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Archangel's Kiss (Guild Hunter, #2)

Nalini Singh

Start date: February 1, 2024

Finish date: February 29, 2024

Discussion: Challenges: What's the Rush

Why we're reading this: Part of our group series (re)read: Guild Hunter …more
[close] Part of our group series (re)read: Guild Hunter

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Challenges: What's the Rush

* 2025 Series Read: K.N. Banet's "Jacky Leon"
By Steph , Serious series addict · 95 posts · 33 views

last updated 10 hours, 56 min ago

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* YEAR-LONG CHALLENGES
By Steph , Serious series addict · 1 post · 389 views

last updated Aug 17, 2010 11:14PM

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What Members Thought

Jul 28, 2013 Alisha rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Reread: Awesome book, no surprise. There's a lot of material covered in this one, so I'd recommend a reread for anyone before going through to the next installment.

First Readthrough Review: (link to review)

This installment covers some of the fallout from book one's ending, starting with Elena's "rebirth" as a brand spanking new angel. The setting is almost exclusively in what's called "The [Angel's:] Refuge"; as such, almost no time is spent on the goings-on of New York and the friends that live Reread: Awesome book, no surprise. There's a lot of material covered in this one, so I'd recommend a reread for anyone before going through to the next installment.

First Readthrough Review: (link to review)

This installment covers some of the fallout from book one's ending, starting with Elena's "rebirth" as a brand spanking new angel. The setting is almost exclusively in what's called "The [Angel's:] Refuge"; as such, almost no time is spent on the goings-on of New York and the friends that live there; she's very much isolated from the world at large. However, the Refuge is a perfect place to watch Elena explore her new identity, as well as the role she will now be expected to play in society as a whole.

I'm a big fan of Raphael (as obstinate as the man can get at times ^_^), so it pleased me immensely that this book both delves more deeply into his budding relationship with Elena, and scratches at the surface of his past demons (relatively speaking, of course).

Because of the primary focus being on Elena's recovery and her coming to terms with what her new form entails, the book takes on a relatively leisurely pace for much of the duration. That's not to say that it is without tension or suspense, however: the story has it in spades as it saunters on to the climax near the book's end.

**Spoilerish: avoid if you must**
Speaking of the book's climax... it was riveting, explosive...everything you'd want in a UF book. One small exception I took was to what seemed like a major story thread being quickly wrapped up; I'm speaking here about the presentation--and extremely swift demise--of Elena's childhood torturer, Slater Patalis. That little interlude seemed quite abrupt, if not flat out random...especially given the considerable importance (and mysterious explanation) given to this character's devastating effect on Elena, in both books one and two. .....All in all, though, it's a very minor gripe--if even that--and really didn't detract from the overall magnitude of the book's climax. Even makes me wonder whether that particular thread really is sewn up for good....ooh! ^_^
**End Spoilerish section**

Like the heavenly setting of the Angel's Refuge, this book was simply magical. I absolutely cannot wait for the next installment. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Aug 18, 2011 Nairabell rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 5-star, read-in-2012

Elena Devereaux has spent the last year in a coma, her body healing after the fight that nearly took her life and transformed her into an angel. She awakens changed, but weakened and with much to learn. Elena is forced to learn quickly though as an invitation arrives to a ball at the ancient and deadly archangel Lijuan's home. But even as Elena and Raphael prepare, someone is determined to remove Raphael from power and strikes at the heart of the angelic sanctuary they are calling home.

This is t Elena Devereaux has spent the last year in a coma, her body healing after the fight that nearly took her life and transformed her into an angel. She awakens changed, but weakened and with much to learn. Elena is forced to learn quickly though as an invitation arrives to a ball at the ancient and deadly archangel Lijuan's home. But even as Elena and Raphael prepare, someone is determined to remove Raphael from power and strikes at the heart of the angelic sanctuary they are calling home.

This is the second book in the Guild Hunter series (after Angels' Blood) and picks up a year after Elena's transformation. I would recommend that new readers start at the beginning, and also don't read further as this review is likely to contain spoilers for the first book.

This book has a slightly slower pace than the last installment as a large amount of time is spent with Elena learning how to be an angel. She needs to learn the history of the angelic race and even simple things, like being able to walk with her wings folded, are a struggle. That said there is a layer of tension as someone is targeting Raphael and attacking people at the sanctuary, and there is the lingering threat of Lijuan's ball.

Elena develops a lot in this book as she is trying to find a balance between her new existence as an angel and her old life as a hunter. Her hunter born skills haven't deserted her and if anything are beginning to develop into something more complex, meaning Elena is able to gain some independence from her relationship with Raphael. Slightly more of Elena's past with the rogue vampire Slater Patalis is revealed, alongside the revelation that Elena herself doesn't fully remember the incident. The story is not complete though so I'm assuming it will continue on in the next book.

It isn't just Elena's past that is revealed though as Raphael begins to reveal more about his past and the nature of angels. Raphael is determined to protect Elena, and this means that Dmitri and Illium play key roles along with the newly introduced Jason and Galen. This book also reveals more about Raphael's Seven and their roles.

Elena's relationship with Raphael develops more, although this is much to the disappointment of jealous Michaela and Dmitri who thinks Elena is a threat to Raphael's safety. The romance itself is well developed as Elena and Raphael gradually let down their guards and begin to reveal their pasts whilst learning to deal with the fact that Elena craves independence as Raphael needs her presence.

All in all this was another great read and I'm looking forward to Archangel's Consort.

Plot: 9/10
Characters: 9/10
Ending: 10/10
Enjoyment: 10/10
Cover: 9/10

Overall: 47/50 ...more

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Sep 02, 2011 Mandy Beyers rated it really liked it

Shelves: paranormal-romance, urban-fantasy, my-ebooks, z-sosbookshelfbingor4, z-read-for-a-2012-challenge

This book (and series) is an interesting glimpse into a strange world where Angels are nearly immortal and are the makers of vampires. Elena, a Guild Hunter (hunter of vampires that have broken their "contracts" with the Angels that made them), (view spoiler) ...more

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Dec 25, 2013 Thenia rated it really liked it

Shelves: magic, r-ab, reviewed, series, paranormal, romance, 2013

In this second part of her story Elena learns the ropes of her new reality, while she recovers from the last book's events and gets immersed into Raphael's world, with its intrigue and ruthless, power-hungry beings.

The author tends to repeat certain phrases and that gets a bit tiring, but her stories are usually full of imagination and intriguing characters that make reading her books very enjoyable.

The audiobook was just as good as the first one and I'm looking forward to listening to Archangel ...more

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Mar 03, 2011 Caroline rated it really liked it

Shelves: favourite-series

Like this better than the first book. Great plot. Relationship between main characters seemed much more believeable.

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Nov 07, 2014 Kelleigh rated it it was ok

MEH.... ugh when am I going to find a GOOD series!? :(

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Mar 30, 2011 Katyana rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, uf, fantasy, ass-kicking-women

Wow. I mean, wow. I really am enjoying this series! It is so great to get to dig in-depth on these characters. I love love love watching Elena and Raphael's relationship evolve. I love the way that both characters learn to compromise, learn to trust each other.

Honestly, this series is just fantastic. ...more

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