Book and Audio Review: Angels' Blood by Nalini Singh

Angels' Blood
Author: Nalini Singh
Narrator: Justine Eyre
Series: Guild Hunter (Book 1)
Publication: Tantor Audio (May 7, 2010); Berkley (Feb. 2, 2009)
Length: 10 hours and 29 minutes; 372 p.

Description: Nalini Singh introduces readers to a world of beauty and bloodlust, where angels hold sway over vampires.

Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux is hired by the dangerously beautiful Archangel Raphael. But this time, it’s not a wayward vamp she has to track. It’s an archangel gone bad.

The job will put Elena in the midst of a killing spree like no other—and pull her to the razor’s edge of passion. Even if the hunt doesn’t destroy her, succumbing to Raphael’s seductive touch just may. For when archangels play, mortals break.

My Thoughts: Elena Deveraux is a vampire hunter. She is hired to retrieve vampires who have jumped their contracts with Angels or who have otherwise broken the law. Elena is a born hunter who has been disowned by her father because she doesn't fit into his social and business positions. She was a survivor of an attack by a rogue vampire when she was a child. Her two older sisters were killed and her mother later committed suicide. Elena is haunted by that time which lost her her family and her safe life.

Now an adult, Elena is contracted to a hunt by the Archangel of New York. Raphael is powerful, immortal, beautiful, and completely in charge. The brutality of some of his actions make him someone to be feared. Elena also fears him and doesn't want to come to his attention.

But the Archangels have a problem: one of their own has fallen prey to blood lust. Uram can only be killed by another Archangel but it will take a talented hinter to find him. And Uram is leaving quite a trail of dead bodies and fear behind him. 

This is a paranormal romance. Therefore, Elena becomes fascinated with Raphael despite her fear and Raphael becomes intrigued with Elena because of her courage and determination no to become another notch on his bedpost. 

I enjoyed the worldbuilding in this story which introduces all powerful and immortal angels to the pantheon. The characters are well-developed. I liked Elena's circle of friends and Raphael's circle of angels and vampires.

ANGELS' BLOOD is the first book in a series that has currently extended to 14 novels and 4 novellas with no end in sight. 

Favorite Quote:

Raphael stood in front of the elevator he's been told would transport him to the Cellars. But it appeared he had no need to go down below. His quarry had been flushed out.

The message was pinned to the side of the elevator doors, held up by a nail that had been driven with enough force that concrete dust littered the ground.

You want to play, angel boy? Then let's play.

Find me.

I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.