A brilliantly plotted, action-packed, and completely satisfying celebration of the series.
The barriers among Psy, Changeling, and human are falling, but not everyone is happy with the new order, and those determined to shatter it will attack the most vulnerable to do so.
Singh returns with the 15th book in her paranormal Psy-Changeling series set on Earth a few generations in the future. The past three and a half years have been filled with an aggressive power grab from the Psy Council, arguably the most ruthless and dangerous leaders in history. Meanwhile, Changelings across the planet have entered into alliances to stand united against the Council, overcoming ancient habits of remote isolation to find strength together. This new paradigm of cooperation has filtered into every aspect of life and has overturned the brutal Psy Silence, the social measure that prohibited emotions. New leaders have emerged, most of whom are motivated less by power or greed and more by family and friendship. Not everyone is pleased by the new direction, and those interested in undermining the emerging world order will strike at the heart of those things the rising leaders hold most dear and which most threaten proponents of the old regime: mixed race children, for one, like Naya Hunter, daughter of Lucas Hunter, the DarkRiver leopard pack alpha, and his mate, Sascha, who escaped the brutal oppression of Silence despite being part of one of the most influential Psy families. In an author's note, Singh says her last book, Shards of Hope (2015), ended "the first arc, or season one, of the series, while also opening season two." This book can be seen as a check-in with the characters from the series so far, as well as a wrap-up of some unresolved storylines, before moving on to the next phase. Between all the matchmaking she's done for her characters, Singh has spent 14 books weaving relationships and tightening friendships, and here she’s illustrating the tight bonds that have formed and celebrating the children who have been born, free of isolationism and Silence. There are threats, shadowy enemies, implied conspiracies, and a dangling romance that is tied up, but for the most part, this book is the party at the end of the war.
A brilliantly plotted, action-packed, and completely satisfying celebration of the series.Pub Date: June 14, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-101-98776-6
Page Count: 496
Publisher: Penguin
Review Posted Online: May 3, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2016
A scheming rival and an obsessive fan convince a TV star that she's a long way from Kansas—in more sudsy romantic suspense from Roberts (Honest Illusions, 1992). Deanna Reynolds and Angela Perkins are both smart, talented, attractive, and ambitious. The big difference between the two talk- show hosts is that Angela is an attention-hungry woman desperate to maintain her fading charms and worshipful audience at all costs, while Dee maintains her Midwestern values even as her Chicago-based show makes her a star and threatens Angela's in New York. Angela, who was once Dee's mentor, has never forgiven the younger woman for turning down her offer to come to New York with her. Even less forgivable is Dee's romance with Finn Riley, a footloose foreign correspondent and once Angela's lover. Finn, who coolly calls in exclusives from a crash-landing 747, shrugs off a bullet wound while he broadcasts live during a shootout, and indisputably earns the nickname "Desert Hunk" during the Gulf War, finds his match in the unbelievably beautiful, desirable, and sweet Deanna. While the two make seismic love on any available surface and Angela plots Dee's downfall in the ratings, a secret admirer (whose identity is more obvious than the author must have intended) writes her love notes. Then, one by one, he begins to kill off all the people who have hurt or betrayed her—and attempts to realize his insane dream of making Deanna entirely his own. A sexy hero whose no-nonsense presence cuts through the vapors and cattiness of the womenfolk and a convincing behind-the-scenes look at TV—both help make up for the weak humor, implausible plot, and trite glitz of this predictable novel.
Pub Date: July 1, 1993
ISBN: 0425190382
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Putnam
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 1993
A fun, snappy read about the over-the-top world of private school admissions and the unbreakable bonds of family.
The director of admissions at a prestigious private school attempts to balance her job, her family, and her love life in Frank and Youmans’ debut.
Once upon a time, Josie Bordelon was walking the catwalk as a sought-after fashion model. Now that she’s almost 40, she’s the director of admissions at Fairchild Country Day School, an ultraprestigious private school in San Francisco. Josie’s used to being the only black woman in a largely white male–dominated field, and after all these years, she knows what to expect from her job—overscheduled children, pushy parents, and a boss who wants to undermine her. While she may be killing it at work, her personal life is another story. She hasn’t had a serious boyfriend in years, much to the chagrin of her Aunt Viv and her best friend, Lola. It’s too bad that the only man who’s caught Josie’s eye lately is a married and gay dad of a prospective student. And even though Josie just wants her daughter, Etta, to attend an Ivy League college and major in something practical, Etta insists she wants to follow her ballet dreams and study dance at Julliard. But it turns out that Etta’s career goals aren’t the only shock Josie’s about to face—her job, her romantic life, and her own Aunt Viv have plenty of surprises up their sleeves. While Josie’s budding relationship is certainly interesting, it takes a back seat to the rest of the plot, and it never quite gets the chance to blossom. The book shines, however, when it comes to the Bordelon women, especially Josie’s hardworking and hilariously meddling Aunt Viv, who clearly loves Josie and Etta more than anything. The family’s bond comes across vividly on the page, manifesting in sometimes-gentle and occasionally not-so-gentle banter among the three women. Frank and Youmans create strong voices even for the side characters, like Josie’s no-nonsense teacher BFF, her quick-witted assistant, her clueless boss, and Etta’s snooty ballet teacher.
A fun, snappy read about the over-the-top world of private school admissions and the unbreakable bonds of family.Pub Date: May 5, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-593-08502-8
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Putnam
Review Posted Online: Feb. 8, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2020
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