Archangel’s Light is a story of love, friendship, and a bond greater than anyone could imagine. I’ve been waiting for years for Illium and Aodhan’s book and these two angels take such an emotional journey I devoured this book in one sitting, unable to put it down until I reached the very end.

The biggest question longtime Aodhan/Illium fans will want to have answered is “Is this a romance?” Yes and no. It’s an epic love story spanning half a millennia and the beginning of a romance I desperately hope will be continued in the next book. Nalini Singh has earned my trust as a reader so I’m confident we will see more of their romance and because of that confidence I was completely satisfied with this love story as the foundation of the romance.

At its core, Archangel’s Light is about Illium and Aodhan’s bond. Singh takes us from the moment they meet all the way to the present and the “yesterday” chapters are absolutely necessary to establishing just how all-encompassing their love is. We see the fun moments of mischief as children, the heartbreaking moments of loss Illium goes through, the horrors of what was done to Aodhan, and the support and love of those who are their family born and made. Through it all, Aodhan and Illium are together in a way that defies description and I wouldn’t dream of spoiling readers’ enjoyment by trying to go into detail.

Aodhan and Illium’s bond is fragile at the beginning of this book in a way it never has been. Aodhan is spreading his wings and Illium’s need to protect those he loves is stifling Aodhan’s need to grow. They love each other, but they’re also hurting each other by not being able to understand what the other needs and why. Illium has lost those he loves the most and he has a crushing need to give, protect, and hold on to those people. Aodhan feels stuck in a cage, feels like others – Illium in particular – are treating him like he’s broken and has not recovered. I hated seeing them at odds and how much it hurt them to be so, but it had to be done for them to confront the past and present and become who they want to be separately and as a couple. I loved their journey, how they are truly matched and perfect for one another in every way. The love story runs through this entire book but the romance only starts at the very end. And oh, did that ending make me want more.

Running through the present day storyline is also the newest mystery of what the crazed archangel Lijuan left behind in her wake. Aodhan is acting as Archangel Suyin’s second and he and Illium are tasked with finding out what happened in an eerie hamlet near Suyin’s base. The mystery and the horrors they uncover help drive both this story and the overarching Guild Hunter novels forward and it will be interesting to see what happens next, particularly in China. I absolutely loved Suyin and her friendship with Aodhan and I do hope we get to see the newest archangel more.

Archangel’s Light is epic in every sense of the word. Singh truly makes Illium and Aodhan shine by diving so deeply into their lives. Their love story is captivating, emotional, and beautiful to watch unfold; I cannot wait to see what comes next for Adi and Blue!

Rather disappointed in this one. Still the well developed characters and worldbuilding that is characteristic for the author, but this was a letdown. Readers of the series have been waiting 14 books for this relationship pairing and the reality did not live up to the anticipation.

It’s not a secret that I’ve been hoping for this book for a good number of years. And trying not to hope at the same time – so I wouldn’t be let down if it didn’t go the way that I was sure it was meant to go.

So many small moments throughout the books, so many intimacies that are had, remarked upon by other characters, and that occur as just everyday, normal moments between Illium and Aodhan fed the fire that burned in my heart for this pair.

But I sheltered that fire. Protecting myself from heartache.

Then I saw the UK cover. I dared to hope. A little. Until I saw the US cover – along with the blurb.

Illium and Aodhan. Aodhan and Illium. For centuries they’ve been inseparable: the best of friends, closer than brothers, companions of the heart. But that was before—before darkness befell Aodhan and shattered him, body, mind, and soul. Now, at long last, Aodhan is healing, but his new-found strength and independence may come at a devastating cost—his relationship with Illium.

As they serve side by side in China, a territory yet marked by the evil of its former archangel, the secret it holds nightmarish beyond imagining, things come to an explosive decision point. Illium and Aodhan must either walk away from the relationship that has defined them—or step forward into a future that promises a bond infinitely precious in the life of an immortal…but that demands a terrifying vulnerability from two badly bruised hearts.
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It’s not an exaggeration to say that I screamed in delight. I stalked my emails for, what felt like, months waiting for the download widget from Berkley. When it finally came through, I started reading that evening and didn’t stop until I had turned the last page.

First: This book is DEFINITELY Illium and Aodhan’s love story. It’s their romance. It ends in an HEA (happy ever after). There are no equivocations about this in the book. No possible misinterpretations.

Second: I’ll give you the full disclosure that I received: “the major 🔥🔥 will be in another book.” Reading the book, I think it makes sense for these characters, in this situation, in this time and place.

