New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh dives beneath the surface of her Psy-Changeling world into a story of passionate devotion and selfless love…Security specialist Bowen Knight has come back from the dead. But there’s a ticking time bomb in his head: a chip implanted to block telepathic interference that could fail at any moment–taking his brain along with it. With no time to waste, … with it. With no time to waste, he should be back on land helping the Human Alliance. Instead, he’s at the bottom of the ocean, consumed with an enigmatic changeling…
Kaia Luna may have traded in science for being a chef, but she won’t hide the facts of Bo’s condition from him or herself. She’s suffered too much loss in her life to fall prey to the dangerous charm of a human who is a dead man walking. And she carries a devastating secret Bo could never imagine…
But when Kaia is taken by those who mean her deadly harm, all bets are off. Bo will do anything to get her back–even if it means striking a devil’s bargain and giving up his mind to the enemy…
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I love Nalini Singh and this is another successful continuation of the Psy/Changelings Trinity series. I can’t wait for the next one!
Nalini Singh is one of my favorite authors and she always delivers. Ocean Light is no exception. The plot is breathtaking and the characters are fully formed with incredible storylines. I will read this book again because I enjoued it that much.
Awesome story that I devoured in 2 days. It was on the super sweet side, but it didn’t affect my enjoyment level at all. It was so interesting to see the Black Sea changelings in a more intimate fashion and I loved it.
It is so good, I’ve read it twice.
If you haven’t read a Psy-Changeling book yet, start at the beginning and keep reading. There’s adventure, romance, fun, tears, laughter, enjoyment, fears, tragedy, and an endless hope for a better world, a better life, a lasting peace, and cautiously built and long lasting friendships forged in blood, Fire, and tears of joy and sorrow. Nalini Singh constructs tales of endless and enduring loves while faced with the most bitter truths of greed, betrayal, and selfishness. Her world is a paranormal replica of our own, with driving forces representing everything that is good and bad in the world. She shows us how trust, hope, faith, Love, and working together to build bridges and friendship can create the links we need to slowly reach for a better, more secure, and less tragedy-filled future. This book is no different, and serves to remind us that there is always a way to move forward. Bo and Kaia’s story is full of betrayal, pain, trust, love, and all the emotions that go with them. I’m anxious for the next book to see what happens with the unresolved pieces of the puzzle. No spoilers here. But there are questions at the end that have me thinking about what Ms. Singh is plotting next.
Though not my favorite of this series, Ocean Light is a worthy entry into the Psy-Changeling canon. As always, can’t wait for more!
Sadly this series has really gone downhill. Uninspired.
Great book
If you like Nalini Singh’s world, you’ll like this one too.
Ocean Light, A Psy-Changeling Novel by Nalini Singh was one of the BEST books I have read in ages! It was really one of the very best stories of the Psy-Changeling series! The action begins immediately. The Security Chief of the Human Alliance – Bowen Knight (Bo) – has come back from the dead! He was shot directly in his heart in a previous story. An experimental “chip” (that could fail at any moment) was implanted which has kept him alive. But it is presently just a temporary effort and he may not survive. He has been secretly moved to the bottom of the ocean to Ryujin Station – a residential habitat of water changelings. Dr. Atalina Kahananui is in charge of the experiment to save his life. The chance of his survival is so small that he can only expect to survive a little over 2 weeks. Kala Luna is a Chef on Ryujin Station. She previously worked with science projects and is assisting Dr. Kahananui with Bo. Kala is furious with Bo, blaming him with the disappearance of one of her dearest changeling friends as well as other lost changelings. Kala and Bo begin with a turbulent relationship that grows into a precious friendship and quickly a love affair. The action filled romance was wonderful to read! There were brief visits of previous Psy Changelings and Wolf Changelings who have appeared in previous stories in this story! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this story! It was so very enjoyable! Please take time to read this novel. You will not regret it!
Another great read from Nalini Singh.
