Ren Puspita's Reviews > Archangel's Sun

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

(view spoiler)[ UPDATE: It's TITUS's book, guyyyys!!!!

Also the lucky lady is The Hummingbird aka Sharine. Well, didn't see that coming, though, lololol. Even I remember that Nalini write about Sharine to look over Luminata's closest village and the location is now under Titus's jurisdiction.

Also, if you think she will go back to Aegaeon, I have an UGH moment here. Aegaeon seems like a jerk. Sharine really, really deserve a better man compared to Aegaeon


No clue about the characters, except that this book will not about Elena & Raphael (Aren't their story arc already concluded in Archangel's War? Even tough any Elena & Raphael's book is always welcome <3) or any of the Seven (that left only Illium and Aodhan). So the sun kinda pointed to either Titus (because his territory is in Africa, the land of the sun) or Alexander (he's blond and radiant, so...)

Many theories, one of them is Alexander will be with Zanaya (consider her latest condition in War..seems unlikely) or with Caliane. But eh, for the later, is it Alex and Caliane only a comrade? Also even though "friend to lover" trope is my catnip, I see that Caliane deeply love Nadiel, so I'm not ready for that. Beside, stop wishing Nadiel to come back to life, lol. He already dead, burned by Caliane for only archangel can kill another archangel.

Then, if this book really about Titus, I can't wait for the fortunate person that will receive his love. Titus is one of my favorite archangel! ^^ (hide spoiler)]