Dawn and Winnie Book Reviews: Psy/Changeling series

Showing posts with label Psy/Changeling series. Show all posts

Thursday, August 11

THE PSY/CHANGELING SERIES by Nalini Singh

11:50 AM | Posted by Dawn & Winnie Book Reviews

Silence….

In an effort to reduce the overwhelming incidence of insanity and serial killing in the psy population, the psy council decided, in the year 1969, to instigate a rigorous program called silence. The aim of silence was to condition young PSY from birth. The aim of the conditioning was to teach them not to feel RAGE. However, the Council soon discovered that it was impossible to isolate that one emotion. In 1979, after a ten-year debate over the millions of minds in the PsyNet, it was decided to change the aim of silence. Its new mission was to condition young psy to feel nothing. Not rage, not jealousy, not envy, not happiness and certainly not love. By the year 2079, when the 5^th or 6^th of the psy are being conditioned, everyone has forgotten that they had ever been any other way. The PSY are known to be icily controlled inhumanly practical, and impossible to push to violence. They are the leaders of government and business, eclipsing both human and changeling, races that allow their animal natures the rules them. With mental capabilities running from telepathy to foresight, telekinesis to psychometry, the PSY consider themselves a step up the evolutionary ladder. In keeping with their nature, they base all their decisions on logic and efficiency. According to the PsyNet, their mistake rate is close to nil.

The PSY are PERFECT in their SILENCE

-Nalini Singh

Slave to Sensation (Psy-Changeling #1)By Nalini SinghNalini Singh dives into a world torn apart by a powerful race with phenomenal powers of the mind-and none of the heart.In a world that denies emotions, where the ruling Psy punish any sign of desire, Sascha Duncan must conceal the feelings that brand her as flawed. To reveal them would be to sentence herself to the horror of "rehabilitation" - the complete psychic erasure of everything she ever was...Both human and animal, Lucas Hunter is a changeling hungry for the very sensations the Psy disdain. After centuries of uneasy coexistence, these two races are now on the verge of war over the brutal murders of several changeling women. Lucas is determined to find the Psy killer who butchered his packmate, and Sascha is his ticket into their closely guarded society. But he soon discovers that this ice-cold Psy is very capable of passion - and that the animal in him is fascinated by her. Caught between their conflicting worlds, Lucas and Sascha must remain bound to their identities - or sacrifice everything for a taste of darkest temptation...

Sascha Duncan, a cardinal Psy, rumored to be one of the most powerful in her race… has always hidden in her inner hub as she knows she is a broken Psy and would be sent for rehabilitation if this were discovered. Sascha is placed in charge of a joint business project between the Psy and the DarkRiver leopards’ pack- the first joint endeavor between the Psy and changelings. EVER!

Lucas Hunter, a DarkRiver's SEXY Alpha only agreed to this business deal with the Psy populace, the emotionless robotic, icy creeps… ahh… people because he has a secret agenda. Someone is killing and stalking changeling women... and Lucas plans to find this killer and bring him to justice. He planed to use Sascha, the broken psy to spy and to help penetrate the PsyNet (A network of all psy minds). Interesting… Imagine a world where emotions are conditioned out of all its populace… why should one broken psy help catch a murderer? Where is the logic and reason behind that decision? After all it’s not a business deal…

Nalini Singh is a great writer and her Psy- Changeling world is enthralling!!!! The storyline is spellbinding and provides a very invigorating approach to both the psychic and shape shifter themes. SLAVE TO SENSATION is an outstanding story demonstrating the power of love and loyalty.

Nalini Singh gave life to her characters and even her secondary characters, such as Dorian, Nate, Rina, Hawke and Tamsyn, - pack healer had a startling profundity to them and I loved it!!!! SLAVE TO SENSATION is a standalone book, but its book one of many series. SLAVE TO SENSATION is highly recommended and one the BEST books I have ever read!

