FINAL DECISION: This book is simply amazing. I loved the interaction between Auden and Remi. Sometimes, the book reads like a psychological thriller, which is perfect for the story. The Psy-Changeling series is an amazing achievement that keeps getting better.

THE STORY: Remi, the alpha of the RainFire leopard pack, meets Auden Scott, a psychometric Psy with a troubled past. Months after their initial encounter, Remi discovers Auden is heavily pregnant, with no memory of how it happened. Auden, the daughter of former Psy Councillors, has suffered brain damage from her parents’ experiments and experiences memory gaps and personality shifts.

As Auden struggles to protect her unborn child from those who might wish to harm or control them, including members of her own family, she turns to Remi for help. Remi, drawn to Auden, vows to protect her and her baby.

Meanwhile, the PsyNet is on the verge of collapse, adding urgency and complication to their situation. As Remi and Auden grow closer, they must navigate the dangers posed by Auden’s family, her mysterious condition, and the wider crisis affecting the Psy race.

OPINION: I was absolutely captivated by PRIMAL MIRROR, the latest addition to Nalini Singh’s Psy-Changeling Trinity series. From the moment I started reading, I was drawn into the intricate world Singh has created, and I found myself completely immersed in the story of Remi and Auden.

What strikes me most about Singh’s writing, and PRIMAL MIRROR is no exception, is her incredible strength in character development and the connections she weaves between characters. The web of relationships and interactions between various characters and communities is truly astounding. I found myself marveling at how seamlessly she integrates new characters like Auden into the existing framework while also deepening our understanding of established characters like Remi.

The chemistry between Remi, the strong and protective alpha of the RainFire leopard pack, and Auden Scott, a psychometric Psy with a mysterious past, was electric. I found myself rooting for them from their very first encounter. Their relationship doesn’t exist in isolation, though – it’s beautifully contextualized within the broader tapestry of pack dynamics, Psy politics, and inter-species relations.

Singh’s world-building continues to leave me in awe. With each book, she manages to expand this universe in ways that feel both surprising and inevitable. PRIMAL MIRROR is no exception, adding new layers to an already rich tapestry. I love how she balances intimate character moments with grand, world-shaping events, creating a narrative that feels both personal and epic.

What I particularly enjoyed was how the book seamlessly blended elements of a psychological thriller with the paranormal romance I’ve come to expect from the series. Auden’s struggle with her memory gaps and unexpected pregnancy added a layer of suspense that kept me on the edge of my seat. I couldn’t put the book down, desperate to unravel the mystery surrounding her condition.

The ongoing crisis in the PsyNet provided a thrilling backdrop to Remi and Auden’s personal story. It was also a joy to see familiar faces like Lucas, Aden, and Kaleb make appearances, further reinforcing the interconnected nature of Singh’s world.

Ultimately, I closed this book with a contented sigh, thoroughly satisfied yet eager for more. The Psy-Changeling series continues to be my ultimate favorite, and this book is a shining example of why. It’s a perfect blend of scorching romance, heart-pounding action, and intriguing plot twists, all built on a foundation of rich character development and masterful world-building. I’m already counting down the days until I can dive into the next installment of this extraordinary saga.

WORTH MENTIONING: This book wraps up some of the ongoing storyline while opening new avenues for future books.

CONNECTED BOOKS: PRIMAL MIRROR is the 8th book in the Psy-Changeling Trinity series and the 23rd book in the series. This book should not be read as a standalone because it depends upon the series’ mythology. A reader can start with the first book in the Trinity series, but because the entire Psy-Changeling series is so good, I recommend starting from the beginning.

STAR RATING: I give this book 5 stars.

FINAL DECISION: I absolutely adored this book. The StoneWater bears have been a highlight in the Trinity series and this book is no exception.

THE STORY: Theodora Marshall is an unremarkable low-gradient Psy, often disregarded by everyone except her fiercely powerful twin brother, Pax. But in their venomous family, Pax’s trust in her is unwavering, making Theo the sole person he confides in. The only person Pax entirely trusts, he sends Theo to investigate a hidden chapter of their family’s history—an unregistered rehabilitation center initiated by their grandfather.

OPINION: I loved this book and its characters. The StoneWater bears have been a highlight in the Trinity series, and this book is no exception. Readers are treated in this book to two romances. Not only do we get Yakov and Theo, but the book continues the Trinity romance between Arwen and Pavel. As both Thea and Takov are twins, I very much enjoyed how both sets of twins are central to this story. No one does family and community like Singh. The characters are always in relation to others — not only the romance but friends and family. These connections always give Singh’s stories depth and interest. These are not autonomous people who can do whatever they want. Like all of us, they have constraints upon them if they want to live in relation to others.

This series has plenty of Changeling-Psy pairings, but it is the individuals that make each one unique. I loved Thea and Yakov. Yakov is a strong bear, but also an incredibly caring bear. His connection with Thea is deep, which is important because of her history. The Psy-Changeling series always messages that people are complex and complicated. No characters are easy stereotypes.

Thea is a woman haunted by a past that she only knows in the shadows. Damaged because of treatment by her father, Thea struggles with guilt and anger. In contrast to the era of Silence, Singh’s world values characters with all their flaws and limitations. Sometimes in series with characters with amazing powers, value is placed merely upon those with power and uniquely valuable attributes. Singh’s characters are often flawed and damaged by their pasts. And yet — or because of this — the characters are valued by those in the community.

I always am comforted by Singh’s world because there is an underlying decency and goodness where these characters dwell. Love is valued, relationship is valued, and both community and individuality are valued.

The romance here is sexy, but also just feels like a warm hug. Thea needs warmth and caring, and that is what Yakov provides. Definitely strong, but incredibly decent and a man that one just wants to cuddle up with.

The overarching story of Trinity is not advanced much here. There is a sense that some of the major players (perhaps Pax Marshall, who is Thea’s brother) need to move into position for the next act in the story. I’m not sure how long the Trinity movement of the Psy-Changeling series will last, but clearly, something major will be coming soon.

WORTH MENTIONING: Kaleb. That’s all.

CONNECTED BOOKS: RESONANCE SURGE is the seventh book in the Psy-Changeling Trilogy series. The book is also the twenty-second in the Psy-Changeling series. This book should be read as a part of the series. While I recommend starting from the beginning, a reader can start with the first book in the Psy-Changeling Trilogy series.

STAR RATING: I give this book 5 stars.

NOTE: I received an eARC of this book via Netgalley to prepare a review. I was not required to write a review or to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.

FINAL DECISION: I loved this book. Although the emotional story between these two characters was more straightforward than others in this series, I adored Lei and Ivan and their relationship. The book didn’t go in the direction I expected so I sped through the pages and finished the last page satisfied and interested in the future.

THE STORY: Ivan Mercant has kept himself separate from his dangerous family and everyone else because he knows that his brain contains a monster that threatens others. But then he meets a changeling named Lei that changes him. But as quickly as she comes into his life, she is gone. Ivan searches unsuccessfully for her until he sees her in San Francisco. Soleil Bijoux Garcia is a healer who is alone. While on her quest to kill the DarkRiver alpha, she sees a stranger who seems familiar to her.

OPINION: I began reading this book intending to read it slowly over several days. Instead, I read it cover to cover in one rush. Singh gave new twists on the characters of the Psy assassin and the Changeling healer. I thought that the drama of their separation would be the center of the book, but instead, there is great gentleness between these two, and the real drama ends up being external factors.

I knew I would love this book once I realized that we had returned to DarkRiver. As much as I have enjoyed the expanding Psy-Changeling work, I admit that DarkRiver is a joy to see again. Appearances and updates on beloved characters increased my enjoyment of this book. The Psy-Changeling series always works best when it is grounded in the community of all the characters we have already met. Singh does community so well, and none of these appearances seem gratuitous, but each of these characters has a part to play in the world drama.

With these characters, I enjoyed that Singh did not plow the same storyline she has before with Psy and Changeling combinations. Ivan and Lei have different quirks, fears and challenges. Lei is a healer and reaches out, but she also has been deeply hurt by her past. Like many of the healers, she has a different type of strength but also great vulnerability. Her handling of Ivan is just about perfect. She’s not putting up with his BS in this book. In this relationship, she is not vulnerable and hurt but relatively intense and determined. I really adored Ivan because he is relatively vulnerable in this relationship. He needs care and tending and Lei is so wonderful in this regard. Just everything in their relationship worked for me.

WORTH MENTIONING: We get to learn more about the Architect.

CONNECTED BOOKS: STORM ECHO is the sixth book in the Psy-Changeling Trinity series. The romance is self-contained, but the overarching story goes throughout the Trinity series. Do yourself a favor and just start at the beginning of Trinity. This book is also book 21 in the Psy-Changeling series if you want to start at the real beginning.

STAR RATING: I give this book 5 stars.

I received this book for free from Netgalley in order to prepare an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

FINAL DECISION: Singh does “damaged” heroes and heroines better than almost anyone. How two people who to the world (and themselves) appear different find the person who brings wholeness and acceptance to one another. Combining the ongoing drama of the overarching storyline with the deeply personal connection between these two made this an immensely satisfying read.

THE STORY: Canto Mercant, mysterious and fiercely loyal, approaches the cold and dangerous Payal Rao about the collapse of the PsyNet. In joining forces, the two also confront their own pasts and the weaknesses of mind and body. Canto has remained a hidden part of the Mercant family, rejected by his own father, as his spinal injury communicated imperfection and weakness during Silence. Now that Silence has fallen, the “imperfect” must be brought out of the shadows.

OPINION: The inclusiveness of Singh’s Psy-Changeling world always takes my breath away — optimistic and never heavy-handed, the world is deeply imperfect but there are good people working to correct the flaws. (At the same time, there are plenty of evil forces out to create chaos).

I loved the sweet and fierce relationship between Canto and Payal. The deep acceptance between them. While there have been similar relationships between “broken” people, this one has its own unique qualities that have echoes of other stories but is also quite different. Different challenges, different personalities. Each couple approaches their challenges in different ways which keep these stories fresh and interesting.

The story builds upon the prior stories in the Psy-Changeling universe in new ways raising new challenges to the world. At this point in the series, I wonder how Singh will possibly be able to resolve all these issues, but I have faith because Singh so beautifully gathered the strands in the first “season” of the Psy-Changeling world.

Canto is one of my favorite heroes now. He’s got his own quirks, but his intense loyalty to Payal and his willingness to serve as Payal’s “knight” and let her shine may be a precursor of the female “alphas” whose stories are yet to be told.

WORTH MENTIONING: Lots of cameos from characters from the Psy-Changeling & Trinity series.

CONNECTED BOOKS: LAST GUARD is the fifth book in the Psy-Changeling Trinity series. The Trinity series is a direct spin-off of the Psy-Changeling series and thus this book can also be considered the twentieth book in that series. The romance here is self-contained, but the overarching plot is a continuation of the story in the Trinity series and is much better when read at least as part of the Trinity series.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4.5 stars.

NOTE: I received an eARC of this book via Netgalley. I was not required to write a review or to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.