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Guild Hunter #13
Archangel's Sun
Listening Length: 10 hours and 59 minutes
A horrifying secret rises in the aftermath of an archangelic war in New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh’s deadly and beautiful Guild Hunter world...
The Archangel of Death and the Archangel of Disease may be gone but their legacy of evil lives on—especially in Africa, where the shambling, rotting creatures called the reborn have gained a glimmer of vicious intelligence.
It is up to Titus, archangel of this vast continent, to stop the reborn from spreading across the world. Titus can’t do it alone, but of the surviving powerful angels and archangels, large numbers are wounded, while the rest are fighting a surge of murderous vampires.
There is no one left…but the Hummingbird. Old, powerful, her mind long a broken kaleidoscope. Now, she must stand at Titus’s side against a tide of death upon a discovery more chilling than any other. For the Archangel of Disease has left them one last terrible gift…
A horrifying secret rises in the aftermath of an archangelic war in New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh’s deadly and beautiful Guild Hunter world...
The Archangel of Death and the Archangel of Disease may be gone but their legacy of evil lives on—especially in Africa, where the shambling, rotting creatures called the reborn have gained a glimmer of vicious intelligence.
It is up to Titus, archangel of this vast continent, to stop the reborn from spreading across the world. Titus can’t do it alone, but of the surviving powerful angels and archangels, large numbers are wounded, while the rest are fighting a surge of murderous vampires.
There is no one left…but the Hummingbird. Old, powerful, her mind long a broken kaleidoscope. Now, she must stand at Titus’s side against a tide of death upon a discovery more chilling than any other. For the Archangel of Disease has left them one last terrible gift…
11 pages, Audible Audio
First published November 24, 2020
About the author
Nalini Singh
231 books26.1k 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,091 reviews
June 4, 2021
3.75 Stars
After reading the last book in the series, I wasn't all that excited to read this one, honestly. Which is crazy, because this is one of my all-time favorite series and I usually devour each installment the minute it hits my kindle. I liked Titus well enough...however, "The Hummingbird" was kind of always presented as this ethereal, damaged character, whom...well, whom I simply thought of as Illium's emotionally unstable mother.
Also, as I mentioned in my review for the last book, the world-building and the rules of the world, i.e., the Cascade, the war, the Reborn, etc., had become very convoluted and ever-changing and I found it somewhat frustrating.
Thus the reason this ARC sat on my kindle for far too long.
All that said...
I am happy to say I enjoyed this one a lot more. Things are still somewhat ever-changing, but this book felt more grounded to me. There was also less rehashing of things we've already gone over a million times, which has become a habit for Singh in some of the recent books in this series.
I also really liked Sharine. It was interesting to get a little more of her backstory and see her grow and change, especially since she is an Ancient.
But what I was really here for?
TITUS.
I loved him. I could have read about him forever.
So why not five stars?
Whelp...while I did enjoy this, it was also very heavily focused on the aftermath of the Cascade and the war. And by "heavily focused," I mean, we basically spend the whole book cleaning up after the Reborn and strategizing how to eradicate them.
There is some romance, but this book is definitely not overly romance-driven.
Regardless, I still love Singh's writing and the amazing world and characters she has created here. I feel like I am with old friends when I read these books. And, while that feeling might not have been as strong here since we weren't with Raphael and his Seven, I still enjoyed Titus and Sharine together and I was enjoying their interactions with the Cadre.
Oddly, I felt like this book was a lot shorter than previous books and I would have been fine with it being a bit longer, which says a lot right there.
***ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***
After reading the last book in the series, I wasn't all that excited to read this one, honestly. Which is crazy, because this is one of my all-time favorite series and I usually devour each installment the minute it hits my kindle. I liked Titus well enough...however, "The Hummingbird" was kind of always presented as this ethereal, damaged character, whom...well, whom I simply thought of as Illium's emotionally unstable mother.
Also, as I mentioned in my review for the last book, the world-building and the rules of the world, i.e., the Cascade, the war, the Reborn, etc., had become very convoluted and ever-changing and I found it somewhat frustrating.
Thus the reason this ARC sat on my kindle for far too long.
All that said...
I am happy to say I enjoyed this one a lot more. Things are still somewhat ever-changing, but this book felt more grounded to me. There was also less rehashing of things we've already gone over a million times, which has become a habit for Singh in some of the recent books in this series.
I also really liked Sharine. It was interesting to get a little more of her backstory and see her grow and change, especially since she is an Ancient.
But what I was really here for?
TITUS.
I loved him. I could have read about him forever.
So why not five stars?
Whelp...while I did enjoy this, it was also very heavily focused on the aftermath of the Cascade and the war. And by "heavily focused," I mean, we basically spend the whole book cleaning up after the Reborn and strategizing how to eradicate them.
There is some romance, but this book is definitely not overly romance-driven.
Regardless, I still love Singh's writing and the amazing world and characters she has created here. I feel like I am with old friends when I read these books. And, while that feeling might not have been as strong here since we weren't with Raphael and his Seven, I still enjoyed Titus and Sharine together and I was enjoying their interactions with the Cadre.
Oddly, I felt like this book was a lot shorter than previous books and I would have been fine with it being a bit longer, which says a lot right there.
***ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***
April 3, 2023
I'm going in!!
Any book in this series is highly anticipated but I never thought we would ever get a story about these characters and especially as a couple 💕
I'm so excited!!!!
UPDATE:
It was so easy for me to fall in love with Titus and The Hummingbird. They are probably one of my most favorite couples in this world. I’m incredibly happy that the author decided to write a story about them.
Titus is such a big and endearing character, with his booming voice and hearty laughter. I love his no-nonsense attitude, and overall frankness. And although he is the very opposite of The Hummingbird, she was just the right person for him.
So far, The Hummingbird has always been known as one of the most cherished artists in the angel world, but also as someone who was very much stuck in her own world. So, it was a wonderful surprise to see her enjoying life, and spreading her wings. Because underneath it all she is strong, witty, smart, and a fresh breeze that blew Titus of his pedestal.
OMG I can’t say enough how much I enjoyed these two. There was so much back and forth between them. Wonderful interaction between two very different personalities, one blunt and the other gentle, but strong in her own way. And I just adored them. I especially loved how they complemented each other without realizing it. Their love story is one for the books, literally!
And I thought the ending actually worked for them as a couple.
___________________________________
I received a copy of this book from the publisher for free in exchange for an honest review. My opinions have not been influenced by the publisher or the author.
Any book in this series is highly anticipated but I never thought we would ever get a story about these characters and especially as a couple 💕
I'm so excited!!!!
UPDATE:
It was so easy for me to fall in love with Titus and The Hummingbird. They are probably one of my most favorite couples in this world. I’m incredibly happy that the author decided to write a story about them.
Titus is such a big and endearing character, with his booming voice and hearty laughter. I love his no-nonsense attitude, and overall frankness. And although he is the very opposite of The Hummingbird, she was just the right person for him.
So far, The Hummingbird has always been known as one of the most cherished artists in the angel world, but also as someone who was very much stuck in her own world. So, it was a wonderful surprise to see her enjoying life, and spreading her wings. Because underneath it all she is strong, witty, smart, and a fresh breeze that blew Titus of his pedestal.
OMG I can’t say enough how much I enjoyed these two. There was so much back and forth between them. Wonderful interaction between two very different personalities, one blunt and the other gentle, but strong in her own way. And I just adored them. I especially loved how they complemented each other without realizing it. Their love story is one for the books, literally!
And I thought the ending actually worked for them as a couple.
___________________________________
I received a copy of this book from the publisher for free in exchange for an honest review. My opinions have not been influenced by the publisher or the author.
December 13, 2020
4.5 stars
6/12/20
Don't kill me but in previous books when Titus would appear my mind would insert this picture of him:
And for those that don't know who that is, it's Brian Blessed in cult favourite Flash Gordon, playing Prince Vultan. The booming voice and gold chestplate just cemented the image in my head and I had a hard time getting it out in this book. Once I manage to supplant it, it was easier for me to picture Titus and Sharine together.
I absolutely loved them as a couple! Titus the loud brute with a golden heart with the delicate, ethereal, finding her spine of steel Sharine. They complemented each other and got to know each other beyond the surface. The mystery of the Hummingbird was solved but the revelations did leave me a touch underwhelmed.
The book follows the aftermath of war. The Cadre with new players trying to put the pieces together and heal their people and lands as well as trying to exterminate all the reborn. But Charissemon was more cunning than anyone thought and more atrocities and horrors are uncovered. Titus and Sharine bond while trying to contain the threat of infection by the various mutated strains of reborn virus.
To make a long story short and because my migraine decided that I deserve a visit, I loved these two together and wished we had more time with them as a proper couple.
8/9/20
Newsletter snippet!
https://madmimi.com/s/5841211
7/4/20
Titus and the Hummingbird!!!!!
Also FREE Short Story:
http://nalinisingh.blogspot.com/2020/...
6/12/20
Don't kill me but in previous books when Titus would appear my mind would insert this picture of him:
And for those that don't know who that is, it's Brian Blessed in cult favourite Flash Gordon, playing Prince Vultan. The booming voice and gold chestplate just cemented the image in my head and I had a hard time getting it out in this book. Once I manage to supplant it, it was easier for me to picture Titus and Sharine together.
I absolutely loved them as a couple! Titus the loud brute with a golden heart with the delicate, ethereal, finding her spine of steel Sharine. They complemented each other and got to know each other beyond the surface. The mystery of the Hummingbird was solved but the revelations did leave me a touch underwhelmed.
The book follows the aftermath of war. The Cadre with new players trying to put the pieces together and heal their people and lands as well as trying to exterminate all the reborn. But Charissemon was more cunning than anyone thought and more atrocities and horrors are uncovered. Titus and Sharine bond while trying to contain the threat of infection by the various mutated strains of reborn virus.
To make a long story short and because my migraine decided that I deserve a visit, I loved these two together and wished we had more time with them as a proper couple.
8/9/20
Newsletter snippet!
https://madmimi.com/s/5841211
7/4/20
Titus and the Hummingbird!!!!!
Also FREE Short Story:
http://nalinisingh.blogspot.com/2020/...
December 2, 2020
4,5*
Oh, Nalini threw a curve at us with this surprising pairing of Titus and Hummingbird. Who expected that? I certainly didn't, but here is the thing: Nalini's books just make me feel better and make me smile, and this year I appreciate it more than ever. Plus, there is chapter where Sharine talks to Illium and it made me really emotional.
Set right in the aftermath of great angelic war, Archangel's Sun is largely focused on Africa where Titus is battling the horde of diseased undead and new strain of virus, courtesy of Charisemnon. Even though his territory is badly affected and is still in danger, members of the Cadre are dealing with their own problems and don't have people nor resources to help him. Enter the Hummingbird. I don't think anyone, including me had any idea what on earth can Hummingbird do in Africa, but Nalini saved a few surprises and showed another side of an angel, who, up to now, everyone treated like she's breakable.
-The romance: Banter a plenty! Although the romance took a long time to actually be confirmed, the attraction and flirting started right away. They simply didn't have a moment before with all the undead crawlies, but they were aware, as is reader that that's where they're going. The whole romance was a part of Sharine coming to herself and leaving the painful past that managed to broke her and shut out from the world behind. And it was funny and hilarious how dedicated she was to eviscerating the brash and arrogant archangel with her words and show she's not a delicate angel everyone needs to tiptoe around. They had some hilarious interactions. But, Nalini made a point to show that both of them are millennia old beings and have a lot of experience, good and bad, so they approached the whole attraction as two mature people having sexual feelings for each other. The healthy development of it and especially how they discussed it at the end was really cool. Hummingbird was for past 12 books a mom character and Nalini never deviated from that, very important part of her characterization, while showing her as a sexual person as well. So, kudos for that. She had to deal with some things herself, and I liked how Nalini wrote it: it happened because Sharine came to herself, it was not because of Titus. If anything, Titus got lucky because Sharine worked on herself.
The story: Because Charisemnon didn't want to be overshadowed by Lijuan in creepyness department, he left some nasty surprises for Cadre. His Cascade "gift" was to inflict disease, so let's just say he played with that. There were some genuinely disturbing scenes that read like they belong in The Walking Dead script with all the gore, guts and smell. Because hordes of undead keep appearing all over Africa, it somewhat makes the story dull in a sense that they are not a villain who plans and can pull a surprise or two. There is just a lot of them, they go in horde and between their attacks, romance and some other things happen. I didn't quite like the resolution to the whole Africa problem with the virus, because it was a bit derivative and ott.
