A Guild Hunter novel
Author: Nailini Singh
Publisher Gollancz
Release date: 6th Nov 2014
Reviewer: Theresa Derwin
From the author of The Psy Changeling series, comes the latest novel in her Guild Hunter series. In the wake of a brutal war, the archangel Raphael and his consort Elena deal with the ever changing politics in the battered but not broken city.
Ashwini is a gifted tracker and right now with sexy Cajun vampire Janvier, she is hunting a merciless killer.
There had been a war; archangel against archangel. Squadrons of angels in the air and troops of vampires on the ground, and now was the aftermath. After a recent battle, badly injured Ash is sent to investigate missing cats and dogs in the Vampire District, and the case of a mummified pet, a case she is sure is a safe option while she recuperates. And ever since she’d nearly died, the luscious Janvier had been annoying the hell out of her, popping round, making her soup, sending her take aways. And that is one relationship that she isn’t allowed to indulge in, despite her needs. Because she holds a secret deep inside that means immortality might not be an option for her. It is far too dangerous.
The complexity of the universe Singh has created is a bit of a trick to understand coming into it mid series, however I suspect it’s worth the investment. Janvier is an enticing character and Ash is very well drawn, strong in spite of her emotional vulnerabilities. The tension between Janvier and Ash is palpable, adding to the enjoyment of the novel. There is no shortage of sexual tension, but unlike the latter day Laurell K Hamilton where the sex took over, this is intimate and integral to the plot. And that by the way, is the good news. There is quite an intricate plot which rattles along at a steady pace.
As my first Guild Hunter novel, I thoroughly enjoyed it and would like to see more of this world.