Nalini Singh is a STAR and a brilliant writer

After delving into this series, I am holding myself back from slapping myself in the face. Why? I have been missing out. The author captivates you in a grand original world with humans,psy and changeling. Where psy are a n isolated race ridden of emotion, the changelings live every passionate moment to the fullest. We follow Sascha who is psy in every way but one, and when she is forced to work with the hot and steamy Lucas, she also is forced to come to terms with her difference. Lucas is on a mission. A secret one to find a killer. And Sascha just might be his ticket to finding the killer. In a world where the only law that one abides by is that of their race, Sascha and Lucas are torn between their love and their worlds.Will they succumb to each other or will duty override. Nalini definitely delivers in the first book to the psy changeling series. Great characters, secrets yet to be unfolded and the cats and dogs are out seek revenge.

Visions of Heat (Psy-Changeling #2)By Nalini SinghHailed as a major new talent in paranormal romance, Nalini Singh takes us deeper into the world of the Psy and the changelings in her latest extraordinary novel, where a gifted woman sees passion in her future-a passion that is absolutely forbidden by her kind... Used to cold silence, Faith NightStar is suddenly being tormented by dark visions of blood and murder. A bad sign for anyone, but worse for Faith, an F-Psy with the highly sought after ability to predict the future. Then the visions show her something even more dangerous-aching need...exquisite pleasure. But so powerful is her sight, so fragile the state of her mind, that the very emotions she yearns to embrace could be the end of her. Changeling Vaughn D'Angelo can take either man or jaguar form, but it is his animal side that is overwhelmingly drawn to Faith. The jaguar's instinct is to claim this woman it finds so utterly fascinating and the man has no argument. But while Vaughn craves sensation and hungers to pleasure Faith in every way, desire is a danger that could snap the last threads of her sanity. And there are Psy who need Faith's sight for their own purposes. They must keep her silenced-and keep her from Vaughn...

In the second installation in the psy changeling series, trusted friend of Lucas and assigned sentry, Vaughn, is somewhat a loner in the pack. He prowls the territory ensuring that unwanted visitors never cross into dark land. but when psy Faith Nightstar is found trespassing by the highly aggressive jaguar, a strange connection is formed between the two. But Faith is psy, and one of the rarest kind. Will she be able to escape the money hungry claws of her people? what about the unemotional face of her people? And will Vaughn be able to control the inner jag that prowls on the brink of exploding from under his skin. In addition to this, a darkness lurks nearby. what is it? Can it be stopped. more secrets of the psy world are revealed and the packs bonds are put at risk. This tale definitely lives up to the hype of its predecessor.

Visions of Heat continue fairly from the former plot of the first book, Slave to Sensation. Faith Nightstar is the quintessence of a secluded Psy. She is a Cardinal F-Psy, meaning she can predict the future. As an F- Psy who has never being wrong in her predictions, she is highly sot out because she is important to her PSY populace and the Nightstar Enterprise. Since Faith is a Psy, she is conditioned to only predict stocks and anything that has to do with money and business, certainly nothing to help save lives… be it human, PSY or changelings. However, when Faith starts seeing dark, disconcerting visions, she knows she cannot ignore them...no matter how brittle her mind might be. Vaughn D’ Angelo, a Dark River Sentinel is drawn to the mysterious and unusual F- Psy. Changeling Vaughn D'Angelo uses his abilities as a jaguar to intrude on Faith's territory. He must tread cautiously, for too much contact with Faith may perhaps propel her senses into surplus. BUT, Vaughn is determined to make her feel, basically recondition her “Silence”… on his terms. GOOD! Vaughn's story was one fascinating read and it came out better than I thought. Faith and Vaughn’s animal instinct makes this episode worth reading. Plus the political aspect in the book, politics between the council and the changeling clan is spellbinding! Nalini Singh is an expert in writing up the details at just the right hiatus; she allows her main characters and sub character to flow beautifully amid one another. This series is amazing and every continuation is worth the reading time. I love the remarkable plot and the originality of the world Singh has built because it's a world you can’t get enough of, even better a world you being to crave. Furthermore, this series keeps getting better!

