This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Published by Berkley
Released on September 24, 2019
Pages: 400
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
25
The Delight
This book! Oh, the glorious feeling of awaiting a book for many months and not having it disappoint me even a little! I was in raptures over Archangel’s War from the dizzy, effervescent deep love affair between an archangel and his Guild Hunter, to the reshaping of their lives and the devastating changes wrought by the Cascade, and into an unavoidable confrontation for the survival of their world against the archangel who, through darkness and evil, has ascended into the most powerful being alive. This one was for all the marbles and it didn’t disappoint.
Review
Archangel’s War is the 12th in the Guild Hunter series. While it did crossover into paranormal romance territory and delivered some individual romances, it is ultimately urban fantasy and has a strong series arc that needs to be read in order.
In Archangel’s Prophecy, the last book, things looked very dire for Raphael and Elena. There is a strange prophecy from a sleeping Ancient, cataclysmic events, and Elena’s physical deterioration that threatened to unravel her archangel. Raphael makes a last ditch unheard of decision and we were left not knowing what would come of it or the critical intel of Lijuan and the darkness and disease in China.
Because of this book being pretty much a spoiler for book eleven, I want to stop and give no further details of the summary. I would also recommend that readers go into this one without reading the summary because I felt this book was that much more exciting and intense not knowing even those few hints in the blurb.
So, Archangel’s War…
It felt like a grand finale. Is it? I don’t know. Let’s just say the series arc and secondary series arcs have been completed so if it does continue, there will be a new season and series arc. There is room for more when it comes to personal stories, obviously. And, a surprising twist in the family situation for one of Raphael’s seven might very well be where that goes. Whew, yeah, Elena’s ‘Bluebell’ got thrown a real curve in this one.
But, back to the grand finale feeling…
I loved how things got very dire and the Cascade was at it’s violent, most chaotic worst. There is finally an interesting explanation for why the Cascade even happens along with backstory from Raphael’s life with his parents that was neat. The enemy is strong and crosses so many lines into the depths of evil that I wanted each torturous action to be leveled that direction even if it meant making them have to be brought back and destroyed over and over until they felt all their own pain.
Great villain!
And, because there is a horrific evil then it made the stakes high for those who had to find a way to win against the odds. This book builds slowly and then gets rolling faster and faster until that long roiling and building climax that was given all the grandeur it needed to be worthy of archangel’s doing battle and carrying their people into battle with them.
As usual, I loved getting Raphael and Elena as the focus pair, but I didn’t have to miss out on all the regular surrounding cast of her family, her Guild Hunter family, his Seven lieutenants, the Cadre, and more. Raphael might have been a cold being before Elena, but he chose good people and was as loyal to them as they, to him. It never stood out more just what an amazing leader he was even at what was considered a youthful age for an archangel because of his choices. He chose a different path from the other archangels with his friends and people as well as his choice to love a mortal turned angel and this is what helps him fight the temptation to wield the Cascade power for selfish gain and personal power. This is where Elena may be barely into her angel immortality and be much weaker than other angels, but her role in keep Raphael anchored and be a true partner in everything to him is precious and part of their romance.
All in all, Archangel’s War delivered a long, gritty battle with losses and victories as well as personal battles and a romance for the ages. Guild Hunter fans will find this unputdownable as I did, I have no doubt. Urban Fantasy fans need to grab up this series and prepare to binge.
My thanks to Penguin Berkley Romance for the opportunity to read this one in exchange for an honest review.
Challenges Met
New Release #126
Romance-poly #56 Warrior’s Way
Fall Reading Assignment #1 Prof Mix-Up (List)
About Nalini Singh
I’ve been writing as long as I can remember and all of my stories always held a thread of romance (even when I was writing about a prince who could shoot lasers out of his eyes). I love creating unique characters, love giving them happy endings and I even love the voices in my head. There’s no other job I would rather be doing. In September 2002, when I got the call that Silhouette Desire wanted to buy my first book, Desert Warrior, it was a dream come true. I hope to continue living the dream until I keel over of old age on my keyboard.
I was born in Fiji and raised in New Zealand. I also spent three years living and working in Japan, during which time I took the chance to travel around Asia. I’m back in New Zealand now, but I’m always plotting new trips. If you’d like to see some of my travel snapshots, have a look at the Travel Diary page (updated every month).
So far, I’ve worked as a lawyer, a librarian, a candy factory general hand, a bank temp and an English teacher and not necessarily in that order. Some might call that inconsistency but I call it grist for the writer’s mill.
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I’ve heard so much about this fabulous author, but have never read any of her work. Sounds like this was an explosive and satisfying ending to a great series. Hope your day is going well! RO
The books are worthy of the praise, Ro. Enjoy your Tuesday! 🙂
I really need to read this series. I am so glad that this book delivered for you, Sophia Rose. It sounds like it was wonderfully done.
Oh yes! You’ll love this one when you get the chance to start them.
I know, never judge a book by its cover, right? I’m afraid I’d pass straight by this one in that, far from standing out, to me this looks like a hundred other books of this genre. And yet, such is the power of a good review, I must admit you have me thinking that perhaps it is a read for me after all.
LOL, yep, it can get you into trouble. 🙂 Glad to deliver a review you could enjoy, Tracy.
I’ve been on the hunt for a new UF series. You make me want to pick this one up! I’m glad you got closure here, and time with some of your favorites. It sounds like a great wrap up…or is it? LOL
Great review.
Oh my glands, yes, you must read these. They are incredible. 🙂
Yeah, it was a barnburner, but I am crossing my fingers for a bit more.
Wow book 12 that’s a lot and I only did read book 1 and 2 I think
It is definitely getting up there into longstanding series category. 🙂
I really had no idea what to say with this review, but you managed to write a beautiful, eloquent one! You put everything I felt about this installment into words. Excellent review, Sophia Rose! 🙂
You did great. It really was a tricky thing to review this one. I would start to type something and realize that I couldn’t say that. LOL Thanks for the vote of confidence. 🙂
This author is on my wish list and the sound of this series is one I would like, decisions decisions 🙂
Too many books out there that are fabulous. LOL
This is another series I want to tackle in my list of many. One day!
Preach it, sister! We will get to those someday lists… well, someday. 🙂
Eeek! This series sounds like a good one. I shall see! I have a couple of series I’m working on though. To the maybe pile!
Yeah, so many wonderful series out there. Worth it for the Maybe pile. 🙂
Lijuan is totally a great Villian. Her-creepiness is just well creepy and the lengths she was willing to go to…just ewe.
For sure! I had no idea how creepy and ew-ey until this one.
That’s the best when you’ve been eagerly awaiting a book and then when you finally get it, it’s as good as you hoped. This sounds like a very solid read and it’s always great when a series is that long and keeps going strong.
You said it, Lola! Best feeling in the world. 🙂
I got the audio for review. I think it will be next on my list. 🙂
Can’t wait to see what you think when you get done. 🙂