paradoxically's review against another edition
3.0
I've always enjoyed the Mercy Thompson series and Silver Borne wasn't much different, though I've had a few nagging problems with it. Still, it was a fun book that wandered around and chased several different plots (as these books tend to do--this one a bit more than the others) and always managed to give a little twist to some information or to a reveal that wasn't quite like what I expected.
The world Mercy lives in is an exciting one, and you wonder how the woman even catches her breath. But she's a main character you can't help but like--spunky and strong spirited, but she knows when she's wrong and she knows that, sometimes, she might not be the best person for the job. She's practical and oh so determined, and you can't help but root for her every time. The relationship she builds with Adam, has been building with Adam, is wonderful. They balance each other well, and I like how Jesse is incorporated--Adam's teenage daughter, but she's likeable.
The plot, well, the plot meanders a bit. It draws together in the end, but it sprawls out between the fae and the pack and Sam--it just feels a little messy. I'm also not all that fond of the fact I feel as if the author just keeps taking things from previous books and just building on them. This isn't bad! Not at all! But as I keep reading on in the books it feels as if the author is just plucking ideas out from nowhere and sticking it on vaguely familiar items. It bothers me, I think, that it doesn't feel like it's been planned from the beginning of the series.
Which brings me to my huge and uncomfortable problem with Samuel and his depression. No, not even that, the resolution of his little plot line. It felt forced. It came out of nowhere.woman fae! It's just--it could have been so much more and not feel like this cop out that happened because the author didn't know how to fix Sam.
And I won't go too deep into how I think it's so silly that Mercy is forbidden of speaking of certain topics to certain people--but that sure as hell doesn't stop her from telling other people! Or writing! Or, hell, she could have done charades and it would still be in line with the restriction. That entire bit just seemed ridiculous to me.
I enjoyed the beginning half more than the latter half. The latter half veered into territories that just made me shake my head, even though I did enjoy reading the book throughout. There are just some sections that didn't make me nearly as happy as other sections. Unfortunately, those sections nearly ruined my enjoyment of the book. 2-3 stars, rounding up to 3.
The world Mercy lives in is an exciting one, and you wonder how the woman even catches her breath. But she's a main character you can't help but like--spunky and strong spirited, but she knows when she's wrong and she knows that, sometimes, she might not be the best person for the job. She's practical and oh so determined, and you can't help but root for her every time. The relationship she builds with Adam, has been building with Adam, is wonderful. They balance each other well, and I like how Jesse is incorporated--Adam's teenage daughter, but she's likeable.
The plot, well, the plot meanders a bit. It draws together in the end, but it sprawls out between the fae and the pack and Sam--it just feels a little messy. I'm also not all that fond of the fact I feel as if the author just keeps taking things from previous books and just building on them. This isn't bad! Not at all! But as I keep reading on in the books it feels as if the author is just plucking ideas out from nowhere and sticking it on vaguely familiar items. It bothers me, I think, that it doesn't feel like it's been planned from the beginning of the series.
Which brings me to my huge and uncomfortable problem with Samuel and his depression. No, not even that, the resolution of his little plot line. It felt forced. It came out of nowhere.
Spoiler
So he meets this fae who he apparently has loved and suddenly he's going to be okay now? It's all good? Yay for Ariana who brings him out of his funk? How do you expect me to react to that, other than me rolling my eyes so hard. Depression is cured by the love of a goodAnd I won't go too deep into how I think it's so silly that Mercy is forbidden of speaking of certain topics to certain people--but that sure as hell doesn't stop her from telling other people! Or writing! Or, hell, she could have done charades and it would still be in line with the restriction. That entire bit just seemed ridiculous to me.
I enjoyed the beginning half more than the latter half. The latter half veered into territories that just made me shake my head, even though I did enjoy reading the book throughout. There are just some sections that didn't make me nearly as happy as other sections. Unfortunately, those sections nearly ruined my enjoyment of the book. 2-3 stars, rounding up to 3.
meghuff's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
novelesque_life's review against another edition
4.0
4 STARS
"Being a mechanic is hard work. Mercy Thompson, for instance, just spent the last couple of months trying to evade the murderous queen of the local vampire seethe, and now the leader of the werewolf pack - who's maybe-more-than-just-a-friend - has asked for her help. A book of fae secrets has come to light and they're all about to find out how implacable - and dangerous - the fae can be. OK, so maybe her troubles have nothing to do with the job. But she sure could use a holiday ..." (From Amazon)
Mercy is a kick-ass heroine that is a joy to read as her adventures have great heart and have you rooting for her every time. A very well-written urban fantasy series with great suspense and romance.
