Singh starts off her new Psy-Changling Trinity arc with a mysterious poisoning of Silver Merchant, whom series readers will recognize from earlier books. Her relationship with bear-changeling alpha Valentin Nikolaev begins as he takes her to safety while she is recovering. There are many challenges to their relationship that I won't spoil because you want to read this book! It is great that that this story takes place in a new part of the world and with the bears, who are hilarious and heartbreaking. The challenges to the Trinity Accord continue and the new developments introduced flow well with the main storyline. Singh's world-building skills are wonderful and she's written another winner. Perfect for any romance collection.

“I will fight all your monsters beside you, solnyshko moyo. You just have to point them out.”

Every time I think I have settled on a favorite book in Nalini Singh’s incomparable Psy-Changeling series, I am pulled up short by the latest installment.

Case in point, Silver Silence. As the first book in the second ‘arc’ of this series—titled Psy-Changeling Trinity to differentiate—this book takes us in a new direction… and introduces us to a new clan. The StoneWater bears.

Those rowdy, maddening, loving, loyal, amusing bears. They bring such playfulness to this story; a levity that is balanced by the overtures of betrayal, loss, and uncertainty.

It's a balance that is just exactly so. The thawing of Kaleb’s icy aide deftly straddles the line between fun and fiery, with no doubt left as to the strength of Silver’s character. Because she is, of course, Silver Fucking Mercant—a heroine who could undoubtedly give Ms. Singh’s Elena Deveraux* a run for her money.

On the flip side is the Alpha… Valentin is charming—a gentleman bear—and fierce. His big heart, unwavering strength and unbeatable persistence make the first part of this book (mostly) light-hearted; the most out-and-out joyful book, IMHO, since Drew and Indy sparred in Play of Passion.

And much like that book (indeed all of the books in this series), Silver Silence, uses the in-between moments—and the more serious second part—to establish new storylines. Building upon her already stellar, detailed world, Ms. Singh seeds new intrigues, new connections, new alliances. And it is captivating—a planting ground for the next crop of matings and mysteries (and maybe more Mercants?) in this unique universe.

A universe which I cannot wait to see grow.

Glasses broken: 132. Chairs broken: 12. Jukeboxes turned upside down because some bear thought it was hilarious: 1.

*If you don't know Elena yet, do yourself a favor and grab the Guild Hunter series.

~ FIVE Starlight STARS ~

What can I say, I'm a sucker for a really good love story. Singh doesn't just give us one but two woo-ings and some really fantastic chemistry to swoon over. I absolutely loved Valentin and Silver story. Who wouldn't want to have someone love them with the persistence shown by the bear alpha...even if he was trying to think like a cat.

You will never be disappointed by picking up a Nalini Singh novel. Silver Silence swept me away and right into the PSY/Changeling world.

I received this ARC copy of Silver Silence from Berkley Publishing Group. This is my honest and voluntary review. Silver Silence is set for publication July 13, 2017.

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To be honest, I read this book twice before writing my review. The first time I read it was solely for my own enjoyment. I absolutely adore everything Nalini Singh has ever written and this book is no exception! Silver Silence made me both chuckle and cry, and by cry, I mean ugly sob for the second part of the book. I was afraid I was dehydrated by the time I finished this book. It was all I could have wanted for Silver’s book. Okay, enough gushing and on to the review!
Silver Mercant was introduced in the first half of the Psy-Changeling series. She was Kaleb Krychek’s personal assistant and her family is a Psy shadow power. In the later books, she heads up the EmNet which is a worldwide emergency response system. Needless to say, Silver’s a complete badass and alpha heroine! She needs a hero who can both appreciate her badassness and break through the shield of Silence surrounding her. Luckily the readers, Nalini Singh had the perfect hero up her shelf. Valentin Nikolaev, the alpha of the StoneWater Bears. Yup, bears! Singh has moved away from her usual leopards and wolves to bring us to a new pack of bears! And the bears are freaking awesome. Like the SnowDancer wolves, the bears reside in the same housing complex, this time a cave. Silver is introduced to the world of the bears after being poisoned and needing a secure place to reside. Luckily for her, Valentin had his eye on Silver for a while now and was more than willing to offer her safe haven.
While a majority of the book focused on Silver and Valentin, Singh continued introduce the arc of the new series, Psy-Changeling Trinity, of which Silver Silence is the first book. Unlike her previous books, i.e. Slave to Sensation, Kiss of Snow, etc, these books have two word titles, singling the start of the new storyline. Silence and the Psy Council fell in the previous books and now a new world order is developing, complete with a new unknown villain. One of the storytelling techniques Singh excels at is keeping the reader engaged throughout a long series. While each of her books is standalone, apart from Allegiance of Honor, there is an overall storyline which ties them together. Silver Silence continues that new storyline as the stability of this new world is threaten by fringe groups as well as the Architect. I have my guess about how the Architect is but I have feeling we won’t find out for a while, especially considering how long it took us to find out who the Ghost was in the previous series.
As much as I admire Singh’s world shaping, my favorite part of this book is the relationship between Silver and Valentin. In this series, we’ve seen many examples of Pys’s breaking their Silence and forming relationships. However, Silver presented a new twist to this familiar story. She quickly gives in to Valentin’s playful seduction but her Silence is still necessary. She has a very different reason for needing to suppress her emotions and when she has to make that choice, my heart broke. Without spoilers, the depth of their relationship is severely tested and how Valentin deals with it shots him up to the top of my all-time favorite heroes list. He is so passionate and loving of Silver even when facing something which surely means his own heartbreak. I honestly have no words for the emotions I experienced reading their love story. It was just so beautiful.
I’m sure I’ve gushed enough over this book by now but I’d just like to throw out a few more things. There was a myriad of nicknames within this book, which some characters like Valentin having as many as four. While initially confusing, it actually proved to be very sweet once you realized they symbolized a special connection. I’m also hoping for a MM romance for Nalini Singh. There were hints of it in this book and maybe if we all wish hard enough, Nalini Singh will give us a novella with Silver’s brother, Arwen and Pavel, Valentin’s lieutenant. I want to end this review with saying that everyone should read this book!

