Silver Silence

Singh (Allegiance of Honor) opens a subseries (which she refers to as "season two") of her near-future Psy/Changeling saga with a powerful examination of what happens in the wake of a new world order. Ever since childhood, psy Silver Mercant, scion of the powerful, secretive Mercant family, has held to the protocol called Silence: all of her emotions trained away to simple efficiency. Her commitment to this ideal is tested by Valentin Nikolaev, a large, lovable Russian bear changeling who delights in poking at her defenses. Valentin has many responsibilities: as alpha of the StoneWater bears, he is the heart of his clan, and is trying to repair a damaging rift caused by his father. He's deeply attached to Silver, and when an attempt is made on her life in Moscow, he moves heaven and earth to keep her safe and find the ones responsible. With the Human Alliance making waves and prohuman sentiments gaining political ground, it's up to Valentin, Silver, and their loved ones to keep the fledgling Trinity Accord, a compact of agreement among the psy, changelings, and humans, from being perverted for the gain of any one group. Fans of earlier Psy/Changeling books will delight in the return of familiar faces as well as the perfect blend of humor, action, and intrigue, but new readers will be at sea.