Title: Heart of Obsidian
Author: Nalini Singh
Series: Psy-Changeling #12, Psy-Changeling Season One #12
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Gollancz
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: “As most of you will recognize, that was Councilor Kaleb Krychek,” the reporter said out of frame as her camerman scanned for the next teleport.
Step into New York Times Bestseller Nalini Singh’s explosive and shockingly passionate Psy-Changeling world…
A dangerous, volatile rebel, hands stained blood red.
A woman whose very existence has been erased.
A love story so dark, it may shatter the world itself.
A deadly price that must be paid.
The day of reckoning is here.
Kaleb Krychek has been an enigma throughout the series. At the very beginning he seems to be the portent of all that is evil, but then, as the story of the Psy-Changeling world progresses, he seems to become far more ambiguous in his morality. Something that led to no end of confusion and intrigue as I’ve slowly read the series. So discovering more about him and his past, let alone the one person he holds dear was a thoroughly enjoyable journey that I encourage all Singh fans to undertake.
Heart of Obsidian not only finally explains so much about Kaleb and his ultimate goals within the PsyNet, but it also helps to tie up other storylines that had previously so confused me. The overarching role of Santano (who we had the displeasure of meeting in Slave to Sensation) in the lives of both Kaleb and many other Psys was more than a little horrifying, but it was somehow cathartic to finally realise the extent to which his actions impacted others.
The threat of Pure Psy and their ability to perform the most atrocious of acts under the banner of belief was also an astoundingly strong theme throughout this novel. Not only was the ability of these individuals to commit massacres at incredible levels enough to make me cringe and shiver at the thought, it sent a potent message – even under the banner of belief, acts of murder and genocide are not acceptable. Although this is purely fictional, the message is resounding in our everyday lives and the ways in which people are able to attack others under the guise of religion.
Earth and Skye 
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