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Heart of Obsidian
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Heart of Obsidian (Psy-Changeling #12) by Nalini Singh--Start date June 9th?
I started a buddy read of the series with someone that ended with the 5th book. She had a family commitment that got in the way. Now I know the last book and a nice index in it, but I figured what the hay, I'll post what I had at the time here. I'll see if I can get it up to date if you guys like it else I'll delete it. Let me know.
Psy Designations
M-Psy = Medic; Healers; can look inside the body and the physical causes of illness
E-Psy = Empath
F-Psy = Foreseers; Can Foretell the future
Tk-Psy = Telekinetic; (Teleportation in some)
Tp-Psy = Telepathy;
Ps-Psy = Psychometry
TK-Cell - basic power is TK, but it has a designation called cell. The person can change things on a cellular level. They can remove scars or repair hearts using cells from other places. They cannot, however, create new cells.
Arrow =
Other skills:
Transmutation
Mind Virus (???term for it???)
Blurring/Smudging ability to make yourself appear invisible to others
Members of DarkRiver Pack
Territory - California or just San Francisco?
Mainly leopards(Changeling)
Lucas Hunter - Alpha Leader
Sascha Duncan - Psy defector/Lucas' mate/E-Psy
Vaughn D'Angelo - Sentinel (jaguar)
Faith NightStar - Psy defector/Vaughn's mate/F-Psy
Clay Bennett - Sentinel/Talin's mate/Had different last name as a child
Talin McKade - Human who is 3% Psy/Clay's friend from childhood and mate
Mercy
Tasmyn - Healer
Nate
Dorian - Can't fully change to leopard
Jonquil Duchslaya
Noor Hassan
Members of SnowDancers Pack
Mainly wolves (Changeling)
Territory - California or just San Francisco?
Headquarters in the Sierra Nevada Mountains
Live in tunnels underground
Hawke - Alpha Leader
Indigo - Lieutenant
Andrew Kincaid - Riley's and Brenna's brother
Riley Kincaid - Andrew's and Brenna's brother
Brenna Shane Kincaid - Only survivor of Enrique's serial attacks/Andrew's and Riley's sister
Tai
Elias
Laurens (Psy defectors/now members of SnowDancers Pack)
Sienna - Toby's sister/Walker's & Judd's Niece
Toby - Sienna's brother/Walker's & Judd's Nephew
Marlee - Walker's daughter
Judd - Waler's Brother/former Arrow/Lieutenant
Walker - Judd's brother/ Marlee's Dad
Members of DarkEdge Pack
Territory: Moscow
Wolves
Members Unknown
Members of ???? Pack
Territory: ???
Eagles
Members unknown
Members of the PineWood Pack
Hyenas
Territory: California (San Francisco area?)
Members of the DeerSky Pack
Deer
Territory: California (San Francisco area?)
Members of the Rat Pack (lol)
Rats
Territory: San Francisco Underground (aka Down Below)
Teijon
Pack name and region unknown but reserving this for them
Members of NightStar Group/Clan (PSY)
Anthony (head)
Faith
Juniper
Members of Liu Group/Clan
Jen Liu (head)
Members of the Psy Council (there are 7):
Nikita Duncan - Can kill via mental Virus
Henry Scott (married to Soshana)
Soshana Scott (married to Henry)
Tatiana Rika-Smythe
Ming LeBon - Head of Arrows and former Arrow
Kaleb Krychek - Cardinal/Tk-Psy/Enrique's protégé/Is power hungry (Could he be the Ghost? He's our prime suspect)
Anthony Kyriakus (Nightstar) - newest council member and leader of rebels as well as Faith's father
The Forgotten
Those who left the PsyNet when Silence was instigated.
Jonquil
????girl
Wild Cards:
Ghost - haunting PsyNet and possibly a Psy Council member. Leaks information to Judd Lauren and gives him the occasional assignment when the two are in mutual agreement that something needs to be done about the Coulcil's plans.
