Heart of Obsidian by Nalini Singh – a Review
Links to order Heart of Obsidian:
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Description:
A dangerous, volatile rebel, hands stained bloodred.
A woman whose very existence has been erased.
A love story so dark, it may shatter the world itself.
A deadly price that must be paid.
The day of reckoning is here.
From “the alpha author of paranormal romance” (Booklist) comes the most highly anticipated novel of her career—one that blurs the line between madness and genius, between subjugation and liberation, between the living and the dead.
Review:
Heart of Obsidian by Nalini Singh is the 12th book in her Psy/Changeling series. My favorite book in the series (I love them all), was a tie between Slave to Sensation & Kiss of Snow. Notice I said was, though it is close. I never thought I would love a book just as good or better with the hero being Kaleb Krychek, especially in competition with Hawke or Lucas. But Heart of Obsidian was simply amazing. Nalini Singh continues to prove that she is a master storyteller, and in this book she has created a fantastic masterpiece.
Heart of Obsidian is Kaleb Krychek’s story, as we knew it would be after the end of Tangle of Need. We did not know who was the woman he had found, and what did she mean to him? We learn early that Sahara Kyriakus (Nightstar) was that woman, someone deep in his past, who turned out to be a fantastic heroine. This book belongs to Kaleb and Sahara, in so many ways.
The book picks up immediately after Tangle of Need, with Sahara transported to Kaleb’s home, where he slowly tries to get her out of a labyrinth shell, which she herself put together during her 7 years in captivity. Right away you are surprised how gentle, but firm Kaleb is with Sahara. We know from the start she is important to him, but Sahara does not remember Kaleb. This is a surprise, as Kaleb has always came across as the most powerful psy; cold, calculating, and extremely dangerous. With Sahara we begin to see a different side of Kaleb, and Nalini does such wonderful job in salvaging him.
This is not to say that Sahara wasn’t equally as wonderful as Kaleb. She was awesome, and possibly one of the best heroines in this series. As Sahara begins to heal, and trust Kaleb, she sees his inner darkness, and knows how dangerous he is. But she also sees the goodness in him and together they will discover each other, as their love grows, and each will heal in their own way. Kaleb loves Sahara, as he knows she is the only person who can save him. This was such a beautiful romance, with two damaged people, who lost and found each other.
It is Sahara who will get Kaleb to reveal his past, and how he came to be what he is. We learn the horrifying truth of Kaleb being trained by the evil Santano Enrique, and the things he had to endure. Sahara uses her memory of the young Kaleb, to help show him not everything is dark, and the light inside him is their love. The fact that Nalini can get us to care about Kaleb is something, but we got to love him, as much or more then many of the other psy/changeling heroes. Since all the heroes in this series are awesome, this was an amazing feat by Nalini.
Kaleb and Sahara’s romance is so emotional on every level. As always, the sex scenes were hot and steamy, but there were some added elements of humor that were funny. For example, when Kaleb professed to be a virgin, and after they had hot and heavy sex, Sahara asked him how he knew what to do, or if he tested on someone. He offered to share his research on the internet for her to read. Lol
Besides this wonderful romance that pulled on our heart strings, not to mention the intensity, Heart of Obsidian continued the ongoing civil war with the Pure Psy against the Psy Council and Changelings. Kaleb was the hero throughout, working with his Arrows to save many people from the destruction being done by the Pure Psy. Though there was a constant worry that Kaleb had other plans, & the extent he would he go to control the Psy net.
We get to see some of our other favorites like Aden, Vasic, Judd, Mercy, Faith, Vaughn, Nikita, Anthony, and briefly Hawke and Lucas. There was a lot of intense action throughout, with all the factions helping one another to fight the evil Pure Psy.
The ending was very exciting, with some resolution, as it is a game changer. However, much is left open to see how this change will affect the Psy & Changelings, and most of all…Silence. There is so much more to learn, and more enemies to defeat, but I can’t wait for what Nalini has in store for us as she reaches the final few books to end this arc.
Will Silence survive? Will Sahara be able to keep the darkness inside of Kaleb in control? Did we learn who is Ghost? Yes, we did, but you will have to read this book to find out who it is.
Heart of Obsidian is an emotional roller coaster, very intense, exciting, and an amazing romance. It is this romance that totally surprised me, being so beautiful, so much emotion, and very passionate. I can’t say enough of Nalini Singh, who has become one of my top favorite authors, how great a writer she is. Not only can she take a character seemingly unredeemable, dangerous and make him someone we would fall in love with; but she continues to amaze me how she keeps all the details of this complex world so precise, flawless and brings us to an exciting climax still to come. Bravo Nalini, you outdid yourself in this book!
Reviewed by Barb
Wonderful review Barb. I know you LOVE the Psy/Changling series.
Terrific review, Barb. I love this series too. I bought the book the other day, but havne’t had time to read. Nalini is a wonderful author. I am so glad I discovered her here.
