometimes mean archangel that she has become. Unfortunately she enjoys taking out those horrors on the innocent reminder of those traitorous acts, Mahiya.

Mahiya has definitely had a difficult life having to overcome the sins of the father (and mother). She has an inner strength that most people don’t see because of the apparent weakness she appears to project to others, thanks in huge part to Neha herself.

I’ve really grown to like Jason over the course of the series. This book was no exception. He really shows his strength and seeing the glimpses of his past were heart-wrenching. It’s great to finally see something that can penetrate that heart of stone.

“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 the wings of my heart with you.”

Another thing that I really enjoyed in this book, even though it didn’t really bring anything to the plot, was the glimpses of Dmitri and Honor. I was a little sad that we hadn’t gotten to see their wedding or her transformation in their book, so I was ecstatic to see some of it now!

I didn’t feel this book was as good as Archangel’s Blade, but it was still enjoyable and worth the read.

Visit OpenBookSociety for this review and more!

You know for the majority of the series I didn’t have any feelings one way or another about Jason except for curiousity. So to my shock, instead of the blue-winged angel we all love so much, whose book I keep expecting, I found out this one is about Jason. Awesome, but bummer for me!

The Good:

Wow!

The back story to Jason that we do not even get glimpses of through the other books just pops out of nowhere and it is heartbreakingly amazing he falls in love at all!

Also, Mahiya is absolutely perfect for Jason and I loved their interaction. I think these two are now my second favorite couple in the Guild Hunter books!

The Bad:

Was there bad? Well, the bad was I wanted more Raphael and Elena of course!

5 stars!

#5 in the Guild Hunter series. It is the story of Jason - the spymaster for Raphael. His wings are black and he has learned to walk the shadows and be invisible to those around him. He is one of the seven, and well respected by friend and foe alike. Having lost his parents at a very young age he learned to fend for himself, he grew up quickly, but his emotional life is zilch. He doesn't trust. He is sent to Neha's court to investigate the murder of Eris, Neha's consort.

At court he meets the beautiful Princess Mahiya, niece of Neha. Mahiya was ripped away from her mother at birth and Neha has been responsible for raising her. However Mahiya has not had a rosy upbringing, she is the result of her mother and Eris having an affair. Eris has been imprisoned for 300 years for the deed and Neha has disposed of Mahiya's mother. While hatred, jealousy and revenge surrounded Mahiya she has chosen to kind and loving, rather than be filled with what drives Neha.

As Mahiya and Jason work together they come to know each other, Jason recognises Mahiya for all the qualities that she has - he can't ever love her, he believes himself incapable - but he does come to want to be with her and protect her. Mahiya who is straight talking and not into court politics appreciates Jason's integrity and truth. As they work together the attraction grows until they are more and more entwined with each other. They understand each other, both having lost parents at an early age in horrific circumstances. Jason listens to Mahiya and respects her, something Mahiya has not really experienced. Her life so far has led her to believe she doesn't matter. I really liked this aspect of the book - the importance of truly listening to someone is of immense importance.

I really enjoyed this book, it was largely set in Neha's court, so there was little of the other seven in it. We were however given brief but satisfying glimpses of Dmitri and Honor, and occasional small walk ons from some of the others. There is a crime to be solved and the path to it being solved is convoluted and I can't give anything away, although eventually it becomes clear. While the final battle is bloody, I didn't find it as gruesome as some of the previous books.

This was an interesting installment in the Guild Hunter series in that, the book and characters took on a different feel than previous books. Coming off Dmitri's story where he was a very big presence on page and just in general, Jason is quite the opposite. He has that archangel edge, being one of Raphael's closest friends, he does what needs doing in his world, but he's quiet, dark, very emotionally closed off. Having love in his life was an interesting balance between how he had love once and refused to let himself go there again with his heroine, Mahiya, who has never known love and wants it badly, wants to be love but most important to her, she wants someone to give her love to.

As I was reading the story, I kept thinking that the pace made it seem as though not much was really happening. Jason and Mahiya spend a lot of time trying to figure out not only who killed Neha's consort, but other murders that are occurring, people close to Neha are dying and they're trying to track clues to find the killer. There are a few very important pieces of information that come up that not only impact this story but the overall storyline for the archangels and specifically the power surrounding angels who are part of the Cadre. It's a time of change and power fluctuations are starting to have a big impact. It's something that's just beginning, but will absolutely have greater meaning to Raphael, Lijuan, Neha, et al as the series goes on.

The spotlight in all these books for me is the romance. Jason and Mahiya are such strong characters on their own, they've each overcome tragic pasts, especially Jason and their romance has a slow build up. Jason makes it perfectly clear that while he wants her, it will never be more than that. He can't let love back into his life and we find out why through small flashbacks that culminate into the full scene taking us back to the defining moment in his young life when, as child, he had the one person he loved more than anything taken away from him. That was the moment I went from liking Jason to loving him. His scenes with Mahiya felt understated, going from the previous book with a very naughty Dmitri; that isn't Jason at all. Even though the scenes when they're together felt quieter, they were still intense and the emotion between them kept building. I enjoyed their romance and I liked watching Jason find a sense of home again with Mahiya.

I found Mahiya to be an easy heroine to care about. Even after all the angst she's had to go through because of Neha, having a father who didn't care about her at all and being afraid to love out of fear that harm would come to those she did, as it had in the past, she is still filled with so much hope. She accepts Jason for who he is and accepts what he can give her and of course she hopes for more, but there's strength in her for loving him and not expecting anything in return. This love and caring that she shows Jason starts to break him down and he opens up to her like he hasn't to anyone else ever. This couple may not be as dominant as Raphael and Elena, or as wicked and naughty like Dmitri and Honor but they fit, and their romance is very reflective of the people they are and it's satisfying to see play out.

A small supporting storyline takes place for Dmitri and Honor and centers around her decision to change (or not) into a vampire. I loved getting a little extension on this couple's story and seeing Dmitri so devoted to Honor made me sigh every time they came back on page. There's always that one character who shows up or gets mentioned very briefly that I immediately want to know more about. Aodhan is that character for me in this book. With just one small paragraph describing who he is at this moment, an angel who can't bare touch and desires isolation, I want to know why and even more, I want to know who the female is that's going to cause him to let her in. He's also close friends with Illium and I can't wait to see more of this friendship through the series.

I enjoyed this latest installment in the Guild Hunter series. Jason is a hero living in darkness and finds his match in an angel who's filled with love and hope. They have a sweet romance, understated at times and it worked for them. I like the progression of the Cadre storyline, especially with the new developments in Neha's life. I'm excited to see that pick up steam with the next book, which will take us back to Raphael and Elena.

Blog rating: 4/5

Reviewed at Another Look Book Reviews

I'm still playing catch up on the stack of books I had purchased in the past two years. I am so happy that I waited to be in a total UF/Paranormal frame of mind to read Archangel's Storm because I enjoyed it that much more. I was ready to be swept away in the world of angels and vampires. Nalini Singh as always, delivered a great story.

Jason is a quiet angel with such a strong presence that he really doesn't have a lot of dialogue. I found that he is in his head more than he communicates with his words. I found that this approach completely worked for Jason. It goes hand in hand with his childhood background and at one point in his past, he was considered mute. I so admire Nalini Singh for being true to Jason's character. I would have been very disappointed if his own book came out and all of sudden he was a chatterbox.

Mahiya is the perfect match for Jason. She too is reserved and even shy at the initial intimate moments with Jason. I found her to be a very quiet heroine. If there was a room full of angels, Jason and Mahiya would be the pair that would be quiet and watching everyone else or being secluded away with each other. Neither are attention seekers.

It has been awhile since I read the last Guild Hunter book so I found myself trying to get caught up on where the last book left off. These books are not stand alone because there is a true bigger story that keeps expanding with each book. I do wonder where the genius Nalini Singh is taking us. The main mystery in Archangel's Storm was a bit slow for me. It progressed gradually forward and always skirting around the edges was the bigger story to still be told.

I do like Dmitri and Honor and you get glimpses of an extended story from their previous book but it felt like a badly timed interruption of Jason & Mahiya's story. A chapter would end and I would turn the page eager for their next move and BAM! a short chapter of Dmitri and Honor. I wanted to skip over it but I was worried that it would eventually all be linked. It wasn't. Oh well, I guess it was better than paying for a short novella of Dmitri and Honor.

On to the next book, Archangel's Legion and I am so excited because the series turns back to Elena and Raphael and I LOVE those two!! Okay if I was being totally honest, I just read Archangel's Storm as fast as I could just to get to Elena and Raphael.

Teasers: Reminder - Archangels do not think the same way humans do

I first became a fan of Nalini Singh’s back before I started my blog. I read all the books in both her Guild Hunter series and Psy/Changeling series and loved them. It has taken me a long time to read another book, but it was easy to fall back into one of the worlds that I love. Archangel’s Storm is Jason’s book and I was curious but excited to see behind the walls that the mysterious spymaster has put up. Raphael and his Seven have their secret, dark pasts and I love getting to know each and every one of them.

Jason is a 700 year old, beautiful tattooed angel, with wings as black as night. He is the Archangel Raphael’s spymaster and the best at this role as he prefers to be free and doesn’t like to interact with others unless it is part of his work. He is able to infiltrate places without detection and can slip away at the blink of an eye. There is so much about him that he has kept secret, but he has learnt to live in this world again, even after the tragedies that occurred when he was young. He is a man of few words and only speaks when needed. He could come to my rescue any day of the week, I tell you!

