Thursday, 3 June 2010

Review: Slave to Sensation - Nalini Singh

Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh
Psy-changeling, book1

Genre: Paranormal romance
Pages: 334
Published: 2006

In a world that denies emotions, where the ruling Psy punish any sign of desire, Sascha Duncan must conceal the feelings that brand her as flawed. To reveal them would be to sentence herself to the horror of "rehabilitation"—the complete psychic erasure of everything she ever was.

Both human and animal, Lucas Hunter is a changeling hungry for the very sensations the Psy disdain. After centuries of uneasy coexistence, these two races are now on the verge of war over the brutal murders of several changeling women. Lucas is determined to find the Psy killer who butchered his packmate, and Sascha is his ticket into their closely guarded society. But he soon discovers that this ice- cold Psy is very capable of passion—and that the animal in him is fascinated by her. Caught between their conflicting worlds, Lucas and Sascha must remain bound to their identities—or sacrifice everything for a taste of darkest temptation.
 


I read a short story by Nalini Singh in the book The Magical Christmas Cat, and I just knew that I wanted to read more about these changelings, because they were just so cute, and rough. And thanks to Bookmooch.com and Ladybug @ Escape in a book I got the chance.

But first a friend of mine read it, and let's just quote her first. LOVE. Yes she found a new series, and stalked Nalini Singh's website, and bought the rest of the series, even before I read book 1. So ok I did not go that crazy but I still really liked this book.

This is a world where humans, The Psy and changelings live side by side. Psy rule the business world, and have a hand in most things. The changelings live close to nature, and the Psy do not think much about them. The changelings are too animal, while the Psy have no feelings at all, no love, no hate, just cold logic. Except for Sascha Duncan who finds herself breaking down, espeically when she is ding business with hot changeling Alpha Lucas Hunter. He is hunting a serial killer, and soon enough hunting her too, but in another way.

The Psy is just scary, no feelings, and the do not even have sex, because why bother when they feel nothing, and it is so icky too, all sweaty, and with fluids. And then do not eat nice things either. Would suck to be them, but then again they do not know what they are missing.

The changelings are my favourite, they are sweet, but brutal at the same time. There was this scene with two cubs and my heart just broke from cuteness. And this whole skin privileges thing, yes I liked that.

I like the future world that Singh has created. It feels real, it feels scary, and still there is magic in it all. Because there is still hope and love around. And it is a strange world, in one corner there is the Cold Psy, and in the other the animal-like, and sometimes brutal Changelings.

I liked the chemistry between these two characters. Sascha is slowly falling more and more in to big pit of feelings, and she thinks that her mind is going insane. But at the same time she needs Lucas, if only for a few days. And he is all alpha and protective, but at the same time such a  big sweet panther.

There is passion, and romance, heartbreaking love. There is the thrill of the hunt( though I did pretty easily figure out who the killer was.), and the tick of the clock as the wolves prepare to attack the Psy to get back at them for taking one of their own. If the killer can't be found, there will be a bloodbath.

I enjoyed the story, I loved the characters, I adored those cute cubs, and I do want to read more from Singh. Here is to hoping my friend reads fast.

Blodeuedd's Cover Corner: Very paranormal romance, ok I guess, I mean it is not bad.
Reason for reading: Own book
Final thoughts: When the cats play you better play with them, or you will regret it.

(btw have anyone noticed my shapeshifter theme by now, freaky really how it happened,  but next up is demons and then zombies ;)
'

18 comments:

  1. I never would've thought to describe the Changelings as sweet *grin* but they do have a deeply caring side, next to them being feral, mischievous, sensuous and very emotion-driven shapeshifters :) Shapeshifters were never truly treatening my no 1 love for vampires but after reading the Psy/Changeling series that definitely changed :)

    BTW: Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norell…are you going to read/review that book too? I have it on the shelves since 2-3 years now and I need a bit of cheering to get starting in such a mammoth of a book :)

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  2. Leontine
    Lol, yes it takes me to think they are sweet, cuddly beings, well they were ;) But they sure had some nasty claws, and I would sure never have met one alone.

    These days my n1 is sure shifters, vamps are so pale, and lame hehe. Thin and not so very alpha.

    Nah, read it years ago, so can't really recall the emotions I had. But I could do this fav read post and try to recall some of what I thought about the book. Cos yes it is HUGE but I really liked it

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  3. Such a great world Singh creates..I def love her shifters.

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  4. Oh I loved the cubs as well! I really enjoyed this book and honestly I didn't think I would. I still haven't read the next in the series but I have four or five more books from the series in my shelves. If you want to continue the series let me know and I can get in touch if I'm putting it up for mooching :)

    I've heard great things about Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norell and I plan to read it one day. Thanks for the suggestion!

    Sorry for not dropping by more often lately. Cannot wait for my exam to be over =D

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  5. I read the first couple in this series and really enjoyed them.

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  6. Changelings, a new creature? Love it already. Sounds so fun.Thanks for the great review.

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  7. Still need to get started with this series. Your review convinced me even more. :)

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  8. Mandi
    There is just something about those shifters ;)

    Chris
    Is it the cats? ;)

    Carol
    Then I can't wait to read more.

    Nina
    Human, and then the shift into cats, well ok not cats, but panthers and leopards.

    Janna
    Oh yes do try it out

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  9. Ladybug
    Aww those cubs were the cutest.
    Thanks, I shall keep that in mind in case I want them for myself. Now I will read my friends, since she after having read my copy went and bought all the rest of the series.

    I do highly recommend Mr Norell &, it is such a cool and strange book.

    It's ok, I sure know about that it has been a hell of a spring.,

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  10. :p

    No, it's the amazing writing!

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  11. I am probably one of the few people on earth who has never read these books..

    I am glad they work for you...

    E.H>

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  12. I love your final thoughts honey!!! LOL!
    Great review you have here. I have not yet bought this series. I am working on it though.
    Hope all is well honey!!
    Hugs to you!

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  13. Chris,
    Lol, but the kitties are sure amazing too, of course they would eat me for calling them that.

    EH
    Nah, I am sure there is one person left ;)
    The style worked, and it felt more than my usual ok. Gotta love that.

    Cecile,
    Hehe, I am trying to think of catchy things, so hard, but gonna work on that ;)

    All is well, weekend soon, yaaaaaay! Hm hopefully I can finally go to the sauna too, oh that would be lovely. Since we are visiting bfs parents this weekend.
    Look there, me blabbering on :)

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  14. Would love to read this, thanks for s great review. I had one of her other books up as a Friday Find recently!

    Now I really must start looking into all of these!

    My bulging bookshelves can thank you later.

    Have a great Friday Blodeuedd! ;)

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  15. Yay! So glad you enjoyed this one Blodeuedd! Singh is one of my top five authors. She's just amazing. And lucky you, you've got plenty more to dive into with the series. I wish I was at book one again...

    Hugs, VFG

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  16. This sounds like a good read! I've seen this author around but have never read her.
    Great review.
    http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

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  17. Sassy
    Lol, yes thank me when it breakes down ;)
    Hope to see it on Friday then.
    have a great weekend!

    VFG
    Yes, much more to come for me. It will be a Singh summer and I couldn't be more excited.

    Naida
    Thanks, she is good, there is just something about her world.

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