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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
So, Nalini Singh is my absolute favourite writers, not just one of my favourites but the absolute best (the only ones she shares the 1st place are Ilona Andrew). She is the reason why I started to read in English and her writing just speak to my soul in a way no other author can.
Whenever I judge and rate her her books is always in respect to other books she wrote, not realy based on anyone else's because I just feel like they go beyond the rating.
So, did I enjoy this book? Yes, I loved it.
And as always, I love how each book of the Psy-Changeling series has it's own plot yet at the same time deepen our understanding of this complex (and always shifting) complicated world. there is always more going on, more shades that help us understand the problems of the Psy-net, the difficulties of the political climate, new relationship and the strenghtening of old-ones. All of which, enrichened by a vast cast of character all of them complex, different from one another yet all with their won strenght. And I genuinely LOVED how in this book it was finally shed more light on the Anchors, the way they see the Psy-Net, how they were affected by Silence and their struggles in facing the Psy-Net current situation while simukltaneously having to fight for their right to be herd and considered by other Psy.
And Canto and Payal were just perfect for this, both strong and stubborn, each with their flaws and fears and their inability to just let go of one another. They both fought, in their own way, for the other and they complimented each other where it's needed.
So yeah, this book was an absolute great read.
So, why didn't I give it a full 5 stars? Well, to be honest, I feel like this Nalini's latest books (this one included, obviously) are becoming a bit less sizzling in the chemistry department. And with this I mean that, while I can feel the deep emotional connection of the characters, and see their own development throughout the book, I feel like the sexual tension between them is getting weaker.
Now, her books were never erotica, so they were never full of sex scenes, but throughout the story you could still feel the sexual tension between each couple sizzling and ready to snap at every interaction, ready to burn hot and fiery. And the emotional connection between the character just fueled the sexual tension, making it run hotter.
Whereas her lates book don't have that feeling anymore, they feel tamer and while they remain absolutely amazing, it feels like they lost an edge. Especially because it's not like the books lost the sexual attraction to add or deepend other aspects of the story. in fact, quite frankly, the other books were able to tick all the same boxes (complex and interesting plot, deepen an understanding of the Psy-changeling world while simulatenously changing some of its dynamics, deep emotional connection between the couple, amazing cast of secondary character...etc...).
I feel like Last Guard as lost an edge even compared to books of this series I enjoyed less (ex: Mine to Possess) and the reason why I rate it better isn't really because I feel it's superior but simply because I liked the main characters more (to be clear, I think Tally and Clay are just as well written and developed as Canto and Payal, I just didn't like them as much as I usually do the characters/couples of this series).
Anyway, the book and this series in genral is great and I definetely recommend it.
Whenever I judge and rate her her books is always in respect to other books she wrote, not realy based on anyone else's because I just feel like they go beyond the rating.
So, did I enjoy this book? Yes, I loved it.
And as always, I love how each book of the Psy-Changeling series has it's own plot yet at the same time deepen our understanding of this complex (and always shifting) complicated world. there is always more going on, more shades that help us understand the problems of the Psy-net, the difficulties of the political climate, new relationship and the strenghtening of old-ones. All of which, enrichened by a vast cast of character all of them complex, different from one another yet all with their won strenght. And I genuinely LOVED how in this book it was finally shed more light on the Anchors, the way they see the Psy-Net, how they were affected by Silence and their struggles in facing the Psy-Net current situation while simukltaneously having to fight for their right to be herd and considered by other Psy.
And Canto and Payal were just perfect for this, both strong and stubborn, each with their flaws and fears and their inability to just let go of one another. They both fought, in their own way, for the other and they complimented each other where it's needed.
So yeah, this book was an absolute great read.
So, why didn't I give it a full 5 stars? Well, to be honest, I feel like this Nalini's latest books (this one included, obviously) are becoming a bit less sizzling in the chemistry department. And with this I mean that, while I can feel the deep emotional connection of the characters, and see their own development throughout the book, I feel like the sexual tension between them is getting weaker.
Now, her books were never erotica, so they were never full of sex scenes, but throughout the story you could still feel the sexual tension between each couple sizzling and ready to snap at every interaction, ready to burn hot and fiery. And the emotional connection between the character just fueled the sexual tension, making it run hotter.
Whereas her lates book don't have that feeling anymore, they feel tamer and while they remain absolutely amazing, it feels like they lost an edge. Especially because it's not like the books lost the sexual attraction to add or deepend other aspects of the story. in fact, quite frankly, the other books were able to tick all the same boxes (complex and interesting plot, deepen an understanding of the Psy-changeling world while simulatenously changing some of its dynamics, deep emotional connection between the couple, amazing cast of secondary character...etc...).
