This is my first book my Nalini Singh and I have to say that it was a great read and I will make a point to look for other books by her. Archangel's Viper is the story of Holly and Venom . Holly was transformed into something, what exactly? No one really knows, she and her friends were kidnapped and Holly somehow survived but at a great cost. Venom is the vampire who is suppose to train her and help her, but Venom has a strange way of setting Holly off and she really enjoys needling him, but Holly's attack is still affecting her life as now someone has set a bounty on her head and it is up to Holly and Venom to figure out who wants her and to figure out what was done to her and if she can survive. This was a wonderful story, I love the characters and can't wait to read more on all these characters!

What a great series! It just keeps getting more complex and addictive and entertaining. The way Nalini weaves these worlds, they completely pull you in. It is as if you are part of the story. Every character brings something new and I absolutely love each one. I am always excited to read more from Nalini Singh.

My review ran on dearauthor.com on September 26, 2017. You can find it here: http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/overall-b-reviews/b-minus-reviews/review-archangels-viper-by-nalini-singh/

Sometimes a 10th book in a series lacks the freshness of the 1st or 2nd. Not so with Archangel's Viper. This was a wonderfully paced, fun story about Viper and Holly Chang who we met in the very first Guild Hunter book. I enjoyed this one from beginning to end but be sure to read the others in the series first or the story will not be as enjoyable.

While I have a softspot for this series, Venom is my least favorite of the Seven. I was super excited to get reading and see that Holly is reclaiming her body and name - no more Sorrow! I was less excited to keep reading and have so many questions for previous series titles continue to go unanswered (Aodhan, the Legion, Lijuan, etc). While Holly's background and seeing her grow stronger was great, the romance between the two fell short. While it was obvious to pair the two together, I wanted a little more of their courtship! That said, as with every other title in this series, I will read and re-read :)

Viper has been a mysterious member of Raphael’s Seven throughout the series for me. His appearances are few and you don’t learn a lot about him. Archangel’s Viper brings him out and shows us just who this snake-eyed viper is. He is lethal, but he possesses a sly, teasing side when it comes to Holly. I know he was one of the first “babysitters” she had after her initial turning, so they have a relationship where he loves to tease her and she loves to tell him where to shove it.

Holly does lots of complaining and cursing about this man who likes to push all her buttons, but there is a connection there. Even if it’s just that they are both “different” from regular vampires. Holly has grown a lot since that girl rejecting everything around her and calling herself “Sorrow”. She’s begun to take control of her life. Or so she seems to be, while she is also hiding a dark secret. Her character is sarcastic and fun, even when she’s trying to be a pain in the ass to Viper. She also has a vulnerable side. Holly berry has a lot going on inside that little body of hers.

Archangel’s Viper starts out with a mission of finding who has put a hit out on Holly. However, some of Holly’s secrets have begun to emerge and those become high priority to the Tower. We get to go on a trip to try and settle the thing growing inside of Holly. To find out what is behind it. I love these trips Nalini Singh takes us on where we are sneaking in and out of territories. We are always left on the edge of our seats wondering when that one little move is going to set off alarm bells.

What Holly and Viper find is just beyond what I could have imagined. I was totally surprised and then confused on how the story was going to play out. I was hooked, fascinated by the way the story developed. My imagination kept running ahead trying to figure out just how this was all going to work!

Archangel’s Viper was a fun and mysterious adventure into unknown territory. I loved the development of Viper and Holly’s relationship, how they slowly became each other’s one and only. I knew they felt deeply to be able to tease and grouch at each other the way they did, but when it developed deeper, Viper became a completely different person. His past comes to light and you see him so differently. His story is kind of what Holly needed to come to terms with herself.

Nalili Singh has been an auto buy author for me from the moment I read the very first book in the Guild Hunter series. I adore the Psy-Changeling series, but have to say the Guild Hunter series has always had an extra special place in my heart, as I started with that series when I first read Nalini's books.

With Archangel's Viper, we finally got Venom's book, although it was every bit as much Holly's story as Venom's, maybe even more. I'll admit I've been intrigued by Holly since she was first discovered and absolutely loved the connection between Holly and Venom. I loved they both seemed to recognize the otherness in each other. I also loved Holly and Venom were friends before they moved their relationship into anything romantic.