The girl that peaks his interest is Mahiya, the niece of the Archangel Neha. She has lived a very tough life under her aunt’s rule as Neha despises her. Mahiya comes across as a very shy and obedient girl, but the years of hardship she has endured has made her tough on the inside. She wants to be free one day and is making plans to ensure that happens. When Jason and Mahiya first meet you can see there is a connection between them, but they are more curious about each other and want to unravel the mystery shrouding them.

The plot in Archangel’s Storm is amazing too. There is trouble in Neha’s court and Raphael offered Jason’s services to her to unravel the murders. We know from previous books that the Archangels in the Cadre are developing further powers and it is interesting to see how they are all evolving. Neha has been through a lot as of late and appears to be a bit unstable, but it doesn’t stop Jason from working out the mystery. I was able to guess early on who the culprit may be, but it didn’t take anything away from the story while I was reading; I was captivated right until the very end.

And guess what!? Archangel’s Legion comes out next month… Raphael and Elena get another book!! Whoo hoo!!

Jason is one of Raphael's Seven and his position, as the Spymaster, is a very important. One of Jason's gifts lets him hear things anywhere no matter how quietly or softly spoken. Another of Jason's gifts lets him all but disappear while being in plain sight. Both of these gifts and all his years as a spymaster will be needed when Jason undertakes his next assignment - one that takes him into Neha's court to uncover a murderer.

Mahiya might be called a princess in Neha's court but her life has been anything but a fairytale. A nightmare might be a much better description of her life once she became a teenager. Mahiya has never known love or tenderness except from the woman who was her nanny. Instead she has been used as a weapon, and treated like less than any servant in the court. Now Mahiya might just have the means to gain her biggest wish, to be free and to live her life how she wants. All she has to do is match wits with the best spymaster in the Cadre.

Jason agrees to a blood oath to Mahiya but on his own terms and Mahiya agrees to it for her own reasons. Very quickly both Jason and Mahiya learn that they have more in common than a few drops of blood. As the hunt for the murderer goes along, Jason and Mahiya become an unbeatable team in solving the puzzle of who killed Neha's consort and discover that two people who never believed that love would ever exist for them find just that in each other. When an unexpected twist proves that Mahiya might be in even greater danger than ever before, Jason moves to keep her safe from all fronts. When a war erupts filled with long held vengeance and hatred, only quick actions from both Jason and Mahiya will allow them the chance to explore the love that has filled them.

Passion has wings when a storm and a butterfly fall for each other in the middle of intrigue and danger. Archangel's Storm shows Jason and Mahiya love is for everyone and can show up just when you despair of ever finding it. Jason and Mahiya just blew me away with how they overcame and survived the worse kinds of horrors. I always knew that Jason would have to have a very special woman to understand him and put some sun into his shadows. Mahiya was everything Jason needed and more, she was a strong woman who could take care of herself and those that she loves when needed. I loved living their story as they discovered each other and help to heal each other's hidden wounds. The strength and intensity of not only Jason and Mahiya was just added to with the murder mystery they solved. I don't always think of the word elegant when thinking about a book, yet I think that word describes Jason and Mahiya's story.

Archangel's Storm is full of intrigue, suspense and passion that won't let you go once it has you in its grip. It has also shot straight up to one of my all time favorites in the Guild Hunter series. To Joyfully Recommend it doesn't seem enough but it is the highest ranking I can give to Jason and Mahiya, so yes I Joyfully Recommend Archangel's Storm as a do not miss book.

Jo for Joyfully Reviewed

I LOVED this installation in the Guild Hunter Series. The love story rang very true and didn't feel rushed, the court intrigues were fascinating, and the twists in the story were truly surprising for the reader. This was an incredibly well-rounded novel about a character that we never heard much about in the other books.

I especially enjoyed the setting of this story. It takes place in "enemy territory" to a certain extent and NS did a fantastic job making a new and different realm for the cold and kinda crazy archangel Neha. She developed the characters very well over the course of a few hundred pages, not an easy task since they were all pretty new to us. Neha was a great bad guy because she had so many different facets. The foreshadowing was also interesting and gave readers a taste of some of the excitement to come. NS did a good job of creating a story set apart from the main storyline but that advances the development of the archangelic world.

Perhaps the best thing about this book is that it doesn't have the traditional romance ending that some of the other books do. I felt like NS gave her characters exactly the ending they deserved and something more traditional would have felt wrong. The romance was sweet and a joy to read, especially since it was free of clichés and came across as very fresh.

Mahiya is totally awesome and just as, if not more, badass than Elena and Honor because she is not physically strong so much as mentally tough. Her smarts and perseverance were the perfect match for Jason and all readers will fall in love with her. We don't learn that much about Jason really but it doesn't take away from the story. I would love another book about these two!

Read this: As a standalone for a great story. You MUST read if you are a fan of the series. Great book.

Another great book in this series, I couldn't put it down.

Jason known for his midnight black wings and ability to blend into shadows offers to go into Neha's territory to help find he murderer of her consort Eris. In doing so he must make a blood vow to her niece Mahiya. He is willing to do this with the condition that once he finds the killer he is free to go.

Mahiya, prisoner and niece to Neha, is a happy woman filled with love despite where she grew up. She was hated by her aunt because her mother had an affair with Eris and she was the result. She was told the Neha killed her mother or rather let her starve to death. When she is joined with Jason she begins having feelings for the spymaster. If her past is anything to go on then falling for a man will lead to nothing but heartbreak.

Together they must find out who murdered Eris before too many more people die. But they must do so and still keep on Neha's good side because Mahiya believes she will give anything for a chance to kill her.

Archangel's Storm by Nalini Singh
Paranormal Romance - Sept. 4th, 2012
4 stars

Archangel's Storm is the author latest dark fantasy in her Guild Hunter series. It revolves around the Archangel Raphael and his cadre of seven who protect him.

In this book, Rapheal's spymaster, Jason is asked to investigate a killing in the court of the powerful Archangel Neha. This is very personal because Neha's consort, Eris, has been murdered. To ensure Jason's trustworthiness he is commanded to bind himself to one of the angels at Neha's court. Neha picks one of the 'ornamental' angels of the court named Mahiya.

Mahiya lives in constant fear at court. For she is the product of an illicit affair between Neha's twin sisiter and Eris. Her very existence is repugnant to the powerful archangel who holds dominion. And Neha is vengeful. When Neha discovered her mother's affair with Eris she killed her sister, then imprisoned her Eris for hundreds of years. To live in the dangerous court of her aunt, Mahiya has had to suppress her intelligence. But when she is assigned to aid Jason, he sees to the real woman beneath. They soon find a commonality and his notorious cold heart begins to melt. However, the enemy who killed Eris is still out there and wants vengeance. Can they find the killer before catastrophe occurs?

Dark and intense, this compelling paranormal romance is not to be missed. The mysterious spymaster has long been an enigma and the author does him justice in her latest book. Jason is devious and even a bit scary in his goals to protect his Archangel. I like how this story shows snippets of Jason's past and what has shaped him. It also reveals that he actually has some compassion! But with Mahiya, he opens up further and sees her as a person, not someone he needs to manipulate for his own ends. When

Mahiya's life may be in jeopardy his alpha side comes out in full force and the storyline takes a surprising turn. Mahiya has navigated the treacherous court of her aunt for centuries and is used to being alone. When she is assigned to work with Jason she is attracted to his deadly beauty but wary of him, too. But although she has been raised in a fearful place she still maintains an innocence that is very endearing. She has not been corrupted and I very much wanted her happy. I loved how these two characters found each other and complemented each other.

Complex, dark, and passionate this book of intrigue and deception has many surprises.

Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club

I am loving the foray into the romantic lives of Raphael's Seven. Dmitri's book was wonderful and this one was it's equal, imo.

Jason is Raphael's spymaster. He's quiet, lives in shadows and has a solid, enigmatic core.

He is dispatched to the Archangel's Neha's territory to help investigate the death of her consort. Raphael is amenable to Jason helping Neha for awhile because it pust his spymaster in a place where he can get some inside intel, Neha has her own reasons for wanting Jason there.

In the previous books of the series we've met quite a few of the angels and archangels including Neha. She is one of the scarier ones. Actually most of the angels in this series are scary. They may be insanely beautiful but they are primarily just insane.

But back to Neha, she is the Archangel of India, the Queen of Snakes and Poisons. Her daughter was executed in an earlier book because of heinous crimes she committed (the discovery of which was largely thanks to Elena, whom Neha now hates with the heat of a 1000 suns). So in addition to he beloved daughter she's lost now she's also lost her beloved consort. Sure he was a cheating bastard whom she kept imprisoned, but she loved him anyway. And he was disemboweled and left for her to find. So she's hurting, feeling loss and since she's a little crazy herself she wants to hurt people.

Thus we have Mahiya. She is Neha's niece and Neha's favorite person in the word to hurt and torture. And Neha isn't just contend with locking Mahiya in a room for weeks on end with poisonous snakes. Oh, no. Neha also enjoys mental and psychological torture for poor Mahiya.

But Majiya is no mere punching bag. She has long known what she is to Neha and refuses to break. She's knows she is just a pawn, but as she assists Jason in his investigations, she has plans of her own. She is just as silent and plotting in her own way as Jason is.

I liked how her romance with Jason unfolded. It wasn't all 'Sturm und Drang' like Raphael/Elena or cheating-death miraculous like Dmitri/Honor. No theirs was more quiet. Like a dark pool, deep and reflective. They exchange life stories, they learn about each other. They understand each other's pain and each learns that some of the healing comes simply from sharing with someone who cares. It was sweet and yet profound. Also it doesn't hurt that she was a classic princess in distress and he helps to save her.

I figured out the mystery very early on thanks to a simple omission from a story told to Mahiya. So I kept waiting for Jason and Mahiya to cop to it. They did in good time. I was very happy at the outcome only because it actually added to Mahiya's happy ending. And it was yet another blow to Neha.

