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joyreads2024's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
Archangel’s Prophecy slaps so hard I cannot even. From start to end, to the little slices of life to the introduction of Cassandra , it’s such an awesome book. And the way the ending flows to the next one. Love, love, love. We had a lil bit of Cadre, but mostly it was Elena hunting and the story building over time. Perfect.
kenzee06's review against another edition
4.0
So I liked this book but it wasn’t the same quality of the other ones. The mystery was boring and really made no sense in the context of the prophecy and yet it somehow related? But mostly it was the overly flowery language that killed it. At this point we know what the main characters look like - we don’t need six paragraphs of description about it in the middle of dialogue. It was like she was getting paid by the word. So much gratuitous description I could barely handle it. And a cliff hanger ending? Seriously? She’s so much better than that. Seemed like an amateur writer move to get readers to buy the next book not that of a seasoned author with a solid fan base.
jesslynh's review against another edition
3.0
I REALLY wanted to give this 2 stars for the cliffhanger ending, a big no-no in my book., but that wouldn't have been fair. The storytelling remains consistent, with constant declarations of love, inner monologues and discussions on the god-like powers of the archangels.
This series had been my guilty pleasure, but my enjoyment of this installment was severely muted by that cliffhanger.
This series had been my guilty pleasure, but my enjoyment of this installment was severely muted by that cliffhanger.
nkim77's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
On Raph and Elena. She’s slowing becoming mortal again, losing feathers and weakening. It’s part of a prophecy of the Cascades that she has to die for her to help Raph control the wildfire and defeat Lijuan. She’s also tracking someone who tried to kill Harrison and it ends up being Archer the guild slayer. He almost kills Elena and Raph is able to save her by switching their hearts. Lijuan somehow contaminates Favashi but Raph is able to stop her and Favashi goes with Cassandra. Wish the author didn’t repeat so many things like descriptions of people.
racheljade100's review against another edition
2.0
I have really enjoyed this series and love the romance between Elena and Raphael, however this book just felt like a 'filler' book with no real development. Yes, the mystery around the attack of Elena's brother-in-law Harrison was interesting - but the overall plot with Lijuan just feels like it is dragging on.
Overall I was disappointed with the lack of clear storyline, there just felt like multiple stories running at the same time that did not seem very connected to the previous books, and just plucked out of thin air to keep the series going.
Overall I was disappointed with the lack of clear storyline, there just felt like multiple stories running at the same time that did not seem very connected to the previous books, and just plucked out of thin air to keep the series going.
amym84's review against another edition
4.0
Back in New York, and focusing again on Raphael and Elena, Archangel's Prophecy finds the titular Archangel and his consort again dealing with the ebb and flow of the Cascade. Although this time it comes in the form of a prophecy directed at Elena foretelling the death of one so another can live. While Elena would never go down without a fight, she's inexplicably finding herself regressing in her immortality. Losing strength, losing weight, losing feathers.
Meanwhile, Elena is pulled into a matter for the Guild after her brother-in-law is found nearly decapitated. While on the hunt for the perpetrator, Elena connects his attack to other various attacks around the city over the past weeks. Elena is racing against time as she tries to put the pieces together in order to keep her family safe and continues to deteriorate.
I always love when this series comes back to Raphael and Elena. Seeing as how the pair started out the series, I always feel a little more grounded when Nalini Singh decides to revisit "home base" as it were. It also always throws me when there's reference to events from previous Raphael and Elena centered books as being years ago. It's a correct assessment, but I am always jolted by how much time it's been. Time flies I guess.
I've always appreciated the way Nalini Singh has crafted this series and the number of times a character, or characters, have gone through a change or development. Archangel's Prophecy certainly fits that bill with the mystery of what's happening to Elena taking center stage throughout the entirety. Singh leaves things on a bit of a cliffhanger as by the end it's still not completely clear what changes we can expect to see from Ellie in the next book(s), but as in the past, I trust Nalini Singh to give these characters storylines that are true and fit with the narrative of the series as a whole, that make sense.
