Halloween Bingo 2025
I've been tearing through this series this year. I had to interlibrary loan this volume, but it was worth it. In Nalini Singh’s Psy-Changeling world, there are three population groups: Humans, the shapeshifting Changelings, and the icy, Silent Psy. Except the Psy's world has undergone a seismic shift—Silence has fallen and Psy are permitted to feel emotions again. It's been revealing the evils of Silence, the crimes committed by those in power. Under Silence, disobedient Psy could be sent to “rehabilitation“ centres to be reduced to a vegetative state as a warning to other restive citizens.
The Marshall Group was a particularly powerful Psy family. This book features Theodora Marshall, a very weak Psy with a remarkably strong twin, Pax. Theo's psychopathic grandfather has been killed and Pax has become the head of the family and their business holdings. It turns out that they are heavily invested in the rehabilitation centres. And there's this one odd Centre with spotty records close to Moscow. Theo agrees to investigate for her beloved brother, which will require liaising with the Changeling Bear Clan.
Now, I adore the intrigue of Psy society, watching them thaw and rediscovering the pleasures of life—food, rest, love. But I am coming to appreciate the Bear shifters almost as much. Singh obviously has fun writing these bears with their enormous hearts, love of life, and relishing of food and drink. They are straightforward, leaning toward blunt. Could any group be more perfect for rescuing damaged Psy?
Yakov Stepyrev may be a Changeling, but he has a Psy ancestor, an F Psy with predictive powers, and he has been “seeing" Theo since he was a teen. When she walks out of airport security, he is stunned. They go to the mysterious Centre together, where Theo has a paralyzing panic attack, complete with partial memory of going there as a child with her cruel grandfather and being strapped to a chair. What else was done to her? Theo must explore her dark family history in order to be able to embrace her bear, Yakov.
This book made me wish I had greater familiarity with the Russian language and customs. I have to admire Singh's willingness to spread her fiction all over the globe. (And those who have read this far will be able to smile with me as the bears speculate about Kaleb Krychek causing earthquakes for some reason. Wink, wink.)
I read this book for the Shifters square of my Halloween Bingo card.
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