Silver Silence is the beginning of a new but not new series by Nalini Singh. How the author puts it is another “season”. This book follows after the Psy Changeling series. There have been some new developments of course. We have humans, psy, and changeling working together but not everyone approves of it. And there is a group of “terrorists” wanting to destroy the alliance that they have created. Our heroine Silver, has always had silence, it keeps her under control. But she does have a family, where they look out for her. But when her life is proved to be in danger, she reluctantly agrees to go stay at a bear pack close to home in Russia. Valentin is the alpha of the Stone Water Bears. He has a duty to his pack, and is dealing with a part of his wolves not supporting him being alpha which is breaking the hearts of the pack. But Valentin also knows that Silence is his mate, despite her sense of control over everything. He knows he will have to slowly win her over, but he is a bear so he is more than up to the challenge.

In Silver Silence we see the way that these characters slowly come together. Valentin is your typical alpha male of course but not. He knows he can’t be all domineering and controlling with a Psy female, especially when they keeps her emotion under a tight leash. I like how he tries to emulate Lucas, in how he seduced his Psy….but of course he refuses to follow the example of the wolf alpha. Bears don’t like wolves for some reason,,,its kinda funny. What I liked is seeing how Valentin and the other members of his pack tread slowly and patiently with Silver especially since bear changelings aren’t very patient or slow. I also found myself intrigued by bear changelings. I really liked seeing the way they are with each other. They are rowdy, playful, can hold their liquor, and can sleep through anything and boy do they love their sleep hehe Typical bears right?

We also see some intrigue and mystery develop in the plot. I will admit that this is the one aspect of the story I struggled with. There is a lot of new information that Singh puts out, and can be a bit confusing and it was a little difficult keeping everything straight. But that is the only thing that kept this book from being a five star. It does have its emotional moments especially toward the end, but boy this book really tests you, pulls you into a sexy and fun changeling and psy cultures, and seeing three groups come together in unity and try to make a better world for themselves. The author has succeeded in meeting my expectations for this book and I can’t wait to see what she pulls out of her clever hat next!!! Silver Silence will keep you on your toes, sexy as sin, tugs at the heartstrings and will keep you wanting more!! FABULOUS ROMANCE!!

Silver Mercant has gone from being Kaleb Krychek's assistant to the director of EmNet, the new worldwide emergency response network that coordinates human, changeling, and Psy resources when emergencies occur. With the fall of Silence and the new attempts to unite the three races, Silver is one of the key players in the new Trinity Alliance. Her new high profile has gained her both enemies and allies- including Valentin Nikolaev, alpha of the StoneWater bear clan. After saving her life from an attempted poisoning, Valentin is determined to keep Silver close where he can protect her- and maybe convince her to leave Silence behind and learn to play with a certain alpha bear. But Silver believes she is one of those Psy Silence was originally designed to save. Can Valentin change her mind before assassins or her own powers kill her?

Silver Silence begins Part 2 of Nalini Singh's Psy-Changeling world, a transition that began in Allegiance of Honor. Fans will remember Silver as Kaleb Krychek's assistant and I for one was beyond thrilled when I first heard she would be getting her own book. Her persistent suitor is Valentin Nikolaev- not only a new character but our first introduction to bear changelings. Valentin is everything we expect in a powerful predatory changeling alpha: stubborn, smart, stubborn, sneaky, and stubborn. He also has a great sense of humor and a seemingly limitless amount of patience and love, even for those who claim to reject him. We can see early on that Silver isn't as Silent as she thinks she is, and watching her take cautious steps into the world of emotion is a delightful journey. Being dropped into a clan of bears means some of her relaxation of Silence is almost a self-defense mechanism of its own, and once she starts down that path Valentin is only too happy to keep encouraging her. Silver's strength comes not (only) from her psychic abilities. She is an organized, efficient, take-no-attitude woman who uses grey silk suits as armor and can bluff so well you'd never want to play poker against her. She's learned from Ena that sometimes what people think you can/will do is even more powerful than what you actually can/will do- a lesson she puts to good use as new enemies threaten not only her life, but the delicate trust the Trinity Alliance is forging between the races.

Valentin may be all bear but he works on being "sneaky like a cat" in order to get Silver. Family and clan is everything to Valentin, meaning he and Silver already start with some things in common. Even during the height of Silence the Mercant family was a tightly knit unit. When Silver is poisoned and the culprit seems to be one of the family both she and her grandmother Ena, the Mercant family 'alpha', are rocked by the idea one of their own could betray them. Ena is a great, strong, scary woman (possibly even a level above Nikita Duncan) and I enjoyed how she, Valentin, and Kaleb interact with each other.

While Kaleb and a few other familiar faces cameo here, nearly all the characters in Silver Silence are new. Secondary characters like Nova, Ena and Arwen enrich the book while giving us no hints about who the next book will focus on (I'd say Arwen, but by the end it's pretty obvious he's hooked on a bear as well). I'm hoping we get to meet more Mercant family and maybe follow some of them as main characters in the future. Trouble in Valentin's family and in the StoneWater clan as a whole mean there's plenty going on and the antagonists aren't only against Silver.

While Silver Silence begins to explore the new world of Trinity and how three very different races of people can begin to trust each other again, it is, at heart, a story about family, love, and hope. Love of and loyalty to family drive virtually every decision by both the Mercants, the StoneWater clan, and many of the enemies they face. How do Psy learn to reconnect not only with their own emotions, but with others? When nearly every family of humans or changelings knows at least one person who was harmed by a Psy, how can they begin to trust Psy? How do you begin to see individuals instead of painting an entire race with one brush? Even Silver doesn't realize how connected the three races are until the very end, when with one lovely twist Singh gives us something that should have been so obvious you won't believe you didn't think of it yourself.

