Shards of Hope

Written by Nalini Singh

Narrated by Angela Dawe

Awakening wounded in a darkened cell, their psychic abilities blocked, Aden and Zaira know that they must escape. But when the lethal soldiers break free from their mysterious prison, they find themselves in a harsh, inhospitable landscape far from civilization. Their only hope for survival is to make it to the hidden home of a predatory changeling pack that doesn't welcome outsiders.


And they must survive. Aden will cross any line to keep his people safe for this new future, where even an assassin might have hope of a life beyond blood and death and pain. Zaira has no such hope. She knows that she's too damaged to return from the abyss. Her driving goal is to protect Aden, to protect the only person who has ever come back for her no matter what. But this time, even Aden's passionate determination may not be enough-because the emotionless chill of Silence existed for a reason. For the violent, and the insane, and the irreparably broken . . . like Zaira.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tantor Media, Inc
• Release date: Jun 2, 2015
• ISBN: 9781452678405

Nalini Singh

Die internationale Bestsellerautorin verbrachte ihre Kindheit in Neuseeland. Drei Jahre lebte und arbeitete sie unter anderem in Japan und bereiste in dieser Zeit wiederholt den Fernen Osten. Bislang hat sie als Anwältin, Bibliothekarin, in einer Süßwarenfabrik und in einer Bank gearbeitet -- eine Quelle von Erfahrungen, aus der Nalini Singh reichlich schöpft.

Reviews for Shards of Hope

[glennis.leblanc · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book covers two Arrows getting together and cementing the changes in the Arrows to show the older ones there is a way to survive post Silence. The overall plot moves along with a new group that seems bent on keeping the various groups from working together and actively sowing misinformation and ill will. Most of that was eventually uncovered and they are now looking to anything out of the ordinary. For the most part the new baddies want to rule the world and will try and weaken any group that shows strength. The book also covered the water changelings and how they are very different from their land versions. Over all a good story and a HEA that works for the Arrows involved. Now to wait for the next book in the series.

[pnrlist · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

GOD I LOVE THIS SERIES. I really loved Zaira, and Aden too. So good. Who is next?!

[lauren2013_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Shards of Hope
3.5 Stars

Despite the rather lackluster romance between Zaira and Aden, the developments in the ongoing story arc makes this a worthwhile addition to the series.

Unfortunately, Zaira and Aden are quite bland both as individuals and as a couple. While Aden's surprise ability is very intriguing, the manner in which it is revealed and then explained reduces its impact on the reader. Likewise, Zaira's constant self-deprecation and possessive attitude toward Aden is not romantic in the least. In fact, her obsessions with him is downright creepy, and undermines what little chemistry does exist between them.

Thankfully, the actual plot revolving around a mysterious cabal bent on destroying the Arrows is very compelling and there are some very intriguing twists. The inclusion of characters from the previous books is also a highlight and the hints at things to come are far more appealing that Aden and Zaira.

On a final note, this book is far too long with unnecessarily repetitive internal musings, repetitious descriptions of character traits and recurring plot points. Singh has definitely written better, and hopefully the next book, Allegiance of Honor, will demonstrate this.

[sasham-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a long book - 885 pages on iBooks in average size print. Much longer than the previous ones in the series. And it needs to be. Quite apart from the romantic story line between Aden and Zaira there is a host of conspiracy theories, a few assassination attempts and a new villain now that PurePsy has been removed. The story touches on all previous couples as the Arrow Squad works to change their training. I really liked Zaira as a character she made a nice change from the previous physically weak female psy character leads of previous novels. She is what I expected a brutally trained Arrow to be and the first time the female lead hasn't been even a little bit soppy.
There were a few times the interaction between Zaira and Aden got a bit dull - there were several passages where they were basically telling each other how wonderful the other person was and how they should find someone better - the mutual admiration gets a bit cloying. Also the interactions with the children tend to be idealized. I don't care how healthy an environment a child is raised in 2.5 year olds have meltdowns for no reason whatsoever ALL THE TIME!
I love the overarching plots in this series and those are what keep me reading ( the romance is ok but after 14 books is more than a bit stale to my mind) the politics and complexes plots keep me coming back and I will totally be back for the next one

[wyvernfriend · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I found it hard to put down, even if sometimes the story didn't flow as well as I might like, but this story of two Arrows was interesting. Yes, the wondering about whether or not Zaira was capable of love sometimes felt like it was the lady doth protest too much. Still, if you've never experienced love or emotional attachment to people and suddenly you're allowed and you're feeling it for your commander, it's hard to sort out what exact emotion you're dealing with here. Singh deals well with people of various ages deciding to use their emotions and how they're going to go on with their lives in this new world.Zaira and Aden start the story in a darkened cell and wounded and without any of their psychic abilities and they have to escape and find out what's going on. They also have to deal with the new leadership of the Arrows (Aden) and how people perceive him. They're also starting to realise that they mean a lot to each other.I found it interesting, loved the romance and enjoyed the read. I'm left wondering what next for the Psy-Changeling world and looking forward to the next instalment.

[cc123-3 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Zaira and Aden

Another great book in the Psy-Changeling Series!

Zaira and Aden are both Arrows; in coming together they not only break Silence they are going against all their training and conditioning as Arrows. Aden chose Zaira when they were both still children. Zaira has always loved Aden, he was the first person in her life to show her kindness. Aden protected her as best as he could even as a child. They are destined to be together, the only thing between them is if Zaira can learn to drop her shields and accept him and let go of her inner childhood rage.

Aden is trying to turn the deadly Arrows into a family with help from the Changelings.

There is also the mystery of who is trying to cause problems between the three races. This new enemy will stop at nothing to stir up trouble and Aden as the head of the Arrows seems to be both their main target and the person best able to fight back against this new foe.

[kmartin802_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

SHARDS OF HOPE tells the story of two people who by all accounts should be broken beyond any chance of repair. Aden and Zaira are Arrows who have been tortured under the guise of training since they were small children. The theory was that their psychic gifts were so dangerous that this was the only way to control them. Zaira beat her parents to death with a rusty pipe when she was seven. This was her response to the systematic torture and abuse that she had been subjected to since she was a tiny child. Aden was abandoned by his parents when they placed him in the Arrow program to act as a sleeper agent whose goal was to take it over.They met when Zaira entered the program and Aden did what he could to soften the training that she was receiving. They made a connection that shouldn't have been possible under the Silence but, then, neither were really controlled by the Silence.Now that the Silence has been broken, Aden is determined to make a better life for the Arrows than their previous life as easily discarded tools for Counciler Ming LeBon. After spending some time with a changeling pack, he decides that he needs to make the Arrows into a family like the pack is. But a new hidden enemy is equally determined to kill Aden and destabilize the Arrows.While Aden and Zaira are trying to forge a relationship having had no examples of what a healthy relationship should look like, Aden and Zaira are both trying to keep things stable. Zaira gets involved in searching for a small shifter child kidnapped by this new hidden enemy. As strong and broken as she sees herself, she has a soft spot for children and will not knowingly let any child be hurt. This was a wonderful addition to the Psy/Changeling series. I can't wait to read more. I am especially curious about the identity of this hidden enemy and the future of Aden's plan for a new world order.