Archangel's Storm by Nalini Singh

Title: Archangel's Storm
Author: Nalini Singh

Publisher: Berkley Sensation
ISBN: 978-0-425-24658-0
Pages: 337
Series: Guild Hunter #5
Type: Adult Paranormal Romance
Source: Purchased
Goodreads


When the archangel Neha's consort is murdered in the jewel-studded palace that was his prison her rage threatens to destroy the world. Raphael lends her his spymaster Jason, but to earn Neha's trust he is forced to swear a blood oath with her niece Mahiya. Mahiya hides secrets so dangerous she doesn't trust anyone and is loathe to find herself tied to an enemy spymaster. But Eris's murderer isn't done yet and Mahiya and Jason must work together to prevent Neha's court becoming a bloodbath.

This is the fifth book in the Guild Hunter series (after Angels' Blood, Archangel's Kiss, Archangel's Consort and Archangel's Blade) and the narration switches to Jason, Raphael's midnight-winged spymaster, while the setting moves to Neha's court in India which gives a host of new characters to get to know.

The storyline is densely plotted with several big twists and turns that I didn't see coming. The writing is as descriptively lush as always, made more prominent by the gorgeous jewel studded palace. I was worried I'd struggle with the change of location but descriptions were delicately interwoven with the storyline to create a three dimensional world. The mystery of the killer soon leads Mahiya and Jason into the twisted political machinations of an Archangel's court and I was glued to the page throughout.

Jason has always been featured as dark and secretive, barely showing any expressions and playing his cards close to his chest so to see him thrust together with Mahiya who has secrets of her own was an interesting mix. Each has their backstories interwoven with the main mystery and I soon came to like Mahiya for managing to survive a brutual childhood and not become tainted by it. Their romance develops while honouring each character's background and it is interesting to see how they relate to each other.

There is a background story showing Honor and Dmitri's marriage and progressing relationship. As Jason's story is quite dark overall, these sections work as moments of lightness showing their love and dedication to one another clearly. Venom also plays a role when he comes to pay his respects to his creator Neha. I really like him as a character and I'm hoping he gets to narrate a story in the future.

All in all, this was a great read and I'm looking forward to the next book.

Plot: 10/10
Characters: 10/10
Ending: 10/10
Enjoyment: 10/10
Cover: 9/10

Overall: 49/50

Archangel's Blade by Nalini Singh

Title: Archangel's Blade
Author: Nalini Singh

Publisher: Berkley Sensation
ISBN: 978-0-425-24391-6
Pages: 310
Series: Guild Hunter #4
Type: Adult Paranormal Romance
Source: Purchased
Goodreads


When the tattooed severed head of a nascent vampire is discovered, the case should have been passed directly to the Guild but Dmitri has an ominious sense of familiarity. In his long life as a vampire, Dmitri has seen many things and his search for the truth of the killing leads him to work alongside Guild Hunter Honor. But while Honor is a competent Hunter, she has just survived a brutual imprisonment by vampires and the last thing she wants is to be forced to work with one...especially one as powerful as Dmitri.

This is the fourth book in Nalini Singh's Guild Hunter series (after Angels' Blood, Archangel's Kiss and Archangel's Consort) and is the first to move away from Elena and Raphael as lead characters. Instead the book focuses on Dmitri who has been a supporting character from the start and introduces a new Guild Hunter named Honor. Elena, Raphael and all the other characters I've come to love are still featured despite the narration change.

The book is tightly plotted with dual storylines running together. The investigation into the severed head leads us into Dmitri's past while a concurrent investigation tracks down the vampires who abducted Honor. There is a fair amount of tension and some scenes manage to be deeply creepy which makes for compelling reading. The romance takes a backseat to the character's healing from their pasts, which works well both for the storyline and overall development of the characters.

Dmitri has been a favourite character of mine since the beginning of the series. He's always been portrayed as arrogant and controlling so it was fascinating to see why he is that way. He has lived a long existence but never recovered from the events surrounding his turning, leading him to become darker and more deadly. However, when he meets Honor he begins to change and it is fascinating to see how he develops.

