Allegiance of Honor by Nalini Singh – Review, Q&A, Excerpt & Giveaway
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Description:
The Psy-Changeling world has undergone a staggering transformation and now stands at a crossroads. The Trinity Accord promises a new era of cooperation between disparate races and groups. It is a beacon of hope held together by many hands: Old enemies. New allies. Wary loners.
But a century of distrust and suspicion can’t be so easily forgotten and threatens to shatter Trinity from within at any moment. As rival members vie for dominance, chaos and evil gather in the shadows and a kidnapped woman’s cry for help washes up in San Francisco, while the Consortium turns its murderous gaze toward a child who is the embodiment of change, of love, of piercing hope: A child who is both Psy…and changeling.
To find the lost, protect the vulnerable—and save Trinity—no one can stand alone. This is a time of loyalty across divisions, of bonds woven into the heart and the soul, of heroes known and unknown standing back to back and holding the line. But is an allegiance of honor even possible with traitors lurking in their midst?
Review:
Allegiance of Honor by Nalini Singh is the 15th book in her fantastic Psy/Changeling series. I have said many times that this series has become my all time favorite, along with J.D. Robb’s In Death. Nalini Singh is a master at world-building; storyline continuation that flows in each book seamlessly; with great characters, exciting story and her couples are always great, not to mention a steamy romance. Her other series, Guild Hunter is a great series too. Saying that, It is no wonder that Nalini Singh has become my favorite author, where I wait impatiently for her next book.
Nalini Singh has given us a gift in Allegiance of Honor, which more or less ends this fabulous arc. She gives us an ensemble book that is a keeper, as we get to spend time with all of our favorites from the previous books; which also opens the door for the next arc.
In all of the Psy/Changeling books, there is always a leading couple that we come to love and furthers the ongoing story line. In the last book we saw the end of Silence, and in this book there is no one couple, as we learn about some existing problems revolving around PsyNet; about the Consortium which threatens to destroy the new peace with Trinity and another group of changelings desperately trying to save their people. We get it all in Allegiance of Honor, which was masterfully written, with some closures, as well as new problems, giving us a peek at the future. Nalini continues to wow us with her unbelievable world-building, which no one can match.
It is hard to write a review about this book, as Nalini was doing what she does best, continuing this world building and giving us happiness with each and every couple. We got to enjoy the pupcubs, and our new little darling, Naya, who will be something to reckon with when she grows up.
Those new to the series I suggest you not start with this book, it will be so worth the wait to start from the beginning and get the full effect of Psy/Changeling. Allegiance of Honor would be somewhat confusing for a newbie, as I feel it is for those who have read this entire series, which started with Lucas & Sascha, as the complex Psy/Changeling world building began; the wonderful couples we met along the way that we never want to let go; from the Leopards to the Wolves to the Arrows that worked together to bring down Silence. We get to see more of the Black Sea changelings, which I suspect will play a big role in the next arc.
I will not say too much more, other than to say how much I loved loved this series. These characters are best I have ever read; Lucas, Sascha, Hawke, Sienna, Judd, Brenna, Mercy, Riley, Dorian, Clay, Faith, Walker, Kaleb, Sahara, Vasic, Ivy, Aden, Zaira, Nikita, just to name a few. Despite the end of this arc, it is not the end of Psy/Changeling; we will be getting to see some of our favorites along the way with the new changelings.
Thank you, Nalini Singh for this fantastic series, your wonderful characters, unbelievable world building and your steamy beautiful romances. It was a fascinating, captivating roller coaster of a ride. I will follow you to the next arc (and your Guild Hunter series), and I know it will be wonderful. For those of you who have not read this series, once again, you are missing the adventure of your life, which is not to be missed. Start with Slave to Sensation and fall in love with Nalini Singh.
Reviewed by Barb
Copy provided by Publisher
Nalini Singh on the future of the Psy-Changeling series
Is Allegiance of Honor the end of the Psy-Changeling series?
No, it’s not. 🙂 I ADORE this world and the characters and I have so many Psy-Changeling stories yet to tell. (I’ve often joked that I’ll be writing this series until I’m ninety-eight!)