World: Nalini already did something similar with her other series, but she is making a point to show that good guys winning a war, doesn't mean the world is fixed. With so many archangels off the map, due to one reason or another, the remaining members of the Cadre are having a tough time establishing order and control in their territories. This on top of casualties, destructions, deadly infestations and viruses, everyone is stretched thin. One of the interesting consequences has to do with vampires and I wonder whether it will come in play in further instalments. I can see Nalini focusing her next book in several different places, but I'd say China is the most pressing issue.
Some other thoughts:
-Everything with Illium is breaking my heart, I swear. It was a very mature, hard truth convo Sharine had with him, and some of those words were like they were addressed to me as well. I get it, I'm just having a hard time being adult about the whole thing. I'm permanently in "must protect by all means" mode when it comes to Illium and Aodhan.
-I'm having a feeling we'll see some of the female warriors from Titus's court in next books. (Kiama or Ozias).
-Aegaeon, please go back to Sleep.
All in all, I liked it a lot. Just like with Alpha Night, this book managed to be exactly what I needed to de-stress a bit. It's enjoyable, it's soothing, it's Nalini.
**************************************************
From recent excerpt Nalini shared for her subscribers:
"Today, however, her body had awakened with a vengeance, sexual need punching through her hard and brutal. For Titus, a man even more beautiful than Aegaeon. Though she still didn’t understand the superlatives about his charm. Titus was too blunt a hammer."
If this is not the biggest proof of Sharine being lost to the world around her for far too long, I don't know what is. Titus was always hot af.
The banter sounds promising. :D
*************************************
My man Titus is on the cover!
Wait, what??!!!
Hummingbird and Titus!
OMG, Nalini, Illium is going to need a lot of therapy after everything you put him through.
"My mother who is precious has gone off to Africa to fight undead and now she has a boyfriend!"
__________________________
"The next Guild Hunter book will be releasing this November. More info to come, but it's not an Elena/Raphael book, nor is it about one of the Seven...but when I sent in the proposal, the response was !!!!!!!"
“Are you certain you’re not still insane? Baiting an archangel isn’t considered good for one’s health.”
“It is possible,” she said thoughtfully, tapping a finger on her lower lip. “But I find that I don’t give a shit.”
Oh, Nalini threw a curve at us with this surprising pairing of Titus and Hummingbird. Who expected that? I certainly didn't, but here is the thing: Nalini's books just make me feel better and make me smile, and this year I appreciate it more than ever. Plus, there is chapter where Sharine talks to Illium and it made me really emotional.
Set right in the aftermath of great angelic war, Archangel's Sun is largely focused on Africa where Titus is battling the horde of diseased undead and new strain of virus, courtesy of Charisemnon. Even though his territory is badly affected and is still in danger, members of the Cadre are dealing with their own problems and don't have people nor resources to help him. Enter the Hummingbird. I don't think anyone, including me had any idea what on earth can Hummingbird do in Africa, but Nalini saved a few surprises and showed another side of an angel, who, up to now, everyone treated like she's breakable.
-The romance: Banter a plenty! Although the romance took a long time to actually be confirmed, the attraction and flirting started right away. They simply didn't have a moment before with all the undead crawlies, but they were aware, as is reader that that's where they're going. The whole romance was a part of Sharine coming to herself and leaving the painful past that managed to broke her and shut out from the world behind. And it was funny and hilarious how dedicated she was to eviscerating the brash and arrogant archangel with her words and show she's not a delicate angel everyone needs to tiptoe around. They had some hilarious interactions. But, Nalini made a point to show that both of them are millennia old beings and have a lot of experience, good and bad, so they approached the whole attraction as two mature people having sexual feelings for each other. The healthy development of it and especially how they discussed it at the end was really cool. Hummingbird was for past 12 books a mom character and Nalini never deviated from that, very important part of her characterization, while showing her as a sexual person as well. So, kudos for that. She had to deal with some things herself, and I liked how Nalini wrote it: it happened because Sharine came to herself, it was not because of Titus. If anything, Titus got lucky because Sharine worked on herself.
The story: Because Charisemnon didn't want to be overshadowed by Lijuan in creepyness department, he left some nasty surprises for Cadre. His Cascade "gift" was to inflict disease, so let's just say he played with that. There were some genuinely disturbing scenes that read like they belong in The Walking Dead script with all the gore, guts and smell. Because hordes of undead keep appearing all over Africa, it somewhat makes the story dull in a sense that they are not a villain who plans and can pull a surprise or two. There is just a lot of them, they go in horde and between their attacks, romance and some other things happen. I didn't quite like the resolution to the whole Africa problem with the virus, because it was a bit derivative and ott.
World: Nalini already did something similar with her other series, but she is making a point to show that good guys winning a war, doesn't mean the world is fixed. With so many archangels off the map, due to one reason or another, the remaining members of the Cadre are having a tough time establishing order and control in their territories. This on top of casualties, destructions, deadly infestations and viruses, everyone is stretched thin. One of the interesting consequences has to do with vampires and I wonder whether it will come in play in further instalments. I can see Nalini focusing her next book in several different places, but I'd say China is the most pressing issue.
Some other thoughts:
-Everything with Illium is breaking my heart, I swear. It was a very mature, hard truth convo Sharine had with him, and some of those words were like they were addressed to me as well. I get it, I'm just having a hard time being adult about the whole thing. I'm permanently in "must protect by all means" mode when it comes to Illium and Aodhan.
-I'm having a feeling we'll see some of the female warriors from Titus's court in next books. (Kiama or Ozias).
-Aegaeon, please go back to Sleep.
All in all, I liked it a lot. Just like with Alpha Night, this book managed to be exactly what I needed to de-stress a bit. It's enjoyable, it's soothing, it's Nalini.
**************************************************
From recent excerpt Nalini shared for her subscribers:
"Today, however, her body had awakened with a vengeance, sexual need punching through her hard and brutal. For Titus, a man even more beautiful than Aegaeon. Though she still didn’t understand the superlatives about his charm. Titus was too blunt a hammer."
If this is not the biggest proof of Sharine being lost to the world around her for far too long, I don't know what is. Titus was always hot af.
The banter sounds promising. :D
*************************************
My man Titus is on the cover!
Wait, what??!!!
Hummingbird and Titus!
OMG, Nalini, Illium is going to need a lot of therapy after everything you put him through.
"My mother who is precious has gone off to Africa to fight undead and now she has a boyfriend!"
__________________________
"The next Guild Hunter book will be releasing this November. More info to come, but it's not an Elena/Raphael book, nor is it about one of the Seven...but when I sent in the proposal, the response was !!!!!!!"
December 24, 2020
I liked it, but didn't love it. I felt kind of bored most of the time. It had all the right ingredients, but didn't deliver.
Sometimes things just don't come together as planned.
The main problem with this one was that the heroine has been in previous books as someone who is ancient and crazy. Not fun crazy, just a sad, pathetic kind of broken crazy. The author decided to give her an image makeover, but I still saw her as a sad old lady. And, like most people, I am really not feeling it when grandma gets her groove back. I mean, good for grandma - but I do NOT want to see it.
Oh fuck! My first search for a meme was just called "gross old people sex" and my eyes!!! WTF was I thinking? You've never seen me hit the "back" key so fast! I'm shook. Shook.
Anyway... collecting myself...shake it off, Jilly. Ok...
The hero is a guy that we have known for a long time too, and he is always a joyful presence. But, he never had a whole lot of dimension so I didn't think he could carry a whole book. I was right. He was fine, but kind of one-dimensional.
So, as a couple? Eh. Not very exciting. Not even as exciting as the icky old people meme.
Then there was the "big problem" that they were dealing with - zombies basically. That had potential to be kind of exciting, but it wasn't. There was more telling than showing and never any true danger or suspense. There was a lot of "oh, I killed a bunch of zombies since I last saw you. Now, let's talk about something boring."
Are we really not going to talk about the fire?
The best part of the book for me was squirreling out any clues I could get about my favorite couple - Illium and Aodhan. At least, they better end up a couple. Or there will be consequences!!
Merry Christmas to everyone! Let's hope next year is less shitty than this one has been.
Sometimes things just don't come together as planned.
The main problem with this one was that the heroine has been in previous books as someone who is ancient and crazy. Not fun crazy, just a sad, pathetic kind of broken crazy. The author decided to give her an image makeover, but I still saw her as a sad old lady. And, like most people, I am really not feeling it when grandma gets her groove back. I mean, good for grandma - but I do NOT want to see it.
Oh fuck! My first search for a meme was just called "gross old people sex" and my eyes!!! WTF was I thinking? You've never seen me hit the "back" key so fast! I'm shook. Shook.
Anyway... collecting myself...shake it off, Jilly. Ok...
The hero is a guy that we have known for a long time too, and he is always a joyful presence. But, he never had a whole lot of dimension so I didn't think he could carry a whole book. I was right. He was fine, but kind of one-dimensional.
So, as a couple? Eh. Not very exciting. Not even as exciting as the icky old people meme.
Then there was the "big problem" that they were dealing with - zombies basically. That had potential to be kind of exciting, but it wasn't. There was more telling than showing and never any true danger or suspense. There was a lot of "oh, I killed a bunch of zombies since I last saw you. Now, let's talk about something boring."
Are we really not going to talk about the fire?
The best part of the book for me was squirreling out any clues I could get about my favorite couple - Illium and Aodhan. At least, they better end up a couple. Or there will be consequences!!
Merry Christmas to everyone! Let's hope next year is less shitty than this one has been.
February 18, 2022
I honestly didn't think Nalini could ever top her other books, but I was wrong. Archangel's Sun is a poignant, romantic, and stunning entry in the Guild Hunter's series. Shirene now tops my list of favorite heroines of all time while Titus will forever hold a place in my heart.
Archangel's Sun begins a new foray into the GH world after a devastating war and the glimpses of how this new world will shake out is thrilling and mesmerizing.
I screamed with glee at certain parts and I cannot to see where the brilliant Nalini Singh takes us next!
Archangel's Sun begins a new foray into the GH world after a devastating war and the glimpses of how this new world will shake out is thrilling and mesmerizing.
I screamed with glee at certain parts and I cannot to see where the brilliant Nalini Singh takes us next!
November 24, 2020
TITLE: ARCHANGEL'S SUN
AUTHOR: Nalini Singh
SERIES: Guild Hunter #13
RELEASE DATE: November 24, 2020
GENRE: PNR
RATING: 4 Stars
CLIFFHANGER: No
READ MY REVIEW ON THE BLOG
You know who's dependable? Nalini Singh, that's who. Not gonna lie, I was a little worried about The Hummingbird being the heroine of a book in this series. Her being so broken and just, I don't know, retreating from her own life and living in her own small world made me a little nervous. Yes, we saw major improvement in ARCHANGEL'S WAR but that didn't make her heroine material. Boy, was I wrong.
With Sharine the author gives us a heroine with the kindest heart and a steely will that is so up to par with all the others. Her transition from the untouchable, ethereal Hummingbird to a woman who stood up for herself was so utterly satisfying. Her ability to see beyond Titus's "in-the-face" personality, his brash, loud demeanor and arrogant swagger and recognize his beautiful, caring heart after the rocky road in the beginning was my favorite thing.
This man, this archangel, he kept surprising her with the depth of his heart.
Titus was awesome and a just, compassionate, kind ruler of his continent. His surprise when he saw that the famous and revered Hummingbird was actually an opinionated, outspoken woman brought on the hilarity. And that was what was most surprising to me - how often these two made me smile and laugh. They had such a natural connection, it was heartwarming and delightful to watch these strong, powerful people fall for each other.
Did nothing terrify her?
“Are you certain you’re not still insane?”
In truth, he was sure that she’d never actually lost her sanity—she’d just lost herself for a period.
Sharine's relationship with all her sons, natural and adopted, her care for Illium, Aodhan and Raphael was a thing of beauty. She made no difference between them. She loved them with her whole being.
