Archangel’s Kiss is yet another example of why I, and a large part of the world, adore Nalini Singh.

Book one of the Guildhunter Series Angels’ Blood helped us understand a world where Archangels are the most powerful beings that have the ability to create vampires as their servants. And also where Guild Hunters get a bounty for tracking down rogue vampires and returning them to their masters. This was the story of Elena and the traumatic intersection of her life with that of Michael, the Archangel of New York. It was fascinating, horrifying and complex book.

In Archangel’s Kiss Elena is a newly made angel under the care of Michael. Being newly made and vulnerable she is also his greatest weakness, and in the power focused society of angels and vampires, this means that she either has to get strong very quickly and learn how to be an angel, or she’ll soon find herself dead.

However with most of the rules of this world already established, most of this book is able to focus on the growing relationship between Elena and Michael, his fear of Elena making him too mortal and her resistance to Michael trying to control her. The relationship screams with tension, realism, passion and above all with a rock solid sense of commitment despite all odds.

While their relationship is central to Archangel’s Kiss, there is also a wonderful plot to get your blood going. As attacks by an anonymous foe escalate, so does the pace, culminating in the unavoidable visit to Lijuan’s stronghold. Surprisingly, this visit (the threat of which had shadowed Elena throughout the book) was over fairly quickly. Yes there was violence, there was fireworks, but the sense is that we've got a bit of a cliffhanger here .. a hint that the next book might start with a bang!

From the start to the end I was completely wrapped up in Elena and Michael’s story. I was drawn into this creation and felt I was living the cerebral, physical and emotional challenges that buffeted the characters.

Nalini has the rare talent of writing characters who are flawed but completely entrancing. The way in which she is able to balance elements of character development, romance, politics and a solid suspenseful plot is completely remarkable.

While book one Angels’ Blood blew me away with it’s unique world, Archangel’s Kiss made me fall in love with Elena and Michael – feathers, arrogance and all!