Branded by Fire (Psy/Changeling, #6)

by Nalini Singh

#1 New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh allies two fierce changelings in this explosive Psy-Changeling novel.
 
Though DarkRiver sentinel Mercy is feeling the pressure to mate, she resists savagely when Riley Kincaid, a lieutenant from the SnowDancer pack, seeks 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 in a seemingly senseless attack, Mercy and Riley must work together to track the young male—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, it’ll leave them both branded by fire…

• ISBN10: 0425226735
• ISBN13: 9780425226735
• Publish Date: 7 July 2009
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: Penguin Putnam Inc
• Imprint: Berkley Publishing Corporation,U.S.
• Format: Paperback (US Mass Market)
• Pages: 368
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780425226735

Reviews

[FranJessca @ A Book Lovin' Mama's Blog]

Branded by Fire is the sixth book in Nalini Singh’s Psy/Changling series. This book is the one I’ve been anticipating reading since it’s Mercy and Riley’s book. I never expected these two to end up together, and I don’t think these two characters expected it either. 

Storyline/My Thoughts :

Both Mercy and Riley have been standout characters to me since they were introduced in previous books in the series. Both have different reasons why they stand out to me. Mercy is a DarkRiver sentinel, and she’s all about taking her job seriously. She’s one kick-butt heroine who can handle herself, especially since she’s a DarkRiver sentinel. At times though, her character drove me crazy with going back and forth with Riley and why they couldn’t be anything serious. She was worried that since she was a leopard and he was a wolf, it wouldn’t work to be mates. She needed to find a leopard mate and her grandmother even sends her a couple from her pack to win her over. Although, Mercy doesn’t want anything to do with them.
Let me not forget Riley; I fell for him because he has overcome a lot in his life. He lost his parents, and he almost lost his little sister to a Psy. He doesn’t lose sight of what he is supposed to do in the pack, but he does fall hard for Mercy. At first, they are a fling, but then it becomes more, and Riley is determined to prove he wants more with Mercy. He gets put in his place several times, though, in this book that Mercy can handle herself. He can’t change Mercy and how independent she is, and she’s also very dominant.
Be prepared for some very steamy scenes between Riley and Mercy from beginning to end. These two could not stay away from each other, and both packs started realizing it, even if Mercy and Riley tried to hide it at times.
There were drama and action-packed scenes in this book that involved the Psy and the Alliance. Why are the Psy council members being targeted individually, and why are Changelings dealing with unexpected issues too.
Overall, this book receives 4.5 stars, and I can’t wait to read the next book.
There was a big moment in this book that I was so happy about, but I don’t want to spoil it for anyone. It happens to deal with one of my favorite couples in the series so far that I’ve read, and I hope more moments like this happen in the series.

Standalone or Part of Series: It’s part of the Psy/Changeling series, and I recommend reading in order.

Steaminess: Steamy.

Trope: Fated Mates; Opposite’s Attract

Would I recommend this book? Yes. I recommend this book/series to Paranormal Romance readers. I can’t brag enough about how addicting Nalini Singh’s books are since I started reading them. I wish I would’ve read them sooner. I love the world she creates in her books and the characters.

[Berls]

Well hello sexy flames! Branded by Fire is absolutely the right title for this book because it was by far the hottest book of the series so far - right out of the gate! *fans self* Funny enough, I don't love these books because of the romance - I' in it more for the UF plot development - but this one had such a healthy dose of both that it is now my favorite of the series.

Clearly, I can't talk about this book without talking about the couple- Mercy and Riley. Umm yeah, best couple of the series so far. And not just because they are sexy as fuck (language absolutely necessary to express the degree of hotness). They are also just really awesome characters. We've seen a bit of them previously, but honestly, I had no idea I was going to love them so much from the glimpses I saw previously. Also - I think they hold the distinction of being the ONLY couple in the series (so far) that I adored from the word go. I was never frustrated with them, their struggles made sense, they were honest with each other, honest with themselves, honest with their families and packs.

Mercy is a sentinel, a very dominant female. As such, she worries about her ability to find a mate - in part she needs someone equally (or more) dominant, but she also has to be willing to surrender to them on some level which is a challenge for her dominant nature. And finding a dominant male that will respect her dominance and not try to squash it because of their protective instincts - also a problem.

