Musings on Nalini Singh

I've read two books by Nalini Singh over the past couple of weeks. Her books are like treats to me. I read them when I want to relax. Reading Archangel's Kiss and Blaze of Memory these past couple weeks have shown me how my own reading tastes are evolving. While reading these books was enjoyable for me, I found myself reading them with a more critical eye.

I first became a fan of Nalini Singh with her Psy-Changling series. Now Singh has a new series, the Guild Hunter series, which focus on Guild Hunter Elena Devereux and Archangel Raphael. The first book in the series is Angel's Blood. Archangel's Kiss is the second book in the series and picks up after Elena wakes up from a year-long coma. I really enjoyed the interactions between the characters and the storyline of this book. My only issue with this book was the overuse of the phrase "like so much ___". Elena strives, in this book, to rebuild her body and to establish a sense of independence with her Archangel lover. Her personal growth was fun to watch. I really wish that Singh had found another analogy so that I wouldn't have kept tripping over the "like so much ____". I enjoy the series and this book, so I give it a 3.75 out of 5 stars.

The latest book in the Py-Changling series is Blaze of Memory. This book tells the story of Devraj Santos and Katya Haas. I was originally apprehensive about this book because it was going to be set outside of the changling characters that I so enjoyed. As I read, I found myself being drawn farther into the lives of Dev and Katya. Many of my favorite characters made appearances in this book. What makes this book truly special is the way that it shows humanity in some Psy and why emotion is worth fighting for. If you haven't read the Psy-Changling books, I recommend picking them up from the beginning, Slave to Sensation. The Psy are a race that have suppressed emotions to eliminate the  violent urges associated with their psychic gifts. The Changlings are beings who are half human, half animal with the ability to shift between the two. The Humans are caught in between. My favorite part if this series is the way that the story builds and the layers of the couples are woven into a larger story. I'm excited to see where the next books lead and how it finally ends at some unknown point far down the road. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars because I noticed the same phrase cropping up a couple of times in this book. Check out the series if you get a chance!

While I did enjoy reading both books, I think I'm ready for a deeper read. Please keep checking back to see my latest reviews, see what I'm reading, and my favorite part, start a discussion!

Promise of the Wolves

Dorothy Hearst's Promise of the Wolves begins the story of Kaala and her pack. Set 14,000 years ago, Kaala is a young wolf born to the Swift River pack as a second litter. In that time, second litters were often killed for the good of the pack. Kaala is unique in that she fought for her right to live, making her the sole survivor of her brothers and sisters. Kaala is different for many reasons. As she navigates what it takes to be wolf, she also learns about the legends of why humans and wolves can never be together.

Broken into two parts, this book moves at a quick, yet relaxed pace. The first half of the book centers on the first few months of Kaala's life and the struggles she must overcome to make it as an unwanted wolf within her pack  This part of the book sets up the dynamics of wolf hierarchy, what is expected for a young wolf, and the tone of the characters. As Kaala finds her strength and friends, we watch the story unfold through her eyes.

The second half of the book focuses on Kaala's interactions with humans and wolves. There are 3 rules that the wolves in this story are supposed to live by, "Never consort with humans. Never kill a human unprovoked. Never allow a mixed-blood wolf to live." Kaala learns that some rules must be upheld, some must be broken and sometimes it's hard to find the balance.

I really enjoyed this book. It was fun to see the relationships develop between Kaala and the other wolves in her pack, especially Azzuen, a pup who was originally left to die that Kaala helped to live. There were twists in this story that I didn't quite see coming. Some of the interactions between Kaala and the humans were a little brief, but I think those relationships will be more fully explored in the next book.

I give Promise of the Wolves 4.5 stars out of 5. Well worth the read and I'm interested to see what will happen to Kaala and her friends in book 2.