Archangel's Enigma

This is Naasir's story. He is the most unique of all of Raphael's seven. Almost feral, but able to put on a civilized veneer, Naasir had decided that it is time to find a mate of his own. However, he will have to work his mate hunt around a task given him by Raphael. The evil Archangel Lijuan has decided that she needs to kill the sleeping Ancient Alexander if she is to conquer the world. Raphael doesn't want that to happen. So he sends Naasir, along with a young angel named Andromeda who is a noted scholar, to find Alexander's hidden resting place and wake him before Lijuan finds him and kills him.

Andromeda is on borrowed time. She is soon facing her 400th birthday which means that she will have to return home to her grandfather show more Charisemnon's court for 500 years because of a blood vow. Andromeda doesn't want to do that because she despises and fears the depravity of her grandfather's court. When she and Naasir meet, they form an immediate connection because she seems him as he is and likes him as himself. He has no need to put on a civilized veneer for her.

What I especially liked about this episode was that Naasir has a unique viewpoint and we see it clearly in the writing. He sees the world much differently than any of the other characters in the series. His determination to win Andi's heart and make her his mate guides him. However, he wants to woo her rather than force her and he respects who she is and the promises she has made. I also really like the descriptions of the places in this book. Andi's love for the African savanna shines through. As does Naasir's dislike of anyplace that is cold.

This book fits into a wider story arc. The bigger political issue about Lijuan and her aims isn't settled in this story. However, her actions are helping gather current rivals into a coalition against her. Meanwhile, the angelic society is also going through a Cascade which is giving some of them unpredictable powers which is also driving the plot.

Fans of the series won't want to miss this episode. Naasir and Andi's romance was an excellent addition to the series. show less

This is Naasir's story. He is the most unique of all of Raphael's seven. Almost feral, but able to put on a civilized veneer, Naasir had decided that it is time to find a mate of his own. However, he will have to work his mate hunt around a task given him by Raphael. The evil Archangel Lijuan has decided that she needs to kill the sleeping Ancient Alexander if she is to conquer the world. Raphael doesn't want that to happen. So he sends Naasir, along with a young angel named Andromeda who is a noted scholar, to find Alexander's hidden resting place and wake him before Lijuan finds him and kills him.

Andromeda is on borrowed time. She is soon facing her 400th birthday which means that she will have to return home to her grandfather show more Charisemnon's court for 500 years because of a blood vow. Andromeda doesn't want to do that because she despises and fears the depravity of her grandfather's court. When she and Naasir meet, they form an immediate connection because she seems him as he is and likes him as himself. He has no need to put on a civilized veneer for her.

What I especially liked about this episode was that Naasir has a unique viewpoint and we see it clearly in the writing. He sees the world much differently than any of the other characters in the series. His determination to win Andi's heart and make her his mate guides him. However, he wants to woo her rather than force her and he respects who she is and the promises she has made. I also really like the descriptions of the places in this book. Andi's love for the African savanna shines through. As does Naasir's dislike of anyplace that is cold.

This book fits into a wider story arc. The bigger political issue about Lijuan and her aims isn't settled in this story. However, her actions are helping gather current rivals into a coalition against her. Meanwhile, the angelic society is also going through a Cascade which is giving some of them unpredictable powers which is also driving the plot.

Fans of the series won't want to miss this episode. Naasir and Andi's romance was an excellent addition to the series. show less

Archangel’s Enigma by Nalini Singh
Book #7: Guild Hunter Series
Source: Purchase
My Rating: 5/5 stars
My Review:

**NOTE: THIS REVEIEW WILL NOT REVEAL WHAT NAASIR IS**

I have been a devoted fan of Nalini Singh’s Guild Hunter series since the beginning. I have read most of the books more than once and have waited and waited for this book. Naasir!!! As one of Raphael’s Seven, Naasir has been around since the first read and Singh has often dropped huge chunks of information about him but never fully explained him. Finally, my wait is over!!

As one of Raphael’s Seven, Naasir has a skill set that is both unique and deadly. He has spent centuries honing his skills and there is, quite literally no one else like him in the world. He tracks show more (possibly) better than a hunter-born, he can disappear much like Jason, and he is wicked fast and lethal in a fight. Never has Naasir failed to answer the call of his Archangel so when Raphael tells him he will be accompanying a scholar on a mission to wake an Ancient, Naasir is ready and willing to do his duty. His first stop is the Refuge where he is to meet his travelling companion, the scholar/warrior, Andromeda.

