What do you think?
Rate this book
Guild Hunter #8
Archangel's Enigma
New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh returns to her world of dark passion and immortal power—and to one of the most seductive and impenetrable heroes ever to stalk the Guild Hunter landscape…
“Oh, Naasir. So weird, so bloodthirsty, so unique and wonderful…I have fallen for him…”—Fiction Vixen
Naasir is the most feral of the powerful group of vampires and angels known as the Seven, his loyalty pledged to the Archangel Raphael. When rumors surface of a plot to murder the former Archangel of Persia, now lost in the Sleep of the Ancients, Naasir is dispatched to find him. For only he possesses the tracking skills required—those more common to predatory animals than to man.
Enlisted to accompany Naasir, Andromeda, a young angelic scholar with dangerous secrets, is fascinated by his nature—at once playful and brilliant, sensual and brutal. As they race to find the Sleeping archangel before it’s too late, Naasir will force her to question all she knows…and tempt her to walk into the magnificent, feral darkness of his world. But first they must survive an enemy vicious enough to shatter the greatest taboo of the angelic race and plunge the world into a screaming nightmare…
“Oh, Naasir. So weird, so bloodthirsty, so unique and wonderful…I have fallen for him…”—Fiction Vixen
Naasir is the most feral of the powerful group of vampires and angels known as the Seven, his loyalty pledged to the Archangel Raphael. When rumors surface of a plot to murder the former Archangel of Persia, now lost in the Sleep of the Ancients, Naasir is dispatched to find him. For only he possesses the tracking skills required—those more common to predatory animals than to man.
Enlisted to accompany Naasir, Andromeda, a young angelic scholar with dangerous secrets, is fascinated by his nature—at once playful and brilliant, sensual and brutal. As they race to find the Sleeping archangel before it’s too late, Naasir will force her to question all she knows…and tempt her to walk into the magnificent, feral darkness of his world. But first they must survive an enemy vicious enough to shatter the greatest taboo of the angelic race and plunge the world into a screaming nightmare…
357 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 1, 2015
497 people are currently reading
8242 people want to read
About the author
Nalini Singh
249 books26.7k followersI've been writing as long as I can remember and all of my stories always held a thread of romance (even when I was writing about a prince who could shoot lasers out of his eyes). I love creating unique characters, love giving them happy endings and I even love the voices in my head. There's no other job I would rather be doing. In September 2002, when I got the call that Silhouette Desire wanted to buy my first book, Desert Warrior, it was a dream come true. I hope to continue living the dream until I keel over of old age on my keyboard.
I was born in Fiji and raised in New Zealand. I also spent three years living and working in Japan, during which time I took the chance to travel around Asia. I’m back in New Zealand now, but I’m always plotting new trips. If you’d like to see some of my travel snapshots, have a look at the Travel Diary page (updated every month).
So far, I've worked as a lawyer, a librarian, a candy factory general hand, a bank temp and an English teacher and not necessarily in that order. Some might call that inconsistency but I call it grist for the writer's mill.
I was born in Fiji and raised in New Zealand. I also spent three years living and working in Japan, during which time I took the chance to travel around Asia. I’m back in New Zealand now, but I’m always plotting new trips. If you’d like to see some of my travel snapshots, have a look at the Travel Diary page (updated every month).
So far, I've worked as a lawyer, a librarian, a candy factory general hand, a bank temp and an English teacher and not necessarily in that order. Some might call that inconsistency but I call it grist for the writer's mill.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,494 reviews
November 30, 2016
Reviewed by: Rabid Reads
After finishing ARCHANGEL’S SHADOWS last year, I burned, I pined, and I perished for the next installment to be about Naasir, an almost unknown quantity prior to that book.
An almost unknown quantity who very nearly stole the spotlight from Janvier and Ashwani, whose book I had been waiting years for.
How did she do that?
I'd have to shake my nonthreatening fist at Singh had she not indulged my (and multitudes of other fans, I'm sure) need to learn more about this strange creature, this enigma.
But she did. So the world is once more safe from my fists and their (non)threats.
This installment opens with a frustrated Naasir b/c his mate is hiding from him.
Hiding. *giggle snorts*
B/c, you see, Naasir has decided that he is ready to find his mate, and he has been searching for her for months, unable to find her. So she is hiding.
There’s a childlike directness, a black-and-whiteness to Naasir that is both adorable and intoxicating.
But Naasir is not a child. *fans self* <------b/c necessary.
Andromeda is the only grandchild of Charisemnon, ally of Lijuan (who needs to die). She fled the abuses and depravities of his court for the Refuge when barely more than a fledgling to pursue her dream of becoming a scholar.
Her main area of study is the Ancients for the wisdom they can offer, and, secondarily, she has made a study of mythological creatures b/c she is fascinated by them.
It's her knowledge of the Ancients that causes Raphael to send Naasir to protect her while she searches for the Sleeping Ancient Alexander who they have cause to believe Lijuan is also searching for that she might kill him when he is helpless.
Like I said . . . Bitch needs to DIE.
There are the characteristic hurtles that prevent Naasir and Andromeda from being together: a vow of celibacy (*snickers* three guesses as to how Naasir feels about that) and a Big Secret.
Several times I found myself frustrated with Andromeda, screaming in my head at her to just TELL HIM THE TRUTH!
But as it turns out, it really was as hopeless a situation as she was making it out to be, and it's only a byproduct of their mission that provides a solution.
So have patience. It's legit. FYI.
Beyond Naasir and Andromeda’s romance, the main storyline is continued at a steady pace, with a potential key to Lijuan’s eventual (*grumbles*) destruction being revealed, as well as several more consequences of the Cascade, one of them absolutely heart-stopping.
*heart palpitates in remembrance*
All in all, ARCHANGEL’S ENIGMA, the eighth installment of Nalini Singh’s GUILD HUNTER series is everything I've come to expect from this auto-buy author. Technically a paranormal romance, there is both action and relationship development enough to satisfy lovers of both PNR and Urban Fantasy, and if you haven't already started this series, I highly recommend that you do. It is fantastic and completely worth the commitment.
After finishing ARCHANGEL’S SHADOWS last year, I burned, I pined, and I perished for the next installment to be about Naasir, an almost unknown quantity prior to that book.
An almost unknown quantity who very nearly stole the spotlight from Janvier and Ashwani, whose book I had been waiting years for.
How did she do that?
I'd have to shake my nonthreatening fist at Singh had she not indulged my (and multitudes of other fans, I'm sure) need to learn more about this strange creature, this enigma.
But she did. So the world is once more safe from my fists and their (non)threats.
This installment opens with a frustrated Naasir b/c his mate is hiding from him.
Hiding. *giggle snorts*
B/c, you see, Naasir has decided that he is ready to find his mate, and he has been searching for her for months, unable to find her. So she is hiding.
There’s a childlike directness, a black-and-whiteness to Naasir that is both adorable and intoxicating.
But Naasir is not a child. *fans self* <------b/c necessary.
Andromeda is the only grandchild of Charisemnon, ally of Lijuan (who needs to die). She fled the abuses and depravities of his court for the Refuge when barely more than a fledgling to pursue her dream of becoming a scholar.
Her main area of study is the Ancients for the wisdom they can offer, and, secondarily, she has made a study of mythological creatures b/c she is fascinated by them.
It's her knowledge of the Ancients that causes Raphael to send Naasir to protect her while she searches for the Sleeping Ancient Alexander who they have cause to believe Lijuan is also searching for that she might kill him when he is helpless.
Like I said . . . Bitch needs to DIE.
There are the characteristic hurtles that prevent Naasir and Andromeda from being together: a vow of celibacy (*snickers* three guesses as to how Naasir feels about that) and a Big Secret.
Several times I found myself frustrated with Andromeda, screaming in my head at her to just TELL HIM THE TRUTH!
But as it turns out, it really was as hopeless a situation as she was making it out to be, and it's only a byproduct of their mission that provides a solution.
So have patience. It's legit. FYI.
Beyond Naasir and Andromeda’s romance, the main storyline is continued at a steady pace, with a potential key to Lijuan’s eventual (*grumbles*) destruction being revealed, as well as several more consequences of the Cascade, one of them absolutely heart-stopping.
*heart palpitates in remembrance*
All in all, ARCHANGEL’S ENIGMA, the eighth installment of Nalini Singh’s GUILD HUNTER series is everything I've come to expect from this auto-buy author. Technically a paranormal romance, there is both action and relationship development enough to satisfy lovers of both PNR and Urban Fantasy, and if you haven't already started this series, I highly recommend that you do. It is fantastic and completely worth the commitment.
September 10, 2015
2.5 - 3 Kind of Disappointing...But I still Love Naasir Stars
I'm gonna be frank and just say that I didn't love this book.
I know, I know, the sadz is strong with this one, Young Skywalker.
And believe you me, I have no idea how this freakin' happened.
Nassir is one of the most interesting, dynamic characters I have come across in a long time and I was REALLY looking forward to his story.
*
*
*
*
*
And yet, this was me throughout probably 70% of the book:
In other words.
Val was suffering from a case of Bored Shitless-itis.
That's a technical medical term right there, so I don't blame you if you can't follow along with my madWedMD legit medical knowledge.
*Snobby Sniff*
But seriously, Naasir was still interesting.
But Andromeda?
And her vow of celibacy?
Let me repeat that:
VOW.
OF.
CELIBACY.
REALLY?!
No seriously, though.
How am I expected to work under these conditions, people?
Naasir's story should have been all crazy sexy and action packed, and instead all I wanted to do was hit my fucking snooze button.
So much that happened here just seemed like filler, honestly.
Like Singh just needed a filler book to work up to the crux of the overarching Cascade story line.
That's fine and dandy and all, but this was Naasir for shit sake.
Homie deserved some awesome.
Not a kinda, sorta lame quest to wake someone up, find a book, and only get laid maybe twice at 80% into the fucking book.
Now, the haps with Illium, Aodhan and whatever in the ever living fuq is marinating with Raphael?
I will definitely take some more of that ish.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
I'm on the fence...Review to come...
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Welcome to my kindle, bitch.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Oh my Gawd, I have been waiting forever for this one!
I'm gonna be frank and just say that I didn't love this book.
I know, I know, the sadz is strong with this one, Young Skywalker.
And believe you me, I have no idea how this freakin' happened.
Nassir is one of the most interesting, dynamic characters I have come across in a long time and I was REALLY looking forward to his story.
*
*
*
*
*
And yet, this was me throughout probably 70% of the book:
In other words.
Val was suffering from a case of Bored Shitless-itis.
That's a technical medical term right there, so I don't blame you if you can't follow along with my mad
*Snobby Sniff*
But seriously, Naasir was still interesting.
But Andromeda?
And her vow of celibacy?
Let me repeat that:
VOW.
OF.
CELIBACY.
REALLY?!
No seriously, though.
How am I expected to work under these conditions, people?
Naasir's story should have been all crazy sexy and action packed, and instead all I wanted to do was hit my fucking snooze button.
So much that happened here just seemed like filler, honestly.
Like Singh just needed a filler book to work up to the crux of the overarching Cascade story line.
That's fine and dandy and all, but this was Naasir for shit sake.
Homie deserved some awesome.
Not a kinda, sorta lame quest to wake someone up, find a book, and only get laid maybe twice at 80% into the fucking book.
Now, the haps with Illium, Aodhan and whatever in the ever living fuq is marinating with Raphael?
I will definitely take some more of that ish.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
I'm on the fence...Review to come...
