Early Review of Silver Silence (Psy-Changeling Trinity, #1; Psy-Changeling, #16) by Nalini Singh

Title: Silver Silence (Psy-Changeling Trinity)
Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series: Psy-Changeling Trinity / Psy-Changeling
Format: Hardcover: 464 pages
Publisher: Berkley (June 13, 2017)
ISBN-10: 1101987790
ISBN-13: 978-1101987797
Author's Website:
Notes: I received an eARC loan via Penguin Random House's First to Read program. Thank you. Any quotes used will need to be checked against the final version as they are subject to change.


'OCTOBER 2082 IS a new beginning. 
Psy, human, and changeling, all three races have agreed to work together to unite their divided world.
The Trinity Accord is the fragile foundation of all their hopes and dreams of a future without war, without violence, without shattering loss. 
It is a noble ambition. 
But the past is not an old coat that can be discarded and forgotten. It is a scent that clings and clings and clings.
That scent is of blood and betrayal and a chilling, emotionless Silence.
The psychically gifted Psy seek to feel emotion for the first time in over a hundred years. 
Changelings with their primal hearts fight their natural instinct to trust only pack, only clan. 
Humans look to the future with a  grim‑eyed determination to no longer be the weakest race. 
And  others . . . they seek to spread chaos and death and division. 
Welcome to the Age of Trinity...'

Silver Mercant forgets nothing, is never caught off guard, and has a steely presence that makes even the most rowdy of individuals sit up and take notice. Family legend has it they are descended from a long line of loyal knights who once served a king. Whether that is true or not, Mercants have always understood that honor defines a family.

While Mercants would unrepentantly strip a mind to protect their family, they don’t believe in using such methods to increase their own power or wealth. That is not a practice other Psy families have abided by, and the ramifications of that choice are just starting to come to light. The distrust built over the years has some wondering if the Trinity accords might be a clever ploy by the Psy to take control. In the wake of Silence's fall, a new group has emerged seemingly overnight, HAPMA, Humans Against Psy Manipulation has reared its displeasured head trying to stop the peaceful unity of Trinity.

When Silver becomes the object of an assassination attempt, there is no telling who is behind it. The suspect list is too long. For to take out Silver, who has her hand in so many things, would definitely bring about chaos, disorder, and slow down the world's healing process. She is the scion of Ena Mercant, Kaleb Krychek's most senior aide, and the head of the EmNet, the Emergency Response Network. Luckily, a changeling bear who has a soft spot for Silver, Valentin Nikolaev--the alpha to the Stonewater Clan, was present when everything could have gone so wrong, yet ended up just right...

This is Silver's story.

This was another wonderful story that Ms. Singh has created in her Psy-Changeling world for which the series name has now been modified, from this point on, to include the term Trinity to signify the start of a new age/phase. If you like Urban Fantasy novels with a paranormal bite to them and haven't read one of the Psy-Changeling books, then you need to pick one up and get reading. The world is phenomenal, the characters are multifaceted and complex, the romance is swoon worthy, and the writing is masterful. I, however, recommend you start at the beginning and read the first book, 'Slave to Sensation', along with a few others followed by the previous book to this one, 'Allegiance of Honor', before reading 'Silver Silence'. I must warn you, however, the books are addictive and it's hard to stop with just one or two or three or.... You get the picture.

Silver Mercant is a key player in uniting the three races of the world. Trinity has its work cut out, and needs strong and smart people dedicated to the cause. While Silence is breaking, Silver has no plans on breaking her own silence because for some, like her, it works. She believes silence helps her to focus on what is important and to break it would make her less efficient. Valentin, hopes to prove the beautiful, powerful young woman wrong. He thinks she'd make an ideal mate and sets about putting a plan in motion to win her over.

