My hold finally came in on this 6th book. I mean I know this isn't top-end lit, but I am invested in this binge read and waiting like, two weeks, for this story to continue was not really what I had hoped for when starting. There's a momentum to the series that I am well into now and considering how fast I'm reading them (these are all one-sitting/less than 24 hour reads), waiting in between them is excruciating. Dramatic? Yes. But here we are. Anyways, I finally got it. 

 

This sixth book is centered on Mercy (a DarkRiver sentinel) and Riley (a SnowDancer lieutenant, and Brenna's older brother). Their romance is pretty straightforward, as they go. They're high up in the pack ranks of two different species of changelings, which is where most of the drama comes from. Both are very dominant, which is a particular challenge, as normally the males "win" that relationship aspect during mating, but Mercy is strong and refuses to be overtaken that way. Plus, there is pack loyalty versus mate loyalty to deal with. But at the end of the day, different from most of our couples to date, they've known each other for a long time, know what mating entails, and just have to decide what their choices are on that front.   

 

A note here, this installation had all the sex and steamy scenes that the last one was missing. Not that I wasn't into Dorian and Ashaya, but there was more mental/emotional connection for them, so I was hoping for more of that in the next book. And this pairing did not disappoint. It makes sense, since they're both changelings, so that physicality comes more quickly and naturally. So yea, the physical piece of Mercy and Riley's relationship started early, in the second chapter maybe, and held on throughout. And I was here for it. Sort of related, I loved that we finally got a dual dominant romance. I mean, I know I've said (and stand by) that I have a soft spot for an overprotective male in a paranormal romance story. But by this 6th book, I was ready for a little "mix-up" on that front. And Mercy gave as good as, if not better than, she got; challenging on numerous fronts and refusing to be the first to back down or give way, until they found a rhythm and pattern to their compromise, after a few missteps, of course. Definitely a nice, fresh take on the changeling mating situation that was necessary this deep into the series. 

 

Outside of that, there was a lot of movement in the overarching three species interaction story, as the PsyNet shows further cracks and the challenge to Silence grows. There was great development of internal Council politics - as the series moves forwards we get a little more revealed of that with each book and it's paced well (plus Kaleb's mysteriousness gets ever deeper...). Lots of human details are added into this one as well, from both power grab and cooperation perspectives. Also, with Riley and Mercy's coming together, the alliance between their two packs takes a big shift into the ever-more-interconnected/dependent. And the focus on these two packs to this extent really allowed for some great new character intros and revisiting of old characters. Big moves for Lucas and Sascha (and a reconnection of Sascha and her mother that I assume will reappear in a number of ways moving forwards), plus some time with Brenna and Ashaya, Mercy's family, lots of Hawke and Sienna, some Kit and other younger members. It was just a great book for adding wider depth and development to changeling interactions (internally, inter-pack, and further inter-species).  

 

Overall, I think this is one of my favorite stories so far, for both the leading couple and the greater human-Psy-changeling story. I really enjoyed it (maybe it was because I had to wait for it, but I truly do think it was one of the better ones) and I'm already partway into book seven. Maybe I have a problem, but I'm not sorry. Haha.