- ISBN13: 9780441018192
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
Product Description
All-new action in the #1 New York Times bestselling urban fantasy series
When mechanic and shapeshifter Mercy Thompson attempts to return a powerful Fae book she’d previously borrowed in an act of desperation, she finds the bookstore locked up and closed down.
It seems the book contains secret knowledge-and the Fae will do just about anything to keep it out of the wrong hands. And if that doesn’t take enough of Mercy’s attention, her frien… More >>
No related posts.
Sometimes, good urban fantasy series begin to fizzle out more quickly than you’d expect. Often because of too many unanswered questions and too much politics (eg. Del Franco’s “un” series). I lose the urge to open and devour the latest book upon arrival because I know if I am lucky enough to get an answer, there’ll be four new questions to take its place. Thankfully, Mercy still has that “must read NOW” quality.
I think this series continues to be strong because the author has stayed true to the character she originally created. Mercy has matured, certainly, but she has not drastically changed. She’s still a top notch mechanic, she’s still not the biggest bad a@@ on the street, and she still worries about those she loves. Each book ties into the one before, but not with drastic cliffhangers that leave readers annoyed. More like loose ends that once pulled, unravel into a new story. Here, the plot stems from a book that Phin lent Mercy previously, and the unresolved status of Samuel. Some nasty Fae want the book, and now that Mercy has chosen Adam, Samuel’s character comes to the fore front. This book has a lot of development of interpersonal relationships (Mercy is still dealing with Tim’s assault), and a lot more detail on werewolf society (especially now that Mercy is part of a pack, and most of them are unhappy about it).
Briggs’ writing is tight. She really gets a reader invested in the characters, and the story builds upon that. Familiar characters appear, but she resists throwing in a cameo for everyone we know. If they didn’t have some say in the plot, they didn’t appear. So, we get Zee and Bran, but Stefan is a no show. Though the fae plot was interesting, the strongest part of the book is the werewolf material. Adam’s pack is a little dysfunctional, and it puts Mercy in some tight spots where intelligence and intuition give her the edge. She’s no match physically for any of the weres, but she shows her mettle never-the-less. It was very satisfying, and leaves room for more development and plotlines in future books. The “mystery” was rather simple, and quickly resolved, but I think the character relationships were the main focus here, and on that level the book succeeded brilliantly. Overall, another excellent installment.
Rating: 5 / 5
Briggs’ fifth book holds a number of changes for Mercy and her friends, not all of them welcome.
The most anticipated change is Mercy’s relationship with Adam, the werewolf Alpha. Adam’s pack is still not completely welcoming to a troublesome coyote and in this book a few pack members decide to meddle in Adam’s and Mercy’s relationship. One of the best aspects of Briggs’ books is the real and growing relationship of Adam and Mercy. Briggs has declined to throw these two into each others arms instead giving her readers the pleasure of watching two people become a couple. Love does not conquer all but a strong Alpha werewolf and a coyote with a gun can sure reduce the number of their detractors. Loyalty to pack is a good thing, but for some it takes a well-placed bullet.
Mercy receives a call from Zee’s son, Tad, about the fae bookseller she borrowed a book from in the last book. Phin gives Tad a cryptic message about Mercy and the book and now he isn’t answering his phone. Mercy promises to look into it and quickly realizes that Phin might be in serious trouble or dead. And it isn’t too long before Mercy realizes that if she can’t figure out what happened to Phin the same thing might happen to her. A powerful and nasty fae wants the book and isn’t about to let a little thing like a coyote stand in her way.
To add to Mercy’s full calendar Samuel, Mercy’s friend and the Marrock’s son, has spiralled into a deep depression. If he can’t be pulled out of it the Marrock or Adam will be forced to kill him before he falls into homicidal insanity.
Maybe Briggs tried to put a little too much into this book because Samuel’s storyline was not very fleshed out. It came across as flat and forced. And it just occurred to me why. Briggs gave us an instant HEA and it didn’t work. I hope that in the next book she will give this couple a more fully realized relationship.
Even with this problem Briggs still gives her readers a must-read book that has a strong loving relationship, good and loyal friends, betrayal, mystery, and a few changes of address. And Medea, the cat who loves werewolves.
Rating: 5 / 5
This book was my favorite so far; I won’t go into too much detail b/c many other reviews have. The Mercy – Adam relationship is explored more deeply & both characters really grow together beautifully. There was also just enough detail about Zee, Gabriel, the Sandoval family, etc…in some of the other books I felt a little bogged down by elements that seemed overly detailed in relation to their significance in the story (if that makes any sense). The Samuel story line is heartbreaking and inspiring. I loved the way the other wolves, not just Adam, stood behind him during his difficulties. I’m only giving it 4 stars b/c while there was a great deal of build-up with Samuel’s story, it all seemed to resolve itself to quickly. It felt rushed & I would have like more depth. Another thing that bothered me, which could be just me, there’s a lot of info in all the books about how dangerous and violent the wolves can be, but in this book several in Adam’s pack are essentially involved in treason, with varying degrees of culpability, and either through deliberate acts or omissions nearly cost several people their lives and cause a great deal of destruction. Yet, they seemed to be dealt with overly leniently. Overall, great book & I highly recommend it.
