Author: Nalini Singh

September & October 2022

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I know I say this, but November definitely crept up on me. After a wildly successful reading month in August I fell into a reading drought. I just honestly did not feel like reading at all, hence no post last month and the fact that I’m posting about September and October together. Sorry about that, but reading is like that for me. When I was posting more regularly I always used to try and have enough posts to give myself 3 to 4 weeks wriggle room in case I just did not feel like reading. I know from when I was younger that forcing myself to read when I don’t want to just means that the slump lasts longer. I hope you had a more successful time reading in September and October than I did.

The front of the Falmouth Bookseller.

Whilst I might not have got any reading done in September, I did visit a couple of bookshops whilst I was down in Cornwall. If you’re visiting Falmouth or St Ives you should stop off at the bookstore there (if you make it to Truro, the Waterstones there is good too). They’re both relatively small stores, but they can contain some real gems – I’m not sure about the St Ives Bookseller, but the Falmouth Bookseller also does some author events.

The St Ives Bookseller

I’m a huge fan of Bernadette Banner on YouTube. She’s made some fantastic garments and her videos are always entertaining. I’ve had a quick flip through her book, and honestly I don’t think this is one book I will read in a single sitting. What I have seen looks really helpful and super informative.

Books I got this month.

Honestly, October saw more of the same on the reading front at least to begin with. I was starting to think it would be three months without me reading and decreasing the size of my tbr. Mid October saw me getting my boosters for the flu and Covid – honestly, although I had it pretty mildly I do not want to get it again. The likelihood of me getting any reading in this month was getting smaller, but then October 30th came and I was hit with the desire to read.

In September and October I managed to read 1 book and clear 0 from my tbr pile. Honestly this feels like a failure. It’s not. I know that reading for me comes in waves. I know I read a LOT of books back in August. But yeah. It’s especially disheartening seeing so many people on booktube and bookinsta reading dozens of books a month. I have to remind myself that I don’t want this to be a chore. I want it to be fun to share my thoughts and feelings with you about the books I read. Here’s hoping November will be better.

The only book I read this month.

In October I read Storm Echo by Nalini Singh which is the sixth book in her Psy-Changeling Trinity series. If you’ve enjoyed this series (and the previous one) then you will love this one too. I enjoyed seeing more of the Mercant family, with this book focusing on Ivan. I really enjoyed his relationship with his grandmother. Soleil was very mysterious and I enjoyed learning more about her. In a lot of ways for me the romance wasn’t the most interesting part of the book though it was well done. It was interesting finally seeing a bit more of how some of the Psys dealt with Silence, that it wasn’t quite as neat as it had seemed in the earlier books which has been hinted at but I think this is the first book where we actually see anything. There are definitely a few secrets revealed in this book. The ending has me curious about the next book. Sorry that’s a bit of a tease, but I don’t want to spoil anyone.

Thank you for sticking with me so far, I hope to see you next month.

B.

Reviewlets: The Alpha's Home by Dessa Lux & Wolf Rain by Nalini Singh

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The Alpha’s Home by Dessa Lux

The Alpha’s Home by Dessa Lux ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)

So continuing The Protection of the Pack series I picked up a copy of the fifth instalment. This book focuses on Mike, and also introduces Grant and Jack. Grant and Jack are not in a good position when they meet Mike, so this book is a little slower than the previous books in the series but it is just as steamy. I liked that this book showed the less than perfect side of werewolves within this verse. I mean we get a bit of an idea from how Sam is treated in the first book, but this book really drives home the fact that Rusty, Sam, Mike, Nick and Brody are one of the more progressive packs. So if coercive control is a trigger for you, then I would approach this book with caution. That being said, I think the situation is handled well and consent is shown to be important. This book is good addition to The Protection of the Pack ‘verse, and I hope to see more in this series.

Wolf Rain by Nalini Singh (UK edition)

Wolf Rain by Nalini Singh ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)

In the third part of the Psy-Changeling Trinity Novel series we get to explore more of the world and meet some new faces. This book introduces us to Memory, a psy who was kidnapped as a child and abused, and Alexei a wolf changeling who discovers her cage. I really enjoyed the way Singh wrote the relationship between Memory and Alexei. As always, although the main focus is on Memory and Alexei, there is a lot going on within the Psy-Changeling world. This book shows some of the growth within the PsyNet and what that means both good and bad. A few familiar faces pop in, which I also enjoyed. I think that this is a great addition to the series, and I’m looking forward to the fourth book which will be out later this year.