Ashaya Aleine - M-Psy working with Nakita Duncan & Ming LeBon
Silver Mercant - Kaleb's assistant
Max - Human cop
Devraj (Dev) Santos - Director of Shine/Human/Helped Talin
Zie Zen (Psy) man who pretends to be father to Keenan
Family Trees:
Unknown (dad) --> Sascha Duncan <-- Nikita Duncan (mom)
Anthony Kyriakus (NightStar)(dad) --> Faith NightStar (25?)<-- Zanna (mom) Liskowski
Anthony Kyriakus (Nightstar)(dad) -->
Anthony Kyriakus (Nightstar)(dad) --> Tanique Gray (22) <-- ??? Gray (mom)
???? (dad) --> Clay Bennett <-- Isla ??? (mom)
None (Dad) --> Keenan Aliene <-- Amara Aleine (mom)
Amara Aleine <--(Identical Twins)--> Ashaya Aleine
Exogenesis Labs - "The place where they're theorizing about implants that might lower the percentages of defects"..."They cut into a developing brain and initiate Silence on an organic level. (CBI pg 42)
DRUGS:
JAX - Drug of choice for Psy. Has a "devastating effect on changeling bodies, leaving them trapped midshift. Death followed in days if not hours."(CBI)
Ruby Crush; street name Rush - "A drug developed by a changeling piece of vermin and adapted to their physiology." "It boosts normal physical strength during the high" as it "scrambles the brain." "Rush freaks turn into witless giggling idiots."
Terms:
Silence = Protocol - Process implemented to essentially silence the emotions of a Psy. Conditioning starts when gifts emerge and goes till 16.
Protocol I - Exogenesis Lab's experiment with implants implementing Silence on an organic level
DarkMind????for everything negative V.O.H. pg 294
NetMind pure goodness
PsyNet
Web of Stars The network that connects all the sentinels and their mates to their alpha.
Changeling minds are like stars , each one connected ultimately to their alpha. That's why Sacha coined the term Web of Stars. It's like the changeling version of the PsyNet.
dark-space what is it? (page 31 CBI)
Flameout - When a Psy is depleted of energy both physically and mentally after using his Psychic abilities.
Correlation Concept-you need empaths in the net to curb the insanity and suicides within the PsyNet.
Rehabilitation - If Silence fails within a Psy, "their minds swept clean by a psychic brainwipe that left them functioning on the level of menial laborers." (VOH)
The Omega Project. "It's purpose is to wipe out all spontaneous conception among the Psy." It would come in the form of a virus that could literally wipe out the continuation of future family lines. Only the Council would have the power to decide if a cure, which it would readily have in hand, would be administered to anyone.
Pure Psy -
Interesting Facts:
- Judd lent some of his psychic strength to Brenna's recovery
- "Leopard Changelings aren't fertile except when mated or in a long-term stable relationship. No accidental pregnancies, no quickie marriages." (MTP)
I am avoiding it, they just make me want to read the book and we can't yet.
Does June 9th work for everyone?
Midu wrote: "Anybody read the excerpt yet?http://www.nalinisingh.blogspot.com/2..."
I have not yet Midu for the same reason as Darcy.
Lisarenee wrote: "Does June 9th work for everyone?"Works for me.
I'm still on the fence :-)
From Nalini's newsletter:Ghost Twitter Chat
In an unexpected development, the GHOST will be hijacking my Twitter profile on Thursday May 23rd, 9pm-10pm EDT for a Q&A! The hashtag is #penguinromance
That's tomorrow everyone!
So after the Twitter Chat info, I'm wondering if the Ghost could be Tanique Gray, Faith's brother. Have we gotten any information about him?
I don't remember hearing anything about him. I see some of my GR friends are or have read this one. Seems like they got their paper copies mailed early.
I remember Singh saying the Ghost was a character we had already encountered and I don't think I've heard of Tanique before but I may be wrong.
Okay I was wrong. Looking at the takeover on twitter instead of where ever I was. So here are some clues:- HEART OF OBSIDIAN finally reveals the Ghost’s identity and changes the Psy-Changeling world forever.
- I am not related to Hawke or the NightStar clan.
- Yes, I am related to a character you have met, but the relationship is unknown by others.
- I was broken as a child. I survived. I had to erase my conscience to do so
- A lover, a friend, a companion, they become weaknesses that can be used to break you.
- Yes, my loyalty is to a woman, but you would not understand the depth of it or how it came into being.