Dmitri and Honor have a few shortish chapters sprinkled throughout the book so we get to follow up with them and see how they go on. It was kind of nice to see dangerous Dmitri all schmoopy in love (yet still dangerous).

Really good book, I devoured it.

4.5 stars

When the archangel Neha's consort Eris is murdered her rage threatens to destroy the balance of power amongst the cadre of ten and if left unchecked thousands of innocent lives could be lost. Neha already has a grudge against Raphael which makes him and his territory a likely target for her rage. The one person that Raphael can send to try and gain Neha's trust and help her investigate the murder is his spymaster Jason. Jason is an expert at uncovering secrets and his unique abilities make him perfect for the job but the only way Neha will allow him into her territory is if he forms a blood bond with her niece Mahiya. The last thing Mahiya wants is to be tied to an enemy spy, especially when she has secrets of her own that are so dangerous her life would be forfeit if they are uncovered but she has no choice but to go along with Neha's wishes and she has her own reasons for wanting to uncover who is behind Eris's death. As Jason and Mahiya work together to uncover the truth they uncover a shocking betrayal that threatens to turn Mahiya's world upside down. Can she trust Jason to keep the promises he made to protect her or will he end up breaking her heart?

I'm a huge fan of the Guild Hunter series, I love Raphael and Elena but I've been dying to learn more about Raphael's Seven, the trusted angels and vampires who have had his back for centuries, ever since the first book so I'm really excited that they each seem to be getting their own book. Jason has intrigued me from the moment we met him, I knew he had to have some kind of darkness in his past and I was desperate to get to know his secrets. Although I was expecting him to have a tortured past I had no idea just how badly he had suffered, in fact reading about the things he had been through actually brought tears to my eyes which is a testament of just how invested I was in his story. My heart broke for the things he had seen as a child but I admire him for the strength of character he showed to survive with his sanity in tact.

I was a bit unsure how a romance could work between Jason and a member of another archangel's court, especially someone who is actually related to Neha, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I found myself liking Mahiya. For a lot of reasons that I'm not going to go into in this review (you'll have to read the book to find out what they are!), Mahiya has never been a favourite of Neha's. The only reason she was allowed to survive was as a punishment to her parents and Neha has taken great pains to keep Mahiya in her place at the bottom of the court hierarchy when by birth right she should be an important member of the family. Mahiya has been through so much that it would have been easy for her to become a bitter and hateful person but she is determined not to let Neha beat her. She knows that the only way she can win is to remain true to herself and she has shown incredible strength to manage that. She makes a worthy heroine for Jason and it doesn't take long for him to see that. They really are so well matched, Mahiya understands Jason on a level that nobody else ever has and she accepts what he can and can't offer her without hesitation. I don't think anyone will be disappointed by the sexy scenes between the two of them, Jason is one hot dominant angel who knows exactly what he wants and how to get it!

Alongside the mystery of who murdered Eris, which I have to admit I guessed in advance but not until fairly near the big reveal, Archangel's Storm also allows us to catch up with favourite characters we already know and love. I always eat up any scene between Raphael and Elena but some of the highlights in this book were the ones between Dmitri and Honor. I love how sweet Dmitri is with Honor, he is like a completely different vampire when he is with her but that doesn't make him any less scary as far as anyone else is concerned. Illium always steals any scene he appears in, I just adore Bluebell and I really hope he has his own book soon because I'd love to see him find a worthy heroine. My only disappointment with this series is that I'm now up to date which means I'll have to wait a whole year in between each new instalment - I foresee a lot of re-reading in my future to get my Guild Hunter fix. At least I still have the Psy-Changeling series to catch up on so that will keep me going for the next few weeks anyway. Nalini Singh is fast becoming one of my favourite authors, I haven't read anything of hers that I didn't love and I can't recommend her highly enough to paranormal romance fans.

"Archangel's Storm" by Nailini Singh is part of her `Guild Hunters' series and is a fantastic paranormal read. It has a beautiful blend of the `otherness' of angels, archangels and vampires mixed with realistic descriptions of the delicate dance of diplomacy between powerful factions and is rounded off with an intriguing murder mystery. I enjoy this author's ability to evoke vivid pictures with nuances that add just the right touch and give insight into characters with very few words. The horrific experiences that hone the characters are a bit graphic and nightmarish but the depth of emotion displayed in the multiple explorations of love is touching and heartwarming. The strength displayed by two characters who should be broken by all that they have been exposed to is a wonderful inspiration and the intriguing cameos by other characters who were highlighted in previous books in the series make this a very entertaining tale.

Jason is one of the Seven who have sworn loyalty to the archangel Raphael and acts as his very effective spymaster. Jason is traditionally very self-contained and able to disappear into the shadows effortlessly but will need all of the powers at his command when he is tasked to solve a horrific murder in the archangel Neha's territory. A surprising tie to Mahiya, a princess in Neha's court, will complicate the formerly imperturbable angel as he tries to help her with her own goals. The vampire Dmitri and his Guild hunter Honor also have their own obstacles to overcome as their relationship continues to blossom. Changes in the powers wielded by the various denizens of the world imply a greater upheaval is yet to come and the question of most concern to Jason is who will survive the conflict and what kind of world will it be after the victor is decided?

© Night Owl Reviews

I received a copy of this title in return for an honest review.

Before reading the Guild Hunter series, I was (and still am) a devoted fan of Nalini Singh's Psy-Changeling series, and thought that nothing could match them. However, this series definitely runs a tie race and Archangel's Storm is a fitting addition. So many reviewers wrote very good synopses already, so I won't write another one. I will say that I simply loved Jason and Mahiya and I thought that the slow and subtle way that the story of their romance was told fit them perfectly. Although I love Dmitri and Honor, I didn't like their story interrupting the flow of Jason's and Mahiya's storyline and that is why I took off half a star from my rating. I really loved the ending; in fact, it literally brought tears to my eyes.

All of the characters had sharply defined, well-developed, and multi-dimensional personalities and the dialogues were specific to the characters and authentic to the story. The imagery and atmosphere were fantastic (even if they were a bit gory) and I found it easy to suspend my disbelief and immerse myself in the story. Nalini's writing style is always smooth and the story lines flow easily together throughout the whole book.

I can't imagine anyone who's read the other books in the series would not enjoy this book but I'll add my recommendation to read it ASAP.

Story:
Mahiya lives only half a live in Neha's court. Niece of the Indian archangel and the living reminder of her consort's betrayal. Because Mahiya's parents are none other than Neha's sister and Erin, consort to the archangel. Now, centuries later, Erin is dead and Neha, half-insane with grief and anger, threatens to release her power and destroy entire cities.
Jason, sent to her court to avert disaster, must find the murderer, but by doing so he has to prove his loyalty and bind himself to Mahiya, the archangel's only remaining blood relative.

What amazes me the most about Nalini Singh, her books and especially Archangel's Storm", the fifth installment in her "Guild Hunter" series, are her complex and original character constructions/ developments. With a lot of authors you get the feeling that they have one male or female hero type, which they then recycle for all their books. They might give them a different hair or eye color, make them taller or smaller, but in the end it's basically the same character. I've never felt like that with Nalini Singh before and I definitely haven't felt like that while reading "Archangel's Storm".
Jason and Mahiya are such appealingly flawed, complex and unique characters it was a pleasure to get to know them a little bit more with every read page. Especially Jason is such an intriguing protagonist. We didn't find out a lot about him in the previous books of the series, so I wasn't quite sure what to expect, I even had some worries that it might be too early for his own book (even though I promised never to doubt Nalini Singh again), but once again she proved to be a master of her craft. Jason stays a mystery until the end of the book, but at the same time you feel so much compassion and affection towards him. Nalini Singh did an awesome job of walking the fine line while creating his character. She manages to make him guarded, without making him appear cold, as well as give him a core of immense strength, while also showing a certain vulnerability. By the time I finished the last page of the book he was one of my favorite Singh protagonists.
Then there's Mahiya. In the beginning of the book Neha described her as a "fragile trinket" and let me just tell you: She was wrong. Due to her heritage and the circumstances of her upbringing she has honed her talent of blending into the background, so a lot of people underestimated her, even I didn't fully comprehend the extent of her courage, intelligence and determination. This heroine came as a bit of a surprise to me. A very pleasant one. She has a mature kind of innocence to her and although Neha has treated her with nothing but distaste, even cruelty, she managed to keep her core of compassion and... goodness. She didn't turn bitter, actually, she refused to turn bitter and was determined to stay true to herself. Considering what was done to her it's nothing but a miracle (at least in my opinion).

Together Jason and Mahiya were just amazing. If you've read (and enjoyed) this series up to this point then you know that Nalini Singh's romantic (and other) relationships are almost a thing of art. Her gift of translating feelings and emotions into words is incredible and she used it perfectly for Jason and Mahiya.
Jason became her protector. In a world where everybody looked down on her, while Neha did everything to crush her spirit, this black winged angel respected and acknowledged her for who she truly was. He listened to her, he cared about her opinions and step by step he started to care even more for her. Mahiya might have been extremely dependent on him, but at the same time she stood her ground and refused to accept the fact that Jason seemed to stay somehow detached from the world around him. Those two characters were so right for each other, despite or maybe because of all their differences. There were so many things standing between them, their individual pasts, obstacles thrown at them from the outside, as well as Jason's loyalty to Raphael. But still, together they became so much stronger and reading about it was simply beautiful. For me this following quote describes their relationship and interaction perfectly (this scene takes place earlier in the book, so don't worry about spoilers):

"He was beyond fascinating. Dangerous and unpredictable and frighteningly intelligent. A threat. And yet 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 her."

