Nalini Singh is one of the premier authors of Paranormal Romance. Her Psy/Changeling series is on book 14 and is still going strong. In fact, her newest release Shards of Hope is available in stores today. While Angel’s Blood is another of Ms. Singh’s novels, it’s a hybrid of Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance and belongs to a different series, the Guild Hunter novels.
Angel’s Blood is the first book in the series and an excellent start. Nalini Singh is an incredible world-builder. From the very first pages of the book she draws you into a universe just like ours where Archangels and Angels rule the world, create vampires, and run the human race. The dynamic is fascinating and easy to understand in a few words. There is no need for endless pages of world building in a Nalini novel. Instead, she gives you the main pieces in a few words and then adds depth, intrigue, and scope throughout her story.
The moment you pick up Angel’s Blood you’re introduced to one of my favorite female protagonists, Elena. Elena is strong, spunky, and yet vulnerable. She’s a kickass heroine, but she has a history and past that tugs at your heart strings. You can’t help but love Elena from the very first pages and as you delve deeper into her story, you fall in love with her even more.
Elena is a Guild Hunter, or a human with special characteristics that make her able to track vampires. Elena is one of the best in the world—she always gets her prey—and this brings her to the attention of the Archangels. Specifically, Archangel Raphael. Raphael is Elena’s love interest and everything that an alpha male should be. He’s strong, handsome, and unbendable until Elena enters the picture.
The relationship between Elena and Raphael is central to the story, which is indicative of a Paranormal Romance story. However, the main plot line is the hunting of a rogue Archangel of blood. This is where Nalini Singh does something unique and creates an Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance story. It doesn’t fully fit in either genre, but, to be honest, that’s what makes it work so well. Fans of either genre will find something to love within Angel’s Blood.
The characters, main and side, are well-rounded, interesting, and likable/hateable (as it is required). Nalini stays away from annoying stereotypes and instead creates relatable characters, even if they do happen to be thousands of years old. Beyond the characters, the world is one that we only wish could exist. Its complexities bring the pages to life and, if you’re anything like me, the first time you read Angel’s Blood you’ll be up ’till the wee hours finishing it in one sitting. The great news is, there are many more books in the series and a new one is coming out this Fall.
