I do enjoy this series, but no installment has surpassed the first book as my favorite. Archangel’s Storm doesn’t do it either, but I would probably rate it top 3. Much like Archangel’s Blade, Elena and Raphael take a back seat as the story gives Jason, one of Raphael’s Seven, focus as he enters the rival territory of archangel Neha to solve the grisly murder of her consort. Jason has his own demons to face from his past, and they do challenge him; however, he must put it aside to work with Princess Mahiya, daughter of the slain archangel, to find the murderer and return to Raphael.
Jason isn’t particularly one of my favorite side characters. In all honesty, I never really thought too much about his character at all so I wasn’t really looking forward to this book. I sooner expected angel Illium to get his own story or even my personal fave, the vampire Venom. While Illium doesn’t get much time at all here, Venom actually does get significant focus which was a pretty good consolation prize. As progeny of Neha, his presence helped to flesh out the story and character development, though I would have liked more.
Both Jason and Mahiya have had pretty difficult upbringings, easily making them sympathetic characters. You root for them to find happiness, but it isn’t the easiest love story and there is no insta-love, which is for the better in my opinion. There is a lot more mystery and story than romance in this book which is personally how I like it, but it’s hard to say if other readers will feel the same. I love the world building and the focus on angel politics, but I am sure there is a contingent that reads these more so for the romance aspect.
It was a satisfying read, but I am still hoping Ms. Nalini Singh gifts us with a Venom-centric book at some point. With the next book set to go back to Raphael and Elena, I am not sure how far off that possibility is. Either way, I’ll be reading all the same.
I’m actually reading this book right now, and while it isn’t bad, I can’t say I’m taken with it. It’s taking me a very long time to get through it, and I’m not really feeling the heroine. Having said that, I’m enjoying it enough to continue.
She’s okay, but it could certainly be better. When you’re busy thinking about what you’d RATHER be reading about than what’s on the page, that’s always a sign…
I aggree that I’m looking more forward to reading about Illium, or Venom even. I think Venom story might be even better. We’ve been getting a lot of him lately, and that only adds to my own curiosity. Isn’t his bite poisonous?
So they say! I think that’s an opportunity for a fresh take on the story.
I also thought this story was well done. I adore the other books in this series, and it was refreshing (and scarily informative) to visit another archangel in her lair. It’ll be interesting to see how these twins clash in future episodes!