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Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs

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.


Linkage
All Things Urban Fantasy Review
The Book Smugglers Review
Dear Author Review
Love Vampires Review
Wicked Little Pixie Review
The Written World Review

Comments

  1. This is excellent news! Gotta get my hands on a copy soon.

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  2. Anonymous12:50 PM

    I'm reading this now. Glad you loved it!

    KarenS

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  3. Great review. Everyone is loving this latest installment so far. I can't wait for my turn to read it! !! I love Mercy. :D

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  4. Anonymous3:09 PM

    *sigh* This makes me happy.

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  5. Holly, I think you'll really enjoy this one. And there's a copy sitting here ready to be loaned out if you're interested...

    Karen, yay! Let me know when you finish.

    Christine, I know! It's been so fun to watch all the reviews roll in so positive. Will your chance come soon?

    Tiah, as well it should. It's just a ridiculously entertaining series.

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  6. My UK copy arrived! *hugs paperback*. I want to read it but I'm in the middle of something else I need to finish first (Blood of the Demon by Diana Rowland). Looking forward to this one SO MUCH.

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  7. Ahhhh... am infinitely happy to hear that this one lives up to the rest. Seriously cannot wait to read it!

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  8. LOL - I had the exact same reaction to the book. It's so pretty. I just had to hold it and marvel for a little bit before I could start reading.
    The analogy to the characters being old friends is right on. It feels that way to me too.
    Loved it!!!

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  9. Egh, i want to read it! But i'll have to wait until next time I order some books as it isn't in stores here.

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  10. Janicu, yay! I'm so glad. I was worried about your state of mind being SILVER BORNE-less for too long.

    Michelle, it totally does. It just so does. Have I mentioned how much I love Adam?

    Misti, glad it's not just me. It's just such a pleasure.

    Sullivan, ack! I'm sorry it's not available near you. Hoping your next order arrives soon. :)

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  11. Terrific review, I couldn't say any better! I just love this series, and every time I sit down to read a book from it, it's like sitting down with a friend. I really couldn't say enough good things about this series. Now, I just want to know what's next for Mercy?

    Oh, when Silver Borne arrived, I went through house showing everyone the cover and made sure they saw how Mercy stood out in the reflective light. Love this cover!

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  12. I need to read this book! Although I'm not a huge fan of fangs and fur, Patricia Briggs is such a good writer that she sucks me in every time.

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  13. Donna, thanks! And I feel the same exact way. More. Please.

    I love that you showed it off to everyone. Such a pretty.

    Sarah, that's it precisely. Her writing is what shoots her heads and shoulders above so many of the other series out there. It's dry and humorous and full of heart.

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  14. Angie, I'm trying to save a bit of money where I can so I'm not buying hardcovers unless I know my girls will read the books, too. Since this is a keeper series, I'll buy the paperback when it comes out.

    In the meantime, my library doesn't have any Patricia Briggs' books!?! A travesty! A neighboring library has it, though, and I'm currently second on the holds list there, so hopefully soon! The downside is that I could get bumped down the list if someone from that town goes on the hold list since residents get priority placement. *crosses fingers*

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  15. This was my first introduction to the series and I LOVED it so much I'll definitely be reading the rest as soon as I can.

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  16. Christine, I totally understand. And, phew. I hope no one else in the town bumps you off!

    Vanessa, this was the FIRST one you read in the series!?! DUDE. Get your butt back to MOON CALLED and get acquainted properly. ;)

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  17. Lol! I've finished Bone Crossed now since it was the only one my library had in stock. I guess I'm working my way through the series backwards.

    I'm linking to your review from mine, if that's ok.

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