Review: Archangel's War by Nalini Singh

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Archangel’s War by Nalini Singh (UK edition)

Return to New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh’s darkly passionate Guild Hunter world, where human-turned-angel Elena Deveraux, consort to Archangel Raphael, faces a new challenge that threatens the balance of the world.

The world is in chaos as the power surge of the Cascade rises to a devastating crescendo. In furiously resisting its attempts to turn Elena into a vessel for Raphael’s power, Elena and her archangel are irrevocably changed . . . far beyond the prophecy of a cursed Ancient.

At the same time, violent and eerie events around the world threaten to wipe out entire populations. And in the Archangel’s Lijuan’s former territory, an unnatural fog weaves through the land, leaving only bone-chilling silence in its wake. Soon its becomes clear that even the archangels are not immune to this deadly evil. This time, even the combined power of the Cadre may not be enough . . .

This war could end them all.

Series: Guild Hunter, 12 
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Gollancz (26 September 2019)
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 stars)

Archangel’s War is the twelfth book in Nalini Singh’s brilliant Guild Hunter series. It continues the story of Guild Hunter Elena Deveraux and of her archangel Raphael. Tensions have been building for a while in the Guild Hunter world, and things really come to a head in this book. The Cascade has been causing chaos in the previous books which has left everyone reeling, there have also been whispers of prophecy. Singh brings together a lot of the plot threads that have spread over the previous eleven books, and in a lot of ways Archangel’s War can be seen as a series climax.

There is a lot going on in this book. A lot. It is also the largest book in the series. My copy has over four hundred and fifty pages. Despite its size this book is a real page turner. Once I picked up Archangel’s War, even though I strung it out over three days, I really did struggle to put it down. The story just pulled me in. Although there is a lot going on Singh managed to make it all easy to follow, and a really enjoyable read. It was also really easy to fall straight back into the world and the story, which I really appreciated.

This book is actually really difficult to talk about without the risk of potential spoilers. I really do feel that this is a book you should go into pretty much blind. It is a real treat for fans of the Guild Hunter series. As I’ve already said, things come to a climax in this book so I did wonder going in if this was the final book in this series. The good news is, at least according to Singh’s website, there are going to be at least three more books in this series which I am supper excited about. So whilst I say that this book brings this to a climax it is not the end.

I think Archangel’s War is a game changer for the series, and something fans will definitely want to dive into as soon as they can get their hands on it – sorry my review is so late, but I hope it’s helpful nevertheless. This might be my favourite book in the series, or at the very least it is one of my favourite. I love the way Singh writes Elena and Raphael, and the chemistry between them – and the very obvious love. They have both come along way from their first meeting in Angel’s Blood. I’m really excited to get my hands on the next book in the series, which probably won’t be out until later in the year.

Review: Archangel’s Prophecy by Nalini Singh

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Archangel’s Prophecy by Nalini Singh (UK edition)

Return to New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh’s darkly passionate Guild Hunter world, where human-turned-angel Elena Deveraux, consort to Archangel Raphael, is thrust centre stage into an eons-old prophecy . . .

Midnight and dawn, Elena’s wings are unique among angelkind . . . and now they’re failing. The first mortal to be turned into an immortal in angelic memory, she’s regressing. Becoming more and more human. Easier to hurt. Easier to kill.

Elena and Raphael must unearth the reason for the regression before it’s too late, and Elena falls out of the sky. Yet even as they fight a furious battle for Elena’s very survival, violent forces are gathering in New York and across the world.

In China, the Archangel Favashi is showing the first signs of madness. In New York, a mysterious sinkhole filled with lava scallows a man whole. In Africa, torrential monsoon rains flood rolling deserts. And in Elena’s mind there’s a haunting voice that isn’t her own.

This time, survival may not be possible . . . not even for the consort of an archangel.