I found Honor to be incredibly well written and the way in which she gradually deals with the horrors of her past feels believable. She is very different to Elena as while Elena is physically very strong and confident from the first page, Honor is broken and delicate yet holds herself together with an extreme level of self-control.

Holly (a survivor of Uram's rampage in the first book) and Venom both stand out as supporting characters with Holly's recovery being aided by Honor and Venom showing a slightly softer side. Interestingly the book steps back from the global changes in the previous installment to tell a tighter, more character focused story and this was a refreshing change.

All in all, this was a great read and I'm looking forward to Archangel's Storm.

Plot: 10/10
Characters: 10/10
Ending: 10/10
Enjoyment: 10/10
Cover: 8/10

Overall: 48/50

Archangel's Consort by Nalini Singh

Title: Archangel's Consort
Author: Nalini Singh

Publisher: Berkley Sensation
ISBN: 978-0-425-24013-7
Pages: 324
Series: Guild Hunter #3
Type: Adult Paranormal Romance
Source: Purchased
Goodreads


When a vampire attacks a girls' school in a fit of viscious madness, it is only the first in a string of violent events. Vampire after vampire is consumed by rampant bloodlust and Raphael is struggling to control them when he himself begins to show signs of uncontrollable rage. But when a massive storm threatens the New York the pattern behind the events becomes clear. An ancient is awakening and she seeks to reclaim her son. Caliane has returned...

This is the third book in the Guild Hunter series (after Angels' Blood and Archangel's Kiss) and is probably my favourite in the series so far. The storyline is densely plotted and packed with twists and turns, and the threat of an Ancient awakening is threaded through the book adding a vein of tension that enhances the plot. The suspense woven into the storylines is one of the things that I love most about this series, and this installment takes it to the next level.

After watching Elena's growth after the past few books, I was looking forward to seeing what was next for her and this takes things back to her family. It allows us to understand more about how her family functions and what role she was in. There is also a few surprises hidden in Elena's past and the flashbacks give her character even more depth. Her romance with Raphael is still going strong although at times I felt it drew attention away from the action.

The presence of Raphael's mother Caliane also means that flashbacks are again used to help develop their relationship by giving a window into their past. The flashbacks are always in italics and fit well within the story. Raphael is also dealing with the echoes of Lijuan's ascension and the changes that has made to the balance of power between the Cadre of ruling Archangels.

Once again the supporting characters shine through, particularly Dmitri who has been running things in New York while Elena recovered from her transformation. His book is up next and I'm eager to find out more about him. Bluebell also returns and there are some truly heartwrenching scenes with him that really made me feel for him.

All in all this was a great read and I'm really looking forward to Archangel's Blade.

Plot: 9/10
Characters: 10/10
Ending: 10/10
Enjoyment: 10/10
Cover: 10/10

Overall: 49/50

Archangel's Kiss by Nalini Singh

Title: Archangel's Kiss
Author: Nalini Singh

Publisher: Berkley Sensation
ISBN: 978-0-425-23336-8
Pages: 323
Series: Guild Hunter #2
Type: Adult Paranormal Romance
Source: Purchased
Goodreads


Elena Devereaux has spent the last year in a coma, her body healing after the fight that nearly took her life and transformed her into an angel. She awakens changed, but weakened and with much to learn. Elena is forced to learn quickly though as an invitation arrives to a ball at the ancient and deadly archangel Lijuan's home. But even as Elena and Raphael prepare, someone is determined to remove Raphael from power and strikes at the heart of the angelic sanctuary they are calling home.

This is the second book in the Guild Hunter series (after Angels' Blood) and picks up a year after Elena's transformation. I would recommend that new readers start at the beginning, and also don't read further as this review is likely to contain spoilers for the first book.

This book has a slightly slower pace than the last installment as a large amount of time is spent with Elena learning how to be an angel. She needs to learn the history of the angelic race and even simple things, like being able to walk with her wings folded, are a struggle. That said there is a layer of tension as someone is targeting Raphael and attacking people at the sanctuary, and there is the lingering threat of Lijuan's ball.

