A Psy-Changeling Novel (Psy/Changelings) - Heart of Obsidian

Heart of Obsidian by Nalini Singh is the 12th book in her Psy/Changeling series. My favorite book in the series (I love them all), was a tie between Slave to Sensation & Kiss of Snow. Notice I said was, though it is close. I never thought I would love a book just as good or better with the hero being Kaleb Krychek, especially in competition with Hawke or Lucas. But Heart of Obsidian was simply amazing. Nalini Singh continues to prove that she is a master storyteller, and in this book she has created a fantastic masterpiece..

Heart of Obsidian is Kaleb Krychek's story, as we knew it would be after the end of Tangle of Need. We did not know who was the woman he had found, and what did she mean to him? We learn early that Sahara Kyriakus (Nightstar) was that woman, someone deep in his past, who turned out to be a fantastic heroine. This book belongs to Kaleb and Sahara, in so many ways.

The book picks up immediately after Tangle of Need, with Sahara transported to Kaleb's home, where he slowly tries to get her out of a labyrinth shell, which she herself put together during her 7 years in captivity. Right away you are surprised how gentle, but firm Kaleb is with Sahara. We know from the start she is important to him, but Sahara does not remember Kaleb. This is a surprise, as Kaleb has always came across as the most powerful psy; cold, calculating, and extremely dangerous. With Sahara we begin to see a different side of Kaleb, and Nalini does such wonderful job in salvaging him.

This is not to say that Sahara wasn't equally as wonderful as Kaleb. She was awesome, and possibly one of the best heroines in this series. As Sahara begins to heal, and trust Kaleb, she sees his inner darkness, and knows how dangerous he is. But she also sees the goodness in him and together they will discover each other, as their love grows, and each will heal in their own way. Kaleb loves Sahara, as he knows she is the only person who can save him. This was such a beautiful romance, with two damaged people, who lost and found each other.

It is Sahara who will get Kaleb to reveal his past, and how he came to be what he is. We learn the horrifying truth of Kaleb being trained by the evil Santano Enrique, and the things he had to endure. Sahara uses her memory of the young Kaleb, to help show him not everything is dark, and the light inside him is their love. The fact that Nalini can get us to care about Kaleb is something, but we got to love him, as much or then many of the other psy/changeling heroes. Since all the heroes in this series are awesome, this was an amazing feat by Nalini.

Kaleb and Sahara's romance is so emotional on every level. As always, the sex scenes were hot and steamy, but there were some added elements of humor that were funny. For example, when Kaleb professed to be a virgin, and after they had hot and heavy sex, Sahara asked him how he knew what to do, or if he tested on someone. He offered to share his research on the internet for her to read. Lol

Besides this wonderful romance that pulled on our heart strings, not to mention the intensity, Heart of Obsidian continued the ongoing civil war with the Pure Psy against the Psy Council and Changelings. Kaleb was the hero throughout, working with his Arrows to save many people from the destruction being done by the Pure Psy. Though there was a constant worry that Kaleb had other plans, & the extent he would he go to control the Psy net.

We get to see some of our other favorites like Aden, Vasic, Judd, Mercy, Faith, Vaughn, Nikita, Anthony, and briefly Hawke and Lucas. There was a lot of intense action throughout, with all the factions helping one another to fight the evil Pure Psy.
The ending was very exciting, with some resolution, as it is a game changer. However, much is left open to see how this change will affect the Psy & Changelings, and most of all...Silence. There is so much more to learn, and more enemies to defeat, but I can't wait for what Nalini has in store for us as she reaches the final few books to end this arc.

Will Silence survive? Will Sahara be able to keep the darkness inside of Kaleb in control? Did we learn who is Ghost? Yes, we did, but you will have to read this book to find out who it is.

Heart of Obsidian is an emotional roller coaster, very intense, exciting, and an amazing romance. It is this romance that totally surprised me, being so beautiful, so much emotion, and very passionate. I can't say enough of Nalini Singh, who has become one of my top favorite authors, how great a writer she is. Not only can she take a character seemingly unredeemable, dangerous and make him someone we would fall in love with; but she continues to amaze me how she keeps all the details of this complex world so precise, flawless and brings us to an exciting climax still to come. Bravo Nalini, you outdid yourself in this book.

Nalini has done it again. A beautiful and complex love story that grips you from page one and won't let go. If you like to read a story that completely transports you to another world then this book is for you.

I wasn't sure I would like this one, because I really hadn't cared for Kaleb when he had appeared in the other books in the series. I would up really liking this story. Kaleb turned out to be a very interesting character and you find out why he is the way he is. I liked his heroine, Sahara. She could have been broken, but found a way to survive what was done to her and that makes her strong enough to tangle with Kaleb and to be his conscience.

Nalini Singh, you are off the charts awesome. Kaleb and Sahara power house couple of the decade. You have surpassed my expectations. I am in much anticipation for the rest to follow, Vasic, Aden and the pup cubs. Cannot wait for those pup cubs. :)

Nalini Singh has managed to make Kaleb Krychek, a character who hasn't been very likable until now, one of my favorite heroes of the series. When you read his backstory with Sahara and see his devotion to her, it puts him in a whole new light. And all that intensity makes for some very hot love scenes. To have Kaleb go from the ice-cold near villain to a man you'd trust to try to save the world shows just how good an author Nalini Singh is.

Ha i knew it, anyway! What a wonderful story, like with the rest of the series, the end makes me long for more to come... What a wonderful feeling, maybe next book we get to know more about the arrows!

What an amazingly well written book. Kaleb didn't disappoint at all. I love Nalini Singh's writing. Everything is fresh and new with each book. Normally at this stage in a series, books seem a little recycled. But not the psy-changeling books (or the Angel series either).
Loved getting a small update on Mercy and her pupcubs!

Wow this book answers many questions. For example who is the Ghost. I'm not going to say anything because I personally hate spoilers but if your reading the series and you had thought to stop because they were all feeling the same. I'd like to say that I personally haven't felt that but I've read some reviews that have. I suggest you push through because this is a book that ties many issues up and makes it all a bit clearer. Loved the story, loved the characters, love where the story is heading. Thank you Nalini.

This was the first book of the series that I read, so I was really surprised with the twists of the plot.

What can you say about a dark, dangerous Hero who says things like these?
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“You are here,” he said in a tone that made her heart thump wildly against her ribs, “because you belong to me.”
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“It will,” he said in a silken whisper, “only ever be with me.”

Not a completely bad book, but due to the lack of emotion initially shown by Psy, I just found this story rather lacking.
I would love to see more of a struggle with Psy lovers, more of an absolute combustion of feelings, thoughts, emotions etc. Instead everything just felt mediocre. I much prefer all the raging hormones and pent up emotion of the Changeling breeds.

Of all her books so far, this is my favorite. The "hero" does do some changing, but mostly he just tries to make the heroine willing to be with him, stay with him, even if he ends up acting against his instincts.

Some of my favorite one-liners in the series are in this story and at the end, I gave a satisfied sigh and started reading it again. I can't wait for more.

The latest instalment of the Psy-Changeling series is a very good read. A tender love story set against an engrossing background of adrenaline-charged action. One of the best instalments of this series.

I love this authors Paranormal stories! Her books are totally addictive and I have read all of them published so far at least twice each. The story is SO complex, the characters full of depth with both dark and light with in them. This is a series that you really need to start with book one and work your way through to the last published, so don't start with this book as you will have NO IDEA what is going on. This series has a very complected, involved back story. But believe me, if you are a fan of paranormal stories you will not be disappointed!

From the first book, through all of the lives, across continents, this has been an adventure I never want to end. I have loved and cried, laughed and been enraged. Many of my hopes and dreams for some of these people come true. I identified, in my own mind, the connection and secrets of certain characters. I have never been disappointed. I just hope this adventure continues.

I love the series and the vivid, unique world they describe. Unlike most other series which are written as standalones in a certain universe, this one grows stronger and more complex with each book. I admire Ms. Singh for her forward planning as many seeds were planted already in book 2 or 3 and then slowly developed. Kaleb is one of the strongest and yet most enigmatic, so I was looking forward to "his" book.
But it left me with impression that either Ms. Singh changed the editor or she was hard pressed for time and therefore ended the book in a hurry.
It starts great with his quarry finally in his hands and realization why he - with all his power - couldn't find her. Her path to herself and her memories is fascinating. Unfortunately the more herself she is, the more boring she becomes. She is just too perfect.
Kaleb too is watered down. He is almost changeling in his reaction - with one exception - most of his life his pack consisted of only one another member and even that one was brutally taken away from him. That he remained his humanity at all is almost miraculous. And yet stories from his growing years were one of the best parts of the book.
Half way through the book their relationship lost my interest as all that was left was superficial tensions with known resolve. It is also a part where she leaves the house and enters the world, but nevertheless all other characters are hardly mentioned. She meets her father - he hardly speaks a word and is conveniently removed from picture soon afterwords. She meets Sasha, but we find it out just as a footnote, etc.
The result is a poorer and less convincing story.
From politics point of view, change is momentous, but in fact very little happens.
Pure Psy actions only serve to underline how great Kaleb is. Ex-councelors are there in the beginning, but are only footnotes at the end. All other threads are left untouched.
Interaction with Aden, Vasic and Valques were well done though.

I believe I might enjoy the book more as standalone romantic novel.
From series point of view all that is needed are first few chapters and the last two.
And eagerly awaiting the next book with wrapping up the story arc.

Listened to this book on audio all of yesterday. Angela Dawe is a great narrator. Thought the story was great and answered some questions. And, I guest right on the ghost, so happy. What characters are next? Do start from the beginning with Slave to Sensation.

Like a previous reviewer said I loved the first three books but then got a little bored, but this amazing author has come back with a vengeance. Excellent book which it was longer just so I could still read about this amazing couple. PS love the angel series too

Heart of Obsidian is my new favorite of the psy/changeling books. Before, it was a toss up between Caressed by Ice and Kiss of Snow. There are so many things I loved about this book but I will try to narrow it down so I don't write a novel myself.

First, the mysteries are solved. Gotta love that. The ghost is revealed, and if you're not surprised, that just means you're as smart as me and paid attention to the other books. Some may be disappointed by the lack of total surprise, but really, did you want to be shocked so badly that you felt misled in the previous books? And the reveal was done in such a perfectly wonderful way. Another mystery solved is the missing chunks of time in Kaleb's early training with Santano Enrique. And let me just say that was a shocker if you needed one! Even though the thought had crossed my mind, it was still a jaw dropping moment. And the heroine, where has she been and why does Kaleb care.. All that comes to light.

Another thing I truly loved about this book is that Kaleb remains true to his character. He's never been Mr. Nice Guy and he sure as heck isn't starting now. Most authors will make love change a man into a cuddly bear just because he falls in love. Not this time. The only compromise Kaleb makes is that instead of being the weapon of mass destruction that he planned, he becomes a weapon specially for his woman's use, and thankfully, she actually does have a conscience. So, he doesn't get to kill and torture quite as many as planned, but he still does. And his ultimate goal never changed. So we get to see the true Kaleb that we love to hate.

On top of all that, we have a serious civil war going on, revenge to be had, an entire race (possibly the world) to take over, and sex that literally "makes the earth move" If you thought Judd had it rough with breaking furniture, you ain't seen nothing yet!

My one and only complaint? I clicked purchase twice and bought two copie. No actually, I don't even care about paying double. It's worth every penny.

I. Have followed this series from the beginning and it never gets old. Nalini finally gave us our Ghost and he was fabulous. The storyline moved so quickly that before I knew it I was on the last page and crying for more. I loved it and pray that she starts writing faster. One book per year is not enough. And Kalebs HEA was perfect. No other woman would've been right for him. I hope that Vasic gets the next book.

I loved this story because of the interaction between the main characters and that it felt that all the other books had been leading to this book. I would say anyone who likes nalini singh books will love this one.

I really enjoyed the culmination of the story about Kaleb and the Ghost in this book. So much emotion. It took me a while to see where the story was going. Well played. Great build up from previous books.

This is a book of greatness wrapped in a paranormal romance cover. Yes, it is that and one of the best of the best, but also encompassing themes on good and evil, both fanatical and trivial that resides in each of us and is then relatable. Aspirational. Cautionary.

The surprising, complex characters will have your heart aching and soaring as will the story line. The series is inventive, smart, sexy and highly entertaining with this being the best of the best in the series and in this genre.

Broken,hurt and bloody inside your own mind..both of these strong wonderful characters come to life together..another epic book, just read it.. it will make you cry and smile an appreciate a simple smile of two sweet children who aren't..

I loved how he was only ever hers and would hand her the world if she but asked. But because she cares, she asked him to save it. It was a wonderful book, revealed several mysteries from the series. Loved it!

This is one of the best books of this series. The book maintained the perfect balance between the love story and the rest of the plot. It kept me on the edge of my seat from the moment I started reading. I am planning to read this book many times.

I love the story. Love Kaleb. Love his demons and his love. Love the struggle.
Sahara on the other side won my heart. Looooove her. She's strong and stubborn. Their relationship beyond erotic it was a deautiful relation based on Tyumen love. LOVE IT.

Sci-fi fans, urban fantasy romance. Well developed characters, a poignant drama . A tear jerker ! Well written suspenseful thriller. Better than Christine Feehan and Nora Roberts, not sappy like Mary Balogh. It is science fiction at its best.

I enjoyed the characters immensely - Team Kaleb, y'all! The heroine was so smart, gutsy without being a hardass. She knew her man and she knew what she could do and did it. Enjoyable to see Vaughn (hawt) Lucas (HAWT) and Judd (yum) etc. Clear storyline with vivid details. My only complaint is the different terrorist strikes bring to mind to many current events in our world. I read to avoid those sharp edges and it brought me out of the story a bit. Also any plot with horrible child abuse is a painful read, even with the happy resolution.

I really enjoyed this book even though it might have walked along a darker path. I liked how Ms. Singh illustrated that love for someone can make them strive to be better or at least be better for the person that loves them. I read this all in one sitting causing me to be a tired workerbee the next morning.

I looooved this book! His commitment to finding her. Her commitment to taking him out of the darkness!! I really felt that the character development was amazing. I read this book twice and each time I loved it. So great and heartbreaking. I definitely recommend this book to everyone.

Nalini Singh doesn't fail to disappoint. "Heart of Obsidian" was full of wild passion, darkly intense emotions and blood pumping plot-twists that have you on the edge of your seat, eagerly reading until the last word. It continues to expand on the preexisting plots from her other PsyChangeling books and has great older character cameo appearances. A must read!

I'll keep this short. No spoilers.

The story premise is very unique and interesting. The author could do a lot with this world she built. Where it fell short was the emotions that the characters displayed during the numerous events. understood Psy are suppose to be non-feeling, but doesn't that mean it's all bottled up and should explode at some point? didn't get that from the story. I wanted to know what would happen to the characters, but I never got the emotional engagement that such a story should have elicited.

Kalab matured from a scared child to an adult to be proud of. He finally puts his past behind him to become the man he needs to become to help the psy survive. This is a wonderful continuation of the psy/changling series. If you have enjoyed the series thus far you will enjoy this book immensely.

I was scared to read this latest book for fear that my favorite series would be ruined. How could she write a book that illustrates love in the cold world of the Net? Ms Singh really outdid herself. This book finally answers most of my questions. The reasons (3) I only gave it 4 stars were (1) that while some Alphas make an appearance they are hardly mentioned and I felt that more pack members should have been included because of the direction the story went. Some of my favorite parts of past books is getting to catch up with characters from other books. (2) the ending was a bit abrupt and (3) the price. I hate paying so much for an ebook.

Nalina Singh continues to impress. Well written and a thoughtful conclusion to the psynet arch of this series. The story kept me interested from start to finish, although it was predictable in sections. Many open threads from previous stories were tied up, while leaving room for more stories in the series.

As a fan of Nalini Singh's psy series, I was disappointed and bored with this book. I had to work hard to finish it. I asked myself did she write this one or was it a ghost writer. Maybe it is time to end this series and move on to something else.

This was a great story. I had a thought of what happened but I was wrong and I, glad.

I love that this series is not like another author's Carpathian novels; this series tells a story. There is something happening overall, not just romance of two people meeting. There is an end goal that we all want to see: the end of silence.

Write on, Nahlini, write on.

(No serious spoilers.)

I've given Heart of Obsidian four stars rather than 5, simply because the ending leaves a few loose ends that I wish had been included (Alice waking up, Mercy's babies, Ming's ultimate death - a few other missing story-lines I'd have enjoyed reading)). Aside from those dangly bits, unless there is another war between the various species (taking us back to the beginning), this saga is pretty much done. Finis, over. All that's really left, is the cleanup. Another book in this series would jump an unnecessary shark.

If you already read the first few chapters (available before this book came out), you already know that the main characters are Kaleb and Sahara. The other characters we've learned to know and care about have minor guest roles to help win the day.

Overall, a very, very, good read. I didn't put it down from start to finish (took me about 4 hours). Lots of action, serious battles, a damsel in distress, a heroic hero, never-ending love... a new unbreakable bond.

Thank you, Ms. Singh, it's been a fun ride.

Rating: A ... Heat: Warm

**May contain minor spoilers. Spoilers aren't my intention. I mention who the hero is - but not who The Ghost is. You don't know 100% who it is till 2/3 in. There's so much going on in this book that it isn't the focus.**

This is the book all Psy-Changeling fans have been waiting for! Well, other than Hawke's book, which was one I desperately wanted from the very beginning. In Heart of Obsidian we get answers. Big answers. So many things happen that I'm hesitant to say anything at all. What should you know? Nalini Singh is pure genius--dark, twisted, and brilliant--and in Heart of Obsidian her genius really shines through.

Singh took a character I wasn't fond of and, in some instances, despised, and made him... well, not human, but... understandable. Relatable. She managed to keep him unapologetically true to character, a very dark sort of character, and made me feel for him. Care for him. Fall deeply, madly in love with an unscrupulous and ruthless man.

Kaleb Krycheck, former Councilor, is cold and inscrutable. A man known for his unconscionable deeds and his mercenary attitude. Kaleb is dedicated to one cause so completely he'd end the world for it. And, as a dual Cardinal with off-the-charts Tk abilities, he could - and would - end the world. Kaleb is a man so full of darkness, you don't want to like him. I actively fought not to like him. But the more you know, the deeper you fall into his darkness. He's a man capable of anything. So when he kidnaps a woman, who was previously kidnapped years ago and held captive - and steals her for himself, his motivations and reasons aren't obvious.

That woman, Sahara Kyriakus, is lost in her own mind. In a labyrinth of her own making. She turned her mind into a puzzle that her captors could never solve. The only person who can is Sahara herself. When she finds her usual windowless cage is swapped with another, and a new jailer is introduced, she remains on guard. Except nothing about this man who's taken her makes sense. He allows her freedoms and concessions and gives her truthful answers. Its disarming, confusing, and causes her defenses to begin unraveling all on their own.

Kaleb and Sahara... left me breathless. A broken Psy and a Silent Councilor. From their very first interactions, I was in their thrall. There have been cold men in the Psy-Changeling series, Jude was made of ice till Brenna thawed him some, but with Kaleb--there is no thawing. He's too powerful. He's too... much. His chill is to the marrow. And Sahara never tries to change him, because she knows the consequences would be too dire. To have a hero like Kaleb... he might not melt, but he sure as heck finds a way to melt you. Sahara stood no chance against a man so... impressively tenacious. The truth is a very powerful thing and he gives it to Sahara when no one else would. Even if it means she'll run from him.

