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    Archangel's Kiss
    Archangel's Kiss
    Archangel's Kiss
    Audiobook9 hours

    Archangel's Kiss

    Written by Nalini Singh

    Narrated by Justine Eyre

    4/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux wakes from a year-long coma to find that she has become an angel and that her lover, the stunningly dangerous archangel Raphael, likes having her under his control. But almost immediately, Raphael must ready Elena for a flight to Beijing, to attend a ball thrown by the archangel Lijuan. Ancient and without conscience, Lijuan's power lies with the dead. And she has organized the most perfect and most vicious of welcomes for Elena.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherTantor Media, Inc
    Release dateJun 29, 2010
    ISBN9781400187164
    Archangel's Kiss
    Author

    Nalini Singh

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

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    Reviews for Archangel's Kiss

    4/5

    578 ratings34 reviews

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    • 4/5
      While I love the world that Singh has created in her Guild Hunters series and I enjoy the characters, I find myself not really rooting for the Raphael/Elena relationship. Although Raphael was a lot more bearable in this book than the previous one. I don't think I can actually ship the pairing until Elena proves herself to be as strong as Raphael is. I mean she did take him on when she was still human. The other thing that has irked me about the books is Elena's constant attraction to the other men around Raphael. The vampires are explained by their scents, but the angels also seem to hold her interest.Despite it all I couldn't put the book down. The world of corrupted immortals who have lived too long to have pity or compassion fascinates me, as does the concept of evil angels. The twists in the mysteries in each book are interesting enough that I struggle to pin down the actual villain until the end.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 4/5
      Well paced, with a good balance of action and quiet moments. But it was very dark. Ilium and even the other members of the Seven did provide some light amusement. I can't wait to read the stories of the Seven, they are exceptional secondary characters, but it looks like there's another Raphael and Elena story to read first...
    • 4/5
      "Archangel's Kiss" is a direction sequel to the first book in the Guild Hunter's series, "Angels' Blood". I think I liked this as much, if not more than Angels' Blood. I really enjoyed the banter between Elena and Raphael and there were other bits that were really interesting, the ones where Elena had to learn new things. (I'm being vague because I don't want to spoil things)
      Overall it was a good book, it ends on a light cliffhanger but I don't mind because the rest of the series has already been released.

      A few of the scenes were a bit too gruesome for me, which is why I'm knocking half of a star off.