I loved this story. From page one, where we flash back to baby Illium and baby Aodhan meeting for the first time. And as we continued through the story, alternating between the present and their long, long history together, I cherished every moment of it unfolding.

It was often heartwrenching, regularly beautiful, but always wrapped in the obvious love they have for one another. Fair warning: This book is brimming with angst. So much angst. But it also never felt like too much, at least not to me. It didn’t feel overwhelming. I think, because even though Illium and Aodhan had their personal feelings to work through, they didn’t allow it to cloud every moment and every thing they had. They still had to function as a team, still had to trust one another, still had responsibilities, and oceans’ deep care for each other.

Also, I understood where both of them were coming from. This is one of the things that the alternating history/present storytelling really helps with. It allows us to see the experiences and trauma that formed our beloved characters. Yes, we know they’ve experienced some stuff, and we even know what some of it is, but seeing those things happen? It gives added depth, even while it sometimes ripped my heart out. So I knew that Illium and Aodhan’s angst wasn’t from a place of lashing out at the other without regard for them. It was self-protective, from a place of their own growth and change.

Intent versus impact is a very real discussion that is important to have. I do believe intent matters, but not more than impact. Though Illium and Aodhan never intend to hurt each other, that is sometimes the end result. What makes this bearable, and honestly beautiful, for me is that they’re still constantly fighting towards each other. Even when unsure, even when they don’t really know what the real issues are. Always towards each other.

One of the other things that I really loved about this book were the moments that we spent in the past seeing beloved characters from another viewpoint. Raphael, Dmitri, Naasir, and the others we get to see through young Illium’s or Aodhan’s eyes really adds depth and nuance to characters that we already know so well.

But, as is only right, it’s Sparkle and Bluebell that shine here. Their love story is one for the ages, one that will last all the eons of their existence.

This has been one of the most anticipated stories from Nalini Singh for some time and it does not disappoint. Aodhan and Illium . Two of Raphael’s Seven. The youngest of the Seven. They grew up together. Best friends forever. And then Aodhan went missing. We finally find out what happened and how it affected both men. As the story progresses we find that they both grow into the men they are today by the retelling of their history through flashbacks. Nalini Singh is a wonderful storyteller and once again has done a wonderful job.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book for an honest review.

Archangel’s Light is a classic Nalini Singh novel; best friends to lovers rife with tension. Readers could expect overflowing tenderness and pure yearning but make it slow burn; it’s a love story that spans centuries.

“He [Illium] was the one who’d altered the tenor of their embrace by turning his face into Aodhan’s neck in a way that wasn’t a thing of best friends.” ― Archangel’s Light


The main plot of Archangel’s Light was Aodhan’s becoming the second command of the new Archangel of China Suyin; Illium was sent in Asia to help the new court. While there is a bigger plot the essence and heart of the story are Illium and Aodhan’s love story.

Archangel’s Light is a character-driven book even more than the previous installments. Readers get abundant flashback chapters, giving us an insight into the two main characters’ history. As the youngest of The Seven, we get in-depth chronicles of Illium and Aodhan’s childhood. Be prepared for young Archangel Raphael as a surrogate father of Illium and supportive liege of Aodhan. *i’m a simp.*

Singh build up a wonderful development for the main characters; it was supported by anecdotes of their childhood friendship. Albeit, it was a slow burn BUT I’m not to complain. For this particular pairing and the plot it worked. There are tender kisses to compensate.

With that being said, I have so much love for Archangel’s Light; objectively speaking from plot to characterization it’s the best standalone novel from the Guild Hunter series by far. Singh balanced the plot intrigue and the romance. As I’ve said before, Archangel’s Light is a slow-burn romance filled with so much yearning and angst; it was impossible not to fall in love with this story.

Archangel’s Light is the fourteenth book in Nalini Singh’s Guild Hunter series. If you’ve read from the beginning, you know many readers have fallen for both Illium (Bluebell) and Aodhan (Sparkles). I know I was one of them. Since the beginning, I’ve been waiting to know both of these characters’ backstories, and Nalini Singh finally wrote their book.
(This cover has to be my favorite of the series, so far and I can’t wait to have it in my bookcase to stare at every day.)

Storyline/My Thoughts: Since reading the Guild Hunter series, I have been a big fan of Illium and Aodhan. I couldn’t wait to see where Nalini was going to take them in the series. Now, I will say I was a little skeptical reading Archangel’s Light, knowing it would be different from the other books in the series, but I gave it a chance. I’ve read M/M romance before, but this book was very light on romance. Nalini has flashbacks of when Illium and Aodhan met each other and how their friendship grew in all the years they knew each other. I loved reading when both of these angels were younger.

