Archangel's Enigma. Nalini Singh

Archangel' Enigma
Nalini Singh
Published: Gollancz
Date: 1st September 2015
Format: Paperback
Pages: 357
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Source: Hachette NZ


Archangel's Enigma - #8 in the Guild Hunter series by Nalini Singh.  In this book we delve into the life of Naasir - a mystery, beloved by some and disliked by others (readers that is!).  He is one of the group of powerful vampires and angels that form the Seven, their loyalty pledged to their Archangel Raphael.

Naasir is part vampire, but he is more.  Part of this story asks the question - what is he? We know he has a keen sense of smell and this enables him to be a very expert tracker.  As a young one, he got into a lot of mischief, but Dmitri and Raphael guided him and he has grown into an honorable and loyal member of Raphael's Seven.  Yet he can be brutal - as a youngster in the Refuge he killed the pet bunny rabbit!  At times he has claws that peep through.  Yes, a little like something from the Psy/Changeling series, but yet different.  Part of the enjoyment of reading Archanel's Engima is learning from where Naasir came and what he is.  

He is sent on a mission to locate the sleeping Ancient Alexander, and awaken him before he is murdered by the evil Archangel Lijuan.  Sent with him is Andromeda, a scholar and also a warrior. Naasir who has been searching for his mate, recognises Andromeda as 'the one' very early on. Oh yes, one smell tells it like it is. However there is one small hitch - Andromeda has taken a vow of celibacy!  Now another point about Naasir is that he is sneaky, so watch that space!  But remember he is honorable too.

What draws me to this series?

• the characters - complex and interesting. There are those who stand for truth and honor and those who stand for evil and power.
• the bonds of loyalty, friendship and love that exist among Raphael's people.
• the action - the mission to be accomplished, the battles to be fought, the sense of ever impending threat from the changing power of the Archangels. There is a sense of impending doom and unless it can be contained who knows what may happen.
• that leads me to the whole world building, and that each book is a piece in the puzzle of what is happening in that world.
• the strong hero and heroine in each book, Naasir and Andromeda keep this tradition going.
• of course the romance. And particular to this book I loved how Naasir was accepted totally for who he is by Andromeda and the other way around of course. Andromeda is everything Naasir needs.  He knows that Andromeda is holding out on him, she has a secret she isn't revealing, but he gives her time and space. And remember, I did say he was sneaky!

What repels me?

• the cruelty at times, yikes some of those Archangels can be totally cruel. It's the only place I skip a few lines or paragraphs!  Fortunately it isn't dwelt on too long.

So you think urban fantasy or paranormal isn't your thing. Well it might not be, or.... it just could. At one point in time not so long ago, I turned up my nose at such books!

Archangel's Enigma is definitely part of a series, you'd miss a whole lot by just diving into this one. I have to admit the Psy/Changeling series is my favourite, but when I started off Angel's Blood I was slowly hooked into the Guild Hunters as well.

Guild Hunters series.

Angel's Blood        #1

Archangel's Kiss    #2

Archangel's Consort  #3

Archangel's Blade   #4

Archangel's Storm  #5

Archangel's Legion  #6

Archangel's Shadow  #7

Nalini Singh was born in Fiji and raised in New Zealand.  She spent three years in Japan and travelling around Asia before returning to New Zealand now - although she's always plotting new trips. She has worked as a lawyer, a librarian, a candy factory general hand, a bank temp and an English teacher, not necessarily in that order. Some people might call that inconsistency, but she calls it grist for the writer's mill.

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