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68 of 68 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
VERY enjoyable. 4.5 stars, April 6, 2007
This review is from: Visions of Heat (Psy-Changelings, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)
I appreciate a series that completes every book with it's own story, yet still relies on the foundation built by the first. Visions of Heat does that, perfectly. This book was more of a grand love story than the thriller of the first novel (Slave to Sensation), but still enhanced the landscape of the world of the Psy and the Changlings. All the characters of the first book are present and accounted for in this one.
Generally, I don't like Alpha men. Vaughn seriously fits the profile. Arrogant, superior, stubborn, persistent, demanding, possessive. He relies on his animal instincts, touches without permission, pushes past acceptable boundaries. In a human love story, this would irritate the hell out of me, but when written in the context of his jaguar persona it's comfortable to accept. Of course it helps that Vaughn is also sexy, gentle, loving and protective.
Faith Nightstar is a strong heroine. Fragile but brave, intelligent but willing to learn, loyal almost to a fault. She finds her salvation in Vaughn, and pushes her own boundaries, character growth at it's best. The process she goes through satisfies beyond the norm. The love scenes between Faith and Vaughn are beautifully written, you feel the attraction, the love, the commitment they make to each other.
Good suspense, more erotic than the first (in my opinion). PG-17 for the love scenes (very hot, but not gratuitous), no annoying cliffhangers, but enough interest generated to continue with the series. I suggest reading the first book to get a better handle of the world and previous characters created by the author, or too many nuances will be lost. A brief teaser for the next novel comes at the end of this one.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Wonderful Second Installment, March 30, 2007
This review is from: Visions of Heat (Psy-Changelings, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)
Nalini Singh's fresh take on the world of paranormal is as gripping as ever, with strong action and a cast of interesting characters. Visions of Heat continues somewhat the original plot of the first book, Slave to Sensation. The Psy are a race known for their cold aloof facades and the deadly minds they cloak beneath. Thanks to a rigid race determined to conceal their slightest imperfections, killers are born, and it's up to the changelings once again to protect not only their own but the Psy as well.
Faith Nightstar is the embodiement of a sheltered Psy. As an F-Psy able to predict the future, her talents are coveted by her family. Cocooned against the outside world, she's tucked away in her own compound, where she can predict safe things, things that make the PsyClan Nightstar very wealthy. When dark, disturbing visions begin to plague her at any given time, and a particular murder cuts too close to home, she knows she cannot ignore them...no matter how fragile her mind might be.
Drawn to the enigmatic and unusual Psy, Changeling Vaughn D'Angelo uses his abilities as a jaguar to encroach on Faith's territory. He must tread carefully, for too much contact with the delicate Psy could send her senses into overload. He's determined to make her feel though and it's going to be on his terms. He sees strength in Faith and that's what he plans to draw forth in her, till she can handle exactly what he wants to give her. When visions of the killer cut too close to home, and the Psy come for her too, Vaughn will be there to catch Faith and dispense the remorseless justice changelings are known so well for.
Vaughn's story was one I greatly looked forward to and came out pretty pleased with. An aloof character in the first book, it was interesting to read exactly what made up this single jaguar member of the DarkRiver leopards. As a sentinel for his adoptive clan, he's fierce, loyal and dangerously cunning. When he sets these talented sights on Faith it's an instant animal attraction that roars to the surface, ready to claim the confounding woman. Faith, knows her boundaries, and while she thinks there's no place for her in Vaughn's world, she proves herself to be invaluable to him and it's not for the cold reasons her Psyclan wants her. Their interactions make this installment worth the read. While the villain this time didn't stand out the way the previous book's baddy did, I found myself not minding in the least by book's end. Ms. Singh is a master at dishing up the details at just the right intervals, allowing her plots and subplots to flow beautifully amongst one another. Stay tuned for more from this fascinating new world. Next up is Caressed by Ice, this time starring a Psy member as the hero. It releases September 4, 2007.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Even Better than the First, February 27, 2007
This review is from: Visions of Heat (Psy-Changelings, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)
I've read Nalini Singh's first book about the Psy, Slave to Sensation, twice now. The first time I read it, I was struck by how original it was. The second time, I was struck by how enjoyable it was. With that being said, I had high expectations for Visions of Heat, but also some doubts that Ms. Singh would be able to sustain the originality and fun factor that made the first so enjoyable. I'm pleased to be able to write that Visions of Heat is just as good if not better than the first.
What made Visions of Heat so enjoyable were the characters and the world building and the dialogue and the chemistry and . . . well, just about everything. The world that was already so fully developed and realized only became richer and fuller this time around. The fear I sometimes have is that an author will successfully create an idea and some interesting characters . . . at first, but those characters will then go on to appear time and time again in successive books, although disguised under a different name and description. That is not the case, here. Faith and Vaughn are completely different from Sascha and Lucas . . . and if I'm being honest, I think I liked them even more.
Faith is one of the rarest Psy designations: a Foresight Psy aka an F-Psy. On top of that, she is probably the most talented and most successful of all F-Psys. Her predictions are strong and accurate and have earned her and her family billions. Unfortunately, her gifts have a downside. She lives secluded and alone, sheltered from the outside world that would overwhelm her mind (or so she is told). Her only visitors are her emotionless father and the cold M-Psys who monitor her every word, her every move and every beat of her heart. Faiths' facade of emotionless begins to crumble when her sister is killed and the murderer begins haunting her dreams. She sneaks away from her compound and sets off to find some answers with Sascha Duncan.
Along the way, she is held up by the protective Vaughn. His behavior is unpredictable, his attitude is predatory and he is perhaps the most dangerous of the DarkRiver Changelings. Vaughn's own childhood was a terrible one. He remains haunted by the beloved sister he had to watch slowly die, unable to save her. Vaughn is immediately captivated by the very fragile Psy. He forces her to accept his touch little by little, alternating between patience and impatience in his desire for her. It's Vaughn who notices one night, that the killer that plagues Faith's dreams may be more than just a mental presence in her mind, and together they set out to find her sister's murderer.
Visions of Heat starts off strong and stays that way right until the very end. Faith and Vaughn were two characters that at first seemed polar opposites- she: so fragile, he: so . . . borderline violent, but. . . Ms. Singh made it work. Their chemistry was great, but the emotional aspect, their love story, was very sweet as well. Faith's evolution from a sheltered and fragile Psy to a strong and resilient woman had me applauding and the mystery of her sister's killer kept me guessing. Also, a couple characters were more fully developed this time around - just enough to tantalize us for the upcoming books. Visions of Heat is an enjoyable and unique sequel to an enjoyable and unique book- I definitely recommend it.
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