Monday, July 21, 2008

Review – Caressed by Ice



Title: Caressed by Ice
Author: Nalini Singh
Publishing Date: September 2007
Genre: Paranormal
Rating: B
Sensuality: Hot

Caressed by Ice is the third book in Singh’s Psy-Changeling series. It features Judd Lauren, an arrow Psy who has defected with his family from the PsyNet and is currently living with the SnowDancer wolf pack. Brenna Shane Kincaid was the victim of the serial killer from the first book in the series Slave to Sensation. She has been trying to recover herself and heal from the incident, but she has been having trouble readjusting to her old life. She is drawn to Judd for reasons she is unsure of, after all, with Judd being a Psy, unable to feel emotion himself, he cannot comfort her. On top of all that, one of Brenna’s packmates is murdered and now it appears her life may still be in danger.

I had mixed feelings about this story. On the one hand, I really like the fact that each book in the series builds off of the one before it, keeping the series moving rather than becoming stagnant. I enjoy that the plot is new and fresh and very well developed. What I had trouble with in this story was that the pacing was uneven at certain times, usually when military tactics or Psy-silence was being explained. It seemed like this happened frequently.

In the beginning of the story, it was hard to understand Brenna’s attraction to Judd. Well, to be honest, I don’t think she understood it herself. Their relationship was difficult because Judd was in physical pain whenever he was physically touching Brenna. It was hard to get past Judd having a nosebleed every time he touched Brenna. Finally they do get past it and wow, let’s just say the wait was worth it. Judd wastes no time making up for what was lost. I also enjoyed the dynamics between the secondary characters. One in particular I am interested in is Judd’s niece Sienna. It seems she is always causing some trouble for Hawke. I wonder if they will eventually be paired up and get their own story. At any rate, this series is progressing nicely.

Here is what others had to say:

Natuschan
Dionne Galace
The Book Binge
The Good, The Bad, The Unread
Dear Author
Reading is Sexy

9 comments:

Holly said...

I hadn't really thought about it until now, but you're correct, the pacing was a bit off. Still, I loved Brenna and Judd and really felt for them. I think of all the stories, their conflict was the most intense.

nath said...

I really loved this book!! Have to say, I didn't notice about the pacing. perhaps I'm too biased?

I just love the chemistry between Brenna and Judd and I think that Brenna's attraction to him is hard to put into words ;) I also love as you said, how the story is building off of each of the books :)

I'm hoping that Sienna is indeed Hawke's mate :)

KT Grant said...

I like how Judd destroys the furnature because he is horny.

Jill D. said...

Nath, It seems like Ms. Singh is hinting at a relationship between Hawke and Sienna. I am curious to see where she goes with that.

Holly, You are right, by far this couple had the most to overcome to get their HEA. I have to admit, I was worried how Ms. Singh was going to pull this off. I mean Judd couldn't even touch Brenna with out bleeding out of some orafice. Yikes!

Katie, Goodness, they are going to need a separate trust fund to keep replacing their furniture. Or maybe the just can't have any. The will have to sleep/sit on mats.

Ana said...

I am going on holidays Friday and this book is already packed in my handbag! I can't wait to read it.

nath said...

Jill, I know. It seems so to me too and I'm perfectly fine with it... well, although there is some age difference. But then, I can't see anyone else with Hawke or Sienna, so I'm definitively rooting for them to be together LOL :)

Christine said...

In the beginning of the story, it was hard to understand Brenna’s attraction to Judd. Well, to be honest, I don’t think she understood it herself.

I agree with you on this, but for me ... that was part of the appeal of this relationship. They were both trying to figure out stuff about themselves and each other all the while trying to figure out how they wanted be together.

I'm hoping for a Hawke-Sienna pairing as well. I just love both of them and think they'd make a really dynamic union.

Jill D. said...

Ana, Enjoy your vacation and I can't wait to hear your thoughts!

Nath, I am not sure about the age difference, but I think Singh can make it work.

Christine, Yes Judd and Brenna had quite a lot to overcome. I was unsure how Singh was going to fix their problems. I got a little worried :)

I like that you used the word dynamic to describe the Hawke-Sienna pairing. How about the word explosive too?

nath said...

Oh, I'm sure she can make it work :) I just wonder if because Sienna is so young, it'll take a couple of years (i.e. books) for us to get it :(