Doug Meeks very kindly sent over his review for the latest Nalini Singh book, Archangel’s Storm. I have never made any secret of my Nalini love, and I am sure this one will be no exception. Reviews like these are making me even more excited to get my hands on it…whenever the damn thing finally gets here (they just mailed it Monday. Scum). Next up on Nalini’s schedule is a March 5th compilation of Psy/Changeling novellas called Wild Invitation, and then Psy/Changeling book #12 will follow on June 4th.
What Doug Said…
Archangel’s Storm by Nalini SinghMy rating: 5 of 5 starsWhen you read as many books as I do sometimes you forget that there are writers out there that are talented beyond words. Nalani Singh seems to be one of those and this book Archangel’s Storm (Guild Hunter) is no exception. In a sea of novels that are entertaining and enjoyable (and a few that should not have not ever been published) you stumble into those few that go one step past excellence and actually draw you into the story in a more intimate manner, I can’t exactly describe this but when you finish you are past the “That was great/excellent/etc” and are left with a feeling that is more akin to just “Wow”.This was a book of intrigue cloaked around a romance as all the Guild Hunter books have been but this one seems to actually come closer to one of what I consider one of the ultimate epic romance books I ever read which was Angels’ Blood (Guild Hunter, Book 1) (him crashing with her is pretty much ultimate) even though it was done in a much more subdued manner. The basic plot was a murder mystery laid over a slow burn romance between Jason (Spymaster extraordinaire) and Mahiya a Princess in name only and Ms Singh weaves a story of violence, passion and romance in a manner that was exceptional.It is the little things that separate great stories from exceptional stories. The best example of this I can remember would be a few paragraphs that could have been left out of the book with little impact but added to the readers feeling of involvement and had to do with “Mahiya’s Hill” (you have to read it to understand) something that did nothing for the plot but added to the readers understanding of the depth of the romance. Rather than get bogged down in an overly lengthy review let me say this was possibly THE best thing I have read since the Elemental Mysteries by Elizabeth Hunter and it took 4 books to elicit the same feeling I got from this one novel (NOTE: probably if you have not read the other books in this series the impact is less).Bottom Line: 5 Stars because I can’t give it 6, it hit all the right spots, action, romance, mystery and memorable characters that will stay with you after the last page.
Anyone else lucky enough to actually have read this yet? How does it hold up against the other Guild Hunter books for you?
Doug,
what a great review. Somehow you have mastered the art of reviewing without giving away plot details or spolier info. I am reading Archangel’s blade now (trying to cross off another series off the TBR pile) and so I hope to get to this book soon.
Thanks.
He really is good at that, and that was where I struggled back in the day when I attempted to review. I wanted to keep it spoiler free, but give enough detail to get someone interested, and that is a fine line to balance. I can’t even tell how many times I would be take a quick glance at a review, and the first line was “OMG!!!! Can you believe Bob DIED???” Thanks, another book I don’t need to read now…
@Ezi – Now you gonna make me get all “aw shucks ”
I hope I keep getting better without turning into one of those “literary snobs” I see reviewing books on Goodreads many times.
I read it last week; agree absolutely with the reviewer who by the way in my humble opinion does a fantastic job of reviewing, a talent which alas I do not possess. Although my first love is still the changelings this series is close behind. Cannot wait ’til September and her next one.
Nalini is my favorite among favorites, and I can honestly say she has never, ever disappointed me. Now I am stalking her waiting for the cover for Wild Invitation.
The main thing I enjoyed about this was the low burn romance which is what many people did NOT like about it, I think Ms Singh just actually wrote true to the character of Jason who hardly talks and is a bit cold, you can’t turn somebody like that into “hot sex god” and expect most readers to believe it. His actions speak much louder than his words in this book and I still think the romance was only 2nd to book one.
Well, really, if Jason had been all hot and bothered and uber alpha, the critics could have said that he wasn’t the Jason from the previous books. At least this way each story has its own unique tone.
I didn’t mind the “low burn” romance, in fact I felt it was appropriate. But I would have given the book 4 out of 5 stars, as much as I love Nalini Singh. Even though Jason has been shown to be the quiet, introspective one, who is sort of cold and aloof, I still felt there was something lacking. I felt badly for Mahiya. You have this woman who has been denied love and affection her entire life. Even though it’s clear that Jason cares deeply for her by the end, I feel strongly that everyone deserves to hear that love spoken clearly, even if it’s just rarely.
I understood what Ms. Singh was doing with the “show not tell” via the singing etc., but I just always felt that Mahiya got the short end of the stick. Maybe because i’ve also suffered emotional abuse, but I just don’t think it’s fair to the female to say that because the male is damaged, you’ll have to settle for what he’s able to give you. She should expect some sort of overt display from Jason, even if it’s something solely for her and in the deepest privacy. I find myself hoping that these two will get a novella or a chapter or two in future books, a la Dmitri and Honor in this one, that expounds on their story.
I do really enjoy when we get to see favorite couples in latter books…sort of makes it all more real. And Nalini does that very well, too.