And all of this takes place in the midst of the Psy civil wars that are bleeding out into the other races. Pure Psy is amping up their destruction and the casualties are piling up. Things are racing toward a big, big final showdown between Pure Psy and... well, everyone else. Inter-species relationships will never be the same. The Psy will never be the same. Good or bad, this book is a game changer.

Heart of Obsidian is intense on all levels--the romance, the action, the emotions, the drama. Nalini Singh has written a book that's savage in its intensity. It will rock you. The Psy-Changeling world is already impressive, but this book will leave you awestruck. I can't wait to see were Singh takes it from here.

I thought Kiss of Snow was her best book, but I think this book eclipsed that one and all my expectations! I don't want to ruin it for anyone who hasn't finished the book or even started. I was left with only one thought when I read the last word......."WOW!" If you like Nalini' s books AT ALL then you don't want to miss out on this one.

Had very high hopes for this book and it didn't quite deliver. The fact that a large part of the story took place away from San Francisco made me miss the past characters that I loved in past books and didn't make it into this one. I enjoyed it but not as much as previous books in this world.

I feel like I waited forever for this book and it left a lot of unanswered questions. I thought this was going to be the last book. Hopefully it's not because if it is, it is an awful way to end the series.

If you're not into sexy romance, I would recommend you stay away from Nalini Singh, but I've found the intriguing and mysterious plot well worth sticking with this series. Anticipating the next instalment!

As I have read all of the Psy/Changling novels, I anxiously awaited the arrival of this latest one ... Like, no joke I opened my Kindle and started reading at midnight immediately when it came out, and it did not disappoint.

So... Excuse me while I fan girl out because, oh my god. I loved it. Honestly... I never thought I could like a hero from a book so much. I totally wasn't expecting to LOVE Kaleb like that. But, I mean, really? How could you not? The sheer depth of love that he felt for Sahara was awesome. It has to be exhilarating to know that you are the ONLY person someone that powerful cares for.

Anyway, beyond my squeals of excitement over this book (have I mentioned that I love it?).... This is Singh at her best. As always, she builds a world that you just want to immerse yourself in because you're that invested in the characters. However, I was kind of sad to not see much interaction with the changling packs ... Even though I know that wasn't the main purpose of this book, I still mourn not seeing much of them.

Beyond that, Singh answers many questions that I have been chomping at the bit to have answered (Regarding Pure Psy and the like).

Bottom line: Buy this book. It was awesome. :)

First off let me say that the price of this book is completely ridiculous. What is up with these authors charging 10-15 bucks for an e-book? But never having paid that much before I bit the bullet and bought it and how I wished I would have waited. This book has no heart. I spend the first 75% of the book disliking Kaleb. That has never happened to me before. I usually find something redeamable about a character. Even for a psy, he was cold, angry, and vendictive. And you're always left with the feeling all the good stuff he does is to suit his purpose. If it didn't help him in some way then he wouldn't care. I felt sorry for Sahara because she had to be around him. I was hoping Kaleb's story would be a bit like Judd's and he would start to feel and be able to manipulate his Silence to keep what he needed. But no, he stays the same cold person all the way through the book. Who wants a man like that? And he was so child-like, and in a bad way. He wanted to kill everyone because they took his girl away, really? So he can act angry, vendictive, and even sorrowful (for what he was made to do to his girl) but the author couldn't thaw him enough to act happy? Even Sahara left me a little cold. She seemed so mousey. Not at all a woman who could live with someone who had such a crushing personality as Kaleb. Ya, the story answered some questions but I didn't really enjoy it. Neither did I enjoy the book before this one. I wish I would have waited until the price went down.

Nalini Singh seems to falter under the weight of this series' expectations sometimes. Kiss of Snow was abysmal and I think Heart of Obsidian is worse. I give this 2.5 stars.

I agree with the previous 2-3 star reviews that HO is repetitive, purple in its melodrama, and poorly constructed. Singh took one of the more intriguing characters in this series - Kaleb Krychek - and an equally fascinating counterpart, Sahara Kyriakus, and managed to make them romance genre tropes. I consider Nalini Singh - like Kresley Cole - and intelligent writer. I also believe her readers to have higher expectations of their romance novels. I'm actually quite surprised at the 5 star reviews here.

Singh is clearly quite eager to set Krychek up as the "broody, inaccessible EEEEVIL" anti-hero. There are multiple references per chapter regarding Krychek's ability to paint the ground red, litter the streets with bodies, crush the will of all those around him, etc. While I believe that Singh means for us to conclude that Krychek is NOT the sociopath he describes himself to be - thanks in part to a rather obvious plot device (getting there next) - *who* he is remains largely unexplored because there's an utter lack of character development. He is tethered to his uneasy humanity only by his fanaticism in finding and then "keeping" Sahara. As with Hawke in KoS, I almost feel as if Singh became paralyzed by the options available to her with this character and therefore chose the simplest route possible. Kaleb became a modern, suit-beclad version of the "Me Tarzan, You Jane, You Mine!" romances that pollute the genre. If I never read the phrase "darkly possessive" or "dark possessiveness" again, it will be too soon. We GET IT. Krychek is possessive - darkly, even. That does not substitute for character-building or decent monologue, of which there was sadly little save for the latter third of the novel. The reveals - Sahara/Kaleb's childhood friendship, Sahara's abilities, the identity of Ghost - which were clumsily hinted at via excruciatingly annoying cliff-hangers in previous chapters were handled with remarkable grace after chapter 30. Unfortunately it was far too late to safe the first two-third of this book.

The obvious plot device mentioned is the *multiple* use of disasters of the mass death-inducing exploding variety to underline Krychek's incomparable power vis-a-vis other Psy and to force the pacing along. I counted Perth, Copenhagen, the university, Geneva, and Hong Kong among these. In all of these instances, a public attack is organized by Pure Psy, Krychek teleports in and either a) single-handedly saves the day or b) organized others to help him semi-single-handedly save the day. By the Copenhagen incident, I was afraid I was going to roll my eyes out of my head.

Additionally, the "darkly possessive" Krychek, who could litter the street with dead babies without a twinge of conscience, who grew up under the less-than-tender wings of Enrico, is held to his waning humanity by...a ladyfriend. Oh COME ON. STOP IT. A quote from p 234: "I don't have empathy, Sahara. I can't feel for those who are going to die. It would be akin to asking a falcon to take flight when his wings had long been hacked off...without you, I would be a monster." We're repeatedly hammered over the head with exchanges like this and you know what? The "love-as-my-only-redeeming-quality/weakness" trope is not hot. It's novice Twilight fanfic right there and Singh is the furthest thing from a novice. Krychek and Kriakus' hidden childhood relationship - which could have been interspersed with subtlety and sophistication along with Sahara's flashbacks - were instead shoehorned into the latter third of this book. Krychek's (OBVIOUSLY) mistaken belief that he had participated in Sahara's torture was likewise shoehorned in. BAM, ex-deux machina-style, this whole book is supposed to stand illuminated. FAIL.

On a positive note, I appreciate the continued progress on the political/world-building side. Sahara's abilities were fascinating and her connection to the NightStar Clan allowed other characters to enter HO more fully. Aden and Vasic were featured quite a bit and I felt that some hints were dropped about a possible Nikita Duncan/Anthony pair-up, although that could be wishful thinking.

I've read this three times since I purchased it months ago in hopes that it would grow on me. Instead, I finish annoyed and vaguely frustrated each time. It's unfortunate because outside of this (and KO), the series if exceptional. However, I would honestly advocate stealing this book from someone over purchasing it for an outrageous price of 11 bucks. OK, obviously don't STEAL, but borrow from the library, don't buy.

I have read most of Singh's Psy/Changeling series. This is the worst of the lot. I did not like the characters in this book. The male lead, Kabe (or whatever he was called), was too dark and there didn't seem to be much depth to him. Sahara the female lead was ok but they never explained why she fell for him. Or at least I didn't read that part because I was too busy passing through. This was the worst book in the series and it is a real head scratch as to why so many people have rated this 5 stars.

Kabe is the level of Psy that is deadly and Sahara has some secret ability that is so confusing I never quite figured it out. Kabe teleports to all of these locations and saves people. Yet everyone is so afraid of him because he is so deadly. Yet in one section he was only saving people for his own gain--at least the author was trying to flip the switch for a moment. I was too bored to follow down that path and ended up not caring if he was good or not. Sahara is just some victim of trauma that has memory loss for most of it. It is nothing but fragmented bits of her experiences and memories of before the trauma.

All of it together is boring, no passion between the characters and you hope Kabe just annihilates all of the characters so you can start over. I understand the Psy don't feel or don't want to because they believe that emotions can cause destruction. But, giving at least depth to your characters instead of making all of them cookie cutter types would be refreshing.

I believe the author was trying to keep mystery and suspense but instead made it boring and confusing. The first quarter of the book is Kabe's character explaining how much he would do for Sahara but he is so flat you don't care about his issues.

Very disappointed and would not recommend this book. Especially don't read this one if it is your Singh book. It will cause you to think she is boring which she is not. Many of her other books have much better characters, plots, and passion.

After getting enthralled in this series, I could barely wait for the next book. One of the strongest things the series had going was characters you fell in love with and could continue to follow through their lives as the storyline progressed. After all the buildup between the Psy/Changeling/Humans, the coming war, the status of the Psynet, the new changeling packs, the characters lives...this book left me terribly disappointed. Not one storyline was truly tied up. We were left with more questions than answers. And if the big surprise was the identity of The Ghost? It was sadly lacking. I could not be more disappointed and will not be purchasing another book by this author. If she ran out of idea's on how to end the series, she should have held off or handed it off to another writer. Frankly, her readers deserved better.

This book had so much potential. The storyline is great and Kaleb is a wonderfully twisted character, but unfortunately the author rushed through most of it which left me feeling cheated and betrayed. I have been a loyal follower of this series and this was a huge, huge, disappointment. The romance part of the story she did spend some time on but both the political part and the part about Sahara’s strange power, the parts that are so interesting and sets these books apart from other paranormal romances, were treated as afterthoughts. *Spoilers* Some examples: Sahara, Mercy, and Faith go to the mall for they are now the best of friends though they just meet in the previous page. They get attacked and Sahara is abducted. She cleverly uses her power to get out of the situation. This action takes place in about 2 pages at the most. When Kaleb comes to rescue her, she all of a sudden knows all these different things that her power does. Literally, all we as readers know is that she waved her hand in front of the guy and now she has all this new information about her power. It would have been interesting to watch her go through the learning process instead of her just announcing all this to Kaleb. Then, for the beginning half of the book, Kaleb is worried about Sahara shields and doesn't want her in the Psynet when all of a sudden they are fixed by Sascha but we are not a part of that meeting or occurrence. Sahara just announces they are fixed now. All is well. Finally, throughout the whole book they are searching for the leader of PurePsy and the chase and catch is wrapped up in about 3 paragraphs (maybe an exaggeration but not by much). Someone randomly shoots at Kaleb. Kaleb pushes cars up against the person and amazingly it happens to be the guy they've been looking for throughout the book. This guy who has hidden himself so well that no one could find him shoots at Kaleb for no reason. Then he is dead. I couldn’t believe that was it - incredibly anticlimactic. I really wish Ms. Singh would rewrite this one but take a little time and flush out the complete storyline. It is a shame if this is how she is ending a great series of books.

I am amazed at the number of reviewers giving this 5 stars. This was not a particularly good or interesting book. One of the things that makes any "romance" novel interesting is the dynamic between the two leads. The best novels have both characters experience a growth arc where they have to change who they are or how they act or feel to accommodate the relationship.

The problem here is we don't just have two alpha characters. We have two gods. There is not a soul on the planet (nor I suspect most modern weaponry) that can stop them if they decide one day to (a la Pinky and the Brain) "Take over the world". I mean seriously, he can control forces the size of Midwestern states, and she could, if she wanted, make him do anything SHE wanted. Yawn. And his kryptonite? It's her. Meaning if she dies he implodes the world.

The tone of this book was very different than all others in the series, and that's fine because it was the first all-psy story point of view, so yes it should feel different. Unfortunately since he's not going to be bothered by emotional issues, or moral concerns, and politically he can do pretty much whatever he wants -- this only leaves global level crisis as what happens in the story as far as plot goes. so we have one after another and by the third I honestly have to say it was a little boring.

I found the shift in tactics by the pure-psy to be bizarre. Up until this book their tactics aligned with those used by terrorists in our world, so it was recognizable (not going to go there and say it makes sense). But this shift was strange and felt like it was the only way she could move it to a conclusion quickly - hence it felt rushed and cumbersome.

There we a lot of things that happened in the larger plot of the politics of psy and the net that all happened at a rapid pace. One could argue that I guess things had reached a tipping point so therefore events would happen more quickly. But it all felt so "last 10 minutes of a Star Trek episode" if you know what I mean.

My feeling is that characters like these are fascinating until you make them the focus of a story - and then it becomes obvious that their extreme power makes them limited as a hero. They are far more interesting as side characters that shift the lives of other "mere mortal" in interesting ways. I'm not arguing that the events that took place in this book should not have happened. They just would have been far more interesting to have happened as background story involving two more "regular psy".

It gets 2 stars from me because there was no way to have any kind of character arc for our leads, and it was mostly action with too many major events being resolved in simplistic ways. Hence it was like a summer action movie - and not a very good one.

The 2 star review by Barb said: **blah blah every other page (if not every page) about how dark and cold Kaleb was, the most beautiful, dangerous possessive person alive, but it's perfectly okay because Sahara loves him and she is his and he is hers. She was broken, but she became stronger because of it... Which is all nice to hear once or twice, but this was literally repeated every time they were together, which was constantly. What I got from this part of the book (the 90%) was a series of buzz words and artificial hooks meant to be suspenseful (like what WAS Sahara's power, and what Kaleb REALLY did to her) but instead it got on my nerves and annoyed the crap out of me.**

YES! THIS!!! Exactly! I am 65% through the story and the repetitiveness is just driving me NUTS. Same phrases, same buzz words, again, and again, and again, ad nauseam. ARGH! But it finally picks up you say? Then I will hang in there.
I just have to say, for Kaleb being "Silent" he's one of the most emotional lead males in this series YET. At no point from the first chapter, have I ever actually gotten the impression he is at all TRULY silent, he just knows how to wear a stony mask. This fact kinda thwarts the whole reason I was looking forward to reading this book, which was to get a point of view from a truly silent member of the Psy race. He just ISN'T.
I'll stick with the Changelings, thank you very much.

Don't get me wrong, this was an enjoyable book...It's probably one of the more pivotal books in the series.

However, I would need to warn the reader to remember this book revolves around 2 Psy..not a mixed relationshipe, not a regular changeling relationship. As a result, the tone in this book is different than the others, but it makes sense.

As a reader, I would say that the blurb/teaser for the book is inadequate and misleading. To me, it would be more meaningful(?) if the author just went straight out and stated it was a Councillor who turned out to be the Ghost instead the reality. (of course, the storyline and tone would be differnt and more action packed, I believe, so...maybe it's a test of a different tone in the books)

The hero, I would say, can be related to...The heroine, is (like another reviewer words) a little of Mary Sue. One could almost be confused on what her actual Psy designation was...or if she's a mix of changeling/human (she sounds more empathetic than sascha and after only a short period of receuperating in a cardinals' house after years of captivity and then going to a changeling den...it's one thing for being able adapt quickly...oh well (I understand the words "You're mine" and being possessive, but...wouldn't rational thought make a person have second thoughts...any second thoughts?!) She also continues to claim "walking in darkness" by wiping the mind of a person or two, but ti's in trade for her own personality (uh, she's under duress...and for the majority of the developing years, she's in captivity?!?! how much choice does she have in being the executor of "darkness"?)...I'm just wondering...why couldn't a J-Psy do a memory retraction on some of the situations that pop up in the book...

In any case, this book in its own way came from left field...it's enjoyable, but I would recommend to wait for the paperback to come out so the price drops...

I'm more looking forward to a hopefully alice/vasic or aden story or bowen's story...I think people are more used to the "mixed" dynamic sort of stories than changline stories that have no mating bonds or of 2 psy. i'm also looking forward to seeing how the author disposes of shoshanna scott and ming.

I really didn't know how or if Nalini Singh could make Kaleb a likeable lead though I did find him to be a fascinating character in previous books. She not only succeeded but this was one of the best books of her Phy-Changeling series. I would recommend it to anyone though to get the most out of Kaleb's story, you should read the whole series. It's well worth it, one of the best series out there in paranormal romance.

To be honest, I would have to say I am disappointed with this book. YES!!! I have read the entire series. For me the hype was too much, so my expectations were high...but I was lead there....the piece meal info we were all fed, not knowing and having to guess who the book was about...all too much. It was an ok read...probably not one I will pick up and re-read when I want a good read...like I would Hawke and Sienna's book. On the other hand maybe I will just to see what the 144 5-stars are all about. Not the best of series for me :(

This long awaited "what happens to the Psy" novel is a huge disapointment. The leading man, K, is about 2x as powerful as everyone else Psy combined, so there are no real threats. He spends the whole book moaning and whining about poor me and how he is a cold blooded killer. She was tortured for 7 years and all she does is whine and mope about that & how she does not understand why she likes him. As a series climax, this is as disappointing as the long awaited Flinx Transcendent: A Pip & Flinx Adventure (Pip and Flinx Novels).

Whine & mope, feel sorry for myself & then K goes hurt someone, poor me I am so misunderstood, repeat. Total waste of money!

I am through with a writer who uses the same adjectives, nouns and adverbs constantly. I am tired of "molten" and "male". I am sick of stories that are nothing more than an excuse to drag out a series that consists primarily of stilted sex scenes. There is precious little to recommend about this series except the idea itself, which is exceptional. Too bad there is little or no character development--even in this book. It could have been very good. Instead, it was a yawn. No more Singh for me.

I have read most of Ms. Singh's Psy/Changeling series. I have to say Kiss of Snow let me down a lot and the only reason I read Heart of Obsidian is to see how the overarching story evolved. Yeah, I might have skipped some books inbetween, but honestly I don't feel like I missed much. And I am genuinely surprised so many people gave this book 5 stars.

Here is my honest, sincere review for this book: I love how the big story of the evolution of Psy and their Silence turned out. I couldn't really care less about Kaleb and Sahara. Roughly 90% of the book was blah blah every other page (if not every page) about how dark and cold Kaleb was, the most beautiful, dangerous possessive person alive, but it's perfectly okay because Sahara loves him and she is his and he is hers. She was broken, but she became stronger because of it... Which is all nice to hear once or twice, but this was literally repeated every time they were together, which was constantly. What I got from this part of the book (the 90%) was a series of buzz words and artificial hooks meant to be suspenseful (like what WAS Sahara's power, and what Kaleb REALLY did to her) but instead it got on my nerves and annoyed the crap out of me.

The plot was so completely lost in the lovey dovey codependant support system they had going on that when something big actually did happen, I didn't even notice. It was barely a blip for all the reaction it got from the two and yeah, I get that Kaleb is Silent, but I just feel it could have been done a lot better. At least half of the content of this book was fluff and could have easily been cut out by a capable editor to bring this story up to what it should be.

In the last 5-6 chapters was when things FINALLY picked up (but why did it have to take so long??) and I adored the element of danger and the memories Sahara unearthed for herself and Kaleb. But, again, the biggest threat in the station fizzled without any bang whatsoever. It was somewhat anticlimactic. I never felt like anyone was really in danger, which completely lost the drive for me. We're talking about the defining events which will literally change the course of Psy history. The build-up in this book just wasn't there, which meant what it was building up to kind of fell flat.

