Alpha Night (Psy-Changeling Trinity, #4)

by Nalini Singh

[booksandcats]

Alright, so I downloaded this book yesterday (finally) and spent the night reading it, because I couldn't get myself to stop. I am starting again today, but I want to put up a review of my first read, before a second one might change things. I am going to struggle with putting this in the right words because I have so many thoughts on this. And no, I don't think I can be subjective with this series, I love it way too much.

First of all: Oh my GOD! I love Selenka. I love how dominant she is and how she is so clearly the Alpha and how Ethan has absolutely no problem with her strength. He supports her and isn't afraid to be second to her alpha, knight to her queen (even though she doesn't like that term, because she doesn't want him "just" as her knight and she isn't a queen). He never struggles with the fact that she is the one who calls the shots in the end (not in their relationship, but in life) and I don't know many fantasy/romance authors who write that dynamic and I am so here for it. Can't wait for Miane's book now to be honest, seeing how well Nalini writes female Alphas.

I mean, I loved all her previous books, but honestly, a few books past I was starting to wish this usual dynamic (soft, loving empath or woman or whatever gets mixed with a more dominant arrow or alpha or warrior) would get mixed up some. Simply, because it is the default setting for almost every romantic arch out there and I was growing a bit tired of it. Now Ethan is the perfect male for this story, because, yes he is an Arrow. He is strong, dangerous, it is most of the book a bit murky wether he is dominant or maybe not, but he is clearly not a soft, loving submissive. But it is equally made sure from the beginning, he is not an alpha, dominant-wise he is below Selenka period. That is what was so new here. Yes, we have seen dominant woman, warriors and such (looking at Mercy for example). It was always clear however, that their partners were more dominant. In every single novel that was the case (a few novellas don't count). Finally it is turned around and it is clear that it can be done. It takes nothing away from the excitement, I still love the male hero, still find him swoon worthy and don't feel like anything is lost. Well done for that.

The relationship between Selenka and Ethan is interesting. I was hesitant at first, because it was an instant mating and it felt off a bit. It is made clear, that in this case, just because they are mated doesn't mean the feelings and everything are there. I am usually so not there for insta-love. It feels out of place and annoying. And yes, this book takes place in a very very short time frame and yes they fall in love eventually. It felt kind of alright, but it wasn't my favorite set up. I do love how we get Ethan, who is in a really interesting mind-frame. He has spent almost his whole life behind what he calls a gray fog, something to distance himself from everything. Which is why he never felt for anything. He is pretty much suicidal and doesn't care for anything, which is why Selenkas wolf mates with him instantly. Then, he sees her, meets her, get's mated and suddenly she becomes his focus, he feels and something finally matters. Now, he dedicates himself to her, making it clear that he is hers in anyway she wants. This devotion was a bit weird in the beginning, but then again it is similar to other arrow reactions I have seen. More than one arrow has commited themselves totally to someone or something, it just isn't this intense. And to be fair, as Ethan grows more stable and connected, it changes something. His dedication never wavers, but is is more similar to the dedication of a normal relationship.

I love the BlackEdge wolves a lot. It is a shame to get dropped to get into them so suddenly, so we don't really care about the loss they suffer in the beginning of the book, but you have to start somewhere and by the end of the book, I would love a story about each of the Lieutenants, especially more background on Alia! Loved her a lot! I get that is is hard in the new Trinity Arch, how we get a new pack each time, but I also kind of love it really. I read the books several times anyway, so I feel for them instantly the second time around.

I don't really care that much about the overall story line, it was interesting, it was well done and I liked it, but for me, in this book, it was mostly background to the things going on with Selenka and Ethan and Ethan's power. It wasn't bad by any means, just not my main focus.

I loved the little parts of the Architect in this book, we are (or I am) pretty sure about their identity and, with the Scarab thing going around, it is interesting to witness how their thought process changes. Very fascinating and setting her up for an awesome plot on the future, even though we know who it is and it isn't going to be about the big reveal anymore.


So. Finally. Ethan's powers. It was made obvious about halfway through the book that it isn't the Scarab Syndrome, at least that's how I felt, but we still had to jump through some hoops to get there, which is alright. I actually love that he is an Empath. I was getting tired of the usual Nalini Sing Empath-Arrow trope (as in their coupeling), but this, where an Empath is an arrow, I love it. He isn't a usual E, yes, he is nice and caring, but in my opinion not more than any normal person. His abilities are far different and I think we are going to hear much more about them and figure out more. Because until the end of the book, we only know that he is kind of similar to Melody, that he can feel Scarabs and track them and that he can help with the dangers of their outbursts. Other than that, we know mostly about his Tk powers, which are amazing btw.

I hate how, in the last book, we were so short before Melody finally asking the NetMind and DarkMind about why they hide bonds, and now here it doesn't even get mentioned, only that the twin Minds are descendet even more and now you can't communicate with them anymore. That sucks so so hard!

Also! If the truly break the Net, I am going to scream, because no! Just no! You can't spend book after book dedicated to saving it, and then just abandon it! And if you break it, won't the NetMind and DarkMind die? or cease to exist? I need the next book so urgently.


Some small notes at the end:
-I love how Ming is hunted by everyone and how everyone puts their revenge back behind Siennas and just enjoys his downfall.
-I love the recurring Characters in this and how Nalini uses them. There have been so many books, it would be hard to get all of them all the time, but I think it makes sense how she uses them. When shields are a problem, Sasha is the best answer. Also, yes, maybe someone else might be able to answer questions or help, but, like in real life, you might not think to ask everyone you have ever known. Establishing ways to talk to each other takes time and even then, connected communication is a daily struggle. So no, I don't agree with other reviews who think some other person or group should have been called.
-Love the mention or Arwen and his relationship with a bear! I squealed.
-Love love love the growing friendship between Selenka and Valentin and how they bond over their stubborn Psy-mates.
-Love Ethans interactions with Selenka's Lieutenants and how he fits into them quite fast.