Reviewed by Nikyta
Title: Shards of Hope
Author: Nalini Singh
Series: Psy-Changeling #14
Hero/Heroine: Aden & Zaira
Genre: M/F Paranormal/Fantasy
Length: 484 pages
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: June 2, 2015
Available at: Penguin/Berkley & Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads
Blurb: 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.
Review:
First, let me just say that the blurb does a pretty good job of explaining the story so I’m not going to go into any more detail about it. Second, I freely admit that I’m extremely biased when it comes to this series. I mean, this is my ALL TIME FAVORITE SERIES. I devour these books when they release, I re-read them, I have the whole series in audio, ebook AND print! So, yes, I’m a little obsessed with the series. I’m also a little obsessed with the Arrows. I mean, I LOVED getting Judd and then Vasic but I was CRAVING getting a book with TWO Arrows in it. So when I saw this one coming out? I let out a little squeal of joy because hello?! Aden and Zaira! Two deadly Arrows plus the fall of Silence?! Gah! I can’t even express how excited I was!
As you can see, I LOVED the story. I love the direction Ms. Singh is going with this series and how all the most deadly Psy are proving to be the most willing to see change and actually encourage it. It’s interesting to see how dynamics have changed since the first books in the series. In this one, we actually get to see more inside the Arrows’ culture and how they’re changing. How Aden wants them to be a family, to have that underlying loyalty and that bone-deep knowledge there will always be somewhere there for you. That’s one of the reasons I really adored this book. Another reason is seeing all these emotionally distant beings start to embrace their feelings more, seeing the Arrow children actually be children and seeing the Arrows create a home. To see the Psy trying to adapt to a world where they don’t need to hide their deepest emotions anymore. They can act on the little quirks they have and not fear some type of punishment.
I’m rambling here but it’s really hard to explain such a long series like this without sounding a little confusing. As for the characters, I could not get enough of Zaira and Aden together! I’m so glad that we got to see them explore the connection between them. It was so interesting to see inside the mind of one of the most feared people in the world and seeing her struggling to love. I adored that Zaira had such a dark mind, that her ‘rage’ was its own entity and that Aden accepted Zaira and all her issues. At the same time, I really loved how Zaira had such possessiveness and loyalty towards Aden. It was a bit of a change from how the men are always the possessive ones (unless they’re changelings). Together, they scorched the pages and their connection really shined through. I seriously cannot express how much I loved this book. I mean, I read it in a little over a day! That hasn’t happened for me (with a book this long) in a really long time!
With all that said, if you enjoy Nalini Singh books and you’ve followed the series this long, definitely give this one a go! I mean, read it right now! It was an amazing book with intensively captivating characters, an intriguing storyline and one hell of a ride! I can’t wait to see who gets their story next! I’m hoping it’s Remi but I also want to see more of the Arrows and of course the water changelings! Who am I kidding? I don’t care who’s next, just as long as there IS a next book (and I’m still hoping there’s a M/M story in the future)!!!
Overall Impression: IT WAS AMAZING!!!
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in return for a fair and honest review.*
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