I continue to love Elena and Raphael, and it’s great to see their devotion and commitment to each other. I think, in going from previous books in the series where the characters are still trying to find their happily-ever-afters, it’s a nice contrast to come back to this main couple and see their unit, to see the strength of their relationship and how it continues to grow through each book. Their devotion to one another is the foundation of the series, and it’s especially strong in Archangel’s Heart.

I finished listening to Archangel's Heart by Nalini Singh earlier in the summertime. I never got a chance to review it, though. This will be a quick review of the book.
This book has Raphael and Elena with the Cadre on neutral ground with the Luminata. The Luminata are impartial and don't get involved with the drama. Although they are keeping secrets and Raphael and Elena are determined to find out those secrets.
There was quite a bit of Elena and her past in this book. It is mainly about her mother. Elena is determined to find out more about her mom's ancestry/history in this book and may have some leads to find out if there is Vampirism in her past, making it possible for her to be an angel.
Let's not forget about Raphael and Elena's relationship and how it continues to grow. I think for myself, it's repetitive since I know these two are strong together. They each have their strengths and weaknesses, but they are perfect together.
I enjoyed this installment in this series, but I was ready for more drama with Lijuan and what she is up to since she could be dead or just sleeping. I want to find out what happens next with her and Cascade.
Overall, this book gets four stars from me. I liked it but didn't love it.
I'm ready for the next book to have another character take the lead.
If you are a fan of PNR and UF, then this book/series is for you.

I've never picked up one of Nalini Singh's books to read and been disappointed. She creates darkly delicious worlds populated by textured, layered characters. My understanding of the world and the people within grows naturally, which is especially important since Singh's books/series frequently contain -- and maintain -- a large cast of distinct personalities, each with his or her own story. Her series books are not the oft-encountered telling and re-telling of the same story that many authors' series' become.

I originally picked up the first of her Psy-Changeling books, "Slave to Sensation," which is still one of my absolute favorites, and I was hooked. The more I delved into the series, the more I loved her concept of a series: each book is complete in and of itself (with NO annoying cliffhangers at the end), but there is also a larger story woven throughout the series. Instead of a single emotional strand connecting two people, Singh's characters' emotional and practical bonds are a web of interconnected lives and complex relationships.

I could go on and on for hours about each tiny aspect of Singh's books that I enjoy, but let me sum it up: Nalini Singh is one of the very few authors whose books I buy blindly and happily re-read multiple times. Do I have my personal favorites? Of course. But I have never been disappointed.

Elena is constantly learning not only about her sexy Archangel consort, but also about the Cadre itself and how they rule. She just learned from Raphael that there is actually one group of angels called the Luminata who can call the Cadre to meet and has just did so. It seems everyone has been searching for the Archangel Lijuan, and now things have turned dangerous, so the Luminata has called a meeting to deal with her land.



Elena is more excited about where the meeting is going to be held, which is the land of her mother’s family—Morocco. While Raphael is dealing with the Cadre, Elena is going to doing a personal type of hunt to see if she can discover any information about her mother’s family. She knows that her unique coloring might be a clue. However, as soon as Raphael and Elena hit the home of the Luminata, it is very evident that something is very wrong there.



The more Elena digs, the more she discovers that the path of tracing her grandparents just might point to a very unexpected place and the past and present just might be closer than anyone ever expected. If that isn’t enough to keep Elena and Raphael busy, the Cadre has attracted the deadly attention of the Cascade and, of course, the Archangels cannot agree on the Lijuan question: Is she really asleep or just laying low to regain her strength for another deadly attack? When the answers to all of the questions are answered, several lives will change forever—especially Elena and Raphael’s.



An unexpected trip to Morocco gives Elena a chance to learn more about her maternal family while accompanying Raphael to a mandatory meeting of the Cadre. Neither expects the strange twists and turns they discover in Archangel’s Heart. I’m going to say right off the bat that this is a “who needs sleep anyway” book. Once you start it, you won’t want to stop reading it. I know I didn’t. I was totally engrossed with discovering more about the inner workings of the Cadre and also watching as Elena discovered the mystery on why her mother was orphaned. I also enjoyed watching as the various members of the Cadre interacted Unlike the last few books which were spaced closely together, this one opens two years after the last.



One of the first things I noticed was that the love between Raphael and Elena had not only grown, but had relaxed into an even more give-and-take between them. Of course, I loved the same wonderful lighthearted periods along with the deep suspense and even danger that I have come to love with the Guild Hunter books. I found that every page added to the story, and I really just never wanted to put it down in order to do anything. My suggestion to you is to not open the front cover until you know you have an extended period of time to just read. There was no doubt in my mind that Archangel’s Heart has leaped to the top of my favorites by this author, and I love all of her books for different reasons. Of course I’m Joyfully Recommending Archangel’s Heart as a must read. With all the changes that happened in the end, I can tell you that I’m already panting for the next book in this series.