The mystery part of the story was fascinating, to say the least. The hunt for Eris' murderer, as well as a wave of additional murders, all connected to Neha, kept things interesting, even on the non-romantic level. There were so many unexpected twists and sudden plot changes and once more, as always when it comes to Singh's plotting, I was unable to predict the outcome.

This is a haunting story, a compelling mystery plot and a love story so heartbreaking, but incredibly beautiful at the same time. The fact that I finished this book in less than a day should already tell you something. If you're a fan of the series you simply HAVE to read it. If you're new to Nalini Singh's universe, start at the beginning with "Angel's Blood", you won't regret it.
The fact that I have to wait a year for the next book in the series is heartbreaking as well. Quite some of the revelations and things that happened in this book made me hungry for more and I'm ecstatic that Elena and Raphael will be the protagonists of the next book once more.

Jason is Raphael's spymaster, this is to say that he spy's on all of the rest of the cadre to keep Raphael in the loop about the other archangels shenanigans. The book opens at Dimitri and Honor's wedding so right after Archangel's Blade and Jason learns that Neha's consort has been slain. Both Raphael and Jason are concerned that Neha will slip into madness and frankly one insane archangel plus another whose power is returning is enough imbalance in the world. Jason then chooses to go to Neha's court to avert danger but he must bind himself to Mahiya to prove his intentions are pure and not to give Raphael any unfair advantage. When he arrives at court Princess Mahiya proves herself to be more than she seems. Mahiya has had to survive under harsh conditions because she serves as a reminder to her father's weakness. In short Eris was unfaithful to Neha and the resulting child is Mahiya. Together they have to unravel a series of murders and keep Neha from destroying the world around her.

Overall this was a great read and I have no idea why it took me so long to start it. I have always had a thing for Jason and I like how throughout most of the book you get glimpses into who he is but it is not fully revealed until the end. I must also admit I saw none of it coming not who the murderer was and even Jason's story I did not figure that one out and how sad!! I also like that Jason is not just smart but a political genius. Mahiya on the other hand is no slouch and I really liked her. Forgive me for saying this but I was so glad to see a lovely Persian heroine who is beautiful and poised. I love that she chooses not to be bitter but instead to seek her revenge though a full and happy life, what a lovely change of pace.

It was also nice to see a peek of Raphael, Elena, Venom, Aodhan. We also see a bit more of Dmitri and Honor than I cared for but I guess it lets you see their HEA. Personally I would have preferred more Elena and Raphael but I try not to be greedy :-)

Like many I agree that having inserted chapters of the other Cadre members was a little awkward, but we have to remember that all these things are playing out while the main story-line is going on. With that being said, I really liked this story.

We start with Jason being called to Neha's palace to help her hunt for the angel, vampire or being responsible for mercilessly killing her consort Eris. Jason knows that returning to Neha would put him back in her service, something Jason is unwilling to do. Thus Neha offers him the alternative of becoming blood bonded to her "daughter" Mahiya. Jason agrees, but the bonding must be done on his terms. Neha agrees and with that our story takes flight.

Upon completion of the blood bond ceremony, Jason gets straight to work. Having Mahiya lead him around the palace to various rooms in which Neha spends her time mourning her loss. when Jason gets to look at the brutal gore of Eris's murder he takes note of the way in which the body is "displayed" and parts are missing. Mahiya is more observant than Jason had thought, but he can read behind her well hidden facade to see she is hiding something. He makes a point of asking about things to which he knows she has knowledge of, but her curt answers only enthrall him more. He WANTS to crack her shell and see the woman under the mask. Mahiya is afraid if things get out Neha will punish her, and she's not willing to let her get her claws on her ever again.

Mahiya is taken aback by our black Jason at first, but once she sees that his knowledge and being able to keep in the shadows serves him well she wonders what else lies in the shadows. She escorts him throughout the fort ad palace and she too finds out much about her fellow ladies-in-waiting, the other higher court vampires and angels alike. Jason comes to find out about Neha's treatment of Mahia and she is surprised at his care of not prodding into her life, but wanting to keep her safe and let her be free.

As the clues start to become more complex and it is becoming apparent that their killer is amongst them, many suspects stories don't line up. Their own agendas have them trying to make others look like they have motives. Jason uncovers more thanks to help from several friends in the Cadre - Vemon and Aodhan stop in and shed some light on what is truly going on. What they uncover is far more involved than a simple murder as more angels wind up dead in brutal fashion. Jason soon uncovers that their target is one they had believed to be dead, but was merely buying time to plan revenge.

when the killer is found it leads to much conflict for our heroine, but time is a bitter bitch when things get ugly and with her deepest desire finally attained she is left questioning where and to whom she truly belongs with. The ending was one I did not see coming, but was shocked at what happened. The very last 3 paragraphs had me crying with the tenderness and significance of it.

Nalini Singh has done it yet again in the 5th book in the Guild Hunter series. I loved how the love was only simmering throughout the story and seeing how Jason and Mahiya were with each other made it very intimate in their actions to show they cared. I felt for Jason as we saw through his eyes the major event in his fledgling days which shaped his cold, unfeeling life. I also felt for Mahiya as we learn of the lies told by her "family" to keep her feeling like a servant, and the events which made her act as she has, cold and calculating, and not a truly valued angel. It was raw, tender and emotionally packed in every sense. Nalini lured me in and then kept me wanting more.

Fifth in the Guild Hunter paranormal romance series revolving around archangels who rule the world and the beings who serve or deceive them. The couple focus in this story is on Jason and the Princess Mahiya and is set in India.

My Take
It's an odd combination of contemporary and Asian cruelty combined with typical, vicious court intrigue and just sad. Incredibly good, but that a being with so much power can be so very petty.

We learn more about Jason's history, his childhood, and his parents. I understand better why he is so closed-off.

Part of what attracts me to this series is the twist Singh has put on vampires and angels. Another part is the history of the angels. Where did they come from? Does God play a part? Are they alien beings who landed here and became "gods"? Are they the Grigori of the angelic world? They are so powerful and blessed (or cursed) with extremely long life, and yet they are still emotional beings. They're certainly a case study for how a practically immortal life corrupts, especially when you look at their cruelty, the lack of, well, humanity.

It's Elena's influence that changes the archangels' world when Raphael first meets her in Angels' Blood (Guild Hunter, #1) . It introduces us to this world, to a powerful but young archangel and his lieutenants, to the humanizing of such immortal and all-powerful beings.

The world Singh has created of angels and the vampires they create is fascinating. I particularly enjoy the detail Singh provides about their wings!

The world in Archangel's Storm is particularly intriguing both for the contrast it provides with Raphael's Tower in New York versus the Mughal feel of Neha's palaces in India, but also with the contrast in how each archangel treats the people loyal to them. Man's inhumanity to man has nothing on angelic inhumanity. Although, Raphael and his Seven are both loyal and warm to their people.

The fresh bit of drama Singh has planted for the future is the fact that the archangels are evolving, growing more powerful. The Cascade is in effect and there is no way to predict the outcome of the changes that are coming.

The Story
It's Dimitri and Honor's wedding day when Jason receives news of Eris' murder. They cannot allow Neha to go mad with her grief and anger and Jason must fly to India to contain her. To discover who the murderer of Eris is. To discover what else Neha is hiding.

But if Neha is to allow Jason into her court, he must be bound with a blood vow. And Mahiya is the closest in blood to family. It's a situation Mahiya intends to exploit. To escape. Only she discovers how closely he listens, how much he has learned about her.

The Characters
The black-winged Jason is Raphael's spymaster and has been for the last six hundred years. He's also one of his Seven. Jason has the "ear", his mother's ability to sense things happening hundreds of miles away.His parents' story, that of Yaviel and Aurelani, is legend amongst the angels. A Romeo and Juliet of a story. One that taught Jason to eschew love.

Princess Mahiya is the hated daughter of Eris, husband to Neha. A complete and total jerk who didn't understand self-denial. Mahiya has walked a fine line in the court of Neha. The symbol of Eris' infidelity. A 3,000-year-old archangel, Neha, the Queen of Snakes, of Poisons, and the the Archangel of India, imprisoned her beloved husband when she discovered his affair. Nivriti is Mahiya's mother. And Neha's twin sister. Samira is one of Jason's agents in India. Anoushka was Neha's daughter who was executed in Archangel's Kiss (Guild Hunter, #2).

Dmitri leads Raphael's Seven and he fell in love with Honor in Archangel's Blade. Now they're getting married...sigh... Raphael is the archangel who rules New York and its surrounding territory and Elena, a guild hunter who ran afoul of a rogue angel in Angel's Blood is his consort. She's also his biggest weakness. Illium is another angel with the most beautiful blue wings. Venom was made by Neha and left her court as soon as his contract was complete. The three of the Seven who couldn't make the wedding include Aodhan, a broken angel who cannot bear being touched yet appears to be made of fractured light and he attracts butterflies; Galen, is Raphael's general and with Jessamy; and, Naasir.

The Cadre of Ten are all archangels who rule our world. Lijuan is the oldest of the archangels, the Archangel of China. So old that she is becoming even more autocratic than the worse of the younger archangels. Amanat is home to an Ancient, Raphael's mother, Caliane.

Arav is an archangel who craved Neha's favor. One of her generals and not slow to take advantage of the empty space created at Neha's side by the death of her husband. One he curried by hurting Mahiya. He dies. Of the female vampires in Neha's court, too many are brainless: Komal is beautiful, sensual vampire; Audrey thought she was safe even as she took the deadliest of chances; Shabnam was one of the longest-serving of Neha's ladies; Lisbeth is another of the ladies-in-waiting; Tanuja another, but one who doesn't denigrate the dead; and, Vanhi is the vampire who helped care for Mahiya as a child, much as she cared for Neha and Nivriti and Anoushka when they were children.