Elena develops a lot in this book as she is trying to find a balance between her new existence as an angel and her old life as a hunter. Her hunter born skills haven't deserted her and if anything are beginning to develop into something more complex, meaning Elena is able to gain some independence from her relationship with Raphael. Slightly more of Elena's past with the rogue vampire Slater Patalis is revealed, alongside the revelation that Elena herself doesn't fully remember the incident. The story is not complete though so I'm assuming it will continue on in the next book.

It isn't just Elena's past that is revealed though as Raphael begins to reveal more about his past and the nature of angels. Raphael is determined to protect Elena, and this means that Dmitri and Illium play key roles along with the newly introduced Jason and Galen. This book also reveals more about Raphael's Seven and their roles.

Elena's relationship with Raphael develops more, although this is much to the disappointment of jealous Michaela and Dmitri who thinks Elena is a threat to Raphael's safety. The romance itself is well developed as Elena and Raphael gradually let down their guards and begin to reveal their pasts whilst learning to deal with the fact that Elena craves independence as Raphael needs her presence.

All in all this was another great read and I'm looking forward to Archangel's Consort.

Plot: 9/10
Characters: 9/10
Ending: 10/10
Enjoyment: 10/10
Cover: 9/10

Overall: 47/50

Angels' Blood by Nalini Singh

Title: Angels' Blood
Author: Nalini Singh
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
ISBN: 978-0-425-22692-6
Pages: 339
Series: Guild Hunter #1
Type: Adult Paranormal Romance
Source: Purchased
Goodreads


Elena Devereaux is the best vampire hunter in the world, but even she may not be good enough for her latest assignment. She has been hired by the dangerous, and beautiful, archangel of New York Raphael to track down an archangel gone bad. This job will place Elena at the centre of a killing spree unlike any other...and put her at risk of falling for her employer's charms, either of which could mean her death.

This is the first book in the Guild Hunter series and, as a big fan of the author's Psy-Changeling series, a book I expected great things from. I definitely wasn't disappointed as the world building is just as unique and complex as that of her other books, taking vampires and angels in innovative new directions. Angels are the creators of vampires and as such own them for the first hundred years of their existence. Elena's job is to retrieve those who attempt to break that contract.

The storyline is cleverly plotted and well paced, although at times the density of the world building made it difficult for me to stay caught in the storyline. Unlike the Psy-Changeling books, this series stays with Elena and Raphael for more than a single book so their backstory isn't covered fully leaving lots undiscovered. I was a little annoyed that only snippets of Elena's history are revealed which means that the storyline will continue in the future books, but ends up being frustratingly incomplete in this installment.

Elena is an interesting lead character. As I mentioned before her traumatic past isn't fully revealed which leaves the reader only able to partly understand her, although her relationships with her friends (good) and family (bad) do explain a lot about her motivations. Likewise Raphael is fascinating and it is great to see him both acting normally and within "the cold", a side effect to a method of angelic communication. The cold removes all traces of humanity from Raphael and leaves him as a very scary being.

There were a few background characters that managed to steal scenes throughout the book: Raphael's right hand vampire Dmitri whose seductive scent keeps Elena on her toes, and Elena's bad boy hunter friend Ransom who adds a cute sideline as he realises he's fallen in love with his latest fling. The other character I loved was Illium who is the most accessible angel introduced in the book.

The villain of the piece Uram is incredibly disturbing and leads to some particularly horrifying scenes that place this book a lot closer to a gritty urban fantasy than a romance. Some of the scenes are quite graphic which I wasn't expecting, although they do fit within the storyline and aren't excessive.

The ending is outstanding and entirely not what I was expecting at all. I can't wait to see where the storyline goes next!

All in all this was a great read and I'm looking forward to Archangel's Kiss.

