Book Review: Shield of Winter by Nalini Singh

Title: Shield of Winter
Series: Psy-Changeling, Book 13
Author: Nalini Singh
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Sensuality Rating: Steamy
Source: Penguin’s First to Read program
Published: June 3, 2014 by Berkley

Assassin. Soldier. Arrow. That is who Vasic is, who he will always be. His soul drenched in blood, his conscience heavy with the weight of all he’s done, he exists in the shadows, far from the hope his people can almost touch—if only they do not first drown in the murderous insanity of a lethal contagion. To stop the wave of death, Vasic must complete the simplest and most difficult mission of his life.

For if the Psy race is to survive, the empaths must wake…

Having rebuilt her life after medical “treatment” that violated her mind and sought to stifle her abilities, Ivy should have run from the black-clad Arrow with eyes of winter frost. But Ivy Jane has never done what she should. Now, she'll fight for her people, and for this Arrow who stands as her living shield, yet believes he is beyond redemption. But as the world turns to screaming crimson, even Ivy’s fierce will may not be enough to save Vasic from the cold darkness.

Reviewed By: Babs

Why I Read This Book: I’m a huge fan of this series.

In a Nutshell: This is an awesome addition to the Psy Changeling series. I loved getting more into the world of the Arrows.

The Setup: In the middle of the war against a huge threat to the Psy, Vasic and Ivy are brought together in the hope Ivy’s abilities are the key to fixing the Psy.

Quick Note: The Psy Changeling series is a complex world that develops more in each book. One of the major arcs in the series is resolved in this book. If you haven’t read prior books in the series, I recommend you do so before reading this book. (And you won’t regret it!)

What I Liked: I have so many feelings about this book. Vasic is an incredible hero. His evolution in the story was so deep and heart felt. I don’t normally pull out quotes but I have a couple from this one:

He [Vasic] could protect her to the last beat of his heart.

Vasic catalogued the expression in a private mental folder in which he’d begun to collect even the tiniest details about Ivy. It was a small madness, and one of which no one need be aware.

I found it interesting Vasic and Ivy didn’t really have to get past Silence like some of the other Psy couples in the series. The relationship conflict came from a decision Vasic made years ago, not overcoming the Silence protocol exactly. And the external conflict was the battle to save the Psy network.

Vasic’s involuntary response when they were intimate was pretty funny. For someone so in control in every other aspect of his life to struggle at such a time—I liked the contrast there. And the build up to the consummation of their physical relationship was really well done.

I felt just enough uncertainty and angst about whether Vasic and Ivy would get their HEA. Even though this is a romance and they’re going to end up together, kudos to Nalini Singh for telling such an awesome story that I just wasn’t sure it would all work out in the end!

I enjoyed more insight into the Arrows. I think this is the most information we’ve gotten so far. And this book opens up a whole new group of potential couples. Nalini Singh recently shared the hero for the next Psy Changeling book and it’s one I’m really excited about—another Arrow!

Past books in the series have flipped between view points. I think this one did it even more and I really liked the insight into Kaleb and Sahara’s relationship. A sort of check-in on their relationship and also on how Kaleb was handling his new role in the Psy hierarchy.

What I Didn’t Like: There’s nothing I can point to that I didn't like in this book. I wasn’t eagerly awaiting it like with Hawke’s and Kaleb’s books (or at least not more than my normal level of anticipation for a Nalini Singh book!). And I read it over a long period of time, stopping to read other books.

Overall Impression: Shield of Winter was a pleasure to read—a nice opening up of the world of the Arrows and wrap-up to one of the major arcs of the series.

Bab’s Rating:

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