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caitieje's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
arisaenz's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
ufcasey's review against another edition
4.0
With this book the series finally returned to Elena and Raphael and I am so much happier for it! Out of the nine books so far, four of them have been about other couples and of those I only really liked one of them. But the five books focusing on Elena and Raphael - those always make me the happiest. This book had some great creepy atmosphere, which kept me wondering what was going to happen next.
bewoelkt_aber_heiter's review against another edition
4.0
Sehr gute vier Sterne. Elena und Raphael sind das Herz dieser Reihe, ihre Geschichten sind und bleiben für mich die besten der Reihe (obwohl Naasir auch einen besonderen Platz unter meinen Lieblingen hat). Archangels‘ Heart war nicht der beste Band der Reihe und trotzdem habe ich ihn sehr genossen.
In diesem Band folgen wir Elena nach Lumia in Marokko – dem Heimatland ihrer Vorfahren. Lumia kann man wohl am ehesten als Engelsorden bzw. Kloster bezeichnen, in welches sich Engel zurückziehen, um in Abgeschiedenheit ihren Weg zur "Erleuchtung" zu finden. Aufgrund ihrer Unparteilichkeit haben sie das Recht, die Erzengel zusammenzurufen, falls der Status eines Erzengels ungeklärt ist. Sehr schnell zeichnet sich ab, dass dieser Orden weniger heilig ist, als er vorgibt.
Dieses Setting war durchaus interessant, zumal sehr geheimnisvoll und poetisch beschrieben, generell funktioniert New York für mich als Mittelpunkt der Handlung aber besser - aus Liebe zum Setting sowie zu seinen Bewohnern.
Der Plot fokussiert sich in diesem Band mehr auf einen Ermittlungs- bzw. Mysterypart, da Elena zum einen das dunkle Geheimnis der Luminata zu ergründen versucht und zum anderen nach Spuren ihrer Großeltern fahndet. Deshalb fehlte der Geschichte ein wenig die Action, die ich normalerweise von Elenas und Raphaels Geschichten gewohnt bin. Der Plot blieb spannend, doch ihm fehlte eine Prise mehr an Tempo und Kampfszenen, zumal das große Geheimnis der Luminata leider etwas vorhersehbar und klischeehaft war. Trotzdem war der Showdown im Hinblick auf Tempo und Spannung gewohnt furios und wog damit den etwas gemächlicheren Mittelteil auf. Ganz große Klasse und für mich wirklich überraschend war es auch, was Elena über ihre Vorfahren herausfindet und auf wen sie dadurch stößt.
Elena und Raphael wachsen in ihrer Beziehung immer stärker zusammen, sie können sich aufeinander verlassen und kennen sich in- und auswendig. Sie scheinen gewissermaßen eine Balance gefunden zu haben: Raphael gesteht Elena ihre Freiheiten zu, Elena akzeptiert, dass sie nicht jede Herausforderung allein meistern kann. Singh verzichtet Gott sei Dank weiterhin auf jegliches Beziehungsdrama und baut die Spannung der Geschichte über den Mysterypart auf, statt konstruierte Konflikte heraufzubeschwören.
Daneben lernen wir in diesem Band Aodhan besser kennen – hoffentlich ist das das Intro zu seiner Geschichte gewesen! Schließlich wurde Naasirs Geschichte ebenfalls im Vorgängerband vorbereitet. Ich würde mich sehr freuen – egal ob Singh sich an eine homosexuelle Beziehung wagt und den Traum vieler Fans von Aodhan und Illiam als Paar wahr macht (was sehr mutig und aufregend wäre, ich geb's ja zu!) oder eine Partnerin für Aodhan vorgesehen hat.
Aufgrund des Settings vermisst man jedoch andere Figuren der Reihe, die so nur am Anfang kurz auftreten, bevor Raphael, Elena und Aodhan nach Lumia aufbrechen. Gerade Naasir und Andi hätte ich gern noch wiedergesehen, auch Illium hat mir gefehlt.
