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130 of 138 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Character development front and center..., April 5, 2010
This review is from: Silver Borne (Mercy Thompson, Book 5) (Hardcover)
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.
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35 of 40 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Best Installment Yet, March 31, 2010
This review is from: Silver Borne (Mercy Thompson, Book 5) (Hardcover)
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.
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30 of 35 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Coyote Among Werewolves, April 5, 2010
This review is from: Silver Borne (Mercy Thompson, Book 5) (Hardcover)
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.
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