I skimmed the last couple of chapters and the only thing I really liked was the talk Kaleb had with the Arrows and the announcement he made to the PsyNet. Two pages to show the shock rippling through the world and then the end. I gotta say, this book has a mighty high price tag for offering so little. All the raw visceral pain and emotion Ms Singh showed in the final memory she uncovered should have been present throughout the ENTIRE book (even with Kaleb so fiercely Silent, it still could have been done, it just wasn't which I think is why it dragged so much. Kaleb and Sahara as kids had worlds more appeal than Kaleb and Sahara all grown up, and I skipped most of the sex scenes because I just wasn't interested). When I read those memories and especially that final one I thought THIS is the Nalini Singh I know and love. But unfortunately that little flash of genius just wasn't enough to make up for an awful lot of mediocre story telling in the rest of the book.

In comparison to all the books that preceded this one in the series, I found this to be a real disappointment. It was very light on the romance, instead concentrating mostly on the advancement of events in the psy world. It wasn't a terrible book per se, but it certainly disappointed in terms of what I have come to expect in this series.

1) The characters were too powerful for the reader to be able to feel any empathy. I know Singh could have done better, because she has in the past (e.g. Judd or Sierra).

2) The development of the romance between the characters got buried beneath everything else that was going on. There was such potential, but it just wasn't enough for me.

3) Too many things were simply glossed over. Why did Kaleb not kill Santano at the first possible opportunity. He's soooo powerful, but he never managed to kill his tormentor. Why would Kaleb have needed Sahara's ability in order to collapse the net or end Silence? Sahara's shattered shields were rebuilt, but we only get a one sentence explanation.

4) I missed the interactions with other characters from previous books. There was a bit of it, but much less than usual. This book didn't feel as connected to the series as the rest.

5) The big reveal of the identity of the Ghost never happened. Kaleb talks about exposing him and how he'll do it, but then it never happens. This shadowy character that has figured in almost all the preceding books will now just disappear. We now know the identity, but only as an aside.

All in all, I just feel that this book was so much "less" in every aspect than it could have been. There was so much potential for wrenching emotion and tender healing, but it just wasn't there. I hope the next book returns to the greatness of her previous works.

This is the book that is probably the biggest and baddest of the series so far. It's the game changer and the largest twist on all twists there is. And there are just not enough superlatives in the English language to give it its due.

It's not just me who thinks this book was the point of epic-ness. Even the publisher shies away from a detailed blurb so as to drop no spoilers. And me? I really do want other readers to experience this one in all its glory with no hints. This review will be so vague as a result that I'll probably leave you scratching your head in confusion. Thank you to all you fantastic folks in my reader gal realm who managed to review this book without spoiling it for the latecomers.

Heart of Obsidian is book twelve of a series. This one is the culmination of a few huge series arcs in fact so definitely needs to be read in order for full appreciation.

Sooo... we have a character that has been with the series since the beginning. A character who has been ambiguous at best because he has a serious agenda and the ruthlessness to go after it. I had my suspicions about a lot of things in regard to this character and got a smug feeling of satisfaction that I guessed right. That said, it was still all kinds of intense and intriguing because this gave great attention to character and relationship development. And offered up a new character that made this a romance for the ages.

Beyond, the character and romance, the ongoing war with Pure Psy has escalated and the world trembles under the onslaught. Though this story focuses largely in the psy world, the allies do come together and fight the war. And oh yeah, some real nasties get their comeuppance.

And yes, that's about all I'm going to say. Just know that my vagueness is all for you and this book is worth clearing several uninterrupted hours of reading time for. And, a few threads were left dangling to keep me very interested in what comes next for everyone in the PsyChangling world.

4.5 – 5 stars

I’m a big fan on this series; it’s easily one of my favorites and an automatic one-click for me.

This is the story of Kaleb, arguably the most powerful psy in existence, and Sahara, also a powerful psy, but not unemotional and unfeeling like most. In general, I’m fonder of the changeling stories than I am the psy, mostly because of the passion, but Kaleb, as cold as he is, is really something. He makes it clear that he would do anything and everything for Sahara, which is a big red flag that he’s not as unaffected as we’re supposed to believe.

It had all of the wonderful elements all the books in this series has – including a really complex, interwoven world of familiar and new characters. I love how the series has developed from the beginning; it’s done very slowly over time, and done very well.
In all honesty, it was tougher to get through the beginning than most. As poetic and description as Nalini is, it almost seemed overdone. Not every word, every action, needs a metaphor or needs an excessively flowery description, and after a while, it bordered on tedious. My only other complaint (if you could call it that) was that Kaleb kept referring to Sahara’s super ability, but it wasn’t until very late in the book that we discover what that is. I understand building anticipation and tension, but it was stretched too far (imo).

All in all, minor complaints in an otherwise excellent book.

This book is one of my all time favourites!!! I love Kaleb, I love Sahara and I freaking love everything about their story!!! It's such an amazing journey these two go through. Not all is pretty but therefore so much worth it at the end. I really like the plot, it's not like the previous books. We basically get the story of just Sahara and Kaleb, without the unnecessary side stories of other characters. That's probably a huge reason why I love the story so much. Also, it's a shorter book than the rest of them, thankfully. I felt like the previous books had so much other stuff going on that I couldn't really enjoy the main story of these two characters. But in this book the plot is awesome and we truly get to see basically just their story. Also, we finally get some huge answers answered, yes! I think this could've been easily the last book in this series because it's perfect!

We met Kaleb in previous books and he always came across as this cold, unapproachable psy with unlimited power. He seemed to have the perfect Silence. But in this story, we get to see his other side that he only shows to Sahara and it's sooooo beautiful how much he cares for her and how he's with her. He waited a long time for them to be together in a room again. I'm so happy for him.

As for Sahara's character, she a very smart and strong woman but also super loyal. I loved how she was with Kaleb, they really deserved each other. Such a strong and amazing couple!

I'm not giving anything away plot wise but all I can say is is that it's awesome! You won't regret reading this story!

Heart of Obsidian is book 12 of Nalini Singhs Psy-Changeling series

Kaleb Krychek has finally found who he has been searching for for so many years, now no one and nothing will stop him from reaching his goal.

Sahara Kyriakus has been held captive for many years, where she is constantly tortured, punished and abused with her only escape being the labyrinth she created in her own mind.
Until her rescue, but unable to recall many of her memories, is she in even more danger now, not just body and mind but her heart as well.

OMG, this book was so good.
I loved everything about it. The determination, un wavering loyalty, the romance (yes romance, lol) and action. A lot of questions get answered here but also set up the sequence of future books.
Big love for Kaleb, Sahara and Nalini.
If you have not read Nalini yet, please do, she is totally awesome.

I loved getting to know the boy behind the man. Kaleb is a very intriguing character and it was great to see where he came from, what shapes him and the motive behind everything he does, even if he doesn't understand it himself.

Both Kaleb and Sahara are very strong willed but also fragile in their own way. But together, they are phenomenal. I find it hard to consider the next stories being better then this one, but knowing Nalini, they certainly will be.

Kaleb and Sahara's story is one of my favorite books to read over and over again! The continuing fall of Silence provides a stark contrast to the sheer intensity of Kaleb's feelings for Sahara. The Silence arc is never far from the storyline but their romance takes on a mind of its own. When Sahara finally opens up to Kaleb-Yowza!! Out. Of. This. World. Moments. Besides, who wouldn't want a tortured hero who could level the world just because someone hurt the woman he loves?!

This book has a metric ton of feels to it. I laughed at Sahara's antics with Kaleb, I cried at the time lost to them, I cheered for the happiness they managed to achieve (and I took special delight when certain bad people got their comeuppance). I also had a complete book hangover when I finished reading this book!

This is a long running paranormal series and best read in order. Heart of Obsidian is book 12 and has one heck of a plateau as far as arcs go. Rich in detail, fantastically written and with a lot to appeal to a variety of readers, I love recommending this series to anyone who will listen to me prattle!

I read the first few installments of this series and really, really liked them, but for some reason, I never got around to reading the last several books. When I saw that this was coming out and I read the synopsis, I was immediately interested in seeing what Nalini Singh could do with this subject matter and with these characters.

Let me just say that, while this is obviously part of a series, characters from past books do show up and/or play prominent roles, and storylines carry through, I didn't find it necessary to have been entirely caught up on the series prior to reading this book. Ms. Singh did a wonderful job, in my view, of balancing the fact that she was continuing a long-running series with building Sahara, Kaleb, and their experiences in such a way that they could stand on their own while being true to the overall story.

In terms of this story, well, it's very, very dark. There is a lot of violence and torture and trauma, and all are of the physical, mental, and emotional varieties. Both Sahara and Kaleb have lived through stunningly, intensely horrible and painful experiences (and that's actually putting it mildly). To the credit of the characters - and to the author who created them - they were not defeated by all that they have endured.

Sahara exhibited a remarkable ability to persevere, carry on, and reclaim her life and memories after years of violence and isolation. Kaleb used his supremely rigid control to bury his emotions behind layers of ice. As the characters discussed near the end, Kaleb wasn't necessarily a good man - he was cold, violent, ruthlessly pragmatic and could be cruel - and that's fitting because no one who had gone through all that he had at the hands of a vicious, cruel monster could have come out the other side being a purely good person. That is not to say that Kaleb didn't have his own kind of honor and his strong bond with Sahara revealed a somewhat more tender, possessiveness, and ultimately loving side to him that was amazing to see.

Their relationship was intense and had incredible depth from page one. For all of his shields, Sahara did not let Kaleb remain entrenched in the darkness and loneliness in which he had existed for so long. She was there for him in every possible way, and her strength and faith in him allowed them to build on their shared past and memories. Their romance was (super) hot and even surprisingly beautiful given all of the issues and traumas that they had to overcome.

So, yes, this was dark, and it hit on so many different emotions that the story really stays with you. You root for the characters, you feel horror at everything that was done to them, and you marvel at the strength of their relationship. I think Nalini Singh has delivered the best novel that she's ever written (which is saying something) and I can't wait to see what she does next.

This is one of those books that I really wish I would have read instead of listening to the audio. Not that the narrator did a bad job, she does a fine job. The problem is that the book is read in somewhat of a monotone to coincide with the Psy's silence... if they don't feel/show emotion, they are going to have a monotonous countenance. So the narrator did a good job in that regard. Unfortunately for me when listening this time, it was easier for my mind to wander so I had to rewind quite a bit and it took me a lot longer to finish. Everyone is telling me this is the best one in the series, so I am a little disappointed. I may have to go back and re-read it when I have time.

This installment is the story of Kaleb Krycheck, the most powerful Psy in the net. Everyone has long thought Kaleb the most silent and dangerous Psy... and they have always questioned his plan and motivations. Is he the Ghost or is he behind Pure Psy? Is he as much a monster as his mentor, Enrique Cendano, was? (Forgive any name misspellings... I have to guess since I was listening to this installment.) It does take more to warm up to Kaleb because he is *very* silent... but I liked him quite a bit anyway. You saw little snippets of his personality and emotion in the gifts he gave Sahara, how he took care of her and how protective he was.

Sahara was a great match for Kaleb. I loved learning the history they had, and it was great to see her heal from the ordeal that she went through. Unfortunately I can't say much about her without giving spoilers, so you will just have to read for yourself and see. I will say that she is *not* silent so she was pretty much the complete opposite of Kaleb. She had a great personality, and some interesting power of her own.

As always, Nalini Singh gives us a good bit of steam in her books. Here we got a little humor with our steam in that Kaleb literally makes the earth move. I found all the environmental changes when Kaleb loses control to be a funny little counterpoint to his stoicism.

Things with Pure Psy come to a head in this book, and we got to see some of our favorite Changelings pair up with the Psy to fight back. Vaughn was a prevalent secondary character in this installment and it made me want to go back and read his book. I love all the Changelings - I think I prefer their characters to the Psy. Something about their animal magnetism. Yum.

4 stars / 3 flames.

A masterpiece.

The funny thing is that I have read some amazing titles out there, but I don't think I've truly ever felt compelled enough to proclaim it a masterpiece. What's more shocking is that I would claim the Psy-Changeling series as one of the top Paranormal Romance series out there. It's definitely in my top favorite series list. Which is saying a lot from wishy-washy me. I never claim top ten lists for books, I simply evade. I don't like to play favorites with all the great books out there. However, Singh has created an amazing world with heart, horror, and redemption. Even the weakest book in the series has yet to fail in moving my emotions.

Heart of Obsidian is probably the strongest book in the series. While my heart will always belong to Clay and Talin of Mine to Possess, Heart of Obsidian has carved out a place in my heart and much like Mine to Possess I'll be rereading it many times over. In fact, the length of this series is never intimidating. It's something to revel in and look forward to especially for rereads. It was a bit of a sad thought to know that we'd be stepping away from DarkRiver and the SnowDancers, being a “Psy book”. Singh never leaves her readers hanging, and of course gives plenty of windows into life in both packs. (Trust me I was squeeing so much.)

This book is the one that fans have been foaming at the mouth fort!! Yes, any faithful Psy-Changeling fan new what was coming. That's the power of Singh. The “spoiler” may have been blown in the beginning books, but everything in Heart of Obsidian was so well delivered. The love and passion. Just . . . there are no words.

What's is Heart of Obsidian takes all of the qualities of Beauty and the Beast (or Beauty and the Psycho), young love, first loves, and damaged people spinning a romance that is beyond what I could have hoped for and now secretly want out of every paranormal romance title I will ever read. (Way to set the bar Signh.) The World building just keeps coming. This is the pivotal moment in the Psy Net. The revolution is here, the horror of it and the clash of ideals is mind blowing. Prejudice, controlling powers and the evils along with it, terrorism, societal civil war, and the threat of world war. This title, no the entire series, does what many authors have longed to put into their stories. A sort of realism that covers all grounds of black and white, bleeding into gray. No longer can “real” authors laugh at romance authors. Great authors (cough, Singh, cough) break genre expectations and create masterpieces. (You know who you are naysayers.)

In the end I implore any reader of any genre to read this book. (Honestly, please read this series.) Every point was a hit in Heart of Obsidian and all paranormal titles after this will be compared to the amazingness of this book. Heck let's be honest, this series is now what I crave that any paranormal romance title could just meet half way. The romance is moving, powerful, and haunting. The Psy-Changeling world never takes a back seat, the world building is always front and center. Actions having causes, and not every action will make everything all HEA when the romance is sealed. Sure the couple may end up together but the impact of it on the world may not be so clean cut. Bravo to Singh! With bated breath I await the next book, with no doubts in my mind.

Sexual Content: Sexual humor and steamy scenes! (So yes, there is sex scenes.)

5/5- Fabulous, a beautiful obsession!

Original reviewed at Book Whispers.

If you're reading this review of the 12th book in the Psy-Changeling series, then I'm going to assume that you have read or have started to read the series and know all about the epic amounts of magic and talent that make up Nalini Sing's books. I know that I have said this several times over the course of the series, but WOW! Heart of Obsidian Blew. Me. Away.

When I began Heart of Obsidian, July of last year, I had just started reading the Psy-Changeling series so was unaware of all the build up and secrecy surrounding this book's release and it's H/h. I hadn't been reading the blurbs for future books anyways because I liked the surprise. Never would I have imagined at the start of the series that one of the coldest, deadliest Psy could melt my heart, but that is exactly what Kaleb Krychek did. Reared by a sadistic mentor, the only light in his life was Sahara Nightstar. Until that light was shuttered. Seven years of searching, and Kaleb is finally reunited with Sahara again, but Sahara has no memory of Kaleb. That doesn't hinder the pull she feels towards him though, and as Kaleb helps her heal from years of abuse, her memories slowly return. But while Saharah and Kaleb becoming closer, the world around them falls farther and farther into chaos.

The heat! The romance! The action! Heart of Obsidian was a phenomenal story, one that ended up being my favorite of the series so far. Kaleb's commitment to Sahara is undeniable, and it will absolutely steal your breath. Mysteries that have intrigued from the start are finally revealed, and the entire series-arc will be turned on it's ear from events that happen in this book. Nalini Singh is a powerhouse in the paranormal romance genre! If you haven't picked up this series yet, you are missing out on an amazing, captivating, entirely immersing world that will grab you and never, ever let you go!

*I received a copy of this book, courtesy of the author, in exchange for my honest review.

This review will be shorter than this story deserves, but trying to avoid spoilers, I am going to have to shorten it a bit. I was able to receive a copy from my local library, probably why it took me so long to read this one. But finally it became available, and I could hardly wait to pick it up. Before this book came out, there was quite a bit of rumors pertaining to the identity of the characters, and I knew that it would be a good one. I have to say that after reading the Heart of Obsidian, I definitely loved every page, and could hardly put it down, even though I worked long hours the past two days. So it took me a bit longer than I would have liked to get it read. From the first chapter you see who our hero is, and it takes a bit longer to find the identity to the heroine. I definitely didn't expect the plot to turn the way it did. It had surprises and more information on the Psy than is previously revealed. I felt like I was learning way more about Psy, and it was a thrilling adventure, as this couple come together, especially overcome the obstacles they are faced with. When I first started reading Heart of Obsidian, I wasn't sure how much I would enjoy it. But I had heard so many stellar reviews and outstanding recommendations, that I knew I had to give it a real chance. With this series being one of my top favorite paranormal series, I have absolutely adored every installment. However this story, wraps things up a bit more, answers all the question I had in previous books, it definitely made me see another side to the Psy than I did previously. There is a bit of darkness introduced into the story, more than in previous books, however I felt like overall there was a balance of dark and light in here. The love story was powerful and unique and had a special feeling to it. I loved the bond that develops between these two, intense and scorching. This book had me hooked from beginning to end, and I was very impressed with how events turn out, and we see a new era in this world that Singh has created for us. A SEXY YET SATISFYING READ!!

Kaleb Krychek is the most powerful Psy in the Net. He is a deadly dual cardinal with impenetrable mind shields of obsidian and has the ability to split the world in two with ease. According to rumors, Kaleb had been the protégé of Santano, a former Councilor who had enjoyed torture and murder. The lethal telekinetic is said to be aiming for a total takeover of the Net or to destroy it. The latter would kill millions of people. No one, not even Kaleb himself, knew if he would end up destroying the very fabric of their race or not. It all depended on a single person - Sahara. And after seven years of constant searching, Kaleb has found her at last!

Sahara Kyriakus survived seven years of imprisonment. The guards had obeyed every order from their leader. Yet no matter the pain or punishment given, Sahara kept her mind hidden deep within a mental labyrinth. She had consciously sabotaged her own mind and hobbled her abilities. She refused to break and hand over her will, because whoever controlled Sahara could control the PsyNet. But now a man has teleported her out of the white room and into a huge home - a fortress. Even though her mind is still deeply submerged, Sahara can tell that the man is dark. This man is unable to feel any empathy or sorrow for others. So why does her subconscious feel safe enough to begin unraveling the labyrinth?

Kaleb and Sahara were on opposite sides of the line that separated dark from light, good from evil. For a few short years, until she was sixteen, they had been friends. That friendship ended with her blood on his knife. Sahara was close to death when she had been taken from him. Now that she was back in his grasp, Kaleb would never let her go. She belonged to him.

***** FIVE STARS! Since I have not read any of the previous titles in this series, I can say from experience that you do not need to in order to fully understand and enjoy this story. The main focus is on Kaleb and Sahara, where it should be; however, the story's plot line is never ignored. (The Psy, Changeling, and Human races are being attacked by Pure Psy, a shadowy group who seeks to topple the current power structure and dreams of a world enslaved by the Psy.) Nalini Singh's writing style is crisp, vivid, and easy to follow. I, as the reader, am able to understand why Kaleb is who/what he is, as well as why Sahara believes in him, though he will always be dark. I could actually feel the characters' pain, sorrow, dread, and joy.