The plot follows the aftermath of the war we saw in the last book and the cleanup and termination of the remaining nests of reborns. The story doesn't have as much action as the last books, BUT it's not boring and after the heartbreak of the last installment we deserve a breather. I think Nalini Singh did a beautiful job preparing us for the next part of this journey by giving us a book that focuses on the love of two very likable characters. Now, I have no idea where the story takes us next but I can't wait to find out!
Fire in her eyes, oh such brilliant fire. It scalded him. And it made him hunger to burn himself in it.
November 28, 2020
Archangel's Sun could have been a great book. The Hummingbird, Titus, zombies, the aftermath of a global war, the African continent as a backdrop, are all solid elements for the creation of an amazing instalment in the Guild Hunter universe. Unfortunately, it didn't quite work.
From the first moment we were introduced to Elena, Raphael and the world of humans, vampires, angels and archangel’s, we got tantalising glimpses of The Hummingbird. A brilliant, beautiful angel, with a sad mysterious backstory that left her mind broken but who could still entrance the world with her art. We all fell in love with Titus at Elena's block party. Admittedly, no reader imagined these two characters in a future love story, but once Nalini introduced the idea, it seemed a perfect match. The booming gruff romantic Archangel of Africa and the shimmeringly fragile Sharine, mother of our favourite Archangel-to-be Illium. A romance for the ages? No.
Why, I hear you ask.
Three major failures come to mind:
1. No plot
2. No tension
3. Glaring discrepancies
Let me start with the glaring discrepancies. Sharine's age. Is she 4500 years old, 10,000 years old or over 200,000 years old? She can't remember. And here's where the story made no sense. If she's 1000 years older than Titus, then 4400 years ago her heart was broken by the death of her parents when she was 80 and then broken again by the death of Raan about 80 years later (give or take half a century). Fast forward 4000 years to just after the birth of Illium, when Aegeon, broke her completely with his, I'm going into Sleep, stunt. Between traumas 1 and 2 and the final trauma are four millennia of life, love, art. It's a real stretch that she didn't recover from from the first set before being broken by Aegeon acting like an arse. However, if she's a contemporary of Caliane and Alexander (making her over 200,000 years old) then it's even more difficult to believe that this woman hasn't recovered from a couple of tragic deaths that may have scarred her but good grief, the time span alone, would have healed those scars. She would also have gone into a few Sleeps herself to heal. So it begs the question: why was she behaving like some naive debutante with Aegeon? By the time she met him she was over 4000 years old and should not have been so fragile. That question lay heavily over my enjoyment of this story. It nagged and nagged until the whole of Sharine's backstory made no sense. And if her backstory made no sense then her present story with Titus lost it's power.
No Plot.
The Guild Hunter world is a mix of strong character driven stories with some strong plot driven stories. Where the plot is weak, Nalini's character's have usually compensated. But here, we have a being as old as dirt (or not) finding herself again, and an archangel also as old dirt and invincible wandering around the countryside, killing mindless zombies, never once being in any real danger, stumbling over an evil scheme of Charismemnon to infect angel kind and stopping it in it's tracks before it really got a chance to ratchet up the tension. It all felt a bit tired, not to mention confused.
No tension.
The love story begins with an archangel who fancies a woman who is angel kind's most precious being. A woman so unique and revered that he's afraid to touch her never mind soil her presence with a little rummy pumpy. She shows him different and it should have been the start of a beautiful romance but whereas Sharine is a woman with a mission, Titus never really gets off the page. Who he is at the beginning of the story is who he is at the end of the story. A nice guy. Honourable. A good leader. We are told he fell in love but we aren't shown why he falls in love with her. What changed for him? In comparison Raphael became more human, more vulnerable, more afraid. His heart of stone, his ennui and his cruelty all melted away. He became a man worthy of Elena's love and loyalty. Titus, on the other hand, has to deal with Sharine's mood swings, as she finds herself, and works through her 500 year old nervous breakdown, and her 4400 year old angelic death traumas. That's a lot of baggage for a couple to carry. We're told he loves women because he's got bossy sisters and a great Mum who was a general. In my experience that's enough to make any man head for the hills but no, he got over it by shouting - sorry - booming to be heard over the din of the women. What a guy. He's a little rough around the edges (obviously 3500 years of life aren't enough to teach him diplomacy) but that's ok, he's a good egg.
As I said at the beginning of my review, it could have been a great book. A book about the inner workings of an artist who has suffered the longest nervous breakdown in the history of breakdowns. A book about an African Archangel's court and how different in culture and habits than Raphael's (as we read in Jason's story in India). A book about a man who has peculiar ideas about women, which he classes as lovers or warriors, but whose heart has never been conquered perhaps because of a betrayal or perhaps a hardening of the heart, as Raphael went through, the list is endless. It could have been a book about a miracle child whose creation has added a new species on the planet by making angels and vampires genetically compatible, thereby changing the balance between the species.
But with no plot, no tension in either the love story or the plot and the discrepancies brought up by Sharine's age I was left feeling... meh...a little flat at the end.
From the first moment we were introduced to Elena, Raphael and the world of humans, vampires, angels and archangel’s, we got tantalising glimpses of The Hummingbird. A brilliant, beautiful angel, with a sad mysterious backstory that left her mind broken but who could still entrance the world with her art. We all fell in love with Titus at Elena's block party. Admittedly, no reader imagined these two characters in a future love story, but once Nalini introduced the idea, it seemed a perfect match. The booming gruff romantic Archangel of Africa and the shimmeringly fragile Sharine, mother of our favourite Archangel-to-be Illium. A romance for the ages? No.
Why, I hear you ask.
Three major failures come to mind:
1. No plot
2. No tension
3. Glaring discrepancies
Let me start with the glaring discrepancies. Sharine's age. Is she 4500 years old, 10,000 years old or over 200,000 years old? She can't remember. And here's where the story made no sense. If she's 1000 years older than Titus, then 4400 years ago her heart was broken by the death of her parents when she was 80 and then broken again by the death of Raan about 80 years later (give or take half a century). Fast forward 4000 years to just after the birth of Illium, when Aegeon, broke her completely with his, I'm going into Sleep, stunt. Between traumas 1 and 2 and the final trauma are four millennia of life, love, art. It's a real stretch that she didn't recover from from the first set before being broken by Aegeon acting like an arse. However, if she's a contemporary of Caliane and Alexander (making her over 200,000 years old) then it's even more difficult to believe that this woman hasn't recovered from a couple of tragic deaths that may have scarred her but good grief, the time span alone, would have healed those scars. She would also have gone into a few Sleeps herself to heal. So it begs the question: why was she behaving like some naive debutante with Aegeon? By the time she met him she was over 4000 years old and should not have been so fragile. That question lay heavily over my enjoyment of this story. It nagged and nagged until the whole of Sharine's backstory made no sense. And if her backstory made no sense then her present story with Titus lost it's power.
No Plot.
The Guild Hunter world is a mix of strong character driven stories with some strong plot driven stories. Where the plot is weak, Nalini's character's have usually compensated. But here, we have a being as old as dirt (or not) finding herself again, and an archangel also as old dirt and invincible wandering around the countryside, killing mindless zombies, never once being in any real danger, stumbling over an evil scheme of Charismemnon to infect angel kind and stopping it in it's tracks before it really got a chance to ratchet up the tension. It all felt a bit tired, not to mention confused.
No tension.
The love story begins with an archangel who fancies a woman who is angel kind's most precious being. A woman so unique and revered that he's afraid to touch her never mind soil her presence with a little rummy pumpy. She shows him different and it should have been the start of a beautiful romance but whereas Sharine is a woman with a mission, Titus never really gets off the page. Who he is at the beginning of the story is who he is at the end of the story. A nice guy. Honourable. A good leader. We are told he fell in love but we aren't shown why he falls in love with her. What changed for him? In comparison Raphael became more human, more vulnerable, more afraid. His heart of stone, his ennui and his cruelty all melted away. He became a man worthy of Elena's love and loyalty. Titus, on the other hand, has to deal with Sharine's mood swings, as she finds herself, and works through her 500 year old nervous breakdown, and her 4400 year old angelic death traumas. That's a lot of baggage for a couple to carry. We're told he loves women because he's got bossy sisters and a great Mum who was a general. In my experience that's enough to make any man head for the hills but no, he got over it by shouting - sorry - booming to be heard over the din of the women. What a guy. He's a little rough around the edges (obviously 3500 years of life aren't enough to teach him diplomacy) but that's ok, he's a good egg.
As I said at the beginning of my review, it could have been a great book. A book about the inner workings of an artist who has suffered the longest nervous breakdown in the history of breakdowns. A book about an African Archangel's court and how different in culture and habits than Raphael's (as we read in Jason's story in India). A book about a man who has peculiar ideas about women, which he classes as lovers or warriors, but whose heart has never been conquered perhaps because of a betrayal or perhaps a hardening of the heart, as Raphael went through, the list is endless. It could have been a book about a miracle child whose creation has added a new species on the planet by making angels and vampires genetically compatible, thereby changing the balance between the species.
But with no plot, no tension in either the love story or the plot and the discrepancies brought up by Sharine's age I was left feeling... meh...a little flat at the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2021
Nalini Singh made my heart so happy with this book. The romance is slow and sweet, which is the perfect pace for Titus and Sharine. I always love returning to this world, and it's a nice change of pace when we get a romance besides Elena and Raphael's (even though I do love them). It's the first time we get a story about another Archangel, the Archangel of Africa, who is dealing with the aftermath of war and destruction from ARCHANGEL'S WAR. The romance is a bit of an opposites-attract kind, with the loud, brutish Titus and the once-broken, now healing Sharine. These are two characters who have been in the periphery of the GH series and I loved getting to know more of them.
This newest installment in the GH series isn't quite as exciting or action filled as the last book, but I will say it was a great follow-up to all the chaos from book 12. We get a heartwarming romance filled with banter between two endearing characters and I honestly couldn't have asked for more!
This newest installment in the GH series isn't quite as exciting or action filled as the last book, but I will say it was a great follow-up to all the chaos from book 12. We get a heartwarming romance filled with banter between two endearing characters and I honestly couldn't have asked for more!
March 15, 2021
OMG!!! This was so GOOD!!!
October 24, 2020
This review was originally posted on Addicted To RomanceI received this book for free from Berkley Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Archangel's Sun is a story that follows a bit after "Archangel's War" and even though I know many fans of this series were really disappointed this wasn't Illium's book ---well I was excited LOL Illium's book will come when its the right time for the author and I think more needs to happen before we will see his story...but we did get his mama's book so I am SO not complaining and quite frankly I was so eager for Titus' book, I have adored his character and "booming voice" in the previous books.
In Archangel's Sun the world is still fighting from the consequences of the plans of Lijuan and even though she and her main fighting force are dead....there are still the remnants of her plans to destroy and every territory is fighting to help their people recover. But Titus has it the worst with the least amount of angels and vampires to help fight the scourge. But there is one angel that can help so Raphael and Elena ....a woman who is highly respected in the angel world "Hummingbird" and also the mother of the infamous Illium. Sharine also known as "Hummingbird" has hidden herself away just working her own little world for so long. She was once in love in the beginning but when she lost him she lost a part of herself. But now she is regaining herself and her own identity. So when Raphael asks her to help Titus contain the evil there, Sharine feels its the right time for her now. While fighting evil she also has to fight Titus who has certain "ideas" and must stand her ground, but as Titus and Sharine learn to work together, their relationship takes a surprising turn ....but will they find the balance they need in their tumultuous relationship?
What a story! I have to say that even though this is not my favorite work from Singh or even in the series, not even close actually, I had such a fun time with this one. And quite frankly I just couldn't put this book down at all. I just loved every moment of this book that this author shows in the story. I had my issues with a couple of things, but overall it was such a fun wild ride with these two at the helm of the story. Now I found this pairing to be one of the most unique of pairings that I have really seen from Singh. When I first heard about Sharine and Titus being the couple in this one....I was a bit dumbfounded to be frank. Because these two (at least appearance portrayal) were complete opposites when in reality they make such a perfect team. I absoultely adored seeing them work so well together.
