'Play of Passion' in the 'Psy-Changeling' series by Nalini Singh delves into the intricate relationships within the SnowDancer wolf pack, focusing on the dynamic between Lieutenant Indigo Riviere and tracker Drew Kincaid. As the tension between the Psy and changelings escalates, the book explores themes of dominance, loyalty, and love amidst a backdrop of political intrigue and impending conflict. The writing style seamlessly weaves together the lives of the Psy, changelings, and humans, creating a masterful and engaging narrative that keeps readers invested in the characters and their evolving world.
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Notes:
Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include themes of violence, sibling trauma, and complex emotional dynamics regarding dominance.
Has Romance?
The romance is a central focus, featuring intense attraction and several emotional and physical moments.
From The Publisher:
A Psy/Changeling novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Shards of Hope, Shield of Winter, and Heart of Obsidian…"the alpha author of paranormal romance" (Booklist).
As a conflict with Pure Psy looms on the horizon, two powerful wolves fight a far more intimate war of their own …
In his position as Tracker for the SnowDancer pack, it's up to Drew Kincaid to rein in rogue changelings who've lost control of their animal halves-even if it means killing those who've gone too far. But nothing in his life has prepared him for the battle he must now wage-to win the heart of a woman who makes his body ignite…and who threatens to enslave his wolf.
Lieutenant Indigo Riviere doesn't easily allow skin privileges, especially of the sensual kind-and the last person she expects to find herself craving is the most wickedly playful male in the den. Everything she knows tells her to pull back before the flames burn them both to ash…but she hasn't counted on Drew's will.
Now, two of SnowDancer's most stubborn wolves find themselves playing a hotly sexy game even as lethal danger stalks the very place they call home…
Ratings (10)
Incredible (4) | |
Loved It (3) | |
Liked It (1) | |
It Was OK (2) |
Reader Stats (14):
Read It (11) | |
Want To Read (2) | |
Not Interested (1) |
3 comment(s)
First Read:
(Kindle edition) Dec 1, 2010
Re-read:
(Audiobook) Dec 1, 2012
Initial Review:
Play of Passion is the 9th book in one of my absolute favorite PNRs,
Psy-Changelings. We are lucky enough to get another changeling/changeling pairing in PoP. This time it's Indy and Drew in the SnowDancer pack. Indy's a dominant female who has always believed that she should mate with someone who is ranked at the similar level of dominance and equal/older age. But, Drew's determined to make her see the error of that plan. He's only 4 years younger and although, technically not a Lieutenant, he could be.
Spoilers are so hard to avoid with this series, sorry if I accidentally spoil something for you.
I loved the interaction between Drew and the rest of the pack, particularly Sienna. He's managed to form relationships and be seen as non-threatening to the pack even though his job, when necessary, requires him to kill those that can no longer control their wolf.
It was also great to see Judd becoming a bit more human around the pack and his mate, Brenna.
The little slices of Hawke/Sienna that we got were enough to drive me crazy with anticipation for
Kiss of Snow!
Wacko Psy Councilors Henry and Shoshanna's discussions had me biting my nails as the story moved on. They are becoming more and more twisted by their thoughts of "Pure Psy" as the series continues.
The only thing that bugged me was the constant repetition of the statement
"....predatory changeling male that he was...." K, we got it, movin' on! LOL!
I wanted to savour this book, but ended up reading it in one day!
I wish yesterday was 01 July 2011, so I could currently be neck deep in Hawke & Sienna's book,
Kiss of Snow.
Can't wait!
***4.5***
I had fun with it. I liked Indigo and Drew quite a bit (which was an improvement over the last one for me), and I liked watching Drew thaw her out. Because of that, she had a bit of a Psy vibe, and it was nice to get back to that flavor in this series.
But as with the previous book, the overall plot was MUCH more exciting to me. I can't wait to see this Psy Council book come to a head, and in fact, I jumped straight into Kiss of Snow as soon as I finished, and am now about 100 pages in.
This series, taken as a whole, is
delicious.
While other paranormal romance authors are sticking to the tried and true dominant male, willing-to-be-dominated if not outright submissive female trope, Nalini Singh is dancing rings around them. In
Play of Passion, heroine Indigo is so dominant she has trouble finding a man who can accept her power. Her relationship with Drew is full of self-reflection, growth, and compromise. I'm impressed with Singh's ability to work within her genre's limitations without herself becoming limited.
This book also raises the stakes for the series overall. The danger in this series rarely feels real, if only because this is romance after all; an HEA is a must. But the ending of this installment pushes the series to the next level with promises of Blood and Death and Fire. Bring it!
What can you read after
Play of Passion?
About the Author:
New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh is passionate about writing. Though she's traveled as far afield as the deserts of China, the Highlands of Scotland, and the frozen landscapes of Antarctica, it is the journey of the imagination that…
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