Just when you think Nalini Singh can't possibly top her last book, she goes and writes Silver Silence. While newcomers could start here and not feel lost, having read at least Allegiance of Honor will make Silver Silence even better. An awesome beginning to the next chapter in Singh's Psy-Changeling world, Silver Silence is a fast-paced, three-dimensional must read full of passion, mystery, love and, above all: hope. Valentin and Silver's story remind us that no matter what is happening in the world around us, we should never stop believing that love and hope can make a difference.

When Valentin Nikolaev, alpha of Russia’s bear Changeling pack, arrives at Silver Mercant’s apartment to deliver a report (because he’s a tiny bit obsessed and needed an excuse to see her) he interrupts her breakfast. Which turns out to be a good thing because her food was poisoned. Valentin gets Silver to the hospital in time to save her life. There he meets her grandmother, head of the powerful Mercant family and a woman no one says no to. So when Grandmother decrees that Silver will stay with Valentin in the bear den during the search for the would-be assassin, she really can’t refuse. And Valentin is thrilled at the chance to win Silver over.

Silver Silence is reminiscent of early books in the Psy-Changeling series with a more straightforward romance plot, which makes sense since it begins a new story arc. The obvious parallels to Sasha and Lucas’s romance in Slave to Sensation help the comparison. Like Sasha, Silver is more “human” and adaptable than most of the Psy, despite her insistence that she must stay Silent. Still she’s overwhelmed by the bear Changelings at first.

Just like with the American cats and wolves in previous books, we get to meet lots of children in the den. The bear cubs are just the cutest thing ever! I’m also excited about getting to know Valentin’s brothers and sisters more. I’m sure that some of them are going to be the focus of future books. The local wolf pack plays a role in the story as well and I also look forward to seeing more of them, along with the rest of the Mercant family.

Singh divides the story into two parts, before and after a certain event in Silver’s life. I felt like part two, which is only the last 25% of the book, wrapped up much too quickly and didn’t make Silver work to overcome the obstacle to her HEA. I was thinking I might have a five star read on my hands, but that abrupt ending really bothered me. Still I’m happy to be back in the Psy-Changeling world and so excited about getting to know these characters better.

Psy-Changeling is one of my favorite series and probably the one I recommend the most often. I don’t know why anyone would want to skip the earlier books, but
I think you could start with Silver Silence if you’re ok with a few spoilers, primarily for Vasic’s book, Shield of Winter. (I was surprised how much he came up in Silver’s story.) Kaleb appears as well, but most of the other characters we’ve met before play very minor roles.

With Silver Silence, Nalini Singh is providing her readers with an evolution of the Psy-Changeling series where, instead of focusing on the races individually, we are working towards a more integrated society. Silence has fallen, many of the corrupt and psychopathic Psy have been defeated, and now our three races have begun working to strengthen the Trinity Accord. While part of the population sees the importance and benefits to uniting Humans, Psy and Changelings, others are wary or downright combative and have resolved to bring down Trinity and its basic tenets.
Silver Mercant is the perfectly silent assistant to powerhouse Kaleb Krycheck. I had to think really hard about who Silver was when I started this story, because I didn't recall being introduced to her family in the past. This is because the Mercant family has always been powerful, but they choose to remain in the shadows rather than making some of the more bold power grabs that we have seen from Psy councilors and villains alike. So while we knew Silver tangentially as Kaleb's assistant, I don't remember her being a major player in past books. But don't let that fool you, Silver is no slouch in the power department. As a pure telepath, Silver has the ability to communicate with people over long distances, a very useful ability when you work for a world super power, and particularly beneficial to Silver in her new position as head of EmNet, the new worldwide emergency response network. However, not all of Silver's psychic abilities are a boon, and its that secondary ability that necessitates Silver's rigid control and continued silence after other Psy have relaxed their hold.

Valentin Nikolaev, a/k/a I.M.A. Medvezhonok, is a hilarious and huge Kamchatka brown bear changeling, and alpha to the StoneWater clan in Russia. Changeling bears are wildly charming, sometimes illogical, and usually overbearing. But this brash behavior, while evincing their good nature and laissez faire attitude, also serves as a cover for astute minds and abiding loyalty. While I enjoyed the cats and wolves we met earlier in the series... the bears were so much stinkin' fun and lovable that they cemented a place in my heart very quickly. Valentin was the perfect alpha, with an awesome personality and huge heart; he was constantly taking care of his clan without being a stifling dictator. His attempts to woo Silver were hilarious, particularly when he talked himself up to be "sneaky like a cat." The humor that we got from this hero was a nice change from some of the uber-serious and broody heroes we have had in the past.

I found the romance between these two to be quite humorous, mainly due to Valentin's antics. However I also loved seeing Silver's dry sense of humor peek out occasionally. At one point the relationship did feel like it went from 0-60 in the blink of an eye... but that could be because there was so much happening the rest of the story that there wasn't time for our couple to ease into things. The relationship was not all hearts and flowers, despite Valentin's efforts. There was a good amount of turmoil and emotion to experience with this couple, and I was really pulling for our big teddy bear to get his HEA.

As stated above, not everyone is happy with the Trinity Accord. In this installment, we see more than one group working against Trinity's interests. That did get a little confusing sometimes as I wasn't always sure which villainous team was operating in the forefront... but bad guys are bad guys, even where the lines are blurred. These particular villains were willing to commit large scale attacks to maximize injuries and loss of life in an effort to advance their agenda. While I was sympathetic to certain reasons behind their feelings, it wasn't enough to make me feel sorry for those responsible for the devastation. Despite the confusion on the evil operatives, the action and mystery did a good job at advancing the plot around the romance.

