This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Genres: Paranormal Romance
Published by Berkley
Released on June 4, 2019
Pages: 416
Format: Hardcover
Source: Publisher
The Delight
Introducing a new plot thread seemingly separate from the one still dangling after the last book, the author brings us back to beloved wolf and cat changeling country with this tender, emotional, and suspenseful latest entry in the Psy-Changeling Trinity series.
Review
Wolf Rain is the third of the second season Psy-Changeling Trinity series and the eighteenth in the overall series. This is a series that frequently ties into many earlier books by recurring characters and mentions of significant events in the past while still introducing new players and a plot is fresh.
Wolf Rain felt like a big shift in the series because it leaves the previous path of a secret organization attempting to overthrow the Trinity Accord and its leaders and focuses on a new twist in the Psy lore- dark E-talents- but also had a secondary series plot of the ongoing deterioration of the Psy people’s psychic net that keeps them alive and the clock ticking down until the Psy Net fails. I was not disappointed with this seemingly new direction because I can see how it had to be inserted for later future repercussions.
So, Alexei, one of the wolf changelings encounters a mysterious woman locked away in a bunker and carrying a dark psy talent. She has been in the grasp of a psychopath Psy who uses her gift for his own dark purposes since he killed her mother and stole her while she was a child. Memory is disgusted by her talent, but starts to pull together the shattered pieces of her life with the help of Alexei, Sascha, and other new friends she is making while determining that she will get vengeance on the one who took her and tried to break her. And, she will convince that stubborn, heart-broken wolf that he is hers.
Alexei has had to see his grandfather, father, and brother put down as rogue wolves and the women mated to them suffer and die of it. He grieves and hurts particularly the loss of his brother. He carries that gene and he will not perpetuate it even if he and his wolf side find feisty survivor, Memory, a bright and shining source of light in his life. There is an evil being out there who would do anything to get Memory back and a second out of control dark Psy who is hurting Arrows and Empaths like Memory. He may resist the mate bond, but he will protect her to his last breath.
Alexei and Memory’s story is not told in isolation and many regular characters as well as all the races are well represented. Caleb is given brief narration bits along with a mysterious afflicted Psy sprinkled throughout Alexie and Memory taking turns.
I swear the author specializes in showing the dark in the world and then showing how strong people, determined to do right and not let evil win find a way in both their ability to be together and their ability to thwart a powerful danger.
I like how the romance is there and developed well as are the pair as individuals, but that its part of a larger plot driving forward to an exciting series of suspenseful moments at the end of the book. There were friendship moments for both Alexei with his pack and Memory with other E-Psy and the Arrows, sensual times, fun and sad, but a couple big triumphs and a few twists. Just an all-around fantastic series entry.
If you’re new to the series, don’t be intimidated by the number of books. It’s so worth it for the paranormal romance fan.
My thanks to Berkley for the opportunity to review the book in exchange for an honest review.
Challenges Met
New Release #80
Books N Tunes #30 Rachel Platten’s Fight Song
Series
About Nalini Singh
I’ve been writing as long as I can remember and all of my stories always held a thread of romance (even when I was writing about a prince who could shoot lasers out of his eyes). I love creating unique characters, love giving them happy endings and I even love the voices in my head. There’s no other job I would rather be doing. In September 2002, when I got the call that Silhouette Desire wanted to buy my first book, Desert Warrior, it was a dream come true. I hope to continue living the dream until I keel over of old age on my keyboard.
I was born in Fiji and raised in New Zealand. I also spent three years living and working in Japan, during which time I took the chance to travel around Asia. I’m back in New Zealand now, but I’m always plotting new trips. If you’d like to see some of my travel snapshots, have a look at the Travel Diary page (updated every month).
So far, I’ve worked as a lawyer, a librarian, a candy factory general hand, a bank temp and an English teacher and not necessarily in that order. Some might call that inconsistency but I call it grist for the writer’s mill.
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Great review! I am listening right now. Almost done and I’m at the point I’m wondering if the two threats to Memory are intertwined somehow. I’m loving the book so far, but that does not surprise me as I love this series. I think the story lines were a great break from the mystery of who is trying to break up the Trinity Accord. Seeing all my favorite characters again was also fun. It was so good to be back in Snow Dancer and Dark River territories!
Yes, it felt like a big family reunion coming back to Snow Dancer territory. I liked the little break, too. 🙂
Oh Sophia Rose I love when an author brings back past characters and this author is on my list
It was like a big reunion. I loved it. 🙂 You’ve got a future treat in store, Debbie.
It’s been so long since I haven’t read one of her books… like years!
You’ve got some good ones still to look forward to. 🙂
Im going to have to read this series one day
Yes!!!! I think you must, Sharonda. 🙂
I’m glad to see you think it’s great. I’m back at the beginning and will get here. Sometime.
Some are better than others, but its a wonderful series. Can’t wait to see what you think of the ones you still have to read. 🙂
Glad this one was so strong for you. I started and need to continue. I’ve loved the ones I’ve read 🙂
Oh yes, I didn’t even notice the pages flying by. It will be fun to see what you think of the them when you get back to the series.
I need to get cracking on this series. So many books, so little time.
Haha! Book lovers mantra.
Okay… so it’s not me… I kept wondering what happened to the Consortium. Like, did I miss it getting resolved? I really enjoyed this one and loved the “familiar” feel of the story and location. Lovely review.
I was confused at first, too. Things were left off in that last book poised to go after the villain and then poof we’re here in a different setting and situation. 🙂
I saw this and thought about getting it but I haven’t read the whole Psi Changeling series so I thought I might be lost. It does sound interesting though.
Yeah, good call. This is one of those series that really does build as it goes even if the couples are new in each. I think you’d enjoy these, Mary.
I just posted my review for this one. Ack! I’m so behind. The wedding is behind me so now I can finally do some catching up! I loved this one, too, Sophia Rose! I agree, I think people shouldn’t let the number of books intimidate them from picking up the series. A lot is going on, but I think a lot of the books can be read sort of as a stand alone if you want to dive in. Loving this “season two”!
Yes, caught your thoughts and thought it was great that you dove in with the second season (glad I’m not the only one who takes them out of order now and then). Yeah, when series get into the double digits, its a harder sell to get me to start them, but some just are too compelling to resist.
When I read the title before opening up the review I wasn’t expecting a PNR 😉 But it does sound pretty good overall.
It does sound like a contemporary western or small town one. 🙂
I love when authors explore how strong people can be in the face of darkness. I haven’t read this series before. It sounds like a lot has happened before the events of Wolf Rain. I’ll have to check out book 1 to see what it’s about!
Yes, Nalini Singh writes a great character being strong in the face of adversity. Hope you get the chance at them, Crystal.
I’m listening to this now. I have about two hours left. I’m enjoying my time back with Snow Dancer.
Same here! It was the best reunion treat. I’m glad she did that. 🙂
I’ve only read Silver Silence by this author, but I loved it! I’ve been meaning to read more, but haven’t had a chance yet. I’m so happy this one was such a hit!
Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear?
Ah yes, the bears! Loved them, too. Hope you get to read more from the series, Lindsi.
I am so behind on this series. I have read the first six or something like that and really enjoyed them. I’m glad they are still going strong. One of these days, I will find the bag of books with several of the books that are lost in this house. I really don’t want to buy them again!
Oh yeah, you need to luck out and come across that bag. It must be driving you nuts to have books hiding from you. I know it does that to me. 🙂
This sounds like such a fantastic series! I love how you said the author shows how dark the world is, but also how strong people are. Very true to life! Excellent Review Sophia!
I waited a while to start this series, but it was so good and yes, other than the paranormal elements, these people feel real. Hope you get the chance some time, Lindy!
Sounds like an exciting read! It’s always satisfying if long running series keep going strong. I might check this series out eventually as it sounds interesting with all the psy powers. I also like the sound of how it has a couple and romance story, but also is part of a larger storyline. Great review!
Yes, it’s a longer one now, but so worth it. I have my favorites between the psy people and the changelings both. It goes in groups, it seems. Still very good after all this time. 🙂