Plot: 9/10
Characters: 9/10
Ending: 10/10
Enjoyment: 9/10
Cover: 7/10

Overall: 44/50

Kiss of Snow by Nalini Singh

Title: Kiss of Snow
Author: Nalini Singh
Publisher: Gollancz
ISBN: 978-0-575-10013-8
Pages: 432
Series: Psy-Changeling #10
Type: Adult Paranormal Romance
Source: Purchased
Goodreads

Hawke is the Alpha of the SnowDancer wolf pack and has vowed to stay alone after losing the woman who would have been his mate. Sienna's family was adopted into the pack after abandoning their Psy lives to save her. Hawke is drawn to Sienna but has always managed to resist, until Sienna changes the rules. Sienna isn't a little girl anymore and is prepared to fight for the man she wants, even if she can only keep him for a short while before her Psy powers kill her.

This is the tenth book in the outstanding Psy-Changeling series and finally lets Hawke and Sienna take center stage. Ever since their introduction in the very first book (Slave to Sensation) there has been tension between the two, and now Sienna is an adult there is finally a chance of a relationship. One thing I would say is that if you are new to the series, start at the beginning. There is a lot of world building and character development in each book and this also reveals some of the endings of the previous novels.

I've liked both Sienna and Hawke since the beginning. Sienna has real spark and an attitude, but she's grown from an outspoken teen into a well-rounded confident woman. Hawke is very protective and responsible with a brooding streak. They are surprisingly well suited, and their romance is cleverly developed allowing them to deal with their issues realistically.

The book is really well paced. Sienna's powers as an X-Psy have never been fully explored in the previous books so the revelations here are amazing and keep the pages turning. I only meant to read a few pages and ended up reading the entire book in one sitting. There is also a bonus storyline that I wasn't expecting in this book. Another pair of characters manage to begin a relationship. I don't want to give away who they are, but the different issues between the couple presented a nice contrast to Hawke and Sienna.

As with all of the previous books, part of the storyline is focused on world development. The pro-Silence Pure Psy have decided that San Francisco presents a dangerous resistance to their cause and hope to destroy it, along with the SnowDancer and DarkRiver packs. Unlike the previous book, the romance between Sienna and Hawke doesn't drown out this storyline rather helps it develop.

All in all this was an incredible read and I can't wait for Riaz and Adria's book Tangle of Need.

Plot: 10/10
Characters: 10/10
Ending: 9/10
Enjoyment: 10/10
Cover: 10/10

Overall: 49/50

Play of Passion by Nalini Singh

Title: Play of Passion
Author: Nalini Singh
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
ISBN: 978-0-425-23779-3
Pages: 321
Series: Psy-Changeling #9
Type: Adult Paranormal Romance
Source: Purchased
Goodreads

Drew Kincaid is the tracker for the SnowDancer wolf pack. His job is to track down any wolves who have gone over the edge and either bring them back, or remove the threat entirely. Lieutenant Indigo Riviere is one of the highest ranking, most experienced soldiers SnowDancer has, and she doesn't date younger or less dominant males. Drew is determined to get Indigo to break her rule and let him in, and he's prepared to play any games necessary to win her over.

This is the ninth book in the Psy-Changeling series and while I was really looking forward to a changeling focused book after the last few were psy heavy, I must say I was a little disappointed. It was a bit like Psy-Changeling-lite. I liked both Drew and Indigo where they've appeared in the other books in the series, and was surprised that I didn't enjoy this more. There are a lot of similarities between this and Branded by Fire and I think that book was vastly superior to this.

Most of the focus of the book is on the relationship (normal for the series) but in this one it almost totally drowns out the background story. In the last book, the Psy Council split in two with some members supporting Silence and others beginning to reject it. This book has the pro-Silence Psy beginning to act against the things they regard as a threat, including the SnowDancer wolves. The storyline that was included was good, I just wish there had been a greater depth and more of a build up of tension.

There were also some little Hawke/Sienna sections thrown in. I know their book (Kiss of Snow) is up next so I didn't mind their appearance as they helped build my anticipation for that book.

All in all, this was a good read and I can't wait for Kiss of Snow.