I didn't love at all the possibility of Uram possibly being reincarnated, but did love as each of Holly's abilities came to light, we learned more about her past, and even got to learn more about Venom along the way. I did think the bounty and possible kidnapping issues that started at the beginning of the story, just kind of went away too fast.

I loved the slow build to romance between Venom and Holly. With Holly's history, I didn't think it would fit for them to rush into a physical relationship. I loved how strong their friendship was and the fact that Venom understood Holly in a way that really no one else did. I felt like there was a trust between them and loved how they played together and with each other. I found their romance really worked for me at the pace it happened.

Part of what I love about the Guild Hunter series is getting time with so many of my favorite characters in each book. While I didn't get time with Elena in this book, and very little time with Raphael, I did get time with Bluebell and really hope we soon will finally get his book.

Archangel's Viper was another wonderful addition to the Guild Hunter series. Once again there was wonderful world building to the series and I really can't wait to see where Ms. Singh takes the series with the next book.


Rating: 4 Stars (A-)

Let me start off by saying that I haven't read any of the other books in the series so I was confused on the world and characters relationships and development.
I read the blurb before seeing the cover and I think if it had been the other way around then I may not have chose the book. I don't like the model and I don't think he represents the character but each to their own.
Even though I got confused as to the world/ characters sometimes, I really enjoyed Holly and Venons relationship, they seem like old friends. Insulting each other in that special way friends do. I liked the way Holly and Venoms relationship progressed throughout the book. They understand each other.
The story was action packed and pulled you in from page 1. I seriously need to go back and read the rest of the series from the beginning. I think my rating would of been higher if I had.
Review copy received through Netgalley.

REVIEW PROVIDED BY: Kelly
NUMBER OF HEARTS: 5
Holly and Venom’s story is one of heartbreak and healing! I loved every minute of it. It was great to get to know Venom better and learn more about his history. It was heartbreaking to learn more about all the Holly had to survive from her attack. But these two together were great!! The banter between Holly & Venom had me cracking up. While Archangel’s Viper really focused on Holly’s journey to health. Her journey would not have gone smoothly without a certain viper by her side.

As always I let the amazingly talented Justine Eyre read this story to me. Ms. Eyre so talented with her ability to have so many voices she can lend to this series. I love being able to listen to an audiobook and just know who is talking even without the author telling me. I always look forward to listening to Ms. Eyre.

You know what the worst thing about a Nalini Singh book is? The end!! Where there are no more pages in my book for me to read!! **insert wailing sob** The end of every book breaks my heart because my current journey in this world is over, but then excitement bubbles up because I know that the next book is on the horizon! I can not wait to see who is next in the Guild Hunter Series (fingers crossed for Illium &/or Aodhan)

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook from Tantor Media, Netgalley & in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

Another mesmerizing adventure in the Guild Hunter world between a pair partnered to get some answers, but more of a match than they could ever imagine. At moments, intense, humorous, passionate, and always engaging, Archangel's Viper was all that I could want from the latest series installment.

As the Guild Hunter book ten, Archangel's Viper does not make a good place to jump in with the series particularly since it regularly references events from way back in the first book of the series.

This is a unique series in that some books continue Raphael, the archangel, and Elena, the Guild Hunter's story and some focus on the members of Raphael's Chose Seven all set against the rush of power and unique worldly phenomena known as the Cascade. Archangel's Viper tells the story of Venom one of the lesser known of the Seven and a unique heroine who is someone who is nothing like any others and is still trying to find herself.

Venom and Holly enjoy antagonizing each other. He does it to keep her out of her head and to make her feel a normal balance in her life, but as for Holly, she feels the need to keep the suave, sensual, and arrogant vampire at arm's length for reasons she doesn't want to look at closely.

I had to smile when I was reading this book because like many others from the author, just when I was on the verge of getting overly annoyed at the constant sniping, Holly got a clue and it tapered off. I loved how this was a great blend of action, suspense, and full of the unique elements from this world where angels and vampires exist with humans. There is so much going on to bring layers of internal and external conflict into play.

