Wild Embrace
Author: Nalini Singh
Reviewer: Jen Twimom
Rating: B
What I’m Talking About:
Wild Embrace is a collection of short stories and novellas that fall at different points of the known Psy-Changeling timeline, most covering one specific point, with “Dorian” spanning several years from his youth to adulthood. Each story is standalone and falls outside the overarching storylines of the series.
Echo of Silence
The story shares the chaste, forbidden love between a human engineer and a telekinetic Psy in the days before Silence fell. Tazia left her small village years ago, never to return. She is from a small village with a traditional upbringing, resulting in a tight moral code. But it is also an unforgiving way of life, based in her account of her family and why she cannot return. Stephan is a powerful Psy with fractured Silence due to a tragedy that left him orphaned at the age of four.
The story is sweet and simple, with the focus on learning more about each other rather than their physical attraction. The tale enhances the Psy-Changeling world through demonstrating how love existed in the Psy race before the fall of Silence. In fact, it shows why Silence needed to end. Even though I know what is in store for the future of the Psy race, it didn’t effect my enjoyment of the story, which left me with a feeling of hope.
Rating: B+
Dorian
This is more of a short story or collection of slices of life, rather than full novella. Fans of the series will enjoy these glimpses into Dorian’s life as he struggles with and learns to live first as a dormant shifter and second as a true Changeling. I enjoyed seeing how Dorian’s pack supported him in every step of his journey, helping to create one of my favorite characters of the series.
Rating: B
Partners in Persuasion
Felix is a submissive wolf from SnowDancer, and Desiree is a DarkRiver leopard soldier. Desiree has admired the gentle yet strong submissive wolf from afar but fought her desire to touch him until he gives her permission. Felix was burned by a dominant female in his past and refuses to consider even a fleeting relationship with Desiree.
Felix and Desiree’s romance is unlike most Psy-Changeling stories in that it features a female dominant and a male submissive (these are terms for the animal, not sexual preferences). I enjoyed the dynamics and the thoughtfulness of each partner when considering what the animal part of their nature needed to be happy and secure. Overall, it’s a kind and caring romance, just what one would expect from Nalini. It’s a quick to “I Love You,” but all part of the Changeling mating and romance.
Rating: B
Flirtation of Fate
Seven years ago, Kenji broke Garnet’s heart. He left her on her 21st birthday without explanation as to why. Now each is a lieutenant in the SnowDancer pack, and the pair must work together to solve a murder mystery… and their mutual unrequited feelings.
Kenji has always loved Garnet, but when he received news that would alter their future, decided to stay away from Garnet, rather than give her a choice, afraid she’d stay with him out of loyalty. I completely understand why, and although the reason behind it is valid, I was a bit let down when he finally came out and shared it with Garnet. I felt like, “Dude, you should have let it go long before this.” I like that Garnet gets over her hurt and goes after Kenji, pushing and claiming once she realizes he’s suppressing his true feelings.
The mystery of what happened to pack member Russ Carmichael is a big part of the story and an exciting addition, shared side-by-side with the romance. Although I figured out the plot right from the start, I still enjoyed watching Kenji and Garnet discover clues and solve the unusual in-pack murder.
Rating: B
Wild Embrace is another great addition to the overall folk lore of the Psy-Changeling world. The stories are self-contained, and not part of the overarching storylines, yet give insight to the minds and hearts of the Psy-Changeling-Human world. A wonderful read for fans of this amazing series.
My Rating: B, Liked It
About the Book:
Echo of Silence
In a deep-sea station, Tazia Nerif has found her life’s work as an engineer, keeping things running smoothly. But she wants nothing more than to break down the barrier of silence between her and her telekinetic Psy station commander…
Dorian
A changeling who can never shift lives a life of quiet frustration—until he learns how to let his leopard come out and play…
Partners in Persuasion
Still raw from being burned by a dominant female, wolf changeling Felix will never again risk being a plaything. But for dominant leopard Dezi, he’s the most fascinating man she’s ever met. She just has to convince this gun-shy wolf that he can trust the dangerous cat who wants to take a slow, sexy bite out of him…
Flirtation of Fate
Seven years ago, Kenji broke Garnet’s heart. Now the wolf packmates have to investigate the shocking murder of one of their own. And the more Kenji sees of the woman Garnet has become, the deeper he begins to fall once more. But even his primal instincts are no match for the dark secret he carries…
Release Date: August 23, 2016
Publisher: Berkley
Series: Psy/Changeling #15.5
Genre: Paranormal Romance, anthology
Format(s): paperback (400 pages), e-book, audiobook
Book Source: Publisher/NetGalley
Purchase Info:
Amazon
Reviews in the Series:
Bonds of Justice by Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling #8)
“Whisper of Sin” by Nalini Singh (Burning Up) (Psy-Changeling #0.6)
Play of Passion by Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling #9)
Kiss of Snow by Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling #10)
Tangle of Need by Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling #11)
Wild Invitation by Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling #0.5, 3.5, 9.5, 10.5)
Heart of Obsidian by Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling #12)
Shield of Winter by Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling #13)
“Secrets at Midnight” by Nalini Singh (Night Shift) (Psy-Changeling #13.5)
Shards of Hope by Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling #14)
Allegiance of Honor by Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling #15)
I have only read one of these books and I was surprised by the rich and complex world-building. I like how you approached each story.
One of the novellas in this anthology, or only one Psy-Changeling book? It’s a wonderfully, rich series. It’s a staple PNR that I always recommend.
only the one book – the first I think. I may have come across so short stories too. Too many books in my tiny mind!
Yes… this is a very well-established series. But if you are interested, the next book starts a whole new story arc and I get the impression one can jump in at that point, rather than go back to the beginning.
Cool – I will have to look for it. Do you know what it is called?
Nope. She’s just started writing it. She has a great newsletter that only comes once per month. Great way to keep up with stuff.
Thank you! I will check it out!
I wonder if I could like these again, hmmm
They are PNR… but really good!
I absolutely love this series and any extra short stories/novellas are a bones. Thank’s for the review. Can’t wait to read Wild Embrace! ^_^
Yes, yes. Love this series. I hope you enjoy!
I love these single series anthologies. I love all the fun side stories where we get to learn more about the different characters (or in UF the secondary characters). These are some books I love to keep on my iPod for relistening. It is great because you can listen to a single story and not the whole book. I use it if I’m in a book hangover or if I finished my current listen, but my next book releases the following day (I don’t know why I seem to always finish a book partway through Monday when I have a preorder on Audible to release the next day. It never fails.) Kelley Armstrong has several too.
I haven’t read this one yet. The audiobook comes out at the end of the month. I will be tackling it ASAP. 🙂
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Rabid Reads
I hope you enjoy. I agree… I love when you can read/listen to one of the stories and then come back at a later time.
I really have to catch up in this series. I think I’m on book 7 or 8 but I have all of them except Allegiance of Honor. I might have to do a reread though so that I can include all of the short stories as well as jump starting my memory on what’s going on in the series.
It can be daunting. There are a lot of books, but so good. I know several peeps (Melanie, above, for one) that listen to them.
I’ve thought of doing that but haven’t made up my mind yet
I might have to try this out. I usually love her novellas. The full lenghts are more hit or miss for me. Thanks fro the heads up on this one!
If you have enjoyed her novellas in the past, then most definitely try this one. 🙂
I really have had a blast with this series, and this anthology was so fun to read!!! I do like what she has done with the dominant and submissive relationships, the dynamics are so unique and I love seeing how they find a balance in it.
I agree. I love how she adds bits of each animal’s nature into her characters.