Review: Primal Mirror by Nalini Singh

★★★★ #PrimalMirror #NaliniSingh #NetGalley

Darker than some of the other psychangling stories, this is a tale about a resilient woman who fights against tough odds to survive. Some people when faced with defending a child may behave like a quokka. Auden is the opposite and she will do anything to protect her child. Warning, this book covers child abuse and trauma that could trigger some readers. I still found it to be an emotionally engaging book concluding with justice and redemption.

Auden is a woman who is being hunted by people she should have trusted. But she does not for good reason. Even with her background, money, and psychic abilities, she should be able to ward off most. How to protect herself and her baby? Find an even bigger predator to protect. Luckily for her, she catches the scent of Remi Denier who is one of the changling leopards. The refuge she built is right next to changling territory.

The set up of this book is ominous with dark undertones. This slowly turns into overt dark threats with a sickening foreshadowing. The more readers learn about Auden, the readers versed in violence are picking up what has happened to Auden. For me, within a few chapters, my suspicions pop up. Not soon after the interactions between Auden and her "team" my teeth want to bare out and snarl.

The pace of this story moves fast at times and the different characters appearing into Auden's life speeds up the discovery for how and why she is pregnant. It is disturbing and depraved. Auden is a character I felt for and her happily ever after with Remi is so sweet and a wonderful reward. Their chemistry is feral at times from Remi's interactions. Still, it works and matches the title of this book - Primal. This paranormal romance is recommended for readers who enjoy a dark read with a light at the end of the tunnel.

*provided by NetGalley