lindaunconventionalbookworms's review against another edition
5.0
"I know", she said, determined not to let this drive her back into the dark, "but since you have a reputation of enjoying pain, I'm sure they won't be surprised if I give in to the need to stab you"
Honor and Dmitri were so broken it was amazing they could even try to find pieces of themselves to fit back together again!
The searching for vengeance - for both of them, was excrutiating, but filled with so much beauty and wonder anyway. Their romance was far from easy, as they both had so many trust-issues, but when they made progress, the reward was so incredibly hot and spicy, but still sweet and tentative I was thorn between wanting to read faster, and only wanting to savour the hotness that jumped on me from the pages.
The final resolution was perfect, it almost brought tears to my eyes that Dmitri and Honor could still try to be happy, and that they were capable of still believing in Love with a capital L.
A wonderful book, as always, beuatifully written, Ms. Singh is a master with words, and her senusal play spills over from the pages into my mind... making me want to see if I have a squeeze-bottle of honey on hand!
Honor and Dmitri were so broken it was amazing they could even try to find pieces of themselves to fit back together again!
The searching for vengeance - for both of them, was excrutiating, but filled with so much beauty and wonder anyway. Their romance was far from easy, as they both had so many trust-issues, but when they made progress, the reward was so incredibly hot and spicy, but still sweet and tentative I was thorn between wanting to read faster, and only wanting to savour the hotness that jumped on me from the pages.
The final resolution was perfect, it almost brought tears to my eyes that Dmitri and Honor could still try to be happy, and that they were capable of still believing in Love with a capital L.
A wonderful book, as always, beuatifully written, Ms. Singh is a master with words, and her senusal play spills over from the pages into my mind... making me want to see if I have a squeeze-bottle of honey on hand!
jazzigtee's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
laurenjodi's review against another edition
5.0
Archangel's Blade
5 Stars
Dmitri, the enigmatic leader of Raphael’s Seven, seeks the help of the Guild in deciphering the strange symbol tattooed on the corpse of a young vampire. Guild historian, Honor St. Nicholas is recovering from a brutal attack that left her shattered and demoralized. She is in no shape to deal with the dangerous vampire who arouses inexplicable emotions and an intense attraction in her. Yet, the more time they spend together, the more Dmitri and Honor come to realize that their connection goes beyond the physical and they may have more in common than they think . . .
This is the fourth book in the Guild Hunter series and the first to focus on a couple other than Raphael and Elena. Dmitri has always been somewhat problematic due to the animosity and distrust in his relationship with Elena. Consequently, the extent to which his character grew on me was surprising and it is a testament to Singh’s skill at drawing intense relationships that his romance with Honor is so captivating.
Despite his capacity for cold cruelty and vicious brutality, there is also something vulnerable about Dmitri and Singh does an excellent job outlining his backstory and explaining the circumstances behind his actions and motivations.
Honor is an exceedingly resilient heroine. Despite the trauma she suffered, she stands her ground with Dmitri, toe to toe, and never allows him to intimidate or bully her, which is really something considering his lethal personality.
There is nothing sweet or mild about Dmitri and Honor’s sexual chemistry, which sizzles from their first meeting and builds slowly but surely toward a raw and almost violent explosion. The only problematic aspect of their relationship is the, which takes time to get used to (although there are plenty of hints as to what’s going on). Nevertheless, given Dmitri's nature, it becomes clear that this is the only way for things to resolve themselves.
Familiar secondary characters put in an appearance: Illium, Jason, Venom, Raphael and Elena, are all there, but the focus never strays from Honor and Dmitri’s incredible story. The dual investigations into those behind the attack on Honor and the person responsible for the dead vampire are compelling with some interesting twists and turns as well as exciting action scenes.
In sum, an engrossing addition to one of the best paranormal romance series out there.
5 Stars
Dmitri, the enigmatic leader of Raphael’s Seven, seeks the help of the Guild in deciphering the strange symbol tattooed on the corpse of a young vampire. Guild historian, Honor St. Nicholas is recovering from a brutal attack that left her shattered and demoralized. She is in no shape to deal with the dangerous vampire who arouses inexplicable emotions and an intense attraction in her. Yet, the more time they spend together, the more Dmitri and Honor come to realize that their connection goes beyond the physical and they may have more in common than they think . . .
This is the fourth book in the Guild Hunter series and the first to focus on a couple other than Raphael and Elena. Dmitri has always been somewhat problematic due to the animosity and distrust in his relationship with Elena. Consequently, the extent to which his character grew on me was surprising and it is a testament to Singh’s skill at drawing intense relationships that his romance with Honor is so captivating.
Despite his capacity for cold cruelty and vicious brutality, there is also something vulnerable about Dmitri and Singh does an excellent job outlining his backstory and explaining the circumstances behind his actions and motivations.
Honor is an exceedingly resilient heroine. Despite the trauma she suffered, she stands her ground with Dmitri, toe to toe, and never allows him to intimidate or bully her, which is really something considering his lethal personality.