We catch up with Zoe, the Guild Director's daughter. Janvier has taken over Sorrow's training.

The Cover
The cover is dark in every way you can imagine. Deep, dark browns with a highlight of grayed oranges. It's a leather-pants wearing Jason standing on a balcony, his feathered wings raised and open, his long hair tied back, a sword resting on his naked shoulder and drawing our attention to his well-muscled, naked torso. In the lighter background, we see bare ground and a building in the distance.

The title is what Jason is to the princess, an Archangel's Storm.

ARCHANGEL'S STORM (Guild Hunters #5) by Nalini Singh

ARCHANGEL'S STORM is the 5th full-length novel (September 4, 2012 release) in Nalini Singh's Guild Hunters series. Some background information: Archangels sire vampires, who in turn manifest some of the inherent anomalies likened to their sires: Vampires are made when an Archangel chooses to save a human life or someone requests immortality, but a vampire can also sire one of their own kind. The struggle for power between the different Archangels as well as the hierarchy of vampire guardians and warriors often leads to death and destruction: The Cadre of 10 are the most powerful Archangels and the group of 7 (angels and vampires) answer to the Archangel Raphael.

Jason is one of the group of 7 and Raphael's spymaster-the darkest of the angels, Jason is rarely seen, blends into the shadows and hides a painful secret about his past that no one knows. When the Archangel Neha's consort is found murdered, Jason is sent to investigate the death, knowing that Neha's history with her consort was as infamous as it was deadly. Neha demanded a blood oath and a promise, but Jason refused to tie himself to an Archangel who was once considered mad. His only recourse was to make a blood oath to Neha's niece Mahiya-the daughter of the sister Neha was known to have murdered at the time of Mahiya's birth.

Mahiya has known pain and suffering all of her adult life. With the knowledge that her mother was murdered, by her own sister for loving the same man, was made even more dangerous because of her blood connection to both. But Mahiya had an ulterior motive when she discovered that the spymaster was to be blood-bound to her and a motive that Jason would soon realized involved Mahiya's flight to freedom. But Jason and Mahiya's search for the person responsible for the murder would lead then to an unlikely suspect and one that could force a war if Jason were to get involved. And the search for suspects would become more complicated as more vampires and angels would turn up dead and missing.

Nalini adds a secondary storyline that continues to grow on the previous relationship between Dimitri and his love Honor. Throughout the novel, we are witness to their wedding as well as Honor's desire to join Dimitri as part of the family of vampires. Interspersed amongst the death and destruction of the primary story, Dimitri will bring forth a new vampire into the world of Angels and Vampires.

Jason's has always believed that his early childhood experiences have left him cold and continuously on the edge of madness. He does not believe that he is capable of love or of being loved and in doing so refuses to make a commitment to the one woman who is slowly working her way into his heart. Although he is unable to openly express his feelings of love, in his own way, Jason will discover that Mahiya is the only woman, he will let into his heart and soul. Their similar pasts will show Jason that overcoming the pain will be easier when there is someone to love and show you the way. And protecting Mahiya from her own family will be paramount, when the woman who raised her has promised to make her pay for the fact that she was born. Vengeance and betrayal are bitter pills to swallow especially when family is involved.

ARCHANGEL'S STORM is a fantastic and captivating addition to the Guild Hunters series. Nalini writes a story full of sorrow, pain and passion that you hope that the HEA will be so welcome that you forget about everything that happened in the past-but-HEAs are found in fairy tales and fantasy, and at the end of Archangel's Storm you know that their whole story has yet to be told.

I do enjoy this series, but no installment has surpassed the first book as my favorite. Archangel's Storm doesn't do it either, but I would probably rate it top 3. Much like Archangel's Blade, Elena and Raphael take a back seat as the story gives Jason, one of Raphael's Seven, focus as he enters the rival territory of archangel Neha to solve the grisly murder of her consort. Jason has his own demons to face from his past, and they do challenge him; however, he must put it aside to work with Princess Mahiya, daughter of the slain archangel, to find the murderer and return to Raphael.

Jason isn't particularly one of my favorite side characters. In all honesty, I never really thought too much about his character at all so I wasn't really looking forward to this book. I sooner expected angel Illium to get his own story or even my personal fave, the vampire Venom. While Illium doesn't get much time at all here, Venom actually does get significant focus which was a pretty good consolation prize. As progeny of Neha, his presence helped to flesh out the story and character development, though I would have liked more.

Both Jason and Mahiya have had pretty difficult upbringings, easily making them sympathetic characters. You root for them to find happiness, but it isn't the easiest love story and there is no insta-love, which is for the better in my opinion. There is a lot more mystery and story than romance in this book which is personally how I like it, but it's hard to say if other readers will feel the same. I love the world building and the focus on angel politics, but I am sure there is a contingent that reads these more so for the romance aspect.

It was a satisfying read, but I am still hoping Ms. Nalini Singh gifts us with a Venom-centric book at some point. With the next book set to go back to Raphael and Elena, I am not sure how far off that possibility is. Either way, I'll be reading all the same.

4.5 stars

First of all, can we pause for a moment to appreciate that epic synopsis? Whoever writes the blurbs for Nalini's books sure knows how to make them sound exciting, that's for sure.

Archangel's Storm is the fifth installment in Singh's Guild Hunter series and this one centers on Raphael's spymaster, Jason. In previous books we have seen Jason as a shadowy figure who brings Raphael needed information. He is not a character I was dying to read about since his part in the past has been minimal, but this book turned out to be my favorite in the series since book one!

Jason is indeed dark and shadowy, but he is also strong, loyal, wise, and deep. His childhood was traumatic and he spent time as a mute by choice which has led to him now being a man of few words whose trust you must work hard to earn. I really liked his character a lot and I especially loved the way he treated the heroine.

Our heroine is new to the series, a member of archangel Neha's family and a princess in her court named Mahiya. She has been almost like a prisoner in Neha's court, hated and abused but then expected to act like a princess. She was strong and able to keep secrets and I felt like she was a perfect match for Jason. She had experienced a crazy childhood and over that they could bond.

Readers might remember Neha as the archangel based in India. Over the course of the last couple books we have seen her start to lose her cool, so to speak, after a series of events that led to the death of her daughter, Anoushka. The fact that this story is mostly set at Neha's palace in India was a big draw for me because I love Indian culture and loved everything about this setting. After all the other stories in this series have been set mainly in New York and focused on Raphael's Tower, it was a breath of fresh air to see how another archangel ran her territory and to spend some time in her court.

Jason and Mahiya's relationship is slow and steady for a while. They have both experienced tragedy and its left them each kind of empty and afraid of love. What I loved here was their growing attraction, their mutual respect and adoration, and how their trust developed slowly and at a believable rate. When they first met they were not instantly attracted to each other. Their love grew and the sexual attraction came with that. (Of course, because its Nalini Singh, we get some awesome and hot sex scenes!) I was completely drawn into their relationship, especially Jason's attempt to keep Mahiya at arm's length despite the fact that he was clearly deeply in love with her.

Quote:

"Mahiya, don't see more in me than there is."

She tilted her head a fraction to the side. "Perhaps I am my mother's daughter after all - I have decided on you, Jason. And if that is a foolish choice, it is also one I will never regret."

He clamped his hand over her wrist when she would've turned away, holding her to him. Instead of struggling, she stilled, her eyes glimmering with determination and another emotion far more dangerous.

"I can't give you what you want," he repeated, some unknown thing tearing and ripping inside him at the thought of having to sever his connection to her, when it was the first time in his life he'd trusted even a part of himself to a lover.

[...] "Will it be enough to love and not be loved?" he asked, knowing it was a brutal question. "To give and never receive?"

Her smile grew impossibly more luminous. "You have no idea what you give me."

This Guild Hunter book is a little different than the previous books with the fresh setting and the sweet and reluctant love shared by the main characters, and keeps the series from becoming monotonous and repetitive. Lovers of this series will not be disappointed with this one!

Recommended for fans of: paranormal romance, angel stories, broken characters, stories with palace and court settings, Indian culture, and other Nalini Singh books.

When Spymaster Jason is forced to give a blood bond of honor to Princess Mahiya, swearing he'll protect the Archangel Neha's best interests & secrets basically, he expects to meet a pampered, spoiled princess...instead, Mahiya is...something else. Jason senses in Mahiya a woman of strength, both of character and abilities, and a woman who has been largely ignored and overlooked by those around her in Neha's court. He's intrigued...and for the Spymaster, who has few words for any, and wastes time on none, this is much.

Mahiya has but one wish...to escape Neha's court. Her life with her aunt Neha ~ Mahiya being the babe of a tryst between Neha's unfaithful consort and her sister, Mahiya's mother ~ has been nothing but being that of a tool for Neha. And she's suffered enough...she's somehow kept herself from becoming bitter and broken, and longs to be free and to find a love and just LIVE.

But in Jason she finds a man she can't help falling for. She knows he'll never love her, he'll never stay with her...he's told her so. But her heart is touched by this man who actually SEES her, HEARS her, and WANTS her.

And with all the death & intrigue that is going on in Neha's court, he might very well be her only chance at escape...

I actually LOVED this book! If you follow the series, you know all these books are awesome, and it's hard to top Raphael...but for me, Jason came damn close.

I think because he's so strong & silent, and HE brought himself back from being such a broken, lost child ( you have to READ or LISTEN to it find out! ) without anyone's help. He's such a solitary creature, even while he's friends & confidant with Raphael and the other of the Seven. I love that Nalini didn't try to change him for Mahiya...he didn't suddenly become this chatty, bubbly full of love dandy, lol. He just WAS who he was...and Mahiya didn't accept for that...she loved him for that. She felt safe with him for that. This book just gave me that this is RIGHT feeling...I struggled with what to write here, but I don't want to give away a ton of deets, but I want to convey how very much

Jason & Mahiya as a couple vie with Raphael & Ehlana for perfection for me.

