Friday, July 5, 2013

Tarnished (Silver #2) by Rhiannon Held

2nd in Silver series
352p.
Publisher: Tor
Available Now
Source: From Tor for review
Experience the romance and danger of running with the werewolves in this urban fantasy 
Andrew Dare has found his mate in Silver, but they haven’t found the pack they can call home. Some of his old friends think he should return and challenge Roanoke for leadership of all the werewolf packs on the East Coast. But Andrew has baggage—his violent history with the packs of Spain and the rumors of his lack of control. And then there’s Silver—the werewolf who has lost her wild self to a monster’s assault, and who can no longer shift forms. But perhaps together they can overcome all the doubters. 
The second book in this wonderful urban fantasy series plunges readers into the world of the shape-shifter packs who live hidden among us.
 My thoughts:
Yes, I did it again. I was sent this book for review and I knew it was the second book in the series, but I decided to try it anyway. This is a book that should not be read out of order. Not that I couldn't pick up and get into the book, because I did enjoy myself, but because you will miss a lot of information about Silver. She is one of the major characters in this book and despite my lack of knowledge of what happened before she actually captured most of my attention. She is unusual for a were and quite interesting.

 The world in this book is quite interesting. A lot of political wrangling with a wolfish twist. Not just what you say matters, but in how you smell when you say it as well as body language counts more than with humans. However, as they are somewhat related to humans there are some similarities. And while this world is quite interesting it isn't all politics. Quite a bit of adventure to be had with a few very bad guys to be defeated. Not all are defeated by brawn, but also by brain. This is what made the world so captivating

Even though the world is interesting, I'd have to say the book shines when it comes to characters. While I felt I missed a lot with not knowing about Silver completely (totally my fault), she still shined for me. I also loved Dare her mate as well as the secondary characters. The lone human amongst the were, Susan, really shined and I loved her contrast as well as similarities to the were. Usually in these stories the human is the weak link, but Susan proved to be anything but that. I really enjoyed her.

I give this book 4 stars. I wouldn't recommend reading out of order as I have, but I am glad I still read this book. I really enjoyed my time here in this world. I recommend it for those that really enjoy were stories.

25 comments:

  1. Tsk, Melissa Melissa, this out of order addiction is getting out of control ;)

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  2. I read the first book in this series, but I actually only read it because I thought it was a stand-alone. I'm not sure I want to continue the books, although this sounds really good. I'll have to see...thanks for alerting me about this sequel!(:

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    1. Well, I can say that the second book really captured me and now I want to go back to find out what I missed. :)

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  3. I do it all the time -- and not usually on purpose. Reading the books in order really helps develop the world and character but if I'm not intrigued with a middle book then the series probably isn't for me anyway. This one sounds interesting enough to pick up the first book, though!

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    1. A lot of times you can go in the middle of some series so I don't always worry about it. I usually want to go back to the first if another in the series makes me curious. :)

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  4. Glad you enjoyed even if you should have read the first book first.

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  5. Hmm, then I need to read this series from the beginning. Another series added to my pile.

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  6. A lot of political wrangling with a wolfish twist? I'm liking the sound of this.

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    1. I don't know if it was the same in the first, but in this one... the world was quite interesting.

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  7. I read Silver and really enjoyed it Melissa, but definitely in reading this book first you miss out on a lot about her character. Still, I take it as a very good sign that you liked this one as much as you did without knowing her background, so I can't wait to get my hands on it! *happy dance*

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    1. Oh yea... I could tell I missed too much about Silver, but it still captured me. So curious about that first book now!

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  8. I love that characters are important and done well in this story. It's also great to hear that people are defeated by brains as well as brawn. Sounds like a relatively smart read. Glad you liked it!

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  9. I guess your reading out of order bit you in the butt a bit. Glad though that this was still a great read and that you weren't lost. Hope you have a great weekend. My BIL is home safe from Colorado!

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    1. Well, I do have a big... uh, nevermind...

      I'm so happy he is home. That was a horrible fire and with what happened in AZ, it became more scary. :(

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  10. Do you know I have never read a wolf book. Not shape shifter (except Twilight, but that wasn't exclusive), werewolf, nada. IDK why. I feel like they wont interest me. That's silly huh? Its the same theme just a different "monster". I should really read one before I totally write them off..
    Tor puts out good books.
    Have a great Friday!

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  11. I for one LOVE that you read books in whatever order you get them, it gives me hope that one day I'll be able to break my OCD ways. So when I'm ten books behind in a series, it's not impossibly daunting. :-) Too bad so much backstory was in book one, but it's great that you were able to connect so well with Silver. If this is still 4 stars in spite of you missing out on book one, I'll definitely have to check this series out. Lovely review!

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  12. I give you such kudos for trying books out of order..unless it is an accident I won't do it! Idf this still rated a four..i need to check out book one..delightful review Melissa!

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  13. I'll have to check the first book!

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  14. Reading books out of order is beyond me... Clearly I haz issues. I did it only once, and even though I understood, I had to go back and read all the previous ones because I felt terribly guilty.

    As soon as you mentioned politics, I knew I'd be reading this one.
    Lovely review, Mel!

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  15. Ok, not out of order with this one. But it does sound really good. :)

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  16. Fortunately, I have the first book in this series. I've only just started it and I can't imagine reading book two without reading book one first. Not that I've never done that myself....

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