Melanie: Melinda and I were super excited to get to read an ARC of this book together months before it was released. We’re obviously huge fans of Nalini Singh as well as the series as a whole. However, that being said, this was not our favorite book in this series, not even close. But look, it’s the 6th book in the spin off series, Psy-Changeling Trinity and if you count the original Psy-Changeling series, it’s book #21! There’s bound to be a few clunkers here and there. Without going into too many spoilery details, Melinda and I will break down why this book and specifically the central romance didn’t work for us.

Melinda: Melanie’s right, this wasn’t our favorite of Nalini’s books but all of them can’t be amazing! After so many books in the Psy/Changeling world we’ve seen pretty much every kind of combination of characters and romances. Storm Echo opens with Ivan Mercant, who we know in passing because of his family ties, stumbling across Lei, a changeling who is new to the series.

Ivan and Lei get to know each other over a very brief 3 days. They share some laughs, picnic together, and at the very end of their time share some serious truths with each other. Ivan essentially tells her about his mercenary side and he fears that she won’t return to him after this reveal. And then…she doesn’t.

This was all in the setup of Storm Echo, and for me, it was too brief to understand the connection Ivan feels to Lei. And my lack of connection to Lei and to their connection directly lead to the rest of my issues with the book later on.

Melanie: To say that the romance in this book feels rushed is an understatement. I would even go so far as to say the romance in this book isn’t even the real focus of the book. And maybe because so little time and attention is paid to the 2 MCs and their growing relationship, it leaves the readers (in this case, Melinda and myself) struggling to connect to the MCs, to the romance between them, to this apparently all-encompassing bond between them that, at least in my opinion, really just springs out of nowhere.

There is a bit of an insta-….something, I hesitate to label it lust OR love, that happens in the first section of the book, when Ivan and Lei first meet. After Lei disappears, a good 15 months pass before Ivan lays eyes on her again and the bond is still present. Now, part of that is due to events that took place right before Ivan lost track of Lei 15 months prior (I can’t delve too much into this as it would constitute a spoiler) but there really doesn’t seem to be a solid foundation for why there is such a strong emotional connection between these 2 characters who had all of 3 days together before they were separated. That’s not to say people can’t form a strong bond over the course of 3 days, just that in this particular story, I couldn’t really get a sense of the bond being created beyond being told it existed.

Melinda: I’ve definitely read books where I’ve believed and rooted for a romance that developed in an extremely short period of time. But, Melanie’s right in that I just didn’t get a good sense of the romance here in this 3 day time period. I think there wasn’t enough on the page time spent during these 3 days for this development to feel strong. There’s much we can’t say due to spoilers about the separation but when that bond is still there for Ivan, I was left to wonder why.

Beyond just the lack of a connection, the Psy/Changeling books work so well, and have gone on for so long, partly because Nalini Singh is a genius who has planned out overarching storylines. Each book generally has a romance plot and an overarching plot, and to me, this book suffered due to not being well balanced between the two. The PsyNet and its potential collapse, which has been building up over many books, felt like it took over the romance.

Melanie: If you’ve spent the last however many books wondering about the identity of The Architect – the main villain of the Trinity series, then you’ll definitely want to read this book as the ending is a real eye-opener. (I absolutely cannot say anymore – in fact, I’m terrified I’ve already said too much). However, this book does suffer from being way too heavily focused on the ongoing destruction and collapse of the PsyNet and the Scarab storyline that plays a huge role in this particular story, especially with Ivan and his particular Psy skillset. I’ll be honest, I’ve read the entire series, many of them twice, and I’m always far more interested in the relationships, romantic and otherwise, between the characters than I am in any of the PsyNet stuff. So for me, this book was a bit of a bore in that sense.

However, that’s not to say this book was completely without its charms. This is one of the first books in a long long time that returned the readers to DarkRiver territory, which is where the Psy-Changeling series first began all the way back in 2006! And given the setting, we were treated to a whole host of cameos from long-lost friends I’ve come to know and love over the course of the past 20 books. Personally for me, that was one of the biggest highlights of the book, these pop-ins from characters from books past, getting to see them and catch up with them. Aside from that, this was also a great story in terms of family bonds and pack loyalty, whether it’s the DarkRiver pack or the Mercant family. One of the most interesting aspects of the story was the way Nalini highlighted how much the DarkRIver changelings have in common with the Mercant family who are all Psy, despite their very obvious differences.

Melinda: Yes, getting to see old friends in DarkRiver, and a few others, was such a delight for me. This is always a highlight of the series, and one the author does so well, just sprinkling these appearances lightly throughout the books. My personal favorite was getting to see a bit more of Arwen Mercant. I hope he’s being set up for a book down the line, because I found him so delightful!

I think if you’re a reader who has been eager for answers on the PsyNet and Scarab plot, then this book will be for you. It will keep you on your toes the whole time with various revelations until the very end. However, if you’re a reader who is there mainly for the romance, and everything else is secondary, this might not be your favorite book in the series. But we can’t wait to see where Nalini goes with the next book.

Content warnings: mention of drug use in the past by secondary character, parental death in the past, car accident in the past, violence, murder, mention of attempted kidnapping in the past

Grade: C

Wow. Whre to begin? I think I say every Psy Changeling book is my favorite but this time I mean it more! There was something special about Lei, the changeling ocelot. I’m not a cat person and yet I’m in love with Lei’s cat. Ivan needs the color Lei brings to his life and their bond is everything. Of course we have to get through what The Architect is doing to the Psy Net and hope Ivan can survive. A very special story. I wish it was summer 2023 already so I could read the next Nalini Psy Changeling book!

Storm Echo is the twenty-first book in Nalini Singh's Psy-Changeling universe and not the place to start reading this lush, rich world that the author has created for us. Yes, you could just read this book, but then you would not truly understand the references to past books, characters, or the changes to this amazing fantasy world that have occurred over several books.

I absolutely loved this book and it is going on my re-read shelf. I happen to love this series, so most of the books in this universe are already there, and this book is in what I think is good company. Not only is the worldbuilding so well done, the mechanics of this story are so good and easy to read. If you love hitting "reader's trance" in a book, you'll enjoy that you do it again in this one.

I love that Nalini Singh gives us a variety of characters in different situations so that it's not just 21 books with the same basic story. Ms. Singh also does really lovely long story and character arcs. At least one of the main characters of each of her books is someone you've met before and frequently their love interest is someone new who will bring a whole new cast of characters with them.

I don't post spoilers or re-hash the publisher's book description, but I will tell you that if you like the description of the book, you'll enjoy reading this delightful story. Also, I read this book in two stretches, and it would have been one long stretch of reading if I hadn't fallen asleep after staying up way too late reading!

Thank you Berkley and NetGalley for sending me this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is not an easy entry into the series if you have not read them before but I think the book has a different, darker vibe than those familiar with NS may be used to. This book deals with deeper issues of <tw> depression (even though the characters wouldn’t name the feelings as depression), familial loss, and drug abuse. This also builds up the characters of the Mercants even more deeply and features the return of multiple characters from previous books. I think I actually liked this book more than previous titles in the Psy-Changeling Alliance and can easily see myself reading it again and again. This also acts as a strong move forward in the ongoing Scarab storyline/mystery. I would highly recommend.

Oh gosh how I loved this book.

In this book, we are once again following a member of the Mercant family. We have seen him pop up in small ways throughout the trinity series, and it's time for his book. Ivan has always felt like he is a danger, and doesn't deserve happiness, because his mother fed him the powerful drug, Jax, while in the womb, as well as when he was a child. Once she died, he was saved by Silence, and the amazing head of the Mercant family, Ena.

One day while out training with the wolves, he comes across the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. That was Soleil, a healer shifter who was weirdly not attached to a pack. He wanted to understand her, get to know her, and her shifter side claims him before either of them truly knows what happened.

Soleil is a healer through and through, needing people and human contact. She hasn't had that since her former alpha disavowed her of the clan, only to have the clan killed and struck from the records forever. Soleil was distraught, and out for revenge on the DarkRiver alpha, Lucas. She doesn't remember the beautiful dangerous man, but her cat does, and makes sure that she does too.

I cried multiple times reading this novel, and the reveal at the end made me truly curious as to who the next book would be about. I hate that I have to wait, but I am still incredibly excited! This Trinity series is really doing things for me, and I can't wait for more!

Like all of Singh's books, this one left me loving the character and on the edge of my seat waiting for the next book. Singh's world-building leaves me in awe. There are so many characters, but I feel connected to all of them and am excited to see them when they are included in the new books. Ivan and Lei's relationship is a fun, sad, exciting ride as they find, then lose each other, only to find each other again.

Bravo! Storm Echo is a ride! So much has changed and evolved in the Trinity era of the series and we are getting to know so many fresh psy/changeling characters. Getting inside their minds as they learn to love and connect with one another is such a beautiful facet of the writing.

The wonderful mastermind that is Nalini Singh does it again. I finished off my reread of the series and dove right into this arc, which I think was a fantastic choice all the way around because it gave me the chance to remember everyone and also pick up on small details I missed before. And it meant I was primed to remember exactly who Ivan was and who Lei must be. This always makes me happy.

When I first read the summary for this book, I was worried there was going to be a lot more hiding and secrets and tension with DarkRiver. I ended up loving the way everything was handled, which was a huge relief. Overall, I though Ivan and Lei had a nice dynamic, Lei being a bit more fun loving and happy to Ivan’s more serious and protective demeanor. But she finds a way to help him learn how to play. My only issue was I wish some of the big reveals at the end were expanded upon a bit more since there were quite a few, but overall I think there was a good balance of resolving some unanswered questions from the series while inspiring 100 more, as per usual.

As with many of Singh’s books, this book deals with some pretty heavy topics. However, she does her usual thing where it is all balanced with some humor and wonderful relationship building. The beginning has a few scenes that are more graphic in their violence and are later referred back to as the characters process their trauma. The rest of the book carries on par with other recent books of the series regarding death/loss of life. Both main characters had parents die prior to the story. There is also a lot of talk about drug addiction and what that can do to someone’s development.

I was very happy with this installment!

The 21st in Nalingi Singh's Psy-Changling series features a Psy (Ivan Mercant, who has been mentioned briefly in other Trinity novels) and the changling he hasn't been able to get out of his head for the last year and a half. Ivan has moved from Moscow to San Fransisco, with the job of learning more of, and keeping tabs on, the DarkRiver leopard pack for his family intelligence network. And then he runs into the woman whom he can't forget, though he doesn't know either her full name or even her specific changling species.

Storm Echo refers back to the events, in particular, of Allegiance of Honor, but also to the books just preceding it. Of the other books in its series it reminds me most of Alpha Night. I would strongly recommend having read at least a couple of the other books in the series, if not all of the other books, first; this is very far from a "stand alone." It's a strong entry in the series, and finally reveals the identity of the Architect (though that was apparent, to me at least, for several of the previous novels).

This is another great installment in a favourite series. Psys getting together with changelings are my favourite couples, so much passion and restraint, funny first-time moments, pure joy to read.

Every new book in the series is like a homecoming - a familiar world with a complex overarching suspense plot. And every time Nalini Singh manages to surprise me, to make the romance feel fresh and new.

We get a bit of amnesia plot and while I am not a fan of it in general, I didn't mind it here. The twist here was that because the mating has already taken place (unawares for both of them, mind you), the animal side of Lei recognised Ivan.

The suspense/mystery plot gets more and more complicated by also we are seeing a possibility for solution here.

Like most stories in the series at this stage we get to catch up on many familiar characters. Many of the cats make an appearance - Lucas, Nate, Tamsyn.

I loved how to story offered the possibility for family, future, something Ivan had given up on.

Most often the Psy have no experience with feelings and intimacy but as highly logical beings that do proper research of the matter. There is even a guidebook circulated among friends that someone made in the previous books iirc. Ivan, though, didn't research sex because he didn't think it will ever happen to him. When it came to physical intimacy, he let Lei lead him. His complete trust in her was a thing of beauty for me.

A central element in Ivan's story was drug abuse (not him directly) and its consequences. I found the descriptions to be really detailed and very jarring at times. Seen it from a child's POV made it extra hard to read. The whole series does not shy away from darkness - abuse, both physical and mental is a common theme for many of the books. Still, the drug use here hit me extra hard and I wanted to mention it explicitly.

Of course, in the we got the HEA for our couple, moves a few steps with the general intrigue and even opened a whole new possible plotline. That is all to say that I very much enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to the next in the series.

I find it difficult to list CWs for this series but stood out for me in the book is: drug abuse, parent neglect, loss, car accident (in the past), attempted murder with grave injuries, psychic violence

I enjoyed the book but didn't connect quite as much to the couple as those in previous books in the series. I feel like I should have reread the last 1 or 2 books before reading this and I may have connected to Ivan a bit more (or at least had a stronger feel for the Mercant family history). Ena Mercant continues to be one of my favorite secondary characters in the series.

I love this series, and am excited to follow it and to finally get some answers, but I felt like not enough room was given to the couple. I liked them both so much and I wanted to spend more time watching them fall in love. Solid, but not the best of this series.

4 stars - It was really good

When Ivan Mercant comes across the beautiful Lei while on a training course with the wolves, he finds himself instantly connected to her. He doesn’t know what to do with this new connection but he is determined to keep Lei close, but tragedy gets in the way. A year later, he gets a second chance.

Like all the books in this series, this one instantly sucked me in and I didn’t want to put it down. Ivan and Soleil’s relationship was filled with tragedy, fear, and a whole lot of love. Ivan had a very rough childhood before he came to live with his grandmother. He was damaged in his mothers womb by her use of drugs and he struggles to connect to other people because of it. He also has a very unique ability that he has kept hidden because of it. I really liked Ivan. He was protective and kind to most people but was also a ruthless killer of those who abused others. I loved how he always protected Soleil but didn't try to crush her own alpha tendencies.

Soleil is a shifter healer who wants to take care of everyone but doesn’t have a pack. Her experiences as a child and adult have caused her to hold tight to those she lets close. I loved her protective nature, especially when it was towards Ivan because he didn’t know how to deal with it. It was wonderful seeing her boss him around. Also, I loved how she never gave up on their relationship and showed Ivan how to be happy.

The fight against the collapse of the psynet continues in this one. There is a new threat from the scarab army and Ivan and Soleil end up at the center of it. It was a very tense and fast paced situation. I really can’t wait to see how this battle plays out, especially with the new information learned in the last chapter.

Overall, this was another wonderful addition to this series. I can always count on Singh to write captivating and wonderful psy-changeling books. I can’t wait to see who will be the next couple.

Trigger warnings: addiction, neglectful mother, parental death, grief, PTSD

I liked both characters and their love story was very cute.
I enjoyed that it was told in a bit of a different way where we knew something had gone wrong and we were looking at flashbacks to figure out what had happened. I was highly entertained during the first half of the book because of that but the wrap-up and conclusion felt a bit rushed.

*Spoiler*
Not having a 3rd act breakup was fantastic!

Finally, the story arc I've been waiting to see progress takes a leap forward. I devoured this story and read it into the wee hours of the night. This story starts out fun with Ivan Mercant going through a crazy Navy SEAL type survivor course put on by shifters. Ivan is a Psy, not a shifter so this is going to be interesting. In one of his "quests" or "test" or whatever it is called that he has to survive, he injures himself and is surprisingly fixed by an unknown shifter. This is always how it seems to go for these poor Psy. They are minding their own business and a random shifter complicates their life. Hah.

Soleil is wild and so different from what Ivan is used to that it makes him wake up. It is almost as if she brings colour into his life for the first time. Their tentative courtship where the two of them don't seem to exactly be on the same page is sweet. Before we know it, these two are suddenly ripped apart. Getting these two back together is brutal. The suffering Soleil goes through is not only a stab into the gut, but she is stabbed in the back. I feel only sorrow and pity for Soleil. Her life has become hell. The only reason she is alive is to bring vengeance and justice against the one who has taken everything from her. Except, that person, I "know" this person. There is no way that the Dark River Alpha would have done what Soleil believes he has done. For those who have read every book in this series and the original, we are in the know. I am wondering and trying to figure out how this will all play out.

Suffice to say, there are tears shed as the story unfolds and pasts are revealed. I am always shocked by the bad childhood many characters live through. I know that in real life, this is all too prevalent and it makes me appreciate my childhood more. I love how Ms. Singh brings Soleil and Ivan together. Ivan's childhood definitely makes me sad too. The familial bonds throughout this story are moving and I love it. I also love how we learn a bit more about how to save the Psy world and who is causing the destruction. I cannot wait to read the next book in this series. This paranormal romance is recommended to readers who love second chance romances that travel a twisted road of sorrow and loss before they are found.

Ivan never expected Lei. Lei wasn't ready for Ivan. But fate waits for no one. Can they accept the changes life has in store?
Storm Echo is the latest installment in Nalini Singh's Psy-Changeling Trinity series. I loved returning to the Mercant family. They never were really silent so seeing them struggle outside of silence is kinda of fun to see. You would think it wouldn't hit them so hard but it does. And I love the twist that Ms. Singh brings even as the Mercant's fall. I love that the tribe that understands the importance of family still struggles to accept emotions, especially for those not related to them. I love that Ivan is caught so unaware when Lei storms into his life. I love that even as Ivan struggles Lei regains her trust in herself, in pack and in Ivan. I love that a man so alone finds someone who slips past his barriers even before he recognizes the danger.
And Lei...she seems so fragile as she fights her demons. But is she? I loved seeing Lei moved beyond her fear and grief. I love seeing a strong female find her strength beside the man who will die for her. I loved seeing her fight not only for herself but also for Ivan.
This story is a well written addition to this series and I cannot wait to see where Ms. Singh will take us next.

Ivan Mercant is the head of security for the Mercant family enterprises. Ivan has secrets in a family that specializes in secrets. His control is absolute even after the fall. That is until he finds a ray of sunshine in the form of an ocelot shifter who favors bright colors and happiness.
Ivan is not your typical Psy. Raised with his cousins from the age of eight he owes everything he is to the Mercant matriarch Ena Mercant. Family is everything. It gives him a reason for being and something to hold on to, keeping him from becoming a monster.
Lei is a shifter without a pack. Her life has been one crisis after another. Her cat wants Ivan and refuses to take no for an answer.
I loved this story. We get to visit with some old favorites. I like that the story emphasizes the necessity of folks from different backgrounds working together to make things happen for the good of all. This is a fantastic addition to the series.

Ivan Mercant is one of the most dangerous members of the Mercant Family. He has his own strong moral code and is incredibly loyal to his family. While he is in Texas for training with changelings, he meets Lei. An incredibly kind ray of sunshine person and healer. When Lei disappears after a horrible event that results in the death of many psy and changelings - Ivan is devastated but doesn't search for her, assuming that she had changed her mind about them.

Soleil is one of the last few members of her pack. She was disavowed by the pack leader and left on her own - thinking that they had all been murdered. When she travels to San Francisco seeking answers and maybe to avenge her family she has no memory of Ivan, but when they run into each other the connection is there and isn't something she can let go.

Ivan Mercant is my absolute favorite type of hero - and this series has had quite a few that fall into his category. But each one has been so well done - and Ivan is no exception. He is grumpy, gruff, closed off, but so full of love and caring for those he is close to. I also adored how Soleil fought for them and for Ivan. It was fantastic to see her be so fierce and recognize and refuse to let Ivan sacrifice himself.

I am really not sure how Nalini Singh does it - but this series keeps getting better. I highly recommend it for fans of the series - and if you aren't a fan - you really should be.

I was incredibly lucky to receive an ARC of this book via NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.

Love the Ivan and Lei. Two opposites but also mates. Great continuation of the plot as the phy net is once again attacked. Was also great to see characters from the original series. Lucas is still the ultimate Alpha.

5 Hearts, Recommended Read!
SJ, Romance Junkies

NYT bestseller Nalini Singh's Psy-Changeling Trinity book 6, STORM ECHO, is a heart-stopping and emotionally engaging paranormal romance from beginning to end. I couldn't put it down! It's full of passion, drama, and danger, and has two of the best characters leads I've read in some time.

Ivan Mercant, one of the secretive and powerful Mercant clan, is a dangerous Psy with a monster deep inside. He's always known that someday it might take him over, but he's prepared for that day. Until he meets a changeling that makes him feel something special.

Soleil Bijoux Garcia--Lei--is a changeling healer who falls for the icy Psy, seeing something special inside him, something good and pure. And then she loses everything and everyone she cares about.

The romance that begins before their shocking parting is sweet, but it's so much richer once the two find each other again. Amidst danger from the Psy network nearly collapsing, Lei's plans for sworn vengeance, and her own torn memories, the relationship that blossoms between the characters is so real and warm and painful it brought tears to my eyes. Nalini Singh writes with an emotional depth that's wonderful, and it brought back to mind some of her earlier works in this series.

Best read in order, or at least with some familiarity with this world, readers of the Psy-Changeling series are in for a treat. STORM ECHO is a fabulous work of adventure, romance, and passion set in a world drawn with such vibrant creativity it feels real.

Recommended Read!