This review will be posted on The Blogger Girls on Nov. 8th.

I feel like every time I write a review on a Nalini Singh book, I say the same thing. It's just SOO hard to write reviews for her books! I find writing reviews for books I love are harder than writing reviews for none 5 star books so this one is especially hard to write. And I don't want to go into details about the story itself because I feel like this is one that you really get the best experience of if you don't know how things will unfold.

With that said, this is definitely not a book you can read as a stand-alone. You need to see Venom and Holly from the very beginning in Angels' Blood to really know their backstory. Soooo much happens between that book and this one to show how much they've grown. I mean, in book 1, Holly was a damaged little girl and Venom was an enigma with snake eyes. As the series progresses, Venom becomes more humanized and Holly becomes suicidal (all things you should know by now).

While we got to know both Holly and Venom in the first nine books, in this one we REALLY get to know them - their thoughts and feelings and their baggage. They've always had a connection and while at times it was hostile, this one turns into something softer, more intimate. The moments they spent together in Venom's apartment were the highlights for me because I loved how much they had in common, their love for the hot stone floor and their teasing and bantering.

It was amazing to finally see all that emotion between them turn into such an explosive connection. That moment they act on those feelings was such a phenomenal scene, I had to reread it twice! I just ADORED it. Now, I'm making this story seem like it's a love story but, let's be honest, Ms. Singh likes to put a bit of adventure in her stories and this one is no exception.

It's mostly about Holly and figuring out who and what she is. It has a bit of mystery to it with quite a bit of suspense. I mean, Holly is a badass and Venom encourages it. I loved the place she's carved out for herself even though her future is uncertain. At the same time, Venom realizes what's happening and he wants to help Holly just as much as she wants answers but he won't let her do it alone. I loved the bit of possessive and dominating attitude he had towards some things she did. And I loved seeing how Venom and her reacted whenever a new ability popped up for her. I mean, the things she could do not even Venom could do! It was fascinating to see how they dealt with those situations and the realization that Holly is not like any other vampire but also finding out how much they really had in common.

Gah, I just LOVED THEM!! Okay, I'm going to stop rambling now and leave readers with this - if you've enjoyed the Guild Hunter series then you'll enjoy this one and finally seeing Venom and Holly get their story. I know I just LOVED this book. Ms. Singh has such an engagingly sensational way of writing that always draws me in. I can't wait to read the next book and REALLY REALLY hope it's about our Bluebell and Sparkle!

With each new Guild Hunter book, there is as much progress and attention paid to the way this world changes as an individual relationship. So while ARCHANGEL'S VIPER focuses on the relationship of Viper and Holly, their romance takes place in the context of the sweeping power shifts of the Cascade.

And while I'm heavily invested in Elena and Raphael's world, when beginning ARCHANGEL'S VIPER I would have said Venom is my least favorite of the Seven. Holly Chang, however, has been a haunting character from her first introduction in ANGELS' BLOOD. Cast these characters in a rough and tumble frenemies to lovers story, and I was soon on bard. Venom has always been one of Elena's chief antagonists, and it is just those same sharp edges and inhuman impulses that ultimately allow Holly to feel safe and loved.

Reading ARCHANGEL'S VIPER makes it clear that regardless of who this series focuses on, there is always a well written story guaranteed to carry readers away. While installments that focus on Raphael and Elena are still my favorite (and impatiently await Illium's story), catching up with Holly was a welcome treat.

Another fabulous offering from Nalini Singh in her Guild Hunter series, this story is Viper and Holly. We met Holly in the very first book and have watched her struggles throughout the series; she has grown and is now ready for Viper. Viper’s backstory gives us part of his life before he became a vampire, this was a fantastic story!! I loved the banter between Holly and Viper as they journey on the road towards love. Highly recommend!

ARCHANGEL’S VIPER is the 10th book in the Guild Hunter series by Nalini Singh. The series is moody and darker cousin to the Psy-Changeling books. The atmosphere is influenced by the danger wrought by the archangels’ awesome power. Unfortunately, they do not always behave angelically. Archangel’s “create” vampires by turning them with their blood and thus, making them immortal. I think of this series, the word “smoldering” comes to mind and no character represents that more than Venom.

Venom is one of Archangel Raphael’s Seven – his elite, private guard. Due to the circumstances of his turning, his bite is poisonous and his eyes are almost reptilian. He is a man of few words and he knows how to provoke his protégé, Holly. Holly Chang is now a vampire, but not by choice. Holly is turned by the murderous, demented and now deceased archangel, Uram. She is the lone survivor from his rampage and watched her girlfriends get dismembered limb by limb. She is only now starting to come out of the darkness that plagues her since that time. Venom is one of the first that found her and has been her mentor ever since. Venom understands Holly and her situation better than any other vampire. He understands that Holly, like himself and Naasir, have additional powers than normal vampires and that they are set apart. Part of the difficulty with her transition is that she is unique and does not quite fit in.

Holly’s story is introduced in an earlier book and is a partial thread that runs throughout the series. Holly’s story is tragic and I am ever so pleased to see her get her happily ever after. I like that she starts to find her own footing in the angel/vampire/human world. Yet, her happiness is marred by these extra powers that are manifesting. Where are they coming from? Is she physically or psychologically turning into the monster that changed her? She struggles so hard to find her new normal, but because of these powers that seem to manifest randomly, she is not sure of who she is and if she belongs in this world. The weariness comes off the pages.

