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nisha_nee's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This is my very first paranormal romance (that I know of) and I could say that I had a jolly good time reading it. This has taken me longer before getting into the story, which I think is understandable since this is the first book, in a new world and unfamiliar genre. So, as a noob in the subgenre, I am no master of what overused tropes are in this, and I think this contributed to my enjoyment since I'm not that jaded (yet) with the first stories I'm sampling. If you are a beginner like me, this book and series can be your gateway for the PNR genre since I'm getting much interested in trying out other works after reading this. Once I got and know the simple rules and basics in this new world, it was very simplistic, to be honest, in that it is not that complicated like I see other high fantasy books out there but still very enjoyable. I loved the characters so much, I am attached to them now and am looking forward to reading the next books and couples. However, I'm a little bit hesitant in ending this first book because I really loved this couple and I feel sad parting ways with them. I just hope that we're still given updates, cameos, or appearances in the next book.
As for the actual story itself, I did not bother trying to guess what plot twist there is or what the explanation to the mystery behind Sascha, because I was just in it for the ride baby! haha. I just wanted my time reading this to be enjoyable as possible, so no need to get so analytic. The villain and some plot twists were somehow predictable but that did not hinder my enjoyment either.
As for the actual story itself, I did not bother trying to guess what plot twist there is or what the explanation to the mystery behind Sascha, because I was just in it for the ride baby! haha. I just wanted my time reading this to be enjoyable as possible, so no need to get so analytic. The villain and some plot twists were somehow predictable but that did not hinder my enjoyment either.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Murder
sophiabarth's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Suicide
rorikae's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
'Slave to Sensation' by Nalini Singh is an engaging paranormal romance with a mystery at its center.
This is the first installment in the Psy-Changeling series, which takes place on an Earth where there are three different groups of people. These are the Psy, who have psychic powers and have ensconced themselves in the Silence to suppress all of their emotions, there are changelings who can shift into different animals, and then there are humans. 'Slave to Sensation' centers on Sascha Duncan, a Psy who believes she is falling apart because she is unable to completely shut out her emotions like other Psy. When she is assigned to help with a building project, she meets Lucas Hunter, an alpha changeling. Her emotions begin to crack further as she starts to feel drawn to Lucas and as she is drawn into a mystery. There is a Psy serial killer abducting changeling women and Sascha's link to the PsyNet may be the one way that they can solve this mystery and stop any future changelings from being hunted.
I absolutely love the world in this book. Singh does an exceptional job of introducing a politically complex world but in an easy to understand way. One thing that helps is that it is set on Earth and familiar places, which means that the reader can focus on the relationships and politics of the world. Getting to learn about this through her character's interactions does a great job of making the reader interested both in the world and the characters themselves.
I am finding that the romances I enjoy best are those that have a really strong plot outside of the romance element and that is definitely true for 'Slave to Sensation.' The reader gets to uncover a lot about the characters as Singh expands their relationships through the main mystery of the story. Though the beginning was a bit slow, when the mystery element and investigation started to heat up, I found it really hard to put this book down. The one hiccup with the mystery is that there aren't that many people who are possible suspects, which makes it a little easy to figure out though that didn't stop Singh's set-up from being engaging.
The one downside for this story for me is that Lucas is very alpha and that isn't something that I love in books. He's very possessive and though him being a changeling explains this away in some respects, it was the part of the book that I enjoyed the least.
I do love this world though and will definitely be reading more in this series. I can't wait to see what happens next because I have heard that Singh does an exceptional job of incorporating what is happening in the world in each book.
This is the first installment in the Psy-Changeling series, which takes place on an Earth where there are three different groups of people. These are the Psy, who have psychic powers and have ensconced themselves in the Silence to suppress all of their emotions, there are changelings who can shift into different animals, and then there are humans. 'Slave to Sensation' centers on Sascha Duncan, a Psy who believes she is falling apart because she is unable to completely shut out her emotions like other Psy. When she is assigned to help with a building project, she meets Lucas Hunter, an alpha changeling. Her emotions begin to crack further as she starts to feel drawn to Lucas and as she is drawn into a mystery. There is a Psy serial killer abducting changeling women and Sascha's link to the PsyNet may be the one way that they can solve this mystery and stop any future changelings from being hunted.
I absolutely love the world in this book. Singh does an exceptional job of introducing a politically complex world but in an easy to understand way. One thing that helps is that it is set on Earth and familiar places, which means that the reader can focus on the relationships and politics of the world. Getting to learn about this through her character's interactions does a great job of making the reader interested both in the world and the characters themselves.
I am finding that the romances I enjoy best are those that have a really strong plot outside of the romance element and that is definitely true for 'Slave to Sensation.' The reader gets to uncover a lot about the characters as Singh expands their relationships through the main mystery of the story. Though the beginning was a bit slow, when the mystery element and investigation started to heat up, I found it really hard to put this book down. The one hiccup with the mystery is that there aren't that many people who are possible suspects, which makes it a little easy to figure out though that didn't stop Singh's set-up from being engaging.
The one downside for this story for me is that Lucas is very alpha and that isn't something that I love in books. He's very possessive and though him being a changeling explains this away in some respects, it was the part of the book that I enjoyed the least.
I do love this world though and will definitely be reading more in this series. I can't wait to see what happens next because I have heard that Singh does an exceptional job of incorporating what is happening in the world in each book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
carissa230's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Sascha Duncan is a psy, she is supposed to be free from feelings. Sascha feels like she is losing her mind, because she is different. Lucas Hunter is a changeling, his people are very passionate. When they team up to make a business deal the connection is fast and fierce.
Sascha believed what she has been told, not having feelings makes a better person. They are free from crime, because they do not feel. When she starts working with Lucas she learns that there is a serial killer among the psy. Since they have a hive mind the people in charge know, but are keeping it secret.
The book was ok. It didn't have much to stand out to me for the long run.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Violence
rissahoo's review against another edition
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Sasha and Luke get the series off to a strong start but it’s hard to figure out what to highlight about this novel. Singh sets up her formula right away and sticks to it throughout the series. This is a solid execution of that formula but not a standout otherwise. Characterizations are uneven; for example, are we really supposed to hate Nikita because she’s smart, ambitious, and ruthless? Is asserting “rumors about her skill with mental viruses” intended as misdirection or is it supposed to establish that she really is as awful as Sasha thinks she is?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Torture, Violence, and Abandonment