*Singh, Nalini. Archangel’s Heart. Berkley. (Guild Hunter, Bk. 9). Nov. 2016. 400p. ISBN 9780451488008. pap. $7.99; ebk. ISBN 9780451488015. PARANORMAL ROMANCE
archangels-heart111816Following the events in Archangel’s Enigma, the ruling archangels of the Cadre of Ten have been summoned by the mysterious brotherhood of the Luminata to decide the fate of the territory of missing archangel Lijuan. There have never been more than ten archangels dividing the world at any given time, and Lijuan poses a threat to them all now that her territory is falling prey to vampiric outbreaks without her leadership. Archangel Raphael and his consort Guild Hunter Elena travel to the Luminata outpost to determine if Lijuan is alive, if her territory should be given to another archangel, and if the Luminata are what they appear to be. Because something is rotten within the brotherhood, the cost of purging it will bring to light secrets from Elena’s past that have been long buried and will make her ultimately stronger or rip out her heart.
Verdict Singh’s “Guild Hunter” and “Psy-Changeling” series are required purchases for any collection offering paranormal romance, and this latest entry continues to set the bar high with romance, intrigue, and stellar worldbuilding. If your library purchases paranormal romance, start with Singh.—Melanie C. Duncan, West Bibb Lib., Macon, GA

Gah, I love Raphael and Elena! Loved loved loved Archangel's Heart!

It’s been two years since the Cascade has reared it’s head..two years Elena and Raphael have used to strengthen their forces while they wait. And wait. And wait. Elena doesn’t want war, but the inaction is killing her. They all know the other shoe is going to drop..if only they knew when. Lijuan has disappeared, which means Raphael and the other archangels are called before the Luminata . The mysterious group was charged with calling the Cadre together if and when an archangel goes missing, as a vacuum can occur if an archangel’s territory is felt unattended. Though most believe Lijuan has chosen to Sleep, no one can be sure, which means she may be able to attack while they’re gathered together. Plus, having all members of the Cadre together presents it’s own problems, since archangels can only be near each other for short periods of time without causing power imbalances.

Elena’s roots are something of a mystery. Singh has hinted in past books that things are not exactly what they seem with her, and after revelations in the previous book, Elena feels this may be a good time to learn more about her mother’s family. The Luminata is said to have extensive libraries, and, as it happens, is located near Morocco, where Elena’s mother was from.

Archangel’s Heart opens another door to this complex world Singh has created. While Elena and her past are at the heart of the story, storyarcs from previous novels are explored, as well new new intrigues. We learn more about Aodhan, Elena’s past and some of the other archangels and how their territories are run.

Another killer book in the series. I continue to be amazed at the attention to detail here. The world-building is stellar. It never fails to pull me in.

4.25 out of 5

Archangel's Heart was full of surprises. I felt it was more two stories in the one book. There was the mystery and danger of the Luminata and Lijuan as well as the information Elena is trying to find out. For the most part I felt they were two different stories.

Elena is getting really good at acting like the proper consort of an Archangel. Thanks to Jeffrey she has the wardrobe down, and at least some of the politics. I love that she is not only Raphael's consort, but a great backup as well. She may not have full angel powers yet, but her life as a hunter has taught her many ways to watch, learn and defend. There is a lot to learn with the Luminata. Strangely, some of it has to do with her. This is where I think the two parts of the story come together. The Luminata are a mysterious group, and the possibilities of what they are up to are plenty.

We also find Elena on a mission to find out more about her history. She believes this is where her grandmother is from and she wants to find out whatever information she can. She ventures to the closest town with Aidon and comes across an interesting reception. That just inspires a new mystery for Elena to solve.

Archangel's Heart starts about two years after the last book, Archangel's Enigma, which I must say has been my favorite so far. All of the couples have settled into lives amongst Raphael's world. It took a bit for me to get into Archangel's Heart, as it seems to be showing us the other characters and their roles. Then we had the beginning of the trip to the Luminata and I thought the mystery started out slow. However, as I always find with the Guild Hunter series, we take off. So much information and excitement from everywhere. We barely see a scene that does not lead us into another exciting situation. Once I had an idea of where the story of the Luminata was going to join with Elena's family life, I couldn't stop listening. I couldn't make the audio go fast enough. I think if I had of been on my kindle my eyes would have been dizzy from reading so fast. It is shocking and truly shakes Elena's world. As always, Raphael is there to back her up when needed.

We still don't know what has happened to Lijuan, and after all of the Luminata excitement a deal is struck. How that will work out remains to be seen, but I have a feeling it will help us find out just what is going on with Lijuan.

I truly love the audio of this series. Justine Eyre plays up the excitement as the heat builds and that just hits me with the adrenaline of the story.

Archangel's Heart opens some doors on Elena's story. I do kind of hope we get Aidon and Illiam's stories soon. The anticipation for the next book is killing me!