Book: Archangel’s Shadow by Nalini Singh

Published October 2014 by Penguin Group|378 pages

Where I Got It: I borrowed the e-book from the library

Series: Guild Hunter #7

Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance

In the wake of a brutal war, the archangel Raphael and his hunter consort, Elena, are dealing with the treacherously shifting tides of archangelic politics and the people of a battered but not broken city. The last thing their city needs is more death, especially a death that bears the eerie signature of an insane enemy archangel who cannot—should not—be walking the streets.

This hunt must be undertaken with stealth and without alerting their people. It must be handled by those who can become shadows themselves…

Ash is a gifted tracker and a woman cursed with the ability to sense the secrets of anyone she touches. But there’s one man she knows all too well without a single instant of skin contact: Janvier, the dangerously sexy Cajun vampire who has fascinated and infuriated her for years. Now, as they track down a merciless killer, their cat-and-mouse game of flirtation and provocation has turned into a profound one of the heart. And this time, it is Ash’s secret, dark and terrible, that threatens to destroy them both.

I liked Archangel’s Shadows but it’s not one of my favorites in this series

Janvier and Ashwini were interesting characters and I liked them.  Ashwini was particularly interesting, especially because of her family.  I really liked her, and though I liked Janvier, I didn’t like him as much as Ashwini.  I did like them together, and there’s definitely a connection between them, but compared to some of the other couples (mostly Elena and Raphael), they were just okay.

I liked the story, and we do see more of the world they live in.  There’s so much going on in thiis world, and I feel like we learn more about it with every passing book.  I was really interested in the grey area that we saw in this book and even though it didn’t occur to me that some of the vampires might have “cattle,” it did make sense.  It made me sad to see that there were women dependent on these vampires for support, but it also doesn’t surprise me.

We also see the aftermath of the battle and how the Tower is trying to deal with some of the rumors and stories circulating around town.  No one can catch a break but Ash and Janvier do get their HEA.  It is romance after all, and no romance is complete without having a happily ever after.  I’m glad Ash told Janvier her hesitations and family history.  It did make sense for why she didn’t want to be a vampire, but she did come around.

Even though I like the characters and story, and was glad to read about Janvier and Ash, I also wasn’t super into the story or the pairing.  I don’t know why, but it felt like something was missing.  According to the author’s note at the end of the book, there is a novella that goes into more detail about their relationship.  I don’t think it’s necessary to read it, because you do get their story and you know what’s going on.  Plus, you do get hints throughout the previous books that mention both Ash and Janvier.  Still, I can’t help but wonder if that’s the missing piece for this book.  That might not be the case for other readers, but it might be for me.

3 stars.  I liked Archangel’s Shadow but it’s not my favorite in this series.