Series: Guild Hunter 11
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Gollancz (1st November 2018)
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)

Eleven books in, and Nalini Singh’s Guild Hunter series is really raising the stakes. The Cascade has caused problems before but in Archangel’s Prophecy Elena, the first mortal to be turned into angel in angelic memory, seems to be regressing – making her easier to hurt, and easier to kill. With so little known about once mortal angels, it is extremely difficult for anyone to unearth information that may help her. Whilst Elena and Raphael fight to find out what is going on, the rest of the world stands on the brink of chaos: New York has a lava filled sinkhole, the deserts of Africa have monsoon floods, and the Archangel Favashi shows the first signs of madness. Survival is not looking good for anyone, mortal or immortal.

First of all I just want to mention how pretty the cover of my edition of the book is – I really love the grayscale image with the vibrant colours on the wings just pops. I have really enjoyed the Guild Hunter series so far, so of course I was excited to get my hands on Archangel’s Prophecy. Singh always manage to surprise me, and this book was no different.

I did really enjoy it, but in a lot of ways it does read like the first part of a series – there is some serious setting up going on. Archangel’s Prophecy really sets the scene and let’s us know what exactly is at stake. I don’t know how many books there will be in the series, but to me it almost feels like Singh is gearing up for the endgame of the series. I’m probably reaching, but I definitely think there is that quality to the setup in the book. I don’t think that the next book will be the last one, but I do think Singh may be drawing things to a close.

As always, there is a lot going on – I found it easy to keep track of everything, though I did think that one of the resolutions in this book came a bit out of left field. I really admired Elena’s determination in this book, how she never stopped fighting. Although the story primarily focuses on Elena and Raphael, I did enjoy the return of some familiar faces – and I would have loved if there had been more of them, but that’s just a minor gripe. I also thought the way that the voice in Elena’s mind was handled was really well done, and interesting. Archangel’s Prophecy has definitely left me excited for book twelve.

Bout of Books 24

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Bout of Books 24

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda Shofner and Kelly Rubidoux Apple. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, January 7th and runs through Sunday, January 13th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 24 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog.

From the Bout of Books team

Writing this post has been an interesting experience, as WordPress seems to have updated/changed the writing posts portal. It’s been interesting learning how to use it. I guess I really have been away for a long time…

This post is going to act as a permanent spot to keep track of my progress during Bout of Books 24, rather than creating a new post every day. So be sure to check back here if you want to see how I’m doing.

  • Monday Jan 7th
    • Currently Reading: Archangel’s Prophecy by Nalini Singh
    • Pages Read: 109
    • Challenges: Currently Reading (on Instagram)
  • Tuesday Jan 8th
    • Currently Reading: Archangel’s Prophecy by Nalini Singh
    • Pages Read: 164
      • Total Pages Read: 273
  • Wednesday Jan 9th
    • I didn’t do any reading today.
  • Thursday Jan 10th
    • Yeah, no reading from me today either. This is really exciting, and top content right?! 🤔
  • Friday Jan 11th
  • Saturday Jan 12th
    • Aaaand back to no reading. 😓 I did however take part in the Twitter chat, and I had lots of fun. An hour is just not enough!!!
  • Sunday Jan 13th
    • The final day. Eek. And what do you know…
    • Finished Reading: Archangel’s Prophecy by Nalini Singh
    • Pages Read: 99
      • Total Pages Read: 372

Bout of Books 24 Wrap-Up!

So Bout of Books 24 has finished. Where did the time go?! I guess I better get this wrap-up written and stop procrastinating.

Although I only read one book, I do think for me Bout of Books 24 has been a success. I did actually read 372 pages. In an ideal world I would have loved to have hit 700 pages or at least finished a second book. Archangel’s Prophecy was a really enjoyable read, and a good set up for the next book in the series – which I now have to wait for, boo!

I took part in a Twitter chat, and a couple of the Instagram challenges. I think next time, if I can take part, I want to be better at visiting other people’s blogs and leaving a comment to say hi. I was really bad at that this time. Normally I manage to leave a couple of comments a day, or maybe every couple of days, but this time I did not visist any blogs at all.