**TRC: *Happy Dance………..*
Where do you see the Psy-Changeling world going from here? Who is the next book about?
(Slightly spoilery answer to follow if you’re just starting the series).
Allegiance of Honor sets up a lot of possibilities for the future. There are many avenues I could take. However, for me, this arc is all about what happens not just to the Psy, but to the world, now that Silence has fallen and all the rules have changed.
We’ve had the immediate aftermath books, both of which focused on the Psy race (Shield of Winter & Shards of Hope), but what about the wider long-term future? Because Silence existed for a reason. The Psy still have these incredible abilities that have the potential to drive them murderously insane, and the world is still a fractured triumvirate. And there are players about whom we know very little, like the falcons and BlackSea.
As for who’s book is next, I’m not ready to announce it yet because I want to be certain this character is ready – but I think you’ll be pleased. 😉
Lucas had had to chase Naya around the aerie at bedtime last night—her walk might still be a little shaky, but she was a rocket when it came to crawling. Dressed only in a diaper, she’d laughed uproariously and said a loud, firm “No” each time Lucas caught her and put her in her crib.
After which she’d clamber out—she’d figured out how to escape a month earlier—and the game would begin again. Of course, since Lucas was a cat, he’d been having just as much fun as their daughter. Sascha, meanwhile, had sat in the living room with a cup of hot chocolate and just indulged in the sight of her mate playing with their cub.
She’d had to pretend to be stern when Naya ran over and pleaded her case with loud sounds and wild gesticulations of her hands. “No, Naya,” she’d said, biting her tongue in an effort not to laugh. “It’s time for bed. Go with Papa.”
At which point, Naya had growled at her, eyes sparkling with mischief.
And Sascha had cracked, laughing so hard she’d had to put down her hot chocolate before she spilled it. Lucas had shaken his head as Naya plopped down on her diaper-covered butt and joined in, clapping her hands at having made her mommy laugh. “No discipline.” Lucas had mock-growled at her before picking up their misbehaving baby. “And you”—a growly nuzzle that made Naya laugh harder and pat his stubbled cheek—“time for bed.”
He’d finally got her to sleep—by walking around with her pressed up against his bare chest.
Today, their cub was playing in the living area just outside the kitchen nook. Sascha had locked the aerie door to ensure Naya wouldn’t undo the latch and go out onto the balcony, and Lucas had childproofed the entire main area of the aerie, so Naya was free to roam as she liked. A lot of the time she practiced her walking skills. And no matter how often she fell down, she started back up again after a little break.
Stubborn, determined baby.
Peeking out from the kitchen, Sascha found her concentrating on stacking the colored alphabet blocks Faith and Vaughn had given her as a gift. Beside her sat a more than slightly ragged wolf plush toy, aka “The Toy That Shall Not Be Named.” Hawke had given that to Naya when she was a newborn, and it remained her favorite snuggle toy, much to her father’s despair.
Though Lucas did enjoy it when Naya went leopard on the toy, growling and “fighting” with the wolf. Then he’d smile and say, “That’s my girl.”
I was born in Fiji and raised in New Zealand. I also spent three years living and working in Japan, during which time I took the chance to travel around Asia. I’m back in New Zealand now, but I’m always plotting new trips. If you’d like to see some of my travel snapshots, have a look at the Travel Diary page (updated frequently).
So far, I’ve worked as a lawyer, a librarian, a candy factory general hand, a bank temp and an English teacher and not necessarily in that order. Some might call that inconsistency but I call it grist for the writer’s mill.
I’ve been writing as long as I can remember and all of my stories always held a thread of romance (even when I was writing about a prince who could shoot lasers out of his eyes). I love creating unique characters, love giving them happy endings and I even love the voices in my head. There’s no other job I would rather be doing. In September 2002, when I got the call that Silhouette Desire wanted to buy my first book, Desert Warrior, it was a dream come true. I hope to continue living the dream until I keel over of old age on my keyboard.
Nalini’s publisher is offering a paper copy of the first two (2) book in the Psy/Changeling series; SLAVE TO SENSATION & VISIONS OF HEAT to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe
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