Judd and Brenna are a great couple, and their uniqueness draws me back to them again and again and again. But, it is almost impossible to imagine them in their daily lives – when they’re not acting to neutralise the threats to their family. Movie Night provides a window into this life perfectly. It shows a young couple that are deeply in love, yet still getting to know one another in some of the most basic of ways.
I constantly struggle to have movie night with my own partner, we just don’t tend to have the same tastes, so it was extra fun to read about some of the same issues in one of my favourite literary couples. Although both Brenna and Judd are far more willing to compromise on their choices than either myself or my own partner, it was still nice to know that such a simple act can have quite a few connotations in a relationship for others.
Kit is a great secondary character in the Psy-Changeling series, to the point that I almost wish he was a primary one. So, it is nice to have a short story that is about him. The relationship which he has with his sister, and the loss of his family are beautifully captured in very few words. Such a beautifully crafted short story that makes you realise that every person, every character has their own story – whether it’s in real life, or the pages of a book.
The mentions of Kit’s potential as the next alpha help to further emphasise the points made by the sentinels in the other books about the leopard changeling pack. His awareness of others, their strengths and weaknesses are the marks of a great leader in any reality, and his love and care for his sister and his pack simply help to further the potency of his growing powers.
The rat’s which become an integral part of the Changeling world and the Psy-Changeling stories are always viewed on the peripheral. The conversations with them always run through one of the leopard pack, and it is difficult to understand what makes these characters tick. So, it was incredibly enjoyable to read the short conversation which takes place between two of the characters.
The different point of view which Zane and Teijan provide is a great counterpoint to the more predatory outlooks of the other parties within this series. It is also a reminder that for every single interaction, there is an opposing view.
Zane and Teijan’s surprise at the leopard pack’s generosity and willingness to work together (rather than order others around) is a poignant reminder of the way in which this non-predatory group has been treated in the past. Another reminder that although the greater battle is between key factions, it does have trickle down effects for all others in this brilliantly created and layered world.
I love short stories that investigate the everyday lives of my favourite characters. It not only helps to make them all the more real, but it is a great way to revisit them in a series that jumps from one lead to another. And although it is something that I do love about the Psy-Changeling series, I also sincerely missed Lucas and Sascha throughout the following tales.
We take a lot of things for granted, such as being told bed time stories by our parents. Sascha’s inability to partake in such a simple act is both humbling and saddening. Yet, Lucas’ love for the woman he chose and the children who make up his pack help to outshine this moment of sadness you feel at such a horrid childhood upbringing.
Although this story is only four pages long, it is so sweet and quaint that this one scene will remain in my head (and my heart) for a long time. It is cute, sweet and simple. A reminder that although the brewing conflict throughout the Psy-Changeling series is dangerous and complex, everyday life and the joys that it brings continues unabated.
Assassin. Soldier. Arrow. That is who Vasic is, who he will always be. His soul drenched in blood, his conscience heavy with the weight of all he’s done, he exists in the shadows, far from the hope his people can almost touch – if only they do not first drown in the murderous insanity of a lethal contagion. To stop the wave of death, Vasic must complete the simplest and most difficult mission of his life:
If the Psy race is to survive, the empaths must wake…
Having rebuilt her life after medical ‘treatment’ that violated her mind and sought to stifle her abilities, Ivy should run from the black-clad Arrow with eyes of winter frost. But Ivy Jane has never done what she should. Now, she’ll fight for her people, and for this Arrow who stands as her living shield, yet believes he is beyond redemption.
But as the world turns to screaming crimson, even Ivy’s fierce will may not be enough to save Vasic from the cold darkness…
Vasic’s role in the Psy rebellion throughout the series was always a little confusing – he appeared to be on the side of the good guys, but seemed to be working for the bad guys. His short appearances throughout the rest of the novels make it incredibly difficult to pinpoint his motives and alliances. The same can be said for most of the Arrows, their presence throughout the Psy-Changeling series hinting that they may be on the right side, but the very darkness that they carry due to their gifts make that a questionable assumption. Shield of Winter, however, changes all of that.
I tend to get a little frustrated when the Changelings aren’t as present throughout the story – I have a love for wolves and big cats. However, a story that focused almost entirely on the Arrows, Kaleb and the newly acknowledged empaths helped to lesson this frustration. Yes, the Changelings are incredibly tactile and enchanting characters, but the delightful mix of the caring conscientiousness of empaths and the deadly capabilities of a squad of assassins created a story that I look forward to reading again and again and again.
In Vasic’s plight and inability to accept his past, Singh highlights the ways in which we can be systematically and brutally destroyed if we go against our natures. The newly awakened place for the empaths within the world of the Psy is a great echo of this throughout the story. Constantly being told not to follow your instincts can be incredibly debilitating, not admitting their importance and being taught to go directly against them, as Vasic did is a pain that I cannot imagine.
Again, Singh has managed to not only write an amazing paranormal romance and dark fantasy, but she has created a story that makes me constantly think about my own actions and impulses. Something that all truly talented authors are able to do.
