Shards of Hope by Nalini Singh (UK edition)

Title: Shards of Hope (A Psy-Changeling Novel, 14)
Author: Nalini Singh
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Gollancz (4th June 2015)
Blurb:

The smoldering heat, epic romance, and awesome action of Nalini Singh’s New York Times bestselling series continues as two Arrows find themselves caught in a chilling conspiracy that spans all three races . . .

Awakening wounded in a darkened cell, their psychic abilities blocked, Aden and Zaira know they must escape. But when the lethal soldiers break free from their mysterious prison, they find themselves in a harsh, inhospitable landscape far from civilization. Their only hope for survival is to make it to the hidden home of a predatory changeling pack that doesn’t welcome outsiders.

And they must survive. A shadowy enemy has put a target on the back of the Arrow squad, an enemy that cannot be permitted to succeed in its deadly campaign. Aden will cross any line to keep his people safe for this new future, where even an assassin might have hope of a life beyond blood and death and pain. Zaira has no such hope. She knows she’s too damaged to return from the abyss. Her driving goal is to protect Aden, protect the only person who has ever come back for her no matter what.

This time, even Aden’s passionate determination may not be enough – because the emotionless chill of Silence existed for a reason. For the violent, and the insane, and the irreparably broken . . . like Zaira.

Rating: *** (3 stars)
Review:

SHARDS OF HOPE is the fourteenth addition to the Psy-Changeling novel series by Nalini Singh. This time Singh tells the story of Aden – the head of the Arrow squad – and Zaira, a fellow Arrow. They start the story having been kidnapped by a mysterious organisation, and must escape from the remote facility. Zaira will not let Aden die, because she believes he will be important for the future of the Arrow squad in a post-Silence world.

SHARDS OF HOPE is without a doubt a good, solid addition to Singh’s Psy-Changeling world. Singh starts the story with a bang; the beginning is very tense and dramatic, with lots of action. Everything slows down though as the story progresses, and instead focuses on the Arrow’s future. I have to admit that I quite enjoyed this change of focus, with Aden and Zaira focusing on the future of their people – and what kind of future they wanted the Arrow children to have.

To be honest, I had trouble connecting to either of the main characters although I did quite enjoy following both their journeys as the story progressed. Aden is a familiar face for those who have been following the series, and I really enjoyed the fact that I finally got to know a little more about him. I really enjoyed watching him amongst his people; I think this is the first time in the series that we get to see that. Zaira meanwhile was an intriguing, if elusive, character. I didn’t ever really feel I quite got to know her, though she did seem to care very much for Aden as well as the other Arrows.

Overall, I think if you have enjoyed the Psy-Changeling series so far then you will enjoy this latest addition too. However, if you are looking for something new then you may come away disappointed if you are looking for action and drama. There are of course plenty of subplots going on, and we get the reveal of a new villain, but SHARDS OF HOPE is very much in the mould of the rest of the series.