Ocean Light by Nalini Singh is the 2nd book in her Psy Changeling Trinity series. Nalini Singh continues to be one of my top favorite authors, as I love the Psy Changeling series, now her spinoff series, Trinity and of course, Singh’s Guild Hunter series. No one does world building so smoothly and flawlessly better than Nalini Singh. Once again, in Ocean Light from the start Nalini grabs hold of me and never ever lets go until the very end. The sad part of this, is that I can’t put it down and read it too fast; but it’s fun to go back and reread it as I can savor it slowly. I have said this so many times, if you have not read Nalini Singh, you are missing such a gem of an author.

In Ocean Light, Bowen Knight is our hero; someone that in previous books, was more the enemy than a friend. But with the end of Silence, enemies will begin to bond and work together to fight off the Consortium, who are trying to destroy the new found peace between the Changelings, Human Alliance and Psy. When we last saw Bowen, he was shot and thought dead; when he wakes up, he has no idea where he is. Dr. Atalina Kahananui explains that he is in Black Sea (water changelings) territory and they have been working to save his life. She reminds him of the chip many humans have in their brain which prevents Psy intrusion, but the chip is close to failure. They might have a cure, but it is very risky, as the chip will soon break and kill him. Bowen agrees to allow them to test the possible serum that the Doctor has been working on, which only has a 5% chance of survival, but as low as that percentage is, it is still better than sure death. He will be the guinea pig to save his friends and other humans.

Kaia Luna is Attie’s (Dr. Atalina) cousin, and part of her family. She is an empath, as well as a scientist, which she gave up awhile ago to become a chef. Kaia enjoys cooking, she is very popular, as everyone loves her. To help a pregnant Attie, Kaia makes sure to help monitor Bowen, and happens to be there when he awoke. While talking to Attie, Bowen senses the cold angry feelings coming from Kaia, as well as an attraction he cannot understand. He will learn that her best friend is missing, and is feared to have been taken by the Alliance. When Bowen explains his people would never do that, he sets out to get proof who is kidnapping people from Black Sea.

In a short time, despite her contempt toward humans, whom she blames for the death of her family, Kaia will begin to see Bowen in another light, and her attraction to him grows stronger with each passing day. Time is of essence, as Bowen only has weeks for the serum to be injected. Will Bowen survive?

What follows is a beautiful romance between two unlikely people, with so much chemistry between them that sizzles the pages. I loved Bowen and Kaia together, and felt her pain, as she falls very much in love with him, knowing she could lose him soon. Bowen is a strong leader, and is determined to help find the traitor who is hurting Black Sea, and at the same time show Kaia how much he loves her. This was a wonderful romance, though very emotional. Kaia was such a wonderful, caring, loyal, fun loving heroine, who also has her own issues (phobia) that limits her. You couldn’t help but love her, just as all the members of Black Sea did.
The last third of the book was very exciting and tense trying to find the traitor within the Alliance, and also in Black Sea. When Kaia becomes a victim, Bowen will go to any length to try and find her, which could have consequences later. It was also great to get to see some of our favorites make short visits to help Black Sea and Bowen. To say too much more would be spoilers, and you need to read this book from the start.

I can’t say enough about Nalini Singh, as she never fails to captivate me with her engaging stories, which keeps our interest from beginning to end; wonderful couples in each and every story; super secondary characters and fantastic world-building. Ocean Light was a great romance, but also a tense suspenseful story trying to survive and find those responsible for the kidnappings. Once again, if you have not read the Psy Changeling series, you need to go back and start with the first book, you will not be sorry; it is a fantastic adventure that we are happy is continuing in the Trinity arc.

I’ve always had a soft spot for Bowen Knight, even loved his cause and his unwavering, determined fight for humanity in the Human Alliance (guess which one I belong to?)—the least of the three races it seems, in Nalini Singh’s Psy-Changeling world. My heart sank when Bo went down hard in ‘Silver Silence’ and just as I thought all hope was lost, ‘Ocean Light’ became my own (and Bo’s) salvation. This was the book I’ve always wanted ever since Bowen burst onto the scene, from the moment I learned that he had an immovable but lethal chip in his head about to detonate any time.
 
That Singh chooses to introduce Blacksea using Bowen’s story is an obvious shift away from the Bear changelings in ‘Silver Silence’, a mysterious group hinted at in the closing books of Singh’s “season 1” of her Psy-Changeling novels that focused solely on the cats and the wolves. Here, Singh opens yet again new pathways and original insights into her massive world-building that continues now deep down in the sea, so compelling in ways that it’s hard to turn away from the myriad of sea creatures and their personalities that populate this book. Half the book however, after the intriguing setup, comprises Singh’s languid, thorough exploration of the world Bo has found himself in, not least the slow unfurling and the slow romance between him and Kaia, before the pace picks up frantically again towards the end.
 
Written into Kaia Luna’s and Bowen Knight’s attraction is a conflict that’s drawn up against these lines: the bad blood between the humans the Blacksea changelings rather than just a personal feud that Kaia sets up against Bowen for the losses in she feels keenly in her life. Enemies-to-lovers in this context, might just seem a little too dismissive after all, too small a view to take in the huge world that Singh has written, though this is still a trope nonetheless, in romantic fiction which I like a lot.
 
Yet Kaia, a scientist-turned-cook (with maternal instincts and a soft, easily hurt heart that’s prone more to pulling away) in the Ryujin BlackSea Station, is the last person I’d expect Singh to pair with the hard security chief, who is as ruthless and emotionless as the Psy themselves without the telekinetic power. Coupled with the (somewhat unbelievable) bit of instalove written into a strong attraction—cue bodies hardening, arousal flaring—that strikes the both of them at first glance is perhaps also an attempt to humanise the hard-nosed image of Bowen Knight who is more a man of flesh and emotions more similar to the other alpha changelings than we think. I would have loved a stronger, harder, a more sword-wielding-type mate for Bo—the type that would have stood for his fight in the Human Alliance by his side with a weapon— but clearly this is my personal preference speaking for such heroines to materialise every time.
 
‘Ocean Light’ is satisfying on many levels, but I particularly loved the introduction to the Blacksea changelings and Bowen’s Knights. The threads of this incredibly complex arc that Singh has written are far from tied up, nonetheless. There are still too many unrevealed secrets here—things that Singh doesn’t choose to reveal—that baby steps seem to be the only way in which this juggernaut of a story can move on, which is both as rewarding and as frustrating at times.

It has been a long time coming but finally ,Bowen. I have eagerly awaited this book. I found the first half a little slow and drawn out. Looking back it kind of needed to be for the storyline. The last part was as fast paced and action packed as I like it. You can see how all the groups are trying to change to survive in the new world they find themselves in. I can't wait to see where the author will take us next. I hope to see some of my favorites in the coming books.

I love this series! While an ongoing story-line each book is engaging & exciting. I'm always left wanting more.

I devoured this book in one sitting. When I was suppose to be sleeping. I had to work in the morning. It was totally worth it.

Bowen Knight leader of the Human Alliance has a problem. The chip in his head that blocks Psy from his mind is killing him. The changeling pack of Blacksea offers to try to solve the problem with the chip. So Bowen is stuck at the bottom of the ocean with one month to live and the faint possibility of life. Kaia Luna's best friend is missing and she blames Bowen Knight. With memebers of Blacksea disappearing and dying, no one feels safe and that includes Kaia. Drawn to Bo with an intense physical chemistry, Kaia is reluctant to become involved with a dead man walking. But there is a traitor in Blacksea and they're about to make things worse.

So the pacing in this book is a little slow but that's because we are taking it one day at a time as Bo's countdown ticks closer. But I really liked it.

There is an instant attraction between Bowen Knight and Kaia Luna and it almost came across as instanta love. The attraction is all consuming, practically because Kaia is changeling and Bowen has a time-bomb in his head, that he doesn't think he will survive. So they throw themselves into a relationship. The moment we meet Kaia, she is standoffish because she blames Bowen for her best friend's disappearance and she uses that blame as a shield. It was kinda weird for me because I couldn't tell if she was gonna go after Bo with a knife or kiss the hell out of him. It did even out eventually and by then I was hooked.

I really love the Blacksea changelings. I never thought that any other changelings could challenge Darkriver and Snowdancer but the water changelings are fun. They have their own way of doing things that fit with changelings but are also unique to the water. Plus there was lots of Mal. :)

I adored this book. It was awesome!

It's not possible to talk about this book without spoiling Silver's book so just be warned--MINOR spoilers for Silver Silence. And I guess minor spoilers for "Ocean Light" too, but nothing that isn't spoiled by the description of the book.

It's a miracle that Bo survived being shot, though his heart did have to be replaced with a mechanical one. Unfortunately, being shot through the heart isn't nearly as hard to survive as the chip in his brain that's going to kill him in days. That is if the experimental treatment doesn't end his life first.

Kaia has lost enough already, thank you very much. And if Hugo is right about what he's found out, Bowen Knight might be responsible for losses and horrors that can never be forgiven. Except, her instincts and her heart and the rest of her are drawn to the human in a way she can't explain and doesn't want to risk.

When Bo finds out one of his Alliance ships may be involved in the disappearance and brutal murder of Blacksea Changelings, he's repulsed. He doesn't want to believe that his closest friends, compatriots, and allies could betray the Alliance's cause that way, nevermind commit such heinous acts, but the proof is stacking up. With his own impending doom on the horizon and the questions rising around his command, the last thing he has time for is falling in love.

Can Bo endure the experimental treatment that could leave him worse than dead? Can love between a man tied to the land and a woman afraid to leave the black of the sea not only survive but thrive?

Nalani Singh has crafted one of my favorite book universes of all time. The world is massive and has undergone even bigger shifts in the now 17 book series. Honestly, the world itself is even more amazing than ever.

This book focused solely on Kaia and Bo which I believe is how Singh handled <i>Silver Silence</i> if I remember correctly. I like it in a lot of ways because too much jumping around is confusing, and with appearances and mentions of past characters it felt like I still got to visit with my "old friends."

<i>Ocean Light</i> is a sweet romance paired with mysteries and friendships. I enjoyed this a lot and it was a compelling story. I can't say that this was a something I couldn't put down, it was a more leisurely pace that I read this, but I definitely scowled at coworkers who wanted to talk to me on my lunch break instead of letting me read!

If you're a fan of her series, you'll love this. And what's interesting is that while there would be a lot of names and "faces" a newcomer wouldn't recognize, the story would still be understandable and followable. The story is so focused on a setting that's new to the series and these two characters that anyone could pick up this book and appreciate the story and the romance. It is a lot more fun to read if you know all the history and get all the references, but if you wanted to read this one on its own, you could.

My favorite thing about Silver Silence was that there were queer characters involved and I was disappointed that I didn't see that in Ocean Light. I'm still hoping my darling flirting boys will get their own story. I would probably die of joy if they got a full novel, but I would be thrilled to pieces with a novella which does not seem like too much to ask, so fingers crossed there.

So my final thoughts are that Nalini Singh has written a lovely romance in her astonishing world and proven yet again that she's one of the romance world's greats.

While 'Ocean Light' is a little slower-paced than other titles in the Psy-Changeling Trinity series, it's a welcome addition. Bowen Knight, mortally wounded in a previous installment, awakens in a secret Blacksea changeling compound. As he recovers and learns more about aquatic changelings and about surviving the implant that protects his mind from Psy intrusion, he becomes fascinated with Kaia, a changeling cook. It's a mutual fascination, but their relationship is hampered by Bowen's single-minded focus on preserving the Human Alliance, and by Kaia's own lingering trauma.

'Ocean Light' suffers in comparison to 'Silver Silence,' mostly because the political machinations are shunted to the second half of the novel; it seems a little abrupt. Also, Kaia spends so much time cooking and baking that I almost expected the book to include a few recipes! I would have preferred a little more interaction between her and her community. I finished and enjoyed this novel, but it's not a good entry point in the series for new readers.

I will never tire of the Psy/Changeling world. Bowen Knight is the Knight in shining armor every girl swoons for. He and Kaia are complete opposites and both flawed in a personal way because of their pasts. But their flaws and their differences are what make them so perfect for one another. Kaia’s playfulness and infinite capacity for love help pull the brooding and hard-hearted Bowen Knight out of his self-imposed isolation and show him what it means to feel. And Bowen’s strength and unwillingness to allow his own demons come between what he feels for Kaia make him the Knight that she and the Alliance need him to be. He isn’t infallible. But he owns his mistakes and he puts in the work to rectify them. 

Bowen has a ticking time bomb in his brain. A chip previously implanted to ward against Psy intrusion but its malfunctioning. He has 14 days. 14 days to win the heart of the women who owns his soul. 14 days to race the clock and find a solution to his malfunctioning chip, and 14 days to find out who in betraying not only Black Sea, but the Alliance.

I was on the edge of my seat for the entire ride. Just when you think you know whats going on, Nalini throws a curveball at you out of left field. Paranormal Romance fans will love Ocean's Light. I know I did.

3.75. Whenever I start a book by Nalini Singh I know what I am going to get. There will be sweet and hot romance; there will be strong men and women and, frequently, life and death situations. Somehow it always feels like everything will be the same and, yet, she manages to make it different every time. In a series this large, that's a feat!

As always, Nalini's couple were great for each other. Bowen was intense and committed; Kaia was warm and bright (I had my suspicions about what her animal was pretty soon after meeting her) and drew him out of himself. The romance was lightning quick, but in that situation it kind of had to be. So, though slow burn is my thing, them being blown away by each other was just right.

Since this was a romance (view spoiler), so that wasn't a point, but I did worry about the overall situation. The traitor wasn't obvious to me. There were so many great characters introduced that I was more concerned about who wasn't the traitor, than who was. On top of all the new Black Sea changelings and more information about Bowen's Knights, there were a lot of great cameos! It's wonderful to revisit old friends and see what they're up to.

All in all, well worth the read for series fans. Those who are new to this series need to start at the beginning because there's too much history here (and too many characters!) for them to miss any of it.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this title. Unfortunately, it was a DNF and I will not be reviewing it.

Maybe I just had high hopes for this based off how much I enjoyed the first entry in the Trinity series, but Ocean Light fell flat for me. I think it's tricky to do water-based shapeshifters - actually, I've never read a book that featured them heavily, probably because it's one thing to describe a human shifting into a wolf, and it's a different thing to describe people turning into aquatic animals. For being based largely underwater, the story has so little changeling content it may as well have just been written with humans instead. Even looking past that, it was kind of a boring read - lots of *things* happen but nothing really has any lasting consequences, and all the dramatic tension was based on a will-they-won't-they-last type of thing that never felt suspenseful at all. Because of course, the central couple ends up together in the end, and the middle tension just seems like something to slog through to get to the end. So, overall, I was disappointed.

Full disclosure, I am obsessed with Nalini Singh's Psy Changeling Series. I devoured Ocean Light in one night!!

This book was pure awesomeness, I don't even know where to begin?! It's the perfect follow up to Silver Silence and contains all the trademark signs of a Nalini Singh paranormal romance; heart, family, and mystery.

Fans of Nalini Singh, will not be disappointed as she continues to expand the Psy Changeling World; introducing new and familiar characters while building onto the overarching plot. As questions are answered, more arise, leaving readers in anticipation of her next installment in the series.

Ocean Light is part of an ongoing series, and is all the more enjoyable, and satisfying, if read in order. However, it can definitely be treated as a standalone romance.

The novel centers around the leader of the Human Alliance, Bowen Knight. In past novels, Bowen presented himself as the "ruthless" Security Chief whose only concern and allegiance is to the human race. He seemed to be hard, and sometimes embittered over the unjust violation of his people. In Ocean Light we learn he is so much more than that. He is a son, a brother and a leader whose loyalty and capacity to love empowers him to make the ultimate sacrifice.

We are also introduced to Kaia Luna, a BlackSea changeling whose experiences have forced her to adapt and reshape who she believes herself to be. Kaia is far from being a one dimensional heroine. She is strong, but possesses many vulnerabilities. She can be hard, but at her core she is a caring individual. These are one of many examples of Kaia Luna's endearing complexities.
In addition, Kaia, along with her affectionate family, are the perfect catalysts to unravel the mystery surrounding the BlackSea Clan.

With each turn of the page, Kaia and Bo’s tenuous friendship morphs into a bond of trust and ultimately one of love. Together, they navigate through layers of deception, betrayal and death in a bid to fight for their love. I was pleasantly surprised at the characterizations of the primary and secondary characters. And as usual, I have so many questions! Maine Leveque...what are you? Mailachai Rhys, anyone? What's going to happen next?

Can I have the next book please?!!

**I received a Advance Reading Copy from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review**

3.75 Stars

First...I love Nalini Singh and the Psy-Changeling world.

The setting was new and interesting. I liked that we got to meet some new characters and I thought the ending was especially emotional. The mystery element kept me turning the pages. But I could not connect to the romance between Kaia and Bowen. It felt forced instead of organic as is usual for a Singh novel. Perhaps it's less the romance and more Kaia's character. She was really reserved and hesitant, which made me feel that way about their relationship. This is one of those cases where I feel like it could have just been my mood while reading? I loved that we were able to check in on more of the past characters both shifters and Psy. Overall, a good read and I can't wait to see what's in store next!

This one deals with the aquatic changelings and trying to save Bowen from the chip he had implanted in his head. Bowen is thought to be dead by almost everyone he knows after taking a bullet to the heart. But due to some fast work by members of the Alliance he is moved to a Black Sea instillation in the ocean where scientists are working hard with new tech to neutralize the failing psy blocking chip in his head. Once the chip fails it will kill him and there are other people with the chip that will be in the same boat he is in now if the solution doesn’t work. Even with a slim chance at getting the chip fixed Bowne is determined to go through with the experimental treatment and also woo Kaia. Kaia is a former scientist and currently a chef on the station and really doesn’t want to lose her heart to this man that she feels a great attraction to. The book is a race to see if they will be able to save Bowen before the chip does him in and as usual there are lots of heartfelt scenes between the two of them. Another great book in the series but not one that moves the overall plot much.

Sequal to Silver Silence. A fun romantic book that was even better than Silver Silence. The aquatic shape changers were a fun twist to the world of shape changers. I recommend this book to any fans of Singh or romantic fantasy!

Bowen and Kaia's story is pretty awesome. Heart-wrenchingly tragic, romantic, suspenseful, intricately plotted. If I have one complaint it's that the pacing of the first 3/4ths of the novel is pretty slow. The last fourth makes up for it, but still...I would've preferred more movement in the first half especially. If it wasn't for Singh's name on the cover I probably wouldn't have pushed through. Glad I did, but yeah.

*I received a review copy from the publisher/author via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.*

I was super thrilled to get this egalley, since I had just finished Trinity book 1 from my library.

Ocean Light is book two in a new chapter of the Psy-Changling universe, where the catastrophic events of series 1 are coming to an end and a new world is rising from the conflicts. The Council has been overthrown and Humans, Changlings, and Psy are working on living together in peace. It's an uphill battle, with no one group trusting another, and the Consortium fouling the waters (in this edition quite literally) at every turn.

The fear for me when a series has been going as long as Psy-Changeling has is that it will start to get stale or feel like the stories are repeating. I keep being impressed that Nalini Singh finds ways to keep her stories exciting and fresh, not to mention steamy. Kaia and Bowen had a very interesting dynamic. The various reasons they had for animosity for each other, and there were many, made it seem crazy that they would wind up together. This one really touched on the race tensions that are happening in the overarching story. I don't think it would have worked if Singh hadn't locked them in a space where they could not escape together.
It was a lot of fun seeing so much of one underwater installations. I did miss some touching base with other characters we usually see in her books due to the fact so much of the books had the main character mostly isolated. All in all a fun book and still Singh leaves us with so many questions. I can't wait to find out what animal Maine turns in to :) 4/5 stars

Ocean Light picks right up where Silver Silence left off with Bo. I have wanted more of his story for a while and I am pleased to have been able to learn more about him. I also loved finding out more about Blacksea and how that changeling pack works. Kaia is an interesting character and brings and I loved how she interacted with the pact and her interactions with Bo. Singh really fleshes out her characters and setting, so much so that I don't want to leave the world after the book is done.

It was wonderful to finally get Bowen's HEA, and get to know the Black Water Changelings better. In this book we find out how much we really DON'T know about the water changelings.