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Silver Borne (Mercy Thompson, #5)

Patricia Briggs

Start date: May 1, 2021

Finish date: May 31, 2021

Discussion: Challenges: What's the Rush

Why we're reading this: Part of our group series (re)read: Mercy Thompson …more
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Challenges: What's the Rush

* 2025 Series Read: K.N. Banet's "Jacky Leon"
By Steph , Serious series addict · 92 posts · 31 views

last updated Sep 14, 2025 03:19PM

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* YEAR-LONG CHALLENGES
By Steph , Serious series addict · 1 post · 389 views

last updated Aug 17, 2010 11:14PM

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What Members Thought

Mar 29, 2009 The Flooze rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: vanquished_2017, urban-fantasy-paranormal, vanquished_2010, owned

**3.5**

Silver Borne may involve the Fae and the secrets surrounding a mysterious book, but more than anything it's about relationships. The entire story revolves around the ties that bind: Mercy and Adam's bond, their individual relationships to the pack at large, and Samuel's link with the world in general.

It was about time we got these subjects out in the open! There have been lingering hostilities, hesitations aplenty, and a lot of unresolved emotions in this series. Silver Borne forces most **3.5**

Silver Borne may involve the Fae and the secrets surrounding a mysterious book, but more than anything it's about relationships. The entire story revolves around the ties that bind: Mercy and Adam's bond, their individual relationships to the pack at large, and Samuel's link with the world in general.

It was about time we got these subjects out in the open! There have been lingering hostilities, hesitations aplenty, and a lot of unresolved emotions in this series. Silver Borne forces most of these to the fore, making this more of a drama than an action-packed fantasy.

As the series develops, Briggs endows Adam with a fuller personality and gives a clearer picture of the vulnerabilities lurking beneath the Alpha's surface. I appreciate this, as I've always liked Adam yet never felt as comfortable with him as I do with other characters.

With Mercy, Briggs makes sure to keep her character as realistic as ever. Mercy is still the same reckless risk-taker when it comes to protecting those she loves, but she's also learning from her experiences and slowly changing the way she handles certain situations. She's becoming more savvy in dealing with the pack and their magics. She's also coming to appreciate the comfort and confidence being part of a pack - and a family - provides.

Samuel reaches the breaking point Briggs has been hinting at. His storyline gives a great deal of insight into the relationship between the man and the wolf as they reside in one being. It highlights the Otherness of the werewolves and the tremendous amount of control they constantly have to exert over their animalistic side. (I sense some foreshadowing!) His loss of connection with the world provides a great contrast to Mercy’s acceptance of Adam and her status as the Alpha’s mate.

Despite the fact I wanted Samuel's problems sorted out and Adam and Mercy’s relationship to progress, I must admit I found this story lacking. The involvement of the Fae seemed forced - merely an external drama designed to bring everything else to a boiling point. It somehow lacked integration, especially when the problem was quickly resolved in the last 50 pages. The unrest within the pack would have made a well-rounded storyline all on its own.

Silver Borne was a quick and entertaining visit with characters I’m fond of, but I hope the next installment includes a little more on the action and mystery fronts, getting Mercy back to her true strengths. ...more

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Oct 01, 2009 Yz the Whyz rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2010-reads, patricia-briggs

Another great installment to the Mercy Thompson series.

Our favorite coyote shifter/mechanic is back, and this time trouble comes to her in a form of a book. A fairy queen wants it, and Mercy became her target in her quest for its magical properties. As usual, the prose was fluid, the action fast-paced, and before I know it, I finished the book.

Highlights of the book that stands out for me would include Mercy and Adam's relationship, the presences of Samuel's wolf and more information on pack dyn ...more

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Jun 20, 2021 Netanella rated it really liked it

Shelves: urban-fantasy, shifters, chicks-who-kick-butt, 2021-wbtm-mix-match-challenge, 2021-june-reading-challenges

I took a break from the Mercy Thompson series for a month or two, as I've devoted this year to reading the entire series, something I've been meaning to do for a long time now. So, it was with quite a pleasant surprise that the end of my hiatus led me to a renewed enjoyment of the series, as this book was exceptionally well done. It deals primarily with the topic of suicide, so anyone with raw emotions on that subject might want to stay away from this read for a while. What I enjoyed the most ab ...more

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Jan 11, 2011 Thenia rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: magic, r-ab, reviewed, series, vampires, paranormal, shifters, 2012, 2014, 2019

It's been a long time since I read the previous book and I'd forgotten how well written the series is. The plot is realistic, the relationships between the different characters without excessive drama and the atmosphere ranging from dark to cozy to intense and everything in between.

Mercy is a solid character, with her flaws and her issues and reading about her, seeing her world through her eyes, is anything but boring. She deals with her problems, relies on others when she has to instead of tryi ...more

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Jan 19, 2011 Qylie rated it really liked it

This book is less about Mercy going out to fight and more about back-story progression. I think it is done very well and helps to solidify the series. There have been so many relationships that need work in this series that having a book with a small amount of action but more on character development and progression was grossly needed. There was action in the book, however for the majority of the novel Mercy is NOT in the thick of it. While Briggs moved us forward through the back-story she left ...more

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Sep 01, 2009 Kati rated it it was amazing

Shelves: in-english, work-reviews, urban-fantasy, ebooks, 2010, queer

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jun 05, 2011 Deyara rated it really liked it

I was worried about Samuel, now I'm sad. Didn't really like the way his story resolved - like maybe his story was boring and he needed to get out of the way - but I love him! He's one of the best parts! Moving on, not a big Adam fan. (view spoiler) Overall, another enjoyable Mercy story. ...more

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Apr 15, 2010 Drea rated it really liked it

Shelves: kindle-book, april-2010

Another great book from Patricia Briggs, now it's just waiting for the next one to come out next year sometime. ...more

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Jul 28, 2010 Joanne rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: read-2010, audio-book

This was another great book in this series. My top three heroes right now, Mercy, Kate Daniels and Chess Putnam.

Very rarely do I read three books in the same series because I get bored. This series is a definite exception, I wish there were many more books because I haven't had enough of Mercy, San, Stephan and of course Adam and the pack. ...more

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Nov 15, 2009 Samantha rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, 2011

I love it when she focuses on the pack dynamic. I could care less about the vampire and fae. I'm glad to see Mercy's relationships grow all-around. A great addition to the series. ...more

1 like · Like · see review