Review: Alpha Night by Nalini Singh

Publisher: Gollancz
Published: 11th June 2020

Synopsis:
Alpha wolf Selenka Durev’s devotion to her pack is equaled only by her anger at anyone who would harm those under her care. That currently includes the empaths who’ve flowed into her city for a symposium that is a security nightmare, a powder keg just waiting for a match.

Ethan Night is an Arrow who isn’t an Arrow. Numb and disengaged from the world, he’s loyal only to himself. Assigned as part of the security force at a world-first symposium, he carries a dark agenda tied to the power-hungry and murderous Consortium. Then violence erupts and Ethan finds himself crashing into the heart and soul of an alpha wolf.

Mating at first sight is a myth, a fairytale. Yet Selenka’s wolf is resolute: Ethan Night, broken Arrow and a man capable of obsessive devotion, is the mate it has chosen. Even if the mating bond is full of static and not quite as it should be. Because Selenka’s new mate has a terrible secret, his mind surging with a power that is a creature of madness and death…

Review:
I have yet to read all of the books in the Psy-Changeling Trinity series but I loved the previous installment, 'Wolf Rain' so I had high hopes for 'Alpha Night'. I think because of the fact that I haven't read the whole series, some parts didn't make as much sense to me as they probably should and occasionally, I got a little confused about some of the different factions that feature in the book. So I would recommend that you start from the beginning as I think it would add to your overall enjoyment.

'Alpha Night' features Alpha wolf, Selenka Durev and Ethan Night, an Arrow who feels that he has been irrevocably damaged by his childhood and upbringing. They are an odd pairing but when they first meet, they discover that they have mated at first sight, even though they know next to nothing about one another. Mating at first sight is believed to be an almost impossible myth but when it happens to these two, the bond they forge is unbreakable. The problem is that the mating bond isn't quite as it should be and that Ethan's mind is shadowed by a sinister force that could prove to be deadly.

At the start, I wasn't too sure about the fact that the main characters mated at first sight. I mean this literally happens within the first couple of chapters and so there was no time to feel the slow build between the couple as they got to know each other and fell in love. It just happened completely out of the blue. I liked the fact that their devotion meant they were immediately protective of each other but I missed the romantic build-up that normally happens. As the story progressed, I loved the way that Ethan integrated with Selenka's pack and I was utterly charmed by the fact that the pups (and Selenka) loved him so much!

The character of The Architect mysteriously appears in the story again and I'm dying to know who they are. Nalini Singh is really drawing out the suspense which has me so intrigued about their real identity and the ultimate end-game.

I have to say that I didn't enjoy this one as much as 'Wolf Rain' but I'm still eagerly awaiting the next book in the series. If you love paranormal-romance then Nalini Singh is an author that needs to be on your to-read list.

Review: Wolf Rain - Nalini Singh

Publisher: Gollancz
Published: 6th June 2019

Synopsis:
Kidnapped as a young girl, her psychic powers harnessed by a madman, Memory lives a caged and isolated existence . . . until she comes face-to-face with a wolf. Labelled an empath by her bad-tempered rescuer, Memory knows that her 'gift' is nothing so bright. It is a terrible darkness that means she will always be hunted.

But Memory is free now and she intends to live. A certain growly wolf can just deal with it. Alexei prefers to keep his packmates at bay, the bleak history of his family a constant reminder that mating, love, hope is not for him. But Memory, this defiant and fearless woman who stands toe-to-toe with him awakens the most primal part of his nature - and soon, he must make a choice: risk everything or lose Memory to a murderous darkness that wants to annihilate her from existence . . .

Review:
'Wolf Rain' is the latest addition to Nalini Singh's Psy-Changeling series. I haven't yet read all of the books in this fantastic series but that didn't stop me from being very excited about this new release. It hindered me slightly because of some of the references to particular characters and events but at the same time I don't think it affected my overall enjoyment at all and I found it easy to immerse myself quickly in this incredible story.

I really enjoyed getting to return to the SnowDancer pack and their world. It's my absolute favourite and I've missed reading them about. The story focuses on Alexei, one of Hawke's Lieutenants. He is a brilliant character who is still mourning the loss of his older brother Brodie who turned rogue. Alexei is extremely strong but sensitive too and is a central part of the Wolf pack. At the beginning of the story, we see him rescuing a new character called Memory from an underground prison. She is a Psy who has psychic abilities that are being used by a madman. Memory was interesting because although she has been held captive since she was a child, she has still tried to educate herself and learn about the outside world. She is well prepared to assimilate back into society if the chance to escape arrives and she hasn't been broken by her traumatic experience.

The relationship between Alexei and Memory is at the very heart of the story. They are brought together under difficult circumstances but there is an instant bond between them. They need each other in different ways which they begin to understand as the story progresses. Alexei allows Memory to explore who she is outside of her prison and she in turn, brings light and life into Alexei's world. She makes him laugh and opens his heart in a way that he has never experienced before. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about them both, although there is the added complication of the fact that Memory's captor is still trying to get her back. This means that danger stalks them both and the stakes are higher than ever.

I loved the SnowDancer community and all of Alexei's pack mates. I could sense the love and support between them and it was great seeing them interact with each other. They are very welcoming to Memory and they make her feel part of their family - something that she was robbed of.

The plot was fast-paced and exciting. I couldn't put the book down. I suspected from the start that it was going to come down to a head to head between Alexei and Memory's kidnapper, so I was on the edge of my seat up to the thrilling final conclusion.

Nalini Singh has done it again with this amazing new instalment to the series. 'Wolf Rain' is paranormal romance at its very best and it won't disappoint fans of the series or even those who are newcomers to this incredible world.

If you have enjoyed reading this review and would like to buy the book, please consider purchasing via my affiliate links from Amazon or the Book Depository.

Review: Slave to Sensation - Nalini Singh

Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh, published by Gollancz in 2010

Goodreads synopsis:
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.

Review:
'Slave to Sensation' is the first book in the Psy-Changeling series by Nalini Singh.  I have wanted to read this series for such a long time.  I first saw it highly recommended by another blogger, but as I always have such a towering TBR pile, it's taken me this long to get around to giving it a try.  I'm a massive Christine Feehan fan, so I thought that it would probably be quite similar to some of her books.  There were certain aspects which definitely reminded me of Feehan's writing and plots. 

There are two different groups in the book - the Psy and the Changelings.  Sascha is a Psy - people who cannot feel emotion and have certain psychic powers and controls.  What is apparent about Sascha from the very start, is that she is different.  She experiences and feels things that she shouldn't feel and this alone is enough to place her in grave danger.  She was an interesting character and I enjoyed finding about more about how the Psy live. 

Her opposite in the book is Lucas, a Changeling.  He can change into a panther and is determined to find the Psy who is responsible for killing his packmates.  He was hot, hot, hot!  He recognises something in Sascha from the start and their developing relationship was one of my favourite aspects of the story. 

I love paranormal romances and this one came laced with an edge of danger and suspense which kept me glued to the pages.  I was really impressed with this opening instalment to the series and I'm dying to read the rest of Nalini Singh's books now.  If it's as good as this one then I'm going to be in for a real treat!