September 2016 Re-read: I've been a little surprised a couple of times on this re-read, my millionth since first picking up the series, and going into this book I was slightly worried that it was going to come off worse. 
 When I first read this series I was INCREDIBLY forgiving of almost anything the male characters did. I'm not sure why this is, but I've noticed that it was common for me at that point in my reading-life. In fact, it was pretty common for me up until a couple of years ago. Being a woman, I thought I'd always very strongly supported women. And I did (and do) in real life. But I've come to realize that I was being unfair in my judgments of characters in the books I read. Women were judged more harshly, men were more easily forgiven. 
 Some would ask, 'What does it matter? They're characters.' That's true. They are characters. But if I can't be fair in fiction, if I can't call out misogyny in my books, if I can't recognize rape-culture there....how can I effectively fight against these injustices in the real world? That's the question that occurred to me a few years ago. And now these things just pop out at me in books, tv, movies. Which isn't to say that I don't enjoy them anyway. Sometimes, even spotting the problematic elements, doesn't mean that I don't end up loving something. But seeing them, acknowledging them, calling them out - it's important to me now. 
 This has become a review that has very little to do with this book and more to do with me. But because I've changed so much, and how I read books has changed so much, I went into this book worried. Even back then I was irritated with how Dorian treated Ashaya in the beginning of the book. His anger cuts through damn near everything, but he still pushes her romantically. Almost against his will, and with rage filtering through - it's a bunch of mixed signals that he gives Ashaya - and it's a bit of a personal sort spot for me. 
 I worried that on this read, I would see Dorian's actions in a more glaring light - that he would become less the male that I loved throughout the series, and more someone I couldn't care about. 
 Thankfully, that wasn't the case. Dorian is conflicted. He has a lot of rage in his soul, since losing his sister to a sociopathic member of the Psy race. To feel himself have feelings for a Psy, one who does everything in her power to maintain the Silence that he so hates....it's hard for him. He's not always nice, and he's quite often mean. I still don't like that. But it wasn't as bad as I was fearing. I understand why he acts the way he does. And what's better is that Ashaya doesn't stand and just meekly take it. She challenges him, expects respect, and demands that he deal with his issues. 
 I like Ashaya a LOT more on this re-read. I know that I loved her before, but I love her even more now. She's as much a dominant as anyone in this series. 
 The forward movement in the world, the fleshing out of the intricacies of relationships (on a large and small scale), is absolutely perfect. The overall story-arc is one of my favorite things about this series. It's so intricate and beautifully done, with enough tension and realism as to how things play out. 
 I love this series. Going back through now, re-reading, is so much fun. All the more so because now, years later, I still love them as much as I did the first time. 
 Review also available on The Book Eaters 
 Original Thoughts: Dorian was, from the first, a favorite character in this series. My heart broke for him in the first book (Slave to Sensation) seeing him directly after losing his sister to a monster. And each moment since then he has shown what a great person he is. Protective, loving, caring and loyal. (view spoiler)[Well, until this book (hide spoiler)] 
 It's his loyalty that gives him problems when he meets Ashaya Aleine - his mate. And a Psy. He fights himself, and his feelings for her, often to the point of cruelty to Ashaya. Mixed signals are all he's giving to her in the beginning and she doesn't know how to process them. 
 Ashaya is another fascinating Psy. It's clear that her Silence isn't pure from the beginning. She obviously cares and is willing to go the distance for what she believes is right. Even if she justifies it to herself and others that it's for reasons that aren't emotional. 
 Watching her struggle against her emotions was heart-breaking. She clearly felt, and yet there was a very real reason she couldn't show it. I was on the edge of my seat to figure out how this was going to work out. And in the end, I loved the resolution. 
 Overall, a good book. 4 stars (1 star off for the cruelty from Dorian - I understood why he felt the way he felt, but it was just a too much for me).