Member Reviews
I'm obsessed with this series, and I swear it just keeps getting better! This installment was fresh, while still bringing us back to our wolf and leopard roots. I LOVED it!
Alexei, aka Sexy Lexie, aka the Russian Bridegroom, is a SnowDancer Lieutenant, and the head of one of the satellite dens of the giant wolf pack. He's a beautiful man, some would call him "pretty", but he has never cared about any of that. He lost his parents very young, after his father went rogue and had to be killed, and his mother couldn't hold on with out her mate. He and his older brother, Brodie, were all that was left. Then that all changed a year ago when Brodie met the same fate, and took his beloved mate with him. Alexei feels utterly alone now, but he can't risk that happening to him. So, he plans to never mate, or let anyone else too close.
Memory is an E-Psy, with a pretty big difference. She's never quite been sure where she fits into the world, especially since she was kidnapped at 8 years old by the monster who murdered her mother. She was forced to help him in his sadistic murders, and she fears that what he's always told her is true: that she's a monster too. When Alexei rescues her, she doesn't know who to trust, or what they'll think if they find out what she can really do. She hasn't felt safe anywhere, or with anyone since she was 8. How can she reconcile that with her massive attraction to the sexy golden wolf, and her new home among the other E-Psy?
Alexei and Memory had a strong connection from the beginning, though the romantic part of it was a bit of a slow burn. Memory had never had a loving touch from anyone since early childhood, and Alexei was determined to never allow himself a mate. He knew he felt strongly for her, and so he felt compelled to stay away, for both of their sake. Memory really started to come into her own at the E-Psy training camp, and she made fast friends with Sasha, the DarkRiver leopard alpha's mate. She needed that time to find herself, and her place in her new life. Alexei needed it to realize that there was no way he could stay away from her for good.
The suspense/mystery part of the story was very intriguing, and I had no idea who the bad entity was, or how it would all be resolved. Also, Memory's captor was a true villain, and I was glad to watch how they took action against him throughout the story. It was truly lovely being back with our beloved SnowDancer wolves and DarkRiver leopards. It felt like going back to the beginning in some ways, though things have obviously moved along, and they're all mated, with cubs and pups now. I loved catching up with them, and seeing them anew through Memory's eyes.
I really loved how good Alexei and Memory seemed for each other. They really fit together, like puzzle pieces, and they filled in where the other lacked, like a true partnership. She wasn't scared of his dominance as a wolf, and he wasn't scared of her mighty abilities as different kind of E-Psy. They were both in awe of each other, and had big love for each other, even before they realized what that would end up meaning.
I always love visiting this world so much. The author's building of this fantastical, slightly futuristic, world is awe-inspiring to me. I love everything about it, and how it's grown and changed throughout the series. I am anxiously anticipating seeing where we'll head next in this universe. I can't wait.
Strength and fragility collide in this newest novel in the Psy/Changling Trinity series. Memory and Alexei, both dealing with tragic pasts of their own, manage to come together and make each other a better person amidst navigating a psychopath’s darkness. Singh has managed to make the main character relatable and believable, pulling readers into the characters’ lives. This book can be read as a standalone novel, but will most likely lead a new reader to be interested in the rest of the series.
Even with this book listed as book 3 in the new series you could almost start here. There is backstory that is woven into the telling but you don’t need to know what has happened before to enjoy the story of Memory’s rescue and growth into her powers. Alexei finds her and is attracted to her even with his hang-ups about relationships. There are lots of cameos from people from previous books that help Memory with her recovery from being used and exploited for almost her entire life. Memory is convinced that she is a broken empath that doesn’t help people like the rest but by the end of the book she finds out just what good her flavor of empathy can accomplish.
Digital review copy provided by the publisher through NetGalley
Full review to be published online in mid July.
WOLF RAIN is the third book in Nalini Singh's Psy-Changeling Trinity' series; which is a continuation of the author's long running 'Psy-Changeling' series. I admittedly have a love/hate series with this "new" series. I struggled to finish one of the recent books, and gave up on one. I did enjoy this story, however. I think it helped quite a bit that Singh went back to the SnowDancer pack, albeit to a lesser known character I barely remember.
WOLF RAIN has has reinvigorated my desire to continue the series. Fans of the series will very much enjoy the read. Recommended.
Nalini Singh is an auto read for me, hands down one of my favorite authors - her characters are incredible, her world building is amazing and the arc of her books makes you keep coming back for more. "Wolf Rain" was all of that, but not the best in the series - Alexei and Memory were interesting and fully realized but not much new there. It was the movement of the story arc that gets me every time. I just CANNOT wait to see what Nalini will do next to save the Psy-Net. Also, I loved seeing all of the wolves - somehow she inter-weaved everyone in but yet kept the central characters in the center. Nalini's books could be 2,000 pages each and it still wouldn't be enough.
Wow I really think Nalini has excelled with this book. Would have to be my favourite book in the Psy world series and boy thats saying a lot as there have been some fantastic others. Well done Nalini🤩🤩🤩🤩
As always, Singh continues the rich world building present in all of her Psy/Changeling novels. In addition to a compelling and deeply felt romance between an abused E-variant and a troubled SnowDancer wolf--one that, I'm happy to add, avoids the trap of helpless attraction and focuses on recovery and respect--Singh explores the deeper ramification of the end of Silence and the fracturing of the Psy network. An excellent addition to the new Trinity series, with enough explanation for new readers to catch on.
Wolf Rain by Nalini Singh is a Jem. With every book Ms. Singh adds layers and depth to this Psych and Changeling world. Faithful readers will not be disappointed and newbies will be hooked and want more. Memory and Alexie's story is painfully sweet. Two injured souls find in each other and not only help one another, but the world.
I have always loved Nalini Singh's books and this one was no exception. Packed with action and emotion, I loved it from beginning to end. Memory and Alexei were wonderful together. Memory's sass and the way she always poked at the wolf made me laugh. But there was enough drama to satisfy too. There are also several favorite characters from previous books we get to see again and new characters who I hope get their own books. All in all a must read.
Nalini Singh’s über-popular Psy-Changeling series probably needs no introduction that far gone into its second series, set in the future when the Trinity Accord has been signed and a cautious peace has settled amongst the three races populating an alternate version of Earth.
The Psy-Changeling verse has expanded so much by this point that it’s practically impossible to jump into and rush through ‘Wolf Rain’ as a standalone. By and large, I did think Singh handled most aspects of the sheer size/weight of her own intricate world-building quite deftly here: the precarious juggle between the bonds of pack and romance and the weighted history that the races have, the larger, wider implications of the collapsing Psy-Net, the latent and new threats and the supporting characters who still have dedicated scenes for readers who can’t let them go.
‘Wolf Rain’ deals with the subtleties of the Psy, or rather, the subtleties of the Empaths who’d been cast aside who rose to prominence after the fall of Silence with the introduction of a rather aggravating, loud-broadcasting captive Empath Psy who simply doesn’t fit the designation E to a tee. After a quick look at other changeling groups in the first two books of this new season however, ‘Wolf Rain’ for this reason, feels oddly like a return to, or at least, a lateral expansion of the Snowdancer/Dark River-centric books where changelings shifters mostly get paired by with their former Psy enemies. Alexei Vasiliev Harte finds his mate in Memory here (battling a serial-killer at the same time) while sub-plots push forward the ongoing story of Psy-life after Trinity.
Every path is a hard-fought one, on the personal and the collective level—reflected by the longer than usual narrative—and needless to say, Alexei/Memory’s one is also a push-pull based on experience, insecurity and fear. Admittedly, this is a pairing that didn’t enthral me as much as Singh’s other couples and as a romance, didn’t quite live up to other pairings that had moved me a lot more…so this sort of impacted my rating of the overall story nonetheless.
Still, I liked the nuanced exploration of the fascinating PsyNet that draws so much from facets of computer networking and meta systems and that alone perhaps, makes ‘Wolf Rain’ worth it.
OMGOMGOMGOMG Nalini Singh is one of the only authors that gets every release in this genre right. This is a perfect trilogy to the Changeling series, steamy, hot and executed flawlessly.
I've read some of Nalini Singh books, so I have a fairly good grasp of the Psy-Changeling world. There are new aspects that are introduced and added layers to the Nalini world of Psy-Changeling in this book. More complex and intriguing challenges for the coalition as well. Some old characters and faces from past books are present and it's so nice to reconnect with them.
We open with SnowDancer lieutenant, Alexei rescuing Memory from a horrible and tragic situation. It's a heart wrenching and emotional first few chapters. You're completely drawn into each characters emotions, thought process and heartache.
Both Alexei and Memory have had some traumatic and heartbreaking past experiences. The two are hurting but Memory so much more in this story and the opening scene is so sad. Alexei is such a strong and sweet hero. He does all he can to help and care for Memory as she recovers and heals. In fact they are so good together in their care for one another, sparing, dialogue. The development of their relationship is multi layered and emotionally intense.
You'll find yourself transported from page one into a world of psy-changeling. The chemistry, emotions and relationship development of these two characters is intense and so satisfying.
So. Bloody. Good.
I love Nalini’s writing and Wolf Rain is another incredible story in the Psy/Changeling world.
Alexie is the perfect growly wolfy hero and his broken heart gives him a wonderful reason to love. And Memory is an amazing heroine. It’s also fabulous to see a new E sub designation.
I was up until 2am reading and I am tempted to go straight back and read it again.
Perfect!!
As always it was wonderful visiting my favorite pack. I have a weakness for wolf shifters, and when I found out about the title and the blurb I was ecstatic.
After so many books in this series, the cast of characters has become huge, and it becomes harder and harder with each book to remember them all. More often I don’t remember their individual stories anymore, but it’s always heartwarming to see them live and prosper in harmony.
But unfortunately for me, it’s becoming more and more a case of storylines and couples blending into one another. And to a certain point the originality is wearing off. But that doesn’t mean that the author doesn’t deliver solid and engrossing tales, they just aren’t as distinguishably as they once were. At least that’s the case for me.
What stood out for me was Memory, even though she was kidnapped for many year, she didn’t lose her feistiness or sass. She was a female character I adored for her strong will, endurance and strength to know what she wanted even if it seemed to make no sense. She was one of those characters whose personality spoke to me immediately. And she meshed beautifully with her growly wolf.
Alexei was a typical wolf, approachable, protective, and always knew how to handle Memory. He was tuned into her to a fantastic degree and made them incredibly compatible as a couple.
I really enjoyed Memory and Alexei together. Smart and funny dialogues had me laughing out loud. And their chemistry was palpable. Even though Memory was inexperienced she had no trouble distinguishing her feelings and because of that she was steps ahead of Alexei. Him catching up was endearing and a source of continuous amusement.
As always the author had many new dangers lurking around corners. Forces that threatened the overall survival of Psy and PsyNet. The overall story arc is still moving along, it might have taken a little breather in Wolf Rain, but there is definitley movement. And of course I’m wondering what’s coming next. At this point I wouldn’t mind for favorite couples to get another book. Krycheck for example is just too interesting for him not have a second book. Because his power is truly one of a kind.
Throughout Wolf Rain the author revisits old and popular characters, and gives the reader small glimpses into their present lives. These glimpses are somewhat satisfying but might make this book not the ideal book to start this series with. There are just too many characters that are being mentioned. So start with book one and enjoy the ride.