Bastien Smith is frustrated. A changeling male should be able to track his mate anywhere—through fire and hail, snow and rain. But he keeps finding and losing her scent in the city streets, ever since he first became aware of it two weeks earlier, when the elusive fragrance awakened the leopard within him…
Then Bastien is suddenly confronted with his prey. Kirby is an all-too-human woman who wants Bastien just as much as he wants her. But he can’t deny what his body and senses are telling him: there is a raging chaos inside of Kirby that he doesn’t understand, secrets that whisper awake at midnight and cause her terrible pain. If they’re to have any chance of forever, then he must solve the mystery that is Kirby…
Like a lot of people who believe in true love, I enjoy a nice, sweet paranormal romance. Especially when it’s a short story about falling in love, finding your family and getting your own kind of happy ending. And if it’s characters that have a difficult past and have always struggled to fit in with the rest of the world. Not only is it a reminder of the fact that we can all find our place in the world, but it gives me hope that in spite of your scars, you will find someone that accepts all of them. Kirby is one such heroine – she is terrified of intimacy and struggles to trust, but has a sweet heart and kind demeanour that makes you want to give her a huge hug and bring her into your own family.
Bastien, although a little too overboard and possessive for my tastes, works away at all of these insecurities and shows what true love and support is all about. Singh brilliantly intertwines the lives of these two characters to tell a sweet little tale about finding one’s place in life and embracing happiness when it is thrown at you.
Seven years ago, Kenji broke Garnet’s heart. Now the wolf packmates have to investigate the shocking murder of one of their own. And the more Kenji sees of the woman Garnet has become, the deeper he begins to fall once more. But even his primal instincts are no match for the dark secret he carries…
There were hints of Kenji and Garnet’s love throughout the last few books, Kiss of Snow especially highlighted their flirtations. But, since it was Singh telling the tale, the simplicity of flirting is the only easy thing about their courtship. It was thoroughly enjoyable to read about two people who seem to have been almost mated for years, but unable to make that final commitment. Slowly discovering just why that is will probably make you shed a tear – you’ve been forewarned.
Combining the entanglement of love and a complicated history with murder ensured that this slightly longer novella was an engaging read from start to finish. I couldn’t even put the story down to eat my dinner, much to my family’s frustration! Russ’ death, the ensuing investigation and the display of how badly love can be soured without acceptance of one another tended to take centre stage to Kenji and Jem’s dance. However, instead of taking away from their story, it only added to it, displaying both characters in a way that made you feel the depth of hurt between them and understand both of their actions. It is so simple to make one character the bad one in a relationship, whilst the other is inherently good, to display them both as loving, yet slightly insecure characters takes the talent that Singh has in bucket loads.
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.
Still raw from being burned by a dominant female, wolf changeling Felix will never again risk being a plaything. But for dominant leopard Dezi, he’s the most fascinating man she’s ever met. She just has to convince this gun-shy wolf that he can trust the dangerous cat who wants to take a slow, sexy bite out of him…
The idea of a more dominant female that was so beautifully explored in Play of Passion comes to full fruition in this great short story. Not to mention the way in which the cross pack relationships that Riley and Mercy began seem to filter through and bloom within Partners in Persuasion. Not only does this short story have the same tantalising and spine-tingling romance that characterises the Psy-Changelingseries, it also displays the filtering through of the expanded acceptance between the two bonded changeling groups.
As someone who ultimately had to make the first move, I really appreciated that Singh was able to write so wonderfully of Dezi’s playful stalking of Felix. Although I know that it is rare even in everyday life, not to mention a peculiarity in most stories, the idea of the female being the aggressor in the relationship and courtship was a welcome one. Felix’s ability to accept this and return her overtures of courtship was even more tantalising. Although the roles of courtship that we tend to traditionally assign to a gender within the relationship were reversed, both Dezi and Felix were able to acknowledge each other’s femininity and masculinity respectively.
The “alpha author of paranormal romance”* presents a stunningly sensual collection of four all-new Psy-Changeling novellas, in which taboos are broken, boundaries are crossed, and instincts prove irresistible…
Echo of Silence In a deep-sea station, Tazia Nerif has found her life’s work as an engineer, keeping things running smoothly. But she wants nothing more than to break down the barrier of silence between her and her telekinetic Psy station commander…
Dorian A changeling who can never shift lives a life of quiet frustration—until he learns how to let his leopard come out and play…
Partners in Persuasion Still raw from being burned by a dominant female, wolf changeling Felix will never again risk being a plaything. But for dominant leopard Dezi, he’s the most fascinating man she’s ever met. She just has to convince this gun-shy wolf that he can trust the dangerous cat who wants to take a slow, sexy bite out of him…
Flirtation of Fate Seven years ago, Kenji broke Garnet’s heart. Now the wolf packmates have to investigate the shocking murder of one of their own. And the more Kenji sees of the woman Garnet has become, the deeper he begins to fall once more. But even his primal instincts are no match for the dark secret he carries…
This collection of short stories was kind of intense. Unlike Wild Invitation, every story in this collection had a slightly twistier and more emotionally potent tale. Except for the first short story, Echo of Silence, the tales all connected intimately into the characters that I have fallen in love with in the Psy-Changelingworld. Again and again I am flummoxed by Singh’s ability to make me connect so deeply with a new character every time I break the spine of one of her stories.
Although it’s not necessary to read Wild Embrace alongside the main Psy-Changelingnovels, I would recommend the attempt. They just add a little more to the tale and let you know what is happening to some of the secondary characters between the epic battwlles that are beginning to characterise this hard-hitting series.
Title: Movie Night
Title: A Gift for Kit
Title: A Conversation
Title: The Cannibal Princess
Earth and Skye 