Fazit
Eine sehr schöne Ergänzung der Reihe, die für Elena persönlich einen Fortschritt gebracht hat, jedoch den übergreifenden Plot eher vernachlässigt. Gewohnt spannend, wenn auch weniger actionlastig, war dies hoffentlich nicht der letzte Band auch Sicht meines Lieblingspaares Elena und Raphael. Ich bin gespannt, wessen Geschichte als nächstes erzählt werden wird!
In diesem Band folgen wir Elena nach Lumia in Marokko – dem Heimatland ihrer Vorfahren. Lumia kann man wohl am ehesten als Engelsorden bzw. Kloster bezeichnen, in welches sich Engel zurückziehen, um in Abgeschiedenheit ihren Weg zur "Erleuchtung" zu finden. Aufgrund ihrer Unparteilichkeit haben sie das Recht, die Erzengel zusammenzurufen, falls der Status eines Erzengels ungeklärt ist. Sehr schnell zeichnet sich ab, dass dieser Orden weniger heilig ist, als er vorgibt.
Dieses Setting war durchaus interessant, zumal sehr geheimnisvoll und poetisch beschrieben, generell funktioniert New York für mich als Mittelpunkt der Handlung aber besser - aus Liebe zum Setting sowie zu seinen Bewohnern.
Der Plot fokussiert sich in diesem Band mehr auf einen Ermittlungs- bzw. Mysterypart, da Elena zum einen das dunkle Geheimnis der Luminata zu ergründen versucht und zum anderen nach Spuren ihrer Großeltern fahndet. Deshalb fehlte der Geschichte ein wenig die Action, die ich normalerweise von Elenas und Raphaels Geschichten gewohnt bin. Der Plot blieb spannend, doch ihm fehlte eine Prise mehr an Tempo und Kampfszenen, zumal das große Geheimnis der Luminata leider etwas vorhersehbar und klischeehaft war. Trotzdem war der Showdown im Hinblick auf Tempo und Spannung gewohnt furios und wog damit den etwas gemächlicheren Mittelteil auf. Ganz große Klasse und für mich wirklich überraschend war es auch, was Elena über ihre Vorfahren herausfindet und auf wen sie dadurch stößt.
Elena und Raphael wachsen in ihrer Beziehung immer stärker zusammen, sie können sich aufeinander verlassen und kennen sich in- und auswendig. Sie scheinen gewissermaßen eine Balance gefunden zu haben: Raphael gesteht Elena ihre Freiheiten zu, Elena akzeptiert, dass sie nicht jede Herausforderung allein meistern kann. Singh verzichtet Gott sei Dank weiterhin auf jegliches Beziehungsdrama und baut die Spannung der Geschichte über den Mysterypart auf, statt konstruierte Konflikte heraufzubeschwören.
Daneben lernen wir in diesem Band Aodhan besser kennen – hoffentlich ist das das Intro zu seiner Geschichte gewesen! Schließlich wurde Naasirs Geschichte ebenfalls im Vorgängerband vorbereitet. Ich würde mich sehr freuen – egal ob Singh sich an eine homosexuelle Beziehung wagt und den Traum vieler Fans von Aodhan und Illiam als Paar wahr macht (was sehr mutig und aufregend wäre, ich geb's ja zu!) oder eine Partnerin für Aodhan vorgesehen hat.
Aufgrund des Settings vermisst man jedoch andere Figuren der Reihe, die so nur am Anfang kurz auftreten, bevor Raphael, Elena und Aodhan nach Lumia aufbrechen. Gerade Naasir und Andi hätte ich gern noch wiedergesehen, auch Illium hat mir gefehlt.
Fazit
Eine sehr schöne Ergänzung der Reihe, die für Elena persönlich einen Fortschritt gebracht hat, jedoch den übergreifenden Plot eher vernachlässigt. Gewohnt spannend, wenn auch weniger actionlastig, war dies hoffentlich nicht der letzte Band auch Sicht meines Lieblingspaares Elena und Raphael. Ich bin gespannt, wessen Geschichte als nächstes erzählt werden wird!
