Casee‘s review of Branded by Fire (Psy/Changeling Series, Book 8) by Nalini Singh.
Though DarkRiver sentinel Mercy is feeling the pressure to mate, she savagely resists when Riley Kincaid, a lieutenant from the SnowDancer pack, tries to possess her. The problem is not simply that he pushes her buttons; the problem is that he’s a wolf, she’s a cat, and they’re both used to being on top.
But when a brilliant changeling researcher is kidnapped from DarkRiver territory, Mercy and Riley must work together to track the young man—before his shadowy captors decide he’s no longer useful. Along the way, the two dominants may find that submitting to one another uncovers not just a deadly conspiracy, but a passion so raw that it’ll leave them both branded by fire…
I didn’t really care for Riley in Caressed by Ice, so I wasn’t expecting to like him as much as I did. By the time I was finished reading Branded by Fire, I loved him. Riley and Mercy were perfect for each other.
When it came to their relationship, the power struggle between Riley and Mercy reminded me of Buffy and Spike. Both are strong in their own right and neither of them want to concede to the other. That makes for rough times, especially when it comes to changeling mating.
I’ve always liked Mercy, but I never really understood how hard it would be for her to mate. It does make sense why it would be harder for a dominant female to mate; she doesn’t want any male to be dominant over her, yet she won’t accept a submissive male. So it’s kind of a lose-lose situation for Mercy. Accepting Riley into her bed is scratching an itch and nothing more. Or so she tells herself.
Riley has been eaten up since his sister was taken and tortured by a Psy. Since Brenna’s return and subsequent mating to a Psy, Riley’s guilt hasn’t lessened. As her older brother, Riley was responsible for her safety and he failed her.
Mercy has rubbed Riley the wrong (or maybe right) way since the moment DarkRiver and SnowDancer formed a blood alliance. Riley takes delight in ruffling Mercy’s fur, one of the few things that seem to bring him pleasure these days. His wolf realizes before the man that Mercy is his mate, the one person that will make his wolf complete. When he thought of the mating, he never thought that he would mate to a leopard sentinnel. He soon learns that there is nothing easy about mating to Mercy.
In the midst of their mating, Riley and Mercy have to investigate random acts of Psy violence. Not knowing which way to turn, the changelings find themselves once again looking at the least likely suspects: humans.
The mating of Riley and Mercy was very well written. There was such a fine line that Riley had to walk with Mercy. Only a wolf changeling known as “The Wall” would be able to walk it without faltering. And even someone as steady as Riley faltered, which almost broke Mercy’s trust permanently.
I continue to enjoy the arc of the Psy/Changeling world. I can’t wait to read more about The Ghost, the Human Alliance, and whether Nikita Duncan has a maternal bone in her very Psy body.
Overall, I would have to say that the first changeling/changeling book in this series is a definite hit. I’m not even surprised that I ended up loving a character that I disliked only a few books before.
4.25 out of 5.
This book is available from Berkley Sensation. You can buy it here or here in e-format.
Other books in the series:
Nice review! I loved their dynamic too. Riley and Mercy were really great characters individually, I thought and together = fantastic.
After finishing the book I realized there hadn’t been a full changeling/changeling book before which I was surprised by (don’t really know why).
I’m also interested to see if Mercy gets pregnant during the arc of the books and what the baby’s animal will be; who is more dominant?
I kept thinking of Shelly Laurenston’s series, where one of the characters was a product of the mating between a panther and a wolf. When she changes to the animal she has a snaggle tooth, which I find hysterical. I doubt Nalini would choose this, but it’s an interesting thought (and SL is more irreverant, I think).
Nice review, haven’t gotten to read this one yet, but look forward to it. I think I am going to do these for my re-reads for this month.
Great review…haven’t read this one yet…on ye old leaning TBR pile…but it’s going to be a good one!!
Suuuuuch a good book! I think one of the things that I loved in the book was Riley coming to terms with actually wanting Mercy to be his mate. He’s always wanted a submissive mate and it was really a kick in the pants for him to realize that wasn’t what her really wanted!
What Tracy said.
Love this book. I re-read it once already. Lol
Mariana,
I’m curious to see what their child would shift into, as well.
I’ve never heard of Shelly Laurenston. What’s the series called?
Kris,
I love re-reading this series. I usually do it whenever a new book comes out.
Tracy,
I never thought he wanted a submissive mate, just that he didn’t think there was anything wrong with having one.
Shelly Laurenston has 2 parallel series: (1) Magnus Pack and (2) Pride Stories. The character I mentioned is reference throughout both series. She only makes a slight appearance herself, but she’s mentioned a bit throughout the series as the example of “what happens when…”
SL is hysterically funny and very very raunchy, FYI.
Great review Casee – thank you! I love this series, and was so looking forward to Branded By Fire and loved it! We are able to touch base with not just the myriad of characters but the overall story arc is also progressing.
I can’t wait for Blaze of Memory 🙂
Orianna, have you heard if Dev’s heroine is Psy, Changeling, or human? I can’t tell from the blurb, but I’m leaning more toward Psy.