I was fascinated by learning more about them individually, particularly the mysterious Venom, even while seeing their relationship start from a wary friendship and build into more. While Holly feels unsettled by Venom in many ways, his oddities are not the reason which makes her one of the few to see the real him. Just as he unsettles her, Venom finds that Holly gets under his skin as well. He refuses to treat her like she's broken or fragile after what she's been through nor is he afraid of what is inside her.

I enjoyed how the book ramped up my curiosity and need to know what was really going on with Holly then had me tearing through pages near the end when things got crazy intense.

I devoured the book and now I must be patient for the next release from this fantastic series. I think paranormal romance lovers and urban fantasy fans will both be good targets for this exciting, passionate book/series.

✦Review & Giveaway: ARCHANGEL’S VIPER (A Guild Hunter Novel) by Nalini Singh http://wp.me/p3d0RZ-9XU
Publication Date: September 26, 2017
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Review by: Reading in Pajamas/ Cori
Rated: 5 Stars

I absolutely loved ARCHANGEL’S VIPER! It is the tenth book in Nalini Singh’s Guild Hunter series. Each book in this paranormal romance series can be read as a standalone, but I recommend reading them in order to fully enjoy the series storyline. It was an action packed ride from start to finish. I loved Venom and Holly together. They had a friends to lovers romance and they didn’t actually come together until the last part of the book. They had a strong emotional connection, their banter was fun and the romance was hot when they got together. It was such a great story and one of my favorites this year. I always get swept up in the worlds Nalini Singh creates. I highly recommend this series for readers looking for paranormal romance series that is truly unique.

*Review copy provided by Penguin in exchange for an honest review.

~*~*~*~

As a follower of author Nalini Singh's Guild Hunter series, I have long awaited the story of Venom and wondered about the fate of Holly. The ARCHANGEL'S VIPER answers all that in one well written, perfect escape storyline. I hadn't thought of them as a couple but after starting to read and thinking about it, it all makes sense. They are both venomous, both dangerous in a fight and both needed someone to accept them as they are. In simpler words -- perfect for each other.

Ms. Singh always gives her readers, especially her Guild Hunter fans, exactly what we expect but in such a way that is totally mind-blowing. In this series, we have fallen for scary archangels (OK for Rafael anyway, and probably because of Elena, who has given him a few human feelings and a new sense of humor), felt sympathetic toward unlikable vampires, want to belt one beautiful archangel, hide from other ones and laugh with fun-loving angels.

In ARCHANGEL'S VIPER all kinds of emotions are brought out of the reader, fear, anger, some frustration, laughter (especially when Holly bugs him about his sunglasses) and then along the way allows us to breathe a sigh of relief for this couple as their pasts are put away and the future is ahead. This book will go onto my shelf with the others I own and will happily be reread in the future as I wait for the next Guild Hunter offering.

~ Annetta Sweetko for Fresh Fiction

Complete review may be found at: http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=63833

Archangel's Viper, by author Nalini Singh, is the tenth installment in the Guild Hunter series. This story actually takes place concurrently with Archangel's Heart. So, there's no Elena in this story, and only a brief appearance by Raphael, which is totally fine. There are plenty of other interesting characters that do show up like Dmitri, Honor, Ash, Janvier, and Ilium. I should warn readers that this really isn't Venom's (Vipers) story, unlike it was the previous members of Raphael's Seven like Dmitri and Jason.

It is truly Holly Chang's. Holly aka Sorrow, is a fringe character who was terrorized 4 years ago by an Archangel named Uram way back in the beginning of this series and saved by Elena. Holly was changed into a being not human, nor vampire. She was infected with a dangerous virus by Uram which has left her with a strange mixture of green eyes, and her fangs drip with poison. This goes along with her ability to determine how old vampires are who she meets, and her ability to mesmerize, which isn't a normal ability to have.

She is something of a riddle which makes those like Venom eager to find out what is under the feisty, attitude wielding Holly. Plus, Viper is immune to Holly's abilities which makes for some interesting times. After nearly being kidnapped, and then finding out there is a rather large bounty out for her capture, Holly and Venom try to figure out who is after her and why. As a side note, Holly is also under contract by the Tower, and that's pretty much because nobody can decide whether or not to let her live, or just end her suffering which has been going on for the past 4 years.