      I give this book a 4.5 out of 5
    • 4/5
      Book 2 in the Guild Hunter series by New Zealand author Nalini Singh. After the fight with Uram, vampire hunter Elena and Archangel Raphael almost died. Elena has woken from a year-long coma to find that she has become an angel. Raphael takes her to the angel's Refuge, where she heals and is trained to use her new body. Raphael has become weaker through his love for Elena. He must ready her for a flight to Beijing, to attend a ball thrown by the archangel Lijuan whose power lies with the dead.
    • 5/5
      This book continues off pretty soon after the first book. Our heroine Elena is learning how to fight and learning to strengthen her wings so that she can learn to fly. They have two months to have her ready to meet one of the oldest of their kind and the most powerful. And Raphael and Elena need to be ready for any trick she may pull including trying to kill them. Elena is considered a "baby" and weak and can be killed pretty easily. But Elena is just as fierce in this book as she is in the first one. This story isn't as intense in building of plot and suspenseful moments, but it goes on a different take and one that I really liked. We see more focus on the emotional bonds between Raphael and Elena. The sexual tension between these two is enough to start a fire or more, boy these two have some wicked chemistry and see more focus on that in this story. Which is what I loved most about it, was seeing these two really come together in the way they both needed to. The supporting characters were unique and some of them were some bat crazy, we fall in love with a little boy angel and we get more of the "seven" and Elena holds her own where they are concerned. Overall this is a couple to keep your eye one...excited to see what the next book brings to us!!Question To The Readers:Have you read this series? What do you think of Raphael and Elena? “They didn't understand that she held his heart, held it so utterly that there was nothing he wouldn't do, no line he wouldn't cross to keep her safe.“We'll build our own home."The promise curled around her heart, a vivid ray of sunlight. "In Manhattan?""Of course." A slow, slow smile. "What kind of mansion would you like?"Damn, but the archangel was playing with her again. The sunshine grew, filled her veins."Actually, I kind of like yours." She slid her arms around his neck. "Can I have it? Oh, and can I have Jeeves, too? I've always wanted a butler.""Yes."She blinked. "Just like that?""It's only a place.""We'll make it more," she promised, her mouth to his. "We'll make it ours.”“But you, you’ve always been the rain, the wind, inside my mind. I taste you when I sleep, when I wake, when I breathe.”
    • 3/5
      Picks right up where the last book left off, this book spends quite a bit on the heroine's fight and flight (=D) training as a new angel. The characters were pretty likable, and we're starting to meet more of the extended cast. And we finally get more of an explanation of the heroine's childhood trauma, (it maybe is hit on a little excessively in this book, but I'm glad to get some actual answers instead of just dancing around it).
    • 5/5
      This book was great! I loved watching Elena go from being one of the strongest and most talented humans around to one of the weakest and most vulnerable angels. It was good watching her learn about the angel world and find her place in it. It was also good to see the relationship between Raphael and Elena grow. Raphael makes most alpha males look a little soft and fluffy. He is immortal (well sort of) and has unbelievable skills and power. He is an object of fear to anyone with any sense at all. But he loves Elena and is willing to compromise for her. Elena is strong in her humanity even though she is now also an immortal angel. She is strong enough for a relationship with equality. She brings her strengths to Raphael.I like the world and mythology that is created. Singh talks about some of the hidden dangers of immortality. So many of the angels have gotten to the point where they have no value for human life and the only thing that interests them is causing pain. Angels are the top predator on Earth and their politics are based on who is the strongest. Elena is a weakness for Raphael and she must quickly learn to defend herself. Luckily, she is a skilled survivor. Both Elena and Raphael have pasts that haunt them. Elena was witness to a rogue vampire coming to her home when she was ten hunting her who then killed her two older sisters in horrible ways and torturing her mother. Her mother later commits suicide. Elena had blocked most of those memories but becoming immortal has stirred them up again in the form of nightmares. Raphael has nightmares of his own. His own father was killed by his mother after he devolved into a blood-craving monster and his mother disappeared. Raphael fears that he too will devolve. You see, immortals do either devolve or evolve over the course of their long lives. Elena's human heart is what will keep him from devolving.Lijuan is the oldest of the immortals and she has evolved in such a way that she has no interest in humanity at all and is busy creating zombie like creatures who are loyal only to her. She sees Elena as a curiosity to be experimented with. She has so much power that the other angels fear her. But Lijuan is not Elena's only enemy. She dodges many attempts to kill her and a good part of the book is concerned with finding out who is targeting her and stopping them.This was a rich, fascinating book filled with well-rounded characters. I look forward to following further adventures in the Guild Hunter series.
    • 3/5
      3.5 stars

      I liked this book better than Angel's Blood, though I had trouble recalling the details from the first book. I thought it was well-written and I enjoyed reading about the angel politics. My problem still lies with Elena and Raphael. I am not invested in them, so it's really hard to care about what happens with them. I felt the ending was a bit anti-climatic too. The book was interesting enough for me to want to read the next one.
    • 4/5
      Elena has to deal with past childhood horrors, as she learns how to be a newly made angel. Someone is showing signs that they want to become a new Archangel, and their ticket being her head. On top of that going on while Elena retrains her body to it's warrior physique, Lijuan, the oldest of the Archangels is growing an army of zombies (more or less). Lijuan is feared because her power is so supreme, that she believes herself to be a goddess. The other angels agree that she is not wholly of this world. Elena needs to survive her memories that weaken her, and the constant threats from Raphael's seven elite guards. They believe that she is weakening Raphael, she is causing him to become human. They rather her be dead than risk Raphael.

      You get more of Raphael's view. The tenderness that he shows her is not at all the way angels are set up. They are ruthless and cruel and efficient. They both have had devastating childhoods, and I think that makes their pairing more enjoyable to read. You can see how they truly mesh well together.
    • 5/5
      Archangel's Kiss
      5 Stars

      One year after entering a healing coma, Elena Deveraux awakens to discover that Raphael has made her into an immortal angel. As Elena comes to terms with her new body and her new abilities, she must also deal with the machinations of the Cadre of Ten and the atrocities committed by an angel who will do anything to join their ranks, even kill the consort of the most dangerous of archangels …

      A sequel that more than lives up to expectations!

      Elena and Raphael’s romance is only one of the highlights in this book. Even though, Raphael hasn’t lost an iota of arrogance and may have acquired a healthy dose possessiveness, Elena has no problem holding her own with him. Their relationship is a speallbinding mix of off-the-charts chemistry and an emotional connection that makes me sigh out loud . . . *sigh!*

      Elena’s character development is also outstanding. The additions to her backstory are doled out slowly enough to encourage curiosity and speculation without the reader losing interest. Likewise, the descriptions of Elena getting used to her wings and struggling with fatigue add an element of realism to a story that is otherwise complete fantasy.

