Archangel’s Shadows

The apocalypse takes a backseat to more traditional romance in the seventh Guild Hunters paranormal (after Archangel’s Legion). Empathic hunter Ashwini and her fighting partner, Janvier, a Cajun vampire, are on the trail of a sadistic killer and looking for the genesis of a horrific new drug that bears the signature of Lijuan, a Chinese Archangel who went insane. The mysterious Legion continues to evolve, and the Archangel Raphael and his Consort Elena play major supporting roles, as does the fascinating vampire Naasir. The book’s primary flaw is Ash’s tightly held secret, an artificial construct preventing her from admitting her love for Janvier, who patiently encourages her honesty. The big revelation at the halfway mark speeds up the pacing, better serves the leads, and allows the book to reach the level of previous installments. (Nov.)