Enter New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh’s breathtakingly passionate Guild Hunter world with the story of a woman who isn’t a vampire or an angel…or human… coursing through her veins. Brutalized by an insane archangel, she was left with the bloodlust of a vampire, the ability to mesmerize her prey, and a poisonous bite.
Now, someone has put a bounty on her head…
Venom is one of the Seven, Archangel Raphael’s private guard, and he’s as infuriating as he is seductive. A centuries-old vampire, his fangs dispense a poison deadlier than Holly’s. But even if Venom can protect Holly from those hunting her, he might not be able to save himself—because the strange, violent power inside Holly is awakening…
No one is safe.
more
Outstanding. Difficult to put down. I love the Archangel books. Differently keeps your interest. SLA
4.5 stars–ARCHANGEL’S VIPER is the tenth full-length installment in Nalini Singh’s adult GUILD HUNTER dystopian/UF/paranormal series focusing on Archangel’s, angels, vampires, shifters and hunters. This is vampire Venom, one of the Seven, Raphael’s private guard, and newly Made ‘vampire’ Holly Chang. ARCHANGEL’S VIPER can be read as a stand alone but I recommend reading the series in order for background and cohesion as many events in the current time line are as of a direct result of previous happenings and premises.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Venom and Holly) ARCHANGEL’S VIPER focuses on the search for the person(s) responsible for placing a five million dollar bounty on our heroine’s head. With the Cascade-an event that causes massive power fluctuations and other changes among the members of the Cadre- in motion, the Archangel Uram’s bloodlust was out of control, and Holly Chang became one of his victims to survive. Although destroyed by the Archangel Raphael, the fallout of Uram’s mindless brutality has left our heroine lost; without direction; not knowing the who or what of her newly ‘made’ body, Enter Venom, one of Raphael’s private guards known as the Seven, and the man with whom Holly will fall in love. As Holly and Venom struggle to uncover the truth behind the five million dollar bounty, Holly is pulled in another direction-a pull she is unable to ignore.
The relationship between Venom and Holly is acrimonious; a love-hate relationship that pushes the boundaries of mentor and friend. Their back and forth snarky banter is sexually charged but Venom doesn’t do relationships believing himself too damaged to fall in love towards a happily ever after. Venom’s Maker gifted our hero with a lethal poison that few can survive and finding a kindred spirit in newly made Holly Chang gives our hero a potential prospect for the future-a future with an unknown expiry date due to inexplicable talents and powers of our story line heroine. Holly Chang’s Maker was killed by the Archangel Raphael but what remains behind has taken control of its’ victim, leading her on a journey to the other side of the world. With Raphael sequestered with the meeting of the Cadre of Archangels, Holly and Venom follow the pull of the darkness within.
Unlike many of the other story lines in the series ARCHANGEL’S VIPER is limited in the amount of action; there are no battles or fight scenes except the internal battle Holly wages with herself and the ‘other’.
There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including the leader of the group of Seven Dimitri, Jason, Janvier, Ashwini, Illium, Guild Hunter Vivek Kapur, Angel Kanasha, Archangel Michaela, several members of The Legion, and a number of lesser known vampires including Daisy, Holly’s acquaintances Magnus, Zeph and Arabella as well as Holly’s human sister Mia, and their parents Allan and Daphne Chang. Raphael makes a cameo appearance as Holly battles the other for control.
ARCHANGEL’S VIPER is a fantastic story of friendship, family, power and control. Holly Chang is a woman desperate to understand the who and what of her growing power-every day her abilities begin to mimic Archangelic abilities and the only explanation is no longer alive. The premise is spirited and energetic; the characters are passionate and inspiring; the romance is passionate but slow to build-the $ex scenes are limited and mostly implied. ARCHANGEL’S VIPER is a compelling and enticing story line where one of Raphael’s Seven finds his heart and his happily ever after.
Exhilarating! Thrilling! Relentless!
Archangel’s Viper is book ten in the Guild Hunter series by Nalini Singh. It’s a non-stop action-packed adventure full of hurtles, twists, and a little romance.
Before we get started; you do want to read this series in order. We meet Holly and Venom at the beginning of the series and are treated to little teasers of them throughout, but we don’t dive into who they are or what they have become until now.
Venom was his sexy self. We learn so much about his past, what makes him who he is, his unique attributes, and more. Holly is fierce, strong, and a survivor. She didn’t ask for the horrors that happened to her, but even with the ruff go of things, she turns herself around, and thrives.
I enjoyed Holly and Venom together and I relished the banter between them. It was lots of fun. As for the romance it was nice, but I would have liked them to have had more time together. It wasn’t until close to the end when the romance/get together happens and so it felt sudden and a little rushed to me.
Besides Holly and Venom, there was a lot going on in the story. These two had many challenges and hurtles to face; which where invigorating and had my heart pumping. I was on the edge of my sit and couldn’t put the story down. I was also not expecting to uncover what I read. And then add in the twists; which where unmatched. It was a delightful treat to be surprised and so captivated. I’m excited and a bit worried for everyone in this world. What will happen next?
Rated: 4.5 Stars
*Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy provided by Berkley Publishing Group via NetGalley with the sole purpose of an honest review. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.