"Being a mechanic is hard work. Mercy Thompson, for instance, just spent the last couple of months trying to evade the murderous queen of the local vampire seethe, and now the leader of the werewolf pack - who's maybe-more-than-just-a-friend - has asked for her help. A book of fae secrets has come to light and they're all about to find out how implacable - and dangerous - the fae can be. OK, so maybe her troubles have nothing to do with the job. But she sure could use a holiday ..." (From Amazon)
Mercy is a kick-ass heroine that is a joy to read as her adventures have great heart and have you rooting for her every time. A very well-written urban fantasy series with great suspense and romance.
shelby7's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
lindaunconventionalbookworms's review against another edition
5.0
sometimes, I really wish I didn't read this fast! The next book won't be out until January 2011...
laurenjodi's review against another edition
4.0
Silver Borne
4 Stars
As with the previous books in the series Silver Borne has its pros and its cons.
Adam is an incredible hero, and he and Mercy have the potential for an intense and spell binding relationship. Unfortunately, Briggs fails miserably on this front as the chemistry that builds up in the first two books never comes to fruition. Any and all intimate moments between the two either fade to black or devolve into the abstract. Yes, this is UF and romance is not the focus but if the author has decided to include this element, she should make a good go of it.
Moreover, the misogynist undertones have not improved. Once again, the secondary female characters are not presented in a good light. Aurelia seems to have accepted Mercy but I wouldn't call her a friend, Mary Jo is revealed to be - could this possibly be more of a cliche? Finally, Sylvia who has actually been a sympathetic character turns out to be . I'm starting to lose hope that Briggs will write a strong and likable female other than Mercy.
As in the earlier installments, several plot threads are introduced at the outset including the mystery surrounding the fae book, the conflict within Adam's pack, Samuel's emotional issues, and the attack at Mercy's garage. Nevertheless, these all come together quite quickly and the story is the most linear and cohesive in the series thus far. Of particular note is the manner in which Mercy's problems with the pack ultimately come to her aid against the fae and the resolution of Samuel's problems, which does seem to come out of nowhere but is satisfying nonetheless (looks like there is more to Samuel's past than meets the eye).
In sum, while Mercy and gang are an entertaining bunch, my difficulties with some of the ongoing themes in the books are preventing the series from moving beyond the realm of the simply enjoyable and into the realm of the truly spectacular.
4 Stars
As with the previous books in the series Silver Borne has its pros and its cons.
Adam is an incredible hero, and he and Mercy have the potential for an intense and spell binding relationship. Unfortunately, Briggs fails miserably on this front as the chemistry that builds up in the first two books never comes to fruition. Any and all intimate moments between the two either fade to black or devolve into the abstract. Yes, this is UF and romance is not the focus but if the author has decided to include this element, she should make a good go of it.
Moreover, the misogynist undertones have not improved. Once again, the secondary female characters are not presented in a good light. Aurelia seems to have accepted Mercy but I wouldn't call her a friend, Mary Jo is revealed to be
Spoiler
behind the mind manipulation because she wants Adam for herselfSpoiler
so prejudiced against werewolves that she disowns her own sonAs in the earlier installments, several plot threads are introduced at the outset including the mystery surrounding the fae book, the conflict within Adam's pack, Samuel's emotional issues, and the attack at Mercy's garage. Nevertheless, these all come together quite quickly and the story is the most linear and cohesive in the series thus far. Of particular note is the manner in which Mercy's problems with the pack ultimately come to her aid against the fae and the resolution of Samuel's problems, which does seem to come out of nowhere but is satisfying nonetheless (looks like there is more to Samuel's past than meets the eye).
In sum, while Mercy and gang are an entertaining bunch, my difficulties with some of the ongoing themes in the books are preventing the series from moving beyond the realm of the simply enjoyable and into the realm of the truly spectacular.
grannyg's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
hm1991's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5