Riley is a Lieutenant (so more dominant) and has the potential to be exactly what she needs. Two problems: (1) he's a wolf and she's a cat (2) his protective instinct is heightened because of what happened to his sister Brenna (she's already had her book). Beyond those problems though, he's kinda perfect. I loved watching him with the kids. I loved watching him with his family. With her family. Learning to be what she needs and being so incredibly honest.

Beyond their relationship, there's the implications for their packs. The Snow Dancers Wolves and Dark River Cats (mostly leopards) already have a blood alliance. In fact, that's why Riley and Mercy are able to connect - they are the pack liaisons and training their teens together. But both groups still are hesitant and secretive with each other. So it's tricky for them to mate.

And then there's the developments on the political front. Another HOT (intense) situation! The human group that emerged as a player in the last book are front, center, and dangerous. The Psy Council Members continue to scheme, while Silence and the PsyNet are having impacts of their own, not to mention Ghost. All that, combined with the developments with the Changlings led to an exciting plot.

I'm very excited by some of the developments that the book ended with and cannot wait to continue reading along with Anne (we're buddy reading the series for the readalong and I'm loving chatting with her about the books). She also gave the book 5 stars, agreeing that it's the best thus far.

I'll continue listening, Angela Dawe is a fantastic narrator and has not let me down yet!

[thebookdisciple]

Another great piece in the psy changeling series! I loved the bits of info about the council, the human alliance, and even some new changelings! Mercy and Riley weren't my favorite couple. I had a hard time really getting into them as a couple (which is weird-half the book was them having sex and I just didn't buy them as a couple!). But, like always, Singh adds so much depth to her world that you can't wait for more!

[Chelsea]

Quick Thoughts:
1. I can't read any other sort of romance books. This one was fantastic because of the paranormal aspect.
2. Love every single character. They're so detailed!
3. The two main characters were especially interesting. Their romance was really fun.
4. There's another plot that isn't all about romance. That makes it more interesting.
5. The whole world created in this series is crazy intense.

[EBookObsessed]

This is definitely one of my favorites of the series. Mercy and Riley have great chemistry whether working together or playing together.

[Hixxup]

Mercy & Ryley, what an awesome couple. It's not very often you see two dominants end up like they did. I would say it was a great cat and mouse book, however it's more appropriate to say it was a great Wolf and Leopard book, hehe, lame I know. However, this book delves more into the war that's breaking out in their world. And other factors that I can't wait to read about. I'm so excited about reading about Hawke. He intrigues me and can't wait to delve deeper into him. Nalini Singh, is a great writer I love her books, I'm so glad I was recommended to this series, cause I have enjoyed every single book I have read so far, and I am sure I will enjoy the further books in this series as well.

[wyvernfriend]

I've been reading this series with a little bit of a ho-hum reaction to several of them, the back story about Psy is what has been keeping me reading. However this one upped the ante. Mercy, a DarkRiver sentinel, a strong leopard shifter character, remains a strong character throughout the story and doesn't submit as the story goes on. Riley is a lieutenant from the SnowDancer pack, a wolf, and the two of them have to learn to compromise and come to terms with their feelings for each other. The two of them start and finish the story as alphas and it works.

I liked the story, but this time the back story almost interrupted the romance for me. Unusually for this series so far for me.

[Linda]

This was sizzling HOT! Mercy and Riley are the hottest couple of the psy-changeling series so far, and they were fighting against their mating bond for a while, while still being hot together.

The new info about the counil, the human alliance and other ways of life of the changelings was abundant in this book.

[Melanie]

I would say 4.5 stars for this book. This is by far my favorite book in the series so far. I really like the changelings in this series. There are a lot of new back stories that are starting in this book. It is really making me want to continue this series more than ever before.

[mitabird]

3.5 stars

Branded by Fire was OK. I really liked Mercy and Riley. I thought they made a great couple, even though it was hard for them to relent at times. I felt there was way too much going on in the story and it seemed to really bog things down. Not the best in the series, but a decent read nonetheless.