Silver Borne

quiet possibly the best series I've ever read

The main dilemma in Silver Borne makes it a Fae-centric offering, but since trouble comes in threes: Mercy's also having issues with the pack bond and some pack members who are unhappy with a coyote in the pack, also things are not right with Samuel and Mercy's going to find out just how serious a problem that is. Mercy is a magnet for trouble as always - that's a given - but the resolutions to problems with the pack, and the kidnapping of a friend are good. Also Mercy's relationship with Adam finally solidifies. I had a few really nervous moment while reading Silver Borne. I was really worried for a while that we were going to lose Samuel - old werewolves loose the will to live after awhile and Samuel is really old. Fortunately, while Samuel the human has given up, Sam the wolf doesn't want to die and the wolf takes over for awhile and even though having 'the wolf in charge' is normally an immediate death sentence, Mercy manages to buy Sam some time while she desperately tries to find a 'win' in what is rapidly becoming a 'no win' situation. I loved the whole story, both the character and plot elements were well crafted but one thing that I found extremely interesting in Silver Borne is that with Samuel's dilemma, the pack problems and a later piece related to the pack in the story (Mercy calls it Pack 101 after the fact), we get to learn a lot more about the weres in Briggs' universe. I love Briggs, and read this way too fast. Now the long wait for the next one begins.

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.

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.

If I needed a reminder as to why Patricia Briggs is one of my favorite authors, 'Silver Borne" would be it. The Mercy Thompson series is fantastic on so many levels, and the story line gets impossibly richer and the characters more dear with each addition. I loved the way she took the story in a different direction this time. No spoilers, but it is very rewarding to see Mercy continue to grow in her understanding of herself and her significant others. The relationship of Mercy and Adam continues to be the focus, yet the author has deftly managed to have relationships and interactions impact their new-found intimacy (and who hasn't had fallout over new loves from friends and family?) Note: I am very happy to walk into a bookstore and see Ms. Briggs in hardbook, and featured at the entrance. Well worth the wait and price!!

When I started reading Bone Crossed I was terrified that this series was going to go down hill, not because BC stunk, but because it seemed like it was the 'peak' of the series. I really haven't enjoyed the last few Anita Blake novels, and the last few MJD and Sookie Stackhouse had me just going 'ok if this series ended I'd be alright'. (If I'm in the minority cool, I'm glad you still like the series) But I have to say I was bound to be disappointed in my nervousness. Silver Borne just took a new direction, but one that kept the plot and characters interesting. Patricia Briggs has ways of introducing new characters and plot lines, then following through. Which isn't always true with other authors with long series. Many times new characters and plotlines just raise more questions, rather than enhancing the work. In Silver Borne we see what we've wanted to see since book one, Adam being a loving partner. We also see Samuel and his struggle with his long life, and losing who he had decided was his mate. Mercy, if you remember, has always been leery of the Fae (even her beloved Zee up to a point) and this book is no exception. The only problem is that she can't return it, and the Fae don't want the wrong people having control of it. Great. Now to top things off Adam is only being leniant so much in regards to her fully accepting the mate bond and everything that goes with it (like his pack) and Samuel is so unahappy that he tries to kill himself. Now I say try because turns out his wolf isn't ready to die, and now Mercy has to figure out if Samuel's life is forfeit (as a violent suicidal were) or is she can help him. Only problem is that Samuel has been alive and alone a long time. His 'recovery' is a bit quick, but perhaps Samuel's 'wolf' just helped it along as fast as he could. I'm really hoping that like Anna Samuel will get his own novel or novella. He deserves some happiness and completion. I completely agree with many others in regards to Stefan. It seems in previous books that Stefan was going to be a sort of love interest, or at least a love rival. Perhaps he will get his own story to in time. The only thing I can say is that I read the first four books before I hit this one, so again I was surprised by the continuity and progression of the plot... it was really good. I'm also glad that it showed a softer side to the couple. Yes there is no longer the crazy sexual/violent tension between Adam and Mercy, but love progresses in real life, why wouldn't if for Mercy? The only thing I can say is that I hope Adam got over his "Will Mercy ever leave me?" thing in the next book. It would be nice to have the two of them as partners and not just love mushed teens. ;-) Look for the next book coming out..... oh next year... guess we have to wait again.... how about a novel about Samuel or Stefan to make the wait more bearable?