The Silvered
Author: Tanya Huff.
Titan Books
ISBN: 1781169586.
The ancient mountain Kingdom of Aydori is governed by werewolf packs and their mage spouses, while the nearby Kroestian Empire is ruled by a power- hungry emperor, prejudiced against magic in all forms. The Empire has declared war on the small Kingdom of Aydori, capturing five woman of the Mage- pack, including the wife of the Were-pack leader. With the rest of the pack off defending the border, it falls to Mirian Maylin and Tomas Hagen- she a low- level mag, he younger brother to the pack- leader to save them. Together the two set out on the kidnappers trail, racing into the heart of enemy territory. With every step the odds against them surviving and succeeding soar.
This novel has a beautiful strong opening and is a great beginning to this possible series by Tanya Huff. I was concerned that this would be just another unimaginative teen series, but I soon found myself happily immersed in a word of magic. There is enough in the plot of this novel to make it different from the standard ‘girl and boy go on a dangerous trip’ plot. Huff’s novel has several enjoyable twists and turns that make for very absorbing reading.
One of the things I found so different and absorbing in comparison to other teenage fiction is that this novel deals with some heavy themes based on ignorance and lack of understanding of others, breeding fear and dehumanization. The issues were disturbing but handled very sensitively and well written.
What impressed me about this book was its new take on werewolves. I thought I was tired of the Werewolf genre but this novel drew me in and hooked me. Mainly because of the conflict they are embroiled in with mages and werewolves on one side and technology on the other. I also loved the character development in this novel; the characters are complex and well developed.
I would recommend this book if you are growing weary of paranormal creatures in fiction as it will reignite your interest in the genre.
4 out of 5 nerds
Irwin Fletcher
I'm an LA journalist who really lives for his profession. I have also published work as Jane Doe in various mags and newspapers across the globe. I normally write articles that can cause trouble but now I write for FTN because Nerds are never angry, so I feel safe.
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