In this book, Aodhan is acting as second to Suyin, who was Lijuan’s niece. Suyin is now the Archangel of China. She has a lot to do in her area after what her Lijuan did to her territory. Suyin relies on Aodhan for his assistance, especially since he’s one of Raphael’s Seven. Illium ends up in China with him to assist, too. These two have always been closed until recently. Now Illium feels that Aodhan is pushing him away for some reason.

Readers will find out what happened to Aodhan, and it’s not for the faint of heart. It broke my heart to discover what Aodhan went through, and I could now understand why he distances himself. I’m so glad he had Raphael and the rest of the Seven to help him. I saw another side of Raphael that made me respect him even more, especially after handling what happened to Aodhan. Raphael is not an archangel to mess with when it comes to his Seven. The other Seven even stepped up to help when it came to Aodhan.

Now, let’s get into the romance in the story. There wasn’t much but towards the end. This book is all about sharing Aodhan and Illium’s friendship. It’s also about them coming back together. They finally talk out their feelings on why their friendship has been strained. Aodhan has his reasons, and I felt for his character.

I loved how Nalini wrote this story because it made me understand both of these male characters better. I hope, though, she writes another story and grows their relationship more in the future. I’m also interested in finding out what/who they found in this book and how Suyin will grow as an Archangel of China.
I’m hoping that Nalini writes a book of either Illium or Aodhan becoming an Archangel. I need that book in my life.

I can’t wait to find out where Nalini takes us next in the series. I know there’s more going on, and I’m not ready to let go of this series. I love it too much. This series is the one series I know I can count on to always get me out of a reading slump. I have a feeling I’ll reread these books over and over. I can’t get enough of this world.

Overall, this book receives four stars from me. This doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it. I felt more could’ve been told in this story, and I was left hanging a bit, but that’s okay. I already have plans for when the next book is released, always to make time to read it. I don’t care what I’m reading, and I’ll always make room for the Guild Hunter books.

Standalone or Part of Series: It’s part of the Guild Hunter series, and I highly recommend reading in order.

Trope: Slow Burn; (Best) Friends to Lovers (M/M)

Triggers: Violence/Torture (Flashbacks of what happened to Aodhan)

Would I recommend this book? Yes. If you are a fan of Paranormal Romance, then you’ll enjoy this book. I also recommend it to readers who enjoy M/M Romance that is a slow-burn romance.
Nalini Singh will always be a favorite author of mine, and I’ll always recommend her books. I’m so happy that I read the Guild Hunter series because it will always be a favorite.

Illium and Aodhan… two of Raphael’s Seven. Best friends. Nalini Singh has been mum on the “will they or won’t they” until now. Opening just after the previous book and about one year after the Cascade-fuel war, Archangel’s Light shares the story of rebuilding China with a hopeful new archangel. There is much death, mistrust, and devastation left in the wake of Lijuan’s terror. Aodhan has stepped in as second for newly-ascended Suyin, and with fears he may accept the position permanently, Raphael sends Illium to assist the rebuilding efforts (and remind Aodhan of home).

The story is shared in “yesterday,” which are sometimes extensive scenes from the past, centering on Illium and Aodhan growing up to include their darkest moments, and “today,” which is the present day narrative. The looks into the past are from multiple POVs, to include the main characters and Raphael. I enjoyed learning so much about the two characters, especially Aodhan, whom we don’t see as often as Illium in the series. I also really liked learning more about China and seeing Suyin begin her reign. The storytelling is lovely and the details are exquisite; everything I come to expect from Ms. Singh.

With that said, I struggled a bit. This is Illium and Aodhan, and I expected, wanted, more. This is Guild Hunter and I expected, wanted, more. The story shares a LOT of background and meanders as Illium and Aodhan reconnect. We learn a lot, but we also get just “a lot.” Additionally, I was disappointed with the “bad guy conflict,” in that there really isn’t one. The pair search for a dangerous killer, and it’s a great piece of the story, but it falls flat mid-book. The pair help lead Suyin’s people across a dangerous land, but that’s kind of it. The pair reconnect and work out their personal conflict that has built up over the past few books, and I’m glad, but I felt like something was missing. SO it’s tough because I did enjoy the story, but at the same time, I was disappointed in the book.