- Those of you who are proposing - you do not want to marry me. I would snap your neck if you touched me wrong
- I once considered using Sienna, but her ability is no longer part of my plan
- Judd knows exactly who I am. His intelligence is part of why I work with him
- I do not understand friendship, but I believe Judd and Xavier believe we are friends.
- My end goal will soon become blindingly clear. I do not discuss my plans ahead of time with anyone save perhaps Judd/Xavier
Would Tanique Gray be considered related to the Nightstar Clan? Note she didn't say Faith or her father.
Whoever it is he is an arrow for sure.
Darcy wrote: "Whoever it is he is an arrow for sure."I agree, but could she be misleading us?
More comments I've found:- I am not related to Zaid
- I am not related to Lucas Hunter
- I have never had sex. It is however, a tool I would use if necessary.
- I speak a number of useful languages.
- I am not related to Sienna
- My loyalty is to a single individual.
- The Ghost has a single loyalty for which there exist no boundaries or lines that he wont cross
- I do not have family. I am however, related to someone you have met.
- I will never leave the PsyNet. Of course, it may not yet survive.
- I have only a single loyalty. But I will not betray Judd and Xavier.
- I trusted Judd because he had already proved himself a rebel. And because he was loyal to his family.
- My identity may or may not shock you. It depends on how you view me.
- I led Judd to Alice for reasons of my own. I also understand loyalty and Judd has never betrayed me.
- Ming is part of the disease. He'll die when it's time.
- I am male.
- I'm not the one who will make that decision. To destroy or to save the Net.
Who was the ex arrow who helped Ming?
Vasic is the Arrow undercover with Ming. He works for or is affiliated with Faith's father.The other rebel Arrow is Aden.
I suppose either one could be the Ghost but I want it to be Kaleb Krycek.
Lisarenee,Thanks for all of the info. I haven't read anything by this author but I'm diving into the buddy read anyway. I purchased the first book in the series so I think between that and the info you posted I'll be ready.
Lauren wrote: "I suppose either one could be the Ghost but I want it to be Kaleb Krycek."I hope it isn't him. I hate him and don't want to like him. He is someone I like to hate.
Darcy wrote: "I hope it isn't him. I hate him and don't want to like him. He is someone I like to hate. "I can understand that. He is easy to hate but I think there is more to him than meets the eye. Hating him is too easy (at least for me).
Lauren wrote: "Darcy wrote: "I hope it isn't him. I hate him and don't want to like him. He is someone I like to hate. "I can understand that. He is easy to hate but I think there is more to him than meets the ..."
So who would the woman be he is loyal to? Any ideas? Of course there could be a back story we don't know about yet and a female character we haven't met.
In Tangle of Need, Kaleb is looking for someone who is hidden in the Net or something like that. I think that it is Faith's half-sister. If I remember correctly she was an F Psy who had some sort of breakdown and "disappeared".
FYI I got my book early.
I couldn't wait till you guys started to read it but I will join in the discussion. I loved it. It was a 5 star read for me.
I have my book too. I will probably start sometime Sunday.
It's SO good. Some of her best work as far as the love story part, IMO.
I will not get my book till Monday. I am going to her book signing in Naperville IL.
Ellen wrote: "I will not get my book till Monday. I am going to her book signing in Naperville IL."I used to live in Naperville. I wish we still did. :(
Ellen wrote: "I will not get my book till Monday. I am going to her book signing in Naperville IL."That would be worth waiting for!
Darcy - yes it is worth it. I live in Alabama and my husband is taking me. He delivers campers and he said he would take me , so i took 11 days off from work and will run with him and he is working it so we will be there monday afternoon, right now We are in Goshen, In. I am so excited!!!!Lisarenne - did you go to Anderson book store for any of their author book signing? They seem to have a lot going on there. There is nothing like that down south in Alabama:(
That sounds like fun Ellen. I would have gone with him too.
I wish I knew if anyone ( from here) was going to be there too. I would love to meet someone that is on here.
I'm not near there, but if you head to Minneapolis let me know, I would be up for meeting.
I've never read any of this series - I meant to read at least the first book before starting this one but I ran out of time. Here we go...Thoughts/Comments on Prologue - Chapter 2
Warning, Spoilers Ahead...