I feel like Last Guard as lost an edge even compared to books of this series I enjoyed less (ex: Mine to Possess) and the reason why I rate it better isn't really because I feel it's superior but simply because I liked the main characters more (to be clear, I think Tally and Clay are just as well written and developed as Canto and Payal, I just didn't like them as much as I usually do the characters/couples of this series).
Anyway, the book and this series in genral is great and I definetely recommend it.
emotional
inspiring
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I liked this one, and kudos to Singh for going outside the box. I hope to see more of this and am so excited for storm echo!
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Wow that one was rough but I loved it and this series is getting more and more intriguing... I'm looking forward to where it goes next for damn sure.
Nalini Singh is back with another exciting installment in the Psy-Changeling world. I’ve been a fan of the series for many years and I always look forward to a new book. This is true with Last Guard, the fifth book in the spin-off series Psy-Changeling Trinity.
This time around we focus on two Psy. The Psy are emotionless beings, but with silence gone some are waking up. I’m not a big fan of the Psy; because of this emotionless state, but this time around I enjoyed diving more into the Psy world. The author introduces use to a new designation, the anchors, which are a unique designation. We know nothing about them, but we get to explore that aspect and learning more about the virus that is affecting the Psy net.
The romance is a slow build, as expected, but it burns bright. I enjoyed Payal and Canto’s budding relationship. They were cute together even while still having spines of steel.
One of the things I really enjoyed in this installment is Canto and his disability. The Psy are known for removing those that aren’t perfect. It was a pleasant surprise to learn about him and see that his family, the Mercant’s, never saw him as less. It’s a powerful read and/or listen.
Singh’s writing is one of my favorites. She builds the world and characters bring out all the details and never skimping. The world has and still continues to blossom.
Audio: Angela Dawe continues to impress me with her voices. I was captivated from begging to end and enjoyed listening to Last Guard. The voices are distinctive and unique. The pace is consistent. I highly recommend the audiobook!
Last Guard was a compelling listen. I loved returning to the world and I look forward to the next installment. You can never go wrong with a Nalini Singh Psy-Changeling book.
Rated: 4.5 Stars
This time around we focus on two Psy. The Psy are emotionless beings, but with silence gone some are waking up. I’m not a big fan of the Psy; because of this emotionless state, but this time around I enjoyed diving more into the Psy world. The author introduces use to a new designation, the anchors, which are a unique designation. We know nothing about them, but we get to explore that aspect and learning more about the virus that is affecting the Psy net.
The romance is a slow build, as expected, but it burns bright. I enjoyed Payal and Canto’s budding relationship. They were cute together even while still having spines of steel.
One of the things I really enjoyed in this installment is Canto and his disability. The Psy are known for removing those that aren’t perfect. It was a pleasant surprise to learn about him and see that his family, the Mercant’s, never saw him as less. It’s a powerful read and/or listen.
Singh’s writing is one of my favorites. She builds the world and characters bring out all the details and never skimping. The world has and still continues to blossom.
Audio: Angela Dawe continues to impress me with her voices. I was captivated from begging to end and enjoyed listening to Last Guard. The voices are distinctive and unique. The pace is consistent. I highly recommend the audiobook!
Last Guard was a compelling listen. I loved returning to the world and I look forward to the next installment. You can never go wrong with a Nalini Singh Psy-Changeling book.
Rated: 4.5 Stars
I received an advance copy from and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
Nalini Singh is one of those paranormal romance authors who, as their series get longer, still focus on great world-building and a variety of main characters, instead of returning to the same well over and over again. The Last Guard is no exception.
Payal is the heir to the Rao family, but only as long as she keeps battling her psychopathic brother for her father's amusement. Canto Mercant is nearly invisible, part of the powerful and insular Mercant family, but physically disabledin a way that most Psy families would not have allowed. In addition to his physical disability, Silence never stuck with him, as he used his personal shields to protect a secret Mercant Empath.
While the first arc of Psy-Changeling books was about the Psy escaping Silence and the Net falling, the new arc of the last few books is about the new worlds and psychic networks that are rising from the ashes. While the Psy-Net still stands, the Anchors who support it are slowly dying and not being replaced, putting an unsustainable amount of pressure on the remaining Anchors... including Payal and Canto.