      The originality of Singh's world building continues to amaze. Her version of angel kind and their vampire creations is cruel, brutal and violent, but there is also a strange beauty and allure to them. My one small caveat is that the mystery behind the attacks on Raphael’s people is not as developed as it could have been and there are not enough clues for the reader to figure out the identity of the culprit. Nevertheless, the climax is exciting and action packed.

      To end with, Justine Eyre’s narration is fantastic although I did have to re-listen to certain sections as the sequence of events became confusing. However, this has more to do with Singh’s writing style than Eyre’s narration.

      All in all, a fabulous listen and I’m already done with the next one.
    • 5/5
      “They didn’t understand that she held his heart, held it so utterly that there was nothing he wouldn’t do, no line he wouldn’t cross to keep her safe.”--Nalini Singh, Archangels Kiss. Book 2 of Guild Hunters Series.First off, I really wish you could just switch versions of a book in booklikes, Like Goodreads has...something that say's "use this version", because I really don't like this cover that is on the Audio version. I did listen to this on audio with Justine Eyre doing narration. I give her 5 stars, because she is awesome, and does other voices well. My library where I have obtained the first two books in this series, does not have any further books of the series on audio, I'm fairly bummed about that. So, if I want to continue with the series, I have to read them now.This wasn't as good as the first book, it was good...but it could have used more action, it kind of lagged a bit. The ending seemed sorta lack luster, especially compared to Angel's Blood. It did have some shockingly morbid and cringe-worthy elements to it. There were plenty of EWW! moments.
    • 4/5
      Elena trying to recover from her year long coma and trying to adapt to angel society. She has to work hard physically and emotionally (some intense). She's tough,still wants to work for the Guild as a Hunter. She is in danger as Raphael s' mate and is trying to learn to trust him. She still has her Hunter senses, which end up being needed in the Refuge. Lijuan and her power over the dead, bring new horrible troubles to the archangels dragging Elena into her horror. Elena and Raphael go through the growth of a new and untested relationship like most of us with many bumps. Great story, I look forward to learning about more of the angels and vampires in the future. PR
    • 4/5
      This is another of those books I read months ago that I am trying to recall as I write. I was very intrigued and excited by Elena's transformation.

      This book is darker and more violent than the first book in this series and Ms. Singh pulls it off perfectly. The characters have just a hint of the forbidden which makes the book even better. I loved the setting and meeting all the other angel's as well.

      The violence in this book is stepped up as is the sensuality. There are wonderful fight scenes and even better sex scenes through out the book. I loved seeing Elena and Raphael's relationship deepen and loved seeing Elena endear herself to her new people. I still hate the crazy female Archangel.
    • 4/5
      The Guild Hunter series keeps getting better and better. In Angels' Blood I wasn't sold on the relationship between Raphael and Elena and thought the story suffered from too much plot and not enough romance. This story put all those fears aside. The struggles of the couple to sort out a fledgling relationship amongst multiple deadly outside threats kept me glued to the pages.

      Illium continued his blue-winged theft of my heart and shadowy Jason has me more intrigued than ever. According to her blog, Singh is working on Dimitri's story. Can't wait what she comes up with for him! This series is the perfect mix of PNR and UF. A steamy sensuous connection between hero and heroine and a rich, creative world for them to play in. January 25th can't get here soon enough!
    • 4/5
      Elena wakes up after a year in a coma, healing, changing, she's now an Angel with wings but she has to learn how to be in her body and deal with murderous angelic politics. She also has to deal with some of the past dredged up by the change, things that she had forgotten, there are also echoes left at the end that suggest she has more thing she will have to face up to.It's interesting to see the interaction of people with power, learning to deal with their limits and to to cope with relationships that mean different things to different people. I like that Elena keeps asserting her individuality, her selfhood while still acknowledging that she has to accept help from others.I wasn't bowled over by this but I found it quite readable and interesting and look forward to see how the characters change and progress.
    • 4/5
      Re-read 11/17/10: I had a harder time getting into it this time around. The first time I read it the first 3-or-so chapters lagged for me, but this time I was almost halfway through the book before I was pulled in. The battle between Raphael and Elena over her independence was necessary to both characters, but really dragged the story down, IMO. Once it settled and the focus shifted it was much easier to read.

