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Book CoverSandy M’s review of Heart of Obsidian (Psy-Changeling, Book 12) by Nalini Singh
Paranormal Romance published by Berkley Hardcover
4 Jun 13

I’m certainly glad I’ve been blissfully unaware of the huge bruhaha going on about some big reveal of the cover for this book, along with the blurb, that’s apparently got readers up in arms on the internet. Because when the book was delivered from the publisher to my doorstep Friday morning, I began reading immediately, drawn into the lives of Kaleb and Sahara, living through their reunion, their nightmare, and their future. I turned pages feverishly, I smiled, I gasped, I melted, not being one bit upset about such trivialities. What I love most about this story is how Ms. Singh takes a man who is colder than cold, icy to the bone, and makes him one of the most sympathetic characters I’ve ever read. In the hands of a lesser author, I’m not sure it could be done and that I’d love Kaleb Krychek. But when he rescues Sahara Kyriakus from her years-long prison, we begin to see the man behind all that obsidian. Yes, he’s still Psy, but he’s so much more.

We learn that Kaleb and Sahara have a history. They met when she was very young, of the Nightstar clan but having no ability of foresight. She has backsight, but there’s more to her too, something we have to wait to discover. Because she has to rediscover not only herself, but her power, her mind, and her link to Kaleb. This Psy with the black heart latched on to the little girl who accepted him for who and what he was, something no one had ever done. So over the years, their relationship grows just as they do. But we all know Kaleb’s horrible background with Santano Enrique, and while reading this book we learn so much more. Enrique was not just a monster when it came to the changeling women he killed, he was double that to his “protege.” We live through the hell with him again as Sahara’s memories re-emerge when her mind becomes stronger after her rescue.

Though I’m sympathetic to Kaleb’s character, Ms. Singh never lets us forget the power the man wields. He’s the most powerful man on the planet, and we see that emanate from him in many different ways. I mean, when he loses control and causes a massive fissure in the earth around his home when he orgasms, well, heck, it’s not surprising what he can do when the PsyNet is ripped apart or buildings explode and burn, killing thousands. He’s the first on each scene, helping until he’s exhausted, all because Sahara has asked him to rethink his plan concerning their people. He’d do anything for her, anything she asks.

On top of this, Pure Psy is on a rampage, determined to keep their race pure. Those explosions and fires are ignited to show all Psy what is necessary to attain their goal, but the opposite happens with the help of Kaleb, the Arrows, and the Changelings. When Sahara’s power returns, she also does her part, and what a fascinating mind this woman has. Though she has vowed to keep her mind control of others to a minimum because of her own experience at the hands of those who tore her apart, she has no problem using those abilities when she, those she loves, and the world are threatened.

Oh, the Ghost? Not saying a word there. That’s something you have to find out on your own. You’ll be happy about it, I promise.

Of course, the heart of this story is the love between Kaleb and Sahara. But wait, you say, Kaleb is Silent. Perhaps. But I think he’s loved Sahara from the moment they met, he just didn’t know it. There are so many great scenes between them – the charm bracelet, their flashbacks to those younger times, that aforementioned orgasm and a few others, the confidence they belong to one another and will never let go, no matter what – just to name a few. Kaleb and Sahara are to the Psy what Lucas and Sascha are to DarkRiver and Wolfe and Sienna are to SnowDancer. Which is a very good thing, considering how this book ends and what that means for the future of the Psy, the Changelings, and this series.

SandyMGrade: A+

Summary:

A dangerous, volatile rebel, hands stained bloodred.

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.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

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