Valentin Nikolaev has recently taken over as alpha of the Stonewater clan. Not everyone in the clan is happy about his ascension to power. His father had been the alpha before him and things had not ended well. Split between his plans to court Silver and his duties to his clan and his desire to gain back to those who left when he rose to power, Valentin has a full plate. I must admit this bear of a man won me over quick with his playful ways and dedication to winning Silver over. He was a man with a plan and if anyone could manage to put cracks into Silver's Silence, it had to be him.

The song that kept playing in my head could be nothing other than Elvis Presley's 'Teddy Bear'. lol

'Baby let me be,

your lovin' Teddy Bear

Put a chain around my neck,

and lead me anywhere

Oh let me be

Your teddy bear.

I don't wanna be a tiger

Cause tigers play too rough

I don't wanna be a lion

'Cause lions ain't the kind

you love enough.'

I couldn't help but give this one 5 out of 5 roses. I absolutely loved it. There is not a bad thing to be said. Ms. Singh serves up another delightfully delicious hot and steamy romance which her fans have come to expect. The stories have layers of depth to them and after reading one of these, I feel spoiled and pampered and eagerly await her next installment. On the Romance Rating Scale, this one earned a SHOWER rating--a cold shower is necessary (need I say more?). Some books should come with a warning - make sure your significant other is handy or your shower is in working order. lol

Order of the Psy-Changeling series:

Order of the Psy-Changeling Trinity series:

Allegiance of Honor (Psy-Changeling #15) by Nalini Singh

Title: Allegiance of Honor (Psy-Changeling Novel, A)
Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Series: Psy/Changelings (Book 15)
Format: Hardcover: 496 pages
Publisher: Berkley (June 14, 2016)
ISBN-10: 1101987766
ISBN-13: 978-1101987766
Author's Website: http://nalinisingh.com/
Notes: I bought this one.


Once upon a time a united group of individuals did the impossible--they changed the world. They put an end to Silence and defeated Pure Psy. Now they are dealing with the aftermath and despite their victory, the mistrust, discrimination, and prejudice that Pure Psy evoked still remains. This is the world after the fall. One filled with hope, hate, possibilities, and change.

I liked the book, but I must say, it read like a large transitional epilogue. If I was new to the series, I would have been seriously lost. I think almost everyone from the previous books was revisited--and that took up the majority of the book. There is a  threat to Lucas and Sascha's daughter Naya and a kidnapping of a Changeling from Black Sea--a group I've been hoping Ms. Singh would give us a bigger look at. Unfortunately, so far all we've gotten is a glimpse or two.

What I liked most about this one is we got to see how things are changing and evolving in this wonderful Psy-Changeling world that Nalini created. Plus, we get a hint of what is to come, which sounds promising. I will confess, however, this is my least favorite book of the series thus far. Now having said that, I have to admit I have rated most of her books (if not all) 4 out of 5 stars or above, so don't be too discouraged by that statement. I, however, don't recommend this to anyone who hasn't read at least a good portion of the previous books in the series as there are some major spoilers, you'll miss out on inside jokes, you'll feel a totally lost, and you'll miss out on a wonderful series that I highly recommend.

Overall, I gave this one 3 1/2 out of 5 roses. Not really on level with her previous books, but in NO WAY was it disappointing either. The signature romance of the series was significantly missing, although there were plenty of old, ongoing romances as well as one which was renewed captured within its pages. It sets the stage for the next phase of the series, and I can't wait to see where Ms. Singh will take the series next. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earned a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed.

Visions of Heat (Psy-Changeling, #2) by Nalini Singh

• Title: Visions of Heat
• Classification: Adult Fiction
• Genre: Paranormal Romance
• Format:  Paperback, 352 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Sensation (March 6, 2007)
• ISBN-10: 042521575X
• ISBN-13: 978-0425215753
• Author's Website:  http://www.nalinisingh.com/
• Notes: Second time reading so I could post a review.

CLINICAL INSANITY

The number one cause of cause of death for F-Psy before Silence, the process implemented to essentially silence the emotions of a Psy.

