Silence Fallen: Patricia Briggs

Within the world of Werewolves, Fae, Vampires and even those that can shapeshift into other forms there lies those that learn in the darkness, hide in plain sight and want nothing more than to take control and overpower who they think is a helpless victim. The Lord of the Night, aka/ Iacopo or Jacob finds himself in what the thinks if a position of advantage and strength when he decides to kidnap the wife of the Alpha Male and head of his own pack of werewolves. Loyalties come into play when Mercy is kidnapped and finds herself at the hands of the Lord of Night in Italy. But, how will she remain alive and will this vampire covet her valuable blood and will she escape and remain alive? Just like in politics, or hostage situations, or kidnappings the one in charge often makes demands of those that are vulnerable and not in control. Adam realizes that The Lord of Night has Mercy and agrees to travel to Milan to hopefully gain her freedom. But, why include some that might side with the dark and dangerous Lord? Marsilia, the vampire appears to want to help but with Stefan the man closest to her can they be trusted? Elizaveta and Larry the Goblin King round out the group that Adam feels will aid in her return. But, never under estimate Mercy/Mercedes as she listens to the words of the Lord of Night as he leaves the door open where she is being held whether to test her strength and ability to escape or not thinking she will have the where with all to succeed. Carefully assessing her surroundings and realizing that she has one shot at escape she changes into her coyote form and manages to elude the guards and get away. But, where will she go without anything provisions, clothes or money? Using her ingenuity she manages to stow away on a train and realizing she is in need of supplies carefully and methodically opens up the luggage of some of the passengers leaving notes explaining how they can get reimbursed for their belongings or money that was taken.

Connecting with Adam is difficult but one of the passengers has an Ereader with some time left on it before it dies and she uses it to send emails to her pack and hopefully will connect with someone who will relay where she is to Adam. Their connection works for a time and she can telecommunicate with him telepathically but when the connection is broken what will happen next?
Mercy and Adam share the limelight as each one’s voice is heard as author Patricia Briggs allows readers into the minds of both main characters helping us understand their strategies, worries, anger and plans to outsmart the Lord of the Night and be reunited. Mercy never gives up and Adam along with his team will stop at nothing until she is returned. Remembering that she is part of the most powerful supernatural community. The Lord might think he won but when she escapes things change and she needs to find her way to Europe, the Prague and back to her mate alive. So, how was he able to get her? Complacent, thinking she is safe, going out to do daily chores, never thinking that she is being watched by local vampires, she finds herself taken and being held hostage. Finding herself bound and handcuffed does not deter her and changing into her other form but not before asking the coyote in her as to whether he/she agrees, the final outcome is freedom but for how long. Adam talks to his wolf side and both are in pursuit of the vampire who has initiated a war in Europe. Entering Prague she needs to enlist the help of vampires, faes and others in order to find her way back home. She is Coyote’s daughter and is resourceful, smart and relentless and can survive on her own. The author includes the list of characters and their roles at the end of the novel as we learn the Mercy is the daughter of a supernatural being and foster daughter of the number one wolf in North America and the wide of the number four wolf in North America /Adam. She is powerful in her own right and can fix a car better than any human.
Mercy is being housed by one of the Lord of the Night’s men named Libor and although he seems to feel he has the upper hand you will be surprised at her answers when he thinks she is the most powerful supernatural figure in the world. While Adam and his group along with a pilot, co-pilot and some men from the Lord Of the Night are now staying in the same suite, making sure his team is protected, Mercy is dealing with Libor. Added in she explains why Bran, the head of the Marrok, no longer protects her or has anything to do with her, yet no one would hurt her if he was around. Being the most powerful of all and Adam the head of the Columbian Basin Pack.

This is a story about control, power, race, prejudice, distinguishing where each sect belongs and who is in the position of power, as Adam takes on the role of hunter hoping to bring Mercy back into his fold but at what cost? While the Dark Lord of Night appears to want to make peace and yet not revealing why he took Mercy claiming that it was to protect her yet knowing this powerful vampire it was not true at all and allowing her to escape has to be a shield to get Adam into his lair.

Adam and his team find themselves in the lair of the Lord of the Night and the conversation is quite interesting as both try to pull their own power plays. We hear Mercy hoping to help find Mary’s seethe a dangerous vampire hoping to help the two who has taken her in but she winds up as her captive. Will she escape again and if she does where will she go? Adam connects with her but does not realize that she is once again in danger and the fight for power begins even within their visit. As Lenka part of The Lord of the Night’s team faces off with Honey who is part of Adam’s team no one dares to interfere and someone will pay with her life but which one? The end result will take Adam back into the eating hall with the vampires but what will the final outcome be and when Bran learns about Mercy’s abduction will he come to the aid of his foster daughter even though he and Adam’s pack have parted ways?

Guccio decided to go after Adam and the author vividly describes the fight and the end result is the Vampire dies. No one is allowed to interfere and once again Bonarata’s pack is diminished. Lenka was first and now Guccio who will be next as Mercy is being held in a cage and Mary can reproduce Vampires in just a few weeks. So, what happens when Adam, Matt, Larry the Goblin and head of the Goblins and the Golem are finally face to face? Will they put down the Golem for good? Elizaveta sees it all and she is a great character a powerful Russian witch who loves money and keeps Adam in the know. Added in Honey who the Lord of the Night would like for himself and when she kills Lenka you know she’s a force to be reckoned with. But, why does Adam allow the Lord of Night to go along with him to find Mercy? Will he save her? Why does Matt tell him that he’s been bitten and how will that affect him later on? Mercenaries, golems, goblins, werewolves, vampires, a coyote and humans all striving for one thing SURVIVAL but can they co-exist together? An ending that will make you wonder what is next for Adam and his pack with the twists, surprises and realizations plus confessions as we learn just why Mercy was taken. Kocourek, Master Vampire of Prague, the Dark Lord, Adam, Mercy, Larry the goblin leader in the Tri-cities and Matt Smith a submissive wolf and co-pilot and so many others in this cast of interesting characters that will allow readers to wonder can different species and races live together? Can Adam find his mate? What happens when no one hears you and no one knows where you are and the end result is Silence Fallen.

Fran Lewis: Just reviews/MJ Magazine