New Releases

Two of my favorite authors have recent new releases and I've read one of them. Pure joy!

Nalini Singh's Archangel's Blade absolutely blew me away.

I'm impressed as hell by the world she's set up in these books. The angels are eerily beautiful, completely inhuman (most of them), and over the top powerful. Juxtapositioned against our normal, mundane world, it makes for quite a contrast. New York City is still New York City, but with the addition of a cadre of angels, led by the Archangel Raphael and his Seven. Dmitri, the hero of this book, is his Second, and a cold blooded, amoral vampire.

I cannot tell you how much this book impressed me. By allowing the reader access to Dmitri's thoughts and memories, he becomes more understandable. One can empathize with him. I remember thinking, it could have happened no other way.

The heroine, Honor, began the book as a victim. It was fascinating to watch her overcome her fears and regain her power and purpose, just as it was to watch Dmitri change as he slowly falls in love with her.

The ending has been criticized, but I think it could have ended no other way. They were truly bonded and it wasn't a question of 'my way or the highway'; I think it was more along the lines of 'I want to be with you no matter which way is chosen'. Sorry, can't say more without spoilers

This is a powerful book. I don't mind blood and guts, although Singh has made me go 'yuck' a few times. But it all fits into her world and there's enough love to counteract the violence and the love usually wins.

This book can be put in the win column.

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The other book released is Meljean Brook's Demon Marked, the new entry in her Guardian series.

Now, I totally love her Iron Seas series - all one novel and two novellas I've read. I'm on pins and needles for the next book, Heart of Steel.

But I've never been able to get into her Guardian series, although this new release tempts me mightily to try again, hoping it can be read as a stand alone. Reviews I've read have been good.

I just hate I haven't been able to dive into this world, because I love her online persona, her sense of humor and the Iron Seas books. So, I guess I'll have to get this book and try again. *grin*