     'At first, it had been nothing more than a vague foreshadowing. A darkness that pushed at her mind. She'd thought it might herald an oncoming vision--a market crash or a sudden business failure--but day after day, that darkness had grown to crushing proportions without showing her anything concrete. And she'd felt. Though she'd never before felt anything, in those dreams she'd been drenched in fear, suffocating by the weight of terror....
     Last night had been different. Last night, she hadn't woken as the hands closed about her throat. No matter how hard she'd tried, she hadn't been able to break free of the horror, hadn't been able to anchor herself in reality.
     Last night, she'd died.'

Faith Nightstar is the crème de la crème of the F-Psy, a group of Psy who can Foresee the future. Since Silence was first instigated, the gift of foreseeing has been swayed from predictions of things such as catastrophic events, murders, etc which could potentially be used to save lives, toward making financial and economic predictions which are useful for creating revenue. Faith has exceeded the expectation for an F-Psy bringing in more profit at age 24 then most F-Psy do in a lifetime. She has made billions of dollars with her predictions and she is never wrong. As you can imagine, her services are a highly sought after commodity.

Recently, however, she's started having night terrors which have her believing she might be on the verge of  mental breakdown. Flaws, such as mental illness, are not tolerated in the Psy world. While most flawed Psy would be rehabilitated, a process of sweeping the brain clean via a psychic brainwipe which renders the recipient a shell of their former self, F-Psy aren't so lucky. Their brains would be used for scientific research because no one knows exactly what it is that makes them tick. Being smart enough to realize that discussing what she is experiencing with her fellow Psy could bring about a fate worse than death, she seeks out the advice from the only person she feels can give her an unbiased and honest opinion, Sascha Duncan. Sascha is the only Psy Faith knows to have ever defected from the PsyNet and broken Protocol (aka Silence). She may be Faith's only hope.

Vaughn D'angelo is a sentinel for the DarkRiver Changelings. When he was out for a run in Jaguar form he came across a compound on the edge of Changeling territory outside of Tahoe that caught his attention. It appeared to be a residence that was being highly guarded by Psy. Noting it strange for a single individual to be so highly guarded and to live so close to Changeling territory, he made a note to keep an eye on it.

Little did Vaughn or Faith know their lives were about to become entangled and visions of heat would start thawing an individual some would say is as cold as ice.

___________________

I am loving this series. Can anyone say obsessed? lol What I love, is that the world Nalini creates incorporates such a detailed environment right down to the government, politics, and policies of the Psy ruling council. It also delves into the hierarchy and structure within the Changeling Packs. It's paranormal romance so smartly written it's like getting a full course meal instead of just the dessert and every single bit is mouthwatering, leaving you wanting for more and thinking you'll never get enough. *sigh*

This is one of those series that blurs the edges between paranormal romance and urban fantasy. Because everything takes place around San Francisco and the surrounding areas going as far as the Sierra Nevada mountains, it quite easily could be labeled urban fantasy. It's got a grittiness and edge of UF, but the romance definitely has more of a paranormal feel to it. Perhaps a new term should be coined for books that blur the line between the two sub-genres such as a Paranormal Fantasy or Urban Paranormal?

The Psy are a race of people who hold usually one of many different designations of psychic abilities. Abilities are rated on a gradient scale with 0 being the lowest and 10 being the highest. Here is the list of the main Psy abilities I've compiled so far:
M-Psy = Medic; Healers; The ability to look inside the body and the physical causes of illness.
E-Psy = Empath; The ability to feel other's emotions and sometimes alter them.
F-Psy = Foreseers; the ability to Foretell the future.
Tk-Psy = Telekinetic; The ability to move objects without touch using only one's mind (Teleportation is possible for some).
Tp-Psy = Telepathy; The ability to silently communicate via the mind. Some can only 'transmit' images while others can do so on a conversational level.
Ps-Psy = Psychometry; The ability to learn the history and facts (such as the maker) of an object through touch.

