Monday, July 23, 2012

"Tangle Of Need" by Nalini Singh (originally written May 29, 2012)

This is the first of my older reviews that I'll post on this blog, so I thought starting with a book from my favorite author would be a good idea. I edited the review a bit, so this isn't the original, but the updated version of it.

5+ stars

Story (part of the synopsis from Goodreads):

Adria, wolf changeling and resilient soldier, has made a break with the past--one as unpredictable in love as it was in war. Now comes a new territory, and a devastating new complication: Riaz, a SnowDancer lieutenant already sworn to a desperate woman who belongs to another.
For Riaz, the primal attraction he feels for Adria is a staggering betrayal. For Adria, his dangerous lone-wolf appeal is beyond sexual. It consumes her. It terrifies her. It threatens to undermine everything she has built of her new life. But fighting their wild compulsion toward one another proves a losing battle.

Before I start with my actual review let me just tell you about my thoughts and expectations BEFORE I started reading "Tangle of Need":
  • I really didn't like Adria. She seemed overbearing, cold and bitter and even though I tried to tell myself that being in a BAD relationship could do that to you I just couldn't shake my feelings of dislike towards her.
  • I was completely convinced that the fact that Riaz had already found his mate, but couldn't be with her would ruin the love story in "Tangle of Need". There are just some things that absolutely don't work for me in romance books and a man who wants another woman while having a relationship (or even just sex) with someone else is one of them.
  • There was just no way any story could measure up to the standard Nalini Singh set for herself after writing a book as perfect as "Kiss of Snow". It's just not possible.
But since Nalini Singh is one of my favorite authors and I just had to know what happened next in the Psy/Changeling-series I bought a copy as soon as it came out. Of course.

These were my thoughts AFTER I finished "Tangle of Need":
  • Nalini Singh is a genius and I'll never ever doubt her again!
I can't even describe how much I loved this book. It did definitely measure up to "Kiss of Snow". I was so convinced that the mass of issues and prior bad experienced that Riaz and Adria dragged into their relationship would make it impossible for me to fully enjoy their love story. But while there were some painful moments, their individual and shared developments were utterly satisfying and heart-warming. Unbelievable but true, this was a truly happy story. I found myself smiling throughout this whole book and at the end I almost cried some happy tears. But since I'm made of harder stuff than that I didn't. Of course. I just had something in my eye.
Riaz is just as adorable (in a very feral way) as all her other heroes and even though I had my reservations about Adria I couldn't hold on to them for more than 20 pages. She's such a strong and affectionate person despite the things she has gone through. I respected her for her courage and was amazed by the way she handled Riaz's dominant and instinctive antics.

What made me almost as happy was the fact that we got to read a lot about the Arrows (especially Aden and Vasic), as well as Kaleb. For the first time I had a feeling that I actually got a glimpse at the person behind the icy exterior of the teleporter, while Kaleb is still as big a mystery as he was before, but let me just say, after reading the last chapter of the book I simply can't wait for his book. The fact that I have to wait at least until next year is driving me crazy!

Other than that I was delighted that Nalini Singh gave all of the Snow Dancers, as well as some of the Dark River cats some page time in "Tangle of Need". Especially Hawke and Sienna have been featured generously and I'm happy to announce that they are just as great as the were in "Kiss of Snow". Prepare yourself for some delicious scenes.
So logically the focus of the book wasn't entirely on Adria and Riaz, it was more like a book about the whole Snow Dancer pack. I didn't have a problem with that, since I love to read about characters from previous books, as well as get to know the rest of the pack a little bit better. In my opinion Nalini Singh still did a fabulous job of highlighting Adria and Riaz's relationship.

If you haven't already ordered the book you should do it now. I mean it, do it right this second because this is a story that you just don't want to miss! :D 

So, have you read the book or something else by Nalini Singh? Did you love it as much as I did? If you haven't yet read something by the author, what's keeping you from it? ;]

6 comments:

  1. I love the Psy-Changeling series by Nalini Singh so much!! But her other series isn't my thing. ;)

    I loved the fact that Tangle of Need was more a sequel to Kiss of Snow than anything else. ;)

    I met Nalini in June in Dortmund and told her that and she laughed and said that she has so much more to tell about Hawke and Sienna. So cute! :3

    She's definitly one of my fav authors!

    Btw: I like your blog! Mind if I link you on mine??

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    1. I love her series as well (I do enjoy the Guild Hunter series, but the Psy/Changeling-series is my absolute favorite!) it's just so vibrant and lovely. And it's getting better and better with every book. :] Waiting for the Gost's book is killing me! But I'm really looking forward to the novellas that are coming out next. More stories about the Snow Dancers, yay! ;)

      It's so great that you had the opportunity to meet her in person. I wish I would have been able to see her as well, since she is one my favorite authors!

      And of course I don't mind if you want to link me on your blog. Feel free! :] I did the same, hope that's okay!

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    2. Oh yes me too!! :) Which is your favorite book of the series?? :)

      I read the first book of the Guild Hunter series but I am not a huge fan of the whole angel thing and it didn't work for me. :/

      She really is such a cute and nice person!!

      Of course that's okay. Your linked and followed. ;)

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    3. That's so hard, but "Caressed By Ice" is definitely one of my favorites. I love Judd so much! The way he only shows his emotions for Brenna and his family (and by now slowly for his pack as well) is so touching!
      Then of course, there's "Kiss Of Snow". Hawke. That's all I have to say ;]
      What suprised me was how much I enjoyed "Bonds Of Justice". But Max and Sophie were just so adorable. And I really liked that he was "just" human for a change.
      I can't decide. Really, I love all of them! xD
      Which one do you like best?

      It took me a while to get into the new setting and the whole power dynamic of her new world, but by the time I was reading "Archangel's Kiss" I didn't want to stop! But I can understand that the whole angel/vampire thing isn't after everyone's taste.

      I can only judge by her tweets/blog post/fb status/interviews, but she seems like an extremely sweet person.

      Thanks! :]

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    4. Haha! I think "Caressed by Ice" is such a favorite book because it's one of mine too! I love Judd. He's awesome! I also love "Kiss if Snow" of course because Hawke is awesome!!!
      I also like Drew & Mercy's story. So cute!

      First I wanted to read the second book but well...I decided to let it go. I have a problem with angels in general which has to do with my study and one of my final exams...and yeah since that angels aren't my fav creatures in fantasy or paranormal romance novels.

      Happy Friday!!

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    5. It's almost impossible to pick one isn't it? :) And you're right, "Branded By Fire" was great as well!

      I think I read on your blog that you studied theology, is that right? I guess that gives you a completely diffrent approach to the theme of angels. I actually haven't read any other books involving angels, so I don't really know if I like them in paranormal romance novels. I liked Nalini Singh's portrayal of them, but there hasn't been another series or book involving angels that appealed to me, so I have no way of comparison.

      Have a great Friday as well! :]

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