We do see a great journey that Sharine goes on, and boy does she have hidden powers and abilities we just see her coming into her own strength. She has been lost in her art and herself really for so long, that seeing her be strong and vibrant is so breathtaking in so many real moments. But at the same time I struggled with her character. I felt like it came off too strong in some points and especially in her dealings with Titus she could be emotionally abusive. And it just didn't sit right with me at times, really rubbed me the wrong way. Now I am not saying that Titus is perfect because well he is an alpha male so what do you expect? He is going to be aggravating and protective and stubborn. Its in his DNA for crying out loud (hahaha) but no one deserves the treatment she gave him at times. Even though I loved her character, I just can't stand by that.
Another issue I seemed to have with this book was the ending....it disappointed me so much. I like to have my couple being together together and living together and have a HEA....this ending felt more HFN in some ways and I struggle with those endings. I understand some of the why but I couldn't grasp why Sharine felt the need to be away from her man and wouldn't take the "consort" title. Maybe down in future books we will see her make that final commitment to Titus. *crossing fingers*
Overall I found Archangel's Sun to be a thrilling and laugh out loud dialogue that has you eager for more and flipping through the pages as fast as you can read them....a stunning addition to a powerhouse of a series!
Archangel's Sun is a story that follows a bit after "Archangel's War" and even though I know many fans of this series were really disappointed this wasn't Illium's book ---well I was excited LOL Illium's book will come when its the right time for the author and I think more needs to happen before we will see his story...but we did get his mama's book so I am SO not complaining and quite frankly I was so eager for Titus' book, I have adored his character and "booming voice" in the previous books.
In Archangel's Sun the world is still fighting from the consequences of the plans of Lijuan and even though she and her main fighting force are dead....there are still the remnants of her plans to destroy and every territory is fighting to help their people recover. But Titus has it the worst with the least amount of angels and vampires to help fight the scourge. But there is one angel that can help so Raphael and Elena ....a woman who is highly respected in the angel world "Hummingbird" and also the mother of the infamous Illium. Sharine also known as "Hummingbird" has hidden herself away just working her own little world for so long. She was once in love in the beginning but when she lost him she lost a part of herself. But now she is regaining herself and her own identity. So when Raphael asks her to help Titus contain the evil there, Sharine feels its the right time for her now. While fighting evil she also has to fight Titus who has certain "ideas" and must stand her ground, but as Titus and Sharine learn to work together, their relationship takes a surprising turn ....but will they find the balance they need in their tumultuous relationship?
What a story! I have to say that even though this is not my favorite work from Singh or even in the series, not even close actually, I had such a fun time with this one. And quite frankly I just couldn't put this book down at all. I just loved every moment of this book that this author shows in the story. I had my issues with a couple of things, but overall it was such a fun wild ride with these two at the helm of the story. Now I found this pairing to be one of the most unique of pairings that I have really seen from Singh. When I first heard about Sharine and Titus being the couple in this one....I was a bit dumbfounded to be frank. Because these two (at least appearance portrayal) were complete opposites when in reality they make such a perfect team. I absoultely adored seeing them work so well together.
We do see a great journey that Sharine goes on, and boy does she have hidden powers and abilities we just see her coming into her own strength. She has been lost in her art and herself really for so long, that seeing her be strong and vibrant is so breathtaking in so many real moments. But at the same time I struggled with her character. I felt like it came off too strong in some points and especially in her dealings with Titus she could be emotionally abusive. And it just didn't sit right with me at times, really rubbed me the wrong way. Now I am not saying that Titus is perfect because well he is an alpha male so what do you expect? He is going to be aggravating and protective and stubborn. Its in his DNA for crying out loud (hahaha) but no one deserves the treatment she gave him at times. Even though I loved her character, I just can't stand by that.
Another issue I seemed to have with this book was the ending....it disappointed me so much. I like to have my couple being together together and living together and have a HEA....this ending felt more HFN in some ways and I struggle with those endings. I understand some of the why but I couldn't grasp why Sharine felt the need to be away from her man and wouldn't take the "consort" title. Maybe down in future books we will see her make that final commitment to Titus. *crossing fingers*
Overall I found Archangel's Sun to be a thrilling and laugh out loud dialogue that has you eager for more and flipping through the pages as fast as you can read them....a stunning addition to a powerhouse of a series!
December 30, 2022
Still hungover!! Though in my defense it happens with all the books of this author.
Wow...what a pairing and above all we could see and understand the characters from a different angle. I loved the brash, in your face, honorable and strong Archangel Titus. Especially his creative way of cursing the now dead and very deserving Archangel Charisemnon. Infact he is obsessed with both the dead archangel and the heroine hummingbird😄.
And what a character she was! I loved how she rose like a Phoenix for her loved ones, especially Illium. And her hidden mischievous nature, I enjoyed that too.
So many new characters were introduced and I want stories of all of them.
My only regret is that I wanted to read more about them.
Highly recommended.
P.s please don’t pair Aodhan with Suyin.
Wow...what a pairing and above all we could see and understand the characters from a different angle. I loved the brash, in your face, honorable and strong Archangel Titus. Especially his creative way of cursing the now dead and very deserving Archangel Charisemnon. Infact he is obsessed with both the dead archangel and the heroine hummingbird😄.
And what a character she was! I loved how she rose like a Phoenix for her loved ones, especially Illium. And her hidden mischievous nature, I enjoyed that too.
So many new characters were introduced and I want stories of all of them.
My only regret is that I wanted to read more about them.
Highly recommended.
P.s please don’t pair Aodhan with Suyin.
January 2, 2021
Tepid and boring.
November 24, 2020
4.5 Stars
Archangel’s Prophecy steps away from Raphael and Elena as the center and instead focuses on Titus, and Lady Sharine, aka The Hummingbird.
Titus, Archangel of the African Territory, is knee deep in dealing with the havoc created by Lijuan and Charisemnon in their attempt at world domination, and to aid in this Raphael sends The Hummingbird to help. At first Titus is put out because he doesn’t see how The Hummingbird will be any great help. Sure, she’s a renowned artist, her works a thing of beauty, but she’s rumored to be a fragile, fractured being. Titus doesn’t have time to pamper and dance around a woman when his land and people’s survival is at stake.
Ha! I had a feeling Titus was about to get schooled and it was going to be fun!
Lady Sharine was a broken creature for many years, but she’s come a long way. She’s even helped restore order and peace to Lumia, becoming their beloved angelic leader. When Raphael asked her to go to Archangel’s Titus’ aid, she’s eager to help, knowing all the territories desperately need all the help they can get. Yes, she’s spent a lot of her life being occupied by creating beauty, but underneath she’s a capable and powerful woman ready to help her angel-kind recover.
It was inspirational to witness Lady Sharine transform into this strong, powerful angel! Much to Titus shock, she’s no shallow woman, expected to be waited on and coddled. She proves a valuable asset to Titus and his efforts. They compliment each other beautifully. Where he’s often brash and like a bull in china shop with the ones inherited from Charisemnon’s territory, she helps smooth the way between him and his acquired people. A surprisingly, she’s a warrior!
Of course, my favorite part is the romance, and this was a slow burn. First with Titus and Sharine getting to known each other, having their misconceptions cleared away leading to respect and admiration, and then the spark of attraction. I loved seeing Titus fall helplessly for this woman, because the attraction is not only based on the superficial, but the knowing of someone deep down. He’s ignited by passion and want every time they’re together! The same for Sharine, but knowing Titus’ past with women she sort of resigns herself to loving and losing, eventual hurt inevitable.
So much to love about this story! The thrilling fights, the mystery of Charisemnon’s deadly creation, Titus and Sharine’s romance, but I also loved seeing the familial support, and their fun exchanges! Titus with his deadly sisters, and Sharine with her son Illium, and her sort of surrogate sons Aodhan and Raphael.
Archangel’s Sun is book thirteen in the series, and I don’t think this would work well as a standalone, because Titus and Sharine are dealing with the aftermath of the previous two books. I will say that you could go back and read the Raphael/Elena books (there are seven) and then this one and get the full effect. Last year I binged on the Raphael/Elena books, getting through seven of the books in less than three weeks by listening to the audios, which are fantastically performed by Justine Eyre. There are seven Elena/Raphael books, each one having a source of conflict introduced that’s wrapped up by the end, but there’s the continuing story arc of the Archangel’s Prophecy weaved through. The other books in the series are like Archangel’s Sun where it focuses on the story and romance of side characters, like here with Titus and Sharine.
*If you want a more in-depth explanation of the series I explain it a little better in my review of Archangel’s Prophecy HERE. Some of it is a little spoilery, but not more than you’d get reading the book descriptions.
A copy was kindly provided by Berkley in exchange for an honest review.
Archangel’s Prophecy steps away from Raphael and Elena as the center and instead focuses on Titus, and Lady Sharine, aka The Hummingbird.
Titus, Archangel of the African Territory, is knee deep in dealing with the havoc created by Lijuan and Charisemnon in their attempt at world domination, and to aid in this Raphael sends The Hummingbird to help. At first Titus is put out because he doesn’t see how The Hummingbird will be any great help. Sure, she’s a renowned artist, her works a thing of beauty, but she’s rumored to be a fragile, fractured being. Titus doesn’t have time to pamper and dance around a woman when his land and people’s survival is at stake.
Ha! I had a feeling Titus was about to get schooled and it was going to be fun!
Lady Sharine was a broken creature for many years, but she’s come a long way. She’s even helped restore order and peace to Lumia, becoming their beloved angelic leader. When Raphael asked her to go to Archangel’s Titus’ aid, she’s eager to help, knowing all the territories desperately need all the help they can get. Yes, she’s spent a lot of her life being occupied by creating beauty, but underneath she’s a capable and powerful woman ready to help her angel-kind recover.
It was inspirational to witness Lady Sharine transform into this strong, powerful angel! Much to Titus shock, she’s no shallow woman, expected to be waited on and coddled. She proves a valuable asset to Titus and his efforts. They compliment each other beautifully. Where he’s often brash and like a bull in china shop with the ones inherited from Charisemnon’s territory, she helps smooth the way between him and his acquired people. A surprisingly, she’s a warrior!
Of course, my favorite part is the romance, and this was a slow burn. First with Titus and Sharine getting to known each other, having their misconceptions cleared away leading to respect and admiration, and then the spark of attraction. I loved seeing Titus fall helplessly for this woman, because the attraction is not only based on the superficial, but the knowing of someone deep down. He’s ignited by passion and want every time they’re together! The same for Sharine, but knowing Titus’ past with women she sort of resigns herself to loving and losing, eventual hurt inevitable.
So much to love about this story! The thrilling fights, the mystery of Charisemnon’s deadly creation, Titus and Sharine’s romance, but I also loved seeing the familial support, and their fun exchanges! Titus with his deadly sisters, and Sharine with her son Illium, and her sort of surrogate sons Aodhan and Raphael.
Archangel’s Sun is book thirteen in the series, and I don’t think this would work well as a standalone, because Titus and Sharine are dealing with the aftermath of the previous two books. I will say that you could go back and read the Raphael/Elena books (there are seven) and then this one and get the full effect. Last year I binged on the Raphael/Elena books, getting through seven of the books in less than three weeks by listening to the audios, which are fantastically performed by Justine Eyre. There are seven Elena/Raphael books, each one having a source of conflict introduced that’s wrapped up by the end, but there’s the continuing story arc of the Archangel’s Prophecy weaved through. The other books in the series are like Archangel’s Sun where it focuses on the story and romance of side characters, like here with Titus and Sharine.
*If you want a more in-depth explanation of the series I explain it a little better in my review of Archangel’s Prophecy HERE. Some of it is a little spoilery, but not more than you’d get reading the book descriptions.
A copy was kindly provided by Berkley in exchange for an honest review.
November 16, 2020
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
3.5 hearts
Archangel’s Sun is the 13th book in the Guild Hunter series, a series that jumps between a few different couples and a conflict between Angels. The last two books focused on Archangel Raphael and his consort Elena in their war against devastating forces who wanted to perpetrate horrible crimes. Now it is the aftermath of that war and there is still a lot of cleaning up to do.
The Hummingbird, Sharine, is known as a great artist and a broken angel. But she has come out of the fog she lived in for centuries and is starting to pick up all the pieces in her life. Still slightly fragile, she is asked by Raphael to go and help Archangel Titus in his territory of Africa since everyone else is busy with the devastation in their own regions. The Hummingbird is ready to spread her wings and see if she can pull herself even more into the real world for this.
