ARC Review: Ocean Light by Nalini Singh

Ocean Light
Author: Nalini Singh
Series: Psy-Changeling Trinity
Publication: Berkley (June 12, 2018)

Description: Security specialist Bowen Knight has come back from the dead. But there's a ticking time bomb in his head: a chip implanted to block telepathic interference that could fail at any moment--taking his brain along with it. With no time to waste, he should be back on land helping the Human Alliance. Instead, he's at the bottom of the ocean, consumed with an enigmatic changeling...

Kaia Luna may have traded in science for being a chef, but she won't hide the facts of Bo's condition from him or herself. She's suffered too much loss in her life to fall prey to the dangerous charm of a human who is a dead man walking. And she carries a devastating secret Bo could never imagine...

But when Kaia is taken by those who mean her deadly harm, all bets are off. Bo will do anything to get her back--even if it means striking a devil's bargain and giving up his mind to the enemy...

My Thoughts: This second book of the Psy-Changeling Trinity series concentrates on Bowen Knight who is in charge of the Human Alliance. The story begins with him becoming conscious and in the care of underwater changelings. Dr. Atalina Kahananui might have a way to keep the chip in his head that protects him from Psy mind invasion from going bad and killing him. The only problem is that there is a 95% chance that her procedure will leave him brain dead.

Kaia Luna is helping her cousin Atie but her main job is being a chef. She delights in feeding all of her clanmates and taking care of them. She also becomes interested in Bo and Bo is equally intrigued by her. But, besides the medical timebomb that might take them from each other, the fragile peace between the Alliance and BlackSea is being tested. Isolated members of BlackSea are going missing and the clues lead to the Alliance.

One of Kaia's childhood friends named Hugo is the latest to disappear.  Before he disappeared, he gave Kaia evidence that the Alliance was behind the disappearances. This immediately causes Kaia to mistrust Bowen which throws a crimp in their romance. Meanwhile, Bowen wants to clean his own house and make sure that there are no traitors in his organization while he is still in his right mind.

Both Kaia and Bo had childhood traumas that have impacts on their relationship too. Kaia fears the land and blames humans for the death of her parents when she was seven. And Bo was assaulted and mind raped by a Psy when he was a boy which has made him distrustful of telepaths. What they have in common is stronger than their differences though. Both are honorable and loyal and willing to do anything for their people.

This was a great romance and an engaging mystery too. I liked the way Bo and BlackSea worked together to track down their various traitors. I loved getting to know more about BlackSea whose changelings have made some appearances in earlier stories and finding out more about their world. I liked the focus on Bo and the ties he was trying to build with the changelings and even with Kaleb Krychek.

Favorite Quote:

“Bridges are built over thin air. Someone must lay the first plank, the first brick, take the risk.”

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from Penguin's First to Read. You can buy your copy here.