Sandy M’s review of Wolf Rain (Psy-Changeling Trinity, Book 3) by Nalini Singh
Paranormal Romance published by Berkley 4 Jun 19
I think like a lot of romance readers out there, I love Nalini Singh’s work because she’s one of the few who can keep a series, after numerous books, fresh and alive. Her talent and imagination are so many levels above other authors. Since our Veena has already given a great overview of the story in her review, what more is there to be said?
Well, probably not much, because there’s a lot of reviews out there that tout the talent of Ms. Singh, but I will still offer up my two cents. What I love most about her stories is the fact she’s true to her characters every time. These are shifter books. When I pick one up, I expect some shifting to be going on. None of that turning into a wolf once a month with the moon and the like business. From the SnowDancer wolves to the DarkRiver cats, these characters shift and show their animal side a lot. Especially the kits and the cubs. There’s wonderful scenes throughout this book of those children playing in animal form and you can’t help but fall in love with them. Nala, the daughter of DarkRiver alpha Lucas and his mate Sascha, is one impudent ball of fluff who steals every scene she’s in.
Another plus to these shifter stories is Ms. Singh keeps the Changelings’ inner selves front and center, even when they’re in human form. From the twitch of a tail, a howl in the night, dangerous eyes full of fury or amusement, playfulness as well as deadly intent, these Changelings keep you entertained whether it’s with their mate, clan mates, or an enemy. In this instance, once Alexi discovers Memory in her prison, as he gets to know her, as his feelings begin to change, and he realizes danger is still after her, his eyes take on his wolf and his claws appear time and again as he wants to tear her tormentor apart. And he almost purrs like those cats when she pets him time and again.
I also like that Ms. Singh has brought all of her Changelings together over the arc of this series. They now work together, along with the Psy and humans, to keep the ever-tenuous peace ongoing. She’s also done a terrific job at balancing the Psy race, giving us those who become favorites as they struggle after Silence and those who would still do harm because they hid behind that same Silence. My favorites are the Arrows, finally living free, out from under the hideousness they were forced to do for so many years. The fact they are targeted for a time in this story hurt my heart as well as Memory’s. I really enjoyed the scenes with all the E-Psy in their training and then when called for duty. The race still needs a bit of softening. Though I do love Kaleb Krychek as is.
So not your typical review to let you know more about the story – that’s been done time and again since the release date. Just my take on this incredible world with awesome characters this wonderfully talented author has created. And, no, that’s not nearly enough superlatives for all of it, in my opinion.
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…
Read an excerpt.
