Silver Silence

April 24, 2017
Singh (Allegiance of Honor) opens a subseries (which she refers to as “season two”) of her near-future Psy/Changeling saga with a powerful examination of what happens in the wake of a new world order. Ever since childhood, psy Silver Mercant, scion of the powerful, secretive Mercant family, has held to the protocol called Silence: all of her emotions trained away to simple efficiency. Her commitment to this ideal is tested by Valentin Nikolaev, a large, lovable Russian bear changeling who delights in poking at her defenses. Valentin has many responsibilities: as alpha of the StoneWater bears, he is the heart of his clan, and is trying to repair a damaging rift caused by his father. He’s deeply attached to Silver, and when an attempt is made on her life in Moscow, he moves heaven and earth to keep her safe and find the ones responsible. With the Human Alliance making waves and prohuman sentiments gaining political ground, it’s up to Valentin, Silver, and their loved ones to keep the fledgling Trinity Accord, a compact of agreement among the psy, changelings, and humans, from being perverted for the gain of any one group. Fans of earlier Psy/Changeling books will delight in the return of familiar faces as well as the perfect blend of humor, action, and intrigue, but new readers will be at sea. Agent: Nephele Tempest, Knight Agency.

April 15, 2017
After a murder attempt on Silver Mercant's life, she is sheltered by a bear changeling clan, and just as she decides to bond with the StoneWaters' alpha, a long-dormant genetic mutation threatens her health and happiness.As head of the psychic network known as EmNet, heir apparent to the renowned Mercant family, and high-profile supporter of the Trinity Accord, Silver has collected a few enemies, but when someone poisons her, she's saved by the timely intervention of the alpha of a nearby bear changeling clan. Valentin Nikolaev is fascinated by the brilliant Psy beauty and has tried to woo her, an aspiration aided when his clan harbors her in its heavily protected compound. Their enforced proximity allows her to see the many facets of his complicated personality and feel the power of his attraction. Silver has always appreciated Silence--the state of shut-down emotions previously mandated by the Psy race--but is intrigued by her newfound feelings for Valentin, his clan, and her family. Unfortunately, once she decides to explore emotions, she is overwhelmed by an ability to psychically "hear" an avalanche of feelings around her, long-suppressed by her Silence training. Some of the best scientists in the world are willing to help her, but it's possible that by being healed, she'll lose her ability to feel emotion--and therefore her love for Valentin. Meanwhile, she must navigate attacks around the world, threats to the Trinity Accord, and the investigation into her attempted murder. The next chapter of the Psy-Changeling world begins with new, shadowy villains and a new changeling race, bears. Hero Valentin's gregarious bearlike demeanor and affection are an interesting, effective match for the cool, collected Silver--especially in Singh's talented hands. A worthy addition to a must-read series.

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May 1, 2017
Silver thrives in the coldness of Silence. The practice of disconnecting from emotion and physical sensation gives the Psy telepath the control she needs to run the international relief organization EmNet. The Mercant family and her species need her icy armor. Valentin doesn't see that. Instead the persistent bear changeling and alpha of the StoneWater clan detects the fire inside Silver. When Silver seeks refuge at StoneWater's den after an attempted assassination, Valentin sees it as an opportunity to stoke the flames of his Starlight. Silver feels she must concentrate on her job and the world's tumultuous political situation between humans, changelings, and Psy while in StoneWater. But she can't fight the feelings Valentin arouses every time they touch. Silence is golden, but temptation can be stronger. Singh's new story arc in the Psy-Changeling series (Allegiance of Honor, 2016) is the perfect opportunity for first-time Singh readers to jump into her vast, sprawling world. Avid fans will be happy that Singh weaves tidbits of her original series into the delicate threads of Silver and Valentin's story.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)