joie881's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars, only because it wasn't what I was expecting. When it was known that we were getting another Elena and Raphael story, I was beyond excited. They are the reason I keep up with this series. Their story was what hooked me in and no other couple's story comes close to being its equal. What I found was a revealing of Elena's backstory, not a further development of their relationship, or even of the overall arc. Lijuan is still in limbo. The Cadre is on the cusp of confronting her when they are sidetracked by the Luminata and its problems. We are beaten over the head repeatedly with how solid Elena and Raphael are, how they are each other's world/sun/moon/heart, etc. Nothing has changed. We already know this. Despite the disappointment, it was still an engaging addition to this series and worth the read. Just don't expect much forward momentum of the overall plot.
mdlaclair's review against another edition
3.0
This book was a little.....boring to me. While it was nice to see the characters again I felt like the plot was flat. I kept waiting for the action to start. It's not a bad read it just not the best n the series.
elysareadsitall's review against another edition
4.0
It's so strange to me that Elena and Raphael's stories are usually my least favorites in this series. While reading this book, I realized why: their interactions seem more stiff and unnatural to me. Not every time but enough of the time that I don't feel as interested in their relationship. I think it's improving with each book for me, but I still like the stories with the seven better. I do, however, really enjoy the plots of their stories. This one is exciting, and we get a new aspect of angel politics. I enjoyed it, and I think the series will continue to get better.
renpuspita's review against another edition
5.0
RE-READ in order to read Archangel's Prophecy and Archangel's War.
Also part of my Guild Hunter read-a-thon (okay, 3 books more to finish my GR challenge!!).
Okay, I amend my earlier comment in my Archangel's Legion review that said Archangel's Heart didn't left a last impression, because who am I KIDDING? This sure do! Archangel's Heart might be not the strongest Guild Hunter books that feature my favorite ever couple, Elena and Raphael, those compliments still goes to Archangel's Kiss and Archangel's Legion. But, like its title that have "HEART", this book sure have so many heartfelt and heartwarming moment. Sure the pace can be too slow sometimes, but I know that its Singh's trademark, soo *shrug. In Heart, thing that I didn't catch in my first read was, Singh want to show that power can corrupt. Power without control will do more damage, especially because the Luminata sect in this book think that they are above Archangels. Singh seems like want to stated the fact that, its the archangels that are apex predator. But not just from their power, but also the wisdom even though not all of them have the wisdom.
Alsoo...I want to correct my earlier statement in this review about the steaminess factor, lol XD. Yeah, I did see that the sex scenes just one, and another fade to black. BUT, that's when I realized that the event in Archangel's Heart only happen in 2-3 days! Elena and Raphael only spent a few days in Lumia stronghold. Beside with the way Luminata make Elena's hackles rise, who want to have a hanky panky in the place like that, lol. It's all make sense after second read, hahaha. I should have patience when reading a book and not rushed it until finish. Again, Singh make it hard to do that, because I can't always patient when its come to read her books. Beside, because "heart" is the core of this book, I can forgive the lack of steaminess with the way how Elena and Raphael's relationship evolved. They are just like a married couple already, so civilized its make me grinned when reading their banter. On Illium and Aodhan board..well, seems like they parted in bad ways in this book and its sadden me to read. Beside..no reconciliation scenes too :(. Although I'm glad to know more about Aodhan.
My re-read review didn't very much changed after my first read review, and yeah, I still like Archangel's Heart even after the second reading. Now only 1 book left to read Archangel's Prophecy and War, because I really can't freakin wait, hahaha. Should I just bypass re-read Archangel's Venom? Oh the choices, the choices! :D
Simply 5 stars!!!
But all Guild Hunter books feature my favorite OTP Raphael and Elena is auto 5 stars for me. You can call me a little biased, but heh, I don't care :p. Read this in one sitting, until 3 a.m. Thanks Nalini Singh for relieve my stress..and adding a little bit to it since Idk when the next Guild Hunter will out, lol!
The story kinda come to full circle with the exploration of Elena's past. The mysteries and the suspense are written well. They keep me hanging by the thread, make me open page by page and I don't care that I read well pass midnight. The twist make my jaw drop. Not twisty like Sanderson's book, but still a twist nonetheless. All I can said is...WELL DONE NALINI!! I like to read the chapter when Elena discovered the truth. I don't know, her past is hard and so sad, so I like that Elena can find a little happiness from it.