Besides always loving the interactions between Raphael and Elena, their bond is #goals for sure, I loved being back in New York. I loved seeing Ellie doing work for the Guild again. Back in familiar territory and with many familiar faces of family and friends, even dealing with the attack on her brother-in-law and what that attack could mean for her sister and niece, with the prophecy surrounding Elena, if the story had taken place anywhere else I think it would have been too jarring, too much unknown and unfamiliarity happening along with the personal happenings to Ellie. This story couldn't have worked so well had Raphael and Elena not been home in New York.
With the trend of Nalini Singh in the past few years has been to alternate between her main pair and that of Raphael's seven, I'm kinda hoping she picks up where Archangel's Prophecy left off since the ending seems to naturally lead readers into the "what happens next" phase. Regardless, there's a reason this series is a must read for me, and everyone (!), and it's because Nalini Singh has crafted such a fine series full of surprisingly wonderful characters and storylines that, too, can be surprising, but that she always pulls off with much aplomb. I simply cannot wait to find out where things go next!
Meanwhile, Elena is pulled into a matter for the Guild after her brother-in-law is found nearly decapitated. While on the hunt for the perpetrator, Elena connects his attack to other various attacks around the city over the past weeks. Elena is racing against time as she tries to put the pieces together in order to keep her family safe and continues to deteriorate.
I always love when this series comes back to Raphael and Elena. Seeing as how the pair started out the series, I always feel a little more grounded when Nalini Singh decides to revisit "home base" as it were. It also always throws me when there's reference to events from previous Raphael and Elena centered books as being years ago. It's a correct assessment, but I am always jolted by how much time it's been. Time flies I guess.
I've always appreciated the way Nalini Singh has crafted this series and the number of times a character, or characters, have gone through a change or development. Archangel's Prophecy certainly fits that bill with the mystery of what's happening to Elena taking center stage throughout the entirety. Singh leaves things on a bit of a cliffhanger as by the end it's still not completely clear what changes we can expect to see from Ellie in the next book(s), but as in the past, I trust Nalini Singh to give these characters storylines that are true and fit with the narrative of the series as a whole, that make sense.
Besides always loving the interactions between Raphael and Elena, their bond is #goals for sure, I loved being back in New York. I loved seeing Ellie doing work for the Guild again. Back in familiar territory and with many familiar faces of family and friends, even dealing with the attack on her brother-in-law and what that attack could mean for her sister and niece, with the prophecy surrounding Elena, if the story had taken place anywhere else I think it would have been too jarring, too much unknown and unfamiliarity happening along with the personal happenings to Ellie. This story couldn't have worked so well had Raphael and Elena not been home in New York.
With the trend of Nalini Singh in the past few years has been to alternate between her main pair and that of Raphael's seven, I'm kinda hoping she picks up where Archangel's Prophecy left off since the ending seems to naturally lead readers into the "what happens next" phase. Regardless, there's a reason this series is a must read for me, and everyone (!), and it's because Nalini Singh has crafted such a fine series full of surprisingly wonderful characters and storylines that, too, can be surprising, but that she always pulls off with much aplomb. I simply cannot wait to find out where things go next!
sznnbrgrn's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
lux_klara's review against another edition
4.0
I'll start saying that IF YOU HATE CLIFFHANGERS THEN YOU SHOULD WAIT FOR THE NEXT BOOK TO COME OUT BEFORE READING THIS ONE.
I would also like to add that the end is a cliffhanger but one that makes complete sense. I can't see the author ending the book before or after that "moment" and it's obvious that it's crucial to future books and the development of characters & story. THIS IS A TRANSITION BOOK, and it must be read with that in mind and judged as such. It is obviously fundamental for what will come later on, it has its own plot and mistery but, at the end of the day, it's purpose is to built up other books and events. And the cliffhanger itself needs too much build up ( + introduction of a new character) so I don't think you could cut part of this book either just to fit everything in one. (And due to the way the ending is written I think that, at the end, the author herself suggest that things are going to be okay)
I also know that several people hate cliffhangers because other writers often use cliffhangers to make readers keep reading their books but this is the 11th book of a series, not the first. The author doesn't need to convince you to keep reading or bait you in doing it because if you arrived at this point, chances are, that you already love the series and would keep reading it. This cliffhanger has a purpose, or so I think. So I just suggest to those that hate cliffhangers to wait for the next book so that they won't be angry at this one, judging it harshly for something that I don't think could be avoided.
