We discover in this novel a new world, which will be developed in other novels in the series. This does not preclude the author to present us in this first volume, which can be read just for himself, a story that is well built and well written, with twists and credible and endearing characters.
First, I think the world built by Nalini Singh in this book is very convincing. It actually looks like a world of science fiction where two groups coexist: the SPSI and Changelings.
Psi (psychic powers who) live in a technological world, far from nature. They are conditioned from birth to avoid any feeling and live only to enrich their families. Instead, the Changelings (beings capable of turning into an animal, one of the pack to which they belong) live in the forest. There are also humans in this world, but we do not see them in this first volume of the series.
The author has done a very good job for us to believe that this world is very complex and very well described, without this being at the expense of history.
Lucas Hunter is the hero of this novel: it is a changeling, head of a pack of leopards. When he meets Sascha Duncan, a Psi, it has a very specific purpose: to use her to find out who killed a member of his pack. Knowing the coldness of Psi, Lucas certainly not expect that Sascha has feelings ... And yet, this is the case: Sascha is different from all other Psi She has feelings! Moreover, it is said to be very powerful but its power proves very limited reality ... In short, the reader has much to be intrigued!
I found very believable characters: they are attracted to each other but do not really dare to approach as they are supposed to be enemies. Sascha fight against feelings that may endanger but we realize that it is a woman both very sweet and very brave. Lucas, he is desperate to protect his pack but soon realizes that Sascha is not his enemy, far from it.
I enjoyed the fact that we have the opportunity to meet a lot of secondary characters, either from the pack of leopards or wolves (who are neighbors leopards) and Psi. They are engaging and well built, we already see that some have definite personalities and I am already looking forward to the history of some of them. To be honest, I would have liked to see some longer secondary characters in this first volume.
The detective plot is very well connected to the romance between Lucas and Sascha: one does not feel she has afterthought. There are several twists that make that there is a lot of suspense throughout the novel. However, I admit that I had guessed quite quickly that was the killer. But it did not bother me since the story holds up well.
In summary, this is a book that I read with great pleasure. Besides, I rushed to the suite (Volume 2 has been published by Bragelonne and Volume 3 will come out soon). I recommend this series!
Psi-changeling series:
Psi-changeling, Volume 1: Slave of sense (Lucas and Sascha)
Psi-changeling, Volume 2: torrid Vision (Vaughn and Faith)
Psi-changeling, Volume 3: Touching ice (Judd and Brenna)
Psi-Changeling, T4: Mine Forever (Clay and Talin)> to appear on June 22