There is nothing sweet or mild about Dmitri and Honor’s sexual chemistry, which sizzles from their first meeting and builds slowly but surely toward a raw and almost violent explosion. The only problematic aspect of their relationship is the
Spoiler
reincarnation themeFamiliar secondary characters put in an appearance: Illium, Jason, Venom, Raphael and Elena, are all there, but the focus never strays from Honor and Dmitri’s incredible story. The dual investigations into those behind the attack on Honor and the person responsible for the dead vampire are compelling with some interesting twists and turns as well as exciting action scenes.
In sum, an engrossing addition to one of the best paranormal romance series out there.
diaryofthebookdragon's review
3.0
When I heard that 4th book in Guild Hunter series was about Dmitri I was ecstatic. I could not wait for his HEA. But I never got into the story, like it was the case with previous books.
- The descriptions were too long and lyrical in a way that didn't suit the story.
- Too many unresolved mysteries hanging in the air.
- The descriptions were too long and lyrical in a way that didn't suit the story.
- Too many unresolved mysteries hanging in the air.
chelseavbc's review against another edition
4.0
This review was originally posted at Vampire Book Club
I have had Archangel’s Blade on my shelf for months. And I put off reading it purposefully. It wasn’t my typical series anxiety where I’m all “oh, please don’t screw this up” but hesitation. I wasn’t head-over-heels for the last Guild Hunter novel. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t the same fiery writing from Nalini Singh’s earlier books. I just wasn’t game for a ho-hum read.
But now I feel like an idiot, because Archangel’s Blade was engaging and heartbreaking and sweet and feisty and, yes, sexy.
Instead of focusing on Raphael and Elena like the previous novels, Archangel’s Blade focuses on Dmitri, the vampire who leads Raphael’s Seven. Dmitri is ruthless and demanding when it comes to his job of policing the vampires and guarding Raphael’s turf. He’s also a bit of a playboy. He has no interest in love. He had it while alive with a wife and children. Nothing will tarnish that memory for him.
And then there’s Honor. She’s a different person after being kidnapped and tortured by rogue vampires. Still, she works as a Hunter. When she’s paired with Dmitri on a brutal murder case, it’s terrifying. She had lusted after him before, but now the idea of being in a room with any vampire scares her.
The dance these two do in avoiding their feelings is intense. Honor brings out feelings Dmitri didn’t know he was still capable of experiencing, and she can’t understand why she feels safe around him. There’s a nice destiny twist in the HEA for these two, and watching them come to accept it is a delight. You’ll fall in love with Dmitri alongside Honor. In addition to the romance, Honor’s character growth is well done and the mystery elements are twisty enough to keep things from ever being obvious.
As a bonus, because this is the first story focusing on Dmitri solo it can be read as a stand alone.
Sexual content: Sex scenes
I have had Archangel’s Blade on my shelf for months. And I put off reading it purposefully. It wasn’t my typical series anxiety where I’m all “oh, please don’t screw this up” but hesitation. I wasn’t head-over-heels for the last Guild Hunter novel. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t the same fiery writing from Nalini Singh’s earlier books. I just wasn’t game for a ho-hum read.
But now I feel like an idiot, because Archangel’s Blade was engaging and heartbreaking and sweet and feisty and, yes, sexy.
Instead of focusing on Raphael and Elena like the previous novels, Archangel’s Blade focuses on Dmitri, the vampire who leads Raphael’s Seven. Dmitri is ruthless and demanding when it comes to his job of policing the vampires and guarding Raphael’s turf. He’s also a bit of a playboy. He has no interest in love. He had it while alive with a wife and children. Nothing will tarnish that memory for him.
And then there’s Honor. She’s a different person after being kidnapped and tortured by rogue vampires. Still, she works as a Hunter. When she’s paired with Dmitri on a brutal murder case, it’s terrifying. She had lusted after him before, but now the idea of being in a room with any vampire scares her.
The dance these two do in avoiding their feelings is intense. Honor brings out feelings Dmitri didn’t know he was still capable of experiencing, and she can’t understand why she feels safe around him. There’s a nice destiny twist in the HEA for these two, and watching them come to accept it is a delight. You’ll fall in love with Dmitri alongside Honor. In addition to the romance, Honor’s character growth is well done and the mystery elements are twisty enough to keep things from ever being obvious.
As a bonus, because this is the first story focusing on Dmitri solo it can be read as a stand alone.
Sexual content: Sex scenes
bookisheniolak's review against another edition
4.0
This one, I have read like 3 times already. Honor and Dimitri's lovestory is just so obsessing.
hgoravec's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
lizzy_22's review against another edition
3.0
Maybe not quite as engrossing as Raphael and Elena but despite the whole thing that usually completely turns me off, it was nice to see Dmitri's story. I love this series despite it's overblown smuttiness (I am NOT complaining!).