Nalini Singh's Psy-Changeling Series
A Quick Guide to Who’s Who & What’s What
Many Wenches love the Psy–Changeling Series, and we REALLY love Nalini Singh.
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| The books... |
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| And novellas... |
I know, a LOT of books, huh? Well, that’s what I thought at first, but
trust me, these babies get you hooked in no time. I’ll admit, some didn’t hold my interest as much as others; however, each book has something for everyone, even if it is
just an appearance by a character you really loved in the previous book.
Don’t worry, I
won’t go into a deep analysis of every book, but I will say a few words about this
series (and try not to spoil anything) after the jump!
So, here’s the gist of it: The
series is set in a world where there are three races that have to live
together―the Humans, the Changelings, and the Psy.
The main focus of these books is on the Changelings and the Psy. And these two couldn’t be any more different from each other. Here’s why.
The main focus of these books is on the Changelings and the Psy. And these two couldn’t be any more different from each other. Here’s why.
The Changelings...
are viewed through the dynamics of two powerful packs, DarkRiver and SnowDancer. The first is mostly feline, and the second, wolf. They value loyalty, family, friendship, and affection. They are physical, tactile, and guided by an honour code. They respect nature and live in it, surrounded by it.
The Changelings are led by an alpha who has his sentinels/lieutenants. Each pack member is useful, and his/her skills are used to further the advancement of the packs (from defense to school teaching). The two packs are not the best of friends, but life has other plans, and they’ll find themselves in need of an alliance...and maybe even friendship.
They mate for life, but enjoy some physical contact before they find their one and only.
are viewed through the dynamics of two powerful packs, DarkRiver and SnowDancer. The first is mostly feline, and the second, wolf. They value loyalty, family, friendship, and affection. They are physical, tactile, and guided by an honour code. They respect nature and live in it, surrounded by it.
The Changelings are led by an alpha who has his sentinels/lieutenants. Each pack member is useful, and his/her skills are used to further the advancement of the packs (from defense to school teaching). The two packs are not the best of friends, but life has other plans, and they’ll find themselves in need of an alliance...and maybe even friendship.
They mate for life, but enjoy some physical contact before they find their one and only.
The Psy...
are cerebral and guided by the Silence. Emotions have proven to be something the Psy can’t handle, so 160 years ago they implemented the Silence and quieted their emotions. As a result, they feel nothing and are led by logic. They mostly strive to acquire wealth and money.
If a Psy starts to experience emotions, he/she is taken to conditioning (in other words, lobotomy). There are different psychic abilities (designations) in the Psy race, and the Psy are employed in their society according to those abilities. They live in cities, they don’t do anything that isn’t useful or productive, and they have no concept of desire, passion, fun, or joy.
They don’t form families, but units, and sometimes not even that. The males and females choose each other based on the genetic material that each brings to the union. “Couples” often never see each other. The Psy are led by a Council composed of the most powerful in their race.
are cerebral and guided by the Silence. Emotions have proven to be something the Psy can’t handle, so 160 years ago they implemented the Silence and quieted their emotions. As a result, they feel nothing and are led by logic. They mostly strive to acquire wealth and money.
If a Psy starts to experience emotions, he/she is taken to conditioning (in other words, lobotomy). There are different psychic abilities (designations) in the Psy race, and the Psy are employed in their society according to those abilities. They live in cities, they don’t do anything that isn’t useful or productive, and they have no concept of desire, passion, fun, or joy.
They don’t form families, but units, and sometimes not even that. The males and females choose each other based on the genetic material that each brings to the union. “Couples” often never see each other. The Psy are led by a Council composed of the most powerful in their race.
These books are about...
the couples who form in this complex mix of races and what brings them together. Each book features a different couple. On one hand, books are connected plot-wise and character-wise; on the other, each book has its own story that wraps up nicely.
The series starts (in Slave to Sensation) with Lucas and Sasha, a DarkRiver Changeling alpha with a traumatic past and Councillor Duncan’s Psy daughter who’s more than meets the eye. Their relationship begins a shift in the way the races relate to each other.
So far, the two races have lived in a state of strained peace, as long as each party minded its own business. They have even worked together on some occasions―but only for the purpose of making money and that’s that. When young Changeling girls are found dead after being brutalised, the Changelings set out to find a killer and are sure he/she is hiding in the Psy ranks.
The DarkRiver pack decides to go into business with Councillor Duncan as a way of trying to find out more about the Psy killing their females. The hostility level is raised when Brenna, a young SnowDancer wolf, goes missing. The clock starts ticking faster to find the killer before he kills Brenna, and the wolves declare war on the Psy. Additional hostility is created when the SnowDancer alpha, Hawke, is thrown into an uneasy alliance with the cats. In order to find the killer and save Brenna, these two packs must work together and trust each other.
