Archangel's War (The Guild Hunter, #12)

by Nalini Singh

[booksandcats]

Well, I had to reread this to be able to write a proper Review, there is just so much packed into this book, reading it feels like riding the best roller coaster ever.

First off, this book is absolutely amazing! Stunning storyline, the characters appear just so right and Nalini Singh manages to bring the overall Arch of this Series to a stunning, attention-gripping finale. Despite the high stakes and tension running all through the Book, it has a delightfully light tone and many hilarious little Scenes woven in, that make it one of the most joyous reads of this series. And this is all I can say I think, without giving away any spoilers. So, if you haven't read it and don't wish to know more (which I would highly advise!), do not read on!

So, the last book in this series ended with a bit of a cliff-hanger, as it was not clear in what form Elena would wake. This is settled quickly, Elena being herself and, with a new kind of wings, made of Energy. She, Raphael and the rest of the cadre prepare for war , when Lijuans whole territory gets befogged in a dark mist that kills everything entering it, even an Ancient Archangel. So, with Lijuan having fed on at least thousands of her own people, having engorged her own power, the cadre faces a threat as never before, not knowing if they have anything to match it.

So far for the outline of the story, the stakes higher than ever. Nalini Singh builds a tension so high it seemed impossible to put the book down before finishing.

The Characters in this book are all so interesting, the main protagonists once more the Archangel Raphael and his Consort Elena, with their friends and allies close by. At several instances, Nalini switches her Point of View, which allows the reader to comprehend so much more of the situation and gives interesting insight into the thoughts of several characters. There isn't enough space here to discuss every single side character, as almost everyone ever introduced in this series has been woven into this book masterfully. Let's just say that many familiar faces (sometimes even minor reoccuring characters) reappear and, together, create an intricate net of interactions and relationships. It is visible how the earlier books impacted this one, tricks learned in the last battle, strategies adjusted, the guild hunters so much closer incorporated into Raphael's Forces, every ressource seemed to be put into use.

As written before, even though tension runs through all of this book, there are many delightfull little bubble of funny interactions woven through the storyline perfectly. They release a bit of pressure every now and again, without breaking the natural tone of the whole narrative. Just a bit of normal life and Elena's sarcastic comments to lighten the mood.

Story wise, this books leaves little to be desired, my only complaint being that so much is happening, that the book doesn't seem long enough. There are so many things, additional scenes that seemed a little bit missing. For example, while Raphael and Lijuan battle, there is a seperate battle going on between Titus and Charisemnon, from which we only hear the result and never any details, and even the result isn't shown directly but is only spoken off. And the ending for example, with a surprise Ascencion, seemed rather rushed. Little complaints on a very high level. I do understand however, that it wasn't possible to include everything, as the storyline would have become maybe not focused enough, or the book (already one of the biggest ones in this series I think) too large.
I have proposed this in a fan-forum as well, I think Nalini Singh has an amazing opportunity here to write another book, filled with just novellas and little blinks into the major battles around the world, told from different people. That would make this story absolute perfection.

So, even though the overall Arch seems finished for now, this book still has some loose ends, that can be tied up nice and neatly in following books, like for example the waking of Illium's father.

In conclusion I think this is one of Nalini Singh's best books, and a great addition to her Guild-Hunter world. I would not advise to read this as a stand alone, this one very much needs to be read after having read every other book of the series, or at least the ones having Raphael and Elena as leads.