If you have read the previous titles in this series, you will be happy to know that past characters make cameo appearances. Again, the author does not lose focus on the main characters and new readers will not feel as though they are missing something. But seeing who/what is the mate of who/what (such as a human with a Changeling) makes it tempting to find their stories. I will definitely be keeping an eye on this author! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

I don't think I even have the words to say how much I loved Heart of Obsidian, it's definitely a new favourite book from this series and it went up against some serious competition to win that spot. I have been fascinated with Kaleb since we first met him, the seemingly cold councillor has always left me with the impression that there is a molten core underneath that icy exterior but I couldn't even have begun to guess how much I would come to love him as I read this book.

Kaleb grew up in hell, raised by a monster and trained from a young age to ignore any kind of pain or suffering. He is an incredibly powerful Cardinal who clawed his way onto the Council and was determined to do anything to take complete control of the Psy-Net. Now his goal is in sight but there is a rot that is spreading through the net, one that could destroy the Psy if it isn't stopped. Kaleb is the only one who is capable of saving the net but there is only one reason for him to save the Psy and that is the woman who was stolen from him and hidden seven years ago. Kaleb has spent years searching for Sahara and she is finally within his reach but she has spent those missing years suffering the worst kind of torture and there may not be much of her mind left to save.

I don't really want to say too much more and risk spoiling the story to anyone who hasn't read this book yet. Don't let the lack of words fool you though, this really is the best book in the series and it took me on a complete emotional roller coaster. Kaleb and Sahara have a history that goes back to their childhood but it's a history of shared pain and suffering. They have both been through terrible things but have become even stronger because of that and I loved every minute of their journey. The flashbacks of their childhoods were heartbreaking but that just made seeing them reconnect in the present even more beautiful, there is a raw passion between them that shows the emotional connection that was forged when they were children and that bond comes back stronger than ever now they're adults.

Kaleb is a dangerous man, someone who could have come across as cold but he would do anything for Sahara, he would burn the world to the ground to protect her but he would also save it if she asked him to. I think one of the most heartbreaking things about Kaleb is that he is unable to see the good inside himself, he has done some incredibly selfless things but he never takes credit for those. It is much easier for him to see himself as a monster and it takes Sahara's faith to show him the good he has done. I love that they accept each other so completely - both the good and the bad - neither of them judges the other they just stand side by side prepared to fight for each other and their relationship. My heart broke for the children they should have been but I cried tears of happiness for the adults they have become.

The last few books have been mainly focused on the Changelings but with Silence on the verge of collapsing and Pure-Psy doing anything to try and maintain it we knew we were going to see some major upheaval for the Psy-Net. This book really does start to mix things up a bit and it's going to be really interesting to see how the Psy react to the latest developments. Can they find a way past Silence or has the rot that is spreading through the net caused irreparable damage? We may not see as much of the Changelings in this book but we do get a chance to catch up with a few old faces and I was so fascinated with what was going on with Kaleb and Sahara that I didn't really have time to miss the others. It made a nice change for the focus to be on the Psy and I think one of the strengths of this series is that there are so many different characters and races for us to spend time with.

If you're a fan of the series and haven't got to Heart of Obsidian yet then I really don't know what you're waiting for. This is a must read instalment and one that I'm sure fans will adore. If you haven't discovered these books yet then I can't recommend them highly enough. Nalini Singh has become my favourite author for a reason, both the Psy-Changeling and her Guild Hunter books are absolutely wonderful. She is a master at creating detailed worlds, fantastic characters and brilliant romances and I will never be able to get enough of her writing.

I am so in love with this series and as soon as I saw Heart of Obsidian was due out in June I put in a request to my local library to purchase a copy. Our librarian says in the past the Psy-Changeling books haven't been big hits in the library but I told her they had to have it. Luckily our librarians rock and I was the first one to get my hands on their new copy. I couldn't wait because I had a feeling we would finally find out who the Ghost was and it was amazing!

I think for most readers it was pretty obvious Kaleb was going to be revealed as the Ghost so that wasn't surprising but I could not wait to find out how the two sides of Kaleb fit together. How could someone so cold and ruthless as Kaleb also have this rebel side to him and who is the one person who he cared about? We finally get to meet the mysterious person who holds Kaleb's heart and Sahara is a fabulous heroine. I loved watching the chemistry develop between the two in the present as Sahara slowly regains her memories and see their past history as each memory returns to Sahara about how she and Kaleb met. The two of them are perfect together and I was completely satisfied with how the two meshed with each other.

While I was mildly disappointed that we don't get to see as much of my favorite Changeling characters that was overshadowed by the satisfaction in having so many threads running through the previous 11 books come together. Things come to head with Pure-Psy, the Psynet starts to collapse, Kaleb makes his move on the net (and it's not what you might expect!) and so much more!

Fans will be able to close Heart of Obsidian with a happily satisfied sigh. Truly did not disappoint and had me in love with Kaleb! Now if only I could get my hands on Vasic and Aden's stories!

Title: Heart of Obsidian
Series: Psy-Changeling Book #12
Author: Nalini Singh
Rating: B
Review: Nalini Singh is just one of those fabulous authors that can do no wrong - Every book she writes is simply amazing. I keep an eye out for her books and usually buy them immediately on release day, but somehow this one slipped under my radar and I am just now getting around to reading it! Upon finding out it was Kaleb's story, it moved quickly to desperation levels! For those of us familiar with this series, we know how important Kaleb has been in previous books - and I, for one, have always hoped that there was more good in him than just the hints we were given.
For the most part, I was not disappointed. Everything that Kaleb went through to get Sahara back, all he does to protect her - it was heart wrenching. To know that Sahara tested the limits of his control really added the razor's edge to this story. As stoic, controlled, and emotionless as Kaleb is, it was great to see his control slip. And can I say that having a Tk be so caught up in the moment that the glass breaks all around you is monumental. I loved it! I wish there had been even more of these moments throughout the book. Sahara, for me, was a great character, meant to balance out Kaleb's "dark" with her "light". However, I enjoyed the fact that she was not a complete Miss Goody-Two-Shoes....she has a few moments of darkness as well. I would have liked to see a little more of those moments though, as she almost seems a little too innocent, a little too perfect. especially after all she has been through.
As great as the book was, I found that it lacked a little spark in some places. There were definite lulls, particularly throughout the middle. Regardless, it's a Nalini Singh book - no one is more talented at creating such vivid "otherworld" for their readers. And it's a Psy-Changeling one at that, which is my favorite series by her. If your fan, enough said - I guarantee you won't be able to resist picking this one up! If your new to the series, I think this one would be a bit confusing without all the back history to draw from. I definitely recommend reading the previous books first.

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Brought to you by OBS reviewer Heidi

*Beware of Spoilers*

Kaleb Krychek is one of the most feared men in all of the Psynet. He's a dual cardinal toting powers unmatched by anyone along with his abilities to cloak himself on the net, he can make moves without anybody being the wiser. But above all he is ruthless, and will do whatever it takes to get the outcome he wants, and he always wins.

But Kaleb wasn't always the strong individual he is now. He was once pretty vulnerable, left in the hands of a madman at the age of three. He endured unthinkable tortures during his `training' as Santano Enrique tried to mold him into his image, to continue on his own sick legacy. But there was a glimmer of light that kept Kaleb sane, the one thing that helped him hold on to his own humanity. Her name was Sahara Kyriakus and she was the one person that truly saw him when she looked at him. And, Kaleb's world changed forever when Enrique got his hands on her. She was kidnapped when she was sixteen years old and Kaleb has been searching for her ever-since, seven long years. But now he has finally found her once again. She is his and he won't let anybody separate them again.

I was unsure if I'd like this book. I'm a HUGE Changeling fan, but the Psy tend to be a bit too cold and distant for my liking. The previous Psy relationships in this series have been kind of dull for me, so I was worried this would be another one of those books that I'd have to force myself to finish. I could not have been more wrong. I ended up loving it and feel that Heart of Obsidian is arguably the best installment of the series to date.

They synopsis of this book really doesn't tell you much, it doesn't even tell you who it's about. I assumed that the `dangerous, volatile rebel' was probably the Ghost, but most of the other fans I saw were guessing it was Kaleb. So I was surprised and delighted to discover that it was about a little of both!

Heart of Obsidian is a love story about two young sweethearts that were torn away from one another during tragic events beyond their control. Heart of Obsidian is a story about their long-awaited reunion and the obstacles they must face to find their way back in each other's arms. If you liked Clay and Tally's relationship, you will LOVE Heart of Obsidian, as Kaleb and Sahara blow them clean out of the water, and this from someone who adores Clay and Tally!

Kaleb was always a character that I respected. I didn't know what to think about him, but I knew he was powerful and I always enjoyed his take charge attitude. But this book shows us a completely different side of him, and I LOVED it! It was great to see that Kaleb does care about something other than himself. And, even better that underneath that thick layer of black ice, he truly does have a heart; it's warm, loving, and beats for one person and one person only; Sahara. I loved seeing this sweeter side to him, it gives him so much more depth. All the little mementos he held on to from his childhood days with Sahara was sweet, especially as we were slowly introduced to their significance. And, this book made me love this man, the man he's been hiding deep within himself, so much. In addition, I really enjoyed how protective Kaleb was of the one girl that means the world to him.

I also enjoyed Sahara. She's tough, a fighter, a survivor, and she will do anything to bring Kaleb into the light and keep him there with her. But she's also realistic and knows that he will always be him and that it's her job to challenge him when he's going too far.

"You'll have to be my conscience." He knew his flaws, and he knew the parts of him that were irrevocably broken. "Mine isn't going to grow back."

I truly loved this couple and cannot get enough of them! I'm hoping, begging, and pleading we get more of them in the future!

But this book gave us more than just an amazing romance. It gave us a huge change for the Psy race as a whole and I'm curious and anxious to see how it will effect the dynamic in the future, especially when it comes to dealing with the other races. This book was monumental in the story arc of the series. I know several people that have mentioned they were going to skip this installment because it was about a Psy relationship. I implore you not to! Skipping this book is not only shortchanging yourself, but the series as a whole! I finished the book a few hours ago and I'm still sitting here with a good book hangover. You know, in the series, they often mention good sex that leaves the participants so completely sated that their bones turn to jelly and they can hardly move? That is exactly how I feel after reading this book; I'm so much more satisfied than I ever expected to be, and I feel I might need a cigarette afterwards, and I don't even smoke!

"So we literally made the earth move? A slight pause, before Kaleb said, I suggest we don't engage in sex in populated areas."

This book was just completely amazing and it leaves me wondering how Singh will ever be able to top it. But she seems to always find a way, so I will sit back and impatiently wait for the next installment to be released and enjoy the ride once it arrives!

This review and more at openbooksociety dot com

Wow, it's crazy to think that we are already twelve books into the Psy-Changeling series. What's even crazier is that they are still so freaking amazing. How Nalini Singh keeps up the awesomeness one book after another is a mystery. Some many series start to lose steam this far into a series, but the Psy-Changeling series is still just as good as book one.

So I'm just going to assume that everybody reading this review already knows who Ghost is, so if you don't know and don't want to be spoiled PLEASE TURN AWAY.

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Heart of Obsidian is Kaleb and Sahara's story. Yes, Kaleb finally got his HEA. From the first time Kaleb stepped into the Psy-Changeling world I wanted to believe that he was "good". While Kaleb is definitely not good good, he's semi-good. Well, maybe not semi-good, let's just say that he isn't awful.
From the beginning you know that there is something seriously off about Kaleb. That he must have a bajiliion secrets and that he has seen awful things. I never expected one of those secrets to be Sahara. I don't want to go too into because I was everybody to experience their relationship themselves, but Kaleb and Sahara's relationship is so beautiful.

In many romance books, it doesn't matter the genre, we see a lot of lust and sex. That's fine, I mean it is "romance" but very rarely do we get to see a relationship as beautiful as the one in Heart of Obsidian. Kaleb and Sahara save each other, but in different ways. There is such a depth of emotion that it's sometimes hard to read.

Romance isn't the only thing going on in Heart of Obsidian. This is the book where everything that's been brewing in the previous eleven books come to a massive explosion of events. Nalini wraps up a lot of different storylines that have been developing over the past books, and it was nice to see some type of conclusion developing.

With that being said, I think none of us are ready for this series to end, and it doesn't look like it is. Book thirteen, featuring Vasic, is currently being written, and a novella will be released in 2014. As far as I'm concerned Nalini can keep writing this series forever. Heart of Obsidian is proof that she still has a lot of idea, and these characters still have a lot of story to tell.

Cold. Emotionless. Lethal. Kaleb Krychek is all these things and more. The dual cardinal Psy has fast risen through the ranks of his people to become the most powerful Psy in the net. With Silence fracturing and their race close to civil war, Kaleb has almost reached the point where he is in the position to take over the Net and either become his people’s salvation, or their destruction. Which side he comes down on depends wholly on the fate of one woman: Sahara Kyriakus, a Psy believed to be dead, one whose power many would kill to possess, and Kaleb Krychek’s most dangerous secret…

Heart of Obsidian is an exquisitely crafted tale by the master of world building, Nalini Singh. In a series filled with stand-out characters, Kaleb Krychek has long been at or very near the top of everyone’s list for being the character people want to read about. I’m happy to say that the mysterious Psy’s story more than lives up to the exceedingly high expectations I had for this book. Heart of Obsidian contains love, passion, treachery, danger, and so much intricately woven detail that you’ll want to re-read it immediately upon finishing.

It’s honestly best to read Heart of Obsidian knowing as little about the story as possible (I avoided spoilers and any detail about the story like the plague before reading). Ms. Singh has crafted this story so well that it’s best to watch the story unfold and the characters reveal themselves rather than have me tell you about it. I will say that Kaleb and Sahara are two fascinating, strong, scarred characters who’ll leave a lasting impression. Their intelligence and power is unimaginable, their experiences unfathomably painful, and yet they are easy for the reader to connect to as we get to know their true selves. Sahara and Kaleb’s chemistry is phenomenal – as a pair they’re well-matched on every level. I could say so much more, but truly that would spoil some of the joy for readers.

Heart of Obsidian is the twelfth full-length book in the Psy-Changeling series and Ms. Singh once again took things to a whole new level. The chaos caused by the rotting Net, the Pure Psy terrorists, and the fracturing of Silence has been long coming and it reaches its pinnacle in Heart of Obsidian. What happens in this story shapes the world to come in the Psy-Changeling series and I can’t wait to see the impact of this book’s events on the future of the Psy-Changeling world. Readers new to the series should probably read the previous Psy-Changeling novels (Slave to Sensation, Visions of Heat, Caressed by Ice, Mine to Possess, Hostage to Pleasure, Branded by Fire, Blaze of Memory, Bonds of Justice, Play of Passion, Kiss of Snow, and Tangle of Need) before delving into Heart of Obsidian because so much of what has gone on in the overarching plot affects events in Kaleb and Sahara’s story. Plus, every book in the series is pretty much irresistible.

Heart of Obsidian is a must read for Psy-Changeling fans. It’s a tightly-written, thrilling story every bit as complex as the characters at its heart.

This book was reviewed by Shayna for Joyfully Reviewed (JR), and was provided by the publisher/author at no cost to JR for the purpose of being reviewed.

I have to admit that I was a bit hesitant to start this book. A rabid fan since Slave to Sensation, book #1 in the Psy-Changeling series, the last couple of books had left me slightly disappointed. Heart of Obsidian had been touted as the book to answer all questions and the best addition to date. I had enormous expectations, so of course I wanted to preserve my hope for greatness. Expectations met and exceeded!!! Wow, just freaking wow! Loved it! Want to marry it!

Kaleb was such a paradox of good and utter evil that I was hard pressed to declare him as prime hero material. Nalini Singh, as a master storyteller, slowly extinguished all my doubts and made me a Kaleb groupie for life. The blending of cause and effect was truly brilliant and in my opinion a feat of magic worthy of Penn and Teller. In order to salvage Kaleb for the readers, he must have the perfect heroine to pull him out of the cold darkness he has inhabited for so very long. Sahara absolutely fit the bill, damaged but not broken, strong yet compassionate, and above all a piece of Kaleb's heart that will keep him sane.

To incorporate this monumental love story into the complete upheaval of the Psy world and not slight either aspect should be a near impossible task, but Nalini handled it with panache. This book completely resurrected my dwindling love of this series and I applaud Nalini Singh's wonderful talent and her ability to capture the hearts and minds of millions.

Twelfth in the Psy-Changeling paranormal romance series revolving around the shifters in the DarkRiver and SnowDancer packs just outside San Francisco although the primary location in this story is Moscow. The couple focus is on Kaleb Krycheck (!) and the woman he's been hunting for years, Sahara Kyriakus.

You really want to have read the previous stories, if only so you fully understand how terrifying Kaleb Krychek is.

My Take
Oh, this one is so romantic. In a terrifying way! And so very emotional. Totally unexpected considering that it's about two Psy who were raised in Silence. Singh makes a great argument as to why Silence is wrong, and I do have to wonder how a brilliant man like Krycheck can be so obtuse about his own emotions. He's obsessed with Sahara and will do anything to protect her. She arouses him...which is a pretty emotional reaction. I must confess I'm just dying to read on to the next and the next in the series if only to read the reactions of other Psy when they discover how much of the wonder of life they've been missing out on.

Singh is brilliant in stretching out our ignorance, dropping small clues here and there, just enough to titillate and confuse as she herds us along in one direction. She pulls at my own emotions, and I cried for these two damaged people. I loved how Singh had Krychek so full of guilt (so unexpected), and how he expressed it. Beautifully done. I already want to re-read it! Yep, I re-read it...

Great tension...

Part of what is so very fascinating about Heart of Obsidian is the almost robot-like reactions and honesty of both protagonists. Well, with each other, they are honest and forthright. As much as Krychek wants to lie to keep Sahara at his side, he realizes he would lose her in the end by doing so, and you can feel him hunching over inside, cringing as he waits for her to abandon him. As for Sahara, reading through her fears of what he's done, knowing that he had something to do with her imprisonment, realizing the various possible interpretations on why he reacts and treats her as he does, and yet she still holds true---it's amazing.

Singh slips back and forth from current time to the past providing us with a ringside seat to Krychek and Sahara's meetings as children and his treatment and training by Santano. I do think Krychek protests too much about his lack of empathy. His Silence is broken after all, and his strength of mind would enable him to convince himself of anything.

It did answer my one suspicion when I learned who the mysterious figure, Ghost, is who has been appearing randomly throughout the series.

For such intelligent people, you'd'a think they'd'a thought of this!

It's fascinating to watch two Psy break down. It's always been a Psy and a shifter in the past with that clash of culture between one group that requires a cold nature "versus" another group that strongly believes in touch. Instead, we have two Psy who are both starved for touch, and oh, man, it gets literal when Kaleb rocks her world...!

Ha! I love it!! Vasquez is not getting the response he wants from his terrorist attacks. What an idiot! He's so clueless and isn't even aware that his own Silence is fractured. Besides, isn't the fact that Pure Psy is so passionate about maintaining Silence an emotion?

I liked the letters to the editor that Singh distributes throughout this story. An interesting back-and-forth from Psy arguing for and against Silence. Some of 'em I just wanna smack!

Krychek is the one who lifted the train off Annie (see The Magical Christmas Cat: Stroke of Enticement, 3.5).

The Story
The bright and shining hope of Silence is shattered as those with power realize that while the Psy leaders are the cream of their race, they are also psychopaths.

And Kaleb Krychek has found the one for whom he has been searching. The one for whom he would destroy the world. The one with no memory of her past. No memory of Kaleb. The question is, is her mind already destroyed and past all hope?

