Nalini Singh
Published: Gollancz
Date: 2011
Format: e-book - Kindle
Pages: 372
Genre: Paranormal romance
Source: Own book
Summary from Goodreads
Max Shannon is a good cop, one of the best in New York Enforcement. Born with a natural shield that protects him from Psy mental invasions, he knows he has little chance of advancement within the Psy-dominated power structure. The last case he expects to be to be assigned is that of a murderer targeting a Psy Councilor's closest advisors. And the last woman he expects to compel him in the most sensual ways is a Psy on the verge of a mental fracture.
Sophia Russio is a Justice Psy, cursed with the ability to retrieve memories from men and women so twisted even veteran cops keep their distance. Appointed as Max's liaison with the Psy, she finds herself fascinated by this human, her frozen heart threatening to thaw with human emotion. With her mind filled with other people's nightmares and evil, she's standing on the border of sanity and a silken darkness that urges her to take justice into her own hands.
My thoughts
Another excellent book in this series. I bought it as it was still 'out' at our local library and I didn't want to wait! I have snagged the next two off the shelves so I am good to go with the next one.
Max and Sophia are alike in many ways. Both were 'disowned' by their respective families. Max's mother never liked him and his father was an unknown - one of the mysteries that is solved by the end of the book. He has one brother - River, they lost contact, and Max presupposes that he has died. Sophia had an early experience of being damaged and considered 'flawed' by her family, and so totally disowned. She does not know who her parents are. There is a hint at the end of the book, however I am not sure, as it was only a hint. Perhaps this will develop further as the series develops.
Both Max and Sophia are perfect for each other, both carry burdens from the past, yet the love and acceptance they give each other, a first time experience for both, is a new beginning for them.
Sophia, is likely to be called in at any time by the Psy for total reconditioning - which will leave her merely a shell of herself. This is the case for all Justice Psy, they eventually crack under the weight of evil that they must carry. As the story progresses I wonder how she is going to avoid this, especially as she is so tied to the Psy Net as an anchor. She can't leave it as the others have done. However there is an answer and to my mind a perfect one. I love the exploration of dark and light, good and evil that the solution brings.
Nalini Singh continues to build her complex world throughout this book. We learn a little more of the Pure Psy and the danger they are. The councilors are further developed and by the end we see how there is a split among them - which really has been fairly well signalled by the time it happens. Nikita (Sascha's mother) is fascinating, I look forward to finding out how she develops and where she stands on a number of issues. While the cat family is involved in this story it is more a part of the background, however Faith and Sascha play small important parts in this book, and of course there is an update on Sascha's pregnancy. I am so looking forward to the birth - am wondering which book it will finally happen!
Really each book is an important part of a whole. It many ways while each couple's story is developed, the complex mystery of this amazing world is further expanded. It is definitely a series that needs to be read in order. I know of a librarian in Melbourne who does a reread of this series most years. I know it will be one that I will reread, because once is just not enough!
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