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coralivashkov's review against another edition
5.0
I just love the wildfire couple, Elena & Raphael. The evolution of their relationship is amazing, more mature as they become more trustworthy to each other.
But I really want to know what’ll happen with Lijuan, I mean this book was supposed to be about her situation and the Cadre, but it ended up with the craziness of the Luminata. I’m more intrigued than ever!
But I really want to know what’ll happen with Lijuan, I mean this book was supposed to be about her situation and the Cadre, but it ended up with the craziness of the Luminata. I’m more intrigued than ever!
claire_loves_books's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this but it was slow going in places, there was a lot of meetings, political manoeuvring and intrigue and it felt kind of repetitive by the end. The story didn't feel like it moved forward much, it felt like a bit of a tangent. I'd never heard of the Luminata before (that I remember- they may well have been mentioned but I don't think they played a bit part in any of the previous books) so it felt a bit like it came out of nowhere. The intrigue with the Luminata took up so much of the book, it's only right at the end that we get into the 'main plot' - Lijuan's disappearance.
I liked that Raphael and Elena's relationship is strengthening further and this book did seem to move a lot of the other personal relationships forward as well.
I'm not opposed to character lead novels and I liked that we got to see deeper into some characters and personal development for others, I just wish the plot would have moved forward as well, it felt like quite a slow moving book.
I liked that Raphael and Elena's relationship is strengthening further and this book did seem to move a lot of the other personal relationships forward as well.
I'm not opposed to character lead novels and I liked that we got to see deeper into some characters and personal development for others, I just wish the plot would have moved forward as well, it felt like quite a slow moving book.
meaganpauli's review against another edition
4.0
Elena's a toddler and Raphael is evolving? I enjoyed this and the family reunited, but let's get back to finding true love with the seven.
lailybibliography's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5 stars
Phew, this review was way longer than planned.
Enjoyed the more political and world-building focus. It’s been a while since I’ve been back to this series and this was a pretty good welcome back instalment. Raphael and Elena’s relationship was also far better written than in most previous books, which I really appreciated, but ultimately, I’m still much more interested in the Seven. Not to mention the vastness of the world outside of Raphael’s court. The Luminata and it’s cultist practices were an interesting choice that deviated from the overused “Lijuan is evil” plot, and weaving Elena’s maternal family backstory with its machinations was great.
However, and this is a *big* caveat, the series’ “I’m not like other girls” and casual misogyny continues to bother the hell out of me. Every female character that isn’t Elena or isn’t actively her family/friend is automatically villanized to no end. And that negative framing is always to do with power, beauty or sex. This series is weaker for it, as is Elena because it just makes her seem like a manic pixie dream girl (which admittedly, she kind of is). Because of this outdated and pathetic trope, every female archangel that isn’t Caliane is a villainous character, and Caliane’s the one who murdered thousands in rage before. Man, this series has its priorities set. Badly. It’s also highly irritating to see that literally every female character not related to Raphael wants to fuck him. I don’t care how special or hot he is. There is no man *that* irresistible. Also, FYI, Hannah is freaking amazing and deserves so much better than the snarky comments the narrative affords her. Calling women “delicate flowers” is never the answer; not in fiction, not in real life.
As for future expectations, I need my Bluebell and Sparkle novel. You know, for queer therapeutic purposes. I need more of my people in this world. And also just, more novels centring on the Seven and their partners. (Hint hint: I N E E D more Jason and Mahiya, my beautiful spying angels.) They’re the ones that truly make this series shine for me. Off to Venom’s book now!
Phew, this review was way longer than planned.
Enjoyed the more political and world-building focus. It’s been a while since I’ve been back to this series and this was a pretty good welcome back instalment. Raphael and Elena’s relationship was also far better written than in most previous books, which I really appreciated, but ultimately, I’m still much more interested in the Seven. Not to mention the vastness of the world outside of Raphael’s court. The Luminata and it’s cultist practices were an interesting choice that deviated from the overused “Lijuan is evil” plot, and weaving Elena’s maternal family backstory with its machinations was great.
