Caressed By Ice by Nalini Singh is a captivating installment in the Psy-Changeling series, focusing on Judd Lauren, a deadly Psy assassin, and Brenna Kincaid, a wolf Changeling recovering from a traumatic experience. The book delves into the intricate dynamics between the emotionless Psy and the passionate Changelings, as Judd and Brenna navigate their complex relationship amidst threats to their pack and personal struggles. The writing style is praised for its detailed world-building, engaging character development, and a gripping plot that weaves romance, mystery, and action seamlessly.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content includes themes of trauma, kidnapping, emotional abuse, and violence, which may be triggering for some readers.
Has Romance?
The romance between Brenna and Judd is highly developed, driving much of the plot and character growth.
From The Publisher:
The author of Shards of Hope and Shield of Winter presents a Psy/Changeling novel in which two people who know evil intimately must unlock the good within their icy hearts…
As an Arrow, an elite soldier in the Psy Council ranks, Judd Lauren was forced to do terrible things in the name of his people. Now a defector, his dark abilities have made him the most deadly of assassins-cold, pitiless, unfeeling. Until he meets Brenna…
Brenna Shane Kincaid was an innocent before she was abducted-and had her mind violated-by a serial killer. Her sense of evil runs so deep, she fears she could become a killer herself. Then the first dead body is found, victim of a familiar madness. Judd is her only hope, yet her sensual changeling side rebels against the inhuman chill of his personality, even as desire explodes between them. Shocking and raw, their passion is a danger that threatens not only their hearts, but their very lives…
"The alpha author of paranormal romance."-Booklist
Ratings (14)
Incredible (2) | |
Loved It (8) | |
Liked It (3) | |
It Was OK (1) |
Reader Stats (20):
Read It (16) | |
Want To Read (2) | |
Not Interested (2) |
3 comment(s)
First read:
(Kindle edition) 2 Jan 2010
Re-read:
(Audiobook) 31 Mar 2012
First Read Review:
[b:Caressed By Ice|458034|Caressed by Ice (Psy-Changeling #3)|Nalini Singh|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1432865457s/458034.jpg|446535] is my favorite book so far in the Psy-Changeling series. I thought Judd was an interesting character in the previous books, although he was a small part in them. It was wonderful to see him have his own story. Especially one so full of ups and downs and fear and love.
Brenna was abducted and has been fighting the over protectiveness of her brothers. She's noticed that she is drawn to Judd, the "Ice Man" Psy, who doesn't really fit in but has been at home with the wolves since leaving the PsyNet with his family. How strange that she should be drawn to him seeing as her abductor/torturer was Psy. Even though he shows no signs of feeling anything - at all - she can't resist pushing him to feel what she does.
The pair have amazing chemistry and their love story is definitely one of my favorites. It's always wonderful when someone tortured, either by their own believed wrongs or wrongs done by others, and beyond hope of finding love does just that and finds it tenfold!
It was interesting getting some detail on the inner workings of the Psy world, through Judd. The political machinations of the Psy Council were fascinating. I like that I am still not quite sure where any of them stand. And on that topic,
I can't help feeling like the attack on the Changelings was a sloppy mess because Nikita didn't want it to succeed. We were told that she argued against attacking the packs, but that the council voted against her, and since it was in her backyard, she was tapped to oversee the project. Numerous characters commented about the sloppiness of it - Judd commented that the psychic programming on the hyenas was a sloppy hack-job, and several others mentioned that the entire plan itself seemed messy and unfocused. NOTHING about Nikita projects sloppy and unfocused to me. If it was a mess, it was because she wanted it to be a mess. Which makes me wonder what her game is.
And also, Kaleb...
he's either a serial killer in training (which would frankly be tiresome... we've had a serial killer at the heart of each book so far), or he's the Ghost. I am leaning towards the Ghost.
*fingers crossed*
That said, the story was as engaging as always. Judd and Brenna were fun - I liked them more than I thought I would, as I honestly had no interest in either from their brief mentions in the other books. Judd had a very satisfying arc in this book. Also, the fact that
the first thing he did when he broke his conditioning was have a 5-day sex marathon... *laugh* Such a guy.
But I wish we got more of an update on where things are going with the NetMind - I hope that plot thread isn't disappearing into the ether. And I'd like more Sascha and Lucas... I still find them to be the most compelling pair of the series (is it weird that I am only lukewarm about Faith? I think her "oh, but do I really want to give up my pampered life to be just a regular old Joe-Schmoe?" dilemma was a big turn-off for me).
Still really looking forward to Dorian's story...
Awesome!
What can you read after
Caressed By Ice?
About the Author:
Nalini Singh is passionate about writing. Though she's traveled as far afield as the deserts of China and the temples of Japan, it is the journey of the imagination that fascinates her the most. She's beyond delighted to be able to follow her dream as a writer.
Nalini lives and works in beautiful New Zealand. For contact details and to find out more about the Psy-Changeling series, please visit her website.
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