The Characters
Too young when kidnapped and tortured, Sahara Kyriakus of the PsyClan NightStar created her own protection in her mind. She's not Silent, but she has passed. Leon Kyriakus is her father; Daniela García is her mother. Anthony Kyriakus, the head of the NightStar Clan, is her uncle. Faith is her cousin, and she's mated to Vaughn of the DarkRiver pack.

Kaleb Krychek is a deadly dual cardinal: telekinetic and a teleporter; he has been searching for one person for years. Silver Mercant has been his aide for years. Krychek's parents sold him when he was a child back to Santano Enrique, a brutally psychopathic councilor who could also function as an anchor (see Slave to Sensation (Psy-Changelings, #1)). He was raised and taught, using brutally efficient methods; he was forced to watch, participate in Santano's crimes against women.

Aden currently leads the Arrow Squad, covert Psy operatives highly trained and dangerous. Vasic, who has volunteered to be implanted with a test computronic gauntlet, and Judd Lauren (Caressed By Ice (Psy-Changelings, #3)), a Tk-V, are fellow operatives.

Father Xavier Perez is one of three working to bring down Silence. Nina is a woman whom Perez loved, and Judd gave him the information to find her.

Nikita Duncan and Anthony Kyriakus are the Psy Councilors who live in the area claimed by DarkRiver and SnowDancer. Max Shannon is Nikita's chief of security; his wife, Sophia, is an ex-J with her own extensive contacts. Other councilors include Ming, Tatiana Rika-Smythe, and a very quiet Shoshanna Scott. David Sezer is one of Tatiana's people, bright but cruel.

Mercy is pregnant with her pupcubs. Lucas Hunter is the alpha for the DarkRiver leopards. Nathan Ryder is DarkRiver's most senior lieutenant. Hawke is the alpha for SnowDancer wolves. Teijan is the Rats alpha and head of the best spy organization in the region. Adam Garrett is the alpha of the WindHaven falcons. Drew is one of the trackers looking for traces of the terrorists' attack.

Jim Wong is the representative of the shopkeepers in Chinatown.

Andrea Vasquez is the current leader of Pure Psy since Councilor Henry Scott's death.

Silence. Protocol, a state by which all emotion is conditioned out of a person. A concept proven by Adelajas. Pure Psy is a radical pro-Silence group, which intends to terrorize the Psy back into Silence. Anchors are a specific type of Psy who are able to hold the Net in place. The PsyNet is a psychic network which helps hold together the Psy, providing them with the biofeedback necessary to keep them sane. It's a health that is splintering, dying in pieces. The NetMind, equal to an innocent child, and the DarkMind, similar to an ignored and abused child, are twin entities which reflect the health of the PsyNet and have been Krychek's only friends for too long.

The Cover
The cover is so perfect when you realize the story. A lone man stalking in the rain to the top of a hill on the streets of San Francisco. Just over that hill is a blaze of golden light---the perfect metaphor as this tormented and lonely, desperate man is about to find his Holy Grail.

The title is also perfect and not what you think! Oh, there's a Heart of Obsidian all right. One that protects.

Heart of Obsidian is the newest addition to Nalini Singh's Psy/Changling series. This is Kaleb's story. He has always been the enigmatic young council member in the Psy race whom was the protégé of a monster. You always wondered throughout the series, whenever he was brought up, of how much of a protégé he actually was. Would he eventually become the monster his teacher was, was he a wolf in sheeps clothing or was Kaleb his own man? Come to find out, he is his own man and OMG I love him, sorry Judd you've been replaced! If you are a fan of the series or of book series in general, there's always that book that comes out that rocks the series world and this is that book. This book answers soooooo many questions and is just the epitome of the series in general. You will not be disappointed at all. Nalini has hit a home run with this book!
So if you don't want spoilers, stop reading now. I'll try to write the synopsis as vague as possible but I still need to do some set up.
When Kaleb was a young man, his teacher had a business meeting with someone whom had a little girl visiting. While the men talked business, the little girl, was instructed to give Kaleb a tour of the grounds. While the walked and talked, they bonded. Kaleb already being so ingrained in Silence had never had a friend and being raised with a monster, it was never a possibility, until he met Sahara. Sahara was never good a Silence. She definitely had flaws in her training but when she met Kaleb, she felt an immediate connection. She also knew he was in trouble and needed help. Soon the pair became the best of friends. Kaleb found ways to slip his leash and Sahara loved seeing him. As the years progressed, their friendship started to turn into something more but then Sahara vanished! Kaleb searched years and years for her, never giving up, always knowing he would find her again someday and if she was dead, the world would crumble at his feet.
Deep right???? I don't want to give more away, so I'll stop there but I do want to say this..... Sahara is absolutely the only person I could see taming the powerful Kaleb. I know I say this alot but they are absolutely perfectly matched. Personally I also don't think I could rave more about this book. If you want a fabulous PNR series with shapeshifters, Psy and humans, read this series!!!! Just take my word for it and go buy it, NOW!!!

Psy / Changeling series.

You do need to have read the previous books in this series to understand it properly.

Kaleb Krychek is probably the most powerful Psy on the planet.Raised from the age of three in the less than tender care of a monster,now known to have been a serial killer. While the world has been getting ever nearer to all out war, Kaleb has been searching for someone.
Sahara Kyriakus was abducted seven years ago, and has hidden herself so deep in her mind she might never find her way out. With most of her memories buried Sahara is unsure of the man who draws her but also scares her. Kaleb has rescued Sahara and is protecting her from anyone who might come for her,knowing all the time he is the greatest danger.
Terrorists are causing hundreds of deaths all over the world and Kaleb finds himself more and more in the role of a hero. He is used to always being the one that people fear.
As Sahara regains her confidence she is pulled into a strong attachment to Kaleb that feels like it has been there forever, not just since he rescued her. She will not allow Kaleb to sink into the darkness that surrounds him.

This book is quite violent, with the terrorism and Kaleb's desire for revenge. When Sahara tells Kaleb all she remembers ,it is traumatic for all. The way the Psy use the power of their minds is so believable It's scary.
I love this series and look forward to the next book.

Review Courtesy of All Things Urban FAntasy

HEART OF OBSIDIAN was an emotionally charged and intensely brilliant story that had me staying up long into the night to finish it. In this book we see the impact of the slowly breaking self- imposed Silence on the Psy race with violent reactions to change and struggles for freedom by the Pure-Psy faction. The complexity of this world is always a joy to delve into and in HEART OF OBSIDIAN we see that the political climate along with the lives of the Psy race is extremely perilous. While this very bloody struggle between the Psy (as well as Changlings, and Humans) is fascinating, at the heart of HEART OF OBSIDIAN is a love story between two people who are so very broken.

Kaleb and Sahara fit together better than most of the other couples featured in the Psy-Changling series due to their shared years of torment at the hands of incredibly sadistic people. Just reading the descriptions of each of their years of torture was devastating and I was very glad when vengeance was met out. Kaleb was always a character I wanted to know more about and was never sure about his loyalties. Even at the beginning of HEART OF OBSIDIAN I wasn't sure about what he was going to do to Sahara. By the end I finally got a good handle who this very dangerous, insanely loyal, sexy man stood with this world and with Sahara. Basically, the love story between Kaleb and Sahara is the definition of love and devotion on an almost insane level.

HEART OF OBSIDIAN is dark, compelling, and a wonderfully engaging addition to the Psy-Changling series. With the game changing events in this book I am looking forward to seeing the aftermath in the yet to be named 13th Psy-Changling book coming out in 2014..

Reviewed at Another Look Book Reviews

Without a doubt, Nalini Singh is one of the best urban fantasy story tellers I have ever read. I don't care which of her series/books you pick up, prepare to be completely and totally sucked in. I just finished Heart of Obsidian (after waiting forever for it to come out in paperback) and I have no words. I can't explain how completely excellent Heart of Obsidian was. Definitely the best read of 2014 so far. I have avoided all spoilers for Heart of Obsidian since it came out so I had no idea what to expect. All I knew is that it was finally Kaleb's story.

First let me start with saying, THESE ARE NOT STAND ALONE BOOKS. The good news is that the previous twelve books are also awesome so get going if you haven't started the series. If you can't afford to buy them, go directly to your library and borrow them.

The Phy/Changeling world is complicated to explain in a sole review. Now having said that, the world grows with you so if you start book 1, Slave to Sensation, you will not be lost and an overload of information is not dumped on you. I promise you.

Kaleb has always been a powerfully mysterious Phy man. As a reader you crave to know more about him and what he is capable of. Each and every previous book that Kaleb was in, the author Nalini Singh only delivered masterfully placed tidbits of information. After reading Heart of Obsidian you get the full story. Brace yourself, as there is a lot of backstory to absorb and thankfully all of the puzzle pieces finally fit. Also allow me to add, I love Kaleb. I. Just. Love. Him.

Sahara. Wow. There could be no one else for Kaleb other than Sahara. It is so hard to comment on Heart of Obsidian without mentioning spoilers. In fact, I don't want to. If you follow this Phy-Changeling series, you will be blown away with this twelfth book.

Nalini Singh wraps up the story in a most excellent style. Once I closed the cover, I had a slight panic that this was the last book. I immediately went to her website and was relieved to read that there are more coming. Fantastic!

Heart of Obsidian is the first book of 2014 that is awarded my 5+.

Teasers: memories buried in a mind labyrinth, one kiss practically broke a house, Pure Phy returns, the Ghost is revealed!!!!!

Review Courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

Quick & Dirty: Sensual romance set in an amazing world, answers a lot of questions but the ending was a tad anti-climactic.

Opening Sentence: Kaleb Krychek, Cardinal telekinetic and a man no one wanted to meet alone on a dark night, had been searching for his quarry for seven years, three weeks, and two days.

The Review:

Heart of Obsidian is a game-changer in the Psy/Changeling series by Nalini Singh. If you are a fan of this series you already probably know whose book this is. If you haven’t read this series yet you are missing out – but don’t start with this one – with eleven books before this one you would be missing out on a lot of wonderful characters and an amazing world/backstory.

Kaleb Krychek has pretty much been a villain up until now, a villain that you just knew had some semblance of a heart of gold plus a HUGE secret that he had been keeping. I have always been fascinated with Kaleb since he turned up in the novels and I am so happy that he got his own story. The beginning of the novel has Kaleb finding his secret and her name is Sahara. The only problem is is that Sahara is lost within the labyrinth of her own mind and Kaleb must find a way to break her out without her becoming a vegetable.

Kaleb must keep Sahara a secret and because of this he does keep her locked away from others. Her mind is sealed from the PsyNet and he has built her a home that is far away from other Psy. He doesn’t necessarily lock her in but he does try to keep her from hurting herself until she is better. Some people may have problems with this type of Stockholm syndrome type display but I think their backstory proves that their relationship began way before then. I loved the sensuality of their romance and how everything had to be taken slow because too much could go wrong.

I don’t want to giveaway to much more of the story but I really felt that Heart of Obsidian had the most terrible and tragic of any two characters backstories from this series. I absolutely loved that they had a history and how it caused them to be like they are currently in the story.

I genuinely liked Sahara. I think she had a raw deal in life and she paid for it. She was able to heal herself and move on fairly quickly from her troubles. She was still a little reluctant around people but telling her she could trust others is more than just knowing that she could trust them. (If I had been locked up for years that would be a problem too.) She knows that she has a place with Kaleb and at least tries to do something about it.

Kaleb is tough as steel. If you thought Judd was an unemotional force than Kaleb takes the number one spot. He still really clings to his Psy personality as the world changes around him. I think he undergoes the most transformations of any character even though it is more on the inside than what he shows on the outside.

The last few books in the Psy/Changeling series usually jumps around from multiple people telling different parts of the whole story but Heart of Obsidian didn’t really do that. There are a few jumps to other people but they were usually quick, the main story really focused on Kaleb and Sahara and I think it was a way better story because of it. I did miss the interaction with the other characters that we sometimes get but I enjoyed the mentions and cameos too.

Heart of Obsidian does solve a huge issue that has been plaguing the Psy/Changeling world and as a huge fan of this series, I did feel that it was a bit anti-climactic, just a little too easy and too good to be true. There is still so much that this series has going for it. Remember Alice? I can’t wait to see where that story leads with that angle.

Overall, an amazing and wonderful seductive romance set in an explosive world. One of my favorite series ever and I can’t wait to see what is next with Vasic in Shield of Winter. This series is so original and different, if you haven’t picked up book one in this series you really should.

Notable Scene:

Kaleb traced her cheekbone again. “He used a baton on you.” A whisper so soft, it was a creation of purest rage. “He shattered your cheekbone, left you unconscious. The memory is at the forefront of his mind. I only had to punch through the first level of his shields to get to it. A pity his mind is now destroyed, his other memories shredded.”

Nausea roiled in her stomach, flooded her mouth at the detached remoteness of that last sentence. “No,” she said, the echoes of the past dulled by the pharmaceuticals they’d dosed her with at the time, but the now terrible. “No Kaleb. He was no one, just a guard. There were—“ She caught herself before she made a horrible error.

The cardinal with one hand crushing another man’s airway kept tracing her cheekbone with his free hand. “Others. There were others. They’ll all die, one by one.” Then he turned, taking one look at the limp man in his grasp, and it ended.

The guard’s neck snapped, his body falling to the floor, a discarded bit of trash.

Sahara fought the urge to throw up, to back away. “Why?” she asked again, a shivering cold in her chest. “Why take vengeance for me?”

His hand dropped off her cheek, his eyes continuing to roil with a sinuous darkness that spoke of hidden places of madness and death. “He wanted to steal you.” And you belong to me.

FTC Advisory: Berkley/Penguin provided me with a copy of Heart of Obsidian. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.

NUMBER OF HEARTS: 4 1/2
REVIEW:
How do I begin a review on such a heart wrenching emotional story? I am not even sure. Kaleb & Sahara’s story has been building for years & years. Books & books. We have know for a long time that Kaleb has been searching for someone. But it was not until Hawke’s book Kiss of Snow that we learned who. But even then we didn’t know who Sahara was to Kaleb. But once Kaleb finds her he will never let her go again. No one in the world will take Sahara away from him again, not even Sahara herself will keep them apart.
*Possible Spoiler*
Thankfully Sahara has no desire to leave Kaleb ever. Even if she can’t truly remember who and what he is to her.
Heart of Obsidian was a very emotional story as I said above. But I think that it was so much more emotional not necessarily for the love story (which was very emotional) but for the simple fact of watching Kaleb grow and learn what love truly is. I am very much looking forward to the next book which is Vasic’s story (this arrow needs a whole lot of love), but also to see what the future has in store for Kaleb & Sahara.
As always Angela does an amazing job of bring Nalini’s world alive for me. I love how she is able to make each character so different from the next and so real. So thank you to Ms. Singh for another amazing story and thank you to Ms. Dawe for reading this story for me.
On to Vasic.

Disclaimer:
I purchased this book from Audible and this review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

Many series start to sputter or stall out at this point, but this one just keeps getting better. Fluid movement, rhytmic verse, and such exquisitely captured emotiond. I love this seried.

It did wrap up quickly at the end, but in an ongoing story I guess a book must have it's closure so that another can begin. As much as I'd love to just keep reading.

I expected Sahara's powers would be more extensively used. That would have been the easy way out of writing though, so I'm glad that's not how it went and imagine we'll be seeing more of her in the future.

This was the story of her love. Of a man no one really knows. Of strength and choices. We have seen in othee books the broken childhood creating the heroes and villains that we read of and the inner battles that exist within. What I commend the writer for in this instance is the underdtanding and then portrayal of how one person, one gesture, one relationship can be an anchor for someone facing a life few coud ever comprehend.

I salivating in anticipation of the next novel. Read thos one ns you will be too. But please read the series from the beginning if you have not already been doing so. Yes, some of the books are more powerful and others easier reads, but each are crucial to the emotional build of the story being told. And a couple will have you sobbing if given the chance. Especially a previous one involving a certain pack alpha whose bark's got nothing on his bite.

Ignore the typos nd autocorrcts of my kindle driving me nuts in this review process and go get this book. You won't regret it.

Overall, I'd say that I loved "Heart of Obsidian"; in fact, as soon as I'd finished reading the book, I started over again from the beginning, which I very rarely do. I was absolutely captivated by Kaleb and Sahara from the very beginning and I loved the blending of their different strengths and weaknesses. It was great to finally know the identity of the Ghost and to know that I was right in my guess.

One thing that jarred me was the fact that, after establishing with Judd in "Caressed by Fire" that it was necessary for him to do some very tricky maneuverings in his brain to free him from the effects of the dissonance, Kaleb achieved the same result with hardly any effort at all. Also, without giving too much away (I hope), I didn't believe that Kaleb could be as injured as he was in the motel scene, and still manage to live through it without permanent damage. This is especially true because Psy are the physically weakest out of the three races. However, I was enjoying the story so much that it was easy to overlook the inconsistencies.

This was a great book in a fantastic series, and I definitely recommend it. Happy reading!

Ms. Singh’s Psy / Changeling series is one of my all-time favorites so it was no surprise to me that I adored Heart of Obsidian. Even at a dozen entries this series holds me captivated; the intense world-building, faceted characters and deep emotions will keep me coming back for as long as Ms. Singh graces us with these amazing stories.

Heart of Obsidian was a book twelve books in the making. Not an entry I was advise for anyone not fully engrossed in the series, it draws from the base already set and then delves deeper into its own dark and thrilling world. Kaleb is a character we have watched grow and evolve and in this installment we see the impact of such evolution on the world. A Titan in power and propensity, it will take a miracle to stop him from tearing down the world. This book lets you read the miracle.

I did have some issues with Heart of Obsidian, mainly the dictatorial and possessive attitude of our male lead. However, I feel that as uncomfortable as these bits made me, they were also likely necessary to put forth the central idea that Kaleb is broken. He is not a stable being and both his actions and thought processes give us that and allow the story to pull both its readers and characters along to find a place of peace between fixing enough fractures from the past and accepting that perfection is not possible. That love means embracing both merits and flaws.

I loved Heart of Obsidian, flaws and all, and am happy to give it five stars. ★★★★★

~ 5 Obsidian Stars ~ 

(NO SPOILERS)

Heart of Obsidian is book twelve in the Psy-Changeling series by Nalini Singh. It stands as one of the best books in the Psy-Changeling series. I now have a new favorite! Not knowing who the hero and heroine where going into this book was SPECTACULAR! I was Surprised, Amazed, and Blown Away.

I am not going to spoil this book for anyone, because it deserves to be a BIG SURPRISE. I was floored not only by the characters, but the heart-stoping emotions. Ms. Singh is a master storyteller. Everything in this book is necessary in building a dramatic picture. The plot depends, the emotions are intense, and the attention to detail is spectacular. The main characters are real and claw their way into your heart. You can’t help but feel for them. The action is above and beyond what I could have hoped for. I was surprised with the revelations, twist and turns, and everything that we got in Heart of Obsidian. 

Heart of Obsidian was a SURPRISE and I would not have wanted it any other way. Outstanding! Fabulous! A truly amazing read that left me reeling for days. 

Title: Heart of Obsidian

Series: Psy/Changeling bk 12

Author: Nalini Singh

Genre: Paranormal

A dangerous, volatile rebel, hands stained bloodred.
A woman whose very existence has been erased.
A love story so dark, it may shatter the world itself.
A deadly price that must be paid.
The day of reckoning is here.

In Heart of Obsidian Nalini Singh once again proves why she is called the Alpha of Paranormal. This is book that will evoke all your emotions.

Because I want everyone to feel how I felt reading it this review will be spoiler free. Well other than mentioning Kaleb as Nalini herself revealed he is the hero of this book.

