I really love this series and enjoyed this latest book in the series. Would definitely recommend this series to others

I remember my first time cracking open a Guild Hunter novel back around 2010. Angels’ Blood, the first in the series, had been released just a year prior, and Archangel’s Kiss, book number two, was set to be published next February. That’s when the whole “Archangel” trend of the book names started, too, but who could have predicted that this series would grow from a promised trilogy to a sprawling dynasty of novels?

Nalini Singh was one of the first urban romance writers I got into during the age of paranormal and urban fantasy writing that exploded in the 2010s. Jeaniene Frost, Ilona Andrews, Thea Harrison, J.R. Ward…it all happened within five years. And the reason I stuck with Singh throughout the entire decade was because she wrote exquisite exposition and uncommonly good world-building. At the time, she hadn’t delved into the nigh-purple prose that most of her newer books espouse, and ARCHANGEL’S WAR was very much the same.

ARCHANGEL’S WAR by Nalini Singh is, unfortunately and by far, one of my biggest disappointments of 2020.

Even as I’m writing this, I struggle to encapsulate how the series that was once a fresh bout of air in an oversaturated industry spiraled so quickly. The Guild Hunter series is a staple now, but I believe its enduring success has led to some glaringly obvious missteps.

Sing’s writing, once incredibly sharp and succinct, now suffers through a lack of editing and overabundance of purple prose. There’s far too much “telling” and not enough “showing.” Why tell me that Tanicia, a warrior from Lumia, is “A warrior through and through, but one with heart.” when I’ve been given no proof and little reasoning to assume otherwise? Singh could have easily kept the following line, “Sharine had seen [Tanicia] slipping sweets into the hands of the younglings who ran after her in the streets, wanting to touch her wing but too well-taught by their parents to dare.” This easily shows the empathy and “heart” that the warrior angel possesses, but without shoving it into the reader’s face.

Besides, it’s not as if Singh hasn’t divided all her world into two very black and white pieces. All angels who are “good” are automatically honorable, respectful, calmly yet stoically powerful, while all the “bad” angels are despicable, corrupt, conniving backstabbers who, more often than not, were a part of Charisemnon’s or Lijuan’s courts. It’s almost comical now when I read long-winded passages dedicated solely to a tedious monologue explaining again the “quiet horror” or “sorrowful emptiness” Lijuan’s actions left behind. Eye roll.

My other conniption with ARCHANGEL’S WAR is the filler material. Much of my own attraction to the series stems from the main protagonists, Raphael and Elena, but the success of the Guild Hunter series allowed Singh to expand the world to include stories about Raphael’s Seven and now also the Cadre (Titus, namely, although I’m sure Caliane’s and Alexander’s novel is in the making and will probably be book number 16).

The first half of the thirteenth book starts off very slowly. We follow Sharine, the legendary Hummingbird, and her burgeoning journey of rediscovering who she is after millennia of mental haziness and a fractured neurosis, later explained to stem from her fear of her loved ones dying off one by one, leaving only her alive. The Hummingbird’s emotional and mental disconnect with reality, as seen in previous books, originates from three major events in her early existence. Her first lover, Raan, died in his sleep next to her; her parents both died in their Sleep; and her lover and Illium’s father, Aegaeon, had decided to unceremoniously and cruelly go to Sleep while Sharine slept next to him. The people closest to her all seemed to die, resulting in a cracked psyche.

Sharine’s growth was probably the only great plot and character development I honestly enjoyed. Titus seemed like a cookie-cutter version of any other typical angel in the series, just elevated and more fleshed out, but no more so that one of Raphael’s Seven. Titus is the exact copy of a gentle giant, and I wished there was more depth to him than honor and the stereotypical “warrior” traits. Even his archangel-ness was as fascinating as cardboard.

As for the plots within the novel, it’s hard to really distinguish the line between “real” plot and “filler” plot. The storyline is pushed further along as we discover the new terrors of the night: Mutant reborn vampires and angels. However, as with all nightmares in the Guild Hunter series, the villains are easily deciphered and beat back by the good guys by the conclusion of the novel. I wasn’t interested, even when I tried to pay attention. The reborn plot has just mostly died in my eyes already.

As for Aegaeon…I might be a sucker for pain, but I wanted to see greater interactions between Sharine, Aegaeon, and Illium. There’s such a fascinating family dynamic that’s equal parts angsty, dark, and absolutely twisted if Sharine got back with Aegaeon. Sometimes, I just want to read about the bad decisions and pure love-hate relationship between a couple. Is that too much to ask for?

Some might accuse me of pushing forward toxic relationships, but this is a fictional fantasy romance series for adults…and it’d be nice to see Singh try her hand at darker romances. I can sense she has the talent and capacity to do so, but HEAs are far more her motto and type.

