Blaze of Memory

Unfortunately just didn't really connect with this one. I don't think there's anything wrong with the characters, per say, it's just that they didn't hook me like a lot of the other couples did. Maybe I just didn't enjoy being outside of the packs after spending so many books with them, even though there are only so many established characters in the packs to draw from for stories.

Most of Singh's books are insta-love by definition, but this one was especially egregious in my opinion. I don't know the exact timeline but it felt like these two only really knew each other for about a week before they were committed for life. I'm pretty sure their first charged encounter only happened like a day or two? After they met officially. With no Changeling mating bond to hand-wave it away since these two are Psy, it was a little much for me.

Also just didn't really like the prisoner/jailer dynamic these two had going on for most of the book. It makes sense within the plot, but given Katya's background this just seems like something that would need a lot of distance and care before it could turn romantic, and they just didn't do that. It made me a little uncomfortable.

The lore saved it though. We got even more insight into the Council, Councillors, and the first stirrings of what's happening to the PsyNet in the Trinity series, so I'm still super excited for the next one!

C.A.P.E Rating:Characters - 4/5Atmosphere - 5/5Plot - 4/5Enjoyment - 3/5

I have been thinking about how this book ended as I continued the series and its been nagging at me so much that I had to put my thoughts out there...I think that this book (and series) would be more compelling if Katya had actually died. The facts are that you can't save everyone. While I understand that some series (and it appears this one as well) stick to the moral guidelines that only bad people die - I personally think that the series is slowly escalating towards a breaking point and Katya's death would not only continue that escalation but also provide a compelling reason towards working against the Silence protocol, the Council, and Ming especially.

I liked this one, even though it made me cry. One thing I couldn't understand is Katya's compulsion to go north to Sunshine. I don't see how it fits into the story except to give them a couple of days to themselves. The other thing I didn't get was his possessivness. He's not changeling, he shouldn't be all “You're Mine”.

Re-read 2019:
Yup still really dislike Dev and the whole dynamic of their relationship. The things going on in the background though do seem important and that interests me still.
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After coming from So. Many. Good. Couples. Blaze of Memory really fell flat to me.
Everything was really slow to me, unchanging until closer to the end, so honestly, I started skipping pages. The only parts I truly read with care had the other characters in them.

It also doesn't help that even before this book I didn't actually like Dev. He always gave me a weird feeling... and then in this book I figured out why. I wasn't just that he was controlling, all the other males have been super controlling so I get it, but he's controlling her because she's the enemy yet he loves her. ??? One moment he's talking about how he might have to kill her and the next they are on the verge of sex? Like ???? NO! ugh please no. And “oh domestic abuse is a thing with me.' Yet, he won't let her live? She has to always be near him and continuously says he'll kill her if need be.... all this after being traumatized by torture.

After the first 100pgs or so I stopped trying to understand their romance. Give me back Judd&Bren or more Faith&Vaughn. Still controlling assholes but, I thought they had more emotion, more tenderness, and LOVE! More time for the love to come about not just infatuation... or at least it was explained because of the mating process. Idk... I'm hoping the next book is better... I like Max but, I didn't see him as protective/possessive so if she tries that I think I'll be annoyed. Not all men have to be possessive and protective to be hot and amazing.