Similar to the previous book, Archangel’s Light feels like a transition story as the world goes from the horrors of war and the Cascade to a period of recovery. The archangels are keeping to themselves and helping one another. There doesn’t seem to be a unified “bad guy” causing mischief for the Cadre; everything is territorial. I miss the intense action, suspense of the war, the thrill of New York and the Guild.

Additionally, Illium and Aodhan’s romance is extremely slow burn, which isn’t an issue, but rather, I just didn’t feel connected to their changing/growing relationship. I loved seeing them reconnect and finally hashing out their problems. Yet there is an uncertainty between them for pretty much the entire book. I wanted more of the pair together and looking forward. They spent a lot of time together, but there were very few butterflies in the belly moments.

The Guild Hunter series by Nalini Singh is one of my all-time favorites. With that said, Archangel’s Light, was just okay for me, and it’s the second book in a row that hasn’t wow’d me. I didn’t dislike it, but I wanted more. I hope the series finds its footing again and soon!

My Rating: B/ B- Liked it, but I had a few small issues

Nalini Singh continues her Guild Hunter series with the story of Aodhan and Illium, angels who are part of Archangel Raphael's seven in Archangel's Light. Aodhan is seconded to Suyin, new archangel of China, as she tries to recover China after the destruction of Archangel Lijuan. The two angels are reestablishing their relationship as Aodhan has healed; in parallel, their earlier history is told. Great read.

I received a copy of this book for review from NetGalley. Before I can say anything else, mad props to the cover artist, because that is one of the most beautiful book covers I've seen this year. I have been drooling over this cover since it was released, and it gets better every time I look at it.
I have been looking forward to this book since the moment it was announced; Aodhan and Illium have been two of my favorite characters in this series from the beginning, and while they have had a deep and abiding friendship for five centuries, I wasn't sure that I could hope for a romance between the two of them. However, while there is romance within the book, I am not sure that I would classify this as a romance. The majority of the book deals with the two of them trying to figure out how to grow and change their friendship to accommodate each of their broken pieces. They have both been deeply traumatized, and the year leading up to this point was rough on their relationship, so a lot of the plot was about the perils of growth within a long relationship, no matter the type of relationship. I loved the flashes of their back story, and the rest of the plot was fine, but hands down, Aodhan and Illium were the focus. (And holy goodness- the sheer longing they had for each other was enough to fuel a city block.)
This book is beautiful, and utterly absorbing, and it gave me the worst book hangover. The only quibble I had was that I wanted more of Aodhan and Illium as a couple; it takes them a long time to get to that point, and the book never progresses past the kissing stage. With that being said, I would read just about anything Nalini Singh writes, so if my major complaint boils down to "I wanted more of the book", I think we'll be fine.

The one in which Nalini Singh dedicates time to possibly mine and Ellie’s favourite character.

For fourteen books, Bluebell and Sparkle have been angels that I have looked forward to meeting with increasing yearning for an edition of the Guild Hunter series that tells their story, really delves into their centuries long kinship - guts, worts and all. Having had my head buried in sand for most of the long pandemic season, I had no idea the time had come to be gifted with these characters until I started reading Archangel’s Light. This was a pleasant surprise.

In Archangel’s Light, we meet Ah-dan before the clouds and ascend with Ee-lee-um for glimpses of the world that used to be when life was simpler -in the way it is for kids running free in flower fields while the adults try to protect them from life and themselves. As we grow with Adi and Blue, we transition through scrapes, interpretations of love, age, disappointment, time and other realities that adulting often brings without asking if you are ready.

If you usually come to the Guild Hunter series for the blood and adrenaline gore (steamy sex optional) then you may be disappointed with the lack of warring and sexing in this one; and while there is time for a spot of obligatory investigation along the way, it may not entirely whet your appetite either.

There is a penchant for things to get very repetitive in this book and you will come across a lot of bickering between two people that sometimes makes you wonder their actual age or at the very least, marvel at their emotional intelligence but should you choose to power through, the reward in this slow burn is a romance that you get to fly-on-the-wall of as the two who most needed to find each other, forgive each other and deal with their abandonment issues, finally get to hash things out in an endearing way that typifies them.

As is Nalini’s tendency, there are considered threads here deliberately loomed for a larger tapestry to come and whenever Ms Singh decides to dig through China again, these threads should hopefully be well woven and ready for full display. For now, you get to witness variations of love that is as thick in covenant as is the water of the womb that makes our Ellie hunter-born. Enjoy it while I look forward to what Suyin and her extended family have to show us when they get their time in the light.

