Allegiance of Honor by Nalini Singh
I am always waiting impatiently for whatever next Psy-Changeling romance is to come. Eager to see another hero and heroine fall in love, and overcome the challenges that they face. What could equal another Psy-Changeling romance? Only a Psy-Changeling story that revisits so many of the previous couples, and shows hints of where the series in heading next.
Allegiance of Honor does just that.
Below, I have my review for Allegiance of Honor, followed by a question I asked Ms Singh regarding this book, and last is an unexclusive Q&A and excerpt. Enjoy!
Below is my review for Allegiance of Honor
Allegiance of Honor
This review assumes that the reader has read the previous stories in Nalini Singh's Psy-Changeling series, and does contain spoilers to prior books. Also, due to back stories in previous books, I highly suggest reading the series in order.
Allegiance of Honor is not a romance in the traditional sense. The story arc is not of a hero and heroine falling in love. Instead, Nalini Singh has given readers a treat. A chance to revisit characters from previous stories, and see what is happening in their day to day lives.
Silence has fallen, and the three races are finally coming together in a way that had been unthinkable for over a century. The Ruling Coalition has been formed to bridge the chasm that had developed during this period. New alliances are forming, friendships growing, and former theories blown to dust.
A clue for a missing member of the enigmatic BlackSea Changeling pack had been found. A mate, and a child, are threatened. There is loss. There is renewal. There is love. And there is celebration. There are suggestions of heroes and heroines for future stories. And there is the hope that wherever this series leads, the bonds that have been formed will always bring us back to the characters that have made this series so loved.
This could have been a one word review, I will end with that. Exceptional.
FTC Disclaimer: I did receive a copy for review. However, this website only posts "good" reviews. If I cannot post a positive review, I notify whoever has provided me with the book/ARC/ebook.
I asked Ms Singh - Who did you most enjoy revisiting while writing Allegiance?
I enjoyed seeing everyone!! The characters feel like family and friends, and it was amazing to pop in and get a glimpse of their continuing lives.
I was provided with a non-exclusive interview with Nalini and an excerpt from Allegiance of Honor. They are below:
Nalini Singh on the future of the Psy-Changeling series
Is Allegiance of Honor/i> the end of the Psy-Changeling series?
No, it's not. :) I ADORE this world and the characters and I have so many Psy-Changeling stories yet to tell. (I've often joked that I'll be writing this series until I'm ninety-eight!)
Where do you see the Psy-Changeling world going from here? Who is the next book about?
(Slightly spoilery answer to follow if you're just starting the series).
Allegiance of Honor sets up a lot of possibilities for the future. There are many avenues I could take. However, for me, this arc is all about what happens not just to the Psy, but to the world, now that Silence has fallen and all the rules have changed.
We've had the immediate aftermath books, both of which focused on the Psy race (Shield of Winter & Shards of Hope), but what about the wider long-term future? Because Silence existed for a reason. The Psy still have these incredible abilities that have the potential to drive them murderously insane, and the world is still a fractured triumvirate. And there are players about whom we know very little, like the falcons and BlackSea.
As for who's book is next, I'm not ready to announce it yet because I want to be certain this character is ready - but I think you'll be pleased. ;-)
Excerpt from Allegiance of Honor by Nalini Singh
Lucas had had to chase Naya around the aerie at bedtime last night-her walk might still be a little shaky, but she was a rocket when it came to crawling. Dressed only in a diaper, she'd laughed uproariously and said a loud, firm "No" each time Lucas caught her and put her in her crib.
After which she'd clamber out-she'd figured out how to escape a month earlier-and the game would begin again. Of course, since Lucas was a cat, he'd been having just as much fun as their daughter. Sascha, meanwhile, had sat in the living room with a cup of hot chocolate and just indulged in the sight of her mate playing with their cub.
She'd had to pretend to be stern when Naya ran over and pleaded her case with loud sounds and wild gesticulations of her hands. "No, Naya," she'd said, biting her tongue in an effort not to laugh. "It's time for bed. Go with Papa."
At which point, Naya had growled at her, eyes sparkling with mischief.
And Sascha had cracked, laughing so hard she'd had to put down her hot chocolate before she spilled it. Lucas had shaken his head as Naya plopped down on her diaper-covered butt and joined in, clapping her hands at having made her mommy laugh. "No discipline." Lucas had mock-growled at her before picking up their misbehaving baby. "And you"-a growly nuzzle that made Naya laugh harder and pat his stubbled cheek-"time for bed."
He'd finally got her to sleep-by walking around with her pressed up against his bare chest.
Today, their cub was playing in the living area just outside the kitchen nook. Sascha had locked the aerie door to ensure Naya wouldn't undo the latch and go out onto the balcony, and Lucas had childproofed the entire main area of the aerie, so Naya was free to roam as she liked. A lot of the time she practiced her walking skills. And no matter how often she fell down, she started back up again after a little break.
Stubborn, determined baby.
Peeking out from the kitchen, Sascha found her concentrating on stacking the colored alphabet blocks Faith and Vaughn had given her as a gift. Beside her sat a more than slightly ragged wolf plush toy, aka "The Toy That Shall Not Be Named." Hawke had given that to Naya when she was a newborn, and it remained her favorite snuggle toy, much to her father's despair.
Though Lucas did enjoy it when Naya went leopard on the toy, growling and "fighting" with the wolf. Then he'd smile and say, "That's my girl."
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