Review: Play of Passion by Nalini Singh

Item: Play of Passion (Psy-Changeling #9)
Rating: 4
Author: Kate

Posted June 14, 2020 by Kate

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Genres: Adult, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal
Also by this author: Rock Addiction (Rock Kiss, #1), Rock Hard (Rock Kiss #2), Heart of Obsidian (Psy-Changeling, #12)
Series: Psy-Changeling #9
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Source: My shelves

In his position as tracker for the SnowDancer pack, it's up to Drew Kincaid to rein in rogue changelings who have lost control of their animal halves- even if it means killing those who have 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 hot, sexy game even as lethal danger stalks the very place they call home.

New to the series? Read my review of book one: Slave to Sensation.

Anndddd…. we’re back!! The last two books, Blaze of Memory and Bonds of Justice followed books where one of the characters were human. Now we’re back in SnowDancer territory and I am happy! Don’t get me wrong, I love my humans. But I also see them all the time, and while I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every character that Singh has introduced to us, I love being back in the Changeling packs. Specifically: the wolves. I love that they all live together in an underground bunker/cave situation. It makes the sense of community (always very prevalent in Singh’s Changeling books) really come alive.

In this one, we follow Indigo and Drew, both (essentially) very high in the Pack hierarchy, and trusted members of the Hawke’s inner circle. This book only made me more rabid to pick up Hawke and Sienna’s book to reread, something I’m doing as soon as I type up this review ? Indigo and Drew’s book was more focused on the romance and the Pack than previous books have, which I really enjoyed in this case.

Drew Kincaid is a great hero. This was to be expected from Ms. Singh, but I truly loved how charming, kind, and intelligent he was. He had a roguish, playful charm about him that just made me (and everyone else around him) have no choice but to fall in love. Especially with the last two books being Psy-oriented, Drew brought us back into the changeling fold, and he did so well. He’s got that kind of magnetic personality that just draws everyone in the pack around him, and I loved watching him interact with his Packmates. His heart is so big <3 and he’s such a mischievous one! His very public courtship of Indigo had me in stiches!

“When was the last time you lost an argument?”

He pretended to think about it. Then, leaning down, he whispered in her ear, “A few hours ago when you refused to stop the car and crawl into the backseat with me.”

Indigo is a dominant female, which isn’t necessarily super rare, but it makes it hard for her to find someone she can connect to in a way that doesn’t ruffle her wolf. I’ve loved Indigo’s cameos in the past, because she’s a freaking badass, but manages to have a more carefree, fun way about her. I did find her a bit of an obstacle in this book, because … well, she was scared. And I don’t necessarily blame her, but sometimes I just wanted to sit her down and tell to just go for it already. Throw caution to the wind!

Play of Passion told a story of two very strong, dominant changeling trying to make their relationship work without either of them getting hurt in the process. Indigo has seen what happens when a dominant female tries to make it work with a male who doesn’t appreciate her dominance, and she’s scared. Dorian being four years younger is just icing on the cake of reasons for this relationship not work… and yet :)

This isn’t as action-packed as books in the past because this book is setting up for the amazing books coming after it. We’re getting back into the changeling community and getting glimpses of Hawke and Sienna (and tbh I lived for their interactions in this book! Can’t wait!!), and setting things up for the major action to happen in the next books. It’s not one to skip, because there’s plenty of background politics to close that gap, but it’s worth pointing out.

What more is there to say? It’s a Nalini Singh book! This means it’s absolutely incredible, immersive, with excellent storytelling skills with her fluid and effortless writing style and unmatched world-building skills. Gosh, I miss this world. I can’t wait to read more in Hawke and Sienna’s book!! (Review of book one, review of book eight)