I like that The Cadre have so many part here and how Nalini give all of them appearance. Not just a passing through characters, but characters with three dimensional trait. Sure that they are still ruthless, but readers will get a glimpse of their other side. I kinda think that Archangel's Heart is like Allegiance of Honour with so many ensemble cast. Since I'm not reading the later yet, I can't compare.
My favorite scene is when Caliane sings. I don't know, like Elena, when reading these parts, it almost bring tears to my eyes. I always fond to a character that can sing, tho. Also Elena kinda compromise with Tasha, Raphael's ex. Funny to read it, and I like that Elena is still jealous to Tasha but she didn't let her jealousy overwhelm her judgment. Elena still act classy while confirm her jealousness. Beside, I can't hate Tasha. She's not bitchy, kick ass and quite cooperative. Heck, I kinda like Michaela too! Her bitchiness still there, but there were some aspect from her that make the archangel not a shallow character.
Some nasty things happen...and well, well, Lijuan's threat still hanging in the air. I wonder when Her Creepiness will truly dead for good :/. I'm a little bit worried that Nalini prolong this Lijuan sub-plot to continue her Guild Hunter world building. In the other side, I like that Lijuan portrayed as a monsters she was. She already evolved beyond Uram, in case you wondering why Uram is so easily defeated by Raphael, but not Lijuan. I wonder what Nalini have for Lijuan.
I might be minority here, but I'm still think that why Bluebell and Sparkle can remain friends? Bromance is cool, like Raphael and Dmitri have *shrug* . I just hope Nalini don't jump into a bandwagon :P. Not much tell about the reason behind Aodhan's trauma, but I like that he kinda "pushed" into the spotlight. Now just left Venom, I feel that his appearance become less and less.
My complaint just..not enough sex. Just one scene...whaaaa :'(((. The declaration of love between Raphael and Elena can be too sappy and repetitive sometimes. But I'm in the mood of the sappiness, so just bring me all the sweetness of love that threat to make my teeth ache! I like that both Raphael and Elena are settle with their courtship. I always smile when reading about Raphael laugh or any scene that involved he seems happy. You need to laugh more, Raphael! :D I still hope that at least Nalini can write one of those angel dance scene in this book. Alas, it's just my wishful thinking :P.
With so many new characters and subplot, I want Nalini to write at least about:
- Laric. Poor angel :(
- How Nadiel and Caliane met. Since they are both powerful archangels, but archangels not supposed to live very close to each other. I want to know their history.
- Kinda spoiler, but
All I want know is...more Guild Hunter books!! I don't really care with Psy-Changeling series, because I already lost track. But Guild Hunter? I can see my self to do re-read, over and over. :D
Also part of my Guild Hunter read-a-thon (okay, 3 books more to finish my GR challenge!!).
Okay, I amend my earlier comment in my Archangel's Legion review that said Archangel's Heart didn't left a last impression, because who am I KIDDING? This sure do! Archangel's Heart might be not the strongest Guild Hunter books that feature my favorite ever couple, Elena and Raphael, those compliments still goes to Archangel's Kiss and Archangel's Legion. But, like its title that have "HEART", this book sure have so many heartfelt and heartwarming moment. Sure the pace can be too slow sometimes, but I know that its Singh's trademark, soo *shrug. In Heart, thing that I didn't catch in my first read was, Singh want to show that power can corrupt. Power without control will do more damage, especially because the Luminata sect in this book think that they are above Archangels. Singh seems like want to stated the fact that, its the archangels that are apex predator. But not just from their power, but also the wisdom even though not all of them have the wisdom.
Alsoo...I want to correct my earlier statement in this review about the steaminess factor, lol XD. Yeah, I did see that the sex scenes just one, and another fade to black. BUT, that's when I realized that the event in Archangel's Heart only happen in 2-3 days! Elena and Raphael only spent a few days in Lumia stronghold. Beside with the way Luminata make Elena's hackles rise, who want to have a hanky panky in the place like that, lol. It's all make sense after second read, hahaha. I should have patience when reading a book and not rushed it until finish. Again, Singh make it hard to do that, because I can't always patient when its come to read her books. Beside, because "heart" is the core of this book, I can forgive the lack of steaminess with the way how Elena and Raphael's relationship evolved. They are just like a married couple already, so civilized its make me grinned when reading their banter. On Illium and Aodhan board..well, seems like they parted in bad ways in this book and its sadden me to read. Beside..no reconciliation scenes too :(. Although I'm glad to know more about Aodhan.
