Review: Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh

Nalini Singh’s Slave to Sensation is very much paranormal romance canon at this point. It came out in September of 2006 which means it’s going on ten years old. Hard to believe! When this book first released, I will totally admit, I was not interested. I was really done with paranormal romance in a big way since during that time period, there was so so much PNR being published. It actually wasn’t until the second book, Visions of Heat, was released that I jumped backwards and devoured Slave to Sensation. It is a book (and a series!) that has stayed with me in a major way. It is a series I have re-read numerous times at this point and it all began with the amazing love story that is Lucas and Sascha. Berkeley is doing a special re-release of this book to coincide with Nalini Singh’s upcoming NEW book, Shards of Hope, which is due out on June 2. I love the background in the new cover since the DarkRiver clan is set in the mountains amidst forests and nature. I will say, not quite as huge of a fan of the dude on the cover, but then, the original cover is kind of a favorite for me, for nostalgia’s sake.

Slave to Sensation is the perfect book to read if you are looking for strong characters (especially resilient and amazing women). If you need a fully realized world but don’t want to get too far into a “fantasy” type realm, this book is for you. Singh recreates the world of San Francisco and uses it to explore the territory of the DarkRiver and SnowDancer clans.

I love traditionally sexy men in my books and Lucas definitely fits that bill. But he is also really unique and a great Alpha character. He treats Sascha so tenderly that it is lovely to watch their love story unfold. And then of course, there is the intrigue and battles with the Psy, a race of people that feel no emotions. The changelings feel EVERYTHING so Lucas is definitely bewildered by Sascha. He doesn’t trust her and she doesn’t trust him. It is the makings of a perfect romance, right?

I have tried to convert as many people as possible to this series. Even now, fourteen books into the series, I remain as passionate and intrigued about this world and these characters as I did when I first started. Nalini Singh has full control over the Psy/Changeling series and it shows because each book takes a deeper turn and explores a new moment in the present (and history sometimes!) of this world. My personal favorite is book three, Caressed by Ice, which I was lucky enough to get Nalini Singh to sign way back in 2010 or so. Slave to Sensation definitely holds a special place for me though because it is the very beginning. This is where I truly became hooked and enmeshed in the series. Remember how I started with book two? Well, as much as I loved Lucas and Faith’s love story (still do!) I was so intrigued by the world building that I knew I had to start with the first book and go from there. This series truly builds on each book and is best read in order.

And when you finally read this book (if you haven’t yet!) be sure to let me know what you think. This is a series I love talking about. It’s how I met a very cool friend actually as we both bonded over this series.

And just remember, the newest book, Shards of Hope, comes out June 2 and it is a GOOD ONE! (I was lucky enough to read it early–review to come!).

Tagged: Nalini Singh, Paranormal romance