Plot: 9/10
Characters: 9/10
Ending: 10/10
Enjoyment: 8/10
Cover: 9/10

Overall: 45/50

Bonds of Justice by Nalini Singh

Title: Bonds of Justice
Author: Nalini Singh
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
ISBN: 978-0-425-23544-7
Pages: 348
Series: Psy-Changeling #8
Type: Young Adult Paranormal
Source: Purchased
Goodreads

Max Shannon is a good cop but hasn't progressed far in his career within New York Enforcement because he has a natural shield, leaving his thoughts protected from the Psy. Sophia Russo is a Justice Psy able to see into the minds of criminals and extract relevant memories. When Psy Councillor Nikita Duncan's advisors begin dying in accidents and apparent suicides, she hires Max and Sophia to investigate because of their unique skill sets. But as Max and Sophia start work on the case they are irrevocably drawn to one another, and Sophia is forced to fight to preserve what is left of her mind.

This is the eight book in Nalini Singh's Psy-Changeling series, and while I am a big fan I approached this book with a little trepidation. I really missed having a changeling central to the previous book (Blaze of Memory) and was worried that this would be the same, especially as Max was introduced briefly like Dev in Mine to Possess. Thankfully I was wrong, and this book is a real return to form.

J-Psy's have been mentioned in previous books and it was great to see more of their world. I'm used to the author developing the world in each book, and I really liked how she portrayed the two approaches to justice - that of human cops alongside the J-Psy approach. I like cop-based storylines so the secondary story of a psycho killer was just as interesting to me as the main investigation.

I really like Max and Sophia, and I also like how Sophia is unique to the other Psy from the series. She is told at the beginning of the book that she has a month before her mind is totally wiped, and this means that she has more reasons to begin living her life the way she would like. As most of the book takes place in San Francisco, the DarkRiver changelings make frequent appearances which I really enjoyed.

All in all, this was a great read and I can't wait to get stuck into Play of Passion.

Plot: 10/10
Characters: 10/10
Ending: 10/10
Enjoyment: 10/10
Cover: 9/10

Overall: 49/50

Blaze of Memory by Nalini Singh

Title: Blaze of Memory
Author: Nalini Singh
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
ISBN: 978-0-425-23111-1
Pages: 373
Series: Psy-Changeling #7
Type: Adult Paranormal Romance
Source: Purchased
Goodreads

When Dev Santos finds an unconscious battered woman on his doorstep, he takes her into his care. Katya has been stripped of her memories and programmed to carry out an unknown task. All she knows is that she is dangerous. Dev feels duty bound to eliminate any threat to the safety of his people but is irrevocably drawn to Katya. Together they must work to discover who Katya is, and what her captors programmed her to do.

This is the seventh book in Nalini Singh's incredible Psy-Changeling series, and the first to not include a changeling as a lead character. Instead this book focuses on the world of the Forgotten, the psy who refused Silence when it was introduced and abandoned the Psy Net. Both Dev and Katya have had small roles in previous books, and I didn't really like them that much and I think that impacted my enjoyment of this book.

Dev is the head of the Shine foundation and a key part of protecting the Forgotten from the Psy Council. He's pretty standoffish and I found I missed having a changeling as a lead. Katya has no idea who she is at the beginning of the book so it was interesting to see her discovering who she was, and deciding who she wants to be. I really liked watching Katya's journey, especially as uncovering her secrets also led to the discovery of other hidden facets of the Psy world.

The book does give greater insight into the Psy Council, and Ming le Bon in particular. It also looks at the Forgotten society as a whole and reasks an old question from the series - are some psy designations safer with silence? There are more hints about a mysterious X-Psy designation, which will most likely affect Hawke and Sienna's book (the tenth in the series Kiss of Snow). Sherrilyn Kenyon did a similar breadcrumb trail when she was building up to Acheron so I hope the pay-off is as good.

All in all, this was a interesting read and I'm looking forward to Bonds of Justice.

Plot: 10/10
Characters: 9/10
Ending: 10/10
Enjoyment: 9/10
Cover: 7/10

Overall: 45/50

Branded by Fire by Nalini Singh

Title: Branded by Fire
Author: Nalini Singh
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
ISBN: 978-0-425-22673-5
Pages: 345
Series: Psy-Changeling #6
Type: Adult Paranormal Romance
Source: Purchased
Goodreads

When the DarkRiver and SnowDancer packs agreed to become allies, DarkRiver sentinel Mercy Smith and SnowDancer lieutenant Riley Kincaid are forced into the role of liasons. Mercy and Riley spar with each other, but when their relationship becomes personal it turns into a struggle for dominance. When a changeling researcher is kidnapped and a greater conspiracy uncovered, Riley and Mercy are forced to work together to protect their packs and struggle to find a new balance.