Bound by a secret trauma, the perfect Rao scion and the forgotten Mercant must work together to save not only themselves, but the entire Psy-Net from a creeping rot that aims to destabilize and kill the Net. But Anchors hav never had the power to speak out, and only Payal has the standing to speak up for them, claiming a place at the table of this new world alongside Empaths, Psy, humans, and changelings. If the Anchors aren't supported, Psy will die. But if Payal gives in to the feelings she doesn't want to admit to for Canto, will she lose the control she so desperately needs in order to survive her family?
I really, really enjoyed this entry in the Psy-Changeling books-- this year alone, I've read 14, and they've gotten better as they've expanded their setting and characters. Payal is clearly neurodivergent, and Canto's disbility and the treatment of it is one that hasn't been clearly explored in the books before. Not only are the characters new, the Rao family's compound is in India, opening a new setting up beyond just San Francisco and Moscow. While I won't recommend this to readers new to the series, I'll happily recommend it to readers who may have fallen away during the last story arc.
Nalini Singh is one of those paranormal romance authors who, as their series get longer, still focus on great world-building and a variety of main characters, instead of returning to the same well over and over again. The Last Guard is no exception.
Payal is the heir to the Rao family, but only as long as she keeps battling her psychopathic brother for her father's amusement. Canto Mercant is nearly invisible, part of the powerful and insular Mercant family, but physically disabledin a way that most Psy families would not have allowed. In addition to his physical disability, Silence never stuck with him, as he used his personal shields to protect a secret Mercant Empath.
While the first arc of Psy-Changeling books was about the Psy escaping Silence and the Net falling, the new arc of the last few books is about the new worlds and psychic networks that are rising from the ashes. While the Psy-Net still stands, the Anchors who support it are slowly dying and not being replaced, putting an unsustainable amount of pressure on the remaining Anchors... including Payal and Canto.
Bound by a secret trauma, the perfect Rao scion and the forgotten Mercant must work together to save not only themselves, but the entire Psy-Net from a creeping rot that aims to destabilize and kill the Net. But Anchors hav never had the power to speak out, and only Payal has the standing to speak up for them, claiming a place at the table of this new world alongside Empaths, Psy, humans, and changelings. If the Anchors aren't supported, Psy will die. But if Payal gives in to the feelings she doesn't want to admit to for Canto, will she lose the control she so desperately needs in order to survive her family?
I really, really enjoyed this entry in the Psy-Changeling books-- this year alone, I've read 14, and they've gotten better as they've expanded their setting and characters. Payal is clearly neurodivergent, and Canto's disbility and the treatment of it is one that hasn't been clearly explored in the books before. Not only are the characters new, the Rao family's compound is in India, opening a new setting up beyond just San Francisco and Moscow. While I won't recommend this to readers new to the series, I'll happily recommend it to readers who may have fallen away during the last story arc.
All the feels, I am truly enjoying these, and every time I think that I want to start the whole series from book 1. But that is 19 books ago, yikes. But still, they always make me want to re-read (and well read those periods ones I have not read, 10 books ago.) And definitely listen because Angela Dawe is amazing.
Ok, so obvi this is book 5 of trinity, but before trinity there was 14 other books. Getting free from Silence, and after Silence. The psychic field that holds the Psy together is crumbling, and forces are tying to tear it all down. A lot going on, start from book 1, or start from book 15. The ride is worth it.
In this one Canto, an A psy is trying to bring As together because they are the Anchors that hold everything together. He meets Payal and awww, all the feels.
Canto is so not a child of silence. He was not like other Psy. Payal has all her shields up and is the perfect Psy robot.
Lost of talking, lots of falling, lots of trying to fix their world. Some bears, and some danger. The perfect book.
I did not want to stop listening.
Angela Dawe is amazing, she truly makes these for me. Paranormal romance is perfect for listening and she does it so well. Distinct voices and accents, the coldness of the Psy and the warmth of changelings.
Ok, so obvi this is book 5 of trinity, but before trinity there was 14 other books. Getting free from Silence, and after Silence. The psychic field that holds the Psy together is crumbling, and forces are tying to tear it all down. A lot going on, start from book 1, or start from book 15. The ride is worth it.
In this one Canto, an A psy is trying to bring As together because they are the Anchors that hold everything together. He meets Payal and awww, all the feels.
Canto is so not a child of silence. He was not like other Psy. Payal has all her shields up and is the perfect Psy robot.
Lost of talking, lots of falling, lots of trying to fix their world. Some bears, and some danger. The perfect book.
I did not want to stop listening.
Angela Dawe is amazing, she truly makes these for me. Paranormal romance is perfect for listening and she does it so well. Distinct voices and accents, the coldness of the Psy and the warmth of changelings.