At the end of the day, I love Nalini Singh and her books. I’ve been reading her novels for just a little over a decade at this point, and I’ll always fondly remember how giddy I feel whenever she releases another book. I’d like to see greater diversity in her writing, especially maybe a hand at M/M or M/F/M couples (Aodhan/Illium/Suyin?), especially as the romance industry keeps growing. Singh has already shown that she’s not afraid to break a few molds (she’s been writing interracial couples since 2013, at the very least), and I know her other mystery and thriller novels have received a warm reception. I’ll happily tag along with the journey. Hopefully, she’ll cut down the excessive exposition and details, but it’s been a downward trend since book six or seven.

Furthermore, I received this ARC by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, oh fellow purveyors of galleys and ARCs. The novel is set to be released on November 24th, 2020 by Berkley.

ARCHANGEL’S WAR by Nalini Singh is mostly focused on Sharine’s own recovery and character growth. There are tidbits of plot development with the storyline, and we explore the ideas of Sleeping angels returning to the modern world, but mostly, it’s filler material meant to plump out the series until we get another novel focused on Raphael and Elena, or the highly asked for Aodhan/Illium or Aodhan/Illium/Suyin addition. It’s a solid series, but ultimately, this new release garners only two stars based purely on my own nostalgia for the series and Sharine’s journey.

Two stars.

BASKING IN THE BRILLIANCE OF ARCHANGEL'S SUN!

I AM BASKING IN THE BRILLIANCE OF ARCHANGEL’S SUN, the new Guild Hunter novel by the incomparable Nalini Singh! After the apocalyptic events of Archangel’s War, many of our beloved protagonists are back in a book which shifts from the larger GH universe to a more intimate story, seated in the African homeland of Archangel Titus. He’s got a problem on his hands, a deadly gift, compliments of the evil collaboration of Charisemnon and Lijuan. It turns out that not all happy endings are set in stone, and Titus will need the aid of Cadre comrades and their peoples to combat this deadly threat.

Enter Sharine, the gentle Hummingbird, broken by a heartbreak from which she is only now emerging, and with a brilliance that bewitches and brightens Titus’ very existence. But Titus is not a being used to relying on help from others, especially not a docile, healing creature like the Hummingbird…or is he? Is she?

I laughed, I teared up, and I whooped with the happies as I read this FABULOUS story! The chemistry between Titus and Sharine is COMBUSTIBLE! Their duels of intellect, stubbornness, and honorable intent are ENTHRALLING! The honest, vulnerable development of their relationship is among the most satisfying I have read in romance – and they’re not even human! :) Their romance takes its time, and the reader is swept away with the slow, hot burn. Whew!

ARCHANGEL’S SUN is a daydream come true! As an added bonus, the author skillfully takes us further into the backstories of the novel’s key characters as she deepens our understanding of their world. How do these Guild Hunter novels keep getting better and better?! Bring some million-watt Nalini sunshine to your reading life, and bask in ARCHANGEL’S SUN! If you haven’t read her, start with Angels’ Blood, first in the series; I could not make a finer or more fun recommendation!

ARC received from Berkley Publishing for my honest review, and I am filled with literary sunshine, and jumping for joy to give it!

When Nalini announced the book I was SHOCKED at who the main characters were going to be. But I was so excited and I’m still excited after finishing it. It really hit the spot for me and I’m going to have to reread to tide me over until next year.

I loved Titus and Sharine together and loved how their relationship was based on so much personal growth. Especially on Sharine’s part, who was previously ‘fractured’ and immersed more in her art than the real world. She takes accountability for her actions but forgives herself for those mistakes.

“She’d been a hurt creature who’d thought the best of people. That didn’t make her weak. Because from that same inner empathy came her art.”

We finally get to know what happened to Sharine that led her to ‘fracture’ and Aagaeon is, in fact, worse than you think. TOTAL garbage. It was incredibly satisfying to see him realize what he lost. But I loved Titus, he was an amazing hero and definitely not one of the ‘removed’ archangels. There was so much humour in this book, a direct contrast to the horror of the reborn that are overrunning Africa.

The entirety of this book is about dealing with the aftermath of Archangels War and the plot is steadily tidying up in places while opening up new avenues for potential storylines. I wish we’d seen a bit of Raphael and Elena (my FAVES) but I have high hopes that Aodhan’s story is next.

Recovery can last longer than the battle. Forces unleashed by the Archangel of Death and the Archangel of Disease roam the continents killing and must be stopped. Titus is the last archangel standing in Africa, and his is responsible for preventing the scourge of rotting reborn from overwhelming the survivors. Fragile, the Hummingbird is slowly recovering from her broken kaleidoscope of a mind. She travels to Titus's side to help him bring safety... but one last terrible discovery could upend the balance.