The Silence is an interesting concept. I don't know if total control/lack of emotions is any better than insanity though - both conditions would be horrible.
The Silence is definitely a bad thing if you aren't even allowed to enjoy a good meal. I don't think I could survive on nothing but nutrition bars.
Kaleb is a man on a mission - I'm not sure what it is except it's against the Pure Psy and he's not letting the unnamed woman go.
More on Sunday - I am off to bed.
I started, some quick comments. I miss the changelings, they are my favorite part of the series.*******Spoilers Chapter 1-15
I have mixed feelings with Kaleb being at the center of this one. He has been portrayed as a bad guy, one I love to hate, so it will be hard for me to like him. I do feel sorry learning about his past and how he was raised. I am actually surprised that he is as sane as he is. I liked that he went to save those in the bombed building. I do wonder if he has ulterior motives.
Sahara intrigues me. I want to know what happened to her, why she was in prison and why she can't remember. I also can't wait for her to be found and for the Night Star clan to learn where she is. I really want to know why Kaleb says she is his and that he would let the streets run red with blood for anyone that hurts her.
The whole story so far is so insulated, pretty much just those two. I hope more come into play, because while I like reading about them I am slightly bored with the slow pace.
Thoughts/Comments on Chapters 3 - 9Warning, Spoilers Ahead...
I liked the description of the unnamed woman's mindset - it really shows the damage she's suffered in the prison.
I wonder what the book is?
Not even dreams are allowed? I would definitely be anti-Silence.
I would love to be able to teleport what food I wanted from any location. Every craving satisfied in a second - no travel, no cooking. That is an awesome power.
"Skin privileges" is a unique aspect of shifter culture.
Psys have a lonely life if a touch to the back leads to sensory overload.
The mention of past events makes me want to purchase the earlier books. Santano sounds like he was a very sick man.
Kaleb is working for Pure Psy while working against it?
I wonder what Sahara's ability is?
Sara wrote: "Thoughts/Comments on Chapters 3 - 9Warning, Spoilers Ahead...
I liked the description of the unnamed woman's mindset - it really shows the damage she's suffered in the prison.
I wonder what the..."
Darcy wrote: "I started, some quick comments. I miss the changelings, they are my favorite part of the series.
*******Spoilers Chapter 1-15
I have mixed feelings with Kaleb being at the center of this one. ..."
Wait, wait, wait. You haven't read the previous books? None of them? I have no idea how you'll feel about this book then. It's the most complicated of the story lines although there are no actual details you HAD to know beforehand. I think it will effect your emotional response to this book though & to Kaleb. Santano was a horrible man. He was a Psy leader who was a sociopath & a serial killer. A lot of the Psy leaders knew or at least suspected what he did but looked the other way. He tortured Changeling women for fun. One of the main characters in an earlier book is a woman he tortured & who got away.
Darcy wrote: "I started, some quick comments. I miss the changelings, they are my favorite part of the series.*******Spoilers Chapter 1-15
I have mixed feelings with Kaleb being at the center of this one. ..."
In the past I too have always like the Changeling books the best too. I found the begining of this slower reading because I find the Psy stuff complicated to understand sometimes. Despite that I still really liked this book. I am eager to see what you will think of Kaleb by the end. I predict you won't be able to hate him anymore.
Sara wrote: "I would love to be able to teleport what food I wanted from any location. Every craving satisfied in a second - no travel, no cooking. That is an awesome power."I totally would love to have that power too!
Thoughts/Comments on Chapters 10 - 19Warning, Spoilers Ahead...
"I'd line the streets with bodies before I'd ever hurt you." Yay, romance? Kaleb, points for honesty but you might want to have found a softer way to state your point - you are dealing with a trauma victim.
Corrective conditioning and touch causing pain? The Psys have sucky lives.
The charm bracelet was sweet.
I feel a bit bad for Tatiana - that's a fate worse than death.
I liked Sahara's reunion with her father. I think these Psys are fooling themselves with this Silence philosophy though.
Alisa wrote "Wait, wait, wait. You haven't read the previous books? None of them? I have no idea how you'll feel about this book then. It's the most complicated of the story lines although there are no actual details you HAD to know beforehand."Not a one but I have an addiction to buddy reads so I decided to dive in anyway. I'm intrigued by the mention of past events so I'll end up buying the rest of the series too.
