Veena’s review of Wolf Rain (Psy-Changeling Trinity, Book 3) by Nalini Singh
Romantic Fantasy published by Berkley 04 Jun 19
Ms. Singh takes us back on a nostalgic journey to where it all began with the leopards and wolves. Alexei, on patrol in a remote part of the SnowDancer den, finds and rescues an imprisoned empath who is loudly broadcasting her distress. Surprisingly, she has been a prisoner for most of her life in this corner and yet she emerges fighting strong, even having the temerity to challenge a SnowDancer lieutenant.
Who is Memory and how will her unique powers play into the post-silent world? Snuggle down and be prepared for an emotional treat.
Despite her imprisonment, Memory finds joy in little things – like sparkly shoes, pretty clothes, hot chocolate, and flavored nutrition bars. Having been alone and used all her life, she is worried about the darkness that only she can sense. Is she in the empath compound under false pretenses?
There is a lot of light-hearted fun as the other SnowDancer soldiers get into the act, supporting Memory to get ahead of Alexei in their play. The first time Memory comes to the wolf den and is greeted by the cubs is a melt-your-heart moment in the story. Little Naya is another charmer who will steal your heart as she plays her support role in this book. The story has so many layers that add to the emotional impact – Memory’s practice with Amara, her first introduction to the sentience that is the Psy-net and so much more.
The menacing darkness that awakes in the aftermath of the empathetic honeycomb is a foreshadowing of other creatures that were contained in the prison of silence and are now awakening, leaving us breathless in anticipation of what Ms. Singh will introduce next as she leaves us breathless on the edge of a coming war.
Grade: A
Summary:
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…
