I am an idiot for waiting to pick this series up. Nalini Singh’s 2006 series debut, Slave To Sensation, is a heart gripping and binge worthy series starter that you literally cannot put down. Past Sam was a brilliant genius for collecting every book in this series–but she was a bigger idiot for waiting so long to actually read it. So grab your popcorn and let me tell you all about how I got hooked on some shifters and their Psys.
Genres: Paranormal/Science Fiction RomancePublisher: Berkley Sensation
Publication Date: September 5th 2006
Source: Owned
Format: e-book / audiobook – Library/Libby
Dive into a world torn apart by a powerful race with phenomenal powers of the mind—and none of the heart . . .
In a world that denies emotions, where the ruling Psy punish any sign of desire, Sascha Duncan must conceal the feelings that brand her as flawed. To reveal them would be to sentence herself to the horror of “rehabilitation”—the complete psychic erasure of everything she ever was . . .
Both human and animal, Lucas Hunter is a Changeling hungry for the very sensations the Psy disdain. After centuries of uneasy co-existence, these two races are now on the verge of war over the brutal murders of several Changeling women. Lucas is determined to find the Psy killer who butchered his packmate, and Sascha is his ticket into their closely guarded society. But he soon discovers that this ice-cold Psy is very capable of passion—and that the animal in him is fascinated by her.
Caught between their conflicting worlds, Lucas and Sascha must remain bound to their identities—or sacrifice everything for a taste of darkest temptation . . .
“She was his and he was hers. They had under-the-skin privileges.”
For those who follow me on Instagram (and those who’ve read my content here for a hot minute) you’ll know that I own almost the entire backlist and writing collection of Nalini Singh—but I have never read a single thing from her. I like to blame my addiction and/or obsession depending on the way you look at things—as the reason for me owning THAT many books from an author that I haven’t read yet; but alas its probably because I have absolutely no self control when I’m at a bookstore and like Pokémon: I gotta catch ‘em all!
This summer I finally can say that I’ve read something from Nalini Singh. After the persuasion of my dear friend Ruby (@bookishlyruby) I jumped into the world of Psys and Changelings, and holy crackers and I’m obsessed.
Slave to Sensation follows the story of Sascha and Lucas in a world where there are three different types of species living amongst each other, ordinary humans, Changelings (shape shifters), and the Psy—a race of intelligent beings who have pride themselves on living without flaws as they have eradicated the one thing that brings flaws—emotions (think Vulcans on acid).
Sascha is a Cardinal Psy (Top tier Psy) who has had to hide her flaw of feeling and craving sensations, her entire life. Lucas on the other hand, is a leopard Changeling, and the alpha of the DarkRiver pack who is on the hunt for the murderer of a series of young changeling girls. But when given the opportunity to infiltrate the Psy’s inner circle, he finds himself and his inner animal completely intrigued by the Psy with a secret.
Ya’ll when I tell you, a day hasn’t gone by since I have read this book where I didn’t think about these characters and this world, I genuinely mean it. I have absolutely nothing to compare this too, but I feel in the depth of my being that Nalini put her entire soul into this story. I was completely engaged from start to finish. The characters and world building were so thought and fleshed out that I felt like I was truly inside this world and these things were actually happening. I had no trouble losing myself in the struggles that Sascha faced as a “flawed” Psy and I absolutely adored watching her grow throughout the story and fall for the magnificence that is Lucas.
From start to finish, this is a story that left me captivated and begging for more. A beautiful marriage between paranormal and science fiction romance, Slave to Sensation will have you addicted to and procrastinating all other reads. Honestly, stop what you’re doing and go read this story (and series—because I know you wont be able to stop at one), you can thank me later.
I’ve been meaning to read this for so long and I have the paperback sitting on my shelf, and now I’m like 👀 I need it! Wonderful review 🥰
Great review you have ofo this one. I adored this book so much! Singh writes the most fascinating pack dynamics, no other author has done it like her.
Love your review Sammy Sam, and I am very happy I pestered you into reading this marvelousness. I truly adore this series, as you know. And you know…now it’s on to the next one! mwhahahahahahaha