In the weeks—yes, weeks—since I read Archangel’s Light, I have thought long and hard about how I wanted to write this review. More than once, I’ve sat down to put my thoughts into words and come up short. Because I loved this book—and because it fell a little short for me.

It’s hard for me to reconcile that, being a long-time, OTT Nalini fangirl. (I’ve mentioned it before, but I have a tattoo that marries the Psy-Changeling and Guild Hunter series.) I had such incredibly high and specific expectations for the long-awaited, much anticipated romance of Illium and Aodhan, and therein lies the problem.

My expectations weren’t too high—they were met and surpassed by the exquisite writing, the always superior world building, the merging of past and present to sketch a fuller picture of not just Bluebell and Sparkle, but also Raphael and the other members of his Seven. No, rather than too high, my expectations were misguided.

And thus the reason for this review: I hope my experience reading Archangel’s Light will help someone else enjoy it all the more by making sure they understand that this isn’t a traditional M/M romance. Could it be book one of two (or even more) for these two? I hope so. There is so much more story here for my two favorite angels, and when I turned the last page, I couldn’t—read: didn’t want to—believe it was over. Surely, their story was just beginning?

But if there is not more to come specifically for these two—and there is nothing right now that suggests there will be—then look at this book not as a romance, but rather a change to their deep, abiding, centuries-long friendship, one that’s become something more. As it was, IMHO, always meant to.

Through that lens, Archangel’s Light is a masterpiece. It’s lyrical, visual, by turns funny and heartbreaking, and sheds light on the most hidden of secrets in the Guild Hunter universe. It’s a dream read for those of us who have followed this series almost religiously, and one that I couldn’t put down until I had no choice but to—only to be left wishing there was more.

Fingers crossed there will be. Until then, I’ll re-read this one with fresh eyes and new perspective and know that Sparkle and Bluebell are *sigh* who I always wanted them to be: soulmates. #Sparklebell

Another incredible addition to the series. I loved Illium and Aodhan finally finding their way back to each other. It was interesting to have a male survivor of harassment and abuse, not something you see that often. I struggled a little with the back and forth between the now and the past, but Nalini Singh wove them together beautifully. The mystery was strong and captivating.
I do wish the book had given us another chapter or three, so we could see the sexy side of their relationship. There was a lot of amazing looks and kisses, but I would have liked more steam. It felt more like the beginning of a romance than the end of a book. And I would have loved to see the response of the rest of the team, especially Elena. But I'm hopeful that we'll see more of them in the next book. Or a short story! Fingers crossed;).

Not as much romance as I’m used to from this author. But still a great story! I loved getting Illium and Aodhan’s back stories filled in and seeing their relationship develop over the years. Getting glimpses of their childhood relationships with other characters also contributed to overall story. While I enjoyed it, I would have liked to see a bit more passion in a relationship that took so long to reach the romance stage.

This book is what so many fans of Bluebell and Sparkle have been waiting for. There are a lot of flashbacks to their childhood together, but the book does bring to light what happened to Aodhan to change him so much. Aodhan has been working as a second to the new Archangel Suyin to rebuild China. Illium has arrived in China to see if Aodhan will speak to him. There has been a growing distance between them, but Aodhan seems comfortable with the angels in China. Suyin isn’t in the book that much since she is moving her capital and Aodhan is left in charge of a mystery that is discovered as they are leaving. Illium and Aodhan do solve the mystery by the end of the book, but I will not say any more about what goes on between the two old friends to let the reader discover on their own.

Digital review copy provided by the publisher through NetGalley

When I first started reading this book I kept thinking of seasons and how everlasting will change with time from the love of friendship to romantic love. Nalini Singh has the ability to transform charters in a book to people in our hearts and minds that we think about and gossip with book friends. When we first meet Illium and Aodhan we meet them in the now after years of their friendship. We see them as adult in now and how there friendship and love is changing.
In this book, we get the back story of their romance from childhood friends to brothers in adolescence going through heartbreak life and finally to adult and lover. I cant wait to be able to world about this book.

Illium and Aodhan. Blue and Adi. Bluebell and Sparkles. Best friends since they were the littlest of angels in the refuge, But when a single moment of pure evil breaks Aodhan in body and spirit, Illium steps up to protect him from the world while he heals; because that's what best friends do. But as Aodhan begins to reassert his independence, Blue will have to figure out how to stop walking in front of Adi and start to walk beside him once again.
I've wanted this story for a long time. And while I didn't get EXACTLY what I wanted, when I wanted it, I got the confirmation I needed to keep me happy. Illium has always been one of my favorite characters of this series. Delightful in his enthusiasm, humor, and capacity to love, his presence only serves to further elevate the storyline.
China and cleaning up after Lijun remains the prime directive of this series at the moment. Focusing on Aodhan, Illium, and their combined pasts, Singh fleshes out their relationship, showing the possibility of a wonderous future together while further digging out the rot that Lijun left in her wake of destruction.
Looking forward to the next in the series ASAP!