This is the sixth book in the incredible Psy-Changeling series (after Slave to Sensation, Visions of Heat, Caressed by Ice, Mine to Possess and Hostage to Pleasure) and is the first book in the series to deal with two changelings. Mercy and Riley have been sniping at each other since the beginning of the series, so it was great to see their dynamic change.

Riley and Mercy spark off each other, creating a relationship where each is infuriated and intrigued. This is the first book in the series where a lack or supression of emotion hasn't played a part in the story; in fact Riley and Mercy seem to have an excess of emotion between them. It was great to see a relationship between two dominant personalities, especially given the difference between wolf and leopard changelings.

The Human Alliance introduced in the previous book take a greater role, and while the Psy as a whole become part of the backstory Councillor Krychek gets more development - which only creates more questions as to who he is and what his motivations are. Also part of the book focuses Sienna and Hawk who take the lead roles in the tenth Psy-Changeling novel (Kiss of Snow). Given the story developments here I can't wait to see how that relationship is handled.

All in all, this was another incredible read and I can't wait for Blaze of Memory.

Plot: 10/10
Characters: 10/10
Ending: 10/10
Enjoyment: 10/10
Cover: 9/10

Overall: 49/50

Hostage to Pleasure by Nalini Singh

Title: Hostage to Pleasure
Author: Nalini Singh
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
ISBN: 978-0-425-22325-3
Pages: 330
Series: Psy-Changeling #5
Type: Adult Paranormal Romance
Source: Purchased
Goodreads

On the surface Ashaya Aleine appears to be the perfect Psy - cool, calm and emotionless. But beneath that cover lies a woman fighting to escape from the clutches of the Psy Council who are holding her son captive to force her to work on an implant that will basically enslave her entire race. Ashaya manages to free herself and her son, only to land in DarkRiver hands. Dorian Christensen may not be able to change into a leopard but he is one of the deadliest most anti-psy members of DarkRiver and when he finds Ashaya he is drawn into the biggest conflict of his life.

This is the fifth book in the Psy-Changeling series (after Slave to Sensation, Visions of Heat, Caressed by Ice and Mine to Possess). This is one of my favourite paranormal romance series, and I was really excited to read this as Ashaya was introduced in the previous book and the storyline about her son set up. Ashaya traded favours with DarkRiver in the previous book and now she has called in her favour - DarkRiver are to rescue her son from his Psy captors.

Ashaya also manages to escape and ends up in DarkRiver territory, but has not only the Psy after her but human groups as well. It took me a long time to warm to Ashaya and she's probably my least favourite heroine of the series so far. I don't dislike her, but I can't identify with her. However I loved how her relationship with Dorian developed, especially as he is so vehemently opposed to all things psy.

Unlike the previous books, this has journal and letter snippets at the start of many of the chapters. While they provide insight into Ashaya's mind I found them distracting and they interferred with the pacing of the book at times. After Ashaya's escape the revelations and development of the world occurs quickly and these snippets were a little irritating.

As usual the world is developed further, with some Psy councillors receiving a bit more backstory along with some changelings, Mercy in particular. Ashaya's actions create major ripples in the psy world so I'm interested in seeing how that plays out, as well as how the new psy and human groups are developed.

All in all, this was another great read and I can't wait to get stuck into Branded by Fire.

Plot: 10/10
Characters: 9/10
Ending: 10/10
Enjoyment: 9/10
Cover: 8/10

Overall: 46/50

Mine to Possess by Nalini Singh

Title: Mine to Possess

Author: Nalini Singh
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
ISBN: 978-0-425-22016-0
Pages: 328
Series: Psy-Changeling #4
Type: Adult Paranormal Romance
Source: Purchased
Goodreads


Clay Bennett is a DarkRiver sentinel, but he hides the scars of a traumatic childhood where he lost control and in a bloody rain of fury took a life and lost his only friend as a consequence. Clay has spent years believing Talin died, tempted to surrended to the darkness, until Talin reappears in his life. Talin McKade barely survived her childhood and has become a mentor reaching out to children in need as an adult. Now those children are disappearing and when bodies begin to be discovered, Talin has no choice but to turn to the strongest person she knows...Clay.

