ARC Review: Resonance Surge by Nalini Singh

Resonance Surge
Author: Nalini Singh
Series: Psy-Changeling Trinity (Book 7)
Publication: Berkley (July 18, 2023)

Description: Where are the broken? That is the propulsive question that unleashes a world of secrets in New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh’s Resonance Surge . . .

StoneWater bears Pavel and Yakov Stepyrev have been a unit since birth, but now Pavel’s life is veering in a new direction, his heart held in the hands of Arwen Mercant, a Psy empath—and the only man who has ever brought Pavel to his knees.

This is it. A point of irrevocable change. For Pavel . . . for Arwen . . . for Yakov . . . and for another pair of twins whose bond has a far darker history.

A low-Gradient Psy, Theodora Marshall is considered worthless by everyone but her violently powerful twin, Pax. She is the sole person he trusts in their venomous family to investigate a hidden and terrible part of their family history—an unregistered rehabilitation Center established by their grandfather.

Places of unimaginable pain designed to psychically wipe minds, leaving the victims shells of their former selves, the Centers are an ugly vestige of the Psy race’s Silent past. But this Center was worse. Far, far worse. And now Theo must uncover the awful truth—in the company of a scowling bear named Yakov, who isn’t about to take a Marshall at face value . . . especially a Marshall who has turned his dreams into chilling nightmares.

Because Yakov is the great-grandson of a foreseer . . . and he has seen Theo die in an unstoppable surge of blood. Night after night after night . . .

My Thoughts: This seventh book in the Psy-Changeling Trinity series stars Yakov Stepyrev and Theodora Marshall. He a changeling bear; she's a Psy. He had a wonderfully secure and loving childhood; she was repeatedly tortured by her grandfather. 

Yakov has had recurring dreams about a woman in danger for years. When he meets Theo he immediately recognizes her as the girl and also recognizes that she is his mate. Theo is in Russian to look at a Center started by her grandfather to do medical experiments. When she gets there, she gets flashbacks that let her know she was once an experimental subject there. 

Theo is severely damaged by the treatments her grandfather demanded in order to make her into his tool. She has a low-level telekinetic power that he has maximized to make her an assassin. She thinks that she chose to do those things and is almost crippled with guilt. She was also left with a rage that overcomes her and makes her a danger to herself and others. 

With a serial killer hunting slender, blue-eyed, blonde-haired victims, Yakov is determined to keep Theo safe and help her on her mission while convincing her that they have a future together. This made for an emotionally intense story.

While the larger problem of the disintegrating psy-net was upfront for the hero and heroine, it was in the background and seemingly no closer to resolution in this episode. 

I enjoyed this one and loved the relationship between Yakov and Theo. I have a major crush on the Russian bears. 

Favorite Quote:

"I have no idea how to dance."

A sudden grin that lit up his face and made her stomach flip in an unsettling way that somehow wasn't unpleasant. "No bear has ever let lack of knowledge or skill stop them from dancing."

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.