Nalini's writing only gets better...

And as this was the audio version ~ I have to tell you, this is the only way I do the Angel books. I actually WAIT for the delayed release date.

I LOVE the way Justine Eyre narrates these books...she does and incredible job with all the voices!

This book is Jason's story. Even though I've read all the books, it took me a bit to remember who Jason was. He's always been in the shadows (even in the books, LOL) and is Raphael's Spymaster. Which basically out of his Seven, he's the spy/detective. He really has a good story and the book itself has some nice chapters woven in with 3 other main characters. So actually you have 3 separate stories going on. You have Jason, who is called away to Neha's land, the far east, to investigate the murder of her Consort. Jason really plays more of a detective role in this book. It's totally a whodunit although I had pretty much started guessing who it was from the beginning and turned out I was right. You also, of course, learn more of Jason himself and why he's the way he is. Parts in his history are totally heartbreaking but I never felt like I wanted to wrap him up and protect him, like I usually do when you come across a tragic hero. He of course meets his lady love in the process. It is a bit of a different love story in the fact that they are both very tragic and broken but slowly they find a fix in each other. It's definitely not a HEA but a happily right now. As with all the Angel stories, they are not wrapped up in a neat little bow. The relationships continue on through the series. So be aware that it's not a normal HEA. I do have to warn you that it's written a little differently then you're used to. Because the Angels can speak mentally, Nalini put that communication in italics. She also put remembrances/flashbacks in the same, so it took me awhile to figure out what the italics themselves were communicating, if that makes sense. Also because Jason prefers to not talk aloud, a lot of it is also quick snippets of memory or talking in his head. It's just a bit different and you do get used to it. The next story is of Dmitri and Honor. This takes place right after they get married and more into their honeymoon. Honor has some decisions to make and Dmitri is by her side the whole way. It's really beautiful, I think. The last is of course with Raphael and Elena. It's only a few glimpses but it's nice catching up with them.
All in all, I enjoyed it. I did feel as though it's sort of a continuation of the overall story verses a standalone romance. I'm not sure if you picked it up as your first book in the series, that you'd actually know all of what the heck was going on but that's my opinion. If you love Nalini and the Angel's, you love it. If you don't know her, you might want to read a few of the Angel short stories or get familiar with the series first, then come back to this book.

Whenever I thought of my reading experience of Archangel's Storm, only one word comes to mind. Sophisticated.

This is my favorite Guild Hunter story to date! Jason, you're so awesome, but Ilium is still the angel for me. :)

I've known since Angels' Blood that Jason will be a very interesting character. I was right. Archangel's Storm is by far, the most solidly written Guild Hunter novel. And by solid I meant a sturdy storyline, fluid and very consistent characters, and (yes, I felt that I should stress this) refined and not-so-frequent lovemaking scenes. Oh yes, Nalini Singh, I am a very, very happy reader indeed!

Jason is slow-burning. His cunning and brilliant perception of people and situations are amazing. I liked the fact that Jason and Mahiya started off as suspicious of each other. No insta-love there. And their secrets are revealed one at a time. Snippets of Jason's horrible memories from childhood appeared progressively throughout the book, making me anticipate more with every turn of a page. I reveled at the idea that Jason will never say pretty words and offer beautiful lies to Mahiya. It adhered to his character so much, making his affinity with shadows and darkness all the more enticing.

For Jason and Mahiya who never wanted to reveal all their secrets, intimacy and sex will be an issue. But Singh handled those scenes magnificently. How? It took me half of the book before there ever was a sex scene. And if you ever read any of Singh's works, that showed restraint! Just like Jason, who contains his strength and allows no one to tie himself with. It was played beautifully, both Jason and Mahiya vulnerable to each other, making it memorable. Horrors of their past compared to finding each other and accepting the darkness with it? So worth it! I wished they have a scene where they could've danced at well. *winks*

In some twisted way, I like Neha. Ruthless and cruel, but she has honor. And despite the arrogance that is naturally inherent to archangels, it is apparent that Neha loved her consort.

But I'm not sure why there are Dmitri's POV in this installment. I think I had enough of him and Honor from Archangel's Blade. It did nothing to add to Jason's story... so why am I reading about Dmitri again?

I adored Jason's story so much. Now. I. Want. Ilium's. Please, Nalini Singh?

Nalini Singh is one of my all time favorite romance writers. She is the queen of writing the alpha male type heroes. They are strong (not just strength but personality as well) and very sexy. Her female leads vary from the alpha female type, strong willed and doesn't play well with others, to the feminine and nurturing ladies. Archangel's Storm is a perfect example of her versatility of writing female leads.

Princess Mahiya is the niece of Archangel Neha, the Queen of Poisons. Mahiya has lived a very sheltered and restrictive life. She has managed to survive Neha's court and her cruelty toward Mahiya. I loved the fact that Mahiya was not perfect. She wasn't physically tough and didn't the training to excel at combat. Mahiya didn't have a lot of stamina when flying and wasn't as fast as everyone else. These types of limitations really endear the reader to a character. What Mahiya had going for was her intelligence, her court training and ability understand the subtle nuances of court politics. Despite her difficult childhood she was able to not have her spirit broken and maintained an innocence to her personality. Personally, I love these types of feminine leads!

Jason, Archangel Raphael's spymaster, gets sent to Archangel Neha's court to solve a murder mystery. Neha requires Jason to take a blood oath with Mahiya to make sure he stays accountable and follows his duties. I hate to say it but Jason really isn't that exciting in the beginning of the book. He keeps a lot to himself and isn't seeking any sort of relationship with Mahiya. He pushes at her at times to get her to stand up for herself but, there isn't much of a romantic connection.

The 2nd half of the book is when things get more interesting! I thought the relationship between Mahiya and Jason was very sweet. I would have liked to see a bit more emotional build up between the two characters. While I like knowing about what's going on with previous books characters, I don't think it's necessary for their side stories to cut in every few chapters. While I like the Archangel series, the Psy/Changling series is still my favorite.

Archangel's Storm, the fifth installment in the Guild Hunter series, follows right on the heels of Archangel's Blade--Dmitri and Hope's story--but it lacks that certain Nalini Singh pizazz that glued my eyes to the other four books.
Archangel's Storm revolves around Jason, one of the Seven, who prefers to live in the shadows, and since he is Raphael's spymaster, he is sent to Neha's court to figure out who killed her consort Eris. While in the Archangel of India's territory, he meets Mahiya, Neha's "child," and as the pages turn, a reader learns more about Jason and Mahyia's troubled past.
Unfortunately, I found this story to be a watered-down version of Archangel's Blade. There were just too many similarities regarding the main characters' background stories, and the overall plot felt just too safe and predictable.
Also, Jason and Mahyia's personalities were too calm, which resulted in hardly any tension or built-up.
Even when the murderer was revealed, the loose ends where tied up way to quickly for my taste.
Overall, this is my least favorite book in the series, and you could almost skip this one altogether, but I will definitely continue with the next installment.

I usually devour NS novels and though I enjoyed this book in part, I often put it down, feeling disengaged.

Maybe it was Jason's personality- he's just too closed down, distant and he remains so, not developing into that scorching hot alpha male of her other novels. Or maybe it was Mahiya- she's so accepting and accommodating and undemanding....their interactions were too careful, too, um.....sweetly perfect for me to feel really interested in them. Their romance kinda felt like an old couple doing a sedate waltz instead of a heady, sexy, tango dance.

Perhaps this romance could have been dealt with, at least "the getting to know you" stage as a secondary couple instead of the main one-over a couple of books-
it just didn't have that juiciness I've come to expect.

I've given it three stars because Ms Singh's writing is flawless, you get to continue with some of Dmitri and Honor's story, and the background setting and plot regarding Archangel Neha was fascinating.

Let me first give you a little about the plot. Neha's consort is brutally murdered leaving Jason having to go in and investigate what happened. In order for him to do this he has to do a blood-vow with Mahiya. Throughout the book we get snippets of what Mahiya is to Neha and her role in the court. We also get snippets of why Jason has become who he has. Eventually the entire tale is unfolded.

Wow. Another wonderful installment of The Guild Hunter Series. I am so happy to see Raphael's Seven falling in love one by one. I kind of miss Raphael and Elena's story but I just keep wanting to know more about the others. This book Follow's Raphael's infamous spymaster Jason. Let me tell you it does not disappoint. I felt hate, love, sadness, and pain.

This is the first book in this series to make me cry. When you finally read the full tale behind Jason it will leave you in tears. I would never imagine the pain he felt or how scared he could have been with what had happened. I could not stop crying because I could just see it so clearly. No child should have gone through that. With that he feels he will never be able to unlock his heart to ever be able to feel ever again. He tells Mahiya upfront that he can never give her what she needs.

Mahiya is a strong female in her own right. She really needs to be with how she grew up and how she was/is treated. Not to mention she needs to be able to hold her own with Jason. He will not accept someone who is weak. I liked her spunk and how intelligent she is. Always thinking on her toes and knowing when to tread carefully and when not to.

This book has it's twists and turns and some real shockers! We even get to see a bit of Venom in this book! Hopefully we get to see his book soon. Anyways. I can't wait for the next book coming out next year. Such a long wait......

Happy Reading!!

