Genres: Urban Fantasy
Published by Ace
Released on March 7, 2017
Pages: 371
Format: Hardcover
Source: Purchased
The Delight
This is my second time through Silence Fallen and this time without the benefit of first time surprise. I was eager to pour through the pages and watch for hints that led to that big, fun reveal in the end. I also caught a few other lovely tidbits that tied the book to both the past and future books so a seemingly isolated adventure taking Mercy and Adam into Europe, wasn’t such a standalone after all.
Review
Silence Fallen is the tenth of the series of books that definitely work best read in order and in conjunction with the Alpha and Omega series.
On a quiet night at home, Mercy steps out to grab a few groceries and ends up kidnapped and in Europe. Her job is to escape and stay alive long enough for Adam to come and get her. Sitting quietly by like a damsel in distress isn’t Mercy’s way so while she waits for Adam, she involves herself in the weres, vamps, and ghostly business of Prague to interesting results.
Meanwhile, Adam feels his bonds to Mercy disappear and nearly loses his control and, worse, his wolf is ready to tear apart Europe looking for his mate starting with the Master of Night and his powerful vampire seethe of Milan. Adam, wisely, doesn’t go alone and takes Marsilia the vampire mistress, Stefan a vampire ally, Elizaveta the witch, and Larry the goblin king along on a private plane with two pilots Charles arranged for him. The vampire master is a deep and clever one. There is definitely something going on in the Old Country, but all he wants to do is find Mercy and go home.
As I said, I enjoyed this book not so much for the impact of the storyline which is what struck me the first time through. It’s a good strong story, but this time, I enjoyed exploring the origins of Marsilia and Stefan by meeting their one-time master and learning how things came about that they ended up separated and in the Tri-Cities. The Lord of Night got several mentions in earlier books as the big scary back in Europe so it was cool getting an up close and personal. It was interesting seeing how the vampire interest in werewolves happened and the tie to the witches. Speaking of witches, the overshadowing for the next book, Storm Cursed, started here with this book and I didn’t catch it the first time.
But of course, it wouldn’t be a new book in the series without introducing some new and interesting supernatural world building like kabbalistic magic in the form of a golem or bringing the goblins into the forefront for the first time.
And, that fun surprise reveal that left me laughing at how I didn’t see it all along in the first read and this time around could appreciate the subtle hints.
All in all, it was a fun urban fantasy adventure in a favorite series. Loved that it was set in Prague for something different. And, can’t wait to move forward through the series readalong into the next book.
About the Book
SILENCE FALLEN BY PATRICIA BRIGGS
Attacked and abducted in her home territory, Mercy finds herself in the clutches of the most powerful vampire in the world, taken as a weapon to use against alpha werewolf Adam and the ruler of the Tri-Cities vampires. In coyote form, Mercy escapes—only to find herself without money, without clothing, and alone in the heart of Europe…
Unable to contact Adam and the rest of the pack, Mercy has allies to find and enemies to fight, and she needs to figure out which is which. Ancient powers stir, and Mercy must be her agile best to avoid causing a war between vampires and werewolves, and between werewolves and werewolves. And in the heart of the ancient city of Prague, old ghosts rise…
Preview
About Patricia Briggs
Patricia Briggs was born in Butte, Montana, to a children’s librarian who passed on to her kids a love of reading and books. Patricia grew up reading fairy tales and books about horses, and later developed an interest in folklore and history. When she decided to write a book of her own, a fantasy book seemed a natural choice. Patricia graduated from Montana State University with degrees in history and German and she worked for a while as a substitute teacher. Currently, she lives in Montana with her husband, children, and six horses and writes full time, much to the delight of her fans.
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Loved this installment so much! I still marvel at the the twist in the end, even reading this 3xs and knowing while reading. Elizaveta is something else right? The next story is illuminating and horrifying. Witches have played prominently in both Mercy Thompson and Alpha & Omega the last few installments. The short story with Asil as well. I really want a good love interest for Asil. You read the short story with Asil, right? I seem to remember you did.
Yes, she is. I was rather horrified by the events in the next one, too. Just wow!
I think it is fascinating that Brigg’s witches, vampires, fae, and werewolves retain the monster element which some work hard to restrain and make good choices while others go with it straight to evil like most of the witches.
Oh yes, I read Asil’s date and loved that one. I’m with you about hoping he meets a new special someone. 🙂
Yeah, I was horrified with everything revealed! The poor animals!
I know. Zombie goats!
Ah! this comment caught my eye 😉
Haha! It was definitely something different. 🙂
I still need to start reading this author.
For sure! You’d love it, Mary!
I loved this. I also didn’t catch the witch threads the first time. I did love the goblins and the Doctor Who references though. I am just so happy with my choice for this year and thanks for joining us!
You made a brilliant choice that totally matched my mood. 🙂 It is fun to go back and see how she masterfully knitted together the series plot threads and each new inclusion.
Yea! So glad this worked the second time around. I would like to re-listen for the same reasons – to see what was there (and what wasn’t) for the “twist” and for the following book. I remember I didn’t like having the second narrator for the male POV parts (LK does such an amazing job – why do this??), but maybe I will have a different view upon a re-listen.
Sadly, my library didn’t have this one in audio so I did it as a print again. Maybe one of the next two will have the second narrator so I can see what I think.
Yeah, the twist was still barely hinted at even in a re-read so I don’t kick myself for not seeing through it the first time. Haha!
This was my first time reading it and I enjoyed it, but probably really need to read it again to catch some of the details. I enjoyed the kabbalistic magic too. I wonder if we’ll start seeing more of it?! Great review.
I loved my first time through, but this time I caught some of the finer details better and saw how it fit with other books.
Yes, I love how I learn about supernatural mythology from other cultures in these. It will be interesting to see if it comes up again. Thanks, Berls!
I must start book 2 asap.
Absolute must!
I always hear such great things about Patricia Briggs and her novels, but haven’t read any yet. Great review and sounds like such a good read. Hugs and Happy Friday to you, Shari and Lorna! Hugs, RO
The rumors are all true, Ro. 🙂 You have a splendid Friday, too, Radiant lady!
That’s one of the things I enjoy about re-reading how you can catch some of the hints or build up to the reveal when you already know what that reveal will be. Sounds like this was a fun one to re-read 🙂
Yes, I didn’t see how it all worked before and felt it was a surprise, but now I could see the hints. 🙂