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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
This is my second time finishing it, and as before loved it. I am older now then when I first read it, and can appreciate a lot of it much more!
More fantasy than romance?
good read-a-like for Black Dagger Brotherhood fans.
good read-a-like for Black Dagger Brotherhood fans.
I liked it more the second time around. I almost gave it four stars and still might round up because it is a solid 3.5 for me. Some of the writing was a bit cheesy. Though this might be due to the narration. Not that the narrator was bad, I just find vocal sexual situations cringy. Watching it could be hot, reading it could be hot, hearing it not so much. And angels are not hot to me. I did like Elena more this time, too. I liked it enough this time to carry on to the next one.
The Guild Hunter series has been recommended to me by a few people, so I thought I would start it right after the Psy-Changeling. Right now, I'm not sure I am as enchanted as I thought I would be. This is making reading this one a bit slow for me.
Elena is a great character. She seems to be comfortable in her life despite all of her family issues. She has the Guild as her family now. Her friends, her job and her apartment all seem to keep her satisfied. Except for one little kink. The nightmares. She has experienced an event so horrifying, she relives it constantly.
Elena gets called on a job, well, more like specifically picked, for a job with the Archangels. She really doesn't have much of a choice, and this is where Raphael comes in. I'm on the fence with Raphael. There are times when he seems to be normal, but then other times so rigid and cold. I thought maybe his character was trying to come across as the whole alpha male character that I've seen in other books. That isn't how he seems to me though. Even in his demands that Elena is his, he seems cold. Like, she is his, but not in any emotional sort of way.
Elena & Raphael work together to bring down a wayward Archangel and I found that pretty interesting. The scenes were very descriptive and downright horrifying. I loved it. It was fascinating and the writing really had me envisioning the scenes. Those times when you just feel scared but fascinated at the same time. I thought those were really well done.
The ending really surprised me. I think it was a big surprise to everyone.It left on a note where I still hadn't really connected with Raphael. Sarah and Ransom I loved. They were awesome side characters. There was enough here that I will continue on in the series. I sometimes have a hard time with the first book, but get pulled in the farther in I go. With as many high recommendations for this series, I have a feeling it won't be long before I'm in love.
I think because I just listened to one whole series back to back with a particular narrator, I had a hard time adjusting to Justine Eyre. I've listened and liked her other books, so I think it is my narrator switch that has me hesitant about the narration. I think once I get into the swing of the series, my ears will adjust.This review was originally posted on Rantings of a Reading Addict
Elena is a great character. She seems to be comfortable in her life despite all of her family issues. She has the Guild as her family now. Her friends, her job and her apartment all seem to keep her satisfied. Except for one little kink. The nightmares. She has experienced an event so horrifying, she relives it constantly.
Elena gets called on a job, well, more like specifically picked, for a job with the Archangels. She really doesn't have much of a choice, and this is where Raphael comes in. I'm on the fence with Raphael. There are times when he seems to be normal, but then other times so rigid and cold. I thought maybe his character was trying to come across as the whole alpha male character that I've seen in other books. That isn't how he seems to me though. Even in his demands that Elena is his, he seems cold. Like, she is his, but not in any emotional sort of way.
Elena & Raphael work together to bring down a wayward Archangel and I found that pretty interesting. The scenes were very descriptive and downright horrifying. I loved it. It was fascinating and the writing really had me envisioning the scenes. Those times when you just feel scared but fascinated at the same time. I thought those were really well done.
The ending really surprised me. I think it was a big surprise to everyone.It left on a note where I still hadn't really connected with Raphael. Sarah and Ransom I loved. They were awesome side characters. There was enough here that I will continue on in the series. I sometimes have a hard time with the first book, but get pulled in the farther in I go. With as many high recommendations for this series, I have a feeling it won't be long before I'm in love.
I think because I just listened to one whole series back to back with a particular narrator, I had a hard time adjusting to Justine Eyre. I've listened and liked her other books, so I think it is my narrator switch that has me hesitant about the narration. I think once I get into the swing of the series, my ears will adjust.This review was originally posted on Rantings of a Reading Addict
Elena Deveraux is a vampire hunter that works for The Guild. She is hunter-born, and was born with abilities that help track down vampires. Her specific ability is being able to track vampires by scent, even those newly turned. I should mention that her job isn't to kill vampires, it's to locate and bring them back to the angels they belong to. This definitely isn't the easiest job to do, yet Elena excels in it. I enjoyed reading her character, she's a strong woman and isn't afraid to tell it like it is.
Raphael is an archangel that is both beautiful yet deadly. He rules with an iron fist, and I was slightly worried for Elena when she was hired to track down an archangel on a killing rampage. Only another archangel can kill one of their kind, so I had my doubts that Elena would walk out of this book unscathed, even though there are several books in the series. Raphael is pure alpha male in angel form. In between all the tracking, Elena and Raphael are slowly building more and more tension. I was curious to see if this would be a relationship, or if it would eventually lead to one later in the series.
