Archangel's Shadows

By: Nalini Singh

Narrated by: Justine Eyre

Length: 12 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's Summary

In the wake of a brutal war, the archangel Raphael and his hunter consort, Elena, are dealing with the treacherously shifting tides of archangelic politics and the people of a battered but not broken city. The last thing their city needs is more death, especially a death that bears the eerie signature of an insane enemy archangel who cannot - should not - be walking the streets.

This hunt must be undertaken with stealth and without alerting their people. It must be handled by those who can become shadows themselves. Ash is a gifted tracker and a woman cursed with the ability to sense the secrets of anyone she touches. But there's one man she knows all too well without a single instant of skin contact: Janvier, the dangerously sexy Cajun vampire who has fascinated and infuriated her for years. Now, as they track down a merciless killer, their cat-and-mouse game of flirtation and provocation has turned into a profound one of the heart. And this time, it is Ash's secret, dark and terrible, that threatens to destroy them both.

©2014 Nalini Singh (P)2014 Tantor

Love this Series, But....

I absolutely love the Archangel series. However, I wasn't all that interested in the 2 main character's story line. I preferred catching up with Raphael, Elena and the 7 much more. Even though the story was written well, I just kept wanting to FF through the other parts.

Ash and Janvier just didn't do it for me. With that said - I'm still a big fan of the series.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Loved the book - dissapointed in the narrator.

What did you like best about Archangel’s Shadows? What did you like least?

I always love the story lines.. what I liked least about this is parts of the performance.

What didn’t you like about Justine Eyre’s performance?

I've enjoyed Justine Eyre in the past books, however, with this one I was very disappointed. Being Cajun.. I have to say she really didn't do her homework before trying to tackle a Cajun accent or pronunciation of Cajun words like... "Cher" ... it's not pronounced like the singer... she's pronounced "Sha" with a short a. I cringed every time I heard her say it wrong.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Excellent as always

Would you listen to Archangel’s Shadows again? Why?

Yes!! Nalini & Justine!!!!

Who was your favorite character and why?

I love them all but I think Naasir won this book.

Which character – as performed by Justine Eyre – was your favorite?

They are all great

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I wish. Had to work.

Any additional comments?

NUMBER OF HEARTS: 5!!!
REVIEW:
I was so excited that Janvier & Ashwini were getting a story. We have seen them in past books and have been able to see the tension between the two of them. It was great to get to see them up close and personal. Ashwini’s back story is heart breaking (yes there were few tears shed). So heartbreaking that Ashwini is not willing to have think about a future. But Janvier is stubborn and will stop at nothing to make her see it his way.

But in the mean time Javier & Ashwini are on the trial of a monster preying on women. They will not stop until these monsters are stopped and justice is served. But when two more women come up missing, will they be able to get to them in time.

While this was Ashwini & Javier’s story we got to see all of the player’s in the Guild Hunter world. But I will let all the Naasir fan’s know that there is a lot of Naasir in this book. I loved all the insight into him. It was so much fun to listen to the stories of him. And Nassir has a wicked sense of humor. Love the game of 20 questions Nassir plays with Ellie. I just love Naasir. Can’t wait for his story.... Please be next... Please be next... Please be next.

Amazing. Another seriously great story from Nalini. I honestly have not meet a book from Nalini that I have not loved. *sigh* Now I have to wait for the next book.

Once again I listened to this book via audio book. As always Justine Eyre brings to life these character so much. I love that she has made all of the characters have such distinct voices that even when they are clearing their throat I know which character is which. Totally and completely amazing. If you have not tried this series on audio I would suggest giving this whole series at try on audio.


Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from Tantor Media, NetGalley & PENGUIN GROUP Berkley, NAL / Signet Romance, DAW in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Great addition to the series! :D

4.5-5 stars

This was a great story. I have loved Janvier and Ash's almost relationship for a while and have been rooting for them to get together so I was very happy to see that Singh decided to finally address them seriously.

This story takes place a few months after the battle in Archangel's Legion. The city is recovering and Elena and Raphael are doing good at leading their people. Ash was injured in the fighting and is mostly recovered and is trying to keep Janvier at arms length...something that she wasn't able to do as well as she'd have liked while she was injured. Ash gets sent on a job for the guild that starts out as nothing but ends up being the start in something bigger, something that could end up being a danger to the city. Janvier is working for the tower and ends up helping her with the investigation. This pushes Ash and Janvier closer and there's some drama as they both try to work past the issues that are keeping them apart. Ash is convinced that issues she has are too much to get past but Janvier is determined not to live without Ash in his life. Ash does have some valid reasons for her reluctance and I really liked how Singh was able to work things out.

