Review: Play of Passion

Reviewed by Jen
 

It seems I am a sucker for the changeling romances in this series.  After two books featuring Psy and human couples, this installment was a welcome relief.  It had all the fire and passion of Mercy and Riley's book, with just a little less angst.

Indigo is the strongest alpha female in the Snow Dancer wolf pack and a top lieutenant.  Andrew has had a crush on her since he was a kid.  But he is all grown up now.  Drew is the tracker for the pack... dominant and powerful, but outside of the hierarchy.  He is friendly and charming, but lethal and cunning when necessary.  He knows he is not what Indigo has in mind for a mate, but he is tired of fighting his feelings.  He's ready to make her his own.

Indigo has never looked at Drew other than as a packmate and as Riley's little brother.  He is sweet and fun, but he's four years younger and a flirt.  But when he suddenly makes a move on her, it throws her off balance.  She doesn't want to think of him differently.  It confuses her wolf, because she knows she is more dominant.  Drew only gets harder and harder to resist, though, as he shows her why all the women of the pack love him.

This one was really good.  I liked seeing a different breed of alpha male.  One who likes to play and flirt and smile.  Don't get me wrong, I like my tortured and angsty heroes, but it was cool to see a powerful man who could still be fun and vulnerable, without it making him beta.  Compromise is a big theme of this book, for both main characters, and I liked that no one side had to bend more than the other.

As with all of her shifter stories, Nalini Singh plays the sexual element like a finely tuned instrument.  You can feel the pull between these two and the bedroom (and bathtub) scenes are scorching hot.  I also really liked how much the pack jumped in behind the romance.

Also exciting, Singh finally gives us a peek of Hawke and Sienna.  Yes, we've been leading up to it forever, but you can see the nut is about to crack.  Sienna is no longer a child and Hawke is clearly near his breaking point.  The age difference is a little bit troubling when I let myself think about it... so I try not to think about it and let the sexual tension take the reins.

The bigger picture continues to unfold with the Psy Council.  There is only a small portion of the book devoted to it, but there is at least one major development.  Can't wait to see how it all plays out.

Rating: B+

Click to purchase: Amazon

Play of Passion

by Nalini Singh

Release Date: November 2, 2010

Publisher: Berkley