Sara wrote: "I've never read any of this series - I meant to read at least the first book before starting this one but I ran out of time. Here we go...Thoughts/Comments on Prologue - Chapter 2
Warning, Spoi..."
I started last night too, but haven't found time to pick the book up since. So far I'm curious who the girl is. Is she Psy? Her brain barriers seem to indicate they are, but she's not. Who could she be? He was looking for her for 7 years? Do we know her? Could she have been one of the first victims of the killer from the first book? Why is she important and, more importantly, why is she so darn important to Kaleb?
Sara wrote: "Thoughts/Comments on Chapters 10 - 19Warning, Spoilers Ahead...
The charm bracelet was sweet.
I feel a bit bad for Tatiana - that's a fate worse than death.
I liked Sahara's reunion with her father.."
I thought the charm bracelet was sweet too. I loved that he kept buying charms.
I think Tatiana got what she deserved.
I had tears in my eyes with the reunion.
While I still think that things are moving slow I keep reading. I am putting the book down to do some chores around the house so its working out for me.Spoilers Chapters 16-27
I really like that Sahara is getting back her memory, that she knows that she knew Kaleb. I hope we get the full story at some point.
I really liked how Sahara's family welcomed her back with open arms. I found it interesting that Anthony allowed Kaleb to see hidden things within his family. I think Sahara going to the leopards to be protected is a good thing. She will be able to find comfort there.
While I still am not all gung ho on Kaleb, I can't believe all that we are learning about his past. I don't know what to think about who is father is. I have a feeling that will have big problems later, especially with the changelings once it is known he was there for everything, even though it wasn't really him.
I think things are finally picking up, we are getting more answers, some to questions raised in this book and some that are in the overall series.Spoilers Chapters 28 - 40
I really liked reading about Sahara and Kaleb as kids. I was glad that Kaleb had one place where he could be a kid and have someone like him for the kid he wasn't able to be. Knowing that I can see why Kaleb feels so much for Sahara, why he never quit searching for her, and why he won't let anyone hurt her again. I also get the star charm, a way for him to claim her publicly.
I really like seeing Sahara integrate with changelings. I can see where they accept her and her choice of mate. Especially when one of them knows Kaleb's biggest secret.
Thoughts/Comments on Chapters 20 - 33Warning, Spoilers Ahead...
Kaleb is apparently playing both sides and no one is aware of his true motives? Sounds like a recipe for disaster.
Has Sahara been mentioned in the previous books? I really want to know what her exact "shadow ability" is.
Finally, the changeling half of the series is entering the equation. I love shifters of all types so I'm excited to see the DarkRiver lands.
Love the adult tree homes. It makes complete sense that the cat changelings would want to live in trees.
Love Vaughn - I will definitely have to read his book.
Poor Kaleb had a horrible childhood.
Kaleb's a bit psychotic - whenever you start feeling that the deaths of a significant portion of the population is collateral damage you need to check yourself into therapy. If I was Sahara, this is the point where I would be slowly backing away and looking for a place to hide.
The childhood flashbacks were nice - otherwise the 6 year age difference in their relationship as teens was creepy.
Multiple mind control is Sahara's ability. I was anticipating something more unique but I can see where that would cause fear in people.
Who's Your Author?
Books mentioned in this topic
Graceling (other topics)Acheron (other topics)
Tangle of Need (other topics)
Heart of Obsidian (other topics)
Authors mentioned in this topic
Sherrilyn Kenyon (other topics)Nalini Singh (other topics)
This topic is open for discussion of Heart of Obsidian by Nalini Singh. Be prepared for SPOILERS.
Book Synopsis:
Step into New York Times bestseller Nalini Singh’s explosive and shockingly passionate Psy-Changeling world…
A dangerous, volatile rebel, hands stained bloodred.
A woman whose very existence has been erased.
A love story so dark, it may shatter the world itself.
A deadly price that must be paid.
The day of reckoning is here.
From “the alpha author of paranormal romance” (Booklist) comes the most highly anticipated novel of her career—one that blurs the line between madness and genius, between subjugation and liberation, between the living and the dead.