Titus didn’t understand why Raphael would send him the Hummingbird; she is not known for her fighting skills. He didn’t expect the woman that showed up in her place. Where is the broken but wonderful angel he has heard so much about? She isn’t what he expected, but she is definitely what he needed. Never has he thought of claiming a woman for longer than just a tryst, but this woman is one he can see himself being with for much longer.
Besides the romance, which was fun and took some time to gain traction, Titus and Sharine have to deal with new horrors Charisemnon left for them, including a few a new strain of the virus and reborn that are worse than anything seen previously. As they work together, the heat between them banks and grows until it becomes a fire.
This is a series that must be read in order and after the seriousness of the last two books it was nice to have a new love story. Titus is cute as he is trying to woo our hummingbird. There is some seriousness happening but overall the tension is more around the romance than the Angel’s conflict. If you’ve read the rest of the series, there isn’t any reason why this one shouldn’t work for you as well.
Narration:
Justine Eyre is a pro and I love her for this series. She has a dramatic way about her narration that really lends itself well to Romance and PNR. I've enjoyed all of her performances in this series.
Listen to a clip: HERE
Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
3.5 hearts
Archangel’s Sun is the 13th book in the Guild Hunter series, a series that jumps between a few different couples and a conflict between Angels. The last two books focused on Archangel Raphael and his consort Elena in their war against devastating forces who wanted to perpetrate horrible crimes. Now it is the aftermath of that war and there is still a lot of cleaning up to do.
The Hummingbird, Sharine, is known as a great artist and a broken angel. But she has come out of the fog she lived in for centuries and is starting to pick up all the pieces in her life. Still slightly fragile, she is asked by Raphael to go and help Archangel Titus in his territory of Africa since everyone else is busy with the devastation in their own regions. The Hummingbird is ready to spread her wings and see if she can pull herself even more into the real world for this.
Titus didn’t understand why Raphael would send him the Hummingbird; she is not known for her fighting skills. He didn’t expect the woman that showed up in her place. Where is the broken but wonderful angel he has heard so much about? She isn’t what he expected, but she is definitely what he needed. Never has he thought of claiming a woman for longer than just a tryst, but this woman is one he can see himself being with for much longer.
Besides the romance, which was fun and took some time to gain traction, Titus and Sharine have to deal with new horrors Charisemnon left for them, including a few a new strain of the virus and reborn that are worse than anything seen previously. As they work together, the heat between them banks and grows until it becomes a fire.
This is a series that must be read in order and after the seriousness of the last two books it was nice to have a new love story. Titus is cute as he is trying to woo our hummingbird. There is some seriousness happening but overall the tension is more around the romance than the Angel’s conflict. If you’ve read the rest of the series, there isn’t any reason why this one shouldn’t work for you as well.
Narration:
Justine Eyre is a pro and I love her for this series. She has a dramatic way about her narration that really lends itself well to Romance and PNR. I've enjoyed all of her performances in this series.
Listen to a clip: HERE
Read
December 1, 2020APR 7TH 2020: No cover yet, but I just read the blurb for this in NS's latest newsletter...
I know I asked for a novella about what "Titus and his fine ass gets up to" in my review of Archangel's War. And I am beyond stoked both he and his fine ass are getting a full book.
BUT...
But...
but...
This is NOT the love interest I would have imagined for him in a THOUSAND years! I mean, what the actual WHAT Nalini?
P.s. Excuse the screaming. As you noticed, I have feelings about this.
I know I asked for a novella about what "Titus and his fine ass gets up to" in my review of Archangel's War. And I am beyond stoked both he and his fine ass are getting a full book.
BUT...
But...
but...
This is NOT the love interest I would have imagined for him in a THOUSAND years! I mean, what the actual WHAT Nalini?
P.s. Excuse the screaming. As you noticed, I have feelings about this.
December 6, 2020
4 stars
Nalini Singh will always deliver and it's apparent in her latest Guild Hunter book, Archangel's Sun. Deal with aftermath of the battle against Lijuan and Charisemnon from Archangel's War, the world will never be the same. Eerily, this book have some parallel connection with real life condition, especially now that we fight the COVID-19. Of course the reborn problem in Archangel's Sun is a much older cause (from Archangel's Kiss to be in fact), but the way their infection spread, not only affect human and vampire, but angels as well kinda remind me of a virus. I don't mind this part though, for the book is just a fiction and any resemblance to real life events is merely coincidental. Although I can see the inspiration (and what come after).
In my prediction before the book released, I predict Archangel's Sun is about Titus but not sure about his lady love since he's more like a carefree playboy Archangel but with heart. Imagine when knowing his lady love to be is The Hummingbird. The Hummingbird already an integral part of Raphael's inner sanctum from book 3, but all we know is that her mind is so fractured its like she live in her own world. Nalini begin unravel this mysterious Ancient whom is Caliane's close friend (meaning she's VERY OLD), in the Archangel's War when she slowly comes to her senses and become whole once more. I don't know why and how, but I guess it's started when The Cadre assign The Hummingbird to watch over Lumia from the event in Archangel's Heart. Maybe from that time, she begin her process to heal her mind. Mind you, Titus and The Hummingbird pairing chance at first is like...zero, lol. They never crossed path before, and although The Hummingbird is a well known and revered artist by the angelkind, everyone realized about her fractured mind and treat her with almost care. Afraid she will break under pressure. Titus, also think the same. He honor The Hummingbird thoroughly, and God forbid he have any carnal think about her. But somehow, Nalini make it works. She always make us reader believe that she can make any relationship works despite its big difference at first.
The Hummingbird is now almost whole and so she referred herself as Sharine. She also tell anyone to not treat her like she is a china dolls about to break, but to treat her as a normal person. Nalini go into detail why Sharine behave like she is, the cause of her fractured mind. From her loss of her loved ones in a very young age to her separation from Aegaeon. Sharine's sickness is mostly in mental plane, in which she go to her "kaleidoscope", a coping mechanism after the cruelty act that Aegaeon impose to her. Archangel's Sun story is mostly about the character development of Sharine. How she grow, how she try to change to be a good woman and mother. How she want Illium to be proud of her for Illium always care for Sharine even in her worst condition. How she want the world to not see her as the breakable Hummingbird, but a woman of her own, capable to stand of her own feet. Sharine might be Ancient, and you will think Ancient will become stagnant after such old age (like Caliane), but Nalini proved that even Ancient still have more room to grow.
In the opposite, Titus is just...Titus. I mean he do have his character development, but not much. The story mostly describe his capability and duty as Archangel, and his characterization in my opinion didn't need much change like Sharine's. Not that Titus didn't have weakness. Just like his Archangels cohort, he can be arrogant. But Titus is a reasonable and honorable arrogant. He do have a minor "male chauvinistic" moment, a moment that later got scolded by Sharine. Not like Raphael that love warrior woman, for Titus, woman is a woman. To be treasured with, pampered and loved, like a lover did. Nothing wrong with this, even though this kind of perceptive kinda old and maybe didn't sit well if you prefer some equality of sort. But that's just speak volumes about Titus's view of love. He's a playboy through and through, but he respect his lover with respect, just doesn't want to take any consort so he never give promise of forever. So, Titus's character development mostly about his change of heart regarding Sharine. From the Hummingbird that he's put above respect because she's an Ancient, to a woman with new development characters and such bravery that is Sharine. Anyway, it's not that Titus get overshadowed by Sharine. Nalini show his history through letter exchange by Alexander and Titus's mother that describe how Titus become the Archangel like he is now. Also, he have 4 big sister that constantly bicker him (but in love), and all of them are delights.
Titus and Sharine's love is a slow burn of sort even their path crossed in just a few days. I'm glad that Nalini didn't rushed their relationship at start since Sharine just recently find her own footing and Titus seems bewildered to see this new development of Sharine, he constantly accused her of being doppleganger, lol. Their witty banter and bickering is what a highlight of this book, together with their efforts to solve the reborn problem. Sharine show that she is not an ordinary woman, not just merely an artist, but a warrior too in her own right. We will get to know that although Illium's father is an Archangel, his growing power source might be from Sharine. There's so many I didn't know about Sharine and it's a delight when her layers get peeled bit by bit. And it's surprised not only me, but Titus as well, in which he come to see her as equal and want more.
The downside is..maybe the last part when Titus and Sharine realized their love for each other. For me, it's seem little bit tad rushed and like Titus, I just want more. More of Titus and Sharine, more of their love story. Compared to another couple that not Raphael and Elena, Titus and Sharine's love feel much mature and blossoming in a way that even older people (and parents) can still found a new love. I feel like their story is not end yet with the epilogue of Archangel's Sun but maybe will get explored more. I don't mind if Nalini write one or two novella about them again, lol. Since, although Titus and Sharine finally declare their love, their condition and responsibility is still in the way. But don't fret, the happy ending is still guaranteed! My favorite scene is when Titus kiss Sharine and want to go further but Sharine said no, so Titus respect her wishes. Not because Sharine is still the Hummingbird, but Titus respect her as a woman that have opinion of her own. This scene really warm my heart and of course speak volumes of Titus's characterization (beside, consent is SEXY).
For anyone that want to see Aegeaon whipped by Sharine, he got his comeuppance and it's my favorite chapter to date. Like, his reason to leave Sharine didn't make sense at all and I'm glad Sharine didn't fall into Aegaeon's honeyed trap once more. I will balk if Nalini write about Aegaeon find new love after Sharine, because seems like he's un-redeemable. Aegaeon is still a capable and responsible Archangel, but in romantic department, he's suck, so toxic and have twisted perception about love. It will be a long journey for Aegeaon to accept his cowardice and fault, but heh, for now, just bye bye Aegaeon :P.
Nalini said that she still have two more Guild Hunter books to date. I know that many readers still clamored for Illium and Aodhan, but I trust Nalini to deliver what she think the best for her Guild Hunter series. If you think Illium and Aodhan already made amend after their big quarrel, sadly...nope. I just want to wack their heads for they are soo...thick-headed, like is it so hard to just apologize to each other, lol. But, I wished in the future they will become best friend and brother once more. Like Titus that treat Sharine with respect, not as the Hummingbird that easily break, I wish Illium will also accept that Aodhan is much more stronger person now.
Archangel's Sun is not means to be read as stand alone and better to read after Archangel's War. While the story and the grand theme of things is not as epic as it predecessor, Archangel's Sun is not to be missed. The story feel warms, just like the title suggested to be despite the bleak condition that the angelkind face regarding the reborn's infection. It's have some hope, that I think Nalini too hope, with our condition right now, thing will finally getting better in the end.
My first reaction pre-release of Archangel's Sun
Nalini Singh will always deliver and it's apparent in her latest Guild Hunter book, Archangel's Sun. Deal with aftermath of the battle against Lijuan and Charisemnon from Archangel's War, the world will never be the same. Eerily, this book have some parallel connection with real life condition, especially now that we fight the COVID-19. Of course the reborn problem in Archangel's Sun is a much older cause (from Archangel's Kiss to be in fact), but the way their infection spread, not only affect human and vampire, but angels as well kinda remind me of a virus. I don't mind this part though, for the book is just a fiction and any resemblance to real life events is merely coincidental. Although I can see the inspiration (and what come after).
In my prediction before the book released, I predict Archangel's Sun is about Titus but not sure about his lady love since he's more like a carefree playboy Archangel but with heart. Imagine when knowing his lady love to be is The Hummingbird. The Hummingbird already an integral part of Raphael's inner sanctum from book 3, but all we know is that her mind is so fractured its like she live in her own world. Nalini begin unravel this mysterious Ancient whom is Caliane's close friend (meaning she's VERY OLD), in the Archangel's War when she slowly comes to her senses and become whole once more. I don't know why and how, but I guess it's started when The Cadre assign The Hummingbird to watch over Lumia from the event in Archangel's Heart. Maybe from that time, she begin her process to heal her mind. Mind you, Titus and The Hummingbird pairing chance at first is like...zero, lol. They never crossed path before, and although The Hummingbird is a well known and revered artist by the angelkind, everyone realized about her fractured mind and treat her with almost care. Afraid she will break under pressure. Titus, also think the same. He honor The Hummingbird thoroughly, and God forbid he have any carnal think about her. But somehow, Nalini make it works. She always make us reader believe that she can make any relationship works despite its big difference at first.
