Silver Borne – Patricia Briggs 
Urban Fantasy
March 30, 2010
Hardcover, 320 Pages
Ace
Reviewed by Mandi
Why I read: One of my favorite series!!! I love Mercy and Adam.
Favorite Quote: There is something incredibly arousing about being wanted. I pulled my hand back and sucked in a deep breath. “Adam,” I said.
Mercy has two important men in her life. She is in love with her mate and head werewolf, Adam Hauptman, and worried about her roommate, Samuel. Samuel is the Marrok’s son, and outranks Adam, but is not part of his pack, which causes some tension between the two men. Samuel is very old (although never ages due to being a werewolf) and very tired in life. Mercy knows he has been struggling with these issues, and doesn’t know how to help him. She is currently letting him stay with her, as she is not quite ready to move into Adam’s house, although he lives right next door. Mercy is not a werewolf, but a coyote shifter, but she is also part of Adam’s pack. This doesn’t necessarily make her welcome to all the wolves. She is also getting used to her inconsistent mate bond with Adam, having him being able to read her thoughts and vice versa. So she feels, not moving in yet is a good plan at the moment.
Adam is willing to concede…for now. Mercy knows eventually she will have to face the pack, and her reservations. Mercy gets a call from Tad, the son of her good friend Zee, who is fae. Tad received a message from a friend Phin, that Mercy has to “take care of that thing I gave her.” Mercy remembers she borrowed a book from Phin on the history of Fae, and she sets off to return it to him as she tries to solve his message. Problem is, no one can find Phin and there are suspicious fae being evasive.
While Mercy starts to worry about Phin, she gets a call from Samuel, or from his wolf I should say. Samuel, the person, tries to commit suicide, and the wolf takes over, not wanting to die. In most cases, Samuel would be put down immediately due to the violence a wolf in control is capable of, but Mercy decides to give Samuel a chance. Now she has a possibly violent wolf, a fae book with a lost owner, and a lover who is just a bit overprotective of her.
Mercy Thompson is one of my favorite heroines and she continues to be at the top of my list after Silver Borne. I love her spirit, and how she handles all the political maneuverings of the alphas in her life. She is independent, yet fiercely loyal to those she loves. I read these book more for her relationship with Adam and the politics within the werewolf clan than for the mystery. I will say though I think the mystery in this book is probably my least favorite out of all the books. It just didn’t feel as fleshed out or intriguing than the previous ones. However, like I said, I read it more for the werewolf interactions and we get a lot of that in this book.
We see Mercy and Adam in love. There are some very tender moments between these two, which is a wonderful change from the unbearable sexual tension Patricia Briggs put us through in the first four books. After they have a little miscommunication:
“Do you have any idea how much I love you?” he asked.
”Enough to accept my apologies?” I suggested in a small voice.
”Heck no,” he said, and pushed off from the wall, stalking forward.
When he reached me, he put his hands up and touched the sides of my neck with the tips of his fingers – as if I were something fragile.
”No apologies from you,” he told me, his voice soft enough to melt my knees and most of my other parts.
We not only see Mercy in love, but we see a very vulnerable side of Adam. Fear that Mercy might one day decide to walk away from him. We find her reassuring the big bad alpha, that he is hers. “Mine” is used very often when Mercy thinks of Adam. And thank you to Patricia Briggs for the last few pages in the book. For as tender as Adam is throughout, the last few pages – the real wolf comes out to play.
Sam plays a very big part in this book as well. Sam is at the end, and Mercy refuses to let him go..but she has no idea how to bring him back. I felt like the way he is recovered is a bit rushed. It doesn’t happen until the very end, so I am sure it will be explored in the next book more, but I would have liked to have more page time devoted to his recovery, especially since it is built up in the book so much.
Silver Borne and the entire Mercy Thompson series is fabulous. Patricia Briggs can write werewolves with such subtle nuances, that make them have such a real feel. They are brutal and have a wild, violent side, yet their human side can be so vulnerable. She is really a remarkable writer. If you have not read this series, start with Moon Called
Rating: 4/5
Recent Reviews:
Wicked Little Pixie – 4.5/5
All Things Urban Fantasy – 4/5
Goodreads
ARGH!!! How did you get your hands on this so quickly?! I'm waiting for my Amazon copy!
"but we see a very vulnerable side of Adam. Fear that Mercy might one day decide to walk away from him" – I'm glad that that's addressed. Because I was always fascinated by the story of Adam's ex-wife. When Mercy recounted their messy divorce, it sounded like Adam was put through the ringer. Glad to know some of that past hurt comes to the surface – it sounds like he's working through his issues?
