Archangel's Sun (Guild Hunter Book 13)
The Archangel of Death and the Archangel of Disease may be gone but their legacy of evil lives on—especially in Africa, where the shambling, rotting creatures called the reborn have gained a glimmer of vicious intelligence.
It is up to Titus, archangel of this vast continent, to stop the reborn from spreading across the world. Titus can’t do it alone, but of the surviving powerful angels and archangels, large numbers are wounded, while the rest are fighting a surge of murderous vampires.
There is no one left . . . but the Hummingbird. Old, powerful, her mind long a broken kaleidoscope. Now, she must stand at Titus’s side against a tide of death upon a discovery more chilling than any other. For the Archangel of Disease has left them one last terrible gift . . . .
Reviews (204)
Good but plot thin
A good read, though it felt a little emotionally flat to me. Admittedly, its hard to encompass a deep story in 360 pages. I liked Sharine's growth and emerging independence. I appreciated that while being independent, she didn't make stupid decisions. I also greatly appreciated that Titus wasn't a controlling male and didn't tell her what to do, how to feel, or who to be. All that said, it was hard to get into the romance; it just moved too quickly IMO. Maybe if the plot had felt less forced or more complex...? It felt like keeping the story moving was a struggle. Her journey to his territory felt endless and uninteresting, as did their journey back to a particular town. I felt beleaguered, weary, and bored, so it was hard to appreciate the budding romance. I think their story deserved a more complex arc and maybe two books. Fans of the series will likely enjoy the book since it centers on a special character, but don't expect the complexity or build up of plot we see in the Elena and Raphael books.
Falls Flat
Lots of flying and little plot. I expect more from Nalini Singh and her Guild Hunter Series, than this book which actually bored me at times. I’ve never been bored by a Singh book prior but this one did it. I really like Sharni and Titus, but the actual plot had none of the grit that I expect from a Singh book. I don’t know why we as readers had to read letters from the past that gave no context to what was happening in the book. Could not have Sharni and Titus have talked about their past in relationship to the events in the letters. I understand that they were supposed to fill in Titus backstory, but that backstory did propel the plot at all. Finding out what had fractured the Hummingbirds psyche was a complete and utter let down.
Titus and Sharine, Love Among The Ruins
The war to end all wars is finished with the deaths of the two most monstrous Archangels, Lijuan and Charisemnon, who filled the world with death and disease; however, the battles against their terrible legacy remain far from over. Titus, now the Archangel of all Africa, needs help fighting the abominations known as the Reborn which his enemies left behind as a grim reminder of their depravity. Bad enough they exist, these newer ones seem to have become even more horrific and have evolved newer strategies to survive. The Lady Sharine, known as The Hummingbird, revered and beloved by angelkind, has spent centuries locked in her own mind after a devastating event sending her into a mental tailspin. She has been emerging out of that long psychological fog while helping to heal others at Lumia: the angel repository of art and all things they hold sacred, beautiful, and unique. Sharine may be considered an Ancient because of her great age; however, she has only recently begun to truly live life again doing so without the weight of millennia that normally affects very old angels. Formerly existing as if she has been in the angel state known as a Sleep and now, newly revived and awakened, Sharine is determined to live a full life again. When Sharine agrees to assist the big, bold, and brassy, Archangel Titus, she must prove to everyone in his Court and other angels that she is no longer a fragile, out of touch, delicate little bird who must be cossetted and protected. Titus is at first stunned that the Cadre would send him not only the most cherished of their race, but an angel who is the very opposite of the warrior he desperately needs. Sharine quickly proves her determination to be an asset rather than an albatross for Titus and his people. Old skills she had long forgotten are awakening so that Sharine’s power comes quite importantly into play helping Titus root out and destroy the remaining deadly menaces. Charisemnon had been secretly experimenting which raised the bar on his malevolent hubris making Titus’s job even harder. All the Archangels remaining have an exhausting and difficult task trying to put their planet back together after so much destruction and devastation with the territories still in turmoil. Sharine has a lot to deal with after coming back to herself realizing all she has missed including being a true parent to Illium, and the issues which caused her mental fracture in the first place. Readers of the series know Illum’s father, Agaegon, was a major contributor; however, much more is revealed about the level of his callousness and narcissism as well as the reasons behind Sharine’s total disconnect from the world. After what she suffered, Sharine feels done with romantic relationships having no time or inclination for them. Titus was quite content in his role of a fearsome warrior who yet enjoyed being a ladies’ man. To their mutual surprise, Titus and Sharine find much joy, laughter, and even love is still to be had in these dark and difficult times; an Archangel’s life can still be full of jubilant surprises. Ms. Singh continues to give her readers a story with great heart, humor, and some very intense moments adding new layers of depth to the Guild Hunter world. Fans will be well pleased at this very fine addition to the series that shows no hint of slowing down with so much more to say about these beloved and compelling characters. (
Uninspired...
I was hoping for more interaction between Sharine and Titus. Instead there was a lot of interaction with other people. The romance was forced and - considering there are only 2 or 3 love scenes spaced out over long spans of time - it was oddly rushed. I didn't feel their attraction. I only felt that they appreciated each other. Also, the ending seemed abrupt. It read like this was really a vague idea the author had to tell the back story of some characters but she didn't have the same passion for them as for Raphael and Elena. Also, there was such a focus on Sharine and her needs, that I found Titus boring and too accommodating. I usually enjoy this author and mature romances, but this was a miss for me. I recommend it for fans of this series, because it moves things along. But don't expect a grand romance.
