3.5 stars
This is book 9 in a series. It’s really not the place to start. If you want to join in at the beginning, start with Angels’ Blood.
Two years have passed since the last book in the series, and Elena is slowly growing stronger, even though she’s virtually a baby in angel terms. The Cascade seems to be on hold, and all the archangels are trying to investigate what exactly is going on in China in the murderous Lijuan’s territory. Has she gone to ground, into (hopefully) centuries long sleep? Her generals claim she’s still very much in power, but the amount of uncontrolled vampire activity in her lands seems to suggest otherwise.
Raphael and the other archangels are summoned to Morocco, to the legendary compound of Lumia, where an ancient and independent order of angels called the Luminata rule. When such a summons comes, no archangel can refuse. As his consort, Elena naturally comes as well, and they also bring the still emotionally vulnerable Aodhan with them as security. While the Cadre of archangels meet to discuss what to do about Lijuan and her territory, Elena and Aodhan investigate Lumia, and come to the conclusion that something is seriously wrong there. Strangely, it may have something to do with Elena’s past, and truths she never suspected about her family.
I’ve been reading this series for a long time now. Unlike some fans, who seem to adore the Raphael and Elena-focused books, I tend to much prefer the ones that focus on other couples. Raphael and Elena have already found their HEA and while it’s nice to check in with them and see that they’re still incredibly devoted to one another, this book especially felt a bit insubstantial. It’s a bridging book while Singh gets around to figuring out what’s going to happen with the upcoming Cascade and its repercussions.
Full review on my blog.