I recommend this book to fans of Nalini Singh and paranormal romance, though I don't recommend that you read any of this series out of order. While there have been multiple story arcs, you want to get the benefit of the cumulative world building and character development that has happened over the first 15 books. Nalini is uber creative and talented and has given us a unique and captivating world to explore.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from the publisher, Berkley.

I am super excited to be talking about Nalini Singh’s upcoming book, Silver Silence. This is the newest book in the Psy-Changeling series and it begins a whole new era of the series. I don’t want to give much away because, as with most Nalini Singh titles, the fun is in sitting down and reading the story yourself, but here are a few of my favorite aspects of the Silver Silence.

The changeling bears. Oh man, oh man, oh man. I loved the bear clan big time. Valentin Nikolaev is the alpha of the StoneWater bears and he is just something. He is sweet and sexy and pretty clearly in love with Silver. He is a true Gentleman Bear (a phrase which will make more sense once you read the book). When Silver is poisoned, he is at the top of his game in getting her help. He feels anxiety and misery seeing her suffering. Frankly, this man’s big crush on Silver just leaps off the page.

I also really liked Silver. I’ve been interested in her character since she was introduced9781101987797_Silver Silence awhile back as Kaleb’s assistant. This woman is smart, charismatic, and deadly. She has a really interesting family background which was, for me, quite different than the Psy backstories of books in the first part of the Psy-Changeling experience. I especially love the connection between Silver and her brother. It is quite clear they share a bond that is different from a lot of psy siblings. In fact, the entire dynamics of the Mercant clan is quite interesting.

I will say, the parts that were of least interest to me related to all the political machinations. I realize they are important to move the story forward but I just really wanted to spend more time in DenHome with Silver and Valentin.

I do not recommend starting with Silver Silence if you are new to Nalini Singh’s Psy-Changeling series. As wonderful as this book is (and for me, it’s top-notch), it just will not make much sense if you don’t have the back story of what came before for the Psy. There are a plethora of secondary characters from previous books mentioned to that play a big role and again, you’d be cheating yourself if you missed out on how their stories developed.

Nalini Singh proves once again that she is one of best voices writing in the romance business. I fall more and more in love with her characters each time I read her stories. There is a vibrancy to her writing that I really connect with. She is passionate about her characters and that shows in each story. Valentin and Silence seemed inevitable from the moment I met them in the book and I’m so glad to say that I connected with their journey from start to finish.

I’m going to do something a little different with today’s review. Partly because always doing the same thing all the time can lead to burnout and partly because I’m not sure how to properly review Silver Silence without spoilers and without basically squeeing at you nonstop about how fucking amazing it is.



Okay, realistically you’re still going to get a lot of the latter below anyway, but I’ll try my best to hold the squee down. No promises!



So, let’s get into my 8 Reasons* Why I Loved Silver Silence

*In no particular order



Fair warning: there’s going to be a shit ton of quotes below. I’m not at all sorry about that. But I promise I won’t share anything, quotes or thoughts, that spoil the story.



1) Silver Mercant is kickass. And I don’t necessarily mean kickass in a physical way, though she can hold her own there. She’s so damn strong and competent. She LITERALLY gets shit done (she runs the EmNet, Emergency Response Network, organizing and mobilizing help during disasters, terrorist attacks, etc. No matter the chaos, death, or terror, she walks into every single situation and whips everyone into shape. She can’t save everyone, and briefly beats herself up about any deaths that she was unable to prevent, but she gives it her all to get the survivors out and taken care of, and she does a damn fine job at it.


She still embraces Silence because without it her shields will fail and her other power (no spoilers on WHAT) will break through, and that cannot happen.


Even though she’s out of her element being around the bears, who love touch and joking and emotions and all the messy non-Silence things, she holds her own against them and learns how to give them some of what they need as changelings, even if she doesn’t have those same needs.



Because she was Silver Fucking Mercant, and she was as tough as any bear in StoneWater.

Including its alpha.



2) Grandmother Mercant is also kickass. She may be more fully submerged into Silence, but she cares about her family fiercely and will do anything to keep them safe. Silver definitely takes after her Grandmother in many ways and I loved both of these strong women.



Valentin: "Are you asking me to kidnap your granddaughter?"

Ena Mercant: "Let's call it an enforced move out of the field of danger."



3) Valentin is EVERYTHING a good hero should be. BRB, still swooning over him. He’s a strong, compassionate, and hella competent alpha but he’s NOT a pushy alpha to anyone, especially to Silver. He fucking WOOS her, is patient as hell with her, and does all these little things to take care of her during the course of the book. He is truly perfect and I love him and he had my ass swooning so many times through the book. I mean for goodness sake, he nicknames himself her teddy bear!



“What do you see, Starlight?” Valentin asked in his deep rumble of a voice that spoke of the animal that lived under his skin.
Silver refused to react to the name he insisted on calling her. When she’d pointed out he was being discourteous by not using her actual name, he’d told her to call him her medvezhonok, her teddy bear, that he wouldn’t mind. It was difficult to have a rational conversation with a man who seemed impossible to insult or freeze out.
Bears.



Oh! And he is so in awe of Silver, her strength and determination, always calling her “Silver Fucking Mercant” and who doesn’t want a man that sees his partner that way, as an equal (as it should be!)?
Heroes who respect their heroine, most especially her strength and abilities, are the best.



“If I was yours,” she said, “how would you treat me?”

“Like a fucking queen.” A slight pull on her hair, Valentin tugging her closer with his fisted grip. “I’d also probably drive you a little insane,” he said with a shrug. “Bears can be a bit hardheaded—that’s not just rumor. But I think your head can be just as hard, so we’ll be fine. I’d also touch you. A lot.”



4) The clan (and other supporting characters). I’m in love with the StoneWater clan. It was such a joy to explore their world, their clan relationships and dynamics and everything. The cubs playing and getting into mischief. The adults getting into their own mischief and tussles and everything, but also having such strong ties and love for one another.