      Still a great read, but I didn't love it as much as I did the first time around.

      First Read 1/10/10: This book started out kind of slow for me, but by the 3rd chapter I was totally hooked.

      Archangel's Kiss brings us back into the world of Elena Deveraux. She's just woken up as a newly Made angel and has to figure out how to navigate through a new world. Watching her adjust to her new body and powers was fascinating, especially as she's introduced to the politics Raphael is wrapped up in as an Archangel.

    • 5/5
      Another solid urban fantasy that totally fed my broody hero with wings fetish. Who incidentally has more handsome guards than you can shake a stick at. Move over Merry. nom. 4 and a 1/2 stars.
    • 4/5
      I really enjoy this series. The mains characters are great. I think the supporting characters are better. I love Illium (aka Bluebell), Dmitri and Venom. Lijuan is a great villian. It will be interesting to see where Ms. Singh takes her. I loved watching Elena grow into her new body and the use of her wings.
    • 4/5
      Definitely liked it better than Angels' Blood. The plot was more intense and engaging. I felt the chemistry between Rafael and Ellie was better too.

      My hang ups are, a lot of talk and teasing and no reason really for holding off on the sex, IMO. She did this in the first book also with talk of sex and f*cking (her word). At least this book had more emotion in it. I liked the building of characters and the world but still find the world too feudalistic, and violent, and the angels too demonic, with out conscience towards humanity. If you think of them as demons instead of angels, it goes much better.

      Overall a really good story with a few things that let me down a star.
    • 4/5
      Too much angel politics for me, but still good. Just wish more time spent on the romance.
    • 5/5
      Eleven days until the release of ARCHANGEL'S CONSORT, re-read of Book #2 complete. I had remembered the aching tension between Elena and Raphael for the first half of the book, as Raphael has waited over a year for her to wake up from her transition coma, and her body is still too weak to withstand his unleashed passion (the man literally glows with arousal, *squeeee*). I had forgotten the amazing details with regards to Elena training her weak muscles to handle wings, the multi-layered mysteries and dangers that swirl around her. The glimpses of The Refuge, where the dangerous vampires and ancient angels that pose such horrific danger walk amongst angel children, young well through their fifth decade.

      Singh had laid the seeds for ARCHANGEL'S KISS at the end of ANGEL'S BLOOD, just as she sets up tension for ARCHANGEL'S CONSORT and Elena's return to Manhattan. If I wasn't excited enough for the release of Book 3, reminders about revealing Elena's wings to the world and Raphael and Elena getting an opportunity to "dance as angel's dance" (swoon).

      9/5/11 - Re-read after ARCHANGEL'S BLADE, just couldn't leave the series behind. Love Elena learning her wings!

      5/11/12 - Really just re-read the opening, I still love Elena getting comfortable in her new body. The mystery/danger part of things didn't interest me this time around.

      2/26/13 - Still love the wings, and the exchange of amber.
    • 3/5
      Unexpected, and a nice continuation of the series. I've read other books from this author and they tend to be heavy on the erotica, but not this. More focused on the world of the angels, the mysteries, and the development of the main character. A good read and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
    • 3/5
      I’ll keep this one short.

      The writing was really good but for the life of me I couldn’t get into this. I needed over 6 weeks to get through this, which must be a new record.

      To be fair, I knew beforehand that angels aren’t my thing but still gave this series a try because of its raving reviews. In the first book it wasn’t that obtrusive, probably because it was a lot more action packed. There were more Vampires and Elena solely as a guild hunter.

      But in this second installment it was angels, angels and angels – So yeah, I truly struggled getting through this at all. Had the story developed differently, I probably would’ve even stuck with it but the moment angels became the sole focus, I was as done and won’t force myself to read through the following books of the series.

      But still 3 stars for the sorytelling/writing and character development.
    • 4/5
      The story opens with Elena trying to adapt to her new wings and new lifestyle. After spending a year in a coma as a result of both her near death and Raphael’s kiss that turned her, she most learn to retrain her body and her new feathery appendages. She also needs to catch up in her history and learn the rules that govern the angelic culture. But just because she is at the Refuge, a place –like the name implies– that is sacred to all angels, doesn’t mean that life and political machinations won’t try to destroy her.

      Archangel’s Kiss is a race against time to try to discover the perpetrator(s) behind the attack on an angelic child, the most horrible of offenses. That is obviously part of a power play to take possession of the newly vacant seat in the Cadre left after Uram’s demise. I love the story; we get to know more about Raphael and the angelic culture as well as we begin to get an inside look into the men that compose The Seven with the introduction of new characters. We also learn more about Elena’s family and past as well as the Cadre in and on itself. Elena and Raphael’s relationship deepens while they both learn to cope with the change and possible ramifications off of it.

