29 June 2010

Review + Giveaway: Bonds of Justice by Nalini Singh



Title: Bonds of Justice
Author: Nalini Singh
Series: Psy/Changeling #8
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: July 6, 2010
Edition: Paperback
Blurb:
Max Shannon is a good cop, one of the best in New York Enforcement. Born with a natural shield that protects him against Psy mental invasions, he knows he has little chance of advancement within the Psy-dominated power structure. The last case he expects to be assigned is that of a murderer targeting a Psy Councilor’s closest advisors. And the last woman he expects to compel him in the most sensual of ways is a Psy on the verge of a catastrophic mental fracture…

Sophia Russo is a Justice-Psy, cursed with the ability to retrieve memories from men and women so twisted even veteran cops keep their distance. Appointed as Max’s liaison with the Psy, she finds herself fascinated by this human, her frozen heart threatening to thaw with forbidden emotion. But, her mind filled with other people’s nightmares, other people’s evil, she’s standing on the border between sanity and a silken darkness that urges her to take justice into her own hands, to become judge, jury…and executioner…


Nalini Singh is one of my favourite authors, so I was very happy when I got the opportunity to review this book. I was a little hesitant when I heard that the main couple was going to be a human/psy pairing, but Nalini makes it work beautifully.

We met Max in Mine to Possess, where he helped Tally and Clay find the missing Forgotten children. He's a cop with the special "ability" of having a shield psy can't penetrate, which means they can't influence him.
He ends up working a case with Sophia Russo, a Justice psy who is very close to breaking Silence, and being rehabilitated permanently.

Sophia is a very interesting character. With her, we learn a lot more about Psy society and some very well kept secrets. She's very brave, and while she knows she doesn't have a lot of time left, she's convinced to make the best of it, especially when she meets Max. Her ability reminded me of Faith's one, the Forseer, and some of the consequences of their abilities, such as having nightmares, are the same in both of them.
Max is a clever, competent cop with a firm sense of justice. He has some issues with his past which makes it difficult for him to get close to anyone. Sophia gets under his defences and he tries to deal with the feelings she evoques in him plus all the problems those feelings can bring up. I really liked the way their relationship developed and how they took thier time with each other.

A few loved characters come back in this book. Sasha & Lucas have to deal with Nikita plus we learn more about Sasha's abilities. We see a little bit of Faith, Clay and Tally, while they try to help Max & Sophia and I know there are a lot of Kaleb fans out there, so all I'll say about him is that after I read the book, I had a lot more questions than before. I wished I could have seen more of the wolves, but I guess I'll have to wait for Indigo's book for that.

The plot moved along nicely. It was interesting seeing the inside of Nikita's bussiness operations while trying to figure out who was targeting her people. The world the author created is fascinating as usual and I love how in each new book we find out a little more about it. The plot arc kept advancing in this book and I can't wait to see how everything unfolds in the next 2 books.

All in all, this was a great entry of the Psy/Changeling series with a great romance and an interesting mystery, and while some parts of the end seemed a little too convenient, I really enjoyed this book. Now I can't wait to get my hands on Indigo's book, 6 months seems like such a long time!


Memorable Lines:

"Do you think," he said, slamming the door on those memories, "that Sasha is flawed?"

"It doesn't matter what I think, only what Councilor Duncan believes."

"You didn't strike me as a coward, Sophia."

Utter stillness. "What is it you want from me?" It was an outwardly calm question, but he was certain he heard a bewildered vulnerability beneath the surface.

It made him feel like a bastard. "I'm just trying to know who you are." And why she spoke to a part of him that had gone quiet a long, long time ago.

"Nobody," she said, her tone so flat, he could've imagined the soft-voiced woman who'd told him his nightmares would pass. "I'm nobody."


Next Book:
Play of Passion - Psy/Changeling #9 - November 2, 2010.


Rating: 1/2



* Thanks so much to the publisher and Nalini's publicist for providing me with a review copy plus one copy for the giveaway.



Giveaway

I have one copy of Bonds of Justice to giveaway to a lucky winner.
To enter all you have to do is fill out this FORM and answer this question in the comments: Which one of Nalini's books or couples is your favourite? Why? And if you haven't read any of her books yet, which of all her books sounds best to you?
US/Canada Only
Ends on July 6th.

36 comments:

Unknown said...

Angel blood is in my to read list and I havent read it because I havent had to time to go buy it but its in my to read list

tina werner said...

i haven't read any of her books, but i would say "Slave to Sensation" looks great to me... i would prefer starting a series a the beginning LOL!

thanks for the chance to win!
tina

Unknown said...

hi -followed your link from the ns forum. my favorite couple thus far is Judd and Brenna - there was something special about their story. really looking forward to hawke's story!

Karin Perry said...

Thanks for posting your review and linking it to the reading challenge.
Karin

Barbara E. said...

I haven't had a chance to start this series yet, but have several of the books on my TBR shelf. I think Slave to Sensation sounds the most interesting to me because it is the start of the series.

jeanette8042 said...

I love Rafael and Elena in her Angels series because I love reading about how their relationship formed and continues to grow, especially with a domineering and arrogant angel.

