Ocean Light (Psy-Changeling Trinity, #2) by Nalini Singh

Narrated by Angela Dawe

Synopsis (via Goodreads): New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh dives beneath the surface of her Psy-Changeling world into a story of passionate devotion and selfless love...

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...

𑁋𑁋𑁋

I read Silver Silence waaaay back in July of 2018! AGES ago! I can't believe it's been that long! I easily fell back into Singh's world, and the peppered-in details from the previous book jogged my memory without making me feel like the author was repeating herself or info-dumping. I was hesitant to start this one after loving the bears so much, but I shouldn't have been worried. Bowen Knight may be human, but he's an excellent character. Kaia was the changeling in this story, and I love that the author chose to keep her animal a secret until the end.

My guess about Kaia's animal was wrong, and I blame Bowen for that. His thoughts about her were distracting, and I think the author was intentionally misleading. I didn't love Ocean Light as much as Silver Silence, because bears. There was just something about those rowdy, raucous bear changelings that endeared them to me forever. However, the idea of being able to swim in the ocean's depths was appealing. No one really knows what's down there, and being a part of that world would be fascinating! I also really enjoyed learning about the different types of water changelings. Keeping their other selves a secret seemed to be a game they enjoyed playing with outsiders.

Kaia suffered from a childhood trauma that prevented her from ever going on land. She lives her life in the deep, and she's happy cooking for her people and caring for them with food. It's obvious how much the rest of the clan adores her (especially since she takes the time to learn their favorite foods), and Bowen's interest in Kaia and the people around her was clear from the start. He was immediately intrigued by the creatures and changelings that called the water home, and he never made Kaia feel bad for her mental limitations. He loved fiercely and was immensely protective of those he cared about. I really enjoyed watching their friendship grow and their relationship bloom. Both were hesitant at first, but quickly accepted there was something special between them. Their romance was subtle but intense, and I loved how sweet they were with each other.

I also really liked how many mysteries and problems the author wove into the story. Bowen was shot previously, and while that wasn't immediately addressed, the repercussions were something they had to deal with. A lot of water changelings have been disappearing - - taken for unknown reasons. Kaia is struggling with her past and the recent loss of her best friend. Bowen's brain and the chip implanted there, plus the untested experiment he's subjecting himself to. A betrayal from within the clan, and possibly one from within the Human Alliance - - there is a lot going on, but it never felt overwhelming. The author expertly tied the various threads together to make one cohesive and thrilling story.

I've already started- - and am nearly finished with - - Wolf Rain (the third book in the series). I cannot wait to see what the author writes next! I do know that these books are technically a continuation/spinoff of a previous series, so I might have to go back and read the others (it's like 15 books) when I'm finished. Additionally, the audio for this series has been fantastic, but I also have physical copies of the books for future re-reads. If you're looking for fun adventures with amazing characters and complex stories, definitely give this series a shot. (★★★★⋆)