I recently went on a quest in the series to find out all I could about Kaleb and the only thing I came away with was a knowledge that there was more to this councilor than he has ever let us know.

When it comes to his heroine, she is exactly who I thought she would be. Their story however is one that I never imagined. It is one that once you know it you understand everything Kaleb has done.

We also find out about Kaleb's past I have to say that my heart broke for what happened to him. And you realize why he has searched so hard for the woman.

Because of who the heroine is the changlings are in the story. And much as I was hoping we would know what Mercy and Riley are having that information is given out. As the events of this book take place almost immediately after the end of Tangle of Need I got that.

The Civil War The Ghost, Judd and Xavier talk about does take place and is played out in a way I can see how Nalini is beginning to wrap up this story arc in the series and I can't wait to see where she is going to take the series.

The Ghost's identity is revealed and when he explains why he did some things they make perfect sense.

Overall this book is well worth the wait we have had. I just finished reading it and I want to read it again. Yes it is that good.

Unless the other paranormal book that I'm waiting for this year is off the charts amazing this will be my top paranormal read of 2013.

Grade A+

Review By: Heather
- See more at: http://thebookreadinggals.com/2013/06/heart-of-obsidian-by-nalini-singh.html#sthash.Oy9pWh8S.dpuf

Heart of Obsidian by Nalini Singh
Paranormal Romance -June 4th, 2013
4 ½ stars

Nalini Singh's latest Psy-Changeling novel is better than ever.

Silence has ruled the powerful Psy. It is the only thing that keeps them from becoming mentally unstable. But now it is collapsing and the extremists working for Pure Psy want to cause further mayhem.

The only Psy strong enough to save their race is the coldly beautiful, Councilor Kaleb Krychek. But many distrust him and feel he only wants power for himself. Can the calculated and manipulative Psy be a true savior or does he have ulterior motives?

When Kaleb saves an unstable Psy named Sahara, his motivations become all the more complex. Who is Sahara? And what abilities does she have that she was abducted for years and kept as a prisoner? As Kaleb tries to rehabilitate her their past is revealed but will Sahara forgive him and help him when she discovers he is the reason she was tortured?!

Loved this book! Kaleb has always been a dark mystery. Is he good or bad? He certainly has his own game. He is playing by his own rules and everyone else in the book is scrambling to keep up! I liked that although the author shows his `human' side he is definitely extraordinary and the emotions she reveals only make him all the more fascinating and charismatic. The heroine is also an enigma. Sahara is an important puzzle in his life and trying to figure out how she fits in kept this reader turning the pages and staying up into the early morning. The romance between Kaleb and Sahara is electrifying especially since the Psy are not supposed to have any emotions. So when their emotions pour out are they intense and almost obsessive. In fact, the passionate intensity of their love was one of the most moving that I have read in a long time. Sahara has secrets of her own and her unusually bright and warm, spirit is a soothing balm for the merciless Kaleb. As they battle to deal with Psy extremists and fight to keep their race sane this book comes to a spectacular climax which will gratify readers of this series...when the truth is unveiled.

This explosive book reveals a stunning hero, a courageous heroine and the fate of a race killing itself. Do not miss it!!

Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club

"It is time to step out of the dark"
This book was great, the best in the series so far! For those of you who don't know or haven't guessed this is Kaleb's book. From our previous interactions with Kaleb I was very intrigued but cautious since he didn't come off as good hero martial. Well this book sure showed me not to judge a character before I've read their story. Kaleb was an awesome hero! I loved him. And his leading lady Sahara was perfect for him. She was so strong and yet she never got annoyed with Kaleb's protectiveness. I loved the way she cared for Kaleb, someone who had never had anyone in his life care for him. It was so sweet. There was a lot of stuff happening in this book and it is very fast paced but the relationship never feels rushed. And nothing overshadows the touching love story. At least not for me. This book has definitely become an instant favourite for me. I highly recommend fans of the series to drop what you're doing and read this book right now. If you aren't a fan you should drop everything you're doing and become a fan. **Make sure to start with the first book though**

If you've lasted up to this point oblivious to whom this book is about, I urge you to look away, now.

I won't give away the identity of the ghost or the identity of the main girl, but I do say who the main male is in this story.

Book after book fans have speculated as to the true motives of Kaleb Krycheck. Young, lethal, and ambitious he swept through the pages with strength and power deadly to any in opposition. His intelligence combined with his dual cardinal abilities, physical strength, and meticulous patience makes him a dangerous force. He can level the world with just a thought. The story unfolds in the most beautiful and heartbreaking way. Weaving in and out of a broken mind to mend pieces together to tell a tale of young love and the devotion only someone with the will and fortitude of a man on a mission can display. Kaleb is so much more than the minute glimpses of his character we have seen throughout the series. Underneath the cool and calculated facade lies a tortured soul searching for the only salve that has been his focal point, a woman he's spent years searching for and once he finds her, he will lay waste to the lands if they ever take her from him again.

This is the 12th book in this phenomenal series and it absolutely blew my mind...and my heart right out of their designated spaces from within my body. A lot has happened throughout the series and when we get to this point we have already seen camaraderie across the species while they work together to fight off the threats from the Pure Psy group. The conflict carries over into this tale with the enemy desperate in their attempts making them even more dangerous and destructive. Additionally there is something corrupting the NetMind threatening the entire psy race that is linked to it. Kaleb is at the focal point of all this chaos being the only one strong enough to stabilize the NetMind in the capacity that is needed and powerful and connected enough to fight Pure Psy's deadly ploys.

As a fan of the series (it is one of the best PNR series out there), I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Even after how many books in the series, Nalini still manages to write a unique tale of romance and love with the elements of paranormal equally interesting. My only negative comment is the revelation of the ghost. It was rather uneventful, although it could've been because I sort of knew who the ghost was by process of elimination.

Narrator: Angela Dawe
Performance 5/5
Speed: 1.25X
I love that the same narrator has read for all of the books in the series. It keeps the story consistent especially since I have listened to all of the books in this series. Dawe does a great job with character distinction and pace of the narration.

I almost lost faith with Nalini Singh and was ready to write her off as much as I have Lora Leigh. However, she has redeemed herself with this book. Please make more books from the Psy perspective Ms. Singh!

So many other authors are already doing the animal/human dynamic to death with romances today, while the Psy-type characters have no other relative equal in the market. Plus, the last book Tangle of Need gave me whiplash from the perpetual switching of view and need to delve my memory for the other random couples from the books that really didn't add to the overall world-building. In all honesty, I ended up skipping a few before A Kiss of Snow because they looked so boring and repetitive without addressing characters I cared about or integral issues as to the overall plot of the series. She really got me in Slave to Sensation, so I am glad that I stuck with the series for the most part.

I absolutely loved this book. Overcoming the Silence of the Psy upbringing brings so much more to the overall appreciation of the romance the characters finally attain. For others in doubt with the series, read this one and you will be back in the fold. Especially, with how this book ended, she has a huge open canvas to better concentrate on the strengths of the world she created.

Get back into the series by reading this one, or at least Kiss of Snow and then this one (sorry to Ms. Singh but Tangle of Need was sub-par and unneeded), to find the potential she created with her first wonderful book in the series.

Heart of Obsidian is the best book in this wonderful series by Nalini Singh. The series is interesting on several levels - one is the futuristic world where subgroups of the 'human' species live together - the changelings, psy & the regular humans. (Of course if you are reading this book, odds are you have read at least one of the 14 books in the series that preceded it.) Another interesting aspect of these books is the continuation of the storyline - Ms. Singh keeps it moving forward with each book in a rational manner, tying different characters together as she goes. Another interesting aspect is, of course, the romances that she has written in each book with compelling characters, logical relationship developments and yes, the sex/physical component. She has it all covered.

I have been a fan of this series since the beginning and although I have enjoyed each of them, some of them lean toward more romance with a backdrop of the rest of the world and some of them are more balanced in the relationship/worldview story - this book falls into the latter category. Some past reviews of this series thought it would end once Hawk & Sienna got together and the big battle conspired, but alas, Ms. Singh continues to weave her story (and her couples) with continued finesse. This series ranks high in my personal book preferences.

Heart of Obsidian follows Kaleb Krycheck, whom comes across as likeable even though he doesn't have any empathy for anyone except Sahara. I like how this story starts with her rescue and we see the past through both of their viewpoints (and see how they met & what events transpired in the past) as their new relationship moves forward. Sahara never took to Silence (Kaleb helped her hide it), but Kaleb had a much more difficult path in his early development and is cold, calculating, and ruthless. He is also the most powerful man on the planet - it's good that he has Sahara as his conscience since his was never allowed to develop.

Pure Psy are trying to put the Psy at the top of the foodchain, where they belong. The humans should be their trusted servants whom the Psy have an obligation to care for. Henry died a couple of books ago so there is a new intelligent guy who is leading the new charges. There are events that are set up to prove the superiority of the Psy populace. Casualties are expected, but the strong will survive. It's an interesting premise that again, flows well with the rest of the series.

I'll end my quite simplified review here because if you are reading reviews of this book, you just need to read the actual book. It is 360 pages and there are all kinds of other tie-ins including the arrows, changelings, previous counselors, psy net, etc. Just do it- you won't regret it.

I love these books so much, even though I've read them 3 or so times ,i still have trouble putting them down. They make me laugh, and cry, and exclaim out loud from their crazy antics. When I re-read this time I knew a spoiler that changed how I viewed several things and made me love it more, I totally recommend reading the series, start with the chronological book one "Beat of Temptation" in the book "Wild Invitation"

Heart of Obsidian by Nalini Singh is the 12th book in her Psy-Changeling series and was…er..WOW!! Heart of Obsidian follows Kaleb, a Psy. The depth and emotions in Heart of Obsidian were intense and unforgettable.

Although the Psy are a race that has imposed Silence, a form of complete emotional absence, the amount of emotions contained in Heart of Obsidian is amazing. Kaleb’s character is dark and complex. His history and background was as dark as night, yet you cannot help but care about him. Singh is truly an expert storyteller. She pulls you into the Psy-Changeling world with stunning and vivid emotions. This was certainly a darker book compared to many of the others in this series.

The back story in this series is coming together in an amazing way. The war is coming…and I can’t wait to find out how this is going to end! If you have not read any of the others in this series, I am not sure it would be an easy read. I would not advice starting with this book, but several of the others in this series could be read independently.

I'm not sure what I can say that other reviewers haven't already said, but I loved this book. This is one of my favorites in the entire series, and when I got done with it, I almost started the whole series over again because I wanted to re-experience it in terms of what I learned from this book--which is who The Ghost is. And no, no spoilers here; I am not telling who it is.

Kaleb is a great hero. I am not fond of Type A heroes who come across as controlling jerks, and Kaleb is juuuussst this side of being that type of hero. What really redeemed him in my eyes is that he clearly cares for Sahara, and listens to her and respects her. Sahara is a wonderful complement to him. She is strong but doesn't fear Kaleb's strength nor is threatened by it. If I had any nits, it would be that I thought she came out her self-imposed "labyrinth" awfully quickly after the trauma that she had been through.

Otherwise, though, it was a fantastic addition to the series.

I don't know how to write a review about this book, without spoiling anything for you who haven't read it yet and are eager to do so.
I loved the hero, Nalini Singh made him come alive to me.
I felt so much for the heroine, and what she has endured. She trusted him without her memory, even though her mind kept doubting him and his motives, her heart knew better.
Their lovestory is truly epic, and what they have suffered because of it, is horrible.
Her love literally saves the world ...

And yes, the Ghost is revealed. And I was wrong in who I thought it was. I totally did not mind being wrong.

I enjoyed the short interactions with the Changelings, but this time the book focuses mainly on the Psy, and what is happening in the Psy Net and the world.

What can I say? I loved it, go out, buy it, and read it. It is just sooo good.

10 stars.

© 2013 Reviews by Aurian

Full review on my blog, www.boeklogboek.blogspot.com

Kudos. Huzzahs. We are not worthy.
Ms. Singh you've done it again.
In your human, changling, psy world the conflicts and shaky alliances are so complicated I wondered how there could exist a believable resolution that did not result in mayhem and madness.
Enter the absolute zero hearted Counselor Kaleb Krychek the undisputed scariest man on this planet. A man of immeasurable power and no conscience. How could he be a messiah.
The stock romance novel answer is the love of a good woman. There is no ordinary in the vocabulary of Ms. Singh's prose.
A chance meeting Kaleb and Sahara Kyriakus as children turns the kindness and empathy of a little girl for an abused and unlove boy into a friendship with the fidelity io last through pain and trivail.
As adults friendship evolves into a love that just might turn a monster into a messiah.'
But that is a story yet to be told.
Not enough stars to evaluate.
Loved it
Loved it.
Loved it.

What it's about: This is the book I've been waiting for, the book I've been dreaming of ... Kaleb's book! I have loved Kaleb since his first appearance. Even when I thought he was pure evil, I loved him. Basic plot is the Net is rotting from the inside out; Kaleb is making a play to take over the Psy and the Net, but below that is the relentless search for what is his, what was taken and what he WILL have back ... Sahara.

Why you should read it: This is fast-paced. It's dynamic, and Nalini is brilliant. One of my all-time favorites is Slave to Sensation, and readers can really see the evolution of the Psy-Changeling world in HoO. There was so much revealed and so much that happened in this installment. Seriously, I was blown away by the amount of action and violence and simple awesomeness that is HoO. I would highly recommend reading the books in order, though. There is a build-up and back story that you will miss if you skip ahead. Plus, some of my all-time favorite couples are in the first five books.

Check out the HEA Blog for more recs and an interview with Nalini

5+++++ stars! This book was AMAZING!!! I loved every minute of it. I was one of those people who skimmed over the psy politics in the beginning of the series, only focusing on the "romance". And i STILL LOVED THIS BOOK! I loved the political games, the strategies, and all the dark aspects of this book. And i LOVED Kaleb! I loved the flash backs and their growing love. I swear he's one of my favorites now lol I don't want to give anything away because i feel that everyone should experience every piece of this book and not be forewarned. This book was Amazing and a MUST read for everyone. This is one of my favorite series and I have not once been disappointed by any of Nalini Singh's books. Can't wait for the next book! Sad this series is coming to an end (i think only 2 or 3 books left). I loved it and can't wait until next year! ^_^

I’ve read Heart of Obsidian at least four times. Nalini Singh is one of my absolute favorite authors and I find myself rereading books from her Psy-Changeling series at least once every 3 months. Heart of Obsidian is the book I didn’t know I wanted until the later books in the series. When we’re first introduced to Kaleb Krycheck in Visions of Heat, he is presented as almost a potential villain. ( His heroine, Sahara Kyriakus is also mentioned briefly in Visions of Heat) And he maintains that potential villain status throughout the series, as a Councilor.

Review continues at: https://somewherelostinbooks.wordpress.com/2015/07/31/heart-of-obsidian/

There's nothing more satisfying than to follow a series and to have it finally culminate in the overarching plot that has led the series all along. And without having to wait forever for it! One word I'd use to describe Kaleb and Sahara's relationship is tantalizing, because as 2 Psys, one with broken Silence and one determinedly Silent, their dynamics are rather different from past books. I hadn't been as captured by the intensity of two main characters as the first book, Slave to Sensation. Reading about Kaleb experiencing passion and emotion was more absorbing than even Sasha. As always, Nalini Singh has impressed me with her skillful writing, showing focus and balance in her world-building. Kaleb and Sahara are some of the most memorable characters Singh has written of, along with Luca and Sasha Slave to Sensation (Psy-Changelings, Book 1) in the aforementioned book as well as Elena & Raphael Angels' Blood (Guild Hunter, Book 1) and Dimitri & Honor Archangel's Blade (Guild Hunter) in the Guildhunter series. Read it!

After being disappointed with the last couple of the psy/changeling books, I didn't know what to expect from this one. But this book was just as good, maybe better than the first books in the series. I'm glad the story was about Kaleb! We were given very vague hints about his true personality in some of the previous books so it was great to learn that he does not quite walk on the path of evil. This was such a sweet, heart breaking, and inspiring love story. I'm glad the story of the two characters spans so many years. The heroine was just perfect. Very mature and at the same time, had a sweet, child like demeanor. Once again, Nalini Singh writes a great, complex, paranormal romance. I love the world and characters she has created. Can't wait to read the next one!!!!!

When this book started I wasn't sure where it was gong to go. I've read all of the books in this series and clearly things were coming to a head for Kaleb but I never anticipated how. This book was the culmination of the world building of the past books and it was excellent. The writing was stellar. Ms. Singh crafted her story, wove as a fine tapestry, never giving away too much and always keep her reader engaged. The story got better with every turn of the page. It was suspenseful, dramatic, romantic, and dynamic. By far the best in the series. This book was more than worth the read, it was worth savoring.

Nook Pages: 368

With such a mystery summary I had no idea what to expect when I cracked this story open. I was certainly not expecting a story about Kaleb Krychek when I started this; however, as soon as I realized this was his story, I was ready to stay up until 4 am to finish it in a sitting. Unfortunately I decided being awake for work was slightly more important (not much).

Let me start of by saying...that I freaking loved this. Nalini Singh has never disappointed me and Heart of Obsidian skyrocketed to being in my top three favorite psy-changeling books. (The others being Kiss of Snow and Caressed by Ice respectively)

Where to even begin? Nalini has such a fascinating world. I really wish I could live in it. The psy race, their powers/designations, the changelings, the politics, everything is so intricate and well put together.

Kaleb Krychek. Oh my. Dark, incredibly dangerous, sexy, damaged, he was an incredibly powerful main character. He was both good and evil, did such brave heroic things, and such terrible things and could be both terrifying and then be down to Earth. He was so complicated and to see such a character that walked in both the dark and the light to achieve his goals was both new and exciting. His story was straight fabulous. His story so sad that knowing the changelings ripped Enrique to shreds already was not enough. Not at all.

Sahara was a lovely counter balance. After all she had been through to still be morally sound and so vibrant...she was a great match for Kaleb. She didn't have a singular moment that made me unhappy (which is a rare occurence.) She was a beautiful, strong and all around great character with very interesting abilities.

The story. Wow. We get sooo many answers that we had been asking throughout the series. <spoiler>I about flipped when we got the identity of the Ghost~!</spoiler> We see a new era unfolding and I can't wait to see what's in store. Hopefully a story with Vasic or Aden? Especially Vasic. He seems so alone and ready to die. He needs a spark of life. Their love story is just...to quote Speed Racer here, beautiful and inspiring and everything that art should be.

The writing. Nalini's writing is so smooth to read. Though her favorite word may be splintered - haha. Her descriptions are so incredible and the sex scenes. Oho my. They were hot, tense and just...amazingly perfect.

I need moar. I am so excited to see what happens in the world now. I ripped through this book (why do you have to exist work~! I could have finished this sooner~! Though I suppose I got to savor it's epic-ness longer.) and seriously. I need moar.

I will be rereading this. Multiple times. Why? Because it is SO incredibly awesome-sauce.

I LOVED this book.

I have read all of the books in this series and thought I would've liked this one the least. I came into this one totally blind and was surprised to learn that it was going to be about Kaleb Krychek. I might have missed it. I might have put it off and picked up another book instead. I would've been wrong. It was so good.

It was the perfect mix of bringing in a new Psy character, the ongoing war, the issues with the PsyNet, staying true to the characters/theme/story, and as always the romance between the main characters. I can't say enough good things about it. It came to a very satisfying end but also allowed room for another book to tell more of the story. Nalini took her time and developed both Kaleb and Sarah with care. It didn't feel rushed at all. 5 stars!!!

I've always liked the universe created in the Psy/Changeling stories. The concept is interesting and so far has been well explored. (Although I really like the changeling part best.) This story had a problem though; too much time was spent on the juvenile angst of Krychek. Unlike Judd, who has problems that he works through in a specific way, Krychek sort of whines his way through them. It seems a good therapist would have been able to help him out with that.

Over all the story seemed a little too convenient and problems easy to solve. I like to see the characters challenged a bit more, and some humor added in. (I loved the puppy chewing Sascha's boots and her trying to hide the damage!)

I glanced at the reviews very briefly before beginning this book. I will admit to doing a double take at number of 5-star reviews. I became a little suspicious, a little dismayed. Surely Heart of Obsidian couldn't be THAT good, could it? My inner doubting Thomas is happy to say oh, yes. Yes, it really is THAT good.

All of the plot points have been hit by others, and really, all I want to say is this book is, hands down, the best meshing of plot propelling action and heart touching romance I can ever remember reading. To say Ms. Singh hit this out of the park is an understatement. The ball is still in the air, heading out of the stratosphere. Kaleb is a man of astonishing depth, the history of his relationship with Sahara as well as the present is just breathtaking in its intensity. Sahara is a strong woman, resilient and loving. Sahara should be named Oasis, as that is what she has always been to Kaleb. So. Good. Together.

In what is one of the consistently best series on the shelves today, Heart of Obsidian comes in as one of the best books in the outstanding series. It hits every single high note. Just a fantastic read, beginning to end.

Wow! Just wow! I have just finished this book and I have no words to adequately describe it. This story is simply brilliant. I am amazed at how intricate a web Nalini Singh weaves. I am a big fan of the psy-changeling series. I am used to the changeling side of the story and love it. This psy side wakes me up to a whole new way of reading. The series in itself is amazing. The thought process is astounding. To come up with a story line so inventive, so different, so distinguishing is beyond me.

Kaleb and Sahara's story is breathtaking. Their strength and love is enough to guide them through their personal tragedies and lead them into a new era. This is a must read!

Nalini Singh is one author that I know is not going to disappoint. I constantly find myself eagerly awaiting her next release as soon as I read the last paragraph of each book. The best thing ever? Her characters are not suffering from high school angst or drama that so many other authors of this genre seem to be churning out. There is always an actual plot instead of pages of continuous sexual activities with male characters that apparently have a ten second recovery time between acts.

Kaleb caught my attention several books past and his story surpassed my every expectation.

I really enjoyed this book. I think the strongest aspects of this book are the character and relationship developments. The hero is extremely alpha (whoohoo!!) and the heroine, while beaten down, is still a strong character. Their relationship is beautifully written by Ms. Singh. I loved this and the fact that we didn't get too bogged down in all of the politics and other characters from previous books that were my issues with the last two books. The only reason I detracted .5 stars is because I felt there was a bit too much angst and melodrama that could have been tightened up into a more cohesive story. Otherwise, a very enjoyable stand alone book (no cliffhangers! YAY) that can be read without having read all of the others in the series.

This book was flippin' awesome!

Kaleb is the hero of the book. I am not sure why that was such a big secret since we all knew at some point that he would get a book. His heroine was the person who he has been searching for lo' these many books. People who pay attention to that sort of stuff guessed who she was based on some cryptic clues in early books. Me? I hadn't paid that close attention so her name didn't register at all.

Her name is Sahara and she has a very unique Psy talent that turns out to be one of the reasons he was unable to find her.

I don't really want to talk plot because honestly there is nothing really new. A lot of things that have been bubbling in the last several books come to a head in this one. Pure Psy, The Ghost, Kaleb's mysterious plans...all that stuff kind of reaches a critical mass. It is really satisfying, imo, to long time readers for all these things where the foundations have been laid to get some pay-off, even as she splinters out some new plot possibilities for future books.

However the main thing that made this book so wonderful for me was the man in the center of it all. Kaleb is a great construct of a character. We have had 12 books to get to know him and to wonder about him. Gratifyingly, Singh does not make him a hero-hero. He is, to my mind, the definition of an anti-hero.

Kaleb has no moral center. He really doesn't. He has a personal code of things that are acceptable to him or not acceptable to him. He very clearly and calculatedly understands that ends justify means. He is shown doing 'heroic' things in this book. But I think that the author very clearly shows that Kaleb's actions, every thing he does, he does out of personal self interest. It just so happens that his self interest is very much bound up with the woman he has been searching for for years. If she had asked him to kill a small town, he would do it no questions asked, no remorse and no judgement of her request.

Luckily she doesn't. Sahara has a very moral center and she acts as his conscience. Going into the story the idea of Kaleb as a hero and falling in love fascinated me because I wondered how Singh would work around his Silence. Would she break it? Is he even Silent at all? In Tangle of Need (Psy/Changeling) the author played around with 'mating' convention. A wolf mates for life and yet the heroine of that book was not the hero's natural mate. I liked how she worked around that convention and I thought she did a similar job with Kaleb's Silence. We certainly do not get shortchanged on the love story. Even if Kaleb is not warmly demonstrative (he never once cracks a smile)the reader is never, not once in doubt of Kaleb's total devotion to Sahara.

I was also gratified with the fact that the Changelings are not very present they do show up later but have limited page time. We are in Kaleb's world in this book. It really reminded me of some of the earlier books in the series, especially my favorite,Caressed By Ice (Psy-Changelings, Book 3).

Aden and Vasic also get a lot of face time. They quietly rock.

If I have one quibble with this book I would say that Sahara's recovery from her trauma felt a little too easy.

But in the end, I was sad when I finished this book. It reminded me of when I first discovered the series when there were already five books published and I gobbled them down one after the other. The world is really immersive I wanted to stay there longer.

~Reviewed by FRANCESCA & posted at Under the Covers Book Blog

"I wish I could give this book 10 Stars! Every single page of this book is packed with intensity. It's enthralling, all consuming, and mind blowing. Yes, I was thoroughly blown away! " ~Under the Covers

Highly anticipated books like this always scare me. What happens if the author can't take the pressure of writing such an anticipated story and it falls flat? What if it doesn't go the way I WANT it to go? There are no guarantees and I was both extremely excited and extremely scared to start reading.

Another fear of mine was the fact that knowing this book had the big Ghost reveal, this story would be centered around the Psy. In the past, the psy-only books have not been my favorites. They lack some of the intensity that the changelings bring to the world.

I shouldn't have worried. I was hooked from the very first line. I wrote my review with names in it and then have changed them to HERO and HEROINE in case people don't want to know.

There are some series that always have a tough leader, a guy that makes those sometimes ruthless decisions that go against most morals. He may seem heartless but there is always a purpose to his actions. The last one I remember that caught my interest as much was Jonas from the Breeds series by Lora Leigh. But after that, it's been the HERO. The HERO, who should be psy and Silent, but has so much bottled up passion he could melt you at his feet. The HERO, who is ruthless in the pursuit of what he wants and won't leave anything or anyone who gets in his path standing.

Then focus all that intensity on the woman he loves. OMG!!!!! Ms. Singh, I am in awe of what you've done with this story. From all the layers to the HERO we get to unfold, to the story of his one true love. This is a second chance at love story. The girl he fell in love with as a kid and was taken from him. Brutally. The one he's been searching for since. For such a hard shell on the exterior, I couldn't help but melt at the softness inside of him.

The HERO is, in one word, INTENSE. There's so much he has learned to keep bottled up and as that shell cracks and all that intensity spills out..... Be prepared to fall in love. Changelings have nothing on the HERO.

The HEROINE was also perfect for him. The perfect balance to his intensity. Nurturing, soft, but strong at the core. Able to stand on her own. Able to fight for her man. Able to heal him.

Then there's the Ghost. On this subject, I'm keeping my mouth shut. However, I will say that I found the big reveal a bit....anticlimactic. After waiting to find out who the Ghost is for so long, I was expecting bombs going off, cities collapsing and the Ghost riding in on some white horse to save the race. I don't know. I wanted something epic. Instead, we find out as almost an afterthought. And that's all I'm going to say. No more.

Nalini Singh's writing has the ability to paint a picture in my mind. Beautifully crafted words that flow and let the imagination run wild. And for the span of time it took me to read this book, I was living it.

I wish I could give this book 10 Stars! Every single page of this book is packed with intensity. It's enthralling, all consuming, and mind blowing. Yes, I was thoroughly blown away! This will be one I want to re-read and hold dear.

*ARC provided by publisher

Where to begin, this is the twelfth book in the Psy/Changeling series and I believe this is one of the best. This book has been years in the making, we were introduced to the Ghost several books ago and ever since we have wanted to know who he is and what his plans are. This book is different than the others; it feels darker and more dangerous. We find out many answers to questions that we have been waiting for, who is true evil, who is the Ghost and what is the immediate future of the PsyNet as we have seen the disintegration from within.

The hero and heroine of this book have been a guarded secrets and by the time this review is posted many may know who they are but I will keep it spoiler free.

The hero has been searching for the heroine for seven years and when he finally finds her he is unsure if she is too broken and beyond his help. She tells him that she developed a labyrinth in her mind to help her through the years of torture and suffering. When she is free and is feeling safe with him, she is finally able to unravel the labyrinth and regains her abilities yet her memories are still faint.

As she slowly comes back to the living again she starts to remember the past and what they shared, she believes they are meant to be together, however they both know that their race must face its most challenging problems. The Psy are involved in a civil war that will destroy them as Pure Psy want only Silence whereas others believe that Silence is broken and they must rebuild in order to survive.

The Psy race must choose a path, Silence or not, who will go which way, will the Psy follow what they have know for the past hundred years, or will they adapt and survive.

I thoroughly enjoy this book, the romance was off the chart and apparently caused several earthquakes as well as damaging their home, it was amazing that the love they felt for each other was so intense. The way Ms. Singh shows their feelings is amazing, as strong as the mate bond of changelings yet they are Psy and were not supposed to have these feelings. I also loved how we were able to visit those we have met before, the leopards from Dark River and of course one of my favorites, Judd spends a lot of time on the pages.

The evil ones are pure evil, the damage done to the hero and heroine in the name of Silence and power is heartbreaking, especially when you think that they were children when it happened. The beginning of the book was quiet and deep as we learn more about the hero and heroine, how they knew each other previously and how they are reconnecting. The middle is more dangerous as the hero and heroine reach out to the Dark River leopards as the Pure Psy intensify their attacks and the last part is powerful and electrifying as they race toward the conclusion hoping to save changelings, humans and the Psy that are scared of the future with or without Silence as they know that change is coming and life will never be the same.

I am interested in what will happen now, we know so much and I can see how the fight will escalate as Pure Psy and those that believe Silence is broken will fight on. Ms. Singh has created a wonderful intricate world and I am so thrilled to have read these books. The characters she develops are interesting and amazing. The whole series is a must read for those that enjoy intense world building, intriguing characters and wonderful love stories.

Review also posted at Ramblings from a Chaotic Mind

Copy provided by publisher for an honest review

Heart of Obsidian is an awesome novel.
My task is to describe the story without spoiling it for future readers. I will do this by posing a series of questions.
How does an act of kindness impact the future of an emotionally and physically abuse boy as he grows into manhood?
Does capture and torture have to remove our humanity?
Do leaders of a society have the right to impose restrictions on that society forever?
Is change and adaption necessary or even right?
Are we all flawed and just doing the best we can under the circumstance that influence us?
Is love only for the perfect?
Nalini poses these questions and others to her characters and those answers are what make this novel great.

I love Nalini Singh books, both Psy-Changeling and Guild Hunter, I recommend them to all my friends. I spend the time leading up to this book re-reading the previous books in the series.

I was very much looking forward to this story and while it is a great addition to the Psy-Changeling narrative, as a stand alone book it's very disjointed. I love what happens in that world, but the main character's relationship doesn't feel as it did in other books. For example, in the Mercy/Riley book we saw Mercy having a genuine interactions with her siblings. Here the connection the heroine had with her relatives did not feel as real, it's like we saw the end result without the heart being built. Specifically, the Sahara's relationship with Leon and Faith felt unreal. Then her having fresh new shields, but we never saw her interactions with Sascha in helping her build them, just backfill on Kaleb remembering that Sascha was the best shield tech he'd ever seen (which was mentioned in other books, so yes).

This is supposed to be an epic love story that changes the path of the Psy and it feels like Kaleb & "Mary Sue". The special powers, the lack of give and take between the characters... did the author change editors?

Anyway, for fans, I recommend the book as part of the arc of the Psy-Changeling world, but maybe wait for the paperback version. For those new to the series, don't start here.

All I can say is... WOW! Kaleb is definitely something else.. I tell ya, those Psy boys take sexy to a whole new level. Heart of Obsidian was so much more than I expected. It's hardly very often that I read books where I like the heroine, but in this book I really liked her. Sahara is a very strong, independent and loving character. She balances Kaleb. I admit, Kaleb was the last person I expected to have his own story, and now after reading it, only about 12 times.. Haaaaa, he so deserved it. they both did. I wish I had a Kaleb of my own. HIGHLY RECOMEND this book, as well as ALL of Singh's other Psy/Changeling novels. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE each and every one of them!!

I just finished Heart of Obsidian. I found it a difficult book to read and even more difficult to review. The story is very dark. One of the characters is holding on to his control for most of the story. There is danger, excitement, suspense, and romance. The romance is the only thing holding the main character in check. Love in this story truly saves. There are a lot of lines crossed and the Psy have to change or disappear. This is a excellent addition to the Psy-Changeling series. I would not recommend this as a stand alone book. Start at the beginning of the series for the most enjoyment.

Since I'm reading these from the library, as they are available, this is out of order for me. However, I do want to say that this is such a pure love story that it practically made me cry. Not that there wasn't plenty of action. There were all kinds of things happening. Yet, it was so beautiful at the same time. I really loved this one!

I had really looked forward to this book, but I found it disjointed and not much of the Changeling world in the story. This was pure Psy story and I really missed the Changeling's in this book. Sahara's stay in the Changeling's world was very short to say the least and Kaleb kept transporting her out of what was supposed to be a "safe" place for her. I think she was in her tree house for about an hour and spent the rest of her time at Kaleb's. The book was somewhat of a disappointment for me. I'd recommend getting the book from the library, but then I might be in the minoirity here. The story fell flat for me. I'm looking forward to Nalini getting back to the Changeling world. But again, that is just my opinion.

After having read a number of her Psy books, I've found that her Angel books are much more enjoyable, because these ones get bogged down in the politics and world building when I'm more interested in her characters and the relationships.

But I saw this one coming out and I'm on a new get-the-book-from-the-library kick, and I'm so glad I got this one!

The story starts with a dangerous Cardinal Psy (his danger and power are almost endlessly repeated and emphasized through the story) and the woman he has rescued whose mind is fractured/damaged from years of torture and abuse. Her power is hinted at, so is their history. The most of the beginning is just the two of them in this big house and the heroine gathering her strength, mind and more depth of character through the passing chapters--plus the unfolding of their relationship. !!

Unlike the other books I've read in this series, that had a LOT of politics/explanations, this book focused instead mostly on the relationships between the two characters. Singh is good at writing characters with some complexity.

My one beef with the book is the end--it was kind of anti-climactic. The best part of the book was probably the first half. But if you've been reading all the books all along, things are changing on a big scale for the world of Psy and Silence!

Liked it tho'! Recommend it to you if you've been losing faith in Singh's series.

The only thing that saved this book from a one star rating was a pretty good ending, but if reading 98% of a book that is repetitive to the extreme, and being saved by a strong finished, then theres something wrong with the story.

Lets start from the beginning, the cover art. The hero in this story and the past books is freakishly neat, well crossing the boarder of OCD. Not a hair out of place in other stories, (ever), even while teleporting across the globe. Crisp shirts and suits that would rival anything in GQ magazine, is portrayed on the cover in a trench coat and disheveled hair? A bad start that should have told me to leave this book in the library.

But I'm a sucker for finishing a series, and the characters had so much promise that I thought each subsequent book would be better, it never happened.

Not much of a supporting cast so you are left with two people that keep professing the same feelings over and over and over again, It was painful to keep flipping through the pages, but flip I did. I'd say skip this book but it sets up a new things for the Psy race, so maybe you might want to see how that came about although I'm sure it will be explained in a couple of paragraphs in the next book.

Really, if you're not keen on following a series I'd say skip this book, unless of course you want to be stranded on an island watching two people play chess every day. Its not worth your time.

I checked Heart of Obsidian out from my local library. This is one of my favorite books from the series, but the series is getting hard to follow with all the plot threads and characters. I enjoy complexity in my reading, but all the groups and communities are getting to the point of craziness. Another great tale by Singh. NOTE: Due to world-building complexity, I don't recommend this one read out of order, or the factions and secondary characters won't make any sense.

I honestly didn't think I would like this books as much as I did the others because it didn't involve any of the changelings and Kaleb wasn't a character I could connect with but I was pleasantly surprised. I can honestly say that this is probably one of my favorite books in the series so far. It was beautifully written and Kaleb is a beautifully flawed protagonist with such a complex and warped background it made this books HEA so much better for it. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and would definitely recommend it to fans of this series.

I absolutely LOVED this book, and think it is one of the best in the Psy/Changeling series. So many puzzles are finally explained, and we finally find out who the Ghost is. I didn't think that I would like Kaleb as a lead character, he always seemed so on the verge of becoming evil, but now... I adore him. And the leading lady was the perfect match for Kaleb, strong and compassionate. This is a beautiful love story, and I think everyone should have a love like this. I don't want to give away too much spoilers, so I won't comment in detail on the book. If you love Nalini Singh's books, you HAVE to read this book. You won't be disappointed.

I'm not sure if this is suppose to be the last book in this series, I sure hope not. The author did a wonderful job of tying upa whole host of loose ends that you sometimes didn't even know were hanging there until then. Oh and the romance that I would never expected from the main character was both hot and completely believable with the leading lady's trauma, with them facing it and dealing with the aftermath rather than just blowing it off. It's certainly a must read but if you are new to this author then you should beware.this isNOT a stand alone book, it is pay off an ongoing and beautifully complex series and should be read in the correct order of you truly want to enjoy it properly.

I've been looking forward to this book over the last few books in the series. After we got Hawke and Sienna's story, I knew Kaleb would be the next big character to find love.

For me, this book completely lived up to what I was expecting out of it - a humanizing look at Kaleb's past and a mate who is a good balance for him. Them finding their way into the love bond was amusing and intense. Loved this book!

I'm a first reader and last of this author. I hate the idea of waiting until I'm half way through a book for action to finally get started. Yes, I love the passion Kaleb has for Sahara but it was lacking of action. I can only assume what I consider action others find this book full of it looking at the ratings.

Throughout the series, the changelings have been, by far, my favorite part of the world. The Psy...eh. Sure, Judd was great and I always was very drawn to Kaleb, but the rest I could take it or leave it. This book blew me away. Outstanding. So many things happened in this book, I'm still reeling. Dare I say the Psy are my favorite part of the series now?

I have never written a review before but I have to say that the 12th book in the series does not let you down!!

I have been eagerly awaiting the release of this book for a year now and Nalini Singh certainly delivered. As a fan of the changelings, I was initially skeptical as to whether a book on Kaleb would keep me entertained. Boy was I wrong!! This may be one of the best yet and it seems as though it will only get better. You see a side of Kaleb that you would never have guessed existed, such a complex character with many faces. I love the direction of the series and can't wait to get my hands on the next one. If only they would be released faster!!

If you haven't read the series, I know 12 books is a little daunting but it is certainly worth every penny. This has got to be one of the most intricate, well written series out there.

This is seriously one of the best and possibly the best of the series. If you like the series at all you will love this one! If you have just found this series I am sorry to say that starting here would NOT be my recommendation - however the first book "Slave to Sensation" is also fantastic and you will not be disappointed by starting there. Though I don't think you have to read each and every story in the series to enjoy this one, it is definitely one of those series where the plot builds on those books that came before.

Kaleb Krychek, throughout this series has been an enigma wrapped in mystery shrouded by obfuscation. In Heart of Obsidian we get to peel back some of the layers of this powerful double cardinal. We have seen him ruthless, focused, and on occasion kind. Now we get to see where he came from and how he got to be the youngest ever member of the now defunct Psy council. Kaleb has secrets on top of secrets and we get to learn some of them including the biggest of them all.
This is an incredible addition to the Psy-Changeling series. A series I must admit that I love and re-read regularly. I look forward to future visits to the fascinating world of Ms. Singh's Psy-Changelings.

I love this book. Kaleb is so broken, and yet only one person is the key to keeping him sane. Nalini writes characters that come alive across the pages of the books and Heart of Obsidian is no different. This is a true story about how love can conquer all and that there is someone special out there for anyone.

I love Nalini Singh book especially this series. I must say that after Hawke's story, I didn't think any other book will grab my attention and I almost made a mistake of not reading this one. Wow, what a book !!! Loved the book, loved the characters...everything Bout this story and characters resonated with me. Love the way the story fits in with the series and what I read from the glimpse of the main character from previous books.
Now I have to go back and start reading the rest of the series to get more glimpses of Kaleb :-)

Move over Kiss of Snow. As much as I loved that book, Heart of Obsidian is even better. Easily and completely my new favorite in the Psy-Changeling series. I'm going to try very hard not to spoil the story beyond a basic set-up, but I am going to mention the hero and heroine by name, so beware.

Kaleb Krychek has been this powerful enigma ever since the series began. He is cold and calculating. But there is a fire under that ice that is positively molten. He has led a life shaped by cruelty at the hands of his mentor. He was brutalized. He never knew love or loyalty, until he met Sahara Nightstar. As children, they became the best of friends. She was his one solace... until she was ripped away. He has spent the past seven years searching for her. And now that he has her back, he will never let her go again.

There is so much passion and emotion in this book. Kaleb's devotion to Sahara is so complete, so unbreakable, it's breathtaking. He is willing to do anything --give anything-- be anything-- for this fragile, abused woman. He would burn the world for her, and, frankly, he has the power to do it. His memories of her have shaped his entire life.

Meanwhile, she has no memory of him at all. Years of torture have robbed her of so much, yet she knows him on a visceral level. She trusts him; she is drawn to him. And as she heals, she begins to remember him in bits and pieces.

I love these two as individuals, but they are exponentially more amazing as a couple. What they bring out in each other is the very best part of the book. Their love is unconditional. They do not try to change each other. They simply are better people because of each other. Kaleb is no saint; he never has been. But Sahara doesn't expect him to be. She SEES him and loves him anyway... no --not in spite of who he is, but BECAUSE of it. He was forged in fire and it was what made him the man who owns her heart. It's her unflinching love of his true self that has changed his life; it is the delicate string that makes him a man instead of a monster.

I could gush forever on the dynamic of the relationship... on how amazingly Nalini Singh crafted this bleak, unbending man who holds on to his humanity with the ray of hope created by one woman's regard. I could warn you to arm yourself with a fan to cool off from the OHMYGODHOT sex. But I would be remiss if I didn't also at least mention two other major points. One: We finally learn the identity of the Ghost and it's revealed in fabulous fashion. And two: the ending is huge. It will change the course of the series. It speaks to just how epic the romance is, however, that when the story is done, that's really all you'll be thinking about.

I would not change a thing about this book. It was phenomenal. Go buy it right now.

Rating: A+

Love me some Kaleb!!! I knew there had to be more to him than what previous books alluded to. I was so fascinated with how the war between the races and species progressed. After the cliffhanger though, it should prove to get sooo much more interesting.

I loved the series. In order to fully understand this book, I re-read all from the beginning, and, then, I re-read this. So many nuances I'd have missed otherwise. This is without a doubt one of my top favorite books of all time, and I can't wait to see where the series goes from here!

This remains my favorite PNR series and it never fails to impress me with each new volume. This latest installment tells the story of two Psy, both incredibly powerful, and each marked by a dark past. I loved watching their relationship build even as their world was threatened time and time again with destruction. Big changes happen here and what the future will bring for the world remains uncertain, but the love of the two Psy at the center of this story is unbreakable. One of my favorites in the series, or perhaps my new favorite, I can't decide. Highly recommended.

Just finished Heart of Obsidian by Nalini Singh.

Wow! What an EPIC book! The action was explosive and the romance flamable. lol I FINALLY got to know Kaleb! I have been facinated by him since his first scene and FINALLY i got my wish. And WOW we get to know who the Ghost is. I won't share because I am sure others won't want that spoiled so quickly. But I will say that I am not suprised when it is revealed just who the Ghost is. But the ending, thats what shocked me the most! It is truely a new era for the Psy/Changling universe.

The only small issues I had with the book was Sahara's powers and her rapid recovery. Her powers were endlessly talked about and mentioned as being a game changing all powerful thing but it wasn't until nearly the end that we actually find out what they were. And though they were good, I didn't really think that they were as scary as they were made out to be.

Her recovery was somewhat unrealistic to me. One minute she is broken and damaged then in the time it took for Kaleb to communicate with one of his allies she is better. It seemed too quick. Even with the explination of the Labrinth and how it was protecting her. What saved it from being too unrealistic was her memory taking so long to come back. If that had happened too quickly it would have really taken away from the story instead of adding to it.

I would really give it 4.75 stars because the ending was a little abrupt, but it was one of the best books of the series. It was different, but I liked the difference. I felt the previous book in the series tried to revisit every couple and I found that tiresome. So I did not miss that the changelings had a small role in the book. I liked the mystery of the unknown identity of the female main character. I liked the intensity of the relationship between the two main characters. I liked the partial redemption of Kaleb. What a twist...taking an assumed bad guy and making him a hero. I was not disappointed, but was instead delighted by the twist of this book.

I am from an Anne Rice beginning of reading of fantasy fiction romance, and thought it could not be topped, from the few books I read. Never read the twilight series. I have lately only read the more modern and historical romance books... Which you have to wait for a somewhat final after 3 books. Dabbled in a vampire book.. Then tried this based on reviews... Here is my review... Had a hard time at the start, names and terms of the types of of characters and all the net, I could not identify with, actually would of stopped reading if wasn't for the reviews and price I paid. Plowed thru and was surprised of how it slowly came together... Then it went full blast.. Could not stop thinking about the underlining politics and the romance that I want to survive. At first I couldn't visualize the landscape, I had to make my own landscape with clues from the author, which in the end made a more personal to my thoughts. It was nice to read something that made me think and cheer for hope and love.. And to have an ending not making you say wtf but still see more to come.

This is by fat the best book in the series! I couldn't put it down! Unlike most of the others this one isn't just focused on the romance. We learn who the ghost is( which I already figured out). We see another side to Kaleb. And I can't wait for the next book to see what happens with the Net!!!

I had this book on pre-order when it was listed as book 12 no title. I have recently re-read the whole series, including the novellas in anticipation of having the book delivered (which came a week early as I ordered the american edition). So I had a go at predicting (1) Who the Ghost was, (2) Who was the woman at the end of Tangle of Need and (3) Who was the boy who rescued Annie as a child in the novella "Stroke of Enticement". Needless to say I was right, but I won't spoil it.

I absolutely loved this book, and it was nice to have a full Psy couple instead of of psy/changeling, changeling/human couples. Though the couple concerned are complete opposites in terms of "Silence", one broken, one unable to break. I admit that I did miss the changelings in this book, but I predict we will see more of them, as I would like to see how many pupcubs a certain couple will have!

As another reviewer mentions the war isn't over. Just think of the ramifications of feeling emotions when you have been trained/tortured since birth not to feel. Don't forget Pure Psy is still out there!

I have read the whole series and can say that this is one of my favorites already. Awesome book...you know it has to be good when that many people give it 5 fives. Wonderful action and not alot of down time!! Hope the next one is just as exciting.

Spoiler-free review is below.
Full review (includes name of heroine) is posted on my blog That's What I'm Talking About.
Review copy provided by publisher.

My Rating: 4 stars: Enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)

HEART OF OBSIDIAN has finally arrived! The twelfth book in Ms. Singh's amazing Psy/Changeling series is a well thought-out adventure that truly does change the course of the overall series. Once again, Ms. Singh creates characters with beautiful emotional depth and detailed flaws, giving me a world that I want to fully explore.

The opening of HEART OF OBSIDIAN has a very different feel than previous books in the series. The first several chapters are told almost completely from the POV of ex-Councilor Kaleb Krychek, someone we all know, but have never seen this up-close and personal. It was extremely fascinating for me to see how powerful he is. Another aspect that gives HEART OF OBSIDIAN a very different feel is the fact we don't know who the female lead is for the first five chapters. I liked this - it was like unraveling the pieces of a good mystery. Finally, after focusing primarily on the Changelings for the past several books, the primary couple in HEART OF OBSIDIAN is comprised of two Psys - something we've not seen before.

The first several chapters of the story grabbed my attention - who was this mystery woman that Kaleb had been searching for all these years? Why is he utterly possessive of her? And the sections that were written from the mystery woman's POV were fantastic. The broken Psy female created mental labyrinths to protect her mind and inner core from the pain of torture and to prevent her enemies from breaking and controlling her. The writing detailed the madnesses of the shifting labyrinths with finesse.

It's not until Chapter 5 that we discover the identity of this woman Kaleb has rescued. She is a Psy female with whom he shares a past. With an attraction to and an explicable trust in Kaleb, the mystery woman pushes her boundaries and heals rather quickly - although there are some memories that her body and mind will not allow her to recover.

Much of the first half to two-thirds of the book focused on the slow process of regaining our heroine's memories, and it is also a carefully constructed release of information to the reader by the author. For the most part, the tale was successful at keeping me hooked, wondering why something was a certain way or who did what. However, I did feel that the book began to drag and got repetitive by the midpoint. Yes... He'd never hurt her. Yes... She is his weakness. Yes... He's got tons of power. Yes... She is the deepest fracture in his psyche. Yes... She belongs to him. I got frustrated for a little while.

In addition, the beginnings of their romance were very cold and calculated, which rubbed me the wrong way - at first. I thought to myself, how much of Kaleb's interactions are part of his plans - seeing as he needed to bond with with our mystery Psy and get her to trust him.

However... things quickly picked back up...

As the pair truly get to know each other again and her memories return, we see a different side of the couple. They each grow and mature in ways that were extremely satisfying for me. I loved how our heroine would push Kaleb, but never abuse the absolute loyalty he's given her. She is completely feisty and such a strong woman. I admire that Kaleb stays true to his Psy nature and character, yet by virtue of his relationship with this female, he can see things and approach problems in a different way. And their sexual encounters were pretty smokin' hot! I just have to share one of my favorite lines, said by Kaleb to his female after their first time, "we've shared DNA." I love it!

We also learn quite a lot about Kaleb's past, which had a few twists and turns that kept me on my toes. I applaud the direction Ms. Singh took with Kaleb - never diminishing the monstrous things he's done or the darkness that surrounds him, yet supplying the reader with the bigger picture and reasons for his actions.

For those anxious to see the Changelings - they get in on the mix in a supporting manner about halfway into the story. This also helps to pickup the speed of the book. The addition of multiple characters gives more depth to the story structure.

In addition to the love story, the book spends much of its time on the escalating issues with the PsyNet, the actions of PurePsy and the overall story arc. Pretty much everything is revealed, including the future direction of the Psy race and its relationship with the other two races. There is a great deal of conflict caused by PurePsy, and once again, it allows for Kaleb to evaluate his position on Silence and his plans for his race. I enjoyed seeing how Kaleb dealt with conflict.

Finally, I will note that the identity of the Ghost is revealed. However, after much hoopla over his character in previous stories, I was disappointed that we didn't even have mention of the Ghost until page 257. Overall, I have to say the Ghost storyline fell flat for me.

In the end, I really enjoyed HEART OF OBSIDIAN. With the exception of a few minor issues, I feel this is one of the strongest Psy/ Changeling stories. I delighted in learning about the "real" Kaleb Krychek - seeing sides of him that only the heroine knows, and I adored her amazing strength and resilient character. The love story of the couple became stronger and more engaging as I learned more of their mutual past. What started out as cold, black ice, matured into warmth and sunshine. They are a wonderful couple and one of my new favorites from the series.

I cannot describe how much i loved this book. I completely fell in love with this story. I adore all of the series but this book has to be my absolute favorite. Nalini Singh just keeps getting better and better and she has a unique way of telling a story that will capture your totally attention and make you fall in love with the characters.

This was one of the most anticipated books in the series and it was well worth the wait. Given past references I was not sure that I could like the character of Kaleb. But Ms. Singh managed to make me a big fan of this spectacular character and his leading lady.

I can't wait for the next instalment in this series.

I'm not much of a review writer, but I was just blown away by this latest book by Nalini. I've been looking forward to it for weeks now and it didn't disappoint. Don't miss this if you're a fan of the series <3

Many of Nalini Singh's Psy/Changeling novels--those from the start of this series--are exemplary of the best we can hope for from PNR (paranormal romance, the genre into which Ms Singh's work falls). Indeed, even though Heart of Obsidian is a terrible book, Singh's prose remains far and away better than every other writer in the genre, and possibly in romance today.

Good prose aside, this novel has so many problems that it is only possible to go through them in list format.

1. Boring. Oh God, so boring.
The pacing of this behemoth will leave you panting. That is, you'll be panting for something new to happen to way someone lost in a featureless wasteland pants for water as he crawls along on all fours. Singh has always struggled a bit with the creation of suspense--she likes to draw things out, and that can be all right, but not in Heart of Obsidian, in which big "events" take place often, but only in the most predictable manner possible. Oh, is there a catastrophic world event taking place again? And the impossibly powerful hero is once again shrugging his shoulders as he remains motionless, solving all problems with his brain? Oh, yes, that was exciting. Let's do that again two pages from now.

2. Emotionless hero
I love a good gamma hero, or even just a total jerk hero who seems to lack emotions but reveals them enticingly now and then. Sadly, Kaleb is mostly a robot. It's not that he doesn't emote--it's that he hardly seems to feel at all. Even when Singh describes him admitting that he would "rage" and "destroy the world" if Sahara had died, the reader finds it very difficult to believe this slab-faced automaton could manage such an excess of feeling.

3. Two all-powerful main characters = dull
Without giving anything away, I'll just say this: the power differential between main characters in a romance novel is part of what gives the story its enjoyable tension. If both characters are all-powerful godlike creatures, then the tension comes down to one of them trying to convince the other one--mainly through the batting of eyelashes and some earnest pleading--not to use the aforementioned powers to wipe out everyone. And then even that tension is diminished when one realizes that the character doing the eyelash batting could just zap her own mental solution to the problem anyway.

4. Villains torn right from the pages of a Batman comic book
Do you like villains in novels to twirl their moustaches, rub their palms together, hunch their hunchbacks, squint their eyes, and hiss, "Yessss, yesss, my evil plan is coming together--muhaha!" Then you'll enjoy the bad guys in Singh's novel, since they conform to the same villain schematics as do any of Batman's opponents. A bad guy who thinks killing off lots of innocent people is the way to win the hearts and minds of the ones he's killing off? Are we talking about Bane or Singh's villain? Bane actually has a more interesting backstory than any character in Singh's novel.

5. Nothing exciting happens
There are plenty of moments in Singh's novel that are ripe for the kind of romantic tension that romance readers enjoy. The fact that the almost never generate that tension speaks to Singh's failure to imagine an interesting hero/heroine combination. The best part of the book is very early on, before Sahara really remembers who she is, when there's still some mystery to the interactions between these characters. After that, it's all downhill.

I am a Singh fan. I've been very disappointed in most of her recent work. I think she ought to try to imagine a new world for her mind to play in. Neither Psy/Changeling nor Angel-land seem to be productive for her the way they used to be. But I have faith and I will keep coming back to read her again, hoping for the old magic to reappear...

Heart of Obsidian is dark but never bleak, perfectly hot and steamy, beautiful and powerful in the storytelling. The MCs (whom I won't name) are the stars of the show, with plenty of cameos to satisfy fans of the series, and the book contains enough answers to tie up long standing plot lines and enough questions to reassure us that we'll be visiting the Psy/Changeling world again soon.

Kept my attention, the interaction between Kaleb and the heroine is fascinating and intimate scenes are very sexy, but I can't see Kaleb as a good leader for an entire race. He simply lacks the any real empathy, remorse, or guilt over ANYTHING he does except to one person. The whole story line of this series has emphasized the value of emotion and honor. Kaleb is emotionally stunted - with VERY good reason- but except for the one person who is "his" and who he would "never hurt" he was quite ready to destroy millions of innocent people (-well MAYBE not those under 16 years old)! Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely. He admits to killing or coercing anyone else who has or will get in his way. (Threatening the college age daughters of a human rival?) Ick. Powerful? Yes. Deadly? Yes. Someone Anthony or Sophia or Zie Zen or even Vasic should have to be ruled by? No! Those people have been working for the freedom of their people. Kaleb has been working for the freedom of ONE person. He wants to be the absolute ruler of the psynet, has only one person who he will answer to and behave for, and if she is hit by a bus - goodbye world????? She is his moral compass. Scary. Left LOT of questions. What about previous story of needing empaths to fix the psynet? Where are all these empaths? What is the group of 10 rebels up to? Why is Nikita "not silent"? (quote from Kaleb), what about Sophia, who anchors the only wholly sane place in the net?, what will happen to DarkRiver or SnowDancer? how will the psynet be fixed? This book doesn't go there at all, so hopefully the next one will!

I did not have high hopes for this hero because this was not my favorite character in the previous novels, but this was fantastic.

While you could read alone, I really would suggest the entire series from the beginning. This is a superb fantasy romance series and as a reader you will maximize impact if read in the correct sequence.

Definitely the best book in the series after Slave to Sensation(Book 1).Was not expecting this because the last couple books in the series were kind of a letdown (especially Sierra and Hawke's book).But this...this is amazing!!!!and I love me some Kaleb..

Nalini has done it again, created a wonderful story. You get a glimpse of previous characters, but the focus in on Kaleb and Sahara; they are enough to grab your interest and keep you reading. Looking forward to the next installment in this engaging series.

Great continuation of the psy changeling series. Lots of loose ends wrapped up. The best thing about this series is the very well done over arching story lines. You can tell it's all been planned out.

Wow, what can I say that hasn't already been said about this book!!! This book shot up to 1st place in my all time favorite by Nalini Singh. I just loved Kaleb and Sahara and their shared past. I would have liked to see more of the past characters but understand this was mainly a psy book. I hope the future books are based on the arrows.

Brilliant!! I am amazed at how Nalini Singh manages to hit the mark every time. It is a new dawn in the psy changeling world and I cannot wait to read the next installment. She has no equal in paranormal romance.

Very disappointed! The hero and heroine were very 2D apart from memories of their childhood. The story line dragged and was extremely repetitive. There was never a feeling of eminent danger and the lack of other characters from the series meant you were left with a romance between characters supposedly silent! This book only progressed the continuing story line in the last chapters of the book. This story should have been a novella with a price tag to match!

I have been a fan of the series since the beginning and was so disappointed with this book. I had to struggle to finish it. I found the relationship between the main characters lacking. All the big events were chopped down including the revelation of the Ghost. I just could not find anything positive to say about it.