Rating: 4 / 5
Silver Borne was a easy and quick read. I can’t say I was disappointed by the writing. Patricia Briggs weaves character that you truly come to care about. I was, however, very let down by the story. Mrs. Briggs takes three storylines and tells them almost simultaneously. Note the word “almost.” Each thread is unrelated to the next, except in the end when two of the storylines coincidentally collide. I thought the coincidence was contrived. For me, because the three different threads, the book felt like reading separate stories, that just happened to have the same beloved characters. The waiting for one story to finish, so the next one could pick up where it left off seemed stilted. Why would one antagonist wait while the pack duke it out with a second antagonist? Because the author needed her too.
The greatest disappointment of this book was Samuel’s storyline. Mrs. Briggs has taken great care over the past five books making sure her readers grow attached to each and every one of her characters. This is one of her greatest talents. However in Sam’s darkest moment we are given a resolution that we care nothing for. There is no emotional investment in “the answer.” I wanted to care about the solution as much as I care about the character, Sam. I found myself detached from what could have been a very touching story.
If you love Mercy, you will undoubted enjoy this book, but like me you may find that the story was secondary. If you can, I would recommend waiting for the paperback. If you are a first time reader of the Mercy Thompson series start with the first book, fall in love with her and all her friends first. If you start here I doubt you will be back for more.
Rating: 3 / 5
Is there anything like holding the latest Mercy Thompson novel in your hands? Especially when it’s all large and hardback and glowing? Because the window on this book seriously glows. And the spine and back are warm and golden and it’s just so much prettier than the online images led me to believe. These are the simple things that make me happy. A beautiful dust jacket. A favorite author doing well. Spending time once more with characters who are friends now and who are none the worse for wear for our time apart. In fact, just a handful of pages into SILVER BORNE it was like we’d never been apart at all. After reading the first three books in the series, I convinced DH he wanted in on this action. So we’ve read them all aloud together now and it’s so nice having that to look forward to each night. Suffice it to say, neither of us was disappointed in the slightest. This is the series that started my love for urban fantasy and so it will necessarily always hold a special place in my heart. But what a feat to be able to say that five books in Patricia Briggs still owns. Mercy and Co. haven’t missed a step and it was infinitely delightful to sink back into this world that I love and get up to all sorts of mischief with these characters who continue to make me smile no matter how dark the day.
Mercy keeps her life busy these days. Her days filled to the brim working at her garage with Gabriel and Zee, her nights taken up looking out for her roommate Sam, hanging with the local pack, and dating their Alpha. She stays busy enough that things like the lingering effects of recent trauma and returning that book she borrowed awhile back get shoved to the back of her mind. Until something triggers her flinch reflex, that is. Or someone comes looking for the book who perhaps should not be allowed to have it. So when Samuel starts displaying more worrisome tendencies than is normal for a lone wolf and Mercy starts hearing voices and feeling dangerous impulses not her own, she knows things are bound to get worse before they get better. On her side she’s got Adam and the members of his pack who do not resent her for bonding with their boss and snagging a coveted spot in the pack hierarchy. She’s also got Zee–the crotchety old fae mechanic who is older than dirt, watches out for her, and should not be underestimated. On the other side Mercy’s got a handful of wolves who’ve got no reason to love her, a powerful unidentified fae who wants something she’s got, and a pack of demons riding her friend Samuel–all of whom prove darker than she at first thought. But in the end it’s up to Mercy to put the pieces together and beat the clock to save her friends and those who rely on her from their monsters–both the ones they can see and the ones they can’t.
I don’t know what goes on in Ms. Briggs’ head when she sits down to write a new installment in this excellent series, but what comes out is pure, unadulterated magic. SILVER BORNE lived up to my every expectation and then some. There were a whole host of loose threads left lingering around at the end of Bone Crossed and, though they are not all tied up here (oh, Stefan, how I miss you), the pacing and development of plot threads here is masterful. Patricia Briggs is unparalleled when it comes to consistently strong characters, forward-moving plot lines, and heart-palpitating climaxes. There are no stagnant elements, no pointless meanderings, no annoying red herrings. There is only adrenaline and affection and a burning desire to find out what happens. Fifty pages from the end I turned to Aaron, just shook my head, and said, “She seriously crafts the best endings. They’re always so genuinely exciting.” And it’s to do with the endlessly clever ways in which she weaves together classic mythology with her characters’ personal histories and wraps them all up in an unfailing sense of urgency. The villains are smart, dark, and not necessarily operating under the assumptions you think they are. The good guys are brave, torn, and absolutely worth staying up late to root for. But most of all there’s Mercy. She’s the beginning and the end as far as I’m concerned. She’s got dirt under her nails and independence running through her veins. She’s as playful as the coyote she shifts into and good to the core. No wonder we love her. SILVER BORNE is one headlong dose of action and surprisingly sweet interpersonal exploration. Finest kind.
Rating: 5 / 5