It proves to be harder than they thought to break into the Psy ranks, but they get help from an unexpected source, Sasha. She surprises all the shifters with her sensitivity and care for the missing girl’s fate. For the first time, the Changelings are facing the fact that not all Psy are evil and there is an actual grey area in the whole matter.
I know I said I wouldn’t get into a detailed book analysis, but I feel as if the story of the first book is a trigger to what happens in the rest of the series. Here is where we first dive into the complexity of the Psy and the way they deal with the world.
Mind you, not every book has the Psy/Changeling romance as an axis, but the plot of all books revolves around this strenuous coexistence.
You might have noticed that I haven’t mentioned humans at all. The thing is, humans are present in the books, but not a major factor in most cases. We do create some problems here and there, but the plot mostly revolves around the other two races.
the couples who form in this complex mix of races and what brings them together. Each book features a different couple. On one hand, books are connected plot-wise and character-wise; on the other, each book has its own story that wraps up nicely.
The series starts (in Slave to Sensation) with Lucas and Sasha, a DarkRiver Changeling alpha with a traumatic past and Councillor Duncan’s Psy daughter who’s more than meets the eye. Their relationship begins a shift in the way the races relate to each other.
So far, the two races have lived in a state of strained peace, as long as each party minded its own business. They have even worked together on some occasions―but only for the purpose of making money and that’s that. When young Changeling girls are found dead after being brutalised, the Changelings set out to find a killer and are sure he/she is hiding in the Psy ranks.
The DarkRiver pack decides to go into business with Councillor Duncan as a way of trying to find out more about the Psy killing their females. The hostility level is raised when Brenna, a young SnowDancer wolf, goes missing. The clock starts ticking faster to find the killer before he kills Brenna, and the wolves declare war on the Psy. Additional hostility is created when the SnowDancer alpha, Hawke, is thrown into an uneasy alliance with the cats. In order to find the killer and save Brenna, these two packs must work together and trust each other.
It proves to be harder than they thought to break into the Psy ranks, but they get help from an unexpected source, Sasha. She surprises all the shifters with her sensitivity and care for the missing girl’s fate. For the first time, the Changelings are facing the fact that not all Psy are evil and there is an actual grey area in the whole matter.
I know I said I wouldn’t get into a detailed book analysis, but I feel as if the story of the first book is a trigger to what happens in the rest of the series. Here is where we first dive into the complexity of the Psy and the way they deal with the world.
Mind you, not every book has the Psy/Changeling romance as an axis, but the plot of all books revolves around this strenuous coexistence.
You might have noticed that I haven’t mentioned humans at all. The thing is, humans are present in the books, but not a major factor in most cases. We do create some problems here and there, but the plot mostly revolves around the other two races.
The next book in the series...
is called Heart of Obsidian, and so far, we have only a cover and a release date of June 4th, 2013. Rumor has it that the story is about Kaleb. Yes, you know who I’m talking about! Mr Dark-Powerful-And-Mysterious may finally get his own book!! We might finally find out whether he’s a bad guy or a frenemy.... LOL
is called Heart of Obsidian, and so far, we have only a cover and a release date of June 4th, 2013. Rumor has it that the story is about Kaleb. Yes, you know who I’m talking about! Mr Dark-Powerful-And-Mysterious may finally get his own book!! We might finally find out whether he’s a bad guy or a frenemy.... LOL
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| UK/USA covers |
Attributes of these books...
easy reading, fun characters, good story, interesting overall plot, and a sense of small conclusions within each book, hunky men and cool women, steamy and sexy scenes, grey characters, and, the most important part for me, good villains.
So the next time you find yourself looking for something fun, sexy, interesting, and easy to read, you might want to check out this series. I think it’s an excellent choice!
easy reading, fun characters, good story, interesting overall plot, and a sense of small conclusions within each book, hunky men and cool women, steamy and sexy scenes, grey characters, and, the most important part for me, good villains.
So the next time you find yourself looking for something fun, sexy, interesting, and easy to read, you might want to check out this series. I think it’s an excellent choice!
I have only read 3 books so far and I agree with your post/ summery,fun, easy to read books. Great post
ReplyDeleteThanks!! Hope you read the rest. ;)
DeleteExcellant post!! Very timely for the new release. Also, I didn't know that Singh has never said WHO the next book is about!! OMG, I will die if it's Kaleb!! And yes, this is the PERFECT summer read. I actually read them in the summertime, just by coincidence.
ReplyDelete