C2’s review of Kiss of Snow (Psy/Changeling Series, Book 10) by Nalini Singh
Paranormal Romance published by Berkley 31 May 11

Faithful reader, you know how sometimes in long series there’s that one couple you want to get together – the one that so obviously must be together and you wait and wait…and then, when they finally do get their story, it’s a let-down?  That SO did not happen here!  Yay!!

Hawke is the alpha of the SnowDancer wolves.  He has been in charge since he was a teenager and the traumatic circumstances that put him there have shaped his personality.  He is intense and focused and his wolf is very near the surface at all times.  Hawke’s wolf recognized his mate when he was a child, however she died very young.  Since wolves only mate once, Hawke grew up with the knowledge that there would always be a piece of his heart missing.

From the moment they met, Sienna Lauren has disturbed Hawke on every level.  She is too young and not only isn’t she Pack, she is Psy.  The Psy were responsible for the death of Hawke’s father and the horrible events that led him to becoming alpha.  Still, there is something about her that draws him, even though he knows he will never share the mate-bond with anyone – and the connection isn’t one-sided.  Recently, Hawke’s wolf has decided that Sienna is an adult and fair prey.  And Hawke is having a hard time convincing his wolf and himself that isn’t a good idea.

Sienna and her family came to live with the SnowDancer wolves after they defected from the PsyNet.  As far as most Psy know, they are all dead. Sienna, especially, knows she must stay hidden.  She is an X Psy – a mysterious and deadly Psy designation.  She was taken from her family at a very young age and trained as an assassin/spy.

Ever since Sienna has been with SnowDancer, she has been drawn to Hawke but she senses the distance he tries to maintain between them.  Still, he has allowed her to train with the other novice soldiers – as long as she doesn’t use her Psy abilities against anyone in the Pack.  Since she isn’t a wolf, she is less aware of his Alpha-ness and is more defiant than the other young soldiers – and neither man nor wolf appreciate that.

Lately, Sienna Psy abilities have been less stable.  Theory says X Psy are less stable to start with – most die young.  Whether this is because of the dangerous nature of the X designation, the dangerous situations they often are placed in or just because that much power burns quick and fast is still part of the mystery surrounding the X.  Hawke and her uncle, Judd (have you read Judd’s book? because you should), are both concerned about whether Sienna will be able to maintain her control over her abilities or if those abilities will get away from her and cause untold damage.  But when a Psy plot is uncovered that endangers all of SnowDancer and DarkRiver, every soldier is needed and Sienna’s special abilities could prove invaluable in the fight.

Oh faithful reader, I don’t want to delve too much deeper into the plot. You just need to read the book and savor it.  With each new addition to the series, the Psy/Changling world gets richer and deeper and more complex.  We catch up with lots of old friends and get hints of new characters (I am very intrigued by the falcons) and also get glimpses of a time before the PsyNet became the vast, frightening entity it is. And watching Hawke and Sienna dance around each other – unable to stay away while knowing things will probably go horribly wrong – is delicious and sweet and smart and hot.

“She tried to prepare herself for the next kiss…but of course, there was no way to prepare for Hawke.”  Kiss of Snow, page 360

Does this book stand alone?  It probably could but, really, you should read the whole series – all the cool kids are doing it.  Don’t you want to be one of the cool kids?  Is it worth the hardcover price? I say yes! What are you waiting for?  Go read and enjoy!

Grade: A+

Summary:

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…

Read an excerpt.

Other books in the series: