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pamgodwin's review
5.0
A world war is building between the Psy (a race of people void of emotion) and the Changelings (packs of sentimental shape-shifters: wolves, cats, hawks, rats, creatures of the sea, etc).
The Psy torture their children to destroy every whisper of feeling, for they believe it's a weakness. They want a silent world, under their control. The Changelings won't have it.
There are mini-battles throughout all the books and you can smell the cold fire thickening the air. The character cast so massive and the intricacies in the plot so complex, Singh could spend the rest of her career on just this series (please don't--your Guild Hunter series is one of my favs).
Sci-fi and paranormal on the cutting edge, each book is a dark yet erotic portrait of the varying personalities in this supernatural world. Evocatively, stylistically, and sensually captivating, this unique futuristic series of fairy tales work on every level. The sex scenes are pure magic.
This review applies to the first eleven books in the series (all of which I've given 5 stars). Kiss of Snow (#10) is my favorite.
Slave to Sensation
Visions of Heat
Caressed by Ice
Mine to Possess
Hostage to Pleasure
Branded by Fire
Blaze of Memory
Bonds of Justice
Play of Passion
Kiss of Snow
Tangle of Need
The Psy torture their children to destroy every whisper of feeling, for they believe it's a weakness. They want a silent world, under their control. The Changelings won't have it.
There are mini-battles throughout all the books and you can smell the cold fire thickening the air. The character cast so massive and the intricacies in the plot so complex, Singh could spend the rest of her career on just this series (please don't--your Guild Hunter series is one of my favs).
Sci-fi and paranormal on the cutting edge, each book is a dark yet erotic portrait of the varying personalities in this supernatural world. Evocatively, stylistically, and sensually captivating, this unique futuristic series of fairy tales work on every level. The sex scenes are pure magic.
This review applies to the first eleven books in the series (all of which I've given 5 stars). Kiss of Snow (#10) is my favorite.
Slave to Sensation
Visions of Heat
Caressed by Ice
Mine to Possess
Hostage to Pleasure
Branded by Fire
Blaze of Memory
Bonds of Justice
Play of Passion
Kiss of Snow
Tangle of Need
tani's review
3.0
When Dev, leader of the Forgotten, finds a battered and amnesiac Psy on his doorstep, it's a foregone conclusion that it's a trap. The wise choice would be to kill her immediately, and let nothing threaten the people that he leads. However, there's something about her, something that calls out to him, despite his attempts to leave his emotions behind. Perhaps, instead, he can use her to gain more information on the Psy and whatever they're planning next. Anything to protect his people, after all. He can always kill her later, once he finds out whatever she knows...
This book takes a bit of a sidestep from the Changelings, and instead features Dev and Katya, two characters that have made only passing appearances in previous books. I wasn't sure what to expect from that change of pace, and it turns out, I got a romance that just didn't work that well for me. Dev is only our second hero who isn't a Changeling, and that difference made some of the quirks of Singh's storytelling really stand out to me. I can grant that a Changeling would be possessive. I could even grant that Judd would be as well, given his past. But with Dev, it just grated on me the wrong way. He was too alpha, and without the excuse of any kind of mating bond. Plus, given the uncertainty of the whole situation, the way he was hot and cold with Katya really bothered me. So, my enjoyment of the book definitely suffered thanks to that failure.
On the other hand, I did really like Katya as a protagonist. She's resourceful and determined, but also terribly wounded and vulnerable, and I was definitely rooting for her all along. I wasn't really sure what to expect from her, but she absolutely exceeded my expectations. I hope we get to see much more of her in future books because I will certainly miss her sharp mind and emotional depth.
The book also does quite a bit to deepen the history of the series, explaining in much more depth the origins of Silence, the price that was paid for it, and the reason that so many were willing to pay that price. I appreciate the way that there are no easy answers here. The Forgotten resistance has not been easy, and that is certainly highlighted in this book. In fact, the Forgotten still debate whether they did the right thing, and whether they should follow in the path of the pure Psy. I felt like the complexity of the world-building was really on display in this book, and I am excited to see where that goes in the rest of the series.
This book takes a bit of a sidestep from the Changelings, and instead features Dev and Katya, two characters that have made only passing appearances in previous books. I wasn't sure what to expect from that change of pace, and it turns out, I got a romance that just didn't work that well for me. Dev is only our second hero who isn't a Changeling, and that difference made some of the quirks of Singh's storytelling really stand out to me. I can grant that a Changeling would be possessive. I could even grant that Judd would be as well, given his past. But with Dev, it just grated on me the wrong way. He was too alpha, and without the excuse of any kind of mating bond. Plus, given the uncertainty of the whole situation, the way he was hot and cold with Katya really bothered me. So, my enjoyment of the book definitely suffered thanks to that failure.
On the other hand, I did really like Katya as a protagonist. She's resourceful and determined, but also terribly wounded and vulnerable, and I was definitely rooting for her all along. I wasn't really sure what to expect from her, but she absolutely exceeded my expectations. I hope we get to see much more of her in future books because I will certainly miss her sharp mind and emotional depth.
The book also does quite a bit to deepen the history of the series, explaining in much more depth the origins of Silence, the price that was paid for it, and the reason that so many were willing to pay that price. I appreciate the way that there are no easy answers here. The Forgotten resistance has not been easy, and that is certainly highlighted in this book. In fact, the Forgotten still debate whether they did the right thing, and whether they should follow in the path of the pure Psy. I felt like the complexity of the world-building was really on display in this book, and I am excited to see where that goes in the rest of the series.
yaren_98's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Death, Death of parent, Kidnapping, and Torture
romancejunkie1025's review
5.0
OMG the tears... this is the first time i have ever wanted to kill Ms. Singh for almost 30 pages as i balled my eyes out, and isnt that the real sign of a good author the ability to make you cry, yearn and scream out for the happy ending you want. This story will pull you in and not let you go until the end. Worth every millisecond of reading time.
bonzaklibo's review
2.0
How come every time Singh writes a hero of color there's still some random white guy on the cover? He's not even good looking! What the heck publisher?? Did y'all even read the book???
fishgirl182's review
2.0
I was a bit disappointed in this one. First of all, I think this is one of the first books where the main characters are not part of the core Psy-Changeling groups we are used to. Dev and Katya both appeared in previous books but there wasn't much buildup to this one and I was surprised that they were getting their own story. After reading Branded By Fire I was sure it was going to be Hawke's story but I guess Singh wanted to save it for later.
Dev was an interesting character but underdeveloped. He has this interesting new power with metals but we don't learn much about it or what he can do with it. He also blows very hot and cold. He hates Katya at first but then he falls madly in love with her. Katya wasn't the strongest character, either. I don't really blame her after the terrible ordeal she went through but I would have liked to see more of her bad ass side at times. I know this is a romance book and they're often not that realistic but in this case I found it especially so. I am not sure what their relationship is based on except for Katya's need for protection and Dev's affinity for abused women.
Another thing that bothered me was the solution to Katya's "death." It was a little too easy. I mean, she's basically dying and then these kids suddenly have the power to heal brains? Where did that come from? I am sure it will come up later in the series but it came out of nowhere in this book. So not my favorite book but I still enjoy the series and will continue with the next one.
Dev was an interesting character but underdeveloped. He has this interesting new power with metals but we don't learn much about it or what he can do with it. He also blows very hot and cold. He hates Katya at first but then he falls madly in love with her. Katya wasn't the strongest character, either. I don't really blame her after the terrible ordeal she went through but I would have liked to see more of her bad ass side at times. I know this is a romance book and they're often not that realistic but in this case I found it especially so. I am not sure what their relationship is based on except for Katya's need for protection and Dev's affinity for abused women.
Another thing that bothered me was the solution to Katya's "death." It was a little too easy. I mean, she's basically dying and then these kids suddenly have the power to heal brains? Where did that come from? I am sure it will come up later in the series but it came out of nowhere in this book. So not my favorite book but I still enjoy the series and will continue with the next one.
bookloverchelle's review
4.0
Dev knows that the woman he found on his property with no memories is trouble but something about her makes him give her a chance anyway. Katya is slowly gaining her memories back and it's not good. She knows that she will cause trouble for Dev but what her handlers didn't realize is that Katya has goodness down to her core. She will fight the instincts that have been embedded in her to help Dev and the other Psy's and Changeling's. Another great read in the Psy-Changeling series from Nalini Singh. I love how strong she made Katya even though she was starting with a disadvantage (amnesia) and how Dev respected her strength and helped her to realize her full strength. There were a number of secondary characters from earlier books so understanding the overarching storyline may be confusing without those but it's a great continuation of a fun, sexy series!
angels_gp17's review against another edition
3.0
~3.5 Blaze Stars ~
Blaze of Memory is book seven in Nalini Singh Psy-Changeling series. I have to say this is my least favorite book so far in this series. I had so much trouble getting into this one and was confused at the begging on who Dev was. I finally figured it out! We get a little action really not a lot, some bedroom scenes and a plot to take out the head of Shine.