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Welcome to my kindle, bitch.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Oh my Gawd, I have been waiting forever for this one!
September 20, 2015
5 Naasir Can Come Cuddle With Me Stars
Naasir's book finally came and for once a book exceeded every single one of my fairly high expectations. Both the romance side of the story and the progressive storyline regarding the Cascade were as well developed and awesome as I've come to expect and demand from Nalini Singh.
Seven months Naasir had been hunting. Seven months since he'd told Ashwini he was ready to find a mate. Seven months and still his mate hadn't made herself known to him. Didn't she know he was looking for her?
I thought that I knew what to expect when it came to Naasir, other authors have written about heroes who are both human and animal, but even after the sides of his character that were revealed in Archangel's Shadows, I wasn't prepared for the miracle that was Naasir. His childlike innocense and black-and-white vision of the world when combined with his fierce loyalty and intelligence made Naasir a character that had you conflicted between wanting to cuddle him and wanting to jump his bones. Slightly feral, slightly "other" and a lot sexy, Naasir easily jumped to the top 10 of my favorite male characters in books.
"You have secrets," he said slowly. "You wear another skin, too."
And then came Andromeda and my first thought was "WTH??". How could Naasir be paired with a scholar? A scholar who had actually taken a vow of celibacy nevertheless... But Andromeda proved herself a fitting mate for a creature that most of the world would consider an abomination. With her hidden strength and her determination not to let herself become as twisted as her family, Andromeda wasn't just a scholar lost in her books. She was a warrior in disguise. I loved how she understood Naasir and accepted him just as he was. And if I had a couple moments that I wanted to kill her for not telling him her secret, I quickly got over it.
Together Naasir and Andromeda are sent on a mission to find Alexander's Sleeping Place and try to stop Lijuan from commiting yet another atrocity by killing a sleeping Ancient.
All the while the Cascade is getting stronger and power among angels is more fluid than ever. Archangels and angels alike gain power, sometimes with catastrophic consequences, new alliances are forming every day and change is a given.
I also have to mention that I liked that this book didn't have as much sex as the books on Raphael and Elena seem to have these days. Athough NS can write spectacular sex scenes, it lately seems to be a bit on the "too much" side. Luckily this book had little sex and plenty of romance developement.
And I just have to get into that "club" and say that if Ilium and Aodhan don't end up together, Nalini Singh is an evil person for teasing us with what we can't have. Their scenes were nothing short of epic!
I can't wait for what's coming next in the series and now I have a new character I want a book on, Alexander would be great with Caliane!!!
Naasir's book finally came and for once a book exceeded every single one of my fairly high expectations. Both the romance side of the story and the progressive storyline regarding the Cascade were as well developed and awesome as I've come to expect and demand from Nalini Singh.
Seven months Naasir had been hunting. Seven months since he'd told Ashwini he was ready to find a mate. Seven months and still his mate hadn't made herself known to him. Didn't she know he was looking for her?
I thought that I knew what to expect when it came to Naasir, other authors have written about heroes who are both human and animal, but even after the sides of his character that were revealed in Archangel's Shadows, I wasn't prepared for the miracle that was Naasir. His childlike innocense and black-and-white vision of the world when combined with his fierce loyalty and intelligence made Naasir a character that had you conflicted between wanting to cuddle him and wanting to jump his bones. Slightly feral, slightly "other" and a lot sexy, Naasir easily jumped to the top 10 of my favorite male characters in books.
"You have secrets," he said slowly. "You wear another skin, too."
And then came Andromeda and my first thought was "WTH??". How could Naasir be paired with a scholar? A scholar who had actually taken a vow of celibacy nevertheless... But Andromeda proved herself a fitting mate for a creature that most of the world would consider an abomination. With her hidden strength and her determination not to let herself become as twisted as her family, Andromeda wasn't just a scholar lost in her books. She was a warrior in disguise. I loved how she understood Naasir and accepted him just as he was. And if I had a couple moments that I wanted to kill her for not telling him her secret, I quickly got over it.
Together Naasir and Andromeda are sent on a mission to find Alexander's Sleeping Place and try to stop Lijuan from commiting yet another atrocity by killing a sleeping Ancient.
All the while the Cascade is getting stronger and power among angels is more fluid than ever. Archangels and angels alike gain power, sometimes with catastrophic consequences, new alliances are forming every day and change is a given.
I also have to mention that I liked that this book didn't have as much sex as the books on Raphael and Elena seem to have these days. Athough NS can write spectacular sex scenes, it lately seems to be a bit on the "too much" side. Luckily this book had little sex and plenty of romance developement.
And I just have to get into that "club" and say that if Ilium and Aodhan don't end up together, Nalini Singh is an evil person for teasing us with what we can't have. Their scenes were nothing short of epic!
I can't wait for what's coming next in the series and now I have a new character I want a book on, Alexander would be great with Caliane!!!
September 8, 2015
“The two angels were both tall, but Aodhan was perhaps an inch taller, and now his eyes locked with Illium's for a long, quiet moment before he lowered his head slightly. Illium raised his hand, the movement slow, hesitant....and then his fingers brushed Aodhan's cheek just below the cut that had almost sealed. The first ray of dawn kissed the tear that rolled down Illium's face, caressed the painful wonder on Aodhan's as he lifted his hand to clasp the wrist of his friend's hand.
That instant of contact, the power of it, stole her breath.
Then Illium smiled, said something that made Aodhan's lips curve-Elena thought it might've been "Welcome back, Sparkle"-and they were separating to sweep off the Tower in a symphony of wild silver blue and heartbreaking light.
Yup, I'm gonna continue being the odd one in the mass and wish for Bluebell's & Sparkle's book as in together <3<3<3<3<3
*** UPDATE ***
So, it's Nassir's book? Since he's another of my fav Guild Hunter characters I highly approve. :D And totally covergasming right now *_*
AFTER READING:
4.5 stars
This review is posted on Way Too Hot Books.
The newest installment in the Guild Hunter series by N. Singh only confirms my thoughts that it will be pretty hard to find urban fantasy/pnr romance series as awesome as this one. We are on the 8th book and I'm still in love with the story as I was the first time I gave it a shot a couple of years ago. Nassir's book pretty much fulfilled all my expectations and it was definitely worth of the long waiting. Once again it had everything I prefer when it comes to this genre- dark, gripping, action-packed, emotional, suspenseful and entertaining plot with amazing characters and epic, passionate romance.
Secret rules between mates. Like the secrets he'd have with his own mate once he haunted her down and growled at her for hiding from him. Or maybe he wouldn't growl. He might just bite her instead.
The mischivious, witty, playful, but uber-dangerous member of the Seven- Nassir was always a unique, intriguing, one of my favorites and most entertaining side characters and now we finally get into his head and what's most important - find out about his origin. Yes, you heard me right people, we are one step ahead of Elena and other's who are dying to know what kind of a creature is Nassir and I must admit that I was surprised by the revelation and that all my "theories" about him were wrong.
In this installment he decides that the time has come to find his mate and settle down which will prove itself as one of the hardest and most dangerous tasks he took upon himself. Here comes Andromeda - the mysterious schoolar working together with Jessamy on the history of ancient archangels and the granddaughter of the infamous archangel Charisemnon.
"You have secrets," he said slowly. "You wear another skin, too."
I know that you must be thinking what I thought at first about Andromeda - how can a plain schoolar girl be a worthy match for a feral predator like Nassir? Without spoiling anything all I'm going to say is that she proved herself more than worthy with every next page. The romance was slow-building, emotional and full of sexy banter. One Seven member mated, who's next?
"No one could predict how much of the world would be left standing when the Cascade ended."
The infamous Cascade is once again threthening the lives and sanity of our favorite Guild Hunter characters along with our most hated villian Lijuan. I'm not that into action-packed stories, but N. Singh is an expert at writing epic battles and once again she delivered an interesting, thrilling and mythical story. The one battle towards the end of the book is one of my favorites moments.
~ AND NOW TO MY FAVORITE MOMENT OF THEM ALL: (Possible SPOILER so read at your own risk!!!)
ILLIUM: "He'd survived losing her.
He didn't know if he could survive losing Aodhan. Never before had he seen that truth so clearly and it shook him."
IT'S OFFICIAL: After all this "special, emotional moments" and teasing, one thing is sure- my heart will be crushed if this mm book doesn't happen! *fingers crossed* More and more people are sharing my opinion and I hope most of the Guild Hunters fans will be accepting of this idea. I know the author said no at first when the speculations started, but it seems that didn't prevent her to tease us with every next installment and after this quote the mm fangirl in me refuses to accept otherwise. Do you hear me Ms. Singh? Do not crush my poor mm fangirl's heart, please!
Highly recommended to every urban fantasy/ pnr fan!
xoxo,
Purple, Bluebell + Sparkle N0 1. Fangirl
September 11, 2015
Spoilers
Hated it, worst book in the series to date. Would not recommend to anyone.
-Boring story, really didn't care about one dimensional Lijuan or her plot for world domination. I wasn't interested in Naasir/Andromeda either, their romance was dull and their quest to find Alexander wasn't much better. Didn't find any of it entertaining, it was obvious how things would unfold with the Alexander/Lijuan arc and the relationship between Naasir/Andromeda, there were no surprises or twists or turns. Even the secondary characters and world bored me.
-The writing style was melodramatic and flowery as usual. What was most irritating though was how every little thing was explained, there was no mystery or room for interpretation. Instead of letting readers deduce why characters acted a certain way, it was explained in detail why so and so said or did or thought something. I didn't want to be told every detail behind all that was said and done - characters and stories are far more engrossing when things are held back.
-Didn't care about Naasir and Andromeda or their cheesy as hell romance.
Naasir was quite endearing in earlier books, but he really grated on me in this, he was meant to be centuries old but half the time his thoughts and actions were like that of a child's. It was kind of charming for a chapter or two, then it just got weird.
Andromeda was a nothing character, she was a perfect Disney princess with a soft heart, gentle soul, and inquisitive nature, her being able to fight every now and again didn't change how blank and empty she was. There was no real personality to her, just a bunch of strung together cliches. Oh, and her being a 400 year virgin old made her already daft character even more daft. She read more like a blushing, wide eyed, lip biting, naive schoolgirl than a centuries old angel. I was rolling my eyes at her being so shocked, angry and disappointed at all the cruelty and hardship around her, would a 400 year old really be that naive and simple about the various evils in the world?!
-Hated the insta-love between Naasir and Andromeda, after meeting and talking to each other a couple of times they went around acting like they knew each others very souls. They had so much faith and trust in one another and it was based on nothing but them somehow just knowing the other was honourable and good in every way possible.
-It was laughable that twenty-something year old Honor mothered 600 year old Naasir, the massive age gap made their mother-son relationship extremely unconvincing. He was such a child around her and her worried mother act was ridiculous. It made no difference that she was mated to Dmitri (who was Naasir's father figure) as they'd only been mated all of five minutes and Naasir was all grown up (600 bloody years grown up) by then. I think I was meant to find Naasir/Honor's relationship sweet but I just found it stupid.
-Really, really, really wasn't convinced with the reasons behind Andromeda's vow of celibacy. She stayed celibate for 400 years, all because she didn't want to end up like her sex mad parents, she thought having sex would somehow corrupt her and make her super horny like them (despite not inheriting ANY of their other characteristics). The very fact that she managed to stay celibate for centuries should have given her the hint that she was noting like them, but even with that fact she still thought she'd turn into a sexual degenerate if she didn't stay a virgin.
