Play of Passion (Psy/Changeling, #9)

by Nalini Singh

A Psy/Changeling novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Shards of Hope, Shield of Winter, and Heart of Obsidian..."the alpha author of paranormal romance" (Booklist).

As a conflict with Pure Psy looms on the horizon, two powerful wolves fight a far more intimate war of their own …

In his position as Tracker for the SnowDancer pack, it’s up to Drew Kincaid to rein in rogue changelings who’ve lost control of their animal halves—even if it means killing those who’ve gone too far.  But nothing in his life has prepared him for the battle he must now wage—to win the heart of a woman who makes his body ignite…and who threatens to enslave his wolf.

Lieutenant Indigo Riviere doesn’t easily allow skin privileges, especially of the sensual kind—and the last person she expects to find herself craving is the most wickedly playful male in the den. Everything she knows tells her to pull back before the flames burn them both to ash…but she hasn’t counted on Drew’s will.

Now, two of SnowDancer’s most stubborn wolves find themselves playing a hotly sexy game even as lethal danger stalks the very place they call home…

• ISBN10: 0425237796
• ISBN13: 9780425237793
• Publish Date: 2 November 2010 (first published 1 November 2010)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: Penguin Putnam Inc
• Imprint: Berkley Publishing Corporation,U.S.
• Format: Paperback (US Mass Market)
• Pages: 352
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780425237793

Reviews

[Berls]

While I was admittedly maybe not in the right headspace for this book, I don't think it lived up to many of the other books so far. It was a transition book I think, with an awful lot of waiting. That being said, I did like the couple and found their relationship really hot and sweet at the same time. And it may be a transition, but I really am excited about where it's transitioned us to!

Indigo and Drew are both dominants, so there was a similar struggle to what we saw with Riley and Mercy -- HMMM does it say something that the Kincaid boys can handle a dominant woman? I have to say, it makes them some of my favorite men of the series. I buddy read this with Anne (she's giving it 3.5 stars) and she pointed out that Drew was especially romantic and I have to agree -- it takes a certain kind of loving respect for their partner to take on these dominant woman that is very romantic. OH and hot. This book rivals Riley and Mercy's for it's sizzle factor (but I think that's just a shifter/changeling thing). Indigo is initially a bit abrasive for my taste but I think it's understandable considering her role in the pack.

I think the disappointment for me was in the overall story arch - the outset suggested we were going to have some MAJOR developments in terms of the Psy-council, ghost, and potentially the inevitable clash between the changelings and the Psy. And then we waited. And waited. And waited. Finally things happened, but it wasn't until basically the very end and now we'll be (hopefully) seeing some of the sparks I was hoping for in this book in the next one instead. But at least we arrived at that point!

I listened to this as I always do, because I adore Angela Dawe's narration. This time that might have hurt my experience a bit, but in no fault to the narration. I just was really distracted by life and listening allowed me to drift from the story a lot more than reading would have. This is one I would consider rereading sooner than later to see if my opinion is improved at all.

[Chelsea]

Loved this one. I'm always happy to see strong female characters portrayed like this.

[Hixxup]

Ok so the passion in the books isn't slacking at all, and it was a good book, however, the temperaments in this book got a little blah after a while. I think I like the books where a psy and changeling get together, or a changeling and a different breed of changeling those seem to be more enticing to me. Though I can't wait until Hawke's book that book is gonna be fire upon fire.

[Linda]

This book was truly hot. The buildup was sweet, and the main characters were great. Indigo and Drew became such a cute couple, once they both got over their hangups. And I agree with Lara, Drew is the perfect mate.

[Melanie]

I enjoyed this book. I really like Drew. I think I would've slapped Indigo on the back of the head several times. She is pretty thickheaded at times in this book. But I will say that I thoroughly enjoyed this story.

[mitabird]

3.5 stars

I found the first half of this story boring. I had trouble getting into the plot and I wasn't convinced of Indigo and Drew as a couple. I liked them well enough individually, but I didn't think they meshed well. He seemed the goofy, all-around joker and she was so tightly wound. There were plausible reasons given for their personalities, but I still didn't think they were right for each other.

The plot involving the Counsel wasn't engaging this time around and I wish something would happen with them already. I'm getting a little tired of the mystery of the Ghost as well. Things started to pick up toward the end, but I don't think this was the best story in the series. I am looking forward to Sienna and Hawke's story.