Starred review from September 30, 2013
The Archangel Raphael and his consort, Guild Hunter and newly made angel Elena, take center stage in Nalini’s intense, vivid, and sexually charged sixth Guild Hunter novel (after Archangel’s Storm). The Cascade is in full force, heightening power—and possibly causing madness—among the Cadre of Archangels who rule the world. When hundreds of Raphael’s angels are injured during the Falling, an event that causes birds and angels alike to fall from the sky, and a virus begins to kill vampires, Raphael and Elena realize Manhattan will soon be undermanned and under siege. As Raphael’s powers change, he fears for his sanity. While remaining a Guild Hunter, Elena helps her husband forge alliances and keep the city calm, even as she worries that she is a liability to him, though a bigger concern is that Raphael may turn into a monster, should the “cold power” overtake him. The thrilling final battle will keep readers riveted as Singh pulls out all the stops.