Sandy 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.
Grade: 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:
*sigh*
I cant wait to get my hands on this book
Arghhhhhhh – in your intro you have revealed a massive spoiler – the names of the main characters . . just a heads up for you if people don’t want to be spoiled . .
Well, so much for my not wanting to read spoilers for this book. Singh managed to avoid giving away her identity in the book’s blurb AND her two-chapter excerpt, and yet here it’s thrown out in the second sentence where you cant help but see it. Poorly done.
Also . . it isn’t published til Thurs in UK and next week in Aus & NZ . . *sob*
Well, so much for my not wanting to read spoilers for this book. Singh managed to avoid giving away the heroine’s identity in the book’s blurb AND her two-chapter excerpt, and yet here it’s thrown out in the second sentence where you cant help but see it. Poorly done.
*That* was what some of the bruhaha was about! 😀
Thank you for confirming those who are the protagonists of the book… many people have to wait for the book and the spoilers help us pass the time
I have only read one book and didn’t care for it, so I haven’t been following the series.
I adore the author… but hearing that the h/h is a spoiler?????? That is beyond stupid and if I did follow the series would have stopped at that point.
Saying that, the book has been released, you can find the info, and if you are looking up the book…. OMG you are gonna find it. Either way we are not trying to make any ones head explode so I hid her name to try and protect the innocent.
Yeah…. I am a serious spoilerho so prolly don’t get it. But geeze screams fucking w readers to me.
Sorry…. sure I just dont understand cuz I havent been following.
Bookeater one reason I put it under the ‘read more’ w/a warning is due to other counties the book isn’t out in yet.
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But we are all for spoilers…. I am still in shock THAT is a spoiler!!!
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Hope you enjoy the book when you get it!!!!!
I didn’t look for the spoilers . . I read the blog everyday and that is why I came across it . .
We only found out a few weeks ago that we wouldn’t know who the next main characters would be . . cue some bruhaha and by then this fab series has sucked you in 😀
It is a way to get you to pay hardcover price first day so author hits list….
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BIG REASON I DON’T LIKE.
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But really, really there must be more to a book. If you have to hide the h/h to build up excitment, does that mean there is nothing else????
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Just don’t get…. BUT I also think if that works for the fans of the series – Great!
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I don’t want to screw it up for them.
Totally aware it is a publishing thing – as Nalini had promised the blurb for her readers and then that all changed.
This book gives answers to some of the overall questions/arcs of the series – so has been built up throughout. 😀
You still have the hero’s name before the spoiler. Also, the wording of your warning — “spoiler to some” — sounds rather catty. Really, though, your opinion of authors who choose not to reveal their hero or heroine isn’t relevant. The fact that you posted spoilers in plain sight without a warning is.
Oops, my comment should read that you have the hero’s name before the spoiler warning.
Well, guess I should get into this melee since it’s my review. As I said in my first paragraph, I had no idea what all the bruhaha was about – so that should have clued a lot of you in to what would be in my review. I’m glad so many of you have the time to hang out and read about things like this on the internet, but I certainly don’t. Therefore, I had no idea that the names of the hero and heroine were supposed to be a spoiler. For heaven’s sake the hero’s name is the first words in the book, and what I do know is that the first two chapters have been released for some time now as excerpts. So how is that a spoiler now?? Doesn’t matter, the book is on the shelves as of day. If my review had posted yesterday, then maybe I can see what all the fuss is about. As it is, not so much. And just the fact the names are spoilers? Just don’t get that at all. Yeah, mostly because I don’t have time to run around to authors’ sites and blogs on a daily basis, but also because with everything else that goes in this book? Their names are way down on the bottom of the list for me as far as a spoiler.
The hero name is in the excerpt. And I found in many places so I didn’t hide it.
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Spoiler to some… meaning some are Looking for it, and book is out today so not worried about US, as much as outside US who can’t get it.
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Or take it as catty…. still way disappointed in author (who I adore) and pub (who I adore) hell I love her editor who does some of my fave books in making the h/h a fucking spoiler.
See it as a marketing at readers expense. JMHO… my blog….I let post your and am free to voice mine.
See Sandy!!!!! That is what I dont get, if there are other things going for the book…. why on earth go for a gimick?
I still say from my first paragraph red flags should have gone up to anyone reading this review. Especially the fact I say nothing about the hero and heroine not being revealed beforehand, so I was really unaware of that.
Exactly, Sybil. To get so up in arms about that from the entire review? A hell of a lot goes on in this book! Definitely shaking my head at that one.
*takes Sandy’s blood pressure*
I haven’t read your review 😀 😀 😀
Waiting on Thursday . . .