The Hummingbird is now almost whole and so she referred herself as Sharine. She also tell anyone to not treat her like she is a china dolls about to break, but to treat her as a normal person. Nalini go into detail why Sharine behave like she is, the cause of her fractured mind. From her loss of her loved ones in a very young age to her separation from Aegaeon. Sharine's sickness is mostly in mental plane, in which she go to her "kaleidoscope", a coping mechanism after the cruelty act that Aegaeon impose to her. Archangel's Sun story is mostly about the character development of Sharine. How she grow, how she try to change to be a good woman and mother. How she want Illium to be proud of her for Illium always care for Sharine even in her worst condition. How she want the world to not see her as the breakable Hummingbird, but a woman of her own, capable to stand of her own feet. Sharine might be Ancient, and you will think Ancient will become stagnant after such old age (like Caliane), but Nalini proved that even Ancient still have more room to grow.
In the opposite, Titus is just...Titus. I mean he do have his character development, but not much. The story mostly describe his capability and duty as Archangel, and his characterization in my opinion didn't need much change like Sharine's. Not that Titus didn't have weakness. Just like his Archangels cohort, he can be arrogant. But Titus is a reasonable and honorable arrogant. He do have a minor "male chauvinistic" moment, a moment that later got scolded by Sharine. Not like Raphael that love warrior woman, for Titus, woman is a woman. To be treasured with, pampered and loved, like a lover did. Nothing wrong with this, even though this kind of perceptive kinda old and maybe didn't sit well if you prefer some equality of sort. But that's just speak volumes about Titus's view of love. He's a playboy through and through, but he respect his lover with respect, just doesn't want to take any consort so he never give promise of forever. So, Titus's character development mostly about his change of heart regarding Sharine. From the Hummingbird that he's put above respect because she's an Ancient, to a woman with new development characters and such bravery that is Sharine. Anyway, it's not that Titus get overshadowed by Sharine. Nalini show his history through letter exchange by Alexander and Titus's mother that describe how Titus become the Archangel like he is now. Also, he have 4 big sister that constantly bicker him (but in love), and all of them are delights.
Titus and Sharine's love is a slow burn of sort even their path crossed in just a few days. I'm glad that Nalini didn't rushed their relationship at start since Sharine just recently find her own footing and Titus seems bewildered to see this new development of Sharine, he constantly accused her of being doppleganger, lol. Their witty banter and bickering is what a highlight of this book, together with their efforts to solve the reborn problem. Sharine show that she is not an ordinary woman, not just merely an artist, but a warrior too in her own right. We will get to know that although Illium's father is an Archangel, his growing power source might be from Sharine. There's so many I didn't know about Sharine and it's a delight when her layers get peeled bit by bit. And it's surprised not only me, but Titus as well, in which he come to see her as equal and want more.
The downside is..maybe the last part when Titus and Sharine realized their love for each other. For me, it's seem little bit tad rushed and like Titus, I just want more. More of Titus and Sharine, more of their love story. Compared to another couple that not Raphael and Elena, Titus and Sharine's love feel much mature and blossoming in a way that even older people (and parents) can still found a new love. I feel like their story is not end yet with the epilogue of Archangel's Sun but maybe will get explored more. I don't mind if Nalini write one or two novella about them again, lol. Since, although Titus and Sharine finally declare their love, their condition and responsibility is still in the way. But don't fret, the happy ending is still guaranteed! My favorite scene is when Titus kiss Sharine and want to go further but Sharine said no, so Titus respect her wishes. Not because Sharine is still the Hummingbird, but Titus respect her as a woman that have opinion of her own. This scene really warm my heart and of course speak volumes of Titus's characterization (beside, consent is SEXY).
For anyone that want to see Aegeaon whipped by Sharine, he got his comeuppance and it's my favorite chapter to date. Like, his reason to leave Sharine didn't make sense at all and I'm glad Sharine didn't fall into Aegaeon's honeyed trap once more. I will balk if Nalini write about Aegaeon find new love after Sharine, because seems like he's un-redeemable. Aegaeon is still a capable and responsible Archangel, but in romantic department, he's suck, so toxic and have twisted perception about love. It will be a long journey for Aegeaon to accept his cowardice and fault, but heh, for now, just bye bye Aegaeon :P.
Nalini said that she still have two more Guild Hunter books to date. I know that many readers still clamored for Illium and Aodhan, but I trust Nalini to deliver what she think the best for her Guild Hunter series. If you think Illium and Aodhan already made amend after their big quarrel, sadly...nope. I just want to wack their heads for they are soo...thick-headed, like is it so hard to just apologize to each other, lol. But, I wished in the future they will become best friend and brother once more. Like Titus that treat Sharine with respect, not as the Hummingbird that easily break, I wish Illium will also accept that Aodhan is much more stronger person now.
Archangel's Sun is not means to be read as stand alone and better to read after Archangel's War. While the story and the grand theme of things is not as epic as it predecessor, Archangel's Sun is not to be missed. The story feel warms, just like the title suggested to be despite the bleak condition that the angelkind face regarding the reborn's infection. It's have some hope, that I think Nalini too hope, with our condition right now, thing will finally getting better in the end.
My first reaction pre-release of Archangel's Sun
November 25, 2020
This book was just fine, having all the elements of a PNR and NS signature writing all over it. It was smooth and the story actually interesting. So if there was no romance at all in it, it would still remain something of the book. Gladly it had a romantic relationship and I liked both Sharine and Titus.
The coming part is a Spoiler and speculation:
Although I like all the books in the series, I’m anxiously waiting for Illum’s AND Aodhan’s book!
The coming part is a Spoiler and speculation:
Although I like all the books in the series, I’m anxiously waiting for Illum’s AND Aodhan’s book!
June 19, 2022
The second half was better and carried the book. I wouldn't exactly call this a filler book, as the overall arc of the current storyline moved somewhat forward; but it definitely wasn't as deep as the last few books. First and foremost this was a romance. A good one, mind you, but different in tone from most of the previous books in this series. It caught me a little off guard, because it was more like what you'd find in her Psy/Changeling series.
It was good to see the Hummingbird come back to life after her horrific past, and Titus was a good male lead. A warrior with a tender side. I'm ready for the series to get back on track, though.
It was good to see the Hummingbird come back to life after her horrific past, and Titus was a good male lead. A warrior with a tender side. I'm ready for the series to get back on track, though.
November 25, 2020
3.5/5.0
For all the readers who have been yearning for Illium's book, the story of his mother, the Hummingbird, and the archangel Titus is a bit of a surprise. It ends up being a very nice surprise, however. We know so little of either character that understanding her, her past and her motives, may be tantamount to understanding her son.
The focus of the story deals with the after-effects of the horrific angelic war that destroyed so much of the world. Therefore much of the story revolves around the re-building. We follow Titus, who experienced the worst of the horrific effects of the re-born as well as the results of all Lijean and Charisemnon's experimentation. This story-line is necessary and interesting in the overall arc of the series but it is also a bit slow moving, as all clean-up work is.
The delight in this book is in watching Sharine (The Hummingbird's actual name) grow from a broken woman into a strong and confident power equal to and often exceeding all but the strongest archangels. Her metamorphosis is beautiful, especially as she learns to trust and love again. Much here-to-fore hinted at background is also brought to light and adds the depth and understanding one needs to truly love these characters. The "romance" between Sharine and Titus is lovely but doesn't carry the depth that others have in this series, however. It stays pretty much at surface level.
Overall, the story is a solid installment in this top-notch series. One that continues to show the incredible writing skills and creativity of its author while it gifts the reader with all the awesomeness that is this world and the incredible characters that inhabit it.
For all the readers who have been yearning for Illium's book, the story of his mother, the Hummingbird, and the archangel Titus is a bit of a surprise. It ends up being a very nice surprise, however. We know so little of either character that understanding her, her past and her motives, may be tantamount to understanding her son.
The focus of the story deals with the after-effects of the horrific angelic war that destroyed so much of the world. Therefore much of the story revolves around the re-building. We follow Titus, who experienced the worst of the horrific effects of the re-born as well as the results of all Lijean and Charisemnon's experimentation. This story-line is necessary and interesting in the overall arc of the series but it is also a bit slow moving, as all clean-up work is.
The delight in this book is in watching Sharine (The Hummingbird's actual name) grow from a broken woman into a strong and confident power equal to and often exceeding all but the strongest archangels. Her metamorphosis is beautiful, especially as she learns to trust and love again. Much here-to-fore hinted at background is also brought to light and adds the depth and understanding one needs to truly love these characters. The "romance" between Sharine and Titus is lovely but doesn't carry the depth that others have in this series, however. It stays pretty much at surface level.
Overall, the story is a solid installment in this top-notch series. One that continues to show the incredible writing skills and creativity of its author while it gifts the reader with all the awesomeness that is this world and the incredible characters that inhabit it.
January 28, 2021
Reread: January 2021
ugh my parents-
First Read: November 2020
Oh my goodness, the pairing I never knew I wanted!
I have to say, Titus is hilarious. It was a ride being in his head, honestly, I love him so much. He made me burst out laughing multiple times throughout the story.
And Sharine, Lady Hummingbird... Damn, I also want her to adopt me. ADOPT ME, LADY SHARINE, I BEG YOU. LOVE ME, PLEASE. I adore her a lot, I love that she went head to head with Titus and confused the hell out of him. I got very emotional during her scenes with Illium; her love for her son is so immense and obvious, I'm glad that she found herself again.
I also need to say, reading the sexy scenes is a teensy bit uncomfy because these two are like the parental units in my head, but I survived it anyhoo. After this book, I am open to Nalini Singh writing a book for every Cadre member, yes (but of course, we'll need Illium x Aodhan x Suyin book first, thanks).
Now what do I do?
Pre-read status: we must survive til November!!!!!
ugh my parents-
First Read: November 2020
Oh my goodness, the pairing I never knew I wanted!
I have to say, Titus is hilarious. It was a ride being in his head, honestly, I love him so much. He made me burst out laughing multiple times throughout the story.
And Sharine, Lady Hummingbird... Damn, I also want her to adopt me. ADOPT ME, LADY SHARINE, I BEG YOU. LOVE ME, PLEASE. I adore her a lot, I love that she went head to head with Titus and confused the hell out of him. I got very emotional during her scenes with Illium; her love for her son is so immense and obvious, I'm glad that she found herself again.
I also need to say, reading the sexy scenes is a teensy bit uncomfy because these two are like the parental units in my head, but I survived it anyhoo. After this book, I am open to Nalini Singh writing a book for every Cadre member, yes (but of course, we'll need Illium x Aodhan x Suyin book first, thanks).
Now what do I do?
Pre-read status: we must survive til November!!!!!
November 30, 2020
Spoilers ahead
We begin in the aftermath of the war that led to such devastation and loss, the focus shifts from Raphael's area of NY to Africa and the horrors wrought there by Lujuan's partner in crime the Archangel Charisemnon. Titus is now in charge of the whole of Africa after he killed the previous Archangel. Rebuilding the country has been put on the backburner as Titus and his people battle packs of the reborn daily....in the midst of this fight when Titus desperately needs warriors he's not pleased that the cadre are sending the fragile Lady Hummingbird to him, but the angel who comes to his territory s not the broken and delicate Hummingbird of his memory....instead he's faced with Sharine a woman of strength and sharp tongue who's unafraid to stand up to Titus even with his booming voice. Sharine proves to be exactly what Titus needs as more horrors are unearthed ....it seems Charisemnon wasn't content with infecting mortals and vampires with his disease....he experimented on his own kind too. Exhausted and devastated Titus soon finds himself doing the one thing he never expected....falling for a woman and hoping for a forever
********
Had this been any other series I'd have DNF this book pretty early on, it took quite a while to pick up
Unfortunately I was bored a lot of the time and I struggled to finish this evidenced by the fact that it took me the entire weekend to finish this
However there were brilliant moments in here, amidst the tedium, that reminded me of why I love this series
Sharine was a highlight for me, in all honesty even "knowing" her throughout this series I never expected her story. She has been a fractured and delicate creature for so long I never expected differently and that would've been a disgrace because the absolute best part of this book was seeing Sharine come out of the shadows of her past as Hummingbird and becoming Lady Sharine..... Not quite a warrior but a woman of strength who could more than hold her own. I really enjoyed seeing this side of her, her relationship with Illium and even Aodhan were also beautiful and their interactions brought a smile to my face. Sharine made mistakes with her son but her love for him was absolute! I'd have liked to see the cadre react to this new version of Sharine as all of angelkind had viewed her as delicate for so long
Titus we know as the brash and loudmouthed warrior archangel, he's also very well known for being a lover of women and quite arrogant so imagine my surprise when I fell a little in love with Titus. He was exactly what Sharine needed just as she was what he needed. Their moments together were hilarious as Titus is forced to adjust his perception of Sharine and later sexy and compelling as they gave in to the connection between them....... Plus a chocolate mmc and many chocolate secondary characters!!! Yassssssssssssss
Given my love above why not five stars? I'm sorry but way too much of the book was dedicated to the aftermath of the war and fighting the reborn .....I really struggled through those chapters as they felt so tedious. I wanted much more time with Titus and his Shari, given their long lives lived even though the connection is clear between them the development of the relationship took an unfortunate back burner to the other events in the book... The fact that it ended settled but not concrete didn't help with my dissatisfaction on the relationship front
All in all this wasn't the win I'd hoped for but this is a series I'll be reading until the very end!
***I really really really hope Illium or Aodhan get their books soon.....maybe a mmf?? Lol time will tell
We begin in the aftermath of the war that led to such devastation and loss, the focus shifts from Raphael's area of NY to Africa and the horrors wrought there by Lujuan's partner in crime the Archangel Charisemnon. Titus is now in charge of the whole of Africa after he killed the previous Archangel. Rebuilding the country has been put on the backburner as Titus and his people battle packs of the reborn daily....in the midst of this fight when Titus desperately needs warriors he's not pleased that the cadre are sending the fragile Lady Hummingbird to him, but the angel who comes to his territory s not the broken and delicate Hummingbird of his memory....instead he's faced with Sharine a woman of strength and sharp tongue who's unafraid to stand up to Titus even with his booming voice. Sharine proves to be exactly what Titus needs as more horrors are unearthed ....it seems Charisemnon wasn't content with infecting mortals and vampires with his disease....he experimented on his own kind too. Exhausted and devastated Titus soon finds himself doing the one thing he never expected....falling for a woman and hoping for a forever
********
Had this been any other series I'd have DNF this book pretty early on, it took quite a while to pick up
Unfortunately I was bored a lot of the time and I struggled to finish this evidenced by the fact that it took me the entire weekend to finish this
However there were brilliant moments in here, amidst the tedium, that reminded me of why I love this series
Sharine was a highlight for me, in all honesty even "knowing" her throughout this series I never expected her story. She has been a fractured and delicate creature for so long I never expected differently and that would've been a disgrace because the absolute best part of this book was seeing Sharine come out of the shadows of her past as Hummingbird and becoming Lady Sharine..... Not quite a warrior but a woman of strength who could more than hold her own. I really enjoyed seeing this side of her, her relationship with Illium and even Aodhan were also beautiful and their interactions brought a smile to my face. Sharine made mistakes with her son but her love for him was absolute! I'd have liked to see the cadre react to this new version of Sharine as all of angelkind had viewed her as delicate for so long
Titus we know as the brash and loudmouthed warrior archangel, he's also very well known for being a lover of women and quite arrogant so imagine my surprise when I fell a little in love with Titus. He was exactly what Sharine needed just as she was what he needed. Their moments together were hilarious as Titus is forced to adjust his perception of Sharine and later sexy and compelling as they gave in to the connection between them....... Plus a chocolate mmc and many chocolate secondary characters!!! Yassssssssssssss
Given my love above why not five stars? I'm sorry but way too much of the book was dedicated to the aftermath of the war and fighting the reborn .....I really struggled through those chapters as they felt so tedious. I wanted much more time with Titus and his Shari, given their long lives lived even though the connection is clear between them the development of the relationship took an unfortunate back burner to the other events in the book... The fact that it ended settled but not concrete didn't help with my dissatisfaction on the relationship front
All in all this wasn't the win I'd hoped for but this is a series I'll be reading until the very end!
***I really really really hope Illium or Aodhan get their books soon.....maybe a mmf?? Lol time will tell
December 21, 2020
The hardest reviews to write are books that one liked but didn't love.
As always, I was so happy to return to Nalini's Guild Hunter world. I've been reading these book for so long that they've become a serious comfort place. That being said, Archangel's Sun didn't wow me. While I enjoyed Titus and Sharine, especially their bickering, and learning about such a famous angel I didn't really get into this book until about 50%, and even then I wasn't captivated or loving it until about the last 40-30%.
Overall, the plot was just a touch boring to me. Yes, I love that Nalini is expanding and showing how the world is forever changing, and that although the war is over there are still so many consequences and problems to conquer, but the plot of hunting down and killing reborn felt really repetitive after while. I would say this book felt more like a filler than anything, not awful but also not extremely important, if it weren't for that one very important discovery at the end.
I love that as one reads these series, one can really see how Nalini is always improving as an author, her worlds are forever expanding, the plots get more intricate and complex, and her character / relationship development some of the best (they develop so gradually and naturally, it really helps make her characters and their loves feel real).
The best part of this book was the possible confirmation of the Ship I've been lovingly constructing and protecting for the last four years . I feel like it's all but confirmed but I'm also so so scared to hope.
Overall, it's always fun and amazing to return to one of my favorite worlds with some of my favorite characters, but I didn't love this one as much as I had hoped.
As always, I was so happy to return to Nalini's Guild Hunter world. I've been reading these book for so long that they've become a serious comfort place. That being said, Archangel's Sun didn't wow me. While I enjoyed Titus and Sharine, especially their bickering, and learning about such a famous angel I didn't really get into this book until about 50%, and even then I wasn't captivated or loving it until about the last 40-30%.
Overall, the plot was just a touch boring to me. Yes, I love that Nalini is expanding and showing how the world is forever changing, and that although the war is over there are still so many consequences and problems to conquer, but the plot of hunting down and killing reborn felt really repetitive after while. I would say this book felt more like a filler than anything, not awful but also not extremely important, if it weren't for that one very important discovery at the end.
I love that as one reads these series, one can really see how Nalini is always improving as an author, her worlds are forever expanding, the plots get more intricate and complex, and her character / relationship development some of the best (they develop so gradually and naturally, it really helps make her characters and their loves feel real).
The best part of this book was the possible confirmation of the Ship I've been lovingly constructing and protecting for the last four years . I feel like it's all but confirmed but I'm also so so scared to hope.
Overall, it's always fun and amazing to return to one of my favorite worlds with some of my favorite characters, but I didn't love this one as much as I had hoped.
January 11, 2021
While nobody will ever come close to Raphael and Elena *though there is a potential pairing I'm waiting for 👀*, I have loved every single couple in this series. Titus and Sharine were no exception! ❤
I never get tired of this world. Bring on the next!
I never get tired of this world. Bring on the next!
December 30, 2020
Thirteen books and this book is still going strong.
Phew, I am glad that the Cascade is over and we can move on now. When such a major event is over, who should be the next characters to move on to? I expected everyone else but not Archangel Titus and an Ancient, The Hummingbird, Sharine.
The Archangel of Disease, Charisemnon is dead and the Archangel of Africa Titus has taken over the continent to clear up the mess of the Reborn, only they have mutated. Due to having four sisters he is loud and his booming voice scares everyone away.
So the Cadre send a secret weapon, the Hummingbird, Ilium's mother.
The Hummingbird's mind fractured a long time ago and it has taken her years to come back but she also doesn't want to be that fragile person anymore. She wants to be Sharine so she takes on the job of helping Titus, only he expected a gentle, fragile woman and got Sharine instead.
I thought I wouldn't be a huge Titus fan but I was wrong under all that brashness and intimidation lies a big soft teddy bear. He is loyal to the bone and is a great character. I absolutley adored Sharine and hope to see more of her when the series continues. These two are perfect for one another, they bait and aggrevate one another but that is what makes them a great couple.
Ms. Singh IMO writes magic and here it is no different. The romance isn't that strong in this book but that is exactly the way I want it.
Phew, I am glad that the Cascade is over and we can move on now. When such a major event is over, who should be the next characters to move on to? I expected everyone else but not Archangel Titus and an Ancient, The Hummingbird, Sharine.
The Archangel of Disease, Charisemnon is dead and the Archangel of Africa Titus has taken over the continent to clear up the mess of the Reborn, only they have mutated. Due to having four sisters he is loud and his booming voice scares everyone away.
So the Cadre send a secret weapon, the Hummingbird, Ilium's mother.
The Hummingbird's mind fractured a long time ago and it has taken her years to come back but she also doesn't want to be that fragile person anymore. She wants to be Sharine so she takes on the job of helping Titus, only he expected a gentle, fragile woman and got Sharine instead.
I thought I wouldn't be a huge Titus fan but I was wrong under all that brashness and intimidation lies a big soft teddy bear. He is loyal to the bone and is a great character. I absolutley adored Sharine and hope to see more of her when the series continues. These two are perfect for one another, they bait and aggrevate one another but that is what makes them a great couple.
Ms. Singh IMO writes magic and here it is no different. The romance isn't that strong in this book but that is exactly the way I want it.
November 28, 2020
Archangel Titus and the Hummingbird? I can safely say that was a combination I wasn't expecting as they - up until now - have been minor characters in the Guild Hunter universe.
But it worked out so well. Titus and his lady Hummingbird are now my favorite couple - aside from Elena and Raphael of course.
I was hoping we would be done with the reborn when archangel Lijuan died but sadly that wasn’t to be. Good thing the couple made this book worthwhile. I fell hard for Titus when he danced his way into my - and mortal women’s- hearts at the NY block party. This man with his booming voice and warrior ways, this elephant in a China shop seemed such a poor choice for Illium’s artistically inclined, broken mother...
... and Titus was very aware of it. This made for some great interactions between Sharine and the archangel of Africa. All in all, it was very enjoyable to see Sharine regain her confidence, considering the past she’s lived through. AND she finally get to to confront one of her former abusers in a way the lily livered peacock deserved 😉
Speaking of the past. The flashbacks, in letter form and painfully fresh memories, were some of my favorite parts of the story. Particularly that of Titus, as Sharine’s story was too sad to be really enjoyable. This is the first book where we delve more into angelic families. We’ve seen snippets, but for a race of immortals, a great deal of them seem to lack close family members. Titus, on the other hand, is blessed with quite a few, and it was fun to see the big, scary archangel being steamrolled by his older sisters - and (secretly, grudgingly) loving it.
If I were to criticize anything, it would be the seeming ease with which Sharine transitioned from a broken angel into a fully functioning member of angel society after so long, but it’s a minor thing for me.
The Illium and Aeodhan situation: I get it, the lines are drawn and a lot of fans are craving an M/M romance, even going so far as to threaten to quit the by story if they don’t become an item.
I’m sorry, but I just don’t see this as anything other than a deep and beautiful friendship between two twin souls and I would be very disappointed if Nalini changed this into a M/M romance just to appease her blood fans who throw tantrums - and just for the sake of LGBTQ representation. Yes, Illium could be bi, but the love of his life was a mortal woman. Raphael has admitted that Illium likes his women “submissive” (Ha! The keyword being women - not submissive as I’m pretty sure that’s Raphael’s jealousy speaking)
While I’ve collected and enjoyed quite a few same sex romances over the years, I will definitely suspect unpleasantly strong fan pressure if these two fan favorites become an item, so yeah, not a fan. There are other angels to explore in that respect. Keir being one of them.
I’d love to give this book five stars, and probably would have done so if it had not been for Sharine’s IMO unexplained/ far too easy recovery after so long.
I’ll reread this book at some point so my rating may be subject to change.
But it worked out so well. Titus and his lady Hummingbird are now my favorite couple - aside from Elena and Raphael of course.
I was hoping we would be done with the reborn when archangel Lijuan died but sadly that wasn’t to be. Good thing the couple made this book worthwhile. I fell hard for Titus when he danced his way into my - and mortal women’s- hearts at the NY block party. This man with his booming voice and warrior ways, this elephant in a China shop seemed such a poor choice for Illium’s artistically inclined, broken mother...