It was great to see these two characters have their love story. The present day mystery felt like it dragged on, but that might be because it was often interrupted by flash backs, which I found much more interesting.

The book is wonderful. It is a well written ode to a long time bond of friendship between Illium and Aodhan. I liked all the past hopping. It was great to see baby angel Bluebelle and Sparkle grow up and into their friendship. There are great glimpses of the seven and how they are together, plus answers to some long held questions.

It is very slow moving plotwise and most of the significance of this book is about Illium and Aodhan, not the over arcing plot of the angelic world. Although there is an interesting development that may have repercussions. Mostly this feels like a bit of a breath before the next big plot arc.

Overall this is the answer to the Aodhan and Illium relationship. It doesn't feel like the end of the series though. So I look forward to the next book.

Archangel’s Light by Nalini Singh is the 14th book in her fantastic Guild Hunter series. We have been waiting a long time for Illium (Bluebell) and Aodhan’s (Sparkle) story, and once again, Nalini Singh continues to amaze us with another fantastic addition to this series. Archangel’s Light was a wonderful story dedicated to two of our favorites.

Illium and Aodhan have been friends since childhood (over 500 years), with both growing up to be extremely close, but also very powerful. The story picks up with Aodhan in China, as Archangel Suyin’s temporary second to help recover the horrific mess created by the deceased and evil LiJuan. With so much to be done, and a year has passed, Raphael decides to send Illium to China to help Suyin and Aodhan.

The story goes back and forth between two timelines, Today and Yesterday. Yesterday gives us glimpses how their friendship and bond developed over the years, as toddlers, teenagers and how Sharine’s love for both boys were instrumental to how great they became. Today follows Aodhan, Illuim, Suyin in there aim to move to a new area to be the home front, and destroy any horror left by LiJuan. With both working together, there will be some discoveries that were horrific, proving what a nightmare LiJuan was. I loved seeing how Raphael, Dmitri, other members of the Seven interacted with Illium and Aodhan as they grew up; as well as Elena’s fun relationship with them.

With a year having passed, both Aodhan and Illuim had issues that needed to be resolved, especially with Aodhan now healed from his two year torturous captivity. We have loved both Illium and Aodhan for a long time and in Archangel’s Light, their inseparable relationship borders on falling apart with each going their separate ways, or to repair their bruised hearts to become the true soulmates they were meant to be.

Archangel’s Light was a tense, emotional and fantastic story, revolving around the disaster from the deceased archangel, and the impaired relationship of two people we have always loved. To say too much more would be wrong, as you need to fully read Illuim and Aodhan’s story. As in just about every book I read from Nalini Singh, I could not put this book down. If you are new to the series, you should start where it all began. Nalini Singh is one of my top favorite authors, and if you are not reading her books, you need to start now.

3.5-4 stars.

Okay, I’m going to be transparent. There is not much romance in this one. Aodhan and Illium’s romantic relationship doesn’t really start until… 90% into the book. (And there's no steam, womp.) It’s a friends to lovers romance, HEAVY emphasis on the friends. These two have been best friends for over 500 years and we finally get to read about all their significant moments, from Illium falling in love for the first time to the tragedy that broke Aodhan, to these two coming to realize that they are IT for each other. To my surprise, I liked the way that this played out, though if you know me, I’m a Nalini Singh fangirl so I might be biased. Even though there was barely any romance, I LOVED all the chapters set in the past with Illium and Aodhan as baby angels. They were the freaking CUTEST and always up to some mischief. We get to see them grow up side by side, always as partners, and we also get to see the different relationships between Raphael’s Seven. Illium and Aodhan are the younger members of the Seven, literally babies when they meet Raphael, Dmitri, and Naasir. The way their friendships develop with each member is so lovely to read, because you can see how the older members adore and treasure them.

I will admit the first half of the book is very slow paced. Not much is happening except for Illium and Aodhan being estranged while working together in China to fix the mess Lijuan left. The story picks up in the second half thankfully and I still enjoyed the book overall. Could I have done with more romance? 100% yes. But I loved the way Nalini Singh set up their friendship before moving on to the romance.