Why I started this book: Singh is on my automatic buy list and stalk netgalley list... so I was thrilled to get an ARC for review.

Why I finished it: It is easy to love the characters that have always been strong. The ones who know their path and walk down it heroically. It is harder to love those that are weak, that have made mistakes and have avoided life. Singh allows her characters to grow and invites her readers to share in her empathy and joy in recovery. Which is why this book is particularly poignant right now. Another great addition to the series.

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.

Fans of this series will feel like they slipped back into their favorite sweatshirt, fresh from the dryer. Warm and fuzzy feelings abound as we are ensconced with the angels once again.

Like so many of you, I have been reading this series for a long time and this book continues the strong series quality. Nalini's characters are full of heart and nuance and Sharine and Titus’ chemistry was so unexpected to them, allowing me as a reader to go along for the ride of them falling in love with the truth of who that character was, rather than what they thought they were going to be like. This series has such interesting lore and world-building and each time that I get to dip my toes in through a new character’s love story, I find out new things. One thing I was struck by is I assumed that in a relatively small society all angels would have met each other at a certain point. But Titus and Sharine, or the Hummingbird as she's known throughout angelkind, have never crossed paths. Brought a delightful element of each of them having to get to know who the “person” really is, not what they think they’ll be like in their mind. Seeing a character come into their own power was a wonderful thing to witness. I loved that Sharine wasn't blaming other people, and stopped blaming herself as well, finally accepting that those were the things that happened and not who Sharine is now. Titus was wonderful in support of that after he gets over the initial shock that The Hummingbird isn't some fractured creature, but a woman of power and certainty in her opinions. He doesn't blame her for retreating from the world into her mind and trusts her to go by herself to figure out Charmission's legacy and asks that she help his forces battle the unborn.

This was definitely a slow burn with minimal description of the actual coupling. And while normally I'm a proponent of being a part of the sex, with these two characters, the build-up of their desire and regard for each other was so well done, it felt inevitable that they fit together and just became a couple.

The scenes where he is flying and carrying her, YUM. Such yearning. And her teasing of him was so great.

Sharine’s phone calls with Illium and Aodhan were lovely reminders of the importance of a trusted keeper of your secrets and your worries, and Illium's pain at thinking Aodhan may leave him behind in the dust is something universal everyone experiences at some time.

As always Nalini is a master of crafting a tale, and I was definitely ensconced in the mystery of the reborn and them ridding the planet of them. And I'm excited/hopeful that the next books will be Illium or Aodhan (or them together?!) because we aren't done in this world yet.

McDreamy to McSteamy: McRuleaContinentwithMe

Classy to Nasty: Vanilla

Hero rating: 🍆🍆🍆🍆 Titus is bold and confident and loving. No subterfuge, no artifice, he is who he is and loves his people fiercely. He also takes her coaching when dealing with the mortals who don't know him and trusts her to handle herself.

Heroine rating: 🍑🍑🍑🍑🍑 I love her. Her strength, her determination not to ever go back to the kaleidoscope landscape in her mind and stay present. To be someone her son can confide in, count on, and be present for was lovely. I also liked how little arrogance she had as an angel, she really sees the value in vampires and mortals that may of the Cadre and angels from previous books don't. Plus, she's a badass coming into this deep well of power. Her teasing of Titus and his realization that she has depths no one in angelkind knows about. Plus her closure with Aegeon was wonderful.

Overall rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ I will for sure keep reading this series. I read this book in one sitting and was looking forward to the next book by the end.

This book should come with a warning don't read before bedtime, don't read before a Zoom meeting you will miss some of the meeting , don't read before work you will be going in late,
Hummingbird a much love Angel for her art by the Anglinican world who had the heart to raise Raphael and Blue Bell . What horror could she have experience to make go into her mind. I loved this book cause it showed a strong women who was able to work through her trauma and become a warrior. It was a crazy good book it explain how different time work in this world and that its never too late for love . When I first head about this book I was not sure how well match these two charters would be. Would Titus a lover of women be able to love the Lady Sharine and how would she be able to come out of trauma and risk love again, MS Singh has the ability to make us care about characters in a book to the point we forget as least for a while about the crazy we are living today.

Who would have guessed the die-hard fans of the Archangel series needed this book?! Titus and Sharine are both badasses in their own way. The Hummingbird sheds her fragile bird image for one of a strong woman with a sense of humor. No one knows what to do with her and I love it. Anything Bluebell related I’ll support!