Caressed By Ice (Psy-Changeling #3)By Nalini SinghNalini Singh explores new heights of sensuality, returning to the world of the Psy - where two people who know evil intimately must unlock the good within their icy hearts...As an Arrow, an elite soldier in the Psy Council ranks, Judd Lauren was forced to do terrible things in the name of his people. Now he is a defector, and his dark abilities have made him the most deadly of assassins - cold, pitiless, unfeeling. Until he meets Brenna...Brenna Shane Kincaid was an innocent before she was abducted - and had her mind violated - by a serial killer. Her sense of evil runs so deep, she fears she could become a killer herself. Then the first dead body is found, victim of a familiar madness. Judd is her only hope, yet her sensual changeling side rebels against the inhuman chill of his personality, even as desire explodes between them. Shocking and raw, their passion is a danger that threatens not only their hearts, but their very lives.

Caressed by Ice is the 3rd book in Nalini Singh's Psy-Changeling series. When I found out that Judd Lauren is the main character in this chapter, I had to back pedal, to reconfirm the name, because if I remember clearly, Judd is an assassin, an arrow train by the ruthless, faceless Ming La’ Bon worst, Judd is one of the coldest, bloodless, robotic emotionless, silenced- Psy! So how come he is being paired up with Brenna, a Snow Dancer chick, suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder… curious. I dove in…

In this installment, Judd's background story is finally exposed and his family members' back-story is explored further. The attraction and desire between Judd and Brenna is just sizzling! Though, it wasn’t an easy pairing because Brenna is not the one to let go… she is determined to use her fire, to melt Judd’s ICE! And in the end it was well what it! I loved how Brenna wouldn't let Judd ignore what was between them and how even as Judd tried to stay away he always sought after Brenna. After all she was his mate and he is an adopted Snow Dancer!!!! Who knows what he wants! It was also remarkable to see more of the Psy and changeling worlds. The Psy rebellion continues as we're introduced to a new player, the Ghost and pastor X… and most importantly, we finally figured out how Brenna was kidnapped in the first place (Book1, Slave to sensation). This book was from the POV of the Snow dancer pack, though I am team Dark river, it was a well come change… and I love it! The sub story in this book makes me wonder if Singh could get any better! I mean, love story aside, the chaotic Psy- changeling world is just captivating! Amid Judd and Brenna’s love discovery, The Council can’t seem to stop maneuvering and conniving as protocol 1 take Silence a in a vast step forward in creating a true Psy hive mind… which makes us wonder, what the Ghost is all about and how Judd came in to contact with him/her, as it is Judd’s personal mission to destroy protocol 1. Worst, the council is still brooding being bested by the changeling, meaning, they are trying to divide and defeat the DR’s and the SD’s. … In the end, the Council still got bested again. GOOD! Nalini Singh keeps you transfixed to this story and as every aspect of the plot intertwines the story develop into a mesmeric read from start to stop. I really liked it!

Caressed by Ice has blown me away. Nalini sure knew how to bring it together. A psy, no emotion no depth no feeling- an arrow a killer. A changeling, full of passion and power, sensuality- tormented with dark shadows haunting her. With Brenna recovering from a recent tumultuous abduction she finds herself leaning to Judd a psy telepath for comfort. Judd is unknown to love and affection. With his own dark secrets and agenda he tries to repay the pack for the kindness they have bestowed to his family. In the midst of all this there is a traitor, amongst the wolves one who wishes to remain anonymous, to maintain this Brenna must die. Brenna tries to bring Judd to see things the wolf way while Judd helps Brenna overcome the demons that haunt her. Had me turning non stop

Mine to Possess (PSY CHANGELING# 4)
by Nalini Singh
Nalini Singh pulls away another dark layer of sheer desire, revealing passions unknown in her latest novel about the world of the Psy.A woman returns from a leopard changeling's past, making him question his base animal instincts-and unlock the darkest secrets of his heart.