This is the fourth in the awesome Psy-Changeling series (after Slave to Sensation, Visions of Heat and Caressed by Ice) and it is unique from the other books in that it features a changeling-human pairing. The plot moves a bit faster in this book as Talin's desperation to find the children she cares about really shines through. The narration is mainly from Clay and Talin's points of view, but like Caressed by Ice it does jump to other perspectives where necessary to continue the story.

It took me a while to warm to Talin as a lead character. There are lots of hints and leading statements as to how she was abused as a child, although no graphic details ever reach the page, and it's difficult to identify with someone who has survived that kind of trauma. Clay has always appeared as dark in previous books so it was no surprise to learn his childhood was less than perfect, but it was great to see how he became a member of DarkRiver. On the whole the romance was well developed and believable.

Again, the entire world of the books has been further developed. The Psy society is beginning to crumble under the continual assault of the Ghost, the Council are struggling to hold on to their power and Protocol I (to turn the psy into a completely controlled hive mind) is gaining priority. This book covers the human angle, as while humans have been mentioned in previous books their role in the psy-changeling-human world hasn't really been explained before now.

All in all, this was an incredible read that has set up Hostage to Pleasure perfectly. I can't wait to read it!

Plot: 10/10
Characters: 10/10
Ending: 10/10
Enjoyment: 10/10
Cover: 8/10

Overall: 48/50

Caressed by Ice by Nalini Singh

Title: Caressed by Ice

Author: Nalini Singh
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
ISBN: 978-0425-21842-6
Pages: 352
Series: Psy-Changeling #3
Type: Adult Paranormal Romance
Source: Purchased
Goodreads


Judd Lauren was an Arrow, an elite soldier trained to be a merciless killer under the complete control of the ruthless Psy Council. But when Judd's family was slated for rehabilitation, a fate far worse than death for any psy, he defected and now the Laurens live hidden in SnowDancer lands. Brenna Kincaid was a happy innocent student before she was kidnapped and tortured by a Psy serial killer. Her SnowDancer pack saved her, but her scars run deep and when she begins to have visions of another killer she realises the only one who can help her is Judd.

This is the third in the Psy-Changeling series (after Slave to Sensation and Visions of Heat) which is fast shaping up to be one of my favourite paranormal romance series. In the last two books, a female psy has broken the Silence (the training that strips psy of their emotions) and fallen for a changeling. This book changes that formula to have a male psy fall for a female changeling. Brenna and Judd were both introduced in the first book and up until now have been little more than background characters, so it was great to see them get more development.

Brenna was kidnapped in Slave to Sensation and although she was rescued, it was after she had spent almost a week at the hands of a sadistic serial killer. Not only is she emotionally damaged, her abuduction has also scarred the SnowDancer pack as a whole. Judd has always seemed like he was made of ice in the previous novels, but it was great to see why he was so committed to maintaining his lack of emotions despite his defection from the psy. The whole relationship was sweet and well thought-out, and a welcome variation on the theme.

Unlike the previous books, this is also unique in that the book isn't just from Brenna and Judd's perspectives. Small sections of the book are also from Sascha, Faith and the killer's perspective as well. This could have been jarring but it was so cleverly done that there are seemless transistions between the narrators which really helps the story to advance smoothly and at a good pace.

Nalini Singh also continues her world building, gradually deepening and developing the world she has created. The idea of Arrows was introduced briefly in the last book, but the concept is fully explored here. Also developed from previous snippets of information is the new protocol for culling emotions within the Psy, basically creating a fully controllable hive mind. There is also a new plotline introduced about a renegade Psy known only as 'Ghost' who is working within the PsyNet to bring down their world from within.

