Aodhan and Illium. Adi and Blue. Sparkle and Bluebell. Friends become lovers, their future a wild unknown. Finally reunited in New York, they must now learn to navigate the monumental shift in their relationship. But for these two members of Archangel Raphael’s legendary Seven, there is no time to rest.
As they investigate a case for the Tower that echoes the darkness from Aodhan’s past, they will be forced to confront not only the scars that mark them both, but the promise of a vast power that flickers in Illium. The threat of ascension has haunted and troubled Aodhan’s Blue for too long, the forces of change immutable and without mercy…and uncaring of Illium’s fierce wish to remain part of the Seven. Change is a constant in an immortal’s life, and this new horizon will bring with it both terrible heartbreak and a joy extraordinary enough to reverberate through time…
Blurb taken from Goodreads
Where did you get the book: Arc from the publishers
Publisher: Berkley
Publication date: Out now
Wow, I have just literally finished this book, and I have to say that this book doesn’t pull any punches with the emotions and impact. While, Archangel’s Ascension tied up loose ends for Raphael and Elena’s personal story arc, for this book this it ties up plot threads for Illium, and cements his slow burn romance with Aodhan. The book opens up with a literal bang and although it is a bit of a spoiler, Illium’s long hinted Ascension happens but with a bit of a twist that was unexpected but links with the new hints of a new beginning which the last instalment had alluded to.
Just like the previous book in this series, the focus is more personal character growth and development. Although there is a secondary plot with a cold case file, that Aodhan and Illium is tasked to investigate. I found the case, which is a murder investigation, moving and heart-breaking which really fits into the overall tone of the story. This book was full of emotion and poignancy, along with the relationships that Illium and Aodhan have with the rest of the cadre, and the people that surround them. It really illustrates how much development and healing Aodhan had undergone over the course of the series which was gratifying to see especially to see how he opens up and explores his romantic relationship with Illium.
And I have to say that this one of the most sensual, sweetest and sexiest romance that Nalini Singh has written. The long slow buildup with Aodhan and Illium’s romance was wonderful to see how they finally consummate and commit to their relationship which had a wonderful seduction and healing overtone. It was well worth the wait for the tension and buildup over the course of the series.
Archangel’s Ascension felt more like an epilogue and a prologue for a new beginning for this series. It is not a new story arc, but a new birth for this world and for these characters. I love the epic scope, and the otherness of the archangels, vampires and the hunters. This series is one of my all time favourites and it never fails to engage me. But I am loving the new characters that Nalini Singh has introduced in the last few books like Dulce and Lady Katrina and what they will bring to Illium’s circle and future stories.
However, it was sad and bittersweet this was an end for an era for the Guild Hunter series. These last two books have sewn up the story threads of the epic saga from the first book, but I am eagerly waiting for what happens next. Because the promise of the new beginning that is being set up is new, thrilling and exciting!
Archangel’s Ascension is a love letter in many ways to the readers that was rewarding to read to see how all these intricate and relationships played out through the series. But this book is also an epilogue but it is not an ending, it ends with a fresh beginning that I know that will introduce more surprises and twists for future books and I can’t wait!
I give Archangel’s Ascension an A!