Very nice review. I am trying to catch up on this series, only in book 4 right now. Great series. Thanks to TRC for telling us about Nalini Singh. When I finish this, I’ll look into her Guild Hunters series.
Great review Barb. I haven’t read this series but I have seen the hype everywhere for this book. I guess I should get started soon !
Super review Barb, Still working on getting the time and etc to start this series, and I am going to do it… you have me totally convinced I am missing out on a really great read here.
Wonderful review, Barb. Your review shows how much you love this series, and reading it also makes me want to join the fun. 12 books in would take me forever though.
Nice review Barb. I love this series and I am waiting for my copy. Thanks.
Very good review Barb!! I finished the book yesterday. I did like it, but unfortunately, didn’t love it. It was a bit slow, imho. Don’t get me wrong, when it finally got going, it was great. But, the biggest disappointment for me? The revelation of whom the Ghost was…………. I read that scene like three times in a row and literally said, out loud, WTH??? So so soooooo anticlimactic. We’ve waited how long to find out who it was and for it to be revealed in such an anti-climactic way was disappointing to me.
But, with all of that said, I did enjoy the book!!!
I understand where you are coming from, Vickie. We sort of knew he was ghost, though at times early on I was worried it was Aden or Vasic. But the fact that Nalini was able to make me love Kaleb and Sahara, learning about their past, and how she continued with so much information on this complex world so flawlessly, had me so engrossed, the revelation of Ghost became secondary. This was Kaleb and Sahara’s story, and like the other stories, it concentrated on the couple, with the ongoing war developements. As much as we craved the revelation of Ghost, this was not the story of Ghost, just the revelation of who he was.
Couldnt have said it better myself Barb. I see where you are coming from Vickie. If you were excited about HoO for the revelation of Ghost, it would seem rather anti-climatic. However, for me, as I came into this book more fascinated and excited for Kaleb himself than learning SPOILER ALERT—-
if he was or was not Ghost, I actually enjoyed the way it was revealed. The fact that Kaleb could in a sense, play a teasing game with the woman who loved him, moved me. This book was about Kaleb the man, not Kaleb the Ghost. And so, Nalini knocked this one out of the ball park for me. It helps that I have always been convinced Kaleb was the Ghost. 🙂
Nalini truly does blow me away with the details that she puts into every book. Unbelievable!! And, I agree with you that this was not the story of the Ghost. That’s the problem I had with it!! All of the build-up WAS geared towards the Ghost!!! All of the speculation, etc., EVERYTHING!!!! But, like I said, that’s really my only big complaint with the book.
I agree with you Vickie. The promotion was so big, based on the revelation of Ghost, as well as who the book was about. They didn’t give out arcs to keep the suspense, though some snuck through. They used this ploy to get more attention and sell the book, which in a sense was very smart, and it worked.
But if someone is only interested in who is ghost, they had to wait until 3/4 of the book to find out, and it would be a letdown, unless you invested yourself emotionally into Kaleb and Sahara. Which I did. By the time I got to Ghost, I didnt care anymore (well maybe I did), since Nalini had me totally by then.
Well, imo, the ghost could have only been one person!! LOL!! Everyone said it would be Kaleb. Don’t misunderstand me, I was vested in K&S’s story. Loved the emotional connection once things got rolling (FINALLY!!), and his devotion to her?? OMG!!!! And hers to him?? Holy.hell.!!!!
Oh well, we could discuss this all day and probably never agree!! LOL!!! We can just agree to disagree with the revelation of the Ghost and the way it happened!!!! 😉
Actually Vickie, I do agree with you that it could have been more suspenseful, or more of a surprising revelation. But by the time when he told her, I actually smiled, and moved on quickly because of the emotional intense storyline
Everyone said it was Kaleb??? Where were these people? I have been debating with people for MONTHS. Everyone told me the Ghost WASNT Kaleb! Lmao.
Not trying to be argumentative Ms. Vickie. I just like discussing books with people, reading their opinions, and offering my own. 🙂
LOL!!! No offense taken Miranda!! I could ask you the same thing!! Where were the ones saying it WAS NOT Kaleb???? LOL!!!! Nalini’s Facebook wall, her comment section on her blog, Heroes and Heartbreakers, and so on. 95% of what I saw said Kaleb!!!
I love the debate too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
95 % of the people I talked to on the CF community, and on Goodreads told me Kaleb was “too obvious”. so it couldnt be him. *snort*
Im thinking…..”is it possible its obvious BECAUSE it IS Kaleb….”
Oh yeah, and then there were the people telling me that Kaleb was a bad guy and wouldn’t even get a story at all. Apparently Nalini had an interview where people were asking her when Kaleb would get a story a couple years back. Her answer was “you guys do realize he is a bad guy dont you?”