Ocean Light is the second book in the Psy-Changeling spinoff series, Psy-Changeling Trinity, which focuses on the alliance (and its members) among the Psy, Changelings and Human Alliance. Instead of focusing on the races separately, we now are working toward a more integrated society with the signing of the Trinity Accord. Silence has fallen for the Psy, and they are attempting to make inroads into the human race as they have learned that, much like the empaths, they are necessary for the health of the PsyNet.
Leader of the Human Alliance, Bowen Knight, has a played a large role in previous books. We knew that he was living on borrowed time due to the protective chip in his brain, which is rapidly deteriorating. I believe it was the last book, Silver Silence, which saw Bo taking a bullet to the heart. He certainly never expected to wake submersed into the deep black sea surrounded by unfamiliar water changelings. But much like everything else, Bo takes his continued existence (and countdown to brain damage) in stoic stride. I enjoyed getting to know Bo more than we have in previous books. He is a caring and honorable man, willing to sacrifice himself for his people. And while he gets twitchy about telepaths, he doesn’t really treat any of the races different from himself. I also liked that, as a human, he was just as deadly as some of our changelings!
Kaia Luna is somewhat of a tragic heroine, and a water changeling. I will leave it to you to figure out which type. The water changelings have been so mysterious throughout the series, and we never really know what they are. I liked that their second nature was immediately laid out for us at the outset, Nalini kept us guessing for the whole book before we finally got confirmation of Kaia’s second form. I really liked Kaia. She was a mothering sort – caring for everyone equally and making sure they all got her time, attention, and cooking skills. I also respected her for giving up the science gig to do something that truly made her happy – and I would love to have an iota of her culinary skills. She thought she hid her soft-hearted nature behind a tough exterior shell, but most people saw through her and that teflon coating wasn’t so hard to crack. Her determination in this story, in spite of her extreme fear, was wonderful to behold. I was rooting for her the whole way.
The relationship between Kaia and Bowen is not instalove, but it is instant attraction, chemistry, and a realization that there was something real between them. Even when Kaia suspects Bo of carrying out evil deeds, she can’t quite dim her curiosity and desire for the man. I thought the relationship was more on the sweet side than steamy, and it unfolded at a nice pace along with the story.
Our secondary storyline in this book involves the sea changelings that have been kidnapped and mutilated in prior books. The plot is still being carried out, but its being laid on the shoulders of Bowen Knight and the Human Alliance. Bo must prove to the changelings that he hasn’t betrayed them, all the while finding a traitor in his midst. I had my suspicions as I was reading, but I didn’t predict things playing out as they did. So this was a good secondary storyline that advanced the plot nicely.
I was intrigued by the BlackSea Security Chief, Malachai, before I read this story. But I am even more curious about him now. I hope he and Mignon both have a story coming soon – I can’t wait to find out what their sea creatures are.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from the publisher, Berkley.
loved it!
This is absolutely my favorite author. The world building is stellar and her characters have such depth. This book was no exception. It has tragedy which make the joy that much sweeter. Loved it. If I could choose to be a shifter, I would definitely be an ocean species shifter.
While not my favorite, Bowen and Kaia’s romance was alright. Granted, there’s the albatross about Bowen’s luck surviving from side effects of the chip implant and recuperating from other injuries they are dealing with, but I highly enjoyed their “speed dating” moments more than anything else.
Then there’s Kaia and her Changeling friends-an absolute hoot! They’re not party animals like the bears in Silver Silence (I don’t think any creatures will top that group in terms of fun!) but the secretive nature and playfulness of the ocean changelings made this story very entertaining. And then of course there’s Mal, who I still want to know what his other form is, and my forever favorite couple Sahara and Krychek also get page time! For those scenes alone, I’m rereading this book.
I love the Psy/Changeling world Singh has created. The melting pot of character diversity is endless and utterly fascinating for my imagination! Having said that, some stories are action driven while others more character driven. Ocean Light was strongly character driven, but in a light, low angst, mildly suspenseful, highly entertaining way.
