Title: Shards of Hope
Series: Psy-Changeling, Book 14
Author: Nalini Singh
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Sensuality Rating: Steamy
Source: review copy provided by publisher
Published: June 2, 2015 by Berkley
Awakening wounded in a darkened cell, their psychic abilities blocked, Aden and Zaira know they must escape. But when the lethal soldiers break free from their mysterious prison, they find themselves in a harsh, inhospitable landscape far from civilization. Their only hope for survival is to make it to the hidden home of a predatory changeling pack that doesn’t welcome outsiders.
And they must survive. A shadowy enemy has put a target on the back of the Arrow squad, an enemy that cannot be permitted to succeed in its deadly campaign. Aden will cross any line to keep his people safe for this new future, where even an assassin might have hope of a life beyond blood and death and pain. Zaira has no such hope. She knows she’s too damaged to return from the abyss. Her driving goal is to protect Aden, protect the only person who has ever come back for her no matter what.
This time, even Aden’s passionate determination may not be enough—because the emotionless chill of Silence existed for a reason. For the violent, and the insane, and the irreparably broken…like Zaira.
Reviewed by: J9
In a Nutshell: SQUEEEEEEEEEEE!
Why I Read This Book: I love this series so much!
What I Liked: Aden and Zaira are so awesome together, the mystery so well paced, and the secondary characters so delicious…End Review
Is that enough? Fine, continuing on…so to begin for real this time: Aden and Zaira are characters series readers will have been waiting for, like I was, and they don’t disappoint! Zaira’s anger at her childhood abuse is palpable and so realistic. Watching her open up to Aden, and learn to accept his love, is beautiful. Aden’s restrained power and his emotional vulnerability to Zaira is romance gold. They don’t have the most erotic of romances but what there is totally fits them.
The mystery is creepy, and fast paced. This is a long book, longer than most others in the series, but I flew through it. The conspiracy unfolds in perfect timing, including a secondary mystery that ties in. The world building between Psy, Changelings, and humans is utterly griping for this sci-fi fan.
Finally, I love the secondary characters. Series readers will love seeing couples from the series like Vasic and Ivy. But almost better is the introduction of new changeling packs! I loved the new packs, one that was hinted at before but we get to see here! Any sci-fi nerd like me has got to love the complexity but approachable world building and characters in this book, and series.
What I Didn’t Like: Puh-lease, as if!
IMO: I don’t think I used enough exclamation marks in this review, so go read this series and book already!!!!!!!!!!!!
J9’s Rating:
Hi! So... I JUST started getting into Nalini Singh's other books (The Guild Hunter novels) and I'm already obsessed! I honestly didn't read the review above but I did read your 'In a nutshell' section and it made me put this book in my TBR so thanks! :) Anyhoo! I noticed it was book 14 (that's why I skipped the review since I didn't want any spoilers). Do you HAVE to read all the books in order or can you just pick any of them up and the series won't be ruined?
ReplyDeleteXo,
Vanessa
Hi Vanessa,
ReplyDeleteThough each book features the romance of a different couple, the plot and characters do overlap and build on each other. For instance, The Ghost is an important character in early books and readers learn who he is and get his story in a later book. So for maximum enjoyment you should read these in order...do it soon because I promise you'll adore them!