This is Clay's book. Clay is one of Lucas' sentinels who is on the verge of going rogue. The cause to this. a dark past he is so tight lipped about not even pack can get through to him. In comes Talin a woman from that very clouded past seeking help that only Clay can give her.With old memories rising, wounds reopened and a perilous fight against the psy council Talin and Clay must trust each other in order to save the lives of the innocent children. Will pack accept this new Human in the leopard's life? will Clay give Talin his all to help find the lost ones. And deep down in the isolated labs of the psy, dwell a scientist who holds the fate of many in her palm. I loved this story, kept turning the pages. Nalini Singh keeps bringing the series on a new level.

Hostage To Peasure (PSY-CHANGELING #5) by Nalini Singh

Ashaya Aleine was separated from her son, forced to create a neural implant that will forever enslave her psychically gifted Psy race. After fighting a desperate battle to save her child and escape the PsyNet, she's lead not to safety, but into the lethal danger of a sniper's embrace.

Aftter saving the youths from the torturous reigning of the psy, it is time that the leopards pay back for the help that they received . Even though the psy has taken away from Dorian what he can never regain he helps. Ashaya has one request - save her son, but the question is - why ?- psy definitely does not shar a maternal bond with their young, then why would she risk all for Keenan ?Keenan is drawn to Dorian in the most unusual way, and when Ashaya escapes the evil hands of Ming La Bong she turns to Dorian and the pack for refuge , but can she be trusted ? In addition to this Ashaya finds herself playing a game with one of the most dangerous people on the net aside from the council -the ultimate silence prioject - Can the pack come together to fight of the psy plus a new group set on human world domination? Can Dorian let go his hatred of the psy? In this page turning tale Dorian must face his demons, and Ashaya is faced with one of the hardest choices she will ever have to make.

Branded By Fire (PSY- CHANGELING #6) by Nalini Singh

When a brilliant changeling researcher is kidnapped, DarkRiver sentinel Mercy, a cat, and SnowDancer lieutenant Riley, a wolf, must work together to track the young man-before his shadowy captors decide he's no longer useful. Along the way, the two dominants may find that submitting to one another uncovers not just a deadly conspiracy, but a passion so raw that it'll leave them both branded by fire

Passion at its best so far in the series. Drawn to the enemy. Well not enemy but might as well be. How can a cat and wolf get along? Riley and Mercy shows us how. Two dominant lieutenants for each pack is drawn to the other but refuses to give way. They find themselves in a constant battle for dominance while fighting the passion that draws them to each other. They find themselves having to work together to find a missing pack member before it's too late, in the midst of all this Mercy's family is bent on her settling down. The problem- she can't mat with just anyone, whoever claims her must be a dominant male. Unfortunately for her everyone in her pack who fits the title is taken. But Riley a dominant wolf has his eyes set on her and he refuses to let anyone come in his way. Can these two put aside the biased precognitions of the other and embrace their passion or will their hatred blind them to turn the other way. New enemy threats, the council is slowly unraveling, and more changelings come into the picture. One of my favorited in the series. 5 stars all the way

Blaze of Memory (PSY CHANGELING #7) by Nalini Singh

Dev Santos finds a woman with amnesia-and all she can remember is that she's dangerous. Stripped of her memories by a shadowy oppressor and programmed to kill, Katya's only hope is Dev. But he could very well be her next target

There is the Psy, Humans, Changelings and now the Forgotten- Who are they? A breed of Psy who refused to embrace silence. Dev Santos is the head of a secret organization bent on protecting the identities lost and known of the Forgotten. When an amnesic Psy mysteriously appears at the front doors of his organization Dev finds himself torn with choices, unsure if this psy is truly the victim she appears and claims to be or is she a secret spy? Katya has no memory well only bits and pieces here and there, only the dark place seems to mean anything and that's the last place she wants to return to. She needs help, she feels safe with Dev, but her gut instincts are pulling her to places unknown in search for answers. Is Katya the spy sent on destroying the forgotten? Can Dev Santos protect his people? Or will he fall for the sinister act he is convinced Katya is trying to pull? Great page turner loved it all the way Two thumbs up