Wonderful book. With a series this long, I thought I knew what to expect, but this story felt fresh and new just the same. It worked on every level: characters, story and emotions. Especially on emotions. There was love, laughter, surprises and tears. And I loved it all.
It’s been a while since I’ve read a book by Nalini Singh and I forgot what I was missing. This was an excellent story, written by a woman who is a true master at her craft. The characters, storylines, and word-building are amazing. I look forward to more in this series.
I received a reader copy of this book from the publisher, via their First to Read Program.
I have to admit that I love Nalini Singh’s changelings more than her PSY. And every time she writes a story centered on changelings I’m going into DO NOT DISTURB MODE.
Ocean Light was fabulous. Not action packed, just character driven, slow burn, swoony, sweet, heart-achingly beautiful at times and all around awesome.
What I LOVED most about this book was the story between Bowen and Kaia.
Bowen has been a part of this series for a long time now. As a human, he was never big on my radar. I love changeling alphas, and I’m not shy to admit it. Hawke, being my favorite is hard to compete with. But in his own way Bowen was FANTASTIC!!!
Honestly, he had the odds stacked against him from the very beginning. Human, a ticking time bomb in his head – he was a dead man walking. But somehow he was enigmatic, intense, alpha, sensitive, and surprisingly fascinating without being a changeling. The author wrote a worthy human alpha, one that could hold his own against his changeling counterparts. A guy I wouldn’t kick out of my life or bed. And Kaia understood pretty early on what she had in front of her. Although both had reasons to be wary, to keep their distance, and not to trust the other race, when the heart spoke they both listened.
I think that’s what I’ve come to adore about Nalini Singh’s books.
Her never-ending patience with her characters. She puts thought and heart into her books. Her characters have personalities that I admire, adore and would love to call friends. Bowen and Kaia were mature, levelheaded, and used to taking care of their pack. Neither Bowen nor Kaia were on the look out for their other half. Bowen, as the head of the Human Alliance was too focused on his peoples survival to even consider finding a mate during such trying times. And Kaia had her own reasons for being single. She was beloved by everyone, and found solace in the deep and didn’t intent to change the status quo anytime soon. But when they came together they just clicked. Bowen and Kaia were like a warm breeze, comforting, warm, they gave me a feel-good and satisfying glow that checked all my boxes.
Ocean Light worked for me on so many levels.
The underwater deep sea station was utterly and endlessly fascinating. The BlackSea pack was more intriguing than I ever thought possible, especially with their secretive ways. I loved finding out which animals each changeling was, because the options were unlimited. And I really hope the author writes more books about BlackSea, especially Malachai and Miane deserve their own book – that’s a power couple right there. And I adore power couples – Hawke and Sienna are the best example.
Ocean Light continues the Psy-Changeling Trinity series, but I really feel you could probably grab this one without being lost. Ocean Light focuses on a changeling group that has been introduced in previous books but is VERY secretive so I was dying to get more info on Black Sea.
We initially met Bowen Knight early on in the initial Psy-Changeling series. He is the security chief for the Human Alliance. His hatred for the Psy runs deep due to a traumatic event when he was a child. This leads him to get a chip implanted in his brain to block psychic interference. Bad idea when the chip wasn’t fully tested and now he has only days to live. He gets shot at the end of Silver Silence and ends up at the hands of a doctor in Black Sea who MIGHT have a way to save him.
Kaia also had a traumatic event in her past, but it caused her to hate humans. She hasn’t set foot on land since her parents death and spends most of her time in one of Black Sea’s underwater cities. She gave up her career in science and now serves as the head chef for the city. There are instant sparks between Bowen and Kaia, and she is NOT happy about that. First, he is human. Second, he is the leader of the Human Alliance and she had recently learned some information that made them sound shady. Finally, she knows his chance of survival is only 5%. None of that is able to prevent her for falling for Bowen.