Thank you to everyone who reads this far, and who has stayed with me for this journey. 😘

Review: Ocean Light by Nalini Singh

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Ocean Light by Nalini Singh

Title: Ocean Light (A Psy-Changeling Trinity Novel, 2)
Author: Nalini Singh
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Gollancz (14th June 2018)
Blurb:

New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh dives beneath the surface of her Psy-Changeling world into a story of passionate devotion and selfless love . . .

Security specialist Bowen Knight has come back from the dead. But there’s a ticking time bomb in his head: a chip implanted to block telepathic interference that could fail at any moment – taking his brain along with it. With no time to waste, he should be back on land helping the Human Alliance. Instead, he’s at the bottom of the ocean, consumed with an enigmatic changeling . . .

Kaia Luna may have traded in science for being a chef, but she won’t hide the facts of Bo’s condition from him or herself. She’s suffered too much loss in her life to fall prey to the dangerous charm of a human who is a dead man walking. And she carries a devastating secret that Bo could never imagine . . .

But when Kaia is taken by those who mean her deadly harm, all bets are off. Bo will do anything to get her back – even if it means striking a devil’s bargain and giving up his mind to the enemy.

Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ (5 stars)
Review:

OCEAN LIGHT is the second book in Nalini Singh’s Psy-Changeling Trinity series; a continuation of her brilliant Psy-Changeling series. At just over four hundred pages, it is slightly smaller than the first book in the series. OCEAN LIGHT tells the story of Kaia Luna, a woman who chose to leave a scientific career and become a chef, and Bowen Knight, a security specialist in the Human Alliance who fans of the series may be familiar with. Their paths cross whilst Bowden is recovering from his brush with death hidden at the bottom of the ocean, and even with all that is against them sparks soon fly.

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Review: Archangel’s Viper by Nalini Singh

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Photo of the UK edition of Archangel's Viper by Nalini Singh

Archangel’s Viper by Nalini Singh (UK ediiton)

Title: Archangel’s Viper (Guild Hunter, 10)
Author: Nalini Singh
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Gollancz (28th September 2017)
Blurb:

Enter New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh’s breathtaking passionate Guild Hunter world with the story of a woman who isn’t a vampire or an angel. . . or human . . .

Once a broken girl known as Sorrow, Holly Chang now prowls the shadowy grey underground of the city for the angels. But it’s not her winged allies who make her a wanted woman – it’s the unknown power coursing through her veins. Brutalised by an insane archangel, she was left with the bloodlust of a vampire, the ability to mesmerise her prety, and a poisonous bite.

Now, someone has put a bounty on her head . . .

Venom is one of the Seven, Archangel Raphael’s private guard, and he’s as infuriating as he is seductive. A centuries-old vampire, his fangs dispense a poison deadlier than Holly’s. But even if Venom can protect Holly from those hunting her, he might not be able to save himself – because the strange, violent power inside Holly is awakening . . .

No one is safe.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 stars)
Review:

ARCHANGEL’S VIPER is the tenth addition to Nalini Singh’s brilliant Guild Hunter series. The story follows the story of Holly Chang, a woman who named herself Sorrow and who is neither vampire nor angel nor human but somehow all three thanks to an insane archangel – the combination leaving unknown power coursing through her. Someone places a large bounty on her head, enough to tempt anyone. Venom is assigned to protect her from those who would dare to face Raphael’s wrath, and to help her discover who is behind the ransom and why they want her. At the same time the strange power inside of her is starting to get stronger, and Holly fears what this will mean for her future.

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Review: Silver Silence by Nalini Singh

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Photo of UK edition cover of Silver Silence by Nalini Singh

Silver Silence by Nalini Singh (UK edition)

Title: Silver Silence (A Psy-Changeling Trinity Novel, 1)
Author: Nalini Singh
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Gollancz (15th June 2017)
Blurb:

New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh returns to her extraordinary Psy-Changeling world with a story of wild passion and darkes betrayal . . .

Control. Precision. Family. These are the principles that drive Silver Mercant. At a time when the fledgling Trinity Accord seeks to unite a divided world, with Silver playing a crucial role as director of a worldwide emergency response network, wildnress and chaos are the last things she needs in her life. But that’s exactly what Valentin Nikolaev, alpha of the StoneWater bears, brings with him.