"A party? With a premature infant in the clan?"
"He's a bear. He'll like it."



And Valentin caring for and interacting with his clanmates? SIR, STOP YOUR ADORABLE TAKE-CARE-ALPHANESS BECAUSE I CANNOT TAKE IT. I'd share an example, but it would take a few pages to give the full context so just trust me on this, okay? When he's with the cubs or giving his clanmates support, be prepared to fall for Valentin all over again! And he does this a lot.


Now the other alphas we know from the previous books (Lucas and Hawke) are much the same with their packs and I love them for it, too! But BEARS! Bears – and especially Valentin – are awesome and I’m in love. There’s definitely some things that are universal to the changelings in this world but there’s also things that differ from group to group, and I loved being able to explore that with the bears. Also, seeing the bears interacting with their enemies, the Russian wolf pack? I really hope there’s a wolf/bear story in the future, in the same vein as Mercy/Riley (cat/wolf).
I loved getting to see more of this complex world Singh has built over these 16 books (plus novellas). I still love all the previous couples and characters, don’t worry, but I was so excited to get to meet a new set of characters in another part of this world --- and I was not disappointed!



5) Plot. Plot. Plot. Because it’s Singh and you know she builds and adds to the overall plots, as well as providing smaller plots that only last for a particular book. But I won’t spoil anything, remember, so I’ll just say that we get a tiny look at more hidden psy abilities, shit’s moving forward with the Consortium and the rush against the clock to not only take down the deadly group but also rebuild all the fractures that Silence, etc., has created in the net and between the three races. There’s also things going down with Valentin and his pack, and with Silver. While perhaps not the most non-stop-action book of the series, it’s still has a good deal to offer alongside the romance, and it does help to move pieces forward.



6) The romance! I mean, I hit on it a bit already (swooning! Valentin!) but it’s worth repeating. I loved their romance. These two were perfect for each other, made one another stronger.



“I win. He fainted when I pressed in my claws.”

“I think not. He fainted after I stated the depth of his culpability.”

They both looked at Erik. Throwing up his hands, the tall human backed off. “Hey, I am not getting in the middle of a lovers’ quarrel.” His grin was huge. “Though I am going to tell everyone I know that you have a scariness contest going on.”



And their romance gave me feels, too, as there’s certain areas where things get emotional (no spoilers!) and I was aching for both of them, worried.



“Silver Fucking Mercant, Ice Queen and my mate. Lyubov moya.” His voice shook on the words of love. “You will be that to me to my dying day."
[Lyubov moya = my love]



7) Valentin’s dirty talk and their chemistry.


No explanation needed. Because hot damn. 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥



His tongue in her pussy made her scream, his fingers digging into her butt had her fighting him for control, his stubble rubbing against her breasts had her locking her legs so tight around him that he felt owned. "Fuck, I missed you."



This one might have the least amount of sex in it, but that was not an issue for me at all. See all the other things I loved PLUS the fact that we got some great buildup and teasing, as well as the fact that the sex we did get was hot and satisfying. So even if there's only two sex scenes in this entire book, I did not give a single fuck because I loved them both.



“I’m definitely going to play with your pretty hair now.” A hot breath against the back of her neck, a tug on her skull, as if he’d gently fisted his hand in the unbound strands. His body was a wall of primal power over her. “So soft. I want to hold it in my hands while I kiss you wet and deep.”

Silver’s breath lost its rhythm.



8) Though it’s looooong overdue, we get a look at a gay couple! Valentin’s glasses-and-dimples clanmate, Pavel, and Silver’s empathic brother, Arwen, circle around each other here and I am 200000% here for their romance. I NEED THEIR ROMANCE. A FULL NOVEL PLEASE AND THANK YOU.


I will be very disappointed if we DON’T get their story. Actually, I’ll be rage-angry if we don’t. Just sayin’.



"Color touched Arwen’s cheekbones. “Bears are the most irrational creatures I’ve ever met.”
“Agreed.”
“But there is something about them.” His eyes flicked to where Yakov was ruffling his brother’s hair while Pavel tried to kick him. “He found my call code. I don’t know how. He sends me ridiculous messages.”
“Do you reply?”
“He’d think he’d won if I didn’t.”



I was actually just complaining about the lack of gender/sexuality diversity in this world recently. I love this series, love Singh’s writing, but I’ve got no qualms about calling that shit out (and I’m only sorry I didn’t do so before now). This many books in to a series and there’s no LGBTQIA+ presence in the world, on page, let alone a romance? That’s not right. Singh does a really great job at diversity in this world as far as POC characters everywhere, main and supporting, but that’s not enough. The world needs to be inclusive to ALL, and while I’m thrilled that we finally got this little bit, we had better get more in future books. Having two gay men in Silver Silence doesn’t make up for the lack of queer rep in this long running and very popular series. It does give me hope though, and it’s a step in the right direction.




I know, I know, 8 is kind of an odd number but it’s all I’ve got right now. Well, all I’ve got that is coherent and not just me rambling for another 5 pages.



I loved this book. No question about it. But if I’m being picky, I do have two minor things to mention.



First, I found the chapter cut offs were oddly placed. Like, the same scene would go from the end of X chapter to Y chapter and it just didn’t make sense to me to pause the scenes in some of these spots, kind of messed with the flow a bit. Enough that I noticed it in passing, but not enough to pull me out of the story or anything like that. It’s a minor thing, but I feel like the chapter endings/beginnings for larger scenes could have been smoothed out and cut in a different way.



Second, and I have to be vague to avoid spoilers, but I wish there had been more page time between Valentin and Silver’s reunion and “The End”. It’s not that I didn’t believe in their mating bond and HEA – I did, I do! I just would have liked a bit more time with them together again before the book wrapped up.