I absolutely loved this book! I have been having mixed feelings about the last few Guild Hunter books, but this ended with this book. Jason is a character that I never expected to love and his story is one that I wasn't too terribly interested in knowing. Mainly, I looked forward to reading this one to learn more about Neha and how she is coping after the death of her daughter, and now her consort. She was teetering on the edge of madness after losing her daughter, to lose her consort too I suspected might push her over the edge.

This is where Jason enters. He is Raphael's renowned spymaster, who has the ability to literally blend into the shadows and go completely unnoticed. He offers to help Neha find the killer, hoping to stave off a rage that could end in war with millions of casualties. She demands from him a blood vow to her niece, Mahiya, basically meaning that anything he learns he cannot reveal to anyone else about her family or how she runs her court. This story intrigued me and I wanted to see what we would learn about Jason and Mahiya, and what would ultimately be the result of his investigation.

I was apprehensive when we got the first few chapters that continues the stories of Raphael and Dmitri, but excited to see what is going on with their characters at the same time. I was concerned that these chapters were added because Jason's story was going to be very thin and needed some buffer material. Thankfully that turned out to not be the case, and Jason's is my favorite story so far. Like all of the angels (vampires too) that we've met, Jason has a very troubled background. It didn't take me long to figure out what was going on with his flashbacks and what his story would end up being. Although, even though I guessed it, it was still heartbreaking. Mahiya has also had a hard life and has her own reasons for wanting to appear invisible. But she's not invisible to Jason and he is not invisible to her. They find themselves drawn to each other and drawn to the darkness they recognize in the other.

In a way the story of the murder of Neha's consort was secondary to the story of the budding relationship and trust between Jason and Mahiya. Though I was much more interested in Jason and Mahiya, my jaw still dropped in shock when the murderer was revealed. I don't think I would have ever seen it coming, and I appreciate a story that can surprise me.

I appreciate Jason for being a flawed character and for having very dark demons that haunt him. But he's not looking for someone to save him and Mahiya knows she can't save him. Neither is trying to change the other and that makes their relationship all the more special. They each hold to the other out of love and trust that the other will stay despite their flaws and that perhaps together they can begin to make a new future and leave behind their dark pasts. When we arrive at the final paragraphs and Jason flies away on assignment, my eyes filled with tears. Jason found a way even through his darkness and pain to show his princess the things he couldn't say. I have found this book entering my mind constantly for the past few days and I need another Guild Hunter book. I can't stop thinking, who is next? Who's story will we discover after Jason? Aodhan perhaps? Venom maybe? We haven't seen much of Galen of Illium lately. I want to know what happens next and I look forward to reading it when it gets here.

Review also posted to my personal blog and other book networking sites.

Jason is the black winged Spymaster angel for the Archangel Raphael. Though he is one of Raphael's Seven, which are his chosen leaders, Jason's always in the shadows and prefers it that way.

I was always intrigued by his character in the past Guild Hunter novels because he was so dark yet loyal to the death. When Jason gave his vow to serve Raphael, he required a promise of him. "I was not...formed correctly. Part of me is damaged and may one day shatter. When it does, I ask that you execute me cleanly rather than allow me to erode from the inside out". These were the words of a man forced to do the unimaginable as a child.

Princess Mahiya was the illegitimate love child of an Archangel's cheating consort. She has been raised in constant fear for her life. Tortured physically and emotionally starved for love, her only goal wass to survive long enough to escape. He true hope was to know love just once in her life. Mahiya was a strong heroine that had not allowed her heart to become tainted by the evil environment she was raised in.

Nalini Singh creates strong loyal hero's and heroines that will steal your heart. I love this series and each book is better than the last. I can't recommend the guild hunter series enough!

I'm not going to bother recounting the details of the story as it's been summarized many times. But I did want to share my thoughts of Archangel's Storm. Before going further, I have to say I am a lover of all things Nalini Singh. The Guild Hunter series, the Psy/Changeling series and all her other works......Well, Nalini Singh, is in my humble estimation one of the most gifted fiction writers ever! I greatly respect her work.

With that said, I have to admit that of the Guild Hunter series, Archangel Storm is my least favorite. It's hard to explain. The story is amazingly well written, after all it is Nalini Singh. I did miss not having Raphael, Dmitri, Elena and let's not forget the beautiful Ilium in the story more. But that's not the reason I didn't like this story more. It's.........Well, I was a little bored and felt NO real chemistry between Jason and Mahiya.

Yes, Jason and Mahiya end up a couple, but wouldn't Mahiya have fallen in love with anyone who helped her escape? Usually, I love Nalini Singh's books so much that I read them over and over, but not this one. I guess that's the acid test.

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.

Every time I think this series can't get any better it does! Archangel's Storm is Spymaster Jason's story. Jason is one of Raphael's seven. Jason has always been some what of a mystery as befits his job. He is a gorgeous loner doing what he needs to get the job done. In Archangel's Storm we find out why dark angel Jason is the way he is and find someone who may bring some light into his life. As a spymaster and one of Raphael's seven you expect this hero to be smart but Jason strikes me as more than clever he is really intelligent. I love a smart hero. Mahiya is not your average heroine either. She isn't blond and voluptuous or brunette and perky. She is ethnic and quiet and a smart foil for our somber hero. And then there is the mystery of who is killing off members of Neha's court including her consort. Another fantastic read from Nalini Singh

Poor Jason. The mysterious spymaster for the Archangel Raphael is a man who carries a terrible past. In a fit of madness, his father killed his mother, then killed himself and left young Jason to clean up the mess left behind. If the heartbreak and gore weren't bad enough, the immature angel was alone on a secluded island and it would be decades before his wings were strong enough to fly him away. Those events and the ensuing years of isolation made him into the hardened shell of a man that he is today.

The story begins with the murder of Eris, the imprisoned consort of the Archangel Neha. To keep her grief from spiraling out of control onto an unsuspecting population, Raphael sends Jason to find the killer so that Neha can get justice. The only way she will let him into her territory, though, is if he agrees to a blood bond with her niece, Mahiya.

The princess is, and always has been, nothing more than a pawn to her aunt. She is the living proof of Eris' infidelity with Neha's sister. Mahiya has led a lonely life, marked by Neha's resentment and anger. All she wants is a way out of her hostile environment and she hopes that Jason's presence will help her find a way to do that.

A relationship between Jason and Mahiya is very slow to develop. This is only exacerbated by the POV jumps to Dmitri and Honor. I'm glad things are going so well for them, but it frustrated me every time we were pulled out of Jason's story for a random chapter about them.

I kept waiting for Nalini Singh to give me the kind of emotional pull I've felt in her other books, but I have to admit, I was disappointed. Jason seemed like the ideal candidate to be a tortured hero, but he is so closed off. I thought, in time, the floodgates would open, but they didn't. Mahiya acts like she could love enough for the both of them, but it made the romance lacking. It saddened me that she didn't think she deserved more.

That's not to say there weren't good things in the book. When Singh finally gave us the full flashback on Jason's worst moment, I cried. Not only that, but the murder mystery was interesting as it unfolded and the series story arc continued to build. I just wanted more from the central romance. I wanted Jason's frozen heart to fill bursting the way Dmitri's did. I wanted... more.

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.

Jason, the spymaster, was the focus of this book in the Guild Hunter series. What a tough childhood Jason endured, a childhood that molded his adult life. Distancing himself from people and the rest of the world, I couldn’t help but feel for him and his self-imposed aloneness. Enter Mahiya, a beautiful princess who also has endured pain and loneliness, but has fought to remain true to her spirit instead of becoming jaded. I loved their journey together, how they found the courage to trust each other, and as a result, make each other happy. The ending was beautiful.

Raphael’s seven are such an amazing group of broken men. I can’t help but enjoy their stories and hope they all find their happily-ever-after.

Focused. Strong. True.

Jason:

Oh man, but I am a sucker for brooding, alpha-male leads and Jason did not disappoint! He is the kind of man that is more comfortable in the shadows, watching and waiting for the enemy to make a wrong move before he strikes with deadly accuracy. His past has taught him never to get emotionally involved and to lock down his feelings in an impenetrable vault where no one can touch them. For all the trauma that Jason has experienced as a young boy, he isn't jaded to the point of cruelty rather it has made him sharp and focused. Singh also gives you a ton of flashbacks into his past explaining why Jason is the way he is. Oh Jason, my dark angel :)

He enters the Queen of Snake's (Poison) domain in order to prevent the world from experiencing another devastation like with Lijuan in Archangel's Kiss. With Neha's consort murdered viciously in her own palace, there is no telling if she will fly of the handle so to speak. What makes this story even more intriguing is that Eris, Neha's consort, had been virtually held prisoner for the past couple hundred years! His crime is not openly spoken throughout Neha's court for fear of her wrath and few outsiders know the details. Except for Jason of course (spy master, duh)!

His loyalty to Raphael is strong enough that he agrees to a blood-bond with the princess Mahiya despite Neha hating Raphael's guts. This bond holds Jason to the protection of the "family interests" of Neha while he is working to uncover the murderer. This means that Jason can't use his freedom of Neha's court to spy for Raphael.

Mahiya:

Mahiya was adopted by Neha (her aunt) after her mother's death, but isn't part of angel politics like her late cousin Anoushka. Her position as princess is blurry at best and her relationship with Neha is even more obscure. Mahiya has learned the value of secrets and intends to use them for her benefit. Her past may haunt her, but she is determined she will have a bright future. I honestly love her personality even though I tend to connect more with female leads like Elena. Mahiya is genuine, and by no means a damsel in distress. Even though she plays submissive and reverent, she has a fire in her that ensures you aren't going to dismiss her as useless.

I love the interaction between these two characters! Singh's method to developing her characters is flawless and one of the reasons why she is one of my favorite authors. She never strays from the character's distinct identity and knows the balance between individuality and compromise. Her characters are never in danger of making uncharacteristic decisions like I have seen in many other series. If the character changes so drastically from point A to point B, then I tend to get a little annoyed.