However, and this is a *big* caveat, the series’ “I’m not like other girls” and casual misogyny continues to bother the hell out of me. Every female character that isn’t Elena or isn’t actively her family/friend is automatically villanized to no end. And that negative framing is always to do with power, beauty or sex. This series is weaker for it, as is Elena because it just makes her seem like a manic pixie dream girl (which admittedly, she kind of is). Because of this outdated and pathetic trope, every female archangel that isn’t Caliane is a villainous character, and Caliane’s the one who murdered thousands in rage before. Man, this series has its priorities set. Badly. It’s also highly irritating to see that literally every female character not related to Raphael wants to fuck him. I don’t care how special or hot he is. There is no man *that* irresistible. Also, FYI, Hannah is freaking amazing and deserves so much better than the snarky comments the narrative affords her. Calling women “delicate flowers” is never the answer; not in fiction, not in real life.
As for future expectations, I need my Bluebell and Sparkle novel. You know, for queer therapeutic purposes. I need more of my people in this world. And also just, more novels centring on the Seven and their partners. (Hint hint: I N E E D more Jason and Mahiya, my beautiful spying angels.) They’re the ones that truly make this series shine for me. Off to Venom’s book now!
angels_gp17's review against another edition
5.0
Archangel’s Heart starts us off two years after Archangel's Enigma ended. It’s full of secrets and mysteries. The storyline focusing on Elena and Raphael, but their is no shortage of previous and new characters. Be prepared for surprises by certain Archangels and watch our favorite hunter do what she does best!
WOW. The storyline takes a turn that I was not expecting. We get to meet a new sect, the Luminata. See all the Cadre and go deeper with them. Discover about Elena’s heritage and also get to see and dig a little deeper into Aodhan aka Sparkle one of Raphael’s Seven. Aodhan doesn't like to be touched, but in this installment we see changes and growth, which made my heart sing.
This was Urban Fantasy at it’s finest. So much AWESOMENESS happens. I was sucked in and couldn't put the book down. I went through a menagerie of emotions and had tears at the end. That ending, just WOW. I’m not sure what is next, but I’m excited to see what will happen.
Rated: 4.5 Stars
tessisreading2's review against another edition
3.0
Claustrophobic monastery mystery starring angels. It's like a fantasy Poirot novel.
hinalovestoread's review against another edition
4.0
I don't know where to start.
A 4.5 for this one that I loved!
A 4.5 for this one that I loved!
claire_loves_books's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this but it was slow going in places, there was a lot of meetings, political manoeuvring and intrigue and it felt kind of repetitive by the end. The story didn't feel like it moved forward much, it felt like a bit of a tangent. I'd never heard of the Luminata before (that I remember- they may well have been mentioned but I don't think they played a bit part in any of the previous books) so it felt a bit like it came out of nowhere. The intrigue with the Luminata took up so much of the book, it's only right at the end that we get into the 'main plot' - Lijuan's disappearance.
I liked that Raphael and Elena's relationship is strengthening further and this book did seem to move a lot of the other personal relationships forward as well.
I'm not opposed to character lead novels and I liked that we got to see deeper into some characters and personal development for others, I just wish the plot would have moved forward as well, it felt like quite a slow moving book.
I liked that Raphael and Elena's relationship is strengthening further and this book did seem to move a lot of the other personal relationships forward as well.
I'm not opposed to character lead novels and I liked that we got to see deeper into some characters and personal development for others, I just wish the plot would have moved forward as well, it felt like quite a slow moving book.
meganmreads's review against another edition
4.0
This installment of the Guild Hunter series was back to being focused on Elena and Raphael as they met up with the Luminata along with the rest of the Cadre. The plot was crazy! I enjoyed the change of scenery and existence of an organization we hadn’t been introduced to yet.
I’m loving the series and I like that I get some Elena and Raphael stories along with other characters meeting their matches as it goes along, so it’s the best of both worlds. I definitely recommend this series and I can’t wait to continue.