As a Refuge librarian and scholar, Andromeda has dedicated her life to the pursuit of knowledge and preserving the histories of the angels, archangels, vampires, and various others who populate the world. Andromeda would like nothing more than to spend her life in this pursuit but as the grandchild of the wickedly vicious archangel, Charisemnon, she is bound by blood to serve in his court for 500 years. The thought of being surrounded by such depravity sickens Andromeda yet she can see no way out of the blood oath. Before her tenure in hell begins, Andromeda must accompany Naasir to the site of the Archangel Alexander’s resting place and wake him before Lijuan can kill him.

From the moment he meets Andromeda, Naasir is convinced she is his long-awaited mate. For Naasir, there is no question but he understands he takes some getting used to and he must convince Andromeda of the rightness of their mating. Andromeda is certainly intrigued by Naasir but there are some very real obstacles standing in the way, her blood oath to her family, a vow of celibacy, and the possibility of going up in flames in their joined effort to wake an Ancient before his time. The trip is arduous but with every step taken, Naasir becomes even more impressed with his mate. Andromeda is not only intelligent, she is also resourceful, determined, and deadly with a blade. At every turn, Naasir and Andromeda are faced with danger and enemies willing to give their lives to their cause. As a team, Naasir and Andromeda face odds, enemies, and allies that most don’t expect them to survive. But survive they do only to be told they still cannot be together.

The Bottom Line: Every avid reader has, at one time or another been let down by a book he/she was so excited to read. Thankfully, I was in no way, shape, or form let down by Archangel’s Enigma. In fact, I’m just going to throw it out there right now and say this is one of my favorite reads in the entire series!! Finding out what Naasir is, is just the cherry on top of this read. His backstory, his personality, and his totally endearing mannerism completely outweigh the big “what is he” revelation. To top it all off, Singh has absolutely packed this read full of information about what is and what is to come in the Guild Hunter series. Lijuan, though broken is not to be distracted from her goal of world domination, there are now more archangels and Cadre alive/awake than have ever been in the past, younger angels are beginning to ascend, and the end game is still nowhere in sight. In short, Singh clearly still has a lot to deal with in this series and is showing no signs of slowing down! The reads are still fresh, the plots are still developing, characters are still evolving, and I am still a devoted fan. show less

The hero is truly one of a kind. Not only is he a marvel of nature with unmatched strength and speed, he possesses such innocence and openness despite his long years and dangerous abilities. Saved all those years ago by the archangel's blade, he was raised and trained to be of Raphael's Seven- a title he holds proudly. But he's so much more than a warrior. The powerful being is counted as a friend, and his fellow angels and vampires are his family. He is known and welcomed by almost all of the angelic world because he is without lies. And it's time, he feels, to find his mate. When Raphael hears word that the archangel of China lives and as plans to murder a sleepy ancient, he sends the hero to retrieve a scholar whom may known the show more resting place of the ancient. The hero finds the beautiful woman pleasing in all ways. She is strong with her sword, trained well and able to protect herself in all ways which s something he prizes in his woman. She is also extremely intelligent and resourceful. But what he finds most important is the fact that she truly sees him as he is. She knows his soul, understands him completely from almost their first encounter. He's really quite easy to decipher. He has no mask, no deceit about him. He is entirely open with a frankness that is endearing. But her time is not her own. Growing up under the oppressive rule of an archangel, she knows that in 15 days, she'll be summoned back to spend the next 500 years in service to the monster. And as much as she longs desperately for a life with the hero, she fears she'll never receive that chance. But she can use whatever time she has with him wisely, cherishing him while he is hers. And she can stop the monstrously the archangel of china is planning. Kidnapped by her soldiers, the heroine finds herself in a scene of decay and horrors until the hero comes for her. They escape and start the journey to warn the slumbering ancient. As they travel, the hero makes it clear that he wants her as his mate but the way her parents live, the evil they participate in has made the heroine hide away her sexuality. She vows to never become a slave to her basic needs, much to the hero's amusing frustration. In desperate and to shield herself she her growing feelings for the captivating man, she makes a bargain with him to give herself to him if he finds the mysterious book she's longed for, knowing that it can never be found. He agrees. As the story goes on and she grows more and more attached to her companion, she offers to break the vow but the hero refuses. He grumbles and he bemoans the stupid book but he refuses to allow her to lose her honor. So, after the battle with the angels is over, he seeks out her book. Nothing in the world could ever take her from him and he won't rest until she belongs to him body and soul. Well, I can safely say this author has done it again with yet another stellar novel. Time and time again and without fail, she's delivered knock outs. This was so amazing that I'm having trouble expressing how much I loved it, and that's definitely a sign of a winner when you're left speechless at the end of it. This hero will always hold a special place in my heart I think. There truly has never been another character like him. The balance of innocence and lethal killer was magic and paired with his playful personality and magnetism created a engaging character that resonated throughout the story. The heroine was something special as well and together the chemistry between them lit the book on fire. 100 % awesome. show less