... and Titus was very aware of it. This made for some great interactions between Sharine and the archangel of Africa. All in all, it was very enjoyable to see Sharine regain her confidence, considering the past she’s lived through. AND she finally get to to confront one of her former abusers in a way the lily livered peacock deserved 😉
Speaking of the past. The flashbacks, in letter form and painfully fresh memories, were some of my favorite parts of the story. Particularly that of Titus, as Sharine’s story was too sad to be really enjoyable. This is the first book where we delve more into angelic families. We’ve seen snippets, but for a race of immortals, a great deal of them seem to lack close family members. Titus, on the other hand, is blessed with quite a few, and it was fun to see the big, scary archangel being steamrolled by his older sisters - and (secretly, grudgingly) loving it.
If I were to criticize anything, it would be the seeming ease with which Sharine transitioned from a broken angel into a fully functioning member of angel society after so long, but it’s a minor thing for me.
The Illium and Aeodhan situation: I get it, the lines are drawn and a lot of fans are craving an M/M romance, even going so far as to threaten to quit the by story if they don’t become an item.
I’m sorry, but I just don’t see this as anything other than a deep and beautiful friendship between two twin souls and I would be very disappointed if Nalini changed this into a M/M romance just to appease her blood fans who throw tantrums - and just for the sake of LGBTQ representation. Yes, Illium could be bi, but the love of his life was a mortal woman. Raphael has admitted that Illium likes his women “submissive” (Ha! The keyword being women - not submissive as I’m pretty sure that’s Raphael’s jealousy speaking)
While I’ve collected and enjoyed quite a few same sex romances over the years, I will definitely suspect unpleasantly strong fan pressure if these two fan favorites become an item, so yeah, not a fan. There are other angels to explore in that respect. Keir being one of them.
I’d love to give this book five stars, and probably would have done so if it had not been for Sharine’s IMO unexplained/ far too easy recovery after so long.
I’ll reread this book at some point so my rating may be subject to change.
December 19, 2020
5 Suns and Stars
Nalini Singh's books are an auto-buy for me.
When she announced her new book about Titus and the Hummingbird, I admit I hesitated. I never gave them any real thought. Titus was this huge, boisterous Archangel. Yeah, ok... And the Hummingbird, the reclusive, broken artist, mother to our beloved Ilium, well.... you get my meaning. I didn't even remember that her name was Sharine. When first-mentioned in the book, I was like.. "Huh? Sharine, who?"
I couldn't see the story behind them. The connection.
But Nalini did. Oh boy, she did...
Previously
The world almost came to an end. The Cascade almost tore everyone apart. Now only 7 Archangels, wartorn, injured, weary and some wet behind the ears, are left to pick up the pieces and rebuilt. To heal.
Now
Titus, now the Archangel of whole Africa, has the most problems. Not only has to rebuild but also has to fight a damn horde of zombies. That may or may not infect angels. And who does the Cadre send in to help him? The Hummingbird.
Sharine, now in charge of Lumia, knows how is it to live with the past on your shoulders and how to pick up the pieces and learn to live again. An Ancient outside angel's hierarchy, respected from everyone but so damn tired to live on the fringe of the world.
The result is an exciting and almost lyrical story in the unique style that Nalini has. The rich backstory of these two, the Angelkind its mythology, stories and complex relationships, the new twists and turns, the glimpses of our beloved Ilium and Aodhan, all add to a great story in Nalini Singh's Guild Hunter's universe. A story about unseen and unthought forces that turn the tide in a war, about love, healing, chances and eons of living. And truly who can resist bloody Angels???
Nalini Singh's books are an auto-buy for me.
When she announced her new book about Titus and the Hummingbird, I admit I hesitated. I never gave them any real thought. Titus was this huge, boisterous Archangel. Yeah, ok... And the Hummingbird, the reclusive, broken artist, mother to our beloved Ilium, well.... you get my meaning. I didn't even remember that her name was Sharine. When first-mentioned in the book, I was like.. "Huh? Sharine, who?"
I couldn't see the story behind them. The connection.
But Nalini did. Oh boy, she did...
Previously
The world almost came to an end. The Cascade almost tore everyone apart. Now only 7 Archangels, wartorn, injured, weary and some wet behind the ears, are left to pick up the pieces and rebuilt. To heal.
Now
Titus, now the Archangel of whole Africa, has the most problems. Not only has to rebuild but also has to fight a damn horde of zombies. That may or may not infect angels. And who does the Cadre send in to help him? The Hummingbird.
Sharine, now in charge of Lumia, knows how is it to live with the past on your shoulders and how to pick up the pieces and learn to live again. An Ancient outside angel's hierarchy, respected from everyone but so damn tired to live on the fringe of the world.
The result is an exciting and almost lyrical story in the unique style that Nalini has. The rich backstory of these two, the Angelkind its mythology, stories and complex relationships, the new twists and turns, the glimpses of our beloved Ilium and Aodhan, all add to a great story in Nalini Singh's Guild Hunter's universe. A story about unseen and unthought forces that turn the tide in a war, about love, healing, chances and eons of living. And truly who can resist bloody Angels???
November 24, 2020
Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Seriously, Nalini, when are we getting Illium and Aodhan? ARE we getting Illium and Aodhan? The suspense is killing me. Now we're getting Illium's MOM before we get Illium??? *sigh*
Bitterness in regards to whom the book is about aside, this was another good entry into the series. I've liked Titus in the other books, so I was interested in where his story would go. I also adore Sharine/The Hummingbird. We got more of her backstory and why she was broken, and we got to see her as she closes some of those wounds and allows them to heal.
I didn't feel like there was a bad guy in this one or something that needed resolving other than the relationship building, so I couldn't give it five stars.
Overall, I enjoy this series, this world, and the characters I've grown to love. But I do so desperately want to know if we will get Illium and Aodhan... together.
Seriously, Nalini, when are we getting Illium and Aodhan? ARE we getting Illium and Aodhan? The suspense is killing me. Now we're getting Illium's MOM before we get Illium??? *sigh*
Bitterness in regards to whom the book is about aside, this was another good entry into the series. I've liked Titus in the other books, so I was interested in where his story would go. I also adore Sharine/The Hummingbird. We got more of her backstory and why she was broken, and we got to see her as she closes some of those wounds and allows them to heal.
I didn't feel like there was a bad guy in this one or something that needed resolving other than the relationship building, so I couldn't give it five stars.
Overall, I enjoy this series, this world, and the characters I've grown to love. But I do so desperately want to know if we will get Illium and Aodhan... together.
January 4, 2024
Normalde mantık dışı sayılarda fark olan age gap sevmem ama fantastiklerde bunun alasını yaşıyoruz aslında ve bu hiç de sorun değil 😂Bir de burda kadın karakter büyük olan, bin küsur falan 😅 Ama görüntüsü genç kız gibi olduğu için okuyup geçtik o kısmı. Tuhaf 🤣
Titus ve Sharine aklıma gelen bir çift değildi kesinlikle. Birisi savaşçı bir başmelek diğeri kendi dünyasında kaybolmuş sanatçı bir kadim. Öncesinde bir etkileşimleri falan da olmamıştı... Illium öncesi sanırım annesinin durumunu düzeltmek istedi yazar.
Bir önceki kitap kıyamet yeriydi resmen. Hastalık, kaos, savaş, depremler, seller... Savaş bitmiş ama yıkımlar, hastalık ve kayıplar hâlâ ortadadır. Herkes kendi bölgesini ayağa kaldırma peşinde. Titus ise Afrika'da yeni doğanlarla uğraşıyor. Bölgesi birde iki katına çıkınca işi hepten zordur. Kan ve etle beslenen, aklı olmayan, gözü dönmüş yenidoğanlar oldukça yıkıcı bir etkiye sahiptir. Destek olarak gelen kişi ise Sharine'dir.
Sharine daha en saf ve savunmasız zamanında bir kaç kayıp yaşamış. Önce sevdiği adam sonra ebeveynleri...Zihninde sürekli hepsi senin suçun diyen bir ses. Psikolojik olarak kendi içinde bir dünyaya hapsolması kaçınılmaz olmuş. Ama artık kendine gelmeye başlar. Herkesin saygı duyduğu sanatçı kişilikten irade sahibi, bıçak kullanan birine dönüşme adımları atar.
Kendini bulma adımları atıp özgürleştirici hissetmeye başladığında, kadınları korunup kollanacak bireyler olarak gören Titus ile ipler biraz gerginleşir.
İlişkileri nasıl desem... Titus'un daha ateşli ve bir anda parlar tavrına, daha sakinleştirici ve uzlaşmacı tavrıyla Sharine zıtlardı. Sharine sanki yaramaz bir çocuğun gönlü hoş olsun diye alttan aldığı sahneler komikti açıkçası 😅Titus ve ablaları ile olan diyaloglar da iyiydi.
Bunun dışında bir kaç detay dışında çok sakindi kitap. Savaş sonrası etrafı toparlamak ve bir sonraki adım için basamak olarak kullanılmış sanki. Sharine ve Titus için harika ama gerekliliği tartışılır.
Titus ve Sharine aklıma gelen bir çift değildi kesinlikle. Birisi savaşçı bir başmelek diğeri kendi dünyasında kaybolmuş sanatçı bir kadim. Öncesinde bir etkileşimleri falan da olmamıştı... Illium öncesi sanırım annesinin durumunu düzeltmek istedi yazar.
Bir önceki kitap kıyamet yeriydi resmen. Hastalık, kaos, savaş, depremler, seller... Savaş bitmiş ama yıkımlar, hastalık ve kayıplar hâlâ ortadadır. Herkes kendi bölgesini ayağa kaldırma peşinde. Titus ise Afrika'da yeni doğanlarla uğraşıyor. Bölgesi birde iki katına çıkınca işi hepten zordur. Kan ve etle beslenen, aklı olmayan, gözü dönmüş yenidoğanlar oldukça yıkıcı bir etkiye sahiptir. Destek olarak gelen kişi ise Sharine'dir.
Sharine daha en saf ve savunmasız zamanında bir kaç kayıp yaşamış. Önce sevdiği adam sonra ebeveynleri...Zihninde sürekli hepsi senin suçun diyen bir ses. Psikolojik olarak kendi içinde bir dünyaya hapsolması kaçınılmaz olmuş. Ama artık kendine gelmeye başlar. Herkesin saygı duyduğu sanatçı kişilikten irade sahibi, bıçak kullanan birine dönüşme adımları atar.
Kendini bulma adımları atıp özgürleştirici hissetmeye başladığında, kadınları korunup kollanacak bireyler olarak gören Titus ile ipler biraz gerginleşir.
İlişkileri nasıl desem... Titus'un daha ateşli ve bir anda parlar tavrına, daha sakinleştirici ve uzlaşmacı tavrıyla Sharine zıtlardı. Sharine sanki yaramaz bir çocuğun gönlü hoş olsun diye alttan aldığı sahneler komikti açıkçası 😅Titus ve ablaları ile olan diyaloglar da iyiydi.
Bunun dışında bir kaç detay dışında çok sakindi kitap. Savaş sonrası etrafı toparlamak ve bir sonraki adım için basamak olarak kullanılmış sanki. Sharine ve Titus için harika ama gerekliliği tartışılır.
May 8, 2024
Um that had ZERO BUSINESS BEING SO CUTE AND GOOD
I wasn't expecting that AT ALL.
Shari is my second favorite FMC in the guild hunters series.
- healing from a mental breakdown & from a life of subtle grooming (lol so relatable)
- self discovery
-feet kicking giggles romance
-women with BACKBONE
- there's something so fascinating about reading about a woman who is a few thousand years old.
Realistically it had the least plot of any of the others but l was entertained THE WHOLE TIME
UGH.
Now on to her sons book. Pray for me I might not survive.
I wasn't expecting that AT ALL.
Shari is my second favorite FMC in the guild hunters series.
- healing from a mental breakdown & from a life of subtle grooming (lol so relatable)
- self discovery
-feet kicking giggles romance
-women with BACKBONE
- there's something so fascinating about reading about a woman who is a few thousand years old.
Realistically it had the least plot of any of the others but l was entertained THE WHOLE TIME
UGH.
Now on to her sons book. Pray for me I might not survive.
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