This book could have been more. Dev has some cool abilities, but he only uses them once. It made no sense to give him abilities if he never uses them. In all the previous books the Psy powers are on full display. Katya is strong, determined, but she struggles with her own brain, which what was done to her is understandable. I also did not get why they had to go north? Nothing came from it unless you count the time as a why to grow the characters more into a relationship.
There where a few things I did like about this book that kept me going. One was the letters to Matthew from the Petrokov Family Archives. It was nice to read the past and see how it affected those in the Psy net before Silence came to be. I also enjoyed learning more about the Forgotten. Last I liked the cameo appearance from Judd and Lucas/Sascha. The ending was wonderful and a tear came to my eye.
For the most part I was reading just to get to the end and move onto the next book in the series. It does have some good points to it and helps use see more into the Forgotten, but Blaze of Memory was just ok for me. As for the series I enjoy Nalini Singh's writing and the interracial realtionships she creates!
Audio 2021: Back in 2018 I tried to listen to the CD, but had issues and stopped listening. I just couldn't get into the story and the pace was/is slow going. Now it's 2021 and I gave the digital audiobook a try. I actually enjoyed Blaze of Memory. Things made a bit more scenes this time around. Though I do wish we had gotten more books with the Forgotten. This is the only book with a main that is a Forgotten. The overall ARC continues with the issues in the web and the council wanting control. It's still not a favorite, but I got a bit more out of the novel this time around. Angela Dawe is wonderful narrator and I enjoyed her narration for this novel and the series.
Blaze of Memory is book seven in Nalini Singh Psy-Changeling series. I have to say this is my least favorite book so far in this series. I had so much trouble getting into this one and was confused at the begging on who Dev was. I finally figured it out! We get a little action really not a lot, some bedroom scenes and a plot to take out the head of Shine.
This book could have been more. Dev has some cool abilities, but he only uses them once. It made no sense to give him abilities if he never uses them. In all the previous books the Psy powers are on full display. Katya is strong, determined, but she struggles with her own brain, which what was done to her is understandable. I also did not get why they had to go north? Nothing came from it unless you count the time as a why to grow the characters more into a relationship.
There where a few things I did like about this book that kept me going. One was the letters to Matthew from the Petrokov Family Archives. It was nice to read the past and see how it affected those in the Psy net before Silence came to be. I also enjoyed learning more about the Forgotten. Last I liked the cameo appearance from Judd and Lucas/Sascha. The ending was wonderful and a tear came to my eye.
For the most part I was reading just to get to the end and move onto the next book in the series. It does have some good points to it and helps use see more into the Forgotten, but Blaze of Memory was just ok for me. As for the series I enjoy Nalini Singh's writing and the interracial realtionships she creates!
Audio 2021: Back in 2018 I tried to listen to the CD, but had issues and stopped listening. I just couldn't get into the story and the pace was/is slow going. Now it's 2021 and I gave the digital audiobook a try. I actually enjoyed Blaze of Memory. Things made a bit more scenes this time around. Though I do wish we had gotten more books with the Forgotten. This is the only book with a main that is a Forgotten. The overall ARC continues with the issues in the web and the council wanting control. It's still not a favorite, but I got a bit more out of the novel this time around. Angela Dawe is wonderful narrator and I enjoyed her narration for this novel and the series.
tessisreading2's review
4.0
I didn't expect to like this one as much as I did - it stars a couple of minor characters and an area of the Psy-Changeling universe I didn't find particularly interesting - but the strength of the romance and the detail of the plot carried it through. This is something I really admire about the series; I think Singh has a definite vision in mind for where she's going with this particular universe, and she's writing that story - she's creating something rather than going for the easy-out version so many romance writers embrace, where they settle on a section of their story that their readers enjoy which is easy to crank out on a regular basis. (No shade here, it's a valid career decision. But these books are just a step beyond.)
No love for the cover, though, which features some dude who looks like an eighties cop show extra and bears no resemblance to any character in the story.
No love for the cover, though, which features some dude who looks like an eighties cop show extra and bears no resemblance to any character in the story.