Andromeda was meant to be highly intelligent and an educated scholar so why was she so pig ignorant? How did she fail to realise that having sex and enjoying it didn't make someone bad or turn them into a sexual deviant? The stupidity of her reasoning was astounding, after hundreds of years of being surrounded by loved up couples and highly sexed angels who were all decent and good she still didn't realise that she too could enjoy sex without turning into a crazed sex maniac. She was so dumb, her fears were even more stupid as she was meant to be super clever. I don't believe someone supposedly as old and intelligent as her could make a major decision like that based on her parents liking freaky sex - she was nothing like her parents in every other way so why would she think she'd inherit their non-stop debauchery?! Ugh, she was a grade A idiot.
-Another nonsensical and contradictory thing was Andromeda being celibate for so long yet deciding to have sex with Naasir after knowing him for all of two weeks. It made little sense. And it made her being able to keep her vow of celibacy for that long prior to Naasir even more unrealistic. I mean she was surrounded by so many amazing angels and vampires who were super attractive, accomplished, and interesting yet she somehow was able to resist temptation from them for 400 years, only to drop her knickers after a couple of weeks with a child-like 600 year old vampire?? Yea right.
-How very convenient that the mythic grimoire Andromeda wanted was something Naasir just so happened to have seen and known the location of. Talk about contrived.
-The dialogue between Naasir and Andromenda was total crap, they came out with nothing but generic sappy rubbish. It was unreal that centuries old characters would speak like melodramatic teenagers.
-Illium and Aodhan's friendship was portrayed as something way more than platonic. I'll be kind of disgusted if they both end up falling in love with random women, as Singh has written them in a way that seems a lot like queer-baiting.
-Where were all the LGBT characters? I think Keir was the only secondary character in the series so far that wasn't straight. There should be loads of LGBT angels/vampires, yet there doesn't really seem to be any.
-Found it funny how characters were described as young when they were actually centuries old, even when it was a millenia old character saying it. There's no way I can think of a character that's hundreds of years old as young, no matter how much the author insists they are.
-Was it really necessary to have a description of everyone's eyes, wings, hair, tattoos, and special skills every time they came on page?!
-What's with the author giving her male characters heroines who are perfect little self-insert blank slates?! How about giving them a personality and an actual past, instead of making them hollow shells whose identity revolves around them having some lame tragic past?!
-Three out of the four female archangels (Lijuan, Michaela, Favashi) were either evil or crazy or manipulative or selfish. Whereas all the male (bar Charisemnon) archangels were good and loyal and honourable. Apparently, most women in power go power hungry and crazy and/or are vain and selfish.
-Was there anyone that didn't have a special relationship with Naasir? Every major character had some kind of unique and special connection with him. There didn't seem to be anyone Naassir didn't have a deep, profound bond with. It was the total opposite with Andromeda, after living 400 years she didn't have one deep relationship, her friendships with Jessamy and Dahriel were superficial at best. She somehow managed to live for centuries without forming one genuine, deep relationship. Yea, that didn't seem likely. I don't know why so many authors insist on making their heroines such pathetic loners incapable of having close relationships with anyone expect for their designated love interest. It just makes the already bland heroines even blander.
I suspect the next Guild Hunter novel will focus on a 10,000 year old virgin/near virgin/celibate heroine who quickly drops her knickers for the sexy vampire/angel who has literally had millions of fuckbuddies and who for some reason wants the boring heroine that has no life or spark in her. Ugh.
Hated it, worst book in the series to date. Would not recommend to anyone.
-Boring story, really didn't care about one dimensional Lijuan or her plot for world domination. I wasn't interested in Naasir/Andromeda either, their romance was dull and their quest to find Alexander wasn't much better. Didn't find any of it entertaining, it was obvious how things would unfold with the Alexander/Lijuan arc and the relationship between Naasir/Andromeda, there were no surprises or twists or turns. Even the secondary characters and world bored me.
-The writing style was melodramatic and flowery as usual. What was most irritating though was how every little thing was explained, there was no mystery or room for interpretation. Instead of letting readers deduce why characters acted a certain way, it was explained in detail why so and so said or did or thought something. I didn't want to be told every detail behind all that was said and done - characters and stories are far more engrossing when things are held back.
-Didn't care about Naasir and Andromeda or their cheesy as hell romance.
Naasir was quite endearing in earlier books, but he really grated on me in this, he was meant to be centuries old but half the time his thoughts and actions were like that of a child's. It was kind of charming for a chapter or two, then it just got weird.
Andromeda was a nothing character, she was a perfect Disney princess with a soft heart, gentle soul, and inquisitive nature, her being able to fight every now and again didn't change how blank and empty she was. There was no real personality to her, just a bunch of strung together cliches. Oh, and her being a 400 year virgin old made her already daft character even more daft. She read more like a blushing, wide eyed, lip biting, naive schoolgirl than a centuries old angel. I was rolling my eyes at her being so shocked, angry and disappointed at all the cruelty and hardship around her, would a 400 year old really be that naive and simple about the various evils in the world?!
-Hated the insta-love between Naasir and Andromeda, after meeting and talking to each other a couple of times they went around acting like they knew each others very souls. They had so much faith and trust in one another and it was based on nothing but them somehow just knowing the other was honourable and good in every way possible.
-It was laughable that twenty-something year old Honor mothered 600 year old Naasir, the massive age gap made their mother-son relationship extremely unconvincing. He was such a child around her and her worried mother act was ridiculous. It made no difference that she was mated to Dmitri (who was Naasir's father figure) as they'd only been mated all of five minutes and Naasir was all grown up (600 bloody years grown up) by then. I think I was meant to find Naasir/Honor's relationship sweet but I just found it stupid.
-Really, really, really wasn't convinced with the reasons behind Andromeda's vow of celibacy. She stayed celibate for 400 years, all because she didn't want to end up like her sex mad parents, she thought having sex would somehow corrupt her and make her super horny like them (despite not inheriting ANY of their other characteristics). The very fact that she managed to stay celibate for centuries should have given her the hint that she was noting like them, but even with that fact she still thought she'd turn into a sexual degenerate if she didn't stay a virgin.
Andromeda was meant to be highly intelligent and an educated scholar so why was she so pig ignorant? How did she fail to realise that having sex and enjoying it didn't make someone bad or turn them into a sexual deviant? The stupidity of her reasoning was astounding, after hundreds of years of being surrounded by loved up couples and highly sexed angels who were all decent and good she still didn't realise that she too could enjoy sex without turning into a crazed sex maniac. She was so dumb, her fears were even more stupid as she was meant to be super clever. I don't believe someone supposedly as old and intelligent as her could make a major decision like that based on her parents liking freaky sex - she was nothing like her parents in every other way so why would she think she'd inherit their non-stop debauchery?! Ugh, she was a grade A idiot.
-Another nonsensical and contradictory thing was Andromeda being celibate for so long yet deciding to have sex with Naasir after knowing him for all of two weeks. It made little sense. And it made her being able to keep her vow of celibacy for that long prior to Naasir even more unrealistic. I mean she was surrounded by so many amazing angels and vampires who were super attractive, accomplished, and interesting yet she somehow was able to resist temptation from them for 400 years, only to drop her knickers after a couple of weeks with a child-like 600 year old vampire?? Yea right.
-How very convenient that the mythic grimoire Andromeda wanted was something Naasir just so happened to have seen and known the location of. Talk about contrived.
-The dialogue between Naasir and Andromenda was total crap, they came out with nothing but generic sappy rubbish. It was unreal that centuries old characters would speak like melodramatic teenagers.
-Illium and Aodhan's friendship was portrayed as something way more than platonic. I'll be kind of disgusted if they both end up falling in love with random women, as Singh has written them in a way that seems a lot like queer-baiting.
-Where were all the LGBT characters? I think Keir was the only secondary character in the series so far that wasn't straight. There should be loads of LGBT angels/vampires, yet there doesn't really seem to be any.
-Found it funny how characters were described as young when they were actually centuries old, even when it was a millenia old character saying it. There's no way I can think of a character that's hundreds of years old as young, no matter how much the author insists they are.
-Was it really necessary to have a description of everyone's eyes, wings, hair, tattoos, and special skills every time they came on page?!
-What's with the author giving her male characters heroines who are perfect little self-insert blank slates?! How about giving them a personality and an actual past, instead of making them hollow shells whose identity revolves around them having some lame tragic past?!
-Three out of the four female archangels (Lijuan, Michaela, Favashi) were either evil or crazy or manipulative or selfish. Whereas all the male (bar Charisemnon) archangels were good and loyal and honourable. Apparently, most women in power go power hungry and crazy and/or are vain and selfish.
-Was there anyone that didn't have a special relationship with Naasir? Every major character had some kind of unique and special connection with him. There didn't seem to be anyone Naassir didn't have a deep, profound bond with. It was the total opposite with Andromeda, after living 400 years she didn't have one deep relationship, her friendships with Jessamy and Dahriel were superficial at best. She somehow managed to live for centuries without forming one genuine, deep relationship. Yea, that didn't seem likely. I don't know why so many authors insist on making their heroines such pathetic loners incapable of having close relationships with anyone expect for their designated love interest. It just makes the already bland heroines even blander.
I suspect the next Guild Hunter novel will focus on a 10,000 year old virgin/near virgin/celibate heroine who quickly drops her knickers for the sexy vampire/angel who has literally had millions of fuckbuddies and who for some reason wants the boring heroine that has no life or spark in her. Ugh.
March 28, 2016
This book is about Naasir, a vampire that's not a vampire. He is something different and is in a category of his own. He was raised mainly by Dmitri, and it looks like it was no easy task:
"Have you been behaving, Naasir?"
Naasir ducked his head. "No." He'd eaten the school's pet bunny. He hadn't meant to - but it was right there in front of him and he'd been so hungry. "I'm in big trouble."
Now, I like bunnies as much as the next girl, but that cracked me up. As the mother of little boys, I am so jaded that bunny-eating probably wouldn't even make me bat an eyelash. So, I'm sure Dmitri wasn't the least bit surprised while raising this "wild boy".
So, Naasir grew up to become a dangerous creature, but he still has this childlike innocence and wildness about him that is awesome. Reading his story was like eating chocolate in a bubble bath - pure joy and decadence. I loved absolutely everything about this book!
But, I also need to talk to fellow fans of the series about shipping. That's right, you all know where I am going with this... Is it even possible to get a bluebell/sparkle ship? And, why do I want it so badly? What the hell is wrong with me? Why do we girls want our two favorite males to end up together instead of with other women? Is it because we don't want them to want any other woman but us??
Okay, enough searching questions. But, the reason I am on this, and am starting an online petition to Nalina Singh to make it happen is because there were a couple of little things said.....
Okay, I know, I'm probably reading too much into this, but I can hope, right? They can't kill me for hoping!?
Screw you, Yoda! It can happen!
"Have you been behaving, Naasir?"
Naasir ducked his head. "No." He'd eaten the school's pet bunny. He hadn't meant to - but it was right there in front of him and he'd been so hungry. "I'm in big trouble."
Now, I like bunnies as much as the next girl, but that cracked me up. As the mother of little boys, I am so jaded that bunny-eating probably wouldn't even make me bat an eyelash. So, I'm sure Dmitri wasn't the least bit surprised while raising this "wild boy".