While Faith and Sascha are both Psy, the two are very different. Sascha, an empath, has been in touch with her emotions for years, but learned how to hide and shield them from others. During that time she felt flawed and isolated. Faith, on the other hand, never felt much of anything and until she began waking up from dark and disturbing visions she was, for all intents and purposes, the perfect Psy. Unlike Sascha, when Faith gets too much sensory stimulation it puts her mind into sensory overload which can cause her to have seizures.

In the beginning, Faith's personality reminded me a bit of the character Dr. Temperance "Bones" Brennan in the early episodes of the TV show 'Bones'. She's very serious and doesn't show a lot of emotion, but you know they're there. Vaughn made me smile because he seemed both fascinated and bewildered by Faith all at once. It's always fun to see a man like that with a woman. It loved watching these two tangle and seeing Faith slowly awaken like sleeping beauty from her cold Silent state.

To make matters more complicated, the Psy council is looking to replace Enrique. Faith, Gia Khan, and Kaleb Krychek are all in the running for the position. That puts Faith on the Psy Council's radar at a truly inconvenient time. She needs to tread carefully because those who esteem to be on the council are usually ruthless and will do anything, even kill to get the coveted spot. Ironically, the lust for power is one desire that has eluded all the conditioning of Silence.

As the story progresses, we learn Faith's night terrors are actually an extension of her F-Psy abilities and are visions of things that may happen in the future. We also learn that in her first vision, the one that had Faith worried she was going insane, she foresaw the death of her sister. In the Psy world, what you don't know can get you or someone you love killed. Faith with the help of Vaughn and the DarkRiver pack, will attempt to track down her sister's killer before he strikes again. Additionally, we also get a better idea of what the PsyNet and PsyMind are and how they function.

Some of my favorite moments and lines:
-  "I've never scared anyone by threatening to kiss them before," he commented.

-  "The Psy have a way of training away powers they don't like. The cat in him was fascinated by the beauty of her skin. It was so rich and and luscious he almost thought it might taste of cream.
   "You can't train away foresight."
   "No, but maybe you can channel it." This came from Sascha. "Tell a child something often enough and she starts to believe it."

-  "If I'm not tied down. I can't trust myself." It was an offhand comment that hid his very real frustration. To be close enough to touch, but be barred from doing so, caused excruciating pain. 
   "Then let's tie you down."
   Cat and man both went absolutely motionless. "What?"
   Her cheeks held the faintest hits of pink. "Maybe it would help me, too, if I knew I  could walk away at any time. The backlash from the conditioning might not be as bad."
   "Tie me down?" he asked again. (Sidenote: I laughed so hard at his surprise. Too funny. lol)

Why is the book entitled Visions of Heat? Well, I'm not one hundred percent sure, but I think it has to do with this little snippet which happens as Vaughn manages to pull her out of the middle of one of her visions:
     "Don't let go." Her voice was a rasp. "Don't let go or I'll fall back in."
     Vaughn tightened his hold, worried by the look in Faith's eyes. There was something unfocused about them, as if she wasn't fully awake, "Talk to me Faith."
     She kept breathing those jerky ragged breaths and then, to his surprise, reached out to put her hands flat against his bare chest. Her touch was pure heat when he'd expected coolness. It burned and the jaguar wanted more. "Don't let me fall back in. Please Vaughn. Please."

   Overall, this one gets a 5 out of 5 roses. A very smart, fun, addictive, sexy and seductive series. What more can a girl want? This is paranormal romance at it's best and a total and utter Series Seduction for me. Yep! It's that good. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earns a SHOWER rating--a cold shower is necessary (need I say more?). Some books should come with a warning - make sure your significant other is handy or your shower is in working order. lol

  Order of Series:

Slave to Sensation (Psy-Changeling #1) by Nalini Singh

• Title: Slave to Sensation (Psy-Changelings, Book 1)
• Classification: Adult Fiction
• Genre: Paranormal Romance
• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Berkley (September 5, 2006)
• ISBN-10: 0425212866
• ISBN-13: 978-0425212868
• Author's Website:  http://www.nalinisingh.com/
• Notes: 2nd time read so I could write a review. 