Just_Me37 said...

My favorite couple is a toss-up between Dorian & Ashaya and Riley & Mercy. Riley & Mercy have a lot of chemistry and Dorian & Ashaya make a great family with Keenan. My favorite book would be Branded by Fire.

Pamk said...

Loved Both Lucas and Sascha and Vaughn and Faith but I am so looking forward to Hawk's book. I can't wait.

Erika said...

I love Judd and Brenna in Caressed by Ice!

Jenny Schwartzberg said...

I adore all of Nalini's books, which I reread a _lot_. I think my favorite is Caressed by Ice, with Judd and Brenna. I love how Judd begins to open up to Brenna and to the world.

Jenny Schwartzberg

Romantic Epilog said...

Favorite couple is by far Luc and Sascha because it started my love for Nalini Singh!

JessicaC said...

Definitely Judd and Brenna! I have read all the existing books in the Psy-Changeling series, but the trust and love present in their relationship, what they bring out of each other, is still the most moving in my opinion. And that makes Caressed by Ice my favourite book as well!

Pam P said...

I do love Lucas and Sascha, but my favorites are Judd and Brenna (Caressed by Ice). Both so hurt and different in their natures, yet because they understand the hurt in the other, they need each other to heal, so emotional.

Unknown said...

I love all of Nalini's books I think my favourite would have to be Slave to Sensation seeing as it's the book which introduced me to her books, as to my favourite couple its a toos up between Raphael and Elena, Lucas and Sascha and Dev and Katya.

Nandiehills said...

I love all of Nalini's Psy/Changeling books, but have to say Slave to Sensation has a special spot since it got me hooked on the series. My favorite couples are Sascha and Lucas, Judd & Brenna, and Mercy & Riley!

CrystalGB said...

I love Nalini's books. My favorite couples are Lucas and Sascha and Mercy and Riley.

sp said...

How to pick one? Her books tend to get read and re-read over and over again.

I would have to say that my favorite couple is Ashaya and Dorian in Hostage to Pleasure.

Christina said...

I think I am one of the few who loves Clay and Tally the most. I adore them! I am so excited that they make an appearance in Max's book since they hardly get any 'screen' time. I love that they have a history together, it makes them unique from all the other couples.

Kalynn said...

Riley and Mercy are my favorite. They have so much chemistry it sparks off the pages, and I love shapeshifters. I love all her books, but these two complemented each other so well and were both such strong characters that I felt they were equals more so than her other pairs. I also love Luke and Sascha and Clay and Tally.

tetewa said...

My choice would be Carressed by Ice! Enjoying this series. tWarner419@aol.com

Sharon S. said...

I've only read the Angel Blood books. So I am a Raphael kind of girl;)

azteclady said...

Judd and Brenna, followed closely by Dorian and Ashaya, then Lucas and Sasha and Vaughn and Faith.

As for why... Well, I like it when people carry a torch :grin: and watching Judd thaw out--and Brenna push him for that--is just great.

I love the series as a whole because, on top of really great characters, the world building is excellent and internally consistent--few things can ruin my enjoyment of connected books than when things are changed around willy-nilly! It's great to know that Ms Singh doesn't jerk her readers around that way ;-)

Unknown said...

I absolutely love her series. Favorite couple is Riley and Mercy. There romance and story just connected to me.

Diane said...

Which one of Nalini's books or couples is your favourite? Why? And if you haven't read any of her books yet, which of all her books sounds best to you?
Sascha and Lucas from Slave to Sensation, this book hooked me from the start and I haven't stopped enjoying Nalini's books since.

throuthehaze said...

I haven't read any of her books so I think the first in the series sounds best (I prefer to read series in order)

Stacey Smith said...

Have not read eny yet but i so want to.I think that Blaze of Memory looks great.

sasluvbooks(at)yahoo.com

Lisa J said...

My favorite couple is Vaughn and Faith. Vaughn appeals to me and I love the way their relationship progresses.

Eden said...

I really want to read Angel's Blood. It sounds really good!

Ying said...

I like most of the couples in Nalini Singh's psy and changeling novels but Riley and Mercy are my favorite. Their love is passionate and it's fun to read about a changeling/changeling couple.

Aimee said...

I've read 1 short story by Nalini Singh & it was pretty amazing. She writes beautifully, the I-Couldn't-Put-It-down type of writing.

gevin13{at}gmail{dot}com

Unknown said...

All the books sound terrific. I would love to read all of them. Please enter me in contest. I am a new follower. Tore923@aol.com

doreen lamoureux said...

I have not read any yet. ...but this one sounds great. Great review. I would really enjoy this one . Thanks.

dorcontest at gmail dot com

debbie said...

I haven't read any of the books in the series, but I think that slave to sensation sounds great.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

That is such a cruel question!LOL
If forced i would have to say, Slave to Sensation just because it started my series obsession.

Unknown said...

CARESSED BY ICE is my favorite. While I usually am drawn to the shifters, Judd's character really spoke to me. He was such a tortured soul and I was happy to see him find love.

Chantel said...

I havn't read any of her books yet but Angel's Blood is coming up on my reading list.