I have been trying to pry information from authors via questions on interviews and emails for years now. I know that when an author flat out answers something straight forward, that is the truth. When an author hedges by answering your question WITH a question, you are typically onto something. So what people took as Kaleb being confirmed a villian by Nalini’s answer, was to me, an answer that he would get a book someday. 🙂
Barb, well done! I’m rereading Tangle of Need then I move right into Heart of Obsidian. Can’t wait to read. Slave of Sensation is my favorite out of the series. Let’s see if it get’s moved to second place. lol
Oh Barb is in her HAPPY PLACE! LOL Amazing review sweets, I know how much you love this series! Glad this one didn’t let you down!
Rachel 🙂
First off, superb review Ms. Barb. Your words, emotions, and thoughts do such justice to the literary masterpiece that is Heart of Obsidian. I enjoyed seeing this harrowing journey through your eyes so much. I shouldn’t even attempt to offer some of my reactions, emotions, thoughts on this book. I shouldn’t talk about Kaleb at all in fear that I will flood this review like I have never done so before if I do…*laughing*
I will say that I knew come the end of Bonds of Justice, that Kaleb (were he to ever recieve a book) would become one of those rare favorites of mine that span across all of literature. I knew he would rank amongst Richard Rahl, Jericho Barrons, and Judd Lauren. I knew he would effect emotionally very deeply….yet I in no way anticipated to what degree. I didn’t think I would survive the heartbreak I felt towards Judd in CBI….then along comes Kaleb, devestating my heart in ways I have never experienced in all the years I have been reading–and to a level I never thought possible.
For anyone still on the fence as to whether or not they should read this series; get your head examined immediately….(kidding)…I will list some of the intensely emotional scenes that shred my heart: Early on in the book, when Sahara knows Kaleb is familar to her, but does not remember the past they share. There is a staggering amount of evidence everywhere, labeling Kaleb as evil. and yet in her soul, she feels he is not. Immeasurably powerful? Yes. The most dangerous being alive? Yes. Evil? She cannot perceive him as such.
Sahara pleads to Kaleb…”tell me you aren’t evil.” and having promised to never lie to her, he simply responds. “I’m sorry.” Kaleb begins to repeat this appology for being exactly what she needs him to tell her he is not–because Kaleb believes he is a monster without equal. Instead of turning from him in horror, and revulsion, Sahara throws her arms around his neck and says. “it’s ok Kaleb…I am here.” Gawd. I have tears in my eyes just thinking about this moment.
Ms. Barb said it perfectly. Kaleb Krycheck is a character who was vastly believed to be a “bad guy” throughout this entire series. It is phenomenal that Nalini could make us fall so greatly in love with him. However, I am one of the few who fell hard for his character before his story was told. It is the hero’s–or the “anti-hero’s” if you will–who believe themselves to be beyond redemption, who believe themselves to be too far gone to ever be saved; that leave their mark upon my heart. One that never fades no matter how much time passes, or how many books I read. Kaleb is one such character.
Like you said Barb, the culmination of this man’s salvation is so well written by Nalini Singh. Again and again, I am shocked, and awed by this Author, and her ability to dazzle your senses with emotion. The suffering Kaleb has endured, the horror he has survived…his whole existence has been brutal, and wrong on more levels than I could count. He has never not been alone. He has never not been abused in some manner. He has never had friends or family who have cared one bit…until Sahara. The one being in Kaleb’s world who has never let him down. Sahara has become my most favorite heroine of the series for this reason alone. Her stubborness to not let what is left of Kaleb’s soul be taken by darkness, and the way she fights to drag it back into the light.
And the scene where they were seperated when Sahara was only 16….whuh. It stole my breath. The most heartrending, horrible, terrifying, tragic moment of torture I have ever read about. Oh Nalini…how you love to tear out our hearts and make us bleed for your characters.
Again, wonderful review Barb. So sorry this is so long! Few books move me as much as Heart of Obsidian. A masterpiece just like you said. Just Briliant.
Outstanding review Barb, I haven’t got the book yet they don’t seem to be in DAMN. Like HELLO this is Nalini read were talking about . lol So I am even more interested in reading this book . And I’m not surprised who the Ghosts turned out to be . Well back to Coles maybe they will finally have it in .
Haven’t read it. I can’t get it till next month, forgot to gt it on my list when I went to B@N. I will get it. Great review. I am missing several in this series but will try to fix that. Great review Barb.
My girlfriend reads this series and loves it. I bought her Heart of Obsidian as a gift, and now she isn’t talking. Too busy reading.
Very nice, Eric. Your girlfriend is lucky to have you. I think you would enjoy this series, as Nalini has built a complex world, and great characters. This is a series meant for men and woman. Get the books from your girlfriend and start reading. 🙂
Great review Barb. Had to scroll past all comments incase someone gave the Ghosts identity away as I want to read this series next. I just need to finish BDB and then onto this one.