Valentin has never met a more fascinating woman. Though Silver is ruled by Silence – her mind clear of all emotion – Valentin senses a whisper of fire around her. That’s what keeps him climbing apartment buildings to be ear her. But when a shadow assassin almost succeeds in poisoning Silver, the stakes become deadly serious . . . and Silver finds herself in the heart of a powerful bear clan.

Her would-be assassin has no idea what their poison has unleashed . . .

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 stars)
Review:

SILVER SILENCE is the first book in the Psy-Changeling Trinity series, a spin-off from the fantastic Psy-Changeling series by Nalini Singh. The Trinity Accord is still in its fledgling stages, with everyone waiting to see if it will succeed or fail. Silver Mercant plays a crucial role in the success of the Trinity Accord as the director of a world wide emergency response network. With that responsibility on her shoulders, Silver does not want any more chaos and wildness in her life. That is exactly what Valentin Nikolaev brings with him, and it may turn out that it is just what Silver needs to forge forward.

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Review: Archangel’s Heart by Nalini Singh

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Archangel’s Heart by Nalini Singh

Title: Archangel’s Heart (Guild Hunter, 9)
Author: Nalini Singh
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy
Publisher:  Gollancz (3rd November 2016)
Blurb:

New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh takes us back into a dangerous and exhilarating world where a deadly, beautiful archangel and his once-mortal consort are caught in a fury of twisted darkness . . .

One of the most vicious archangels in the world has disappeared. No one knows if Lijuan is dead or has chosen to Sleep the long sleep of an immortal. But with her lands falling into chaos under a rising tide of vampiric bloodlust, a mysterious and ancient order of angels known as the Luminata calls the entire Cadre together to discuss the fate of her territory.

Accompanying her archangel lover Raphael to the Luminata compound, Guild Hunter-truned-angel Elena senses that all is not as it seems. Secrets echo from within the stone walls of the compound, and the deeper Elena goes, the uglier the darkness. But neither Raphael nor Elena is ready for the brutal truths hidden within – truths that will change everything Elena thinks she knows about who she is . . .

Nothing will ever be the same again.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 stars)
Review:

ARCHANGEL’S HEART is the ninth book in Nalini Singh’s sumptuous Guild Hunter series. In this instalment of the series Singh returns to Elena and Raphael. Lijuan, one of the most vicious archangels, has disappeared and no one knows if she is dead or has chosen to Sleep. What they do know is that her lands are falling into chaos, and the vampires she once held under rigid control are falling to a rising tide of bloodlust. Things are still somewhat under control but the Luminata, a mysterious and ancient order of angels, have decided that it’s past time the Cadre step up and discuss the fate of Lijuan’s territory.

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Review: Allegiance of Honour by Nalini Singh

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Allegiance of Honour by Nalini Singh (UK edition)

Title: Allegiance of Honour (A Psy-Changeling Novel, 15)
Author: Nalini Singh
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Gollancz (16th June 2016)
Blurb:

The Psy-Changeling world has undergone a staggering transformation and now stands at a crossroads. The Trinity Accord promises a new era of cooperation between disperate races and groups. It is a beacon of hope held together by many hands: old enemies. New allies. Wary loners.

But a century of distrust and suspicion can’t be so easily forgotten and threatens to shatter Trinity from within at any moment. As rival members vie for dominance, chaos and evil gather in the shadows and a kidnapped woman’s cry for help washes up in San Francisco, while the Consortium turns its murderous gaze towards a child who is the embodiment of change, of love, of piercing hope: a child who is both Psy . . . and changeling.

To find the lost, protect the vulnerable and save Trinity no one can stand alone. This is a time of loyalty across divisions, of bonds woven into the heart and the woul, of heroes known and unknown standing back to back and holding the line. But is an allegiance of honour even possible wiht traitors lurking in their midst?

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 stars)
Review:

ALLEGIANCE OF HONOUR by Nalini Singh is the fifteenth book in her brilliant Psy-Changeling series. This book marks the start of a new series arc, and as such the story focuses on some familiar characters within the Psy-Changeling universe. During the first series arc a lot changed in the Psy-Changeling world, and the Trinity Accord holds a lot of promise for the future – that is, if it survives. Psys, Changelings and Humans need to band together if the new peace is to last, but there are factions that want the world to return to how it was before Silence fell.

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