So, Naasir grew up to become a dangerous creature, but he still has this childlike innocence and wildness about him that is awesome. Reading his story was like eating chocolate in a bubble bath - pure joy and decadence. I loved absolutely everything about this book!
But, I also need to talk to fellow fans of the series about shipping. That's right, you all know where I am going with this... Is it even possible to get a bluebell/sparkle ship? And, why do I want it so badly? What the hell is wrong with me? Why do we girls want our two favorite males to end up together instead of with other women? Is it because we don't want them to want any other woman but us??
Okay, enough searching questions. But, the reason I am on this, and am starting an online petition to Nalina Singh to make it happen is because there were a couple of little things said.....
Okay, I know, I'm probably reading too much into this, but I can hope, right? They can't kill me for hoping!?
Screw you, Yoda! It can happen!
July 24, 2018
Ahhh I loved how child-like Naasir was on one hand but also raw and feral on the other. He was everything I didn't know I wanted :D
November 15, 2016
*** 4.25 ***
A buddy read with the Wednesday UF fanatics at BB&B!!!
Another fantastic entry to the Guild Hunter series! I love Naser and his history, but most of all his vision of the world and life, things that matter or not. His love interest is cool, but I didn't have the visceral connection with her I have with some of the others... Overall, fun and alluring with Alexander entering the picture and the surges of power giving hard time to some of the angels of Raphael's Seven. Nalini sure knows how to keep us on the hook! I am in it for the long run:-)
Happy Reading to all of you and stay safe!
A buddy read with the Wednesday UF fanatics at BB&B!!!
Another fantastic entry to the Guild Hunter series! I love Naser and his history, but most of all his vision of the world and life, things that matter or not. His love interest is cool, but I didn't have the visceral connection with her I have with some of the others... Overall, fun and alluring with Alexander entering the picture and the surges of power giving hard time to some of the angels of Raphael's Seven. Nalini sure knows how to keep us on the hook! I am in it for the long run:-)
Happy Reading to all of you and stay safe!
January 22, 2015
**4/8/14**
I heard #7 is going to be about Ashwini and Javier, so I'm thinking Nalini is saving the best for last and this will be Bluebell's story. I am freaking psyched! BUT I HAVE TO WAIT LIKE 2 MORE YEARS! I want it now!
**UPDATE 1/21/15**
Well obviously my aforementioned dreams did not come to fruition, and I am very sad (understatement of the year). I WANT BLUEBELL'S STORY!
Anyone else totally picturing Elena's sister as Bluebell's soulmate? BECAUSE I SHIP IT. When Nalini? WHEN?
I heard #7 is going to be about Ashwini and Javier, so I'm thinking Nalini is saving the best for last and this will be Bluebell's story. I am freaking psyched! BUT I HAVE TO WAIT LIKE 2 MORE YEARS! I want it now!
**UPDATE 1/21/15**
Well obviously my aforementioned dreams did not come to fruition, and I am very sad (understatement of the year). I WANT BLUEBELL'S STORY!
Anyone else totally picturing Elena's sister as Bluebell's soulmate? BECAUSE I SHIP IT. When Nalini? WHEN?
September 30, 2019
Re-read 09/11/2016 Buddy Read with the awesome Wednesday UF group over at BB&B. Naasir is just as freaking adorable as always!!
Finally the mysterious Naasir has his own book! And it was just as superb as I had hoped it would be.
Naasir has always been a character that I’ve enjoyed, but in this book he really shined. He has such a playful and wicked personality, and I just loved him. I really enjoyed the way Naasir looks and thinks about life. In a way he is very innocent and pure. But he is definitely ALL man, a sexy beast!
Seven months Naasir had been hunting. Seven months since he’d told Ashwini he was ready to find a mate. Seven months and still his mate hadn’t made herself known to him. Didn’t she know he was looking for her?
Naasir has decided that he is ready to find his mate, someone whom he can play and enjoy life with. But he can’t find her, so she must be hiding from him. (I laughed myself silly at his reasoning about why he is unable to find his mate. He really is just adorable.) But when he meets Andromeda, he thinks he might have found her, although her vow of celibacy does throw him a bit (LOL).
That was what Naasir wanted—a mate who’d play with him, who’d make him laugh, who’d challenge him. And who’d rut with him. Over and over. No idiotic vow of celibacy permitted.
I loved how Naasir was instantly attracted to Andromeda, and how he kept wanting to smell her! He is just so ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!
Andromeda is a scolar, and has been enlisted to assist Naasir in finding the sleeping Ancient, Alexander, before evil Archangel Zhou Lijuan finds him. She finds Naasir fascinating, but refuses to give into this attraction as she has made a vow of celibacy. But Naasir makes it VERY difficult to keep this vow, and she wants nothing more than to give into the attraction, wishing for a future with him, something which her secrets makes impossible. She promises Naasir that if he completes an almost impossible task, that she will be his, in every way.
He wanted to seduce her, wanted to make her melt. Mostly, he just wanted to keep her.
Oh, how I loved the chemistry between these two. The tension kept building throughout the book, and when they finally came together, it was INTENSE and HOT!
I really loved that Andromeda liked Naasir just like he was, and their romance was beautiful, sweet and sexy. No one writes romance as wonderful as Nalini Singh.
And when it was finally revealed what Naasir really is, I was wonderfully surprised.
The past memories Naasir revealed regarding his history with Raphael and the Seven was wonderful, and it showed how much they value and cared for one another. Of course, all my favourite characters made an appearance, and I just love the friendship between Illium and Aodhan. There really is nothing quite as beautiful as bromance ;-).
There were some very tense moments, especially with my favourite character Illium aka Bluebell, who is experiencing uncontrollable increases in his power, and he is too young to handle this increase. I almost felt like I was having a heart-attack from the stress and worry over Bluebell.
The Cascade continues to cause chaos and terror, and I have absolutely no idea how everything is going to turn out. And Zhou Lijuan just keeps on growing in power and evil. Nothing seems too be able to destroy this Archangel, and that really worries me.
I cannot wait for the next book, and finding out what happens next.
Nalini Singh is my favourite author, and she has written another fantastic book to a great series! This series is a must read for all PNR and UF lovers! I highly recommend it.
July 31, 2020
3.75 STARS!
Admittedly this wasn't my favorite installment of the series, but even a so-so book by Nalini Singh is pretty amazing.
And this was Naasir's book!! Who doesn't LOVE Naasir?!?!?
Time made little difference; it was the heart that mattered, the ability to love.So good to be back in the Guild Hunter world!
Admittedly this wasn't my favorite installment of the series, but even a so-so book by Nalini Singh is pretty amazing.
And this was Naasir's book!! Who doesn't LOVE Naasir?!?!?
"I can't be dragging around a historian. They break."He's just such a WONDERFUL character at heart despite his heartbreaking backstory.
Naasir wasn't dark inside . . . but he was alone. The only one of his kind in the entire world. He had friends, had family, but he had no one who was like him. Mating wouldn't change that, but it would give him a person who belonged to him just as much as he belonged to her.And I was tickled that his mate turned out to be perfect for him. I loved Andromeda. She had a spine of steel and a heart of gold despite her upbringing.
"If blood alone is what defines us, no child born is born in freedom."Good stuff! On to book 9 . . .
March 7, 2024
"5- Uncivilized, dangerous stars!"
Once again Ms Singh has brought her readers on a fantastic journey in an incredibly dangerous world, with amazing characters and wonderful events.
I knew Naasir's book would be ' different', but I had no idea how 'fun' his story would be once I had his playful, yet deadly voice in my head.
"Stupid Grimoire book" he often muttered to his mate, Andromeda, as his way of voicing his frustration of finding his mate, but having to wait in order to respect her vow and her honour.
Andromeda is his perfect mate.
She's just as wild and free at heart as he is, and with her own secrets.
Loved reading their journey and how they discovered to play their own secret games together.
Wonderful story and I can't wait to see what else happens next during the Cascade!
Kudos Ms Singh for another amazing story in the Guild Hunter series!
September 16, 2015
3.5 ★'s
Finally....we get a book about Naasir, definitely the most intriguing person of Raphael's seven. Well, they're ALL intriguing but Naasir is on a level all his own.
I was really looking forward to Naasir's book but sadly I was disappointed. It's hard to be really specific but I think this book just suffers from being so far into the series that there wasn't enough time devoted to just the two of them. IMO, there was way too much time devoted to the ongoing saga of the Cadre. (Please, please someone put Lijuan out of 'our' misery!)
Anyway, back to Naasir and Andromeda...I'm even a little disappointed in her. I'm happy that she was so accepting but I guess I wanted more for him. And I really wish we had more of a reaction out of Naasir. I swear I was about to go mad if I heard him talk about wanting to "rut" one more time!! It certainly didn't help that we had to wait forever for things to happen. "Stupid Grimoire book".
I did like getting to know more about him, how he came about it and how he persevered. I loved getting to know more about his relations with Dmitri and Raphael. I did feel a bit of a Psy-Changeling déjà vu with some of his actions and especially his home.
Overall, a good addition to the series. There was some interesting situations going on with Illium and is there something to that rumor? I certainly felt there could be. I'm intrigued as to what will happen to Raphael now and if Elena will possibly be affected.
As for who the next book will be about, who knows? There's certainly plenty left of the Seven to choose from although I would love another Raphael (sigh) and Elena!
Favorite quote:
♥ "No one will ever be what you are to me."
(Prior to Review)
i really, really want this to be Naasir's book!
Finally....we get a book about Naasir, definitely the most intriguing person of Raphael's seven. Well, they're ALL intriguing but Naasir is on a level all his own.
I was really looking forward to Naasir's book but sadly I was disappointed. It's hard to be really specific but I think this book just suffers from being so far into the series that there wasn't enough time devoted to just the two of them. IMO, there was way too much time devoted to the ongoing saga of the Cadre. (Please, please someone put Lijuan out of 'our' misery!)
Anyway, back to Naasir and Andromeda...I'm even a little disappointed in her. I'm happy that she was so accepting but I guess I wanted more for him. And I really wish we had more of a reaction out of Naasir. I swear I was about to go mad if I heard him talk about wanting to "rut" one more time!! It certainly didn't help that we had to wait forever for things to happen. "Stupid Grimoire book".
I did like getting to know more about him, how he came about it and how he persevered. I loved getting to know more about his relations with Dmitri and Raphael. I did feel a bit of a Psy-Changeling déjà vu with some of his actions and especially his home.
Overall, a good addition to the series. There was some interesting situations going on with Illium and is there something to that rumor? I certainly felt there could be. I'm intrigued as to what will happen to Raphael now and if Elena will possibly be affected.
As for who the next book will be about, who knows? There's certainly plenty left of the Seven to choose from although I would love another Raphael (sigh) and Elena!
Favorite quote:
♥ "No one will ever be what you are to me."
(Prior to Review)
i really, really want this to be Naasir's book!
November 16, 2021
November 2021 re-read: This book continues to be one of my favorites in the series. And in a series filled with trauma, this one is lighter than so many others. Not because there isn't trauma, but because of Naasir. He's simply a joy to read. And Andi is his perfect mate.
November 2016 Re-read: I think I enjoyed this book more on the second read than previously - and I enjoyed it quite a lot the first time around. This time I was more absorbed in the story, and the prophecy, and the relationships than ever before - especially since I've wholeheartedly found a new ship.