      My only problem with the book is Elena. She went from a kick ass character to a highly insecure girl. She still fights for her freedom and independence (she is a warrior after all), still meets Raphael head on when she knows she is right. But there is a good chunk of the book where she keeps wondering “how this immortal being could be with her, have chosen her”. I would have actually expected that on the first book, when they are getting to know each other, not after they both almost sacrificed each other for one another and accepted their love for what it is.

      In all, is a great book, a good sequel that develops the characters further while making sure it packs a some good old action scenes in between.
    • 5/5
      Archangel’s Kiss by Nalini Singh(Book #2 of the Guild Hunter series)4½/5 starsSource: PurchaseYet another re-read for me and man was this one just as good the second time around as it was the first time! At the end of book one, Angels’ Blood, Elena and Raphael are both battered and broken following their showdown with the bat-sh*t crazy archangel, Uram. Archangels’ Kiss begins one year after the fateful battle above New York. Elena has been in a coma for the entire year; as far as anyone, including Sara and the Guild know, Elena is dead and; Raphael has remained by her side willing her to come back to him. Not surprisingly, when she does wake, Elena has a few questions; topping the list:*Where is she? (The Refuge; a place no mortal has ever been!)*How did she and Raphael survive the fall from the sky? (very carefully)*How long has she been asleep? (one year; didn’t you read the above paragraph?)*Why in Hell does she now have wings? (Apparently a long-held myth came true and in a moment of pure love, Raphael not only saved Elena’s life but made her an angel.)Elena doesn’t have long to ponder these heavy questions and even heavier answers before the proverbial crap hits the fan. Not everyone is excited about Elena’s new condition and someone is out to kill her and bring down Raphael at the same time. Vicious attacks are being perpetrated against Raphael’s people and Elena is called on to help track the evil-doer. As soon as she able to get out of bed Elena resumes her work as a tracker within the Refuge, begins studying angel history with Jessamy and the angelic young and begins training (weapons and otherwise) with Dimitri, Galen, and Illium. Elena knows she must prove herself to Raphael’s Seven and if she cannot do this, she will never be accepted nor respected by Raphael’s innermost circle. Elena pushes herself to the breaking point every day in order to be strong enough and competent enough to stand among the Seven and by Raphael’s side. Elena’s determination is admirable and one of her greatest strengths.Elena’s new condition, strength, and position as Raphael’s mate are known, but not well known. Unfortunately (especially for Elena) one of those who does know of the situation is Lijuan, the oldest and now craziest of the archangels. For Lijuan, Elena is a novelty and in order to better appreciate Raphael’s new toy, Lijuan invites the pair, and everyone else of significance in the angelic world, to her court for a grand ball. While a ball does sound like a grand time, there’s one teensy, tiny little problem: Lijuan has discovered how to make zombies and she’s not afraid to show them off. Understandably everyone, including the über-scary-nothing-scares-us Cadre is concerned by this development.In order to avoid the appearance of weakness Raphael and Elena prepare (intensely!) to attend the ball. As their departure date grows ever nearer the attacks against Raphael and Elena continue to escalate. By the time they reach China, everyone is on high alert. To say there is a kerfuffle, an incident, an event that occurs at the ball would be nowhere close to what goes down. I’m not even sure there is a word to describe the ugly that goes down at Lijuan’s ball. Lijuan allows her pets to walk freely among the guests, the mastermind behind the vicious attacks is both discovered and beheaded and the members of the Cadre are forced to stand against Lijuan. Given her age and power even the oldest among the Cadre are not sure the combined power of the remaining can take her out. See? Didn’t I tell you the crap hit the fan?Mixed in nicely and logically with all the drama is the growing relationship between Elena and Raphael. Raphael is used to having his way and having his word obeyed always and without question. Elena is strong and fiercely independent and not about to take orders from anyone least of all her mate. Though the two often butt heads they are also clearly meant to be together and work well as a team. Their naughty moments are sensual, lusty and hot and will keep you coming back for more.The Bottom Line: I can’t get enough of this series!! Elena and Raphael are excellent characters but the strength of the series lies in the long-reaching, twisting and turning plot line and the fantastic cast of other (they are so not minor) characters. Woven into the major plot line are multiple arcs involving a variety of characters. We learn a bit more, though not nearly enough, about most of the members of the Seven and gain some insight into a few other members of the Cadre. Singh has created characters to love, characters to hate, and characters to absolutely reserve judgment about until a later time and date. Though I have read most of the series more than once, I can still see this as a series I will return to again and again as the years go by!