Minor things, and obviously none of it ruined my reading experience in any way. But I must admit, I’m so in love with this series, find so much comfort in it, that at this point I’m also a bit biased and perhaps not as critical as I could be. Just something to keep in mind. It doesn’t mean that I can’t see some of the things others may point out in their critiques, it just means that it wasn’t enough to lessen my love of the book.



Okay, one more swoony quote. Because Valentin stole my heart a million times over:



"You're a goddess when you laugh." Hell, she was stunning no matter what, but when she laughed he felt as if he could conquer the world.



In short: You need this book. Hell, you need this entire series. I know, there are a lot of books and it’s daunting. But it’s so worth it (they’re fantastic in audio, too, so if your library has them online, go for it that way and you won’t be disappointed). This is easily my all-time favorite paranormal world and series and Singh has yet to disappoint me. Silver Silence made me a very, very happy reader, giving me the comfort of returning to a beloved, familiar world while also introducing me to new parts of this expansive world. I will never grow tired of exploring this world, of meeting new characters, of revisiting old ones. Never. So while I do recommend you start back at book 1 and read in order, you CAN easily jump in here because this book does branch off into a new series arc. Plus Singh, in all her books, does a good job of trying to balance “here’s a reminder of some of the basics of the world in case you’re new/forgot” while not slowing things down for those who are longtime fans already, meaning you still get the highlights of many things from the previous books.



Honestly, I just want to be adopted by one of the changeling groups. Preferably as a mate, because let's be real here. I’m not picky about which one – Lucas, Hawke, or Valentin’s. But after reading Silver Silence, I’m kind of leaning towards StoneWater. Because motherfucking bears.




5 STARS!

Silver Mercant has been a perfect senior aide to Kaleb Krychek, the arguably most powerful and deadly Psy on the planet. She is also now the director of EmNet which was formed after the Trinity Accord agreement for an emergency response team by the three races to world crises. The Consortium made of a powerful group who are against the Accord is causing as much havoc and chaos as they can to defeat the allied group of the Psy, Changeling, and Human. Another group that is human based is also bent on destroying this fragile new world order. Silver’s family has always been a shadow power in the Psy world; her Psy talents are considerable but carry a hidden danger. One of her biggest challenges in both her roles has been dealing with Valentin Nikolaev, the big burly bear Alpha of Stonewater clan who sees it as his personal goal to melt Silver’s icy heart. After he saves Silver when a poison almost claims her life, she takes up a temporary residence in the heart of the bear clan, Denhome, where the sneaky bear intends to storm all her defenses and make Silver his to keep.

While there is a lot of grimness going on in their world with a barrage of terrorist activities directed at the Alliance, Silver finds out much joy is to be had living with bears who love family, friends, and partying in a way that only big, unruly, bad behaving bears can do. Silver has more heart and emotion than she lets on other than to her grandmother and brother. Although Silver resists, she is very attracted to the man who makes her start to feel emotions she never imagined possible, but Silver has a secret which may ruin any chance of happiness despite Valentin’s stubborn, singled minded goal to make this icy brilliant and beautiful woman his mate.

Valentin and his shifters are fun to be around; they are about as far from Silence as a Psy can get. This Russian teddy bear has a heart as big as he is with the capacity to love the woman he calls Starlight infinitely and beyond reason. First he must convince Silver that she is his while protecting her from enemies near and far before his bearish plan of capturing her heart can be successful.

This book is the first novel in the Psy-Changeling Trinity series which is connected to Psy-Changeling series. It can be read as a standalone; however, readers of the Psy-Changeling series will enjoy seeing characters they already know as well as seeing how this new world order is changing after the fall of Silence. So much potential exists despite the many obstacles present for the separate and very diverse races learning to live together in love and peace. Silver and Valentin’s story is an enjoyable good mix of romance and intrigue that will please Ms. Singh’s fans, new and old.

Silver Silence by Nalini Singh was another fantastic read in her Psy/Changeling series, which is now in a 2nd arc. Upon completing the book, I was thrilled to feel that though we have newer characters, the main element of Changelings , Psy and Humans remains and thus we have many more super stories to come in this fabulous world.

In Silver Silence, which takes place in Moscow, Silver Mercant is our heroine, and a Psy. Silver, is a stone cold psy still ruled by Silence, and is the heir apparent leader of the Mercant family; the director of the new EmNet (worldwide emergency response network), and she works for Kaleb Krychek.

Valentin Nikolaev, our hero, is a bear changeling and the alpha of the Stonewater Bears. Valentin is obsessed with Silver, and is determined to find a way to get her to feel something for him. When he makes an appearance at her home, bringing business papers, she collapses. Valentin will get immediate help and in the process will save Silver’s life.

Between Silver’s grandmother, Valentin and Kaleb, the decision is made to protect Silver, who was poisoned, and help her recuperate by going to Denhome, Valentin’s territory with the bears. They will protect her with their lives, especially Valentin, and the Mercants will investigate who is behind the attempt on Silver’s life.

What follows is the continuing of the war dividing the peace accord between Changelings/Psy and Humans. There are two factions (Consortium-HAPMA) that threaten the peace accord (Alliance, Trinity Accord, EmNet), trying to kill those deemed important to the structure , such as Silver and/or Humans willing to work with the Trinity accord. Singh’s complex and fantastic world building gives us more to comprehend in this intriguing world that we have come to love. What makes this story so good is watching Silver begin to feel emotions, and finds herself falling for Valentin. This was such a beautiful romance between two people so different, and yet so right.

I loved Valentin; he was fun, sweet, protective, and determined to win her love. He was the perfect person to slowly open up Silver to a different world. I loved how the Stonewater Bears opened their arms to Silver, accepting her, and in time, she learns to accept and enjoy living among them. I also enjoyed getting to know Silver’s grandmother, the current powerful leader of the Mercants. As for Silver, what an awesome heroine; I loved loved Silver, as she was tough, smart, powerful, and a true leader. It was so emotional to watch her cope with her feelings that began to surface. Once again, an awesome romance, with an awesome couple.