Original Review:
Prior to Archangel’s Shadows, and maybe a little in Archangel’s Legion we didn’t really know a lot about Naasir. He was an enigma, because he was just not as prominent as a lot of the other Seven. Because of this, I honestly wasn’t even really curious about him until Legion. By the time I finished Shadows, I needed to know more, so I was SUPER excited to learn that his book was going to be next. And a little nervous. Naasir, despite deciding it was time he gained a mate, seemed … almost childlike in his views. I hesitate to describe it that way, because I didn’t want to paint that picture – even to myself – but his thought processes were incredibly simplistic and straightforward. With Naasir, what you see is what you get.
So, I started Enigma with some trepidations. Luckily, Naasir’s direct view on life and his desire to just be accepted for himself was one of the things I ended up loving most about him. He has such a cut and dried way of looking at life, with little judgement and game-playing. Not to say that he can’t put on different “skins” (as he likes to call it) for different situations, but he is who he is and makes no apologies for it.
His single-mindedness about finding a mate was so incredibly adorable. Honestly, I found Naasir charming and sexy. Part of this might have had to do with the vow that Andromeda took (and that wasn’t thrown away at the first convenient opportunity – Bravo to that).
Andromeda ... what can I say about her? I honestly didn’t have strong feelings about her one way or the other. I liked that she was a scholar by choice, but that she also was martial and knew how to protect herself in this vicious world that our beloved characters are in. She’s never simply a damsel in distress.
She's an excellent match for Naasir. She sees him and accepts him for who he is. Naasir deserves that. There’s a lot of tender moments between them, and plenty of sexually tense moments. I do love Naasir’s growl.
Anyway, what I really, really, really loved in this story was the plot itself. An Ancient (and I won’t spoil who even though it starts talking about them in the first chapter of the book) is being sought by many parties – not all of them friendly. The search is interesting, the glimpses into the different happenings with some of my other favorite characters are awesome and had me on the edge of my seat, and the world-changing events happening around this Cascade continue to be amazing. I can’t wait to see what happens next. The Ancient who awakens? I’m SO interested in that one as well. Must have more.
Nalini Singh continues to be a go-to favorite author of mine. I know that I can always count on her to deliver a great story with fantastic characters. Archangel’s Enigma is an excellent addition to the Guild Hunters series, and I am aching to see what happens next.
November 2016 Re-read: I think I enjoyed this book more on the second read than previously - and I enjoyed it quite a lot the first time around. This time I was more absorbed in the story, and the prophecy, and the relationships than ever before - especially since I've wholeheartedly found a new ship.
Original Review:
Prior to Archangel’s Shadows, and maybe a little in Archangel’s Legion we didn’t really know a lot about Naasir. He was an enigma, because he was just not as prominent as a lot of the other Seven. Because of this, I honestly wasn’t even really curious about him until Legion. By the time I finished Shadows, I needed to know more, so I was SUPER excited to learn that his book was going to be next. And a little nervous. Naasir, despite deciding it was time he gained a mate, seemed … almost childlike in his views. I hesitate to describe it that way, because I didn’t want to paint that picture – even to myself – but his thought processes were incredibly simplistic and straightforward. With Naasir, what you see is what you get.
So, I started Enigma with some trepidations. Luckily, Naasir’s direct view on life and his desire to just be accepted for himself was one of the things I ended up loving most about him. He has such a cut and dried way of looking at life, with little judgement and game-playing. Not to say that he can’t put on different “skins” (as he likes to call it) for different situations, but he is who he is and makes no apologies for it.
His single-mindedness about finding a mate was so incredibly adorable. Honestly, I found Naasir charming and sexy. Part of this might have had to do with the vow that Andromeda took (and that wasn’t thrown away at the first convenient opportunity – Bravo to that).
Andromeda ... what can I say about her? I honestly didn’t have strong feelings about her one way or the other. I liked that she was a scholar by choice, but that she also was martial and knew how to protect herself in this vicious world that our beloved characters are in. She’s never simply a damsel in distress.
She's an excellent match for Naasir. She sees him and accepts him for who he is. Naasir deserves that. There’s a lot of tender moments between them, and plenty of sexually tense moments. I do love Naasir’s growl.
Anyway, what I really, really, really loved in this story was the plot itself. An Ancient (and I won’t spoil who even though it starts talking about them in the first chapter of the book) is being sought by many parties – not all of them friendly. The search is interesting, the glimpses into the different happenings with some of my other favorite characters are awesome and had me on the edge of my seat, and the world-changing events happening around this Cascade continue to be amazing. I can’t wait to see what happens next. The Ancient who awakens? I’m SO interested in that one as well. Must have more.
Nalini Singh continues to be a go-to favorite author of mine. I know that I can always count on her to deliver a great story with fantastic characters. Archangel’s Enigma is an excellent addition to the Guild Hunters series, and I am aching to see what happens next.
August 4, 2017
Wow, this book was pure action. From page one to the finish and strangely I liked that. It didn't bother me that there was very little romance (and even that only at 85%) because Naasir and Andromeda made a great team and I somehow could feel their bonding through that. The search for the sleeping Ancient was a tough one but those two pulled it off like pros. I'm always greedy for more Raphael/Elena time, so to get their POVs was a nice bonus. We get to see the Archangel of death again and sadly, no, she AGAIN didn't bite the dust but, hey, her end is coming. That's for sure! And you can bet that I'll be watching her end with popcorn in my mouth and a nice smile on my face.
July 31, 2015
ETA: 7/31/2015
4,5 stars
Bare bones: As we know from previous installments, upcoming Cascade affects huge power shifts inside Cadre of Ten. Archangels' powers are growing, modifying and twisting in unpredictable and uncontrollable ways and nobody is more dangerous than Zhou Lijuan. After her failed attack on NY, she is not resting- she is set upon breaking one of most sacred angel's laws- killing a sleeping Ancient, former Archangel of Persia, Alexander. Naasir and Andromeda, expert in Ancients are in a race with time to try and locate his sleeping place before Lijuan's general Xi.
This is practically 'on the road' adventure since Naasir and Andromeda are traveling all over world (seriously, I don't think there is author in genre who diversify more than Nalini both in places where she set her stories and characters she writes). It's high octane and fast read I gobbled up in one sitting, but the biggest reason for that lies in fact that Nalini moved overall plot with archangels in considerable way. Since I am all about the big picture it's events and possible consequences to dwell about I liked the most:
-Illium!!! What are you doing to me Nalini? 'Till book is out, I'll just say that something happened in this book that put all kinds of red flags and woke my shipping heart with hope. I need Illium's book to be next.
-This is easy to guess from the blurb, but I'll put it under spoiler
-Casualties. :(
-Cadre of Ten, angel's ruling body, is in war: archangels are very solitary about their territories and how to keep them, but Cascade is making them form alliance either with Raphael or with Lijuan. Even those who are still undeclared are affected since, if this book showed me anything is that situation is boiling and they'll have to pick side. This is all very interesting to me because it's not even the game of numbers- Lijuan is the most powerful among them and she is obviously hard to kill.:/
-Jason, one of my favorite heroes ever has a little page time here, but he reminded me why I love him so much.
-Nalini expanded world-building introducing some other players and mentioned some other creatures, so I'm curios to see if it will play some role in future novels.
Romance between Naasir and Andromeda is pretty straight-forward and fun to read since Naasir is...well, Naasir. :)
I always have troubles naming who is my favorite hero of Guild Hunter series, because, basically, I like all of them. But, I remember, when Nalini introduced Naasir in book #2, he didn't leave that big of an impression (or maybe I was completely bedazzled by Sparkle and wanted to know all about him). In last couple of books, though, he emerged as fan favorite with his blunt, wild ways and practically demanded his story and my attention since Nalini dangled one carrot in front of me I can never resist: "What the hell is he?!" carrot*. :)
It was hinted enough times that Naasir is very peculiar vampire, with feral characteristics, so I started to get the idea what he could be. As a fan of her other series, I wondered if he's written similar to Nalini's changeling charters. I was wrong on both accounts: I didn't guess what Naasir is and he is nothing like changelings. I really like the twist about his origins, but second thing is worth mentioning because I think it may be decisive in whether readers would like him or not: Naasir doesn't just eat meat and act quirky and funny like he did as background character: he is more animalistic and wilder that any of other character in series we met.He is blunt and he doesn't always comprehend human ways even if he's skilled enough to learn to act in certain ways. In this he reminded me few times of Others from Bishop's series. I liked him a lot. :)
My only quibble is tied to romance and it's one both Naasir and I share mutual dislike of- that Stupid Grimoire. I just think it was not necessary to add one more obstacle to their relationship, especially because it was resolved so conveniently and easy.
All in all, another winner in this series and waiting for next one is going to be hard.
*Otherwise known as Barrons carrot. :D
November 16, 2016
Buddy Read with the UF group at Buddies Books & Baubles
I’ve found with this series that I enjoy the books with the new couples much more than I enjoy the ones that center around Raphael and Elena. I just don’t enjoy the power/boundary struggle they seem to have. But this was made even better because it was Naasir’s book and he almost stole the show as a side character in that one.
Naasir sometimes reminds you of a child in certain ways and so it did take a little time to get used to his pattern of speech. It isn’t that he is simple but instead he is one to say what he means and mean what he says. In that he doesn’t do well when others try to play games with him and don’t just come out with what they mean. But it does lead to some funny conversations when he is being honest.
The way he met Andromeda was cute and I loved how he thought his mate was hiding from him since he had been looking for her for the last seven months. When Naasir found out she had taken a vow of celibacy though it was hilarious.
The plot of the book was good as well. Lijuan is looking for one of the ancients in an attempt to kill him before he can wake to fight with Raphael. Andromeda is an expert on the ancients and she has the best chance of being able to find him. She just needs someone good at tracking and keeping her safe while they search…enter Naasir. They were actually a great team and Naasir finally got his wish for someone to have a secret rules to a secret game with him like the other couples of the series.
Lijuan is always an interesting character and that is no exception now while she is still transforming. Everything about her is horrible and wonderful all at the same time. The evolving angel is completely ruthless though never forget that.
But some of my favorite parts of this book when not searching for Alexander the sleeping angel were snippets of Naasir’s earlier years and how he learned to become civilized and wear a mask for most around him. Like how to seduce women….
The fight at the end was again pretty well thought out and interesting and the epilogue added a whole new level to the events happening in the Cascade. I just am not sure what it coming but it must be big and bad if Raphael is going to need all that extra power and there are more ancients waking to walk the earth.
This was one of my favorites of the series so far. I hope it keeps getting better even though I’m really more interested in a few of the possible couples than I am in the cascade.
I’ve found with this series that I enjoy the books with the new couples much more than I enjoy the ones that center around Raphael and Elena. I just don’t enjoy the power/boundary struggle they seem to have. But this was made even better because it was Naasir’s book and he almost stole the show as a side character in that one.
Naasir sometimes reminds you of a child in certain ways and so it did take a little time to get used to his pattern of speech. It isn’t that he is simple but instead he is one to say what he means and mean what he says. In that he doesn’t do well when others try to play games with him and don’t just come out with what they mean. But it does lead to some funny conversations when he is being honest.
“Hello,” he said, on his best behavior now. “I just wanted to smell you.”
“Oh.” Lines between her eyebrows, the tone of her voice making him want to close his eyes and just listen. “Do you sniff everyone you meet?”
The way he met Andromeda was cute and I loved how he thought his mate was hiding from him since he had been looking for her for the last seven months. When Naasir found out she had taken a vow of celibacy though it was hilarious.