The Romance!

I am a firm believer in romance in all novels! I just thinks it makes it that much more visceral when a character is not only struggling with murderers, traitors, and snake queens, but also trying to keep their hormones in check. Oh man, and does Jason deliver when it comes to romance (see pg 165 - 173). Holy hell I didn't know what to do with myself when Jason broke out of the calm and collected shell of his! The romance throughout the whole novel was subtle and fit both characters. Not everyone can be Raphael (hehehe).

Plot:

The plot is a great one and gives the reader an inside look at Neha's rule and how she treats her subjects, Mahiya and Eris. One thing that I can say about Singh is that she can take you on a wild ride with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing as to the real murderer/murderers. I can't say any more on the plot for fear of giving something crucial away!

I can attest to how great this book is due to my sleep deprived state. I wasn't planning on staying up half the night, but I could never really find a good place to stop! I promise you won't want to put it down!

Spoilerish.

I love Jason, I like very much that he wasn't completely changed by his love for Mahija, that he's still the dark figure we learned to love, but he has allowed someone to get closer to him. No magical healing. I don't know about Mahija, I neither liked her nor disliked her, but she was suffocated by the far stronger secondary character of Neha and what we learn of her mother. The mystery plot was well done, but I felt that Jason and Mahija were too removed from the final confrontation. I also found the writing style too heavy and convoluted than usual. I never really feared for the characters, maybe that's why I wasn't really impressed, even if it was a fast and interesting read.

Good, but not as good as those that came before. Having typed that, I am working my way thru the whole series. That says a lot because I normally would have already lost interest in a series this long. First time reader of Nalini Singh and I am enjoying her writing very much.

This author is a fantastic writer of tales. Even though I know how it will end, her tallest are so skillfully crafted that I am captivated all the way to the end. The subtle changing of the spymaster is very interesting to watch. The politics and violence surrounding the young woman seem like an impossible task. Also, there is his honor. He cannot lose that. Altogether an enthralling book.

Well, this book exceeded my expectations after reading Dimitri's book. It was far interesting but at the same time it was not as i feel with raphael and elena's books. These are supposed to be the Seven of Raphael, i would assume they will be badass, full of action, alpha males, protective but they are not, something is missing. Still a very good book, just not great in my opinion. I wanted him to claim Mahiya as his consort and in a way he did just not the way i wanted him to. Now, just waiting for Ashwinis book

I realize that many may not agree with this review, but in being honest, I have to admit that I'm less interested in these side characters within the story line than I am with Raphael and his new `angel' consort/hunter who use to be human and now has wings.

Yes; I get it that the author wants to introduce other characters in her story arcs and she wants her readers to love other characters as well to give us more of a background of the world they all live in, with Archangels ruling the world...et cetera, but I just can't get over the fact that I want more of the main characters first.

i think the less than 4 star reviews may be from readers who expected another fiery pair of lovers, such as Elena & Raphael and Honor & Dmitri. Jason & Mahiya are different, but no less compelling. As with all of Singh's books, I gobbled this one down at one sitting. Then I sat and read it again and really noticed how truthfully and realistically Singh builds the relationship between silent, stoic Jason and sweet, courageous Mahiya. I loved both of them and was left wanting to know how their relationship progresses in future books.

This was the book I liked the least amount but that is okay because it was still very good. Jason has mentioned in Archeangel's Consort as a spymaster and I am glad that they touched on his background and Neha Queen of Snakes. The ending for me fell a little too flat since the climax never panned out. But these are supposed to be romance novels so I can forgive that. The chemistry was still there between the 2 main players. I look forward to wherever the stories continue to go.

An Archangel's consort has been murdered and Raphael's spymaster, Jason,is sent to find out what happened and to prevent war. A girl raised by a vengeful aunt proves to him that she can be an asset and thaws his frozen heart. Another of the Seven finds happiness

I really was not sure if I should read that book or not because I didn't really enjoy Dimitri and Honors story but I am glad I did.

this book was everything you could expect from a paranomral romance novel and i really loved it. The characters were both great - I enjoyed their banter and their depths. They were both understandable and their history and the impacts of that on their characters was beautifully done.
the story had a good plot and was not expectable.

I loved the views of the side characters and look forward to the next novel. I won't wait so long to read the next book from Ms. Singh

this book is a must read for everyone who likes fantasy and romance

Really good series. Graphic sex, graphic violence. This is angel-spy Jason's story. He finds his soul-mate, the Guild Hunter story line expands. Great book, great series. I've fallen in love with most of the characters - the others I'd like to take some of that "angel fire" to.

This book follows Jason, Raphael's spymaster on adventures in another archangel's court. Neha's consort is murdered and Jason offers to help find the murderer, in order to help keep Neha from snapping. In order to be allowed in Neha's court he has to swear an oath to Neha's family and bind himself to her niece.

I think this may be my favorite book in the series so far. Both Jason and Mahiya were fun, complex characters. I loved the relationship that slowly built between the two of them.

The mystery of the killer wasn't too much of a mystery. I was able to figure it out by the time Mahiya received her gift, though I'd suspected before that.

It was fun seeing a different archangel and her court, a very different one from Raphael and his territory.

A great addition to the Archangel series. I'll have to say I liked this book best so far. For some reason, through the first 4 books, the Seven didn't stick in my head except for Dmitri, Venom and Illium. So it was wonderful to get to know Jason, who is a great character. Mahiya is an easy character to like and holds her own against one as complex as Jason. Beautifully written and very enjoyable to read.

This is the first time I've read Nalini Singh and what a superb first choice is was! "Archangel's Storm", part of the Guild Hunter series, is a beautiful written mystical story of Jason and Mahiya and the fight between two sisters over one unworthy man. I will be certain to pick up and read the back list of Ms. Singh's other Guid Hunter books if they are an terrific as this one. Kudos for a fabulous story!

I am beginning to feel like I would love anything Nalini Singh writes in the Guild Hunter series and this is no exception.I love Jason...and it was nice to see him love as best he can. I thought Mahiya is the perfect person for him..
It was also nice to see how Honor and Dmitri are doing..and I am always happy when I get to see Elena and Raphael(love them)

Its not one of my fav novels of NS, i didnt feel the chemistry betwn Jason & Mahiya, they were kind of boring to read about. I want NS to write about Ilium or Ashwini, that seems to have this on /off relationship w/ a rogue vampire & her guild friends cant figure out if theyre an item or not.

This series just gets better and better. Stone cold Jason the spymaster is sent to another archangels territory to solve a murder. Mayhem entangles with web of lies -- and a princess result in a wonderful read.

I truly enjoyed this book. The characters were well formed and the mysteries set up so well, that I almost cheated and looked ahead, my curiosity so great.

The ending of this book was one of the most wonderful (and most heart-rendering) that I have ever read!

I love this Author, so of course I was going to buy this book... eventually. After Archangels Blade, which I did not enjoy as much as the first few books, I was reluctant to buy right away. However, I was mistaken! Archangels Storm was very enjoyable, I was very engrossed with the book and couldn't put it down. I wasn't prepared for how good this book was. Thanks Nalini Singh!

Going to have to call this one a slow going snooze. I think this series has run it's course for me. The last one in the series grossed me out this one I couldn't even finish it was so slow. Haven't really connected to any of the characters after the first three books. Those first three will remain my favorites.

Jason is a complex character and she did him justice in this novel. Learning why he is so secretive is heartbreaking but seeing him form an attachment for someone outside of the seven and Rafeal is beautiful. Great work.

Nalini Singh is a fantastic author. She know how to incorporate romance, drama, comedy and adventure in a book that make a person just want to jump on and enjoy the ride. I have no complaints with her writing style as it is what her books so special. I do not even think I need to say more. Just try the book and you will see what in talking about.

One of my favorites of the series! As always, well written with great character development. I really enjoyed the development of the relationship between Jason and Mahiya as they slowly help each other conquer the demons of their pasts and become whole.

Overlooking the Hudson at the home of Raphael the Archangel, Dmitri the added almost millennium old vampire and Honor Archangel's Blade the powerful Guild Hunter ancient language expert marry (see Archangel's Blade for their adventure). During the reception, Raphael's spymaster Jason the angel learns that Archangel Neha's consort Eris was murdered. Compounding the horrific timing is Neha was already certifiable, but now grief further drives the archangel over the edge.

To prevent a Neha rage that would devastate earth killing the innocent, Jason offers to find the killer. Having been betrayed by her late consort and her sister years ago, Neha agrees with the stipulation that Jason blood vows to her niece, offspring of Nivriti and Eris. As Jason and Mahiya investigate though wary of one another, more homicides follow.

The latest Guild Hunter romantic urban fantasy (see Archangel's Consort) is a terrific whodunit as two distrusting souls fall in love but never lose sight of the mission. Fast-paced from the moment Jason learns of the murder, readers will enjoy visiting the vivid Singh realm as time is running out on planet earth as we know it.

Harriet Klausner

I've read all of the previous books in the series and have found each book to be difficult to put down. I love Ms. Singh's writing and her skill at transporting the reader to a different place. Unfortunately, I can't say that I was "transported" while reading Archangel's Storm. In terms of expectation, I'm a little disappointed, but it was still an enjoyable read.

After two novella, to say I was feening for this book would be an understatement. I love Jason and his Princess. Singh's narrative draws you into this world of Archangels and Vampires, and I for one never wants to leave. I just wish the book was longer.

I loved the female character in this book. She had strength of character and a genuine goodness that could not be corrupted. i have always loved the enigma of Jason. Once again Nalini does not disappoint.