Oh good willa!!! I would think those who don’t wanna know wouldn’t read revs. Hell some revs on tgtbtu wont come near this post…. feel free to say mean things about C2
Sandy, I guess we’ll have to agree to disagree. I’m scratching my head at the fact that a book reviewer doesn’t understand that her readers might want to find out spoilers by reading the book, not her review. Obviously, if someone hasn’t read the book, they’re not aware of the rest of the spoilers, so they really can’t compare which ones are bigger than others, as you keep mentioning. Also, you posted this review before bookstores even opened this morning, which means that most people didn’t have a chance to read the book before you spoiled the main characters. It doesn’t matter if you posted it yesterday, today, or tomorrow, a spoiler is still a spoiler. Just because you didn’t know it was a spoiler (and obviously you knew something was going on, since you started your review talking about the “brouhaha”) doesn’t mean it wasn’t one. Other websites managed to review this book without giving away the characters’ names — or at least warning their readers that they were going to — and it’s a shame you didn’t. That’s all I’m saying.
Oh, and talking down to your readers as you did in this statement — “I’m glad so many of you have the time to hang out and read about things like this on the internet, but I certainly don’t” — is just rude.
The only glimpse I saw in a quick perusal at one web site, Amanda, of any “spoiler” mention was about the cover and the blurb – nothing about the H/h of this book. I stopped reading, it didn’t mean anything to me at that point, because the cover and blurb had already been released. You didn’t have to read the review, knowing there was a chance you’d learn something from it. That was your choice. I can’t imagine trying to write a review worth anything and not being able to use characters’ names. That’s just crazy.
And please don’t throw stones – whether back to me at some slight you think is there or whatever. What I stated is the way it is, no changing it. You put your own spin on how you want to read what I wrote, doesn’t mean it’s rude, and you’ve now changed the connotation for anyone else reading it after your comment. The written word is always up to interpretation. I was not talking down to anyone in any way whatsoever, you have no idea of my intent so please don’t take liberties in such a way.
LOL Willa! Nah, my blood pressure is just fine. Still just shaking my head at this craziness!
I didn’t think you were rude – I thought you were jellous! 😀
Scarpers . .
Amanda it was a fact. Just stated. Most here don’t hang out blogs, sites, twitter, I am prolly the one who does the most and that is not much as of late.
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You can take it as rude but Sandy is sadly sickening sweet and most likely didn’t mean it that way.
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She was prolly a bit pissed at the stupidity of having a H/h as a spoiler or not (could just be me 🙂 ).
Obviously, this discussion has taken a down-turn, so it’s probably best to end it. I will point out that I did not and have not read your review. I was checking your website as I do most days, since I really enjoy reading the reviews, to see what was new. The heroine’s name just jumped right out since it was there in the introduction without a spoiler warning. And, yes, it would be difficult to write a review without mentioning names, which is why half a dozen blogs that I’ve seen today have spoiler warnings at the beginning. That was all my original post was meant to address.
And that’s fine. If I had known this was such a big deal, I wouldn’t have included it – at least I’d try not to. Or I would have added a warning. I can’t do that to something of which I have no knowledge. Just can’t happen.
And we appreciate the comments. I just took exception to the “rude” comment. I’m not, nor have I ever been, rude to our readers. I go out of my way to be as diplomatic as possible, even when writing a lower grade review. LOL which Sybil hates, but that’s another debate!
It sounds like we’re both sticking to our guns, so to speak, and that’s fine too. I just wish some comments had been about other parts of the review. There’s so much more to it and the book. And, no, no other “spoilers”! (That’s the most you’ll get out of me for this H/h spoiler debate!) 🙂
Found this whole discussion to be unbelievable. Folks have been speculating for weeks about the male and female leads. Publishers usually reveal this too. I realize we all have different ideas about what we consider spoilers to be or what’s important, but geez …now that the book is out, it seems revealing the names isn’t prohibited.
Jealous? LOL Willa, what would I be jealous of???
And I hear you, Cathy. Just in my quick search after the fact I’ve seen references of this at a couple of places. That’s why I’m confused the focus has been on this narrow issue compared to the rest of the review/book!
Thanks, Sybil. I luv wu too! You’re so evol!
LOL I’m not sweet, just diplomatic!
Amanda read your 1st post, that was nicely worded????
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I googled, the info was way out there, both names, still are on amazon but on reading the authers newsletter regarding other counties getting it later took your advice.
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Cathy I agree H/h is not a spoiler. Seriously I regret buying copies of the book. This is the type of thing a hack writer pulls not Singh. I can just assume it was sad marketing advice which fangrrls will land her on NY times list when her writing should have done it.
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I checked the Press info with the HC review copy and the Oh My Fucking God spoiler it talks about is the ghost is outted. NO MENTION of the h/h is anywhere saying please keep quiet. Honestly I wish it had cuz I wouldn’t have purchased other copies.
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As for bookstores not being open, like me… many do ebooks and yes they were.
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Sorry if not everyone was happy. You wanna be pissed, be pissed at me.
It’s clearly stated that there will be spoilers….
By now, so not a spoiler. The hero and heroine’s names are everywhere. If you read a review, any review, you’re gonna get spoiled.
I don’t think the heroine’s name is a gimmicky spoiler, not on Singh’s part. The heroine doesn’t come into herself, so to speak, until a few chapters in. She’s a traumatised “thing,” just a “she.” See, now I’ve spoiled my own review. The publishers prob saw it as a chance to sell more copies and there are places in the first few chapters where her name wouldn’t have come amiss.
Sybil,
Nalini’s writing will land her on the best seller lists regardless of what was or was not revealed.