REVIEW: Archangel’s Enigma by Nalini Singh

In Archangel’s Enigma (Guild Hunter #8) by Nalini Singh, Naasir is known for his wild ways and his uncanny tracking skills. With no one quite sure of his origins except a chosen few, like the archangel Raphael, he loves to play games and make his friends guess what lurks beneath his skin. So when Naasir is sent to the Refuge to assist scholar Andromeda in hunting down an Ancient in stasis, he’s happy to discover who he believes to be his mate. Andi understands him in a way not many others ever have. And Naasir will protect her with his life, making sure to find a way to claim her as his own for eternity.

‘She might not agree with him yet, but she smelled like his mate and she liked him in his true skin, and she was as fierce as his mate should be. He liked everything about her except her vow of celibacy.’

Andromeda is immediately fascinated upon meeting Naasir. He’s obviously intelligent and loyal, considering he is part of Raphael’s Seven, the group of men who protect and represent the archangel. But he’s also untamed and sensual, like a wild animal. Helping Naasir find the Ancient becomes an adventure Andromeda has dreamed of, until they come under attack from a surprising powerful force. Coupled with a dark secret regarding her family, she knows the days with her mate are numbered and they must cherish each moment together.

“I won’t let anyone hurt you.”
Instead of laughing at what must seem a ridiculous statement when it came to a man so dangerous and capable of looking after himself, Naasir’s lips curved in a satisfied smile. “I knew you liked me.”

This is the story that Guild Hunter fans have been waiting for: we finally find out exactly ‘what’ Naasir is (aside from a playful, almost feral predator/man) along with the details of his origin. And you will never believe the sweeping love story that developed between Naasir and Andromeda.

“Kiss me,” she said, lifting her face to the primal masculinity of his. “If death comes, I want to go having known your kiss.”

What an incredible book! I love getting lost in the world Nalini Singh has created for her Guild Hunter series. Especially now, with each new installment building the pressure and tension, seeing the changes the Cascade has made in the angels and archangels. The wonderfully detailed writing style Ms. Singh uses is perfect for such a complex paranormal story. It makes the scenes come to life on the pages, plus it gives the characters much added depth.

I’ve always been intrigued by Naasir. He’s mysterious, wild, yet very…playful, is the only way to describe him. I was happy to find that the inherent loyalty and honesty he seemed to portray was absolutely true, once we found out more about him. Naasir’s upbringing was cruel and would have broken a weaker spirit, but I loved how he was able to fit in with Raphael’s court. Seeing him with Andromeda and his delight in her being more like him than he first thought was absolutely fulfilling and fun. I wound up adoring Naasir, with him easily becoming one of my favorite characters in this series.

Andromeda, or Andi as Naasir called her, was so surprising to get to know. The scholar aspect was interesting enough, but to find out she had hidden talents and was remarkably strong was quite something. She was the perfect match for Naasir, understanding his personality and his basic demeanor. It seemed rather fitting that Andi had taken a vow of celibacy considering how sensual in nature Naasir was. He had to control his urges and actually court her instead of seducing, which turned out to be all kinds of fun and was seriously sweet.

Archangel’s Enigma was nothing short of epic. Between the pulse-pounding fight scenes, the heartfelt romance, and the power shifts between characters, the Guild Hunter series is definitely a force to be reckoned with.

Book Info:

Published September 1st 2015 | by Berkley Sensation | Guild Hunter #8

Naasir is the most feral of the powerful group of vampires and angels known as the Seven, his loyalty pledged to the Archangel Raphael. When rumors surface of a plot to murder the former Archangel of Persia, now lost in the Sleep of the Ancients, Naasir is dispatched to find him. For only he possesses the tracking skills required—those more common to predatory animals than to man.

Enlisted to accompany Naasir, Andromeda, a young angelic scholar with dangerous secrets, is fascinated by his nature—at once playful and brilliant, sensual and brutal. As they race to find the Sleeping archangel before it’s too late, Naasir will force her to question all she knows…and tempt her to walk into the magnificent, feral darkness of his world. But first they must survive an enemy vicious enough to shatter the greatest taboo of the angelic race and plunge the world into a screaming nightmare…