"A true delight" are the first words that come to mind as I read through the Hummingbird and Titus' story. Here is an unexpected but refreshing story about a woman coming into her power after a traumatizing past and opening her heart to a strong-hearted man. I can't count the number of times I laughed out loud at Titus' blustering and Sharine's dry wit. A wonderful new perspective of the world Nalini's created for us after the brutal wars of the Cascade.

I really enjoyed reading this book! I just adore this series, and I was interested to see where this book would go after the events of Archangel's War. Because that was a big, honking book, with big repercussions in this world. This book deals with the aftermath of said repercussions, and it was fantastic to read!


This book is a little different from the previous reads, because it's not focusing characters who are in Elena or Raphael's inner circle. Titus and the Hummingbird are both important figures in angel society, him for being an Archangel, and her for art and her kindness. I really enjoyed learning ab out these two, we really learn about her past, and why she was shattered like she was. Though we still have the question of how old, exactly, is she?

Compared the last book, this book is slower, and not as grandiose, which is good, because not every book can be like that. It was a little strange, though, coming down. This book is slower, quieter, more about their relationship, though it does face the issues of the reborn, and the "gift" that was left. I really enjoyed all the various details that we learned!

I'm wondering, given the characters who have gotten books, and the ones remaining for the 7, that we're maybe going to get Aodhan's book next. Just the way that his situation was talked about in this book, and that ending makes me wonder...

Loved this book, it was amazing, and I can't wait to see where we go from here!

I will preface this review by saying that I am an avid Nalini Singh fan, and this book does not disappoint.

As usual, Archangel's Sun, is an excellent blend of world building, action, and well developed romance. In this book, between millenia old angels. The romance itself is believable, and well fleshed out. The main characters are incredibly likeable, and have very interesting back story's. While the pacing of this book is much slower then its predecessor for obvious reasons (no spoilers), it helps to further expand the Guild Hunter universe, and tie up a few loose ends left over from the end of the last novel.

Honestly, if you are planning to start this series from this book, don't. You will be incredibly lost. You have to start from the beginning or you will be horribly spoiled. However, this is still a fabulous read.

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!

I think I've said this before but I love anything by Nalini Singh and this is no exception. The Hummingbird! Nalini gave her a believable story and an HEA that makes sense. On top of that, the world building and ongoing issues after the last battle keep you turning the page. I also liked seeing the "older woman/younger man" trope with such powerful characters. There is always something surprising with Nalini's books !

Nalini Singh continues to prove herself a master storyteller with Archangel's Sun. Her Guild Hunter series has long been a favorite of mine—hello, book No. 13—and I especially love the novels that feature new couples. Here we get Archangel Titus and The Hummingbird/Sharine (aka Bluebell's mom), their journey is one of badass adults being badass adults. So, low angst in the romance arc, but high conflict as the plot centers on dealing with the fallout from the big bad of the previous arc.

See how I'm avoiding spoilers? Well, I'm doing that because a) I hate spoilers and b) Nalini set this one up to work as yet another entry point to the series. There's enough info about what happened in the Cascade to follow what's happening without having read the previous books, but it'd also leave you wanting to dive into the earlier novels to know more—which is great in this weird time where having a series of 10+ books to binge is a godsend.

TL;DR: Gorgeous character arcs (as always with Nalini) alongside great fight scenes and a really excellent plot twist.

I love this series, but was a bit hesitant with this one as it didn't star Rafael and Elena's core group. But really enjoyed getting to know the Hummingbird better and Titus too. This series is one of my favorites and it never disappoints! Can't wait for the next installment and my patrons are going to love this one!

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!

Truly exceptional! I always grab a book thinking I'm going to get "an enjoyable read." Something to pass the time or to escape in for a while but Nalini Singh crafts such beautiful stories that when you finally reach the end you realize something profound.
What I absolutely loved about Archangel's Sun was that she gave us a woman who's been shattered and who was slowly putting the pieces of herself back together and then she gave that woman a love story she deserved. But better yet, Our heroine, Sharine didn't discover herself because of a man. She became the woman she was meant to be through grit, determination, and self discovery, and in doing so found love along the way but she refused to give up her identity, to commit to being labeled a consort, until she became Sharine first.
And the kicker, our hero was 100% on board. He didn't care that she needed time. Didn't mind that some might whisper and wonder. His ego took a back seat to her needs and for that, I am head over heels for this book.
Thank you for crafting such a beautiful story with characters that we not only love but also respect for the choices they make and the compassion they have for one another.

Singh manages to amaze me with each book she writes. The war with an insane Archangel may be over, but the aftermath may be even worse. Fans are going to devour this book.

After the war is over there is always healing to do. It was nice to see this process. Titus and hummingbird are so sweet together as the deal the fall out and problems that were caused by the war.