A serial killer is on the loose killing Changeling females. The only thing known about the killer is that he is a Psy. The Changelings have a very acute sense of smell and the only scent left on the victims is the distinct odor of a Psy. Lucas Hunter, a Changeling and pack leader, is determined to hunt down the killer before the next victim is killed. To do so he negotiates a business deal in an attempt to get close to a Psy, preferably one with connections to the Council, and gain information as to who is doing the killing. The problem is that the Psy are known as cold and uncaring. Convincing one to help will be next to impossible.

Sascha Duncan was put in charge of managing the business deal between the Psy and the Dark River Changeling Pack. She was sent in to see if she could gain any new information on how the Changelings function and gain a better understanding of them. Sascha, however, is not like other Psy. She has a secret she's afraid to reveal because, "Psy don't allow broken creatures to live."

________________________

The Psy and Changelings are about as different as two races can be. The Psy are described as being a cold, emotionless people who are loyal only to their own, and then, only so far. The Changelings on the other hand are a touchy-feely bunch who openly display their feelings. They are a very sociable and touchy feely group that  hug, kiss, and rub against each other. Just think of how cats act toward one another and you'll get the idea. Changelings, if you haven't guessed, are shape-shifters and can change into one particular animal.

Psy are Psychics with the ability to communicate with and are linked to each other via their minds. If a Psy is split from the PsyNet they will die. Each Psy also possesses abilities which vary from person to person. Some can manipulate people's will while others can read minds. I'm sure will learn about other powers as the series progresses. They are lead by the Council and years ago a program was set in place in an attempt to curb the amount of insanity and serial killing within the populace. This program was called the Silence. Basically the Psy were stripped of their emotions.

I found Sascha to be a very interesting character. She's grown up thinking she's defective and broken, and doesn't realize her true powers or come into her own, until she removes herself from the cold environment of the Psy. I like how bit by bit Lucas and the Dark River pack chip away at her cold exterior and melt her into a compassionate and caring individual.

Lucas, what can I say about him? I loved how he dealt with Sascha and how he reigned in his Alpha tendencies when he needed to. I also liked how he wouldn't let Sascha give up on herself and not to be afraid of what she was feeling.

The romance was hot, and I liked how by the end she was acting like a cat. It was as though Lucas had unleashed her inner kitten and she roared to life. By the end he had her purring, and I loved how Nalini added some cat related descriptions of her own when she wrote, "He lapped at her like a bowl of milk..." A very clever tie in to the cat theme. Additionally, I liked how the relationship seemed doomed at the very beginning of the story. I love it when an author does something like this and you wonder to yourself, "How the heck are they going to pull a HEA out of this one?" I believe any author can appear to paint themselves into a corner and back themselves up against a wall, but only the very talented can pick up their pen and write themselves right back out again leaving you with your jaw dropping and mind whirling. I think Nalini would have no problem with that.

The mystery of who the serial killer was was also interesting. I like how we gained a better understanding of how the Psy function as Sascha got deeper and deeper into her investigations. I can't wait to see how the things Sascha uncovered will play out in the rest of the series. 

Why is the book called Slave to Sensation? I believe because of this line: 'Unused to sensation, she was close to becoming a slave to it, the fantasies she'd indulged in during sleep leeching into her waking life.' 

I gave this one 5 out of 5 roses. I adore Nalini's books they're dark seductive and oh so addictive. They have a lot of depth with many layers underlying the story. You can tell she thinks through practically every aspect of the story and could answer any question you'd throw at her. I loved the descriptions of the PsyNet and PsyMind. The Psy reminded me a little of the Vulcans from Star Trek. It'd be interesting to know if they perhaps inspired Nalini's Psy creation. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one scores a SHOWER rating--a cold shower is necessary (need I say more?). Some books should come with a warning - make sure your significant other is handy or your shower is in working order. lol

Sample of the Audio Book:

Order of Series: