Raphael and Elena are beginning to settle fully into their roles as Archangel of New York and his Consort. Even as Elena is gaining strength and learning more about being an immortal angel, she is bringing just a bit of balance in the way Raphael looks at the world around him. Elena is continuing her role as a hunter for the Guild, as it is what she was born to do. She has also begun delving into what is expected of her as consort. She begins to interact with other angels and Archangels in her role of Consort.

It is not long before their peaceful interlude of time is interrupted. A cascade, a power surge of immense proportion, hits Raphael's territory. Birds begin to fall out of the sky; and the wave of evil magic begins to disorient and bring down Angels in flight; some to their death, and many more to horribly intense injuries that will take months or years to heal. As so much of his Angel force is out of commission, Raphael is forced to bring in his Angels from outlying regions. He knows that another Archangel is behind this decimation of his forces, and he knows that war is coming.

Elena is called in by the Guild to take on the hunt for another Guild Hunter who may have gone rogue. What she finds is not a Guild Hunter killing vampires, but vampires dying of a mysterious infectious disease. The disease is spreading quickly, as more vampires feed on the carriers of the toxic blood. By the time she finds the carrier of the diseased blood, the woman is also dead; but the disease continues to spread, not only in Manhattan, but selected areas around the world. Raphael knows that this is another step in preparing for an attack, to weaken his territory from the inside so the assault will be carried out more easily.

As each new cascade of magic hits, Raphael gains a new power. Some go quickly as the power surge passes; but some unexplained new powers are sticking with him. A strange mark begins to grow on the edge of his forehead, growing daily until it can only be hidden by glamour. Raphael doesn't understand what it is, but he knows that he is changing, and his powers growing, in a way he can't quite assimilate. Far too soon, the assault is launched against Raphael and his territory; while his people are fallen and recuperating from disease and serious injuries.

ARCHANGEL'S LEGION is one of the strongest books yet in Nalini Singh's Guild Hunter series. Raphael and Elena are growing as individuals and as a couple. This story is deeply layered and intricately designed; with the darkest tone yet of the series. The trials being faced by Raphael and Elena throughout their time together are finally coming to a head. This is a richly rewarding addition to the series, and a story not to be missed.