A review by just_one_more_paige
Kiss of Snow by Nalini Singh

adventurous emotional tense 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? It's complicated

5.0

 
Two thirds of the way through this series and I finally got the story I've been waiting for since book one. I know myself pretty well, and I knew that Hawke was going to be a favorite of mine since his first appearance antagonizing Lucas, being snarky, and nursing a deep sorrow despite his outwardly strong, overbearing appearance. Basically, my favorite male lead in a romance personality type. So, I cheated and looked ahead until I found his book and I've been eagerly anticipating it since then. I clearly have a bit of a bias, but I have to say...it totally and completely lived up to my expectations. 
 
So, obviously, this is the SnowDancer alpha, Hawke's, story. He's intense, vicious when he needs to be as alpha, but with deep-seeded internal loss/grief that goes everywhere with him, and (of course) the big softie heart that only certain people get access to. And then there's Sienna, part of the Lauren family that SnowDancer took in when they defected from PsyNet instead of capitulating to an order for rehabilitation. Sienna has antagonized Hawke since day one, but in that way that indicates something more is behind it. But she came to SnowDancer as an adolescent, wreathed in Silence, and struggling to come to terms with her violent and uncontrollable gift, one that spells death for her and, eventually, everyone around her (and was trained to weapon-like precision by Ming before she defected). But now, Sienna is grown. Still young, but an adult. And a mature one, after the "childhood" she had. Hawke is hesitant to act on the pull between them, because of their age difference, but also because he knows he can't offer the mating bond to her, having lost it years ago. But despite all the reasons not to, Hawke and Sienna just cannot keep themselves apart. 
 
Let me just say, one more time, FINALLY. The tension and tenderness and passion between Hawke and Sienna lived up to the freaking wait to a level that I just couldn't get enough of. As in, I stayed up way too late and procrastinated way too much work in order to blast through it. I couldn't put it down. Hawke's intensity and carefulness in equal measure in interacting with Sienna squeezes my heart in all the good ways. And Sienna stands up to and challenges Hawke, not letting him get away with the overbearing-ness, with such fire. I love it. While there is an age difference, I felt like it was handled with quite a bit of care. And the development of Hawke beginning to respect Sienna as a woman and a strong adult and a real partner, because she demands it (as she should), while also being gentle with her as the ease together was just right. Plus, the way they have to actively choose/decide to be together and create their own bond, because the official mating may not be available to them, is a wonderful show of strength of connection. Ugh. I just loved them.  
 
Also, we got a bonus side romance here between Lara (SnowDancer healer) and Walker (Sienna's uncle/father figure) that was quieter, but honestly incredibly heart-warming. So sweet and I loved watching the second relationship developing alongside the primary one. I also was so into the friend connection between Kit and Sienna, it was youthful and fun, but also full and strong at the same time. And getting more into Sienna's connection with her brother, Toby, really hit me in the heartstrings (as an older sister of brother's myself). And, lastly, Lucas and Sascha have their baby (kinda spoiler, but if you got to this book, you knew it was coming, as she wasn't going to be pregnant forever) and I loved the way that was interwoven and moved certain relationships forwards.  
 
As far as the greater story of the Psy/human/changeling conflict, this book was a big one for moving it forwards. Basically, the war has begun. Henry's Psy faction (and allies) targets SnowDancer with quite a few attacks, so there is a lot of violence. Heads up for that. And by the end, there is a major confrontation with all the changeling packs and their allies and the Psy forces. Things get intense. (As to this ending, I'd like to point out that, in addition to the violence and the mating and the sex, there is also a really cool take on natural and biological failsafe’s that develop, as with all adaptations, over time, if given the space to do so without outside interference/limitation.) 
 
Anyways, this was a big one for me, for the overarching plot, as well as (and if I'm being honest, for me, primarily), the romance between Hawke and Sienna. So good. My absolute favorite of the series so far! 
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