“Not according to your definition. It appears Andromeda has taken a vow of celibacy.”
Naasir groaned. “I think I should jump off into traffic. It’d be less painful than such torture.”
The plot of the book was good as well. Lijuan is looking for one of the ancients in an attempt to kill him before he can wake to fight with Raphael. Andromeda is an expert on the ancients and she has the best chance of being able to find him. She just needs someone good at tracking and keeping her safe while they search…enter Naasir. They were actually a great team and Naasir finally got his wish for someone to have a secret rules to a secret game with him like the other couples of the series.
Lijuan is always an interesting character and that is no exception now while she is still transforming. Everything about her is horrible and wonderful all at the same time. The evolving angel is completely ruthless though never forget that.
But some of my favorite parts of this book when not searching for Alexander the sleeping angel were snippets of Naasir’s earlier years and how he learned to become civilized and wear a mask for most around him. Like how to seduce women….
“When he'd been younger and first starting to feel the urge to rut with females - and before he'd grown up to the point where many of the opposite sex found him irresistible - he'd tried to court girls by bringing them meat and shiny things. It turned out he'd scared them.
"Most women and girls," Dmitri had told him, "don't know what to do when a man drops a hunk of raw meat in their hands.”
The fight at the end was again pretty well thought out and interesting and the epilogue added a whole new level to the events happening in the Cascade. I just am not sure what it coming but it must be big and bad if Raphael is going to need all that extra power and there are more ancients waking to walk the earth.
This was one of my favorites of the series so far. I hope it keeps getting better even though I’m really more interested in a few of the possible couples than I am in the cascade.
August 28, 2015
5+ stars.
Fans of the Guild Hunter series have long waited for Naasir’s story wanting to know exactly what kind of being he is and to understand the origins of this unique “tiger creature” as Elena calls him. Much to Elena’s frustration, it’s clear he is something more and distinctive. And because Naasir is so very other and extraordinary, “the vampire who is not a vampire,” and truly one of a kind, he deserves an exceptional story. The reader will find it evident that this particular one of Raphael’s Seven has attributes that do not fit within the rest of the Angelic world.
Naasir’s determination to find his mate has reached a crescendo ratcheting up his frustration level: “Seven months Naasir had been hunting…Why was she hiding from him?” When he meets the one who might be his mate, Andromeda, they seem very opposite at the outset. She is almost an ascetic, a scholar working with Jessamy, and one who has taken a vow of chastity that can be only overturned if a certain ancient “stupid book” is found. Naasir is a sexy beast who cannot fathom living without a physical relationship but understands honor and vows. Naasir’s dual nature makes holding back difficult when he is so determined to have his mate, and so Andromeda has quite a challenge while on their epic quest to find and wake the Ancient Archangel Alexander before it is too late.
Andromeda escaped the brutal, sadistic court of her grandfather, Charisemnon, by living in the refuge for centuries, but she has a secret that could ruin her chance for happiness. Sent on this mission by Raphael, Andromeda believes she know where Alexander sleeps. He is in danger from the supremely evil and unfortunately still powerful Lijuan, the wicked witch of the East; while still recovering from Raphael’s shattering damage, she once again rampages through the angelic and human worlds causing destruction and devastation wherever she goes.
When she meets Naasir, Andromeda is captivated, thinking “…Naasir incited things inside her that weren’t right for a woman who had taken a vow of celibacy, made the out-of-control animal within want to come out.” Andromeda may be a scholar, but she was raised by dangerous and treacherous angels in a territory with only wild animals as friends. Before they can begin their journey, something happens to Andromeda and Nassir must come to her rescue. Andromeda and Naasir partake in a complicated dance of courtship with an intensity that heats up the pages on their long and action filled journey.
Raphael and Elena continue to strengthen their defenses against events caused by the Cascade where angels and archangels are changing in ways that are not always good. Illium faces a challenge that threatens his existence, another clue that angel and humankind may be on the verge of an apocalypse.
Naasir’s story is captivating and thrilling. And though Naasir, who is always on the edge of feral, and the scholarly Andromeda seem at first an unlikely pair, their journey filled with love and adventure shows how well-matched they are. I enjoyed every aspect of this book; it will leave everyone very happy with this addition to the series. And for fun, Nalini gives some tantalizing clues that might tell us where the Angel Refuge can be found. Something we would all really like to know, Ms. Singh.
Fans of the Guild Hunter series have long waited for Naasir’s story wanting to know exactly what kind of being he is and to understand the origins of this unique “tiger creature” as Elena calls him. Much to Elena’s frustration, it’s clear he is something more and distinctive. And because Naasir is so very other and extraordinary, “the vampire who is not a vampire,” and truly one of a kind, he deserves an exceptional story. The reader will find it evident that this particular one of Raphael’s Seven has attributes that do not fit within the rest of the Angelic world.
Naasir’s determination to find his mate has reached a crescendo ratcheting up his frustration level: “Seven months Naasir had been hunting…Why was she hiding from him?” When he meets the one who might be his mate, Andromeda, they seem very opposite at the outset. She is almost an ascetic, a scholar working with Jessamy, and one who has taken a vow of chastity that can be only overturned if a certain ancient “stupid book” is found. Naasir is a sexy beast who cannot fathom living without a physical relationship but understands honor and vows. Naasir’s dual nature makes holding back difficult when he is so determined to have his mate, and so Andromeda has quite a challenge while on their epic quest to find and wake the Ancient Archangel Alexander before it is too late.
Andromeda escaped the brutal, sadistic court of her grandfather, Charisemnon, by living in the refuge for centuries, but she has a secret that could ruin her chance for happiness. Sent on this mission by Raphael, Andromeda believes she know where Alexander sleeps. He is in danger from the supremely evil and unfortunately still powerful Lijuan, the wicked witch of the East; while still recovering from Raphael’s shattering damage, she once again rampages through the angelic and human worlds causing destruction and devastation wherever she goes.
When she meets Naasir, Andromeda is captivated, thinking “…Naasir incited things inside her that weren’t right for a woman who had taken a vow of celibacy, made the out-of-control animal within want to come out.” Andromeda may be a scholar, but she was raised by dangerous and treacherous angels in a territory with only wild animals as friends. Before they can begin their journey, something happens to Andromeda and Nassir must come to her rescue. Andromeda and Naasir partake in a complicated dance of courtship with an intensity that heats up the pages on their long and action filled journey.
Raphael and Elena continue to strengthen their defenses against events caused by the Cascade where angels and archangels are changing in ways that are not always good. Illium faces a challenge that threatens his existence, another clue that angel and humankind may be on the verge of an apocalypse.
Naasir’s story is captivating and thrilling. And though Naasir, who is always on the edge of feral, and the scholarly Andromeda seem at first an unlikely pair, their journey filled with love and adventure shows how well-matched they are. I enjoyed every aspect of this book; it will leave everyone very happy with this addition to the series. And for fun, Nalini gives some tantalizing clues that might tell us where the Angel Refuge can be found. Something we would all really like to know, Ms. Singh.
September 15, 2020
1st Read - August 2015
2nd Read - November 2016
3rd Read - September 2020
Original Review
I don't know how Nalini Singh does it but this series just continues to get better and better with every single book. Out of all of Raphael's Seven Naasir had mostly stayed off my radar until we started to get to know him a little better in Archangel's Shadows but those glimpses had me dying to know more and I incredibly excited to discover that he was going to be the main character in Archangel's Enigma.
Along with Elena I was desperate to unravel the mystery of his background and learn more about one of the most mysterious characters in the series. I'm not going to spoil the reveal for anyone but trust me it was well worth the wait and it completely surprised me, I don't think I could have guessed his origins in a million years! Naasir is such a brilliant character, he's almost childlike in some ways because of the black and white way he looks at the world - he doesn't play games and is very much a what you see is what you get kind of guy - but he's definitely all man where it counts and I loved the contradictions in him. He doesn't always find it easy to relate to people but he's very playful, completely and utterly charming with a hint of danger that is always lurking underneath. I am absolutely fascinated by him and could happily have read a book that was twice as long just to spend more time unravelling his secrets!
It takes a special kind of woman to tame a man as wild as Naasir but Andi is up to the task. She may be a scholar by choice but I loved that along with being smart as hell she's also a trained warrior who is more than capable of defending herself. Naasir needs a woman who is tough enough to fight by his side and Andi was just as protective of him as he was of her. I loved how slow build their romance is, they are drawn to each other from the beginning but thanks to a vow Andi has made they end up taking things incredibly slowly and I savoured every minute of it. I'll admit I wasn't too sure about the vow when I first heard about it (and Naasir certainly wasn't impressed!) but I ended up really respecting both of them for the way they handled everything. My one irritation with Andi was the big secret she was keeping, I desperately wanted her to open up to Naasir sooner even though I understood why she didn't want to and was able to forgive her for it.
Although the romance was sweet and great fun to read about there were so many other things going on in this book that I was on the edge of my seat practically the whole way through. Lijuan has gone so far off the rails that it is pretty much impossible to guess what lengths she'll go to next and her plans to murder a sleeping Ancient are despicable. I can't wait to see her suffer for her actions but I have no idea how anyone is going to take her out considering how powerful she has become! Talking of the Ancient I have to mention how excited I am about the direction things went in here, the Cascade is definitely causing some very interesting developments and I think we're going to be in for one heck of a ride throughout the next few books. Of course we also see more of our favourite characters, Elena and Raphael have some lovely scenes, we get more about Naasir and Dmitri's relationship and there are some wonderful, wonderful moments between Illium and Aodhan. I can't quite decide who I think will be the focus of the next book, there are definitely several possibilities, but I am dreading the wait for it to be published and it'll definitely jump to the top of my to read pile the minute I get my hands on a copy - just like anything else that Nalini Singh writes. She really is an amazing author that nobody else can quite compare to.
_________________________________
Thoughts before reading:
OMG OMG OMG it's Naasir's book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
*Dies of excitement*
_________________________________
2nd Read
I just adore Naasir & Andi - they're so cute together :o) I also loved the scenes with Aodhan and Illium & I'm shipping them harder than ever!
2nd Read - November 2016
3rd Read - September 2020
Original Review
I don't know how Nalini Singh does it but this series just continues to get better and better with every single book. Out of all of Raphael's Seven Naasir had mostly stayed off my radar until we started to get to know him a little better in Archangel's Shadows but those glimpses had me dying to know more and I incredibly excited to discover that he was going to be the main character in Archangel's Enigma.
Along with Elena I was desperate to unravel the mystery of his background and learn more about one of the most mysterious characters in the series. I'm not going to spoil the reveal for anyone but trust me it was well worth the wait and it completely surprised me, I don't think I could have guessed his origins in a million years! Naasir is such a brilliant character, he's almost childlike in some ways because of the black and white way he looks at the world - he doesn't play games and is very much a what you see is what you get kind of guy - but he's definitely all man where it counts and I loved the contradictions in him. He doesn't always find it easy to relate to people but he's very playful, completely and utterly charming with a hint of danger that is always lurking underneath. I am absolutely fascinated by him and could happily have read a book that was twice as long just to spend more time unravelling his secrets!
