ANGELS’ BLOOD (The Guild Hunters #1) by Nalini Singh-a review

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ANGELS’ BLOOD by Nalini Singh-a review

The Reading Cafe begins our salute to paranormal author Nalini Singh. Over the next several days, we will offer several reviews from her Psy-Changeling series as well as her Guild Hunters series.

ANGELS’ BLOOD by Nalini Singh

ANGELS’ BLOOD is the first book in Nalini Singh’s The Guild Hunter series. Written in the Urban Fantasy genre, Angel’s Blood introduces an exciting cast of characters including hunters, archangels, angels and vampires. A little darker and more violent then some paranormal, fantasy or urban fantasy storylines, Angel’s Blood is a great premiere for The Guild Hunter series.

Elena Devereaux is one of the best rogue ‘vampire’ hunters that the guild employs, but when the Archangel Raphael petitions specifically for Elena, she knows this is one job she cannot refuse. Raphael’s authority and power is never questioned. But when a series of grizzly murders points to the Archangel Uram, Elena’s abilities to hunt and track vampires, tops the list of hunters required to bring the ‘bloodborn’ Archangel to justice. With the ability to ‘sense and scent’ her prey, Raphael demands that Elena use her powers to track his one-time friend.

Throughout the storyline we meet the Cadre of 10 – the most powerful Archangels and the group of 7 (angels and vampires), who answer to and work for Raphael. Vampires are made, when an Archangel chooses to save a human life, or someone requests immortality, but payment is steep. Newly made vampires must serve their sire and when a vampire goes ‘rogue’, one of the Guild Hunters is called in to retrieve and return to their maker.

As the story progresses Nalini offers up a rather dark side of the paranormal, urban fantasy genre. Her description of the gruesome scenes, following Uram’s attacks, is unsettling, but a necessary part of the story. As humans, we have become isolated and distanced from violence and death by the media, but to bring forth a ‘serial’ murderer in the form of a rogue archangel is something only an author can put onto the pages.

Raphael’s need for Elena grows personal when he realizes that he is more than attracted to the vampire hunter. He uses every opportunity to seduce the huntress including his voice, his telepathic abilities to weave sexual scenarios as well as the taste of ‘ambrosia-like’ angel dust. Elena is not immune to the sexual seductions of both the Archangel Raphael as well as his ‘number one’ Dmitri, but she realizes that to remain strong, she must also, play along with their games. But in the end, the attraction between Elena and Raphael sets the stage for a personal confrontation that could lead to death for one or both. Raphael’s ‘little bit of humanity’ and Elena’s lack of immortality will result in a frightening final battle with Uram, leaving more than one Archangel bloody and dead, and a new angel re-born to a life with another.

Angels’ Blood is an interesting story. Archangels sire vampires, who in turn manifest some of the inherent anomalies likened to their sires. The struggle for power between the different Archangels as well as the hierarchy of vampire guardians and warriors, results in a different kind of storyline that will leave you wanting more.

reviewed by Sandy

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15 thoughts on “ANGELS’ BLOOD (The Guild Hunters #1) by Nalini Singh-a review”

  2. great review, Sandy. I have this series on my kindle to read someday when i find time. lol But I have read all of her Psy/Changeling and love Nalini’s style of writing.

  3. MaryAnn, trust me, Nalini’s Psy/Changeling is at the top of some of my favorite series, which includes the Dark series. it is that good. but wait for some of my reviews. Can’t wait for Sandy’s next Guild review, as since I love her other series, this has to be good too.

  4. This is a great review. This series was hard for me to read, because of the behavior of the Angels. Sorry, it’s hard to go against childhood training! It is an excellent novel though….,i enjoyed it!!

    • I think it’s BECAUSE they’re angels that I’m rather intrigued. Is that gross? LOL. I am trying to decide which Singh series to start first?! Joan said I would LOVE the Psy series, and I’m sure I will, but Sandy just reignited my interest in the angels. Hmmm….

      • Carmen I want to read the guild hunter series, but if you had to choose first. Psy/Changeling. One of the best series i have ever read. totally awesome, and those shapeshifters….umm to paraphrase some i know…Swoonworthy. lol

  5. I have to agree with Jules regardng childhood training and beliefs. Interesting concept of Angels/Vampires working together. Not really into Urban Fantasy but I may have to give this one a try.

  6. OMG Nalini Singh ROCKS i just love her books so i have to agree with Barb on this one .Nalini books are a must read i have read them all and i just wish she could write faster lol ,OK i get a little excited but i guess we all have our fav. authors and as you can tell Nalini is one of mine .Give her books a try you might be suprised i was . :~)

  7. Great review , Sandy… I read this one quite a few months ago… After reading her Psy/Changeling series, I wasn’t so keen on this one but it started to grow on me by the middle of the book… Now… I think I like the 4th book best… Talk about bad@ss vampire… 🙂

  8. Great review Sandy. I have this series down on my list to read but I don’t know when I’ll get to it. It’s thanks to you and past reviews of this author and series that I’ve added it to my ever growing list. Oy Vey, it’s never going to shrink is it?????

  9. Great review!! This series and her Psy/Changeling series are on my TBR list!! I do believe that I will start with the Psy/Changeling when I get to her books though!! Barb’s comments have always spurred me on into reading it!!!

  10. Pingback: Archangel’s Shadows by Nalini Singh – Dual Review & Giveaway | The Reading Cafe

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