But just when our couple have found the impossible, their happiness is short lived, as things do go wrong, which brings Silver back to the emotionless life she had before. Will she find a way to love Valentin or will she go fully back to Silence?

I have said this before, and will do so again. Nalini Singh has become my go to author and in every single book she writes in her Psy/Changeling and Guild Hunter series, her stories never fails to captivate me; hold my interest from start to finish; gives us such wonderful characters, including the awesome couples and fantastic world-building. I am totally in awe how Nalini can constantly create such perfection. Bravo to Nalini Singh. If you have not read the Psy/Changeling series (both arcs), you are seriously missing a great series and author

Silver Silence marks a new chapter in the Psy-Changeling series after Allegiance of Honor saw the formation of Trinity Accord. This time, Silver Mercant is front and center after becoming the head of the Emergency Network (or EmNet). Silver has already built up a reputation being Kaleb Krychek's assistant, as well as being part of the exulted Mercant family where information is power and nothing is more powerful than the ties that bind a family.

Valentin Nikolaev, alpha of the StoneWater Bears, has been intrigued by the Silent Silver Marcant for months. When he finally feels like he's making some headway, Silver is attacked in her own home, and Valentin is the one to save her. In order to give the Mercant family time to figure out who was behind the attack on Silver's life, she decides to take refuge with the StoneWater Bears. What Silver discovers is that her feelings for Valentin put into question her entire life in Silence. But Silver will find that breaking Silence may be more dangerous than opening her heart to an alpha.

I like the slightly different direction that the series is taking, while still continuing along the same vein we've come to expect from the series thus far.

Probably my favorite thing was actually getting the inside look at the Mercant family, finally. Silver has been a secondary character for quite a while now, and Kaleb's interest in her family has been well known. I like the dynamic that the Mercant family has. Their unit, while still Psy, and somewhat Silent, is unbreakable. Family first. And Silver's grandmother (and alpha of family Mercant) is quite the person to be reckoned with when one of her own is threatened. I hope we'll get to see her more in future books. Also, Silver's brother Arwen is an interesting character that I'm really hoping Nalini Singh decides to give his own book. There's clearly some set-up between him and another character, but I truly hope he will get his own book and not remain a secondary character.

Now, about Silver and Valentin. I enjoyed their relationship. I wouldn't go so far as to say their relationship is too far beyond anything that we've already come to know from previous books in the series. But I did like the choices that Nalini Singh chose in regards to the path their relationship would take. However, I think if their story had been built up a little in previous books, I would have felt a more emotional connection to the things that Valentin and Silver have to go through in order to reach their Happily Ever After. As far as I know, this is the first time that Valentin and Silver have been mentioned as a potential couple.

I do like the idea of getting to know more bears and by extension the wolves who also carve out a home in Russia.

I'd say that Silver Silence definitely starts the new phase of this series out strong.

This book was around 500 pages ........ not enough pages! There are few books that can even hold my attention without scanning for 500 pages and this one did that and could have gone on for another 500 pages.

Silver and Valentin are the couple in this new excursion that is part of the new "Trinity" story arc. We get to see a few people we already knew like the most powerful man in the series Kaleb Krychek which we could not leave behind, since he just adds to any scene.

The story revolves around the persistence of Valentin (an alpha bear changeling) and the semi-Silenced Silver (hence the title), there is the usual life threatening plot that goes with almost all of the books in this series and the drama and several subplots just make for an intoxicating mix of drama, romance and family values (these families value "disposing" of anyone who threatens the family). Since the book starts out with an assassination attempt (this is in the synopsis so not a spoiler) the "families" involved have simple solutions if they can find the culprit.

The book has several scenes that are just hilarious and an equal number that are just as warm.

The book starts out at full speed after about 2 pages and seldom lets up so hang on because it is going to be a bumpy ride for about 500 pages and you will still want more when it is done.

Bottom line: Great story, exceptional romance, amazing plot and subplots, humor, engaging and memorable characters. So what more could you want? 5 Stars and still thinking about it 2 days later.

Link to review will be added when review posts closer to release date.

The first book in the Psy- Changeling Trinity series,  a spin-off the best selling Psy- Changeling series and what has been called the first book in the second series arc, introduces readers to a new group of changelings… Bears.

OMG, Bear Changelings are everything.

Silver Mercant, one time assistant to Kaleb Krychek, new head of EmNet and presumed heir to the Mercant family, is Silent and will remain so because she has a secondary power that will surely kill her if not contained by the extra protections Silence provides. But there is this alpha bear who keeps showing up on her doorstep, determined to get under her skin. Against her better judgement she keeps opening her front door when he knocks, but she has no idea why he persists in bothering her.

Valentin Nikolaev is the alpha to the Stonewater Bear Changelings and he takes his job very seriously. Bears are notorious troublemakers who like to party and have a good time, but they are also honest and loyal and protective. Valentin knows deep under his skin that Silver is his mate, he just needs to get her willing to give up silence long enough to connect to him on an emotional level.

As with any Nalini Singh book the plot of SILVER SILENCE is complicated. Don’t be fooled by this being book number one in a series, if you aren’t familiar with the Psy- Changeling series you will be hopelessly lost. This is officially the first book in the new series arc and it expands on the already huge and intricate world-building. EmNet, Trinity Accord, The Human Alliance, Consortium, HAPMA… not to mention all the different changeling groups as well as the Arrows, etc. and there is a lot going on. A lot. And while I liked following all the different plot threads and watching them come together toward the end, my favorite part of this book was definitely the romance.

And its all because of a bear changeling named Valentin.

Silver and Valentin’s relationship reminded me a bit of the one between Judd and Brenna from CARESSED BY ICE. She’s ice-cold and logical and afraid to break her conditioning and silence because of how that might affect her mind and health. He is all warmth and smiles and overwhelming charm and loving touches. He and his entire clan from rowdy cubs to sneaky seconds to sensitive healer captured my attention and then my heart.