Kiss of Snow (Psy-Changeling #10)By Nalini Singh
New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh's exhilarating world of shapeshifters and psychics is "paranormal romance at its best" (Publishers Weekly). Now comes the story of an alpha wolf named Hawke used to getting exactly what he wants--and of the only woman who dares tangle with him. Since the moment of her defection from the PsyNet and into the SnowDancer wolf pack, Sienna Lauren has had one weakness. Hawke. Alpha and dangerous, he compels her to madness. Hawke is used to walking alone, having lost the woman who would've been his mate long ago. But Sienna fascinates the primal heart of him, even as he tells himself she is far too young to handle the wild fury of the wolf.Then Sienna changes the rules and suddenly, there is no more distance, only the most intimate of battles between two people who were never meant to meet. Yet as they strip away each other's secrets in a storm of raw emotion, they must also ready themselves for a far more vicious fight…A deadly enemy is out to destroy SnowDancer, striking at everything they hold dear, but it is Sienna's darkest secret that may yet savage the pack that is her home…and the alpha who is its heartbeat…

Hawke, alpha of the Snow Dancer pack and Sienna, an X -Psy has been attracted to each other for some time now!!! Both, (Hawke and Sienna) might have acted on their desire for each other but Sienna is just turned 19. Sienna is also an exceptionally potent X Psy, her powers are limitless and if her power gets out of control, she can demolish, destroy everything around her… even combust!!! She is the ultimate weapon. Now that she has broken Silence, no one knows exactly what is going to happen to her. Her powers are extremely fickle, being the only X cardinal Psy ever born and rumored to live no longer than their 25th year of life… Sienna, just wants Hawke Snow.

Hawke cannot deny his attraction, and he doesn’t want to lead Sin on for many reasons!!! One, he lost his best friend/mate at a very young age, Knowing a wolf only mates once in a life time, two- he doesn’t know if Sienna can control the demands of an Alpha wolf … what he would demand from HIS! And three she is so young! Meanwhile, the Psy Council is folding in on its self, new alliances are being formed, betrayals are evident and a civil war is on the prospect... DRAMA!

Kiss of snow is the 10^th book in the psy/ changeling series and let me say … I LOVED LOVED IT!!!! Singh’s world is way too complicated to explain so I highly recommend her previous books, from Slave to sensation, visions of heat, caressed by Ice, mine to possess, hostage to pleasure, branded by fire, blaze of memory, bonds of justice to play of passion! “A MUST READ”

I have always like Hawke, the snow dancer Alpha and I am so glad that he finally, got his story!!! What can I say??? I never liked the wolves as much as I like the cats’ but this book is golden!!!

The age difference between Hawke and Sin got me worried, but Sin is more than a match for Hawke! She knows what she wants and she isn’t afraid to fight for it, AND Nalini Singh is a writing god! This book is not entirely focused on just Hawke and Sin, but the entire Lauren family!!!! War is on the brink, Lucas and Sarcha, welcomes their daughter, Nikita and Anthony are changeling alliances, (I wonder if they would be mated hmm…)… the Snow dancer pack is finally balanced, walker Lauren is mated and alliances between the cats and wolves and wings and rats are getting stronger!!! Great read!!!! It was worth the wait!

OMG OMG and WOW this by far is one of the top of my fave in this series. The political games have escalated to a peak and war is on the brink. will my beloved cats and wolves survive? Amongst all this we finally find out what Hawke's story is. Without being able to mate will he be able to love another. Sienna has her heart set on Hawke, and she is ever so more determined to prove to him that she is not a child. Lara a healer, has fallen for Walker but can a psy who has been silenced break the programe? Walker is psy, but yet there has always been an undertone to his silence conditioning. Will he ever be able to love? to break the silence? With Sienna shut down every way from Hawke she decides to move on, but the question is will the alpha let her. Sasha and Luc are expecting child, will they be able to live through the war that threatens to start. All alliances are put to the test and the council is torn in all directions. The ghost is searching, Sienna is getting more out of control. What will happen. This book has come with more action and passion love and thrilling suspenseful story that will have you holding your breath till the end. Nalini Singh definitely knows how to bring it.