    • 4/5
      Elena & Raphael will have an eternity together--if Elena can survive her enemies, who are just as determined to see her dead as when she was mortal.I really loved how their relationship is still evolving in this book. Despite the fact that Elena is now immortal (a very weak, very young immortal), her fundamental self has not changed--not even her hunter abilities--leading to many more clashes between herself and Raphael about the dynamic between them. This is a wonderful continuation of the Guild-Hunter series, and based on this book, there will be lots of interesting evolution to come in the relationship between Elena & Raphael.
    • 4/5
      As is obvious by the cover, Elena has been Made into an angel by Raphael's ambrosia kiss. This book is mainly set in the Refuge, a place exclusively for angels. Lijuan is up to no good and someone is killing people in the Refuge. Raphael and Elena's relationship is really quite new - something I appreciated much better reading these books back to back and so it made sense there was still some settling to do in their relationship. I didn't love how it ended - I prefer all bad guys to be destroyed/jailed etc as appropriate and I don't think that happened here.
    • 4/5
      Redonk Nutshell: Hunter-turned-angel Elena struggles to find her footing with her new status amid the threat of her consort's covetous fellow ArchangelsBook two in the Guardian Hunter series wins the award for "less cheesiest cover." In fact, I think this cover is kind of badass. I can't say that about any of the others, unfortunately.Archangel's Kiss picks up more or less right off where book one left us, plot-wise. Elena wakes after a year-long coma to find that she's not a) dead (yay!) and b) a vampire. Instead, she's sporting a pair of kickin hot wings. Turns out her dear Raphael managed to turn her into an angel, a rare, if not unheard of, concept. Which makes Elena one hot commodity. And a huge target to Raphael's enemies.The main conflict in this book is the rising distortion of power of the Archangel of China, who has been reanimating the dead. Lujian, the aforementioned villan, isn't necessarily your average evildoer. In fact, she's not always bad. She's just a bit...off, a common side effect of having lived thousands of years.Lujian invites Raphael & his consort to her Bejing home, a cunning dare disguised as a ball. Elena works her butt off to re-train her newly formed body. What we get is a lovely treat of some familiar faces, recurring supporting characters that demand our individual attention. There's Illium, the stunning blue winged angel with a charming sense of humor. Venom, the vicious and poisonous vampire with snake like eyes and movements. Galen, the grey winged angel that re-trains Elena with her blades. Jason, the dark and mysterious tattooed angel who serves as Raphael's spymaster. Aodhan, the quiet and diamond like angel that doesn't like to be touched. And of course, Dmitri, Raphael's right hand and confidante, a vampire several hundred years old that is constantly tormenting Elena.The main points of book two are 1) Elena's recuperation and 2) Lujian's confrontation by the Cadre of Ten. For some people, the focus of Elena's orientation into immortality may drag or seem boring. I saw it as time well spent among Raphael's infamous Seven. We get glimpses into their lives and their pasts, as well as delving into the horrific event that shaped Elena into who she is today. Generally, the dark and morose tone continues on from book one, but this time Elena is an immortal.And of course, there's Raphael. The pompous, gorgeous, and utterly terrifying Archangel that is slowly but surely evolving into something altogether different with his love for Elena. It's lovely to watch. Hilarious, even, at times.I enjoyed book two. In fact, it deepened my affection for the series as a whole. Jammed packed with action, humor, and some super smutty angel-time, Archangel's Kiss makes a great sophomore book to the Guild Hunter series.Archangel's Kiss by Nalini Singh, 323 pgs, 2/2/10Rating: BRomance: 3/5 Raunch: 3.5/5
    • 4/5
      Is it wrong that I really want Illium and Elena to be together? omg I just love Illium. *sigh* this series is good. (:
    • 4/5
      Book 2 in the Guild Hunter series by New Zealand author Nalini Singh. After the fight with Uram, vampire hunter Elena and Archangel Raphael almost died. Elena has woken from a year-long coma to find that she has become an angel. Raphael takes her to the angel's Refuge, where she heals and is trained to use her new body. Raphael has become weaker through his love for Elena. He must ready her for a flight to Beijing, to attend a ball thrown by the archangel Lijuan whose power lies with the dead.