And **YAY** we get some Adam/Mercy tender moments!
Just reading those tidbits about Samuel bought a tear to my eye. I adore Samuel! I would love it if he got a spin-off like Charles when he found Anna… which would mean Samuel finds someone.
Great review. I WANT MY COPY NOOOOOWWWWWW!
Great review! This sounds fantastic. Can I start with this book, or should I start with the beginning of the series? What is the beg. of the series? Thanks!–Penny
Danielle – There is a flashback of sorts, when Mercy is reading Adam's thoughts through their mate bond..and we Adam, through his POV, right after his divorce..so this issue is definitely addressed.
Samuel is such a big character, he could def have his own book, but, the way it ends, I don't see that happening (I could be totally wrong though!)
Penny – I would definitely start with book one, Moon Called. Amazing book!
Read some of that, bad me, I should not spoil things for myself but I get excited when it comes to these books :D
I got it today *scream* I'm so excited. This is one of my favorite series. Briggs is amazing.
I only skimmed your review as I don't want to know too much. Glad to hear we see more Adam/Mercy moments and hope we get a little bit of Stefan too!
Great review – I completely agree with your take on Mercy. One of the things that makes her so awesome is her ability to be independent without being an idiot! SO glad to hear we have some great Adam/Mercy scenes coming up. I have a feeling Briggs won't be the type to break them up for the hell of it any time soon…!
Great review!
Can't wait to get my hands on this one.
Great review. I can read it now, cuz I have only begun collecting the books. I will start one day! And with this review… I will be collecting a little faster!
Hope all is well!
Still haven't explored this series. I'm not sure if PB is for me or not. We'll see. Nice review.
Wonderful review-what I read of it. I only glanced at it because my copy is on it's way I want it to be fresh. ;)
Great review! I love this series. I did have a few issues here and there with this one, but like you, I think the focus was on Mercy and Adam's relationship and it was so great to see them together that I didn't mind the little issues that much. ;)
Lalala I'm not listening, lalalala, I can't start another series, lalalala.
(throws in the towel) you win, I'll read this series.
Nice review btw ;)
Excellent review. Samuel just breaks my heart.
Any Bran in this? I hope he ditches Leah and finds real love.
Awesome review, Mandi.
DH and I are reading it right now. That flashback was perfect. Seriously perfect.
arghhhhh i am coming back to this… im about 80% in and dying! I will be back….. did that sound ominous? hm
Blodeuedd – Me too..loooooove this series!
Jane – YES..I did a little scream too :)
Patti – EEk..Stephan is not in this one :(
Kay – she is smart..but kind too :) And I don't see them breaking up..especially after this one.
Sullivan – Thanks :)
Cecile – oh yes..start this one!! :)
FV – This series IS for you. Listen to the smexy.
Tori – Can't wait to hear your thoughts!
B – Yeah..overall it was great. Little things..but nothing that couldn't be overlooked.
KC – You would love Adam!
Lesilie – Bran is in it a bit. He is invested in Sam's health…and yes, poor Sam. He has a big role in this one.
Angie – AHHH – the flashback. *SOB* I loved it.
KV – YAY!!
I ordered my copy last night and can't wait for it to arrive. I LOVE Adam, so I know this is going to be great.
;-)
I feel the same way. I felt his recovery was rushed and almost out of place after it was built up so much in this novel. I think it was kindof random and I almost feel like it won't last. idk. The mystery was okay until the ending, which I didn't like much.
Adam and Mercy were great. I think the trouble with the pack was more intriguing than the Fae mystery. Almost wished she would have just left that out.
I am posting my review later in the week with 4 stars as well! Great Review!
Great review and I also enjoy reading this series!
Can't wait to read and waiting for my copy from the library!
I started this series recently and absolutely love it. Still waiting for Amazon to deliver my copy of Silver Borne.
Excellent review, Smexy!
back… and now i cqn breath. I was really worried about Samuel and was prepared with tissues just in case. Great review Smexy! :)
I still haven't read the book before this one. I really need to start catching up.
Ah, I want this book. But I want to collect all my books in the same format which is paper so….I don't know if I ca wait!
Totally agree with you on the mystery part. It was a weaker element in the book, but I still love Mercy.
I haven't read this series but I've read the first 2 of the Alpha & Omega series and I have the third on my Sony TBR.
Mercy gets mentioned in those books so I gather it's the same world. Is the series romance or something else? I'm not sure whether to try this series or just stick with the one I already have.
Great review Mandi – thank you! I can't wait to read this book!
It seems as if Brigg's is here again with another winner…
I am hoping to be able to read this next week..
Love the highlights you mentioned..
E.H>