ARC Review: Angels' Blood

This review is brought to you thanks to my book fairy (you know who you are)! I know it comes out next week but I was totally impatient and couldn't wait. And sure, I have it on pre-order but had to read it NOW! And it's GREAT! On to the review...

Title: Angels' Blood

Author: Nalini Singh

Published: March 2009

Genre: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance

Stand Alone/Series: Guild Hunters Book #1
Novella (ebook only): Angels' Pawn

From the Author Site: Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux knows she's the best—but she doesn't know if she's good enough for this job. Hired by the dangerously beautiful Archangel Raphael, a being so lethal that no mortal wants his attention, only one thing is clear—failure is not an option...even if the task is impossible.

Because this time, it's not a wayward vamp she has to track. It's an archangel gone bad.

The job will put Elena in the midst of a killing spree like no other…and pull her to the razor's edge of passion. Even if the hunt doesn't destroy her, succumbing to Raphael's seductive touch just may. For when archangels play, mortals break…

Hero: Raphael, Archangel of New York. Dangerously beautiful, ruthless, lethal, seductive and alluring. He is definitely not one of those "nice" angel. He has the dangerous allure, the kind that has you fascinated from afar wishing you had the bravery to snuggle him up close and very personal. And as to his angel dust... he can dust me anytime he'd like, especially with that special blend of his! The quote that definitely sums up Raphael is:

“Don’t fail, Elena.” His eyes were mild but his smile, it spoke of things better not said aloud. “You intrigue me—I’d hate to have to punish you.”

Her mind flashed to that image of the vampire in Times Square, that broken mess that had once been a person… Raphael’s definition of punishment.

Heroine: Elena Deveraux, Guild Hunter. She is definitely gusty and stubborn as well as a bit reckless when it comes to Raphael. Elena is one of the hunter-born, born with skills that help her track vampire, and has probably the strongest set of those skills therefore when the Cadre of Ten (the Archangels) needs that special someone to track the impossible (Archangel gone bad), she's their gal. Like all good urban fantasy heroine's, she not afraid of the fight (even against the impossible), has a smart mouth (that only gets her into more trouble), is constantly armed and is more likely to kick ass and take numbers than wait for her hero to come get her out of the mess she's in. The quote that sums Elena up best is:

"Great." Elena walked out from behind Rahael. "Join the queue."

Micheala folded her arms across her front, plumping up her breast. "Do tell. It might be entertaining to see who gets to you first."

"Excuse me if entertaining you isn't at the top of my agenda." Oh, she could be brave now, when Raphael needed her. After... well, she had so many other problems, it didn't seem worth the effort to mollify a pissy archangel.

Review: Loved it! Nalini Singh definitely has another best seller on her hands as well as another great series. This is her first book in her new Guild Hunters series as well as her debut into the urban fantasy genre. Unlike other recent urban fantasy novels, this is told in the third person with some first person insights from the heroine, hero and villain. The style is in keeping with what one has come to expects from Ms. Nalini: a wonderfully crafted story with intriguing characters that take one out of the mundane world and into the fantastic. Her worlds are rich with fantastic character and situation while keeping everything believable.

The story is fast paced, packed full of action and tension right up to the end. It opens with Elena on a vampire hunt which leads her to a breakfast meeting with Raphael, Archangel of New York, and her latest, even if it is unwanted, gig of hunting down a rogue archangel with Raphael where failure, or quitting, is NOT an option.

The tension between Elena and Raphael is sublime. Elena can't help but be attracted by Raphael even though it's probably going to cost her her life. And Raphael is intrigued by Elena, something that doesn't happen frequently to this immortal, and she keeps telling him something he does not hear often, if ever, which is "No." They simple sizzle.

Angels in this story are not your nice, friendly, caring angels. They are a group of ruthless immortals who make and control vampires. They are ruled by the Cadre of Ten. The Cadre of Ten is definitely not a group to piss off. Basically they are the ten archangels who rule the world. Getting in on their bad side is worse than fatal. I think the maxin "Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely" works well for these angels and archangels.

The cast of secondary characters is fantastic. You have Elena's best friends: Sara and Ransom. Then you have Raphael's guys: Dimitri, Venom, Illium and Jason. As well as the other archangels in the Cadre of Ten. Can't wait to read more about them in the future adventures of Elena and Raphael. I would love to see the back story on Sara and her tracker husband, Deacon, as well as that of Archangel Elijah and Angel Hannah.

The only part I didn't enjoy was the bit confusing part/interaction with Elena's family. Didn't think it really added much to the story, other than a bit of "huh?" and the affirmation that Elena's family is a bunch of self-centered losers who don't care about Elena is the least.

The book also has some great teasers included. The steamy excerpt from Nalini Singh's next Psy/Changling book, Branded by Fire and a sneak teaser into Angels' Kiss the next book in the Guild Hunters series.

Keeper?: Yes

Recommendation: A must read for all Nalini Singh fans. And if you haven't read any Nalini Singh, well here's your chance.

Rating: A