That said, I really loved this book, the relationship between Elena and Raphael is always special. I've always appreciated how Nalini never uses things like love triangles to keep the relationship interesting. Sure, we can see them being a bit jealous but they don't question their relationship. They grow together, learn to be together and solidify their connection.
I also appreciate how the author keeps building up the overall plot and characters and, at the same time, write a separated plot for that specific book. In this book in particular, the Guild has to rethink the solitary role of the Slayer and its consequences and Elena gives a very smart suggestion that could solve the problem.
We can also see more about Elena's family (tough I would like to see a bit more about them) and I'm really curious to see how things will progress in future books, because I doubt that what happened in this book won't have any consequences on that front as well.
I would also like to add that the end is a cliffhanger but one that makes complete sense. I can't see the author ending the book before or after that "moment" and it's obvious that it's crucial to future books and the development of characters & story. THIS IS A TRANSITION BOOK, and it must be read with that in mind and judged as such. It is obviously fundamental for what will come later on, it has its own plot and mistery but, at the end of the day, it's purpose is to built up other books and events. And the cliffhanger itself needs too much build up ( + introduction of a new character) so I don't think you could cut part of this book either just to fit everything in one. (And due to the way the ending is written I think that, at the end, the author herself suggest that things are going to be okay)
I also know that several people hate cliffhangers because other writers often use cliffhangers to make readers keep reading their books but this is the 11th book of a series, not the first. The author doesn't need to convince you to keep reading or bait you in doing it because if you arrived at this point, chances are, that you already love the series and would keep reading it. This cliffhanger has a purpose, or so I think. So I just suggest to those that hate cliffhangers to wait for the next book so that they won't be angry at this one, judging it harshly for something that I don't think could be avoided.
That said, I really loved this book, the relationship between Elena and Raphael is always special. I've always appreciated how Nalini never uses things like love triangles to keep the relationship interesting. Sure, we can see them being a bit jealous but they don't question their relationship. They grow together, learn to be together and solidify their connection.
I also appreciate how the author keeps building up the overall plot and characters and, at the same time, write a separated plot for that specific book. In this book in particular, the Guild has to rethink the solitary role of the Slayer and its consequences and Elena gives a very smart suggestion that could solve the problem.
We can also see more about Elena's family (tough I would like to see a bit more about them) and I'm really curious to see how things will progress in future books, because I doubt that what happened in this book won't have any consequences on that front as well.
ilia_'s review against another edition
4.0
Oh, it is good! Came back to the series after a year-long break and I devoured this book. I enjoyed both the Raphael & Elena story line and the Slayer suspense story but basically found myself speed reading to get to the pages relating to the prophecy and the changes caused by the Cascade. The last 50 pages were a rollercoaster! I went from sheer excitement to gloom and sorrow, to calmness and then impatience. And I loved that! Glad I already have the next book in the series on my shelf.
indecisivesailorscout's review against another edition
4.0
2nd read: I definitely didn't have as strong a response the second time around, but it was still pretty good and surprising, just the right amount of twists and turns to make Raphael and Elena actually interesting again.
1st read: Well that was bullshit. I am so upset right now. I'm too upset to give it 5 stars. I hate cliffhangers. I also hate the angry sads I have now. Why is this happening. UGH. UGH, I SAY. I'm ready to riot. This is me rioting.
1st read: Well that was bullshit. I am so upset right now. I'm too upset to give it 5 stars. I hate cliffhangers. I also hate the angry sads I have now. Why is this happening. UGH. UGH, I SAY. I'm ready to riot. This is me rioting.