All in all, this was another awesome read and I can't wait to read Mine to Possess

Plot: 10/10
Characters: 10/10
Ending: 10/10
Enjoyment: 10/10
Cover: 8/10

Overall: 48/50

Visions of Heat by Nalini Singh

Title: Visions of Heat
Author: Nalini Singh
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
ISBN: 978-0-425-21575-3
Pages: 332
Series: Psy-Changeling #2
Type: Adult Paranormal Romance
Source: Purchased
Goodreads

Faith NightStar is one of the strongest F-Psy of her generation. Gifted with the ability to foresee the future her ability has begun to change. Where she previously was only able to see clinical business transactions, Faith is now haunted by dark visions of blood and pain. Suddenly her visions change again, showing her passion and pleasure...and changeling Vaughn D'Angelo. Vaughn's animal side is irrevocably drawn to Faith, but as a man who craves sensation how can he cope with a woman who can't stand to be touched?

This is the second Psy-Changeling novel (after Slave to Sensation) and I was as blown away by it as I was by the first in the series. The author has managed to build on the world she created giving it even more depth. This book covers the F-Psy (or foresight) designation, but also goes deeper into the psy world revealing more about the Council and introducing PsyClans smaller almost familial groups within the larger psy community. It also explains more about how the PsyNet works and introduces the Arrows, psy who guard the Council and destroy threats to it.

The plot is very similar in some ways to Slave to Sensation in that it deals with a psy beginning to feel emotions and being romantically drawn to a changeling. I've checked the back of the next book (Caressed by Ice) and it appears that this isn't going to be a standard formula for the series. That said, although the romance covered similar lines to the previous book this didn't feel repetitive or formulaic.

I liked Faith as a lead character and it was great watching her grow in confidence and spunk. Vaughn is more primal than Lucas in the first book having spent more time in his animal form as a child, so it's interesting to see the battle between his animal and male sides. Having Faith's abject refusal of touch and Vaughn's need of it also impacts on the rest of the pack, and it's great to see how it impacts on the pack dynamics.

All in all, this was another amazing read and I can't wait to get stuck into Caressed by Ice.

Plot: 10/10
Characters: 10/10
Ending: 10/10
Enjoyment: 10/10
Cover: 8/10

Overall: 48/50

Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh

Title: Slave to Sensation
Author: Nalini Singh
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
ISBN: 0-425-21286-6
Pages: 334
Series: Psy-Changeling #1
Type: Adult Paranormal Romance
Source: Purchased
Goodreads

Sascha Duncan is a Psy, a race that instituted a program called Silence decades ago to eliminate all emotion. All Psy are supposed to be cold and unfeeling, but Sascha is broken...she can and does feel but must hide her emotions as discovery would lead to her mind being erased. Her latest job is to work with panther changeling Lucas Hunter on a building project. Lucas has his own reasons for wanting to work with Sascha - one of the Psy has been murdering changeling women and Lucas thinks Sascha might be the only Psy able to track the killer down.

I've read this book twice and I am as awed by it this time as I was the first. Nalini Singh has managed to create an incredibly unique world, something that is very hard to do given the sheer volume of paranormal romance novels available these days. Set at some point in the future (maybe 100 years or so) the world is populated by three species: humans, Psy who are cerebral and unfeeling and changelings who have the ability to take animal form. While shifters are a common theme in books, the Psy is something I haven't seen before and it's a brilliant idea.

The plot of the book is incredible and multilayered, with lots of twists and turns. Sascha is a great lead character and her struggle to contain her burgeoning emotions is well written and believable. The book can really be split into three parts - Sascha's emotional struggle, the potential romance between Sascha and Lucas and the hunt for the Psy killer.

A lot of supporting characters are introduced, and a quick check of the author's website showed that the main ones mentioned all have their own books out or coming soon. The author manages to avoid info-dumping and sets the world up so well with so much detail that I can't wait to see where she goes with it next.

All in all, this is an awesome read and I can't wait to read the next book Visions of Heat.

Plot: 10/10
Characters: 10/10
Ending: 10/10
Enjoyment: 10/10
Cover: 8/10

Overall: 48/50