I really loved getting to see how things are progressing for everyone and getting glimpses into their lives. It was fun to see Elena starting to settle in to her place as Raphael's consort. The action plot was interesting and kept me wondering how the pieces fit together. It was well balanced by the romance between Janvier and Ash and the brief explorations into the lives of the other main characters. I especially liked the additional exploration into Naasir and I'm kind of hoping the next book is his (although I'm open on that). This was a great addition to the series and I'd recommend it (and the series). 2 thumbs up! :D

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

The series is growing stale

This installment just didn't do much for me. I just couldn't get too excited about the main characters. The series seems to be in a stale period, throwing this book in as a filler, because it wasn't about any of the angels and didn't advance the story of the angelic war.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Violence against women is a regular now.

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Violence against women is becoming a regular theme, and as the series progresses it seems to intensify. I enjoyed the first few books in the series, but now it seems that there is so much misogynist violence on a regular basis. I wasn't crazy about this one. nor Ash and Janvier just didn't do it for me.

What other book might you compare Archangel’s Shadows to and why?

Can't this series is unto it's self. The only other series I enjoyed about angels and it had a great ending was J.R. Ward's "Fallen Angels" Not many series have great endings "Fallen Angels" did.

Did Justine Eyre do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

Not really I felt she didn't have it for the Cajun accent, She did ok on others but you really need flair for the Cajun "Patwa" (listen to Jane Yellowrock series)

Did Archangel’s Shadows inspire you to do anything?

To tell the author to find another topic besides beating up and killing women.

Any additional comments?

I hope that this series turns around I enjoyed the first 5 books and the 6th was ok, but it's time to get off beating and killing woman for sport.......Try something else, like trying to help humans more.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Still love this world.....BUT....

First and foremost, this ties for the best series EVER with Black Dagger Brotherhood of course! BUT...this book left me a bit flat. I don't know why, I guess it came across more as a psy changling book than a guild hunter book....all the players where there but they didn't gel exactly like they have in previous novels, it almost felt like a short, even though it was 12 hours long.

Very sad that is wasn't 22 hours long like the pre-order stated, but still wonderful to visit the world of the Guild Hunters...but I think I just wanted to hear more from Raphael and Ellena. If you are a fan of the series it is a must have, but for the first time this series has let me down.

Still worth downloading every book though, and the narration was wonderful as always!!!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

THEY'RE CONSISTENTLY CREATIVE & CAPTIVATING PLOTS

These Guild Hunter books are auto downloads for me because they always hold consistently gripping and complex stories that are stuffed full of action, adventure, mystery, twists, great characters and romance. As the citizens, Vampires and Archangels of New York are getting over the great battle there's new Allies and allegiances to form, new buildings to accommodate everyone and the unknown Legion of dark bat winged Warriors are ever present. So, Raphael and Elena have a tough job on their hands but they pull together and their wonderful romance is still as strong as ever.

But when a dog and a woman are found drained of blood it's up to the gifted Guild Hunter Ash and the hot and sexy Vampire Janvier to put all the missing pieces together and track down an evil killer. The trouble is they've both been fighting their chemistry, their attraction and their desire for too long under the guise of witty banter and light flirtation because Ash is hiding a shocking secret from Janvier that delivers a terrible and deadly blow. Despite this they must work hand in hand to follow the clues that will bring them face to face with a Monster.

When you get a really good series, as this is, you easily remember events and the characters that each book held so it's like visiting family you haven't seen for a while and you happily and eagerly get all their news and updates. And along with this one comes a tense thriller and a bitter-sweet love story as murder and passion are both entwined in another awesome listen (although sadly not as sexy as others). There's also some new characters.

Told from various character's POV's and I love Justine Eyre's narration. These books should be listened to in order to get the absolute best from this chilling/thrilling series.

Worth a credit? Well, if Nalini Singh keeps writing them then I'll gladly keep using my credits on them..... so YEAH a very addictive, well-written, emotional and enjoyable listen that was worth a credit.

9 of 15 people found this review helpful

Always in love!!!

Ash is one of my favorites!! It's so great when she finally finds her happiness.

One of my favorite Guild Hunter books

Main characters are some of the most realistic in the series with tantalizing romance story