My re-read review didn't very much changed after my first read review, and yeah, I still like Archangel's Heart even after the second reading. Now only 1 book left to read Archangel's Prophecy and War, because I really can't freakin wait, hahaha. Should I just bypass re-read Archangel's Venom? Oh the choices, the choices! :D
Simply 5 stars!!!
But all Guild Hunter books feature my favorite OTP Raphael and Elena is auto 5 stars for me. You can call me a little biased, but heh, I don't care :p. Read this in one sitting, until 3 a.m. Thanks Nalini Singh for relieve my stress..and adding a little bit to it since Idk when the next Guild Hunter will out, lol!
The story kinda come to full circle with the exploration of Elena's past. The mysteries and the suspense are written well. They keep me hanging by the thread, make me open page by page and I don't care that I read well pass midnight. The twist make my jaw drop. Not twisty like Sanderson's book, but still a twist nonetheless. All I can said is...WELL DONE NALINI!! I like to read the chapter when Elena discovered the truth. I don't know, her past is hard and so sad, so I like that Elena can find a little happiness from it.
I like that The Cadre have so many part here and how Nalini give all of them appearance. Not just a passing through characters, but characters with three dimensional trait. Sure that they are still ruthless, but readers will get a glimpse of their other side. I kinda think that Archangel's Heart is like Allegiance of Honour with so many ensemble cast. Since I'm not reading the later yet, I can't compare.
My favorite scene is when Caliane sings. I don't know, like Elena, when reading these parts, it almost bring tears to my eyes. I always fond to a character that can sing, tho. Also Elena kinda compromise with Tasha, Raphael's ex. Funny to read it, and I like that Elena is still jealous to Tasha but she didn't let her jealousy overwhelm her judgment. Elena still act classy while confirm her jealousness. Beside, I can't hate Tasha. She's not bitchy, kick ass and quite cooperative. Heck, I kinda like Michaela too! Her bitchiness still there, but there were some aspect from her that make the archangel not a shallow character.
Some nasty things happen...and well, well, Lijuan's threat still hanging in the air. I wonder when Her Creepiness will truly dead for good :/. I'm a little bit worried that Nalini prolong this Lijuan sub-plot to continue her Guild Hunter world building. In the other side, I like that Lijuan portrayed as a monsters she was. She already evolved beyond Uram, in case you wondering why Uram is so easily defeated by Raphael, but not Lijuan. I wonder what Nalini have for Lijuan.
I might be minority here, but I'm still think that why Bluebell and Sparkle can remain friends? Bromance is cool, like Raphael and Dmitri have *shrug* . I just hope Nalini don't jump into a bandwagon :P. Not much tell about the reason behind Aodhan's trauma, but I like that he kinda "pushed" into the spotlight. Now just left Venom, I feel that his appearance become less and less.
My complaint just..not enough sex. Just one scene...whaaaa :'(((. The declaration of love between Raphael and Elena can be too sappy and repetitive sometimes. But I'm in the mood of the sappiness, so just bring me all the sweetness of love that threat to make my teeth ache! I like that both Raphael and Elena are settle with their courtship. I always smile when reading about Raphael laugh or any scene that involved he seems happy. You need to laugh more, Raphael! :D I still hope that at least Nalini can write one of those angel dance scene in this book. Alas, it's just my wishful thinking :P.
With so many new characters and subplot, I want Nalini to write at least about:
- Laric. Poor angel :(
- How Nadiel and Caliane met. Since they are both powerful archangels, but archangels not supposed to live very close to each other. I want to know their history.
- Kinda spoiler, but
Spoiler
I want Nalini to write about Majda and Jean-Baptiste pasts..or what happen after their captivity. It will be interestingAll I want know is...more Guild Hunter books!! I don't really care with Psy-Changeling series, because I already lost track. But Guild Hunter? I can see my self to do re-read, over and over. :D