I'm usually not a big fan of angel books, but I knew I had to try this out and step a bit out of my comfort zone. I'm so glad I did, this book exceeded my expectations and the world building is excellent. It reminds me a bit of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Elena is born with the ability to hunt vampires and is a pro at her job. I recommend this book for anyone that enjoys Urban Fantasy with a touch of Paranormal Romance.
Raphael is an archangel that is both beautiful yet deadly. He rules with an iron fist, and I was slightly worried for Elena when she was hired to track down an archangel on a killing rampage. Only another archangel can kill one of their kind, so I had my doubts that Elena would walk out of this book unscathed, even though there are several books in the series. Raphael is pure alpha male in angel form. In between all the tracking, Elena and Raphael are slowly building more and more tension. I was curious to see if this would be a relationship, or if it would eventually lead to one later in the series.
I'm usually not a big fan of angel books, but I knew I had to try this out and step a bit out of my comfort zone. I'm so glad I did, this book exceeded my expectations and the world building is excellent. It reminds me a bit of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Elena is born with the ability to hunt vampires and is a pro at her job. I recommend this book for anyone that enjoys Urban Fantasy with a touch of Paranormal Romance.
"You want to play? Come find me angel boy."
This series is the most fascinating depiction of angels and vampires we have ever read. It is also our favorite. Nalini writes a sophisticated world where angels and archangels rule, and the vampires they "make" serve them. And when those vampires decide to break contracts with those they serve, Guild Hunters, mortal born blood hounds, are called in to track them and bring them back. Elena is a hunter-born Guild Hunter with unparalleled skills. She never misses her mark, and that comes in handy when the Archangel of New York needs her to hunt. But this isn't something she has ever hunted before...
Nalini's way of writing is one of our favorites. We have never known a moment of boredom or lag when reading this series. Her every word and description is important. Even doing rereads, we find ourself still reading every single thing, instead of just skimming along. And it's simply impossible to choose a favorite character. Nalini wrote the most incredible ensemble of characters that resonated with us long after we were done reading. We will never get tired of visiting this world and always look forward to more.
"Some things were worth the dance with danger."
This series is the most fascinating depiction of angels and vampires we have ever read. It is also our favorite. Nalini writes a sophisticated world where angels and archangels rule, and the vampires they "make" serve them. And when those vampires decide to break contracts with those they serve, Guild Hunters, mortal born blood hounds, are called in to track them and bring them back. Elena is a hunter-born Guild Hunter with unparalleled skills. She never misses her mark, and that comes in handy when the Archangel of New York needs her to hunt. But this isn't something she has ever hunted before...
Nalini's way of writing is one of our favorites. We have never known a moment of boredom or lag when reading this series. Her every word and description is important. Even doing rereads, we find ourself still reading every single thing, instead of just skimming along. And it's simply impossible to choose a favorite character. Nalini wrote the most incredible ensemble of characters that resonated with us long after we were done reading. We will never get tired of visiting this world and always look forward to more.
"Some things were worth the dance with danger."
"You want to play? Come find me angel boy."
This series is the most fascinating depiction of angels and vampires we have ever read. It is also our favorite. Nalini writes a sophisticated world where angels and archangels rule, and the vampires they "make" serve them. And when those vampires decide to break contracts with those they serve, Guild Hunters, mortal born blood hounds, are called in to track them and bring them back. Elena is a hunter-born Guild Hunter with unparalleled skills. She never misses her mark, and that comes in handy when the Archangel of New York needs her to hunt. But this isn't something she has ever hunted before...
Nalini's way of writing is one of our favorites. We have never known a moment of boredom or lag when reading this series. Her every word and description is important. Even doing rereads, we find ourself still reading every single thing, instead of just skimming along. And it's simply impossible to choose a favorite character. Nalini wrote the most incredible ensemble of characters that resonated with us long after we were done reading. We will never get tired of visiting this world and always look forward to more.
"Some things were worth the dance with danger."
This series is the most fascinating depiction of angels and vampires we have ever read. It is also our favorite. Nalini writes a sophisticated world where angels and archangels rule, and the vampires they "make" serve them. And when those vampires decide to break contracts with those they serve, Guild Hunters, mortal born blood hounds, are called in to track them and bring them back. Elena is a hunter-born Guild Hunter with unparalleled skills. She never misses her mark, and that comes in handy when the Archangel of New York needs her to hunt. But this isn't something she has ever hunted before...
Nalini's way of writing is one of our favorites. We have never known a moment of boredom or lag when reading this series. Her every word and description is important. Even doing rereads, we find ourself still reading every single thing, instead of just skimming along. And it's simply impossible to choose a favorite character. Nalini wrote the most incredible ensemble of characters that resonated with us long after we were done reading. We will never get tired of visiting this world and always look forward to more.