Yet despite her struggles and although it is a small part of the story, she chooses to continue her relationship with her family. They are her strength to keep trying and the motivation to get psychologically healthy, despite the physical changes.

Venom’s backstory is unexpected. As a seasoned and honed warrior, it is surprising to learn of his creative background. In his mortal life, Venom worked as a chef in his family’s inn. Because of his unusual change, his family severs all contact with him and this creates a heart-breaking fear of abandonment in Venom.

I admire these two characters and this should read like a friend to lovers trope, but it falls short somehow. I am unsure if it is because of their previous mentor/mentee relationship or because Venom treats Holly like a little sister in the past, but I have trouble making the transition. Their relationship is sweet and kind, but not incendiary. I want these two beloved characters to be consumed and on fire, and I just do not feel that.

One of the things I most admire about Nalini Singh’s work is the diversity of her characters. She makes it effortless. This world is portrayed as a post-racial society. It would be interesting if the author could explore more the racial nature of her characters. I am pleased that her characters come from diverse backgrounds, I only wish more could be done with it.

Although it is missing some of the sizzle for me, ARCHANGEL’S VIPER is ultimately a satisfying read. We learn Venom’s backstory. We see Holly’s perseverance and tenacious drive. We are reacquainted with some of our favorite characters. In the end, I am happy to be back in the Guild Hunter universe.

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.

I love this book ! The story of Venom and Holly is amazing ! More the serie advance, more Nalini Singh improve her books and her style ! We've discovered in deeper way the world of Guild Hunter and the characters are always endearing ! Holly is courageous and she prove she has a very strong willpower. She is perfectly to be Venom's level ! And him ... I have really appreciated to discover his past ! Be in his head has been an incredible experience !
I'm French, very sorry for every english mistakes in the review !

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.

I'm kind of torn on this book. I just want to say that I don't think that Nalini Singh can write a bad book. Her worlds are always places I like to visit and the Guild Hunter's series has so many unanswered questions that I eagerly pick up every title. And I have absolutely been waiting for Venom and Holly's story since the beginning. But once I finished it, I felt a little disappointed. Not in the usual way when a good book is over but in a "Is that it?" kind of way.

Holly is a long running character in the Guild Hunters series. In the first book, Angel's Blood, she is viscously attacked and ultimately physiologically changed and you see her metamorphosis throughout the series. You also see her interactions with Venom, one the main Seven, an elite group of warriors that work for Raphael, the main Angel of New York. Those interactions are funny, a little spiteful but they always come across as people who both dislike and understand each other. As the book begins, Holly is picking up Venom after not having seen him for several years as he was away from New York where she is stationed. The first interactions are very much like previous one's, the only difference is the level of maturity that Holly demonstrates and the subsequent visible partnership that develops between the two of them.

That partnership starts to turn romantic but Holly, who is still suffering the physical aftereffects of her attack begins to physically change into something else. I won't spoil the "something else" except to say that Singh is really good a tying up lose threads throughout a long running series.

The book is a slow burn and while I am admittedly not a "slow burn" kind of person, this particular slow burn left me really dissatisfied. It just left the story feeling a little insubstantial and while I liked the book, it won't go into my re-read pile.

Review left on Amazon and BN.com as SJC Reviews

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.

I am such a fan of Nalini Singh and so many books in her Guild Hunter series really hit it out of the park for me. Though I didn’t feel like I “knew” Venom very well from the previous stories, I was really excited for his book; he’s so deliciously “other,” I just knew Singh would suck me in as this aloof enigma found love.

Eh. Yes and no. Or maybe it would be better to say… eventually.

You may remember Holly from the earlier books as a surviving victim of the Archangel Uram. He did things to her that changed her on a physical and psychological level. She is sort of vampire, but not entirely. The girl was so messed up by the experience, she started calling herself Sorrow. Thankfully, she has left that moniker behind in this book. It’s been years since her rescue and now she is working for the Tower. Venom has been on assignment as she trained and he returns just in time for a bounty to be put on her head. He is assigned as her bodyguard until they can ferret out the source of the danger. At the same time, the wrongness inside Holly is intensifying and she must face the evil Uram left inside her head-on before it turns her into something else entirely.

The book was good. Don’t get me wrong. I was interested in what was happening from the very beginning. My problem with it, however, was twofold. One: this did not feel like Venom’s book. It was very much Holly’s book. But Jen, you may say, this is a romance. It’s supposed to be about both of them. Again, yes and no. I want the heroine to have a voice, for sure, but Holly’s perspective and her struggle were the core of this book. At times, Venom almost felt like an afterthought, or at the very least, a sidekick.

That brings me to my second issue: the romance, or the overwhelming lack thereof for about 70% of the book. For the first two thirds, this read like a good urban fantasy… NOT a paranormal romance. I am not exaggerating. I remember clearly looking at the 63% mark in the Kindle book and wondering if the romance was ever going to happen. Obviously it did, but there’s slow burn and there’s s-l-o-w-b-u-r-n. Really, there wasn’t any burning at all in the first half–slow or any other speed. Holly and Venom were frenemies. Nothing else.

When the romance finally does happen, it’s lovely. I positively swooned when Venom offered his real name. But there wasn’t enough to sustain my Singh-level expectations. It gave me sadz.

We do get to spend a little time with Dimitri, who was never one of my favorite characters, but I liked him here, especially his relationship with Holly. We also get some more Ilium and more little nuggets that suggest a book for him and Aodhan may be coming soon.

Like I said, overall, a pretty good book… just not the strongest romance.

Hard to rate, but I’ll go with a B.

✦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.