It takes a special kind of woman to tame a man as wild as Naasir but Andi is up to the task. She may be a scholar by choice but I loved that along with being smart as hell she's also a trained warrior who is more than capable of defending herself. Naasir needs a woman who is tough enough to fight by his side and Andi was just as protective of him as he was of her. I loved how slow build their romance is, they are drawn to each other from the beginning but thanks to a vow Andi has made they end up taking things incredibly slowly and I savoured every minute of it. I'll admit I wasn't too sure about the vow when I first heard about it (and Naasir certainly wasn't impressed!) but I ended up really respecting both of them for the way they handled everything. My one irritation with Andi was the big secret she was keeping, I desperately wanted her to open up to Naasir sooner even though I understood why she didn't want to and was able to forgive her for it.
Although the romance was sweet and great fun to read about there were so many other things going on in this book that I was on the edge of my seat practically the whole way through. Lijuan has gone so far off the rails that it is pretty much impossible to guess what lengths she'll go to next and her plans to murder a sleeping Ancient are despicable. I can't wait to see her suffer for her actions but I have no idea how anyone is going to take her out considering how powerful she has become! Talking of the Ancient I have to mention how excited I am about the direction things went in here, the Cascade is definitely causing some very interesting developments and I think we're going to be in for one heck of a ride throughout the next few books. Of course we also see more of our favourite characters, Elena and Raphael have some lovely scenes, we get more about Naasir and Dmitri's relationship and there are some wonderful, wonderful moments between Illium and Aodhan. I can't quite decide who I think will be the focus of the next book, there are definitely several possibilities, but I am dreading the wait for it to be published and it'll definitely jump to the top of my to read pile the minute I get my hands on a copy - just like anything else that Nalini Singh writes. She really is an amazing author that nobody else can quite compare to.
_________________________________
Thoughts before reading:
OMG OMG OMG it's Naasir's book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
*Dies of excitement*
_________________________________
2nd Read
I just adore Naasir & Andi - they're so cute together :o) I also loved the scenes with Aodhan and Illium & I'm shipping them harder than ever!
August 28, 2018
I'm loving him more and more <3
____________________________________________________
Naasir's Book!!
Q and A with Nalini Singh (from the Realm takeover)
Q: Will the next book be about Naasir?
A: I haven't yet decided for sure, but he is ready...and he's very impatient, so there's a good chance!
I will take that as a YES!
Q: I guess you get asked this a lot, but will my favorite Bluebell Illium get a book soon ?
A: I would love to write about Illium, but the timing isn't right yet. He isn't ready though he's getting there. He WILL get a book though - I won't end the series without that.
Q:After reading Archangel's Shadow, it seems Illium may be headed some place dark. Will we be seeing rough waters ahead for everyones favorite beautiful blue winged angel?
A:You'll have to wait and see...
Okay, waiting for his book will be torture!!!!
_____________________________________________
"No," Naasir said definitively. "I want a mate and I've decided to go hunting for her."
Yep, please!!!
_______________________________
Is it just me or do all the books of Raphael's seven appear according to there age, starting with the oldest and (maybe) ending with the youngest??
1) Dimitri
2) Jason
3) Naasir (pretty please! <3)
4) Garen (his story has already been told)
5) Illium
6) Aaohdon
7) Venom (Sorrow? *hinthint*)
____________________________________________________
Naasir's Book!!
Q and A with Nalini Singh (from the Realm takeover)
Q: Will the next book be about Naasir?
A: I haven't yet decided for sure, but he is ready...and he's very impatient, so there's a good chance!
I will take that as a YES!
Q: I guess you get asked this a lot, but will my favorite Bluebell Illium get a book soon ?
A: I would love to write about Illium, but the timing isn't right yet. He isn't ready though he's getting there. He WILL get a book though - I won't end the series without that.
Q:After reading Archangel's Shadow, it seems Illium may be headed some place dark. Will we be seeing rough waters ahead for everyones favorite beautiful blue winged angel?
A:You'll have to wait and see...
Okay, waiting for his book will be torture!!!!
_____________________________________________
"No," Naasir said definitively. "I want a mate and I've decided to go hunting for her."
Yep, please!!!
_______________________________
Is it just me or do all the books of Raphael's seven appear according to there age, starting with the oldest and (maybe) ending with the youngest??
1) Dimitri
2) Jason
3) Naasir (pretty please! <3)
4) Garen (his story has already been told)
5) Illium
6) Aaohdon
7) Venom (Sorrow? *hinthint*)
November 11, 2016
My favorite of the series so far. I just loved Andromeda so much! Of course, Naasir is lovable too.
I do wish I had understood the point of the Grimoirr. Lol did I miss something?
I do wish I had understood the point of the Grimoirr. Lol did I miss something?
September 2, 2015
I’ll be honest. I wasn’t expecting much from Naasir. Though he intrigued me in the past, I never thought that I would end up loving him as much as I did with ARCHANGEL’S ENIGMA.
Naasir is one of the Seven and when he is tasked with finding Alexander, he gets the help of Andromeda, an angelic scholar who has more to her character than what you first see. Again, I wasn’t expecting to enjoy Andromeda as much as I did. I expected her to be frail and knowledgeable, perhaps a bit uptight, but it was nice to see her steel backbone and her personality show through.
The series has changed from a strictly Urban Fantasy series to more of a Paranormal Romance and I think this is one of the better romances in the series. Naasir is quite the hero. He’s playful and I loved the fact that he started out looking for his mate as if it was his next mission. So when he first meets Andromeda, it goes a little like this:
“Hello,” he said, on his best behaviour now. “I just wanted to smell you.”
“Oh.” Lines between her eyebrows, the tone of her voce making him want to close and his and just listen. “Do you sniff everyone you meet?”
Smiling inside at the curiosity she couldn’t quite hide, he said, “No.” He drew in her scent again, careful to make it appear he was simply breathing. “Only women.”
“Why?”
“I’m hunting my mate.”
I love how playful this scene was. It brought a smile to my face simply by reading it.
Another thing to note about Naasir is that he sometimes takes things a little too literal. Again, it’s a nice way to make fun of his character so I loved that Singh decided to do this. I feel like I could go on and on about what I loved about Naasir but that would probably get boring, wouldn’t it? So if you want to experience it yourself, do yourself a favor and read ARCHANGEL’S ENIGMA. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
November 14, 2016
Well who would’ve thought that this would be my favorite book Guild Hunter-wise? I did not. At least not early on in this series. I might have had an inkling after the previous book though, as a certain character stole the show, but I thought it might just be a flash in the pan. I was also convinced Janvier & Ashwini were going to be my favorite characters after Archangel’s Shadows.
I WAS WRONG.
Naasir people! Naasir is by far the most interesting character I have encountered in this series, and he & his mate were perfect together and really made this story. Of course the intrigue of finding out what Naasir really is played a huge part in building up the anticipation of this book, but apart from finally getting to that particular revelation, the tale of Naasir & Andromeda surpassed all my expectations. The awakening of an Ancient, another battle with the wicked Lijuan, a very close call for a fan-favorite and more fascinating worldbuilding are but some of the highlights encountered. Naturally, the completely different, honest, innocent-like and playful personality of Naasir is one of the major strengths his interactions with his mate made for lots of fun reading.
Without saying anything else, this book struck the perfect balance of intertwined elements from Nalini’s guild hunter universe and I cannot find a single fault with it.
I WAS WRONG.
Naasir people! Naasir is by far the most interesting character I have encountered in this series, and he & his mate were perfect together and really made this story. Of course the intrigue of finding out what Naasir really is played a huge part in building up the anticipation of this book, but apart from finally getting to that particular revelation, the tale of Naasir & Andromeda surpassed all my expectations. The awakening of an Ancient, another battle with the wicked Lijuan, a very close call for a fan-favorite and more fascinating worldbuilding are but some of the highlights encountered. Naturally, the completely different, honest, innocent-like and playful personality of Naasir is one of the major strengths his interactions with his mate made for lots of fun reading.
Without saying anything else, this book struck the perfect balance of intertwined elements from Nalini’s guild hunter universe and I cannot find a single fault with it.
October 13, 2015
4.5 stars!!
Naasir, one of Raphael’s Seven, whom Elena has called ‘tiger creature,’ stole my heart when his presence became prominent in the previous book, after being released from his long-term duty to look over Amanat. Naasir has been so wonderfully intriguing that I couldn’t help wanting to know more about him. When I found out that the next book would be his, I did a little happy dance inside.
It has been seven months since Naasir told Ashwini that he was ready to find a mate and he has been actively looking for her with no result. Until Raphael tells Naasir to help a scholar by the name of Andromeda, in order to find and awaken Alexander, the Sleeping Ancient, to warn him about the threat coming from Zhou Lijuan. Turns out that Andromeda is the mate that Naasir has been looking for. Except … she has taken a vow of celibacy (and I couldn’t help giggling when I read Naasir’s reaction to that!)
I found this relationship compelling and amusing at the same time. Unlike the relationship in the previous books, there is a sense of ‘young love’ in this one – with Andromeda’s only 400 years of age, as well as Naasir’s penchant for being playful in that unique feral way of his. Naasir’s feline nature shows in his tendency to pout, to bite, or to snap his teeth towards others. Not to mention his way of thinking about mates, which doesn’t come up with the other angels or vampires of Raphael’s court.
Just in case it isn’t clear enough, I loved Naasir so much. He’s just adorable. I loved Naasir’s view of family and the parts where he thinks of his childhood (he was such a trouble!) with Dmitri or Raphael or Jessamy made me smile. Naasir is unapologetically different and proudly ferocious. His past might be horrific but I loved that Naasir is not broken about it. Oh, I also thought the explanation of Naasir’s origin was brilliant; it shows how Singh can still pull new tricks out of her sleeve.
Meanwhile, Andromeda is charming and completely perfect as Naasir’s mate in every way. Although Andromeda is tied to a blood vow which obliges her to serve her grandfather’s court for the next five hundred years, she doesn’t let it bring her down. Andromeda keeps her positivity intact, especially after falling in love with Naasir. She refuses to let her family define who she is. I loved the way Andromeda quickly adapted to situations, no matter how difficult, by playing smart and bravely fighting depending on the circumstances. She’s a fighter through and through. This attitude has made Andromeda one of my favorite heroines in this series – even if her determination to keep the secret about her obligation from Naasir did make me feel slightly annoyed.
In a series that has spanned eight books (and few novellas), both Naasir and Andromeda feel like a breath of fresh air. In addition, the globe-trotting journey to find Alexander, as well as Naasir’s attempt to find a missing Grimoire as the key to break Andromeda’s vow of celibacy, is exciting. I enjoyed every minute of their adventure together, as Singh blends action, danger, humor, as well as romance, flawlessly.
The Epilogue gives a chilling and intense update about what the Cascade’s effect has done to our beloved Bluebell. And on that note, SERIOUSLY, I wish Nalini Singh could hear me begging her to write a full M/M novel for Illium and Aodhan. BEGGING! ON MY KNEES! Because, really, those two! My heart. Can’t Take It. Gah!!
A Guest Review for The Blogger Girls
The ARC is provided by the publisher for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
Naasir, one of Raphael’s Seven, whom Elena has called ‘tiger creature,’ stole my heart when his presence became prominent in the previous book, after being released from his long-term duty to look over Amanat. Naasir has been so wonderfully intriguing that I couldn’t help wanting to know more about him. When I found out that the next book would be his, I did a little happy dance inside.
It has been seven months since Naasir told Ashwini that he was ready to find a mate and he has been actively looking for her with no result. Until Raphael tells Naasir to help a scholar by the name of Andromeda, in order to find and awaken Alexander, the Sleeping Ancient, to warn him about the threat coming from Zhou Lijuan. Turns out that Andromeda is the mate that Naasir has been looking for. Except … she has taken a vow of celibacy (and I couldn’t help giggling when I read Naasir’s reaction to that!)