"Some things were worth the dance with danger."
3.5 stars
A solid start of a series I will hopefully enjoy.
A solid start of a series I will hopefully enjoy.
Characters - 5.0
Story(s) - 5.0
Narration - 5.0
Overall - 5.0
I loved this book!! I glommed onto it every chance I could. Seriously cannot wait to read more in the series. I may even have to look into reading the prequels. I need to remember to pace myself though. This was my first Nalini Singh and it will not be my last... gimme moar~!
Story(s) - 5.0
Narration - 5.0
Overall - 5.0
I loved this book!! I glommed onto it every chance I could. Seriously cannot wait to read more in the series. I may even have to look into reading the prequels. I need to remember to pace myself though. This was my first Nalini Singh and it will not be my last... gimme moar~!
I guess it's a tribute to the author's talent that I was half-way through the book before I realized that it was fill with some of the tropes that I hate the most.
But... It started so well! I love Elena. She is a great heroine. Smart, sassy, loyal to her friends, strong, badass a good hunter.
And the world building is very intriguing. A world similar to our own, but were you can see angels flying from you window? I didn't think I could find an new twist on vampire that would interest me. But this book was it!
And then...
Yeah, of course, Raphael is dark, tall, handsome. So handsome, so, so, gorgeous... And arrogant, mean, brutal, could kill Elena in an instant without remorse. I could never understand the attraction of a mate who might as well kill you as kiss you.
BUT She stands up to him, and call him up on what he does. (Would you take pleasure in rape?).
BUT he is actually hurt by that tought. He shows hints of caring. And the worst things he does are when he is in the "Quiet", so he is not himself, right? And that's intriguing. What is it exactly? The dilemma between power given by "the quiet" and what it does to your self could be very interesting.
And then.
Sex...sex...sex... Well, not really. Because nothing ever happened. Elena is just threatened with sex by every male she meets. Or death. Or both.
It felt like a porno... whitout the sex.
Really guys?
Big, powerful, blood hungry bid bad coming and you kidnap and threaten the only person that could find him?
Really guys?
Hello? young women dying left and right, maybe keep the groping and kissing to after the monster is found? Oh right, after he is found Elena is to be killed. How does that make sense if her skills are so valuable?
Then again...
Her unique ability is that she can smelled the fallen angel.... Who... can... FLY! Duh.
They actually end up following the trail of bodies, was Elena really useful?
Maybe that's why Raphael expects so little of Elena. Or maybe it's his general contempt of human kind. Every time he says "Very good, Elena" I was rolling my eyes and wondering if he was sarcastic. My 7 years old son would have make the same deductions.
So...I loved other books by the same author. She writes really well and have very cool ideas.
Maybe if I had been looking for a paranormal romance?
I like my paranormal stories sprinkle with romance, not the other way around.
But... It started so well! I love Elena. She is a great heroine. Smart, sassy, loyal to her friends, strong, badass a good hunter.
And the world building is very intriguing. A world similar to our own, but were you can see angels flying from you window? I didn't think I could find an new twist on vampire that would interest me. But this book was it!
And then...
Yeah, of course, Raphael is dark, tall, handsome. So handsome, so, so, gorgeous... And arrogant, mean, brutal, could kill Elena in an instant without remorse. I could never understand the attraction of a mate who might as well kill you as kiss you.
BUT She stands up to him, and call him up on what he does. (Would you take pleasure in rape?).
BUT he is actually hurt by that tought. He shows hints of caring. And the worst things he does are when he is in the "Quiet", so he is not himself, right? And that's intriguing. What is it exactly? The dilemma between power given by "the quiet" and what it does to your self could be very interesting.
And then.
Sex...sex...sex... Well, not really. Because nothing ever happened. Elena is just threatened with sex by every male she meets. Or death. Or both.
It felt like a porno... whitout the sex.
Really guys?
Big, powerful, blood hungry bid bad coming and you kidnap and threaten the only person that could find him?
Really guys?
Hello? young women dying left and right, maybe keep the groping and kissing to after the monster is found? Oh right, after he is found Elena is to be killed. How does that make sense if her skills are so valuable?
Then again...
Her unique ability is that she can smelled the fallen angel.... Who... can... FLY! Duh.
They actually end up following the trail of bodies, was Elena really useful?
Maybe that's why Raphael expects so little of Elena. Or maybe it's his general contempt of human kind. Every time he says "Very good, Elena" I was rolling my eyes and wondering if he was sarcastic. My 7 years old son would have make the same deductions.
So...I loved other books by the same author. She writes really well and have very cool ideas.
Maybe if I had been looking for a paranormal romance?
I like my paranormal stories sprinkle with romance, not the other way around.