When Silver is poisoned she needs to lie low until her family can figure out who was able to penetrate her buildings impenetrable security. Valentin offers up Denhome as a place to stay and heal, he’s also secretly thrilled that he’ll get to spend time with the woman who he believes to be his mate. Despite Silver’s  claims to need Silence, she is unable to withstand the charms of the bear alpha. And really, who could? Valentin is delicious. He’s sweet and kind, loving and protective, playful and sexy. Even after he and Silver connect on a basic level and form a mate bond, even after she is proved correct when her secondary psy talent comes racing to the surface and forces them to make a hard decision, his only concern is her health and welfare. I liked Silver, but I adored Valentin. I enjoyed how their relationship built, and I was very pleased with their HEA.

I think fans of Nalini Singh and the Psy- Changeling series will fall in love with Silver Fucking Mercant and her teddy bear. SILVER SILENCE was a fabulous way to kick off the new series arc. I have no idea where Ms. Sigh intends to take her readers next, but I’m ready and willing to go wherever she leads. Final grade- B

Favorite Quote:

“Remember who we were, Starlight. Choose us.” His voice was unusually solemn, his gaze amber.

Another must read book by Singh. Her books continue to impress and intrigue. Her characters drag you into the story and make you feel invested in what happens with them.

Silver and Valentin are a great main lead couple. I love how we see them grow as a couple and the struggles they face throughout the story. The plot is suspenseful and there are many pivotal points that make you question what will happen in the coming book.

Cool beginning to a new arc. Silver has been an interesting character throughout the series, and I wondered how the author was going to pair her up. She picked a complete opposite, and it was great to see Silver's character development. I love this series!

This is the start of a new story arc, continuing what is obviously a world in which many stories have already taken place.

There is a strong paranormal romance overlay: there are many couples, all of whom are gorgeous, and whose relationships are rock solid, with a powerful psychic bond (the mating bond) and of course sex rings the city bells in the next valley. The other popular paranormal element is shifters, here called changelings--and people with various psychic powers, who have obviously had a complex past.

The story begins with a bang, as Valentin, alpha of the Stone Edge bear clan, comes to visit Silver Mercant, new head of Em-Net, a conglomeration meant to connect the psy, changeling, and human worlds. She has embraced Silence--psy people do that now as self-protection, whereas before it was used as a kind of weapon--which means cutting off all emotions, in order to stay clear, logical, rational, focused.

When Silver faints at Valentin's feet he goes into rescue mode, and they soon discover that she was poisoned. But by whom? All the evidence says her only recent visitors have been her own family.

So the alpha of the psy, Silver's grandmother, agrees to let Valentin take Silver into StoneEdge territory, where she will be protected, until the mystery is solved.

And so they do. . . . and Silver gets to know the bear clan as she slowly feels her Silence chipping away as she responds to Valentin not only mentally but emotionally and finally physically.

It takes pretty much half the book to get here, as every single piece of dialogue is carefully explained to the reader. Every emotion is explained, everyone's backstory, with added flashbacks. Certain conversational responses are repeated, and then explained again. There is nothing left for the reader to interpret themselves--they are told not just who is what, but what to think about each character. The only mystery is the identity-hidden big bad, whose POV we see in short spurts, with hints but no names.

I had real trouble from about 25% to the 50% mark. I'd read a couple pages, trip over said-bookisms, comma splices, grammar errors, and word-choice winces (view spoiler)and above all those tells after each "show", many of them repeated several times, and all of which killed the pace dead for me. But this was a NetGalley book, so I pushed on--and I was glad I did, once we got past the halfway tipping point.

The second half was much more enjoyable as things began happening, both in private lives and in resolving the mystery--or part of it. There is still a thread left dangling, of course, as this is the first book in an arc. But Singh expertly brings the rest of the tale to a satisfying resolution.

The thing I enjoyed most was the bears. They were delightful! I would happily read a series just about the bears, though the Arrows (the deadly psy elite guards) were pretty cool, too. In fact the entire world was complex and interesting.

Anyway, overall, a fun book, with tons of great characters and a fascinating world, but whew, the copyeditor was asleep at the switch. The author deserves better!

Loved this book. Ms. Singh does not disappoint with this next step in the Psy-Changeling series. Excellent writing, strong characters & great plot.

Silver Silence is book 1 of a spin off of the Psy-Changeling series. The book starts after the Trinity accords where Psys, Changelings, and Humans agree to a tenuous peace. Not everyone is on board with this idea though, so there is lots of deception and backstabbing. You have "The Human Patriot" character who is not named initially and is very against the new peace accords. This person fears that humans will soon become nothing but a victim to Psys who want the knowledge in their heads.

Valentin is an alpha changeling. He knows that he has found his mate in psy Silver, but he has to convince her of that. Silver is well conditioned to the Silence-the protocol of having NO feelings or emotions. Even though the silence is over, Silver still keeps her emotions and feelings on lockdown. But, after an assassination attempt, Silver has to stay in denhome with Valentin and his bear clan. Bears are very personable and pretty much the opposite of the world Silver is used to being in. So, to say she isn't thrilled is an understatement.

I have not read all the books in the Psy-Changeling series. I was familiar with the world, which is important before reading this book. I really liked Valentin as a hero. He is a shifter, and like many other shifters in book worlds, he has identified his mate and will do whatever to keep her safe. But, since these 2 come from very different worlds, and the changes in society are so new, Silver isn't ready to accept Valentin.

There are so many characters and so many nuances to this world its easy to get overwhelmed. I haven't read any books in the series in a while so I did struggle at times to keep it all straight. I seriously needed a graphic to help me remember who is who, what their 'power' is, and stuff like that. Once I got over that issue, I was able to really immerse myself in the story. I also forgot how much I love Singh's humor. The story is filled with little jabs and jokