Review: Caressed by Ice by Nalini Singh

Reviewer: Holly
Caressed By Ice by Nalini Singh
Series: Psy/Changeling #3
Also in this series: Mine to Possess, Hostage to Pleasure, The Magical Christmas Cat , Kiss of Snow, Tangle of Need, Slave to Sensation , Wild Invitation, Heart of Obsidian, Shield of Winter, Shield of Winter, Visions of Heat, Mine to Possess, Caressed By Ice, Branded by Fire, Blaze of Memory, Mine to Possess, Hostage to Pleasure, Hostage to Pleasure, Shards of Hope, Shards of Hope, Heart of Obsidian, Branded by Fire, Blaze of Memory, Play of Passion, Allegiance of Honor, Kiss of Snow, Tangle of Need, Shield of Winter, Shards of Hope, Allegiance of Honor, Allegiance of Honor, Wild Embrace, Wild Embrace, Wild Embrace, Silver Silence, Silver Silence, Tangle of Need, Ocean Light, Ocean Light , Caressed By Ice, Wolf Rain
Publisher: Penguin
Publication Date: September 4th 2007
Genres: Fiction
Pages: 368
Add It: Goodreads
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Series Rating:

The author of Shards of Hope and Shield of Winter presents a Psy/Changeling novel in which two people who know evil intimately must unlock the good within their icy hearts…As an Arrow, an elite soldier in the Psy Council ranks, Judd Lauren was forced to do terrible things in the name of his people. Now a defector, his dark abilities have made him the most deadly of assassins—cold, pitiless, unfeeling. Until he meets Brenna…Brenna Shane Kincaid was an innocent before she was abducted—and had her mind violated—by a serial killer. Her sense of evil runs so deep, she fears she could become a killer herself. Then the first dead body is found, victim of a familiar madness. Judd is her only hope, yet her sensual changeling side rebels against the inhuman chill of his personality, even as desire explodes between them. Shocking and raw, their passion is a danger that threatens not only their hearts, but their very lives…"The alpha author of paranormal romance."--Booklist

Too often when a hero is written as dark, tortured, badass,etc, in a series, we get his book only to realize he’s just a big ole softie on the inside (ref J.R. Ward’s Zsadist and Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Zarek). That isn’t the case with Judd. He’s cold, unemotional and a stone cold killer. He’s exactly the same at the end of this book as he is at the beginning, with the small exception of his actions/feelings for Brenna. I love him. I love that Singh didn’t try to tame him or melt him. He’s perfect the way he is.

Brenna’s struggle to deal with the trauma of her kidnapping and torture at the hands of a killer were heartbreaking and inspiring. I thought her actions and feelings seemed very genuine for someone in her position. Her struggle to overcome her past really showcased her trust in, and developing feelings for, Judd.

Something I wish had been addressed is her desire to keep everyone out of her head and how that was changed /affected by the mating bond. Clearly Judd was in her head after their mating, but Brenna didn’t seem to struggle with that at all. Given her feelings on the matter prior to the mating, I’d have liked it to be addressed.

The world is imaginative and engaging. The writing is lovely and paints a vivid picture of the barren landscape inside Judd prior to Brenna, the strong brightness of her personality and the explosion of color in their combined relationship. This remains my favorite book of the series.

4.5 out of 5

Reading Order:

P.S. Judd is my boyfriend. I have the button to prove it.

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