Sienna, a powerful Psy with a dangerous ability, is at the center of the conflict between the pure Psy and the changelings, particularly the SnowDancer tribe. Her growing powers threaten to self-destruct, and the pure Psy continue to target the changelings. The romance between Sienna and Hawke, the SnowDancer alpha, is a central focus of the story, with their relationship evolving amidst the escalating tensions and battles between different factions. The book delves into Sienna's struggle to control her powers, Hawke's internal conflicts, and the broader war brewing between the Psy and changelings.

Characters:

The characters are richly developed, especially Hawke and Sienna, whose dynamics are explored deeply, alongside compelling secondary characters.

Writing/Prose:

Singh's writing is captivating, seamlessly blending emotional depth with action and character development, making it an engaging read.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative revolves around the evolution of Hawke and Sienna's relationship amidst the backdrop of a brewing war with the Psy Council. It delves into sacrifice and the personal struggles both characters face.

Setting:

The setting combines a familiar modern landscape with rich fantasy elements, enhancing the story's immersion.

Pacing:

The pacing effectively balances romance and action, though some readers might find the romantic buildup excessively slow.

HAWKE FOLDED HIS arms and leaned back against the solid bulk of his desk, eyes on the two young females in front of him. Hands clasped behind themselves and legs slightly spread in the “resting” stanc...

Notes:

Kiss of Snow is the 10th book in the Psy-Changeling series by Nalini Singh.

The story features two main races: the changelings (shape-shifters) and the Psy (humans with psychic powers).

The main romance is between Hawke, the alpha of the SnowDancer pack, and Sienna, a powerful Psy with a complicated past.

Sienna is only 19 years old, which has raised concerns regarding the age gap with Hawke, who is about 32.

Sienna has experienced significant trauma, intensifying the reader's connection to her character.

Hawke's previous mate died, causing him to be emotionally guarded and hesitant to pursue a relationship with Sienna.

The novel blends intense romantic tension with themes of sacrifice and personal growth.

The book also explores subplots, including a secondary romance between Walker, Sienna's uncle, and Lara, a healer in Hawke's pack.

The setting includes the California wilderness and the city of San Francisco, making it a relatable backdrop for readers.

Overall, the book includes high stakes and action as the characters prepare for a brewing war against the Psy Council.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content may include themes of trauma, violence, and age gap relationships.

Has Romance?

Yes, there is a significant romance plot that is central to the story.

explicit steam level

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

Since her defection from the PsyNet and into the SnowDancer wolf pack, Sienna Lauren has had one weakness: Hawke. Alpha and dangerous, he lost the woman who would've been his mate long ago. Now he walks alone. But Sienna stirs his primal heart, even as he tells himself she is far too young to handle the wild fury of the wolf. Yet as they strip away each other's secrets, a deadly enemy is striking at everything the pack holds dear…but Sienna's darkest secret may savage the pack that is her home, and the alpha who is its heartbeat.

Ratings (13)

Incredible (3)
Loved It (7)
Liked It (2)
It Was OK (1)

Reader Stats (20):

Read It (14)
Want To Read (2)
Not Interested (4)

4 comment(s)

StephB

Incredible

3 months

First Read:

(Kindle edition) May 31-June 5, 2011

Re-read:

(Audiobook) Dec 2-3, 2012

katyana

It Was OK

3 months

Loved, loved, loved it. At first, I struggled with Sienna's youth. I asked myself why - I have no trouble with this kind of age disparity in, for example, HR, but in a modern/futuristic book, something about a 30-sih guy (how old is he? I kept waiting for an exact number, but it never specified) hooking up with a 19 year old girl really just feels skeevy. But the way she's written, Sienna is largely not a 19 year old. She doesn't feel that way. So at some point, my brain just filed the fact away as a non-issue.

I really enjoyed watching Hawke find the mate he has deserved since we met him way back in book 1. Sienna is perfect for him: loyal, fearless, fierce, and whip-smart. I enjoyed watching him slowly erode his wall of defenses. And I loved watching the two of them play.

And there was a secondary romance in this book that was really equally beautiful as it unfolded - Walker and Lara's story was simple and so touching.

To be brutally honest, I cried at several points in this book.

And as always with this series, it was fantastic watching things come to a head with the overarching plot. We finally get a major throw-down! I am itching for the next book, to see how things unfold.

Other things:

- Nikita.

Though I saw it coming - she has clearly been acting in Sascha's defense, even while viciously projecting otherwise - it was still so touching for Sascha to finally realize this truth.

- The baby!! Also, the cementing of the SnowDancer / DarkRiver bonds... when Lucas let Hawke hold her, I was just so fucking thrilled. And across this entire book, seeing their relationship progress to a point of utter trust as they worked in unison... it has been a long time coming, and it is really gratifying to see it play out. Also, ... is it just me, or do you guys feel like the SnowDancer net and the Web of Stars are bound to merge? They both have assets that the other lacks: SD has

Sienna's mini-reactor, boosting everyone's power levels

, and the Web of Stars has a cardinal empath, bringing the stability and healing to their net, the lack of which is part of why the PsyNet is dying. The strength that the two packs would gain by merging those two is really really... tremendous. It has to happen! There is already one major link between them (Riley / Mercy). I suspect that a second link would firmly bridge them together

in the same way that a second link yanked the whole LaurenNet into the SnowDancer web. It just feels like Singh was weaving a foundation for that, but having the LaurenNet merge like it did in this book.

- The Ghost! Who do we think he is? Who is the person he feels connected to? If I had to pick right this moment,

I would guess that he is the person Kaleb Krychek has been desperately searching for... the one he hasn't been able to find for 6 years.

But really, there are several very strong candidates.

When's the next one?!?!?!?!

nbabud057

Incredible

4 months

I've never cried so much with a book from this author.

Such an amazing story *__*!

Love both Hawke and Sienna... but also Walker and Lara...

And also both SD and DR *_*!

Love, adored these books! And tomorrow i'm going to start the next *_*!

ehanut203

Loved It

5 months

Kiss of Snow is the longest Psy-Changeling book so far (I think), and the extra room is totally worth it. Singh uses the space to flesh out the worldbuilding and move the overall plot forward without sacrificing the relationship between Hawke and Sienna. Which is awesome. Sienna is such a great heroine, and her powers are by far my favorite.

At this point Singh has to play her cards close to her chest, because major revelations are on the horizon and theories are flying (flying!) about what she's going to do next. I have to admit I didn't pay a lot of attention to the "background" plot in previous books, but she has amped up the stakes and now I can't wait to see what happens next.

One thing I wonder about is, is there any room for non-hetero relationships in the Changeling world? There's a scene in

Kiss of Snow that hints at a romantic relationship between two women, but it was so subtle that I may have been imagining it.

What can you read after
Kiss of Snow?

See the list (72 books)

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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Kiss of Snow

Nalini Singh

Book 10 in the series:Psy-Changeling