Should have been a novella
So... This wasn't bad, but if I had to find a word to describe.... Milquetoast. it's just completely bland, like a slice of toasted bread. Good, but... Not anything particularly exciting. I feel like the overall series plot is suffering from over extension and endless conflicts etc. I find myself caring very little about the plot anymore. The romance in here was also so, so bland. Not bad, but really on the level of a novella, not a full length novel. I skipped/skimmed the last two books and the funny thing is that I'm not really lost. That says a lot about the plot. I'm just waiting for Nalini to finish up the Illium/Aodhan plotlines so I can quit this series in peace. I will wait for reviews before ordering the next. Also I really don't want to read about random characters next either, so hopefully it will come soon... Anyway, taking a pause on this series again.
Mature Romance and Many New Characters
FINAL DECISION: This was definitely not a pairing that I expected, but it worked so well. Titus is sweeter than I expected with him playing the long-suffering brother of four sisters. Sharine is a woman who is finding herself with a vengeance, reconciling her past, and showing the strength that she lacked in the past. Loved these two and enjoyed being reoriented to the aftermath of the archangelic war. THE STORY: In the aftermath of the archangelic war from the last book, the new version of the reborn continues to threaten the continent of Africa. Titus is a powerful archangel, but he cannot stop the scourge alone. Instead of the warrior help he thinks he needs, he is sent the Hummingbird, an unworldly angel known as a great artist. Sharine has only begun to find herself after emerging from her broken mental state. The two must join forces to prevent the reborn from overtaking the world. OPINION: This book is a lovely mature story with characters who have led full lives. That gives this book depth and interest. This book had the feeling of a woman's journey. It is Sharine who is the focus here. She is finding herself after being the beloved Hummingbird who is vague and not of the world because her mind was broken. Here, she is rediscovering herself, dealing with the heartaches of her past, and building a new life and purpose for herself. Titus is an archangel who has enjoyed life and then is quickly devastated by an angel he did not expect. Titus is amazingly loyal and strong, but there is an incredible sweetness to his relationship with Sharine. These two have strength and I enjoyed their interaction. The aftermath of the war is not a pleasant place, but this book has more hope and comfort than I expected. Indeed, while there are still bad secrets, this book feels much lighter after all the death and destruction in the prior two books. I also enjoyed that his book marks a change in the series as we get a whole new cast of characters whose stories can be told in future books. That bodes well for the series continuing. WORTH MENTIONING: Raphael and the Seven are not main characters here, they only make small appearances. CONNECTED BOOKS: ARCHANGEL'S SUN is the thirteenth book in the Guild Hunter series. The romance here is self-contained, however, the world and the characters assume familiarity with the other books in the series. Do yourself a favor and start at the beginning. STAR RATING: I give this book 4.5 stars. NOTE: I received an eARC of this book via Netgalley which was used to prepare this review. I was not required to write a review or to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.
Good read but didn’t resonate as the others in the series
I love The Guild Hunter series. I have been anxiously awaiting this book excited at the prospect of Titus and the Hummingbird. Overall the story was good. However it felt like a filler book until the next book in the series comes around. I have a feeling Aodhan and Suyin might get together. The book didn’t really resonate with me like the others had. I didn’t feel immersed in the plot or characters. The plot felt rushed and some parts of the story didn’t mesh with others. I suspected I would feel this at the beginning of the book when the prologue timeline kept shifting. I felt like there was a lot of telling and not showing. And to be honest not worth the hype of the long release date in November. Titus was the most fleshed out character. Sharine minimally so. What helped her the most was the previous books in which she appeared. I feel like Nalini was disconnected from this character. Sharine’s development into this woman of fire and light seemed forced. This one probably needed a longer incubation and reconsideration of its purpose in the series. It could have been a short story at this point tbh. I don’t know the deadlines and pressures behind the scenes but if you’re going to do it then do it right IMO. Hopefully the next books are well fleshed out.
More investigation than romance
This story is more a take of The Hummingbird finding herself than it is a romance. She follows the usual trope of showing up at the alpha archangel manwhore's home to help with the reborn problem. Much verbal sparing happens and he falls for her. Of course the actual interaction between characters is so spread out between reborn stuff that no actual relationship stuff happens until you are seventy percent through the book. At that point the author apparently realized she had a deadline and rushes to put it to bed. The end itself was remarkably unsatisfying and imho not a HEA. While the verbal sparing is good and it's interesting to see the world post cascade that wasn't enough to save this book.
I'm disappointed
The first short chapters set the scene for a great book, lots at stake but the story backed away from real danger, real consequences. And the Hummingbird suddenly turned into Elena light. NO. And Titus was a one dimensional character when he had so much potential. I am just so disappointed. What happened? This was a paranormal romance so there are certain tropes that are expected. Danger and paranormal elements are in this book. Good! Danger with consequences, no. Not in this book. Everything was cleaned up and taken care of quick with no consequences. The romance was he can't stand her, she can't stand him and then suddenly they have the hots for each other. I'm going to reread Archangel's Blood. It's still my favorite book.
Loved it, needed more
Is a great story. I just found myself wishing for more of those... quiet, together moments better Titus and Sharine. Book was mostly them dealing with outside forces, not taking time in the quieter moments. I still loved it, I just wanted more of those moments.
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