I found this relationship compelling and amusing at the same time. Unlike the relationship in the previous books, there is a sense of ‘young love’ in this one – with Andromeda’s only 400 years of age, as well as Naasir’s penchant for being playful in that unique feral way of his. Naasir’s feline nature shows in his tendency to pout, to bite, or to snap his teeth towards others. Not to mention his way of thinking about mates, which doesn’t come up with the other angels or vampires of Raphael’s court.
Just in case it isn’t clear enough, I loved Naasir so much. He’s just adorable. I loved Naasir’s view of family and the parts where he thinks of his childhood (he was such a trouble!) with Dmitri or Raphael or Jessamy made me smile. Naasir is unapologetically different and proudly ferocious. His past might be horrific but I loved that Naasir is not broken about it. Oh, I also thought the explanation of Naasir’s origin was brilliant; it shows how Singh can still pull new tricks out of her sleeve.
Meanwhile, Andromeda is charming and completely perfect as Naasir’s mate in every way. Although Andromeda is tied to a blood vow which obliges her to serve her grandfather’s court for the next five hundred years, she doesn’t let it bring her down. Andromeda keeps her positivity intact, especially after falling in love with Naasir. She refuses to let her family define who she is. I loved the way Andromeda quickly adapted to situations, no matter how difficult, by playing smart and bravely fighting depending on the circumstances. She’s a fighter through and through. This attitude has made Andromeda one of my favorite heroines in this series – even if her determination to keep the secret about her obligation from Naasir did make me feel slightly annoyed.
In a series that has spanned eight books (and few novellas), both Naasir and Andromeda feel like a breath of fresh air. In addition, the globe-trotting journey to find Alexander, as well as Naasir’s attempt to find a missing Grimoire as the key to break Andromeda’s vow of celibacy, is exciting. I enjoyed every minute of their adventure together, as Singh blends action, danger, humor, as well as romance, flawlessly.
The Epilogue gives a chilling and intense update about what the Cascade’s effect has done to our beloved Bluebell. And on that note, SERIOUSLY, I wish Nalini Singh could hear me begging her to write a full M/M novel for Illium and Aodhan. BEGGING! ON MY KNEES! Because, really, those two! My heart. Can’t Take It. Gah!!
A Guest Review for The Blogger Girls
The ARC is provided by the publisher for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
June 5, 2017
"What other creatures are on your list?"
"Chupacabra."
"I hope it exists. It has the best name."
No, don't get your panties in a twist, Naasir is not a chupacabra. I'm not gonna tell you what he is either so don't look at me that way. My will is strong and unshakeable. All I'm going to say is that he is not what I thought he was.
Now that he is a big boy and most of his friends are coupled, Naasir decides to hunt down his own mate. All this love in the air could be quite contagious. And what do you think? Naasir. My sweet sweet boy, Naasir. From all the women in the world you had to pick one with a vow of celibacy. Funny as that is, I didn't think it could work, but I was so totally wrong. Andromeda was a perfect match for him, in every way.
As much as I loved the main couple, I was really enjoying the storyline too. Even Lijuan's POV, if you can believe it. For some reason I found myself sympathizing with Xi, her general. Dude is not evil or even that twisted. He just gave his loyalty to the archangel, who, at that point in time even deserved it, but now it's just blind faith and I'm never for that shit. All the glimpses we gained to past Lijuan and even her appearences in first books, made her seem adequate enouth. Now she's just bat shit crazy. Trying to kill Alexander in his Sleep is just the latest of her bright ideas. All thanks to some ancient prophecy. Funny how the prophecies are always tricking you into doing all the work for them, huh?
My fangirling heart had a treat with this one. Besides Naasir, we had a pretty cool Illium storyline, and Alexander was not so bad, and for umpteenth time I appreciated Raphael for how great he is. I'm really really glad that I found this series. It's a real jem.
Over and out
"Chupacabra."
"I hope it exists. It has the best name."
No, don't get your panties in a twist, Naasir is not a chupacabra. I'm not gonna tell you what he is either so don't look at me that way. My will is strong and unshakeable. All I'm going to say is that he is not what I thought he was.
Now that he is a big boy and most of his friends are coupled, Naasir decides to hunt down his own mate. All this love in the air could be quite contagious. And what do you think? Naasir. My sweet sweet boy, Naasir. From all the women in the world you had to pick one with a vow of celibacy. Funny as that is, I didn't think it could work, but I was so totally wrong. Andromeda was a perfect match for him, in every way.
As much as I loved the main couple, I was really enjoying the storyline too. Even Lijuan's POV, if you can believe it. For some reason I found myself sympathizing with Xi, her general. Dude is not evil or even that twisted. He just gave his loyalty to the archangel, who, at that point in time even deserved it, but now it's just blind faith and I'm never for that shit. All the glimpses we gained to past Lijuan and even her appearences in first books, made her seem adequate enouth. Now she's just bat shit crazy. Trying to kill Alexander in his Sleep is just the latest of her bright ideas. All thanks to some ancient prophecy. Funny how the prophecies are always tricking you into doing all the work for them, huh?
My fangirling heart had a treat with this one. Besides Naasir, we had a pretty cool Illium storyline, and Alexander was not so bad, and for umpteenth time I appreciated Raphael for how great he is. I'm really really glad that I found this series. It's a real jem.
Over and out
July 25, 2024
Naasir was such a unique character. I don't want to say he had a childlike mind, he just didn't think the way anyone thinks. He almost seems innocent and yet he is a very deadly predator. It's such a unique combination that you can't help but be fascinated with him.
After his declaration of wanting to find his mate in the last book, I really thought the author was going to make us wait. I'm glad we rolled right into his book. He didn't disappoint. I still love him and I was so glad we got a lot in his POV.
Naasir's mate was not what I was expecting though. I'm not sure how I feel about Andromeda for him. It's not that I don't like her. In fact, she was a pretty cool character. She was a good mix of sweet scholar vs warrior princess. It's another mix that is a bit unique.
I'm still absolutely loving this series and all these characters. On to book 8!
After his declaration of wanting to find his mate in the last book, I really thought the author was going to make us wait. I'm glad we rolled right into his book. He didn't disappoint. I still love him and I was so glad we got a lot in his POV.
Naasir's mate was not what I was expecting though. I'm not sure how I feel about Andromeda for him. It's not that I don't like her. In fact, she was a pretty cool character. She was a good mix of sweet scholar vs warrior princess. It's another mix that is a bit unique.
I'm still absolutely loving this series and all these characters. On to book 8!
September 6, 2015
Read... Always Archangel... Another year to wait... Illium... my baby...
She is torturing us by writing such an amazing series.
Lets make it February.
She is torturing us by writing such an amazing series.
Lets make it February.
March 14, 2021
1st read: 31 August-1 September 2015
I LOVE YOU NALINI!!!
A Q and A with Nalini, it has some small spoilers about past books!
2nd read: 11-12 January 2o17
3rd read: 13 March 2021
I LOVE YOU NALINI!!!
A Q and A with Nalini, it has some small spoilers about past books!
2nd read: 11-12 January 2o17
3rd read: 13 March 2021
August 29, 2015
This series continues to deliver everything I want in paranormal romance. Even after eight installments, it is still engaging, exciting, and emotional. I read this book all in one sitting, then got mad at myself for my inability to savor it like it truly deserves. Nalini Singh completely satisfies with Nassir's story, giving us the answers we've been waiting for, and finally allowing us to know this man who has been such a mystery all this time.
Nassir is simply a wonderful character. He is more than 600 years old, but there is still this ...not innocence, but... lack of artifice to him. Unlike so many other long-lived entities in the series, he is not jaded. He's not naive, but he is pure in a way. He is also sexy, intelligent, practical, honorable, and loyal to those he considers family. Now he finally considers himself grown and is looking for a mate.
Enter Andromeda. She is a scholar Raphael has tasked Nassir to work with in order to track where the Archangel Alexander sleeps. She is also the granddaughter of Charisemnon, one the most powerful and most twisted members of the Cadre. Andromeda is devoted to her calling, but an old blood debt to her family is about to come due. Saving Alexander from the plotting of a murderous Lijuan is likely one of the last good things she can do before she must return to her grandfather's clutches. Falling is love is the furthest thing from her mind.
The chemistry between these two is powerful and immediate. Nassir knows Andi is his mate, but the mission to save Alexander must come first. Not only that, but there's Andi's pesky vow of chastity to contend with.
There's a lot going on, as you can always expect in these books. The romance is fantastic, but it's only part of the bigger picture happening with the Cascade. We get to spend some time with Elena and Raphael, which is awesome, but there is also big stuff happening with our beloved Bluebell --and with angel politics. The pacing makes the book fly by.
Singh does such a good job crafting her characters, not just the ones we love, but the villains as well. They are multi-dimensional and fascinating. The world-building continues to expand, making the story richer, pulling me in deeper and deeper. And then, of course, is the big reveal on exactly what Nassir is. It takes some time for it all to unravel, but by the end of the book, you'll understand everything and root for him all the more.
The story is exciting. The romance is satisfying. And I'm already excited for the next book. It can't come soon enough.
Rating: A-/B+
*ARC provided by publisher
Nassir is simply a wonderful character. He is more than 600 years old, but there is still this ...not innocence, but... lack of artifice to him. Unlike so many other long-lived entities in the series, he is not jaded. He's not naive, but he is pure in a way. He is also sexy, intelligent, practical, honorable, and loyal to those he considers family. Now he finally considers himself grown and is looking for a mate.
Enter Andromeda. She is a scholar Raphael has tasked Nassir to work with in order to track where the Archangel Alexander sleeps. She is also the granddaughter of Charisemnon, one the most powerful and most twisted members of the Cadre. Andromeda is devoted to her calling, but an old blood debt to her family is about to come due. Saving Alexander from the plotting of a murderous Lijuan is likely one of the last good things she can do before she must return to her grandfather's clutches. Falling is love is the furthest thing from her mind.
The chemistry between these two is powerful and immediate. Nassir knows Andi is his mate, but the mission to save Alexander must come first. Not only that, but there's Andi's pesky vow of chastity to contend with.
There's a lot going on, as you can always expect in these books. The romance is fantastic, but it's only part of the bigger picture happening with the Cascade. We get to spend some time with Elena and Raphael, which is awesome, but there is also big stuff happening with our beloved Bluebell --and with angel politics. The pacing makes the book fly by.
Singh does such a good job crafting her characters, not just the ones we love, but the villains as well. They are multi-dimensional and fascinating. The world-building continues to expand, making the story richer, pulling me in deeper and deeper. And then, of course, is the big reveal on exactly what Nassir is. It takes some time for it all to unravel, but by the end of the book, you'll understand everything and root for him all the more.
The story is exciting. The romance is satisfying. And I'm already excited for the next book. It can't come soon enough.
Rating: A-/B+
*ARC provided by publisher
January 2, 2020
UPDATE
Before the blurb, I put my faith in Nalini :)
Yes, it's a whole year of waiting but a girl can hope...
Soooooooooooo, dare I say, Naasir????
Pretty please Nalini??? With a cherry on top?
And YES, it's Naasir!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Before the blurb, I put my faith in Nalini :)
Yes, it's a whole year of waiting but a girl can hope...
Soooooooooooo, dare I say, Naasir????
Pretty please Nalini??? With a cherry on top?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,494 reviews