Naasir is an enigma, a vampire who is part of Raphael's Seven. When rumours abound that there's a plot to murder the former Archangel of Persia, sleeping the sleep of the Ancients he has to work out where he is and how to save him from what might happen. Andromeda, a young angelic scholar is enlisted to help him; her secrets are complicated and messy and could mess up the mission.
But the two of them are attracted to each other, only she has a vow and he respects that.
A fun read with interesting characters and the way they resolved all the problems was interesting and well done.

Archangel's Enigma
3.5 Stars

Recovering from injuries sustained in her battle with Raphael, Lijuan plots to murder any who might oppose her including Alexander, the former Archangel of Persia. Upon learning of her plans, Raphael dispatches Naasir, the most feral of his Seven, to locate the Sleeping Ancient with the aid of Andromeda, a young angelic historian with ties to the darker members of the angel world. As the two race against time to save Alexander, they must also cope with their increasing fascination with each other.

While the developments in the overall story arc compelling, especially with regard to the events prophesized in the prologue, Naasir and Andromeda's romance falls rather flat.

Naasir is supposedly hundreds of years show more old, however, his speech patterns are very childlike. Consequently, it is difficult to view him as an adult and even more so as a lover. Andromeda is a sweet and likeable heroine, but her characterization lacks originality. She is too similar to Jessamy and Mahiya - seemingly placid and mild, but ferocious when cornered.

The romance is problematic due to the fact that there is no real conflict either internal or external to their relationship. They fall in love almost immediately after their first encounter and any issues that arise are resolved easily with very little effort or angst.

In contrast, the twists and turns of Lijuan's machinations are much more exciting. She is a truly malevolent being who epitomizes the adage that absolute power corrupts absolutely. She has no empathy or mercy or humanity in her and physical deterioration reflects her moral devolution.

The events of the Cascade are growing in strength and it will be interesting to see what happens next: Are the Archangel's aligning for some epic showdown? Will more of the Ancients be awakening? Wil the rest of the Seven (Illium, Aodahn and Venom) meet their matches?

Exciting times ahead! show less

The fight with Lijuan continues, only this time she is seeking a sleeping ancient instead of our beloved Archangel Raphael. Raphael tasks his best tracker Naasir to find where Alexander sleeps before Lijuan and kill the ancient, and to assist on journey will be the angel Andromeda, a scholar who studies the ancients.

Once Naasir was introduced, he quickly became my favorite of the series. We finally find out exactly what this semi-vampire is! His simplistic view on the world is a result of his animal nature, and it was utterly beguiling. I loved the way he played with his friends, and talked about his mate. The narrator did a fabulous job with his character and accent as well. As Naasir has been hunting his mate for the past seven show more months since the last book, he doesn't immediately desire to go on this hunt with Andromeda. However once he meets her and takes his first whiff, he can't wait to bite! There is a problem however - Andromeda has taken a vow of celibacy which cannot be broken unless Naasir can find a "stupid grimoire book."

Andromeda has been working as a scholar at the refuge with Jessame. However she has just received word that she has to begin serving 500 years in her grandfather's court within the next couple of weeks. So this hunt with Naasir is her last hurrah before she endures a half-millennium of servitude and punishment. Andromeda is a little scared of Naasir, not really because of his feral nature, but because of the way he makes her feel. While I liked Andi's character, she was upstaged so much by Naasir that I didn't focus on her that much.

I have a feeling Bluebell's book is up soon, and I can't wait to read about the fun-loving Illium. 5 stars / 3 flames. show less