Both Bowen and Kaia have some serious issues with racism. Bo hates all the Psy. He is getting better and more open minded. I understand WHY he hates them, but to treat a whole race with disdain because of the actions of one? Not cool. Kaia is even worse though. She has such a deep hatred for humans because they didn’t save her parents that she refuses to interact with them in any way. She always assumes the worst of humans. Again, I get it-some humans did her wrong. But, seriously, to hate a whole race because of a small group?
Plot wise, you have the push/pull of attraction between Bo and Kaia, the eminent and deadly malfunction of the chip in Bo’s brain, the mystery of who is the mole in Black Sea and the Human Alliance, and what kind of shifter is Kaia. Seriously, I was DYING to know! All Black Sea members are very secretive about their animal which is so different from the previous changelings and was fascinating.
Like all Singh books, I love the depth she brings to all the characters. Kaia and Bowen might not be my favorite couple, but Singh develops them so well that you still appreciate them. Like always, I adored the supporting cast of characters because they add so much to the story. The Psy-Changeling books are always going to be favorites of mine and I will reread many times to come because I just adore the world Singh has created.
As always, Angela Dawe does a phenomenal job with narration. Her performance is always spot on and delightful!
3.5 Stars
Assuming you’ve read Silver Silence you know what condition Bowan Knight was in last time we “saw” him. (if you haven’t read it OH EM GEE! Do it, do it now!! I adored it!) life hanging by a thread … his heart obliterated by the enemy. Sacrificing himself to save the life of a loved one (keeping it on the down-low in case you haven’t read it yet but want to) In Ocean Light we pick up where we left off where Bo’s life is concerned. While Bowan may have survived the previous incident his life still hangs precariously by a thread, with “a 95% chance of oblivion”.
Ocean Light is Bowen Knight’s tale of survival and love. Bo, the leader of the human Alliance must put everything he knows on the line. Making a brave choice to do anything to protect the human race to save the lives of the people he holds dear. When we met Bo in book 1 of the Psy-Changeling Trinity we only get a glimpse of the strong and mysterious “human alpha” of the Alliance. In all honesty, I can’t even say I cared for him that much in the first book. I didn’t trust him and I didn’t understand him… That all changed in this book *sigh…dreamy eyes* author Nalini Singh shows us that everyone has a story…
Some of the mysteries of BlackSea are finally revealed and once again the author shows us that all clans are “ohana” and as a unity, they are beautiful and protective when they come together. However…deception and treachery seem to be coming from the inside of either the human alliance or BlackSea…maybe both. Whatever future or lack thereof, Bo may have, he wants to find out what’s happening and if the humans can be involved.
Kaia, a water changeling and a member of BlackSea, wants to hate Bo…yet with her caring heart, that proves quite difficult. Suspicious of Bo and his involvement with what has been plaguing the BlackSea clan she tries her best to keep him at a distance. Determined to discover if he’s involved or if she can trust him with her heart.
I had an instant love for Kaia’s character. She made me laugh and smile and I was also very intrigued as to what her changeling form may be… you see BlackSea is made up of all the underground creatures from the deep. All unified and protective of one another. While also very secretive on what their “other” form may be. In fact, it took me till 77% before I could finally have my suspicions confirmed or denied on what Kaia’s other form was. Which I thought was a fun little touch from the author to keep us on our toes.
I found this to be a great book that kept me engaged and put a smile on my face. I loved the twist at the end that I didn’t see coming. (love when the author can catch you off guard and keep you guessing! Ocean Light is also a sweet romance between Bo and Kaia that made it an easy read for sure. I love the author’s writing style and her imagination. The world(s) she has created has made me want to read her previous novels and has me on the edge of my seat for the next Psy-Changeling novel and wondering who it could be about… no seriously! If y’all find out you have to tell me!!!
Thanks to Berkley Romance Publishing for a final hardback copy/ARC and Nalini Singh for the opportunity to review.
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