Holly and Venom's relationship is by far the most banter I've read about in a very long time. There's little action in this story, which means that you have more time to read about the characters games & stunts which includes a bit of friendship, and some sexual tension as well. I do have minor issues with this story. I am confused why we have a kidnapping scene in this book, and then the story switches to something entirely different for most of the rest of the way. I understand the necessity of finding out what is happening to Holly and why, but the reason behind her kidnapping should have remained the focal point of the story. Holly's coming of age, or her evolution into perhaps one of the badass women of this series after Elena, Ash, Sarah, and Honor, should have had the opportunity to resolve the issue herself in a way that others were given opportunities to meet their challenges.

Holly’s backstory is touched on, and I was horrified by what she went through in her past, captured and tortured by Uram, an archangel who went insane. She witnessed the brutal murders of her friends and then was force fed his blood changing her into a vampire and more. The experience could’ve easily broken her, but she had the archangel Raphael and all his clan (not sure if that’s the right word) at her back. Not only that, she’s had the unconditional support of her family, not caring what she’s turned into, they still love her without reserve. Holly’s definitely a strong, admirable woman.

The more that she’s turning into is what worries Holly, because she’s plagued with crazy thoughts and powers she shouldn’t rightly have as just a vampire. She fears Uram left a bit of himself in her that might eventually consume and overtake her. Add to that, there’s a bounty put on her head. Someone has paid a high price to acquire Holly.

Enter Viper. They’ve apparently had an antagonistic relationship since meeting and he’s back at the Tower in Manhattan where she lives. Worse, the two of them are assigned to work together to find the person who wants to capture Holly. But as they work together they come to realize they have more in common than any of the other creatures at the Tower, and the attraction neither has wanted to acknowledge increases and electrifies!

Viper and Holly’s romance was a slow build, first a bit of sniping back and forth, and then mutual respect, trust forming a bond that made their attraction more than a fleeting feeling. Viper was a sought-after chef before he become a vampire, hundreds of years ago, so he cooks up the most delicious sounding meals for Holly to care for her, which seduces her even more. I love it when a man (my husband, lol) cooks for me and does it well!

I’ve read and loved books from Nalini Singh’s Psy-Changeling series, but had never picked up anything in her Guild Hunter series, so I was pleasantly surprised to enjoy it as much as I did; coming in blind, unfamiliar with the world or creatures. I was immersed in the mysteries and worried for Holly as the story progressed. It was a thrilling nail-biter in places! I’m sure any fan of the series will love Viper’s Archangel just as much as I did or more!

A copy was kindly provided by Berkley Books in exchange for an honest review.

Archangel's Viper by Nalini Singh is the tenth book in her Guild Hunter series. I LOVE Nalini Singh and I am completely obsessed with her writing and the fabulous worlds she creates. Finally, in Archangel's Viper we get the much awaited Venom's story. Now before I dive in to the review I'd just like to point out that this is a series and should be read in order. I guess you could read it out of order if you wanted to but there are too many connected threads and recurring characters. The vast dynamics of this world would be best enjoyed in order.

Now let's start with Holly. Holly Chang is our heroine. We know from the previous books that she has been through a lot. More than any near immortal should have to go through. Now someone has a bounty on her head and she can't control the voice in her head. Holly needs Venom's help if she wants to get through this. I really admired Holly. She was a strong heroine though she was young and inexperienced in the immortal world.

Then we have Venom. The vampire who is a mix of vipers and cobras and who always comes off as coolly sophisticated. I love Venom. There was so much history to his character and the bond he shared with the remaining Raphael's Seven was unbreakable. Venom tried so hard not to let Holly get under his skin but he failed time and time again. Holly made him feel things he didn't want to and soon he was falling hard for her.

I loved Holly and Venom together. They were a compatible pair even if it did not look like it on the surface. I have to say that the romance in this book was significantly less as compared to other Nalini Singh books. These two definitely took their time with each other. Also, with the amount of unknown variables in their situation it was easy to see that they had to concentrate on other things too.

I loved seeing the rest of the gang. Dimitri and Honor were amazing as always and so were Ashwini and Janvier. We got some glimpses of Illium as well and I just want to know if the Aodhan-Illium ship will sail or no. While reading I did want more romance but Venom and Holly had their own way of caring for each other. Nalini Singh's writing is impeccable as usual and it never fails to remind me why I love her books so much. So even though Archangel's Viper was not my favourite in the series it was still a really good read.

*Note: A copy of this book was provided by the author/publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. We thank them.

When i requested this, I didn't realize how hard it would be to follow along in this book. Yes, I knew it was a series, but I thought this was a standalone novel. And while it is the book for these two characters, I spent most of the book feeling like I was missing something, and it took away from my enjoyment of it.

Nalini Singh is a go to author for paranormal romance, I adore here. I'm glad she wrote an Asian female main character, as we don't see a lot of diversity in romance. Despite not connecting with this book by Singh, I will gladly read more by her.

Nalini Singh has never disappointed me, and Archangel's Viper is no exception. I love the diversity and uniqueness of her characters, and I like the continuing story arcs so that we see prior characters and couples in abundance. Every time I read a new book in this series, it makes me want to go back and read the others all over again!

So our heroine in this story is Holly "Sorrow" Chang, who you may remember from the very early books as being one of the survivor's of the insane archangel, Uram. Holly suffered unbearably at Uram's hands and it has taken her some time to start coping with the effects of his magic and torture left on her mind and body. Luckily, Holly has a loving and supportive family, and she has been taken into the fold at the Tower. I really enjoyed the special bond that formed between Dmitri and Holly, and it made me want to go back and read the stories that highlighted Dmitri's relationship with Nassir.

I have been curious about Venom and his viper eyes since very early in this series. I suspected that he would have a tragic backstory with his maker being Neha, but he seems to still hold her in high regard. Venom helped to humanize Neha and soften her visage as the deadly poisonous Archangel that has come to be an enemy of Raphael. I do wish that we would've gotten more Venom's backstory, info about his upbringing and making, but that is because I was greedy for information about him. I had a soft spot for his broody side, the one that

The relationship between Venom and Holly was playfully contentious. There was a lot of fun teasing and snark between the two, while the chemistry built as the story progressed. I liked that Venom didn't treat Holly like a broken flower, and instead helped her to manage her abilities and not be afraid of them. I think it will mean a stronger relationship for them in the long run. I didn't feel like there was a major focus on the relationship in this installment, instead we were trying to uncover a plot to kidnap Holly and learn more about her emerging powers. But I have a feeling that we will see Venom and Holly continue growing together in future books.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from the publisher, Berkley.

KISSED BY POISON
Archangel’s Viper is the tenth novel in the wildly popular Guild Hunter series by Nalini Singh. Holly Chang was rescued from an insane archangel, but not before he turned Holly into a vampire against her will. She has spent the last few years learning to cope with her new reality, while under the Guild Hunters’ protection. But she’s a unique being and no one truly knows her potential or what lives inside her. Only Viper, the vampire whose bite also carries poison like Holly’s, knows what terror stalks her dreams. When Viper and Holly investigate an attempt on her life, they stumble upon a secret from her past that no one anticipated.

Viper has always been drawn to Holly but nothing prepared him for the explosion of lust and love that hits him when her life is threatened. He’ll do anything to keep her safe, but he knows she may have to die in order to save the world. How can either of them balance their need for each other against the sacrifice their honor may demand?

Ms. Singh is unparalleled in her ability to produce epic world building and riveting, unforgettable characters. Toss in intrigue, danger, affection and seduction, and readers are in for a rare treat.

These characters were… everything!

It is always so easy to lose myself in Nalini Singh’s world of archangels, guild hunters and other-worldly beings. The characters are intense, their situations, more often than not, deadly yet there is a lighthearted thread that makes me smile even through the squeemy bits.

Small but mighty, Holly is fierce as she comes to terms with the life-altering changes she’s had to endure. I ached as she mourned her losses while embracing the love and acceptance from her old, and new families. Her challenges weren’t over and living may be harder than dying as the battles continue. With Venom at her side, though, she is going to have a fighting chance…

Holly and Venom are delicious together as they battle against an unknown enemy. They trade barbs and insults like old friends but there is such warmth between them that the arguments only made me smile. Bitingly sarcastic yet the emotions, the feelings, underneath them hit my heart dead on. Viper is handsome inside and out as he slowly unveils what makes him so protective and loving…

“You never wanted to be a vampire.”
“Yes, but that was before you… I don’t mind sucking your blood for millennia.”

I LOVED this heart-wrenching and soul-warming story and can’t wait for more! ~Diane, 5 stars

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Erica – ☆☆☆☆☆
Venom and Holly’s (Sorrow) story has been much anticipated for many, many books… and it was well worth the wait.

Venom is one of the Archangel Rafael’s Seven, but he’s also one-of-a-kind. The vampire has attributes more closely related to a viper than the rest of his brethren. Quick as a snake, with sinuous movements, and a venomous bite, Venom has always emotionally kept himself apart from others.

Years ago, Holly was just a college student, dreaming of growing up to become a clothing designer while hanging out with her girlfriends. During Uram’s rampage, Holly and her friends were snatched from the street and tortured, leaving something behind with Holly. Life freezing before her last growth spurt, suffering for years to come to terms with the ‘monster’ she feels Uram created, Holly was Sorrow.

In Archangel’s Viper, Sorrow is in a better place, reclaiming not only her name, but her heritage and family. Holly is more even-keeled, living and working for the Tower, trying to carve out a semblance of a life while she deals with being ‘not’ truly human, but not truly a vampire, while also holding angelic DNA.

For books (years), Holly and Venom have had a mentor/student, antagonizers relationship. Readers anticipated their story, watching the interplay during previous books. Baiting. Push/pull. Silly nicknames. Sparring. Bloodshed. This is only ramped up during Archangel’s Viper.

Venom hasn’t been stationed at the Tower for a long time, engaging in only weekly calls with Holly. At the start of the novel, Venom comes home and the attraction and antagonism ratchets up many degrees.

There’s a price on Holly’s head, and she and Venom work together to not only figure out who is trying to kidnap her, but also for Holly to embrace who she truly is.

For the two venomous, one-of-a-kind creatures, the sexual tension is heavy, emotions run high, but the story still takes the forefront. Who is trying to kidnap Holly and why? What is Holly? Will Dimitri have to put Holly down like a rabid dog?

Archangel’s Viper was a page-turner, where I read it in a single sitting, refusing to be torn from the story. Singh did an amazing job delivering on a story readers have been much anticipating, all the while seeding for future books.

Show of hands, who else is ravenous for Illium and Aodhan’s story? Please, please, please, please, Ms. Singh, give us the BFFs story next. Please?! Please go there. Bluebell deserves to be with his best friend. Please?!

I highly recommend for Urban Fantasy fans (make sure to start at the beginning of the series with Angels’ Blood).


Sarah – ☆☆☆☆☆
This story is a wonderful treat for the senses – I’d almost forgotten how much I love Nalini Singh’s writing in this series. There is a beautiful, lyrical quality to some passages in this story and I found myself falling in love with Singh’s slightly dystopian New York all over again.

Venom has been an intriguing character since the first book and I really loved him here, in his own story. His snake eyes and his venom have made him a beautiful and dangerous enigma – but the fear his powers instill has also isolated him from all but the most powerful of Raphael’s people. I loved the glimpses we get of his vulnerability and I loved the heartbreaking story of his making.

Holly is a complete surprise. We saw her first as the broken, nearly dead victim of a deranged archangel. When her story starts, she is coming to grips with a non-human future and growing abilities that set her apart from humans, vampires, and angels. We watch as Holly gains power, confidence, and an unsettling sense of otherness. In many ways, this book is as much about Holly finding her place in the world as it is about the beautiful relationship that builds between her and Venom.

The romantic connection between Holly and Venom is slow and sensual. But their relationship isn’t just about romance. I love them as playful friends, as mentor and mentee, and I love them as partners confronting danger together.

All the best Urban Fantasy stories use an altered reality to explore the big ideas. Here, Holly wrestles with issues of immortality and humanity. She is an outsider searching for an identity and a sense of belonging. I’ve loved this series from the beginning and I continue to love the way it forces me to consider life and love from a unique perspective.