Heart of Obsidian by Nalini Singh (Psy/Changeling #12)
June 4, 2013
Paranormal Romance
Berkley
Reviewed by Mandi
There has been much build up and secrecy with this book in the months leading up to publication. Who is the hero? Who is the heroine? Is the Ghost involved? I’ve gone back and forth trying to figure out how to review this book and not give away answers to those who are trying to avoid spoilers. But at the same time, it’s hard to review a book when I can’t mention characters by name. So, I’ve decided to put the entire review under a spoiler tag. I don’t give away any major plot points or crazy spoilers, but under the spoiler tag I do mention who the hero and heroine is and I set-up the book etc.. Your choice whether you want to click.
For those who choose not to read it for now, let me tell you this is one of my absolute favorite reads of the year. Nalini Singh not only has built an incredible world, but she gives us such an intense, dramatic romance. It’s awesome.
Onto the review….
“Tell me you aren’t evil.” Please.
Kaleb’s thumbs moved against he temples. “I’m sorry.”
Shaking her head in a mute refusal to accept what he was trying to tell her, she lifted trembling fingers to his jaw. “What have you done?”
“Too much that can never be undone.”
Crying in earnest now for a man she didn’t know, and yet who was in the most secret part of her heart, she wrapped her arms around his neck and held on, just held on, all the while knowing that he might already have slipped out of her grasp.
His arms came around her, locked tight, his breath harsh against her ear. “I’m sorry,” he said again, voice rough as sandpaper and body rigid, as if he’d clenched every muscle he possessed.
“It’s okay,” she said through her sobs, “It’s okay.”
This is what I love about Sahara. Her mind is broken, her memories are only coming to her in pieces, yet inherently she knows Kaleb is not the man Santano made him into be. Kaleb is the most powerful man on the planet, and a girl with a broken mind is the only one that can save him. It’s really beautiful and passionate. Kaleb is so powerful he can not only crack the Earth’s surface with just a thought, but he is strong enough and has plans to either control or destroy the PsyNet. Depending on Sahara, and whether she is ever harmed again, will depend on if the Net gets to live.
I could go on and on with the set-up, but let’s get to the good stuff. Kaleb is the most intense, protective hero I’ve read in a long time. The combination of his love (even though he thinks he can’t love) for Sahara and his Silence training, makes me just flail my arms. He is black ice. Nalini Singh gives him insane pent-up emotions, that violently leave his body as he becomes physically active with Sahara. He is her rock, her foundation even though she doesn’t remember him. And as the story unfolds, Sahara becomes his rock. She sees the darkness in him. She understands the horrors he faced with Santano growing up. She is patient, and kind and so loving of him. His love for her – the fact that he finally has her again, is so intense. And he is so tormented, tortured, guilt-ridden, Silent, powerful.
Sahara’s eyes were haunted when they met his. “Am I so important to you?”
“Yes,” he said. “You’re everything.” The entire reason for his existence.
A single tear trailed down Sahara’s cheek. “Why can’t I remember you?”
“You’re not strong enough yet.” For the horror, the pain, the realization of the betrayal that had splattered blood around a cheap hotel room when she’d been a girl on the brink of womanhood.
Stroking her fingers along his jaw, she said, “Come back, Kaleb.” and stepped closer, moving her hands to his lapels to push the unbuttoned suit jacket off his shoulders. “Walk out of the dark.”
But in the darkness and among the drama, there are some scenes that will make you smile. Their love is earth shattering. No really.
“I just checked the PsyNet,” she said, her own breathing not exactly even. “This region just experienced a medium-sized earthquake.”
Kaleb turned his head on the pillow. “It was located deep underground, I made sure of that. No real damage.”
Oh Kaleb. You literally rocked Sahara’s world.
Kaleb and his Arrows are also fighting a war with the PurePsy and their relentless attacks. I really enjoyed how this part of the book played out and how it has been building up through the series. The outcome is pretty awesome as well.[/spoiler]
Fans of this series will be blown away by this book. It has been worth the wait. Nalini Singh is an amazing storyteller.
Rating: A
Recent Reviews:
That’s What I’m Talking About – A-
Goodreads
Author Website l Series Listing
I guess I better try this series again. I only read the first book in the series and it was info overload for me. Maybe I will give them another shot this summer.
It is a more complex world..but once you get into it, it’s worth it
Must this series be read in order or is it just recommended? Can you start anywhere?
Marc: I would strongly suggest it. This series has a very large overarching story line that is best read and understood from the very beginning.
“Walk out of the dark.” I love how that mirrors what is said at the end. *sigh*
Swoon
Your review starts very similar to mine.
The first thing I talked about was hwo to write a review when I couldn’t even mention the names of the H/h!
I’m not sure the secretive nature was necessary – but I respect it. And I’m SO glad it was this hero and heroine
I really enjoyed this one. Kaleb and Sahara make for a wonderful couple -which says a lot since they are two Psys. Their romance is so touching and I love that neither apologize for who they are.
This one has such a different feel after so many Changeling-centric books, full of multiple characters and story lines. I agree – fans will enjoy!
And I’m with you on Kaleb – I wasn’t a big fan *coughs KatieBabs coughs* but now… LOVE!! He can rock my world. *wink*
It does have a different feel. But still felt – organic to the series and the arc.
I work for my parish library on the BookMobile and we have several patrons who read this series. I’ve never tried it, but after reading this review, I think I’m going to. It sounds like a very good read and thank you so much for this wonderful review.
Leslie.
Hope you enjoy!
Waaaaant!
Kaleb makes the earth move literally for the woman he loves. Not many heroes I know of can do that. Their ending together was beautiful.
A+ book! Possibly the best, definitely in the the top 3. The Psy plot was amazingly done as well, very topical and believable.
Though I would give a poor grade to the marketing! The whole Ghost reveal… really not that big of a deal??? Cheap gimmick, IMO.
I kind of agree – It was fun for awhile with the secrets and build up but after a bit it got a little tiring. Still glad it was who it was :)
I agree about the whole hush hush on the Ghost and when it’s revealed, it’s more ho hum then WOW.
OK, I was wondering if I was the only one, lol. I loved loved loved the book. In my head Kaleb is like some hot hybrid of Judd and Spock or something. I’m already re-reading it.
I just don’t understand the logic of the marketing? They told us we had to be unspoiled to properly enjoy the book. But then they spoiled us by saying they would reveal the Ghost. And then there was zero twist with who he was and so therefore they were the ones who spoiled his identity by revealing this. They are the ones who did it! I’m so confused….
And to quote a famous football rant, THEY WERE WHO WE THOUGHT THEY WERE.
Head hurts. Chicanery, I tell you. Pure chicanery!
I want a Tk-Psy. That is all.
This was amazing. Loved it. Every minute of it!
Yes, a top fave of the year, and fabulous for both the romance and the plot. Though Kaleb was intriguing along the way, I too wouldn’t have thought he’d become a favorite hero.
I’m at 82% and I love it! I absolutely love this hero. This heroine. This story. This series. This review. I love everything about the Psy/Changeling series. Nalini Singh is a genius. The only thing I don’t love is that I’m almost done & I have to wait a year for the next one!
SOBS. I don’t wanna wait!!!!
I too was never a huge Kaleb fan but he totally won me over in this book! The more we learned about his and Sahara’s shared past the more I fell in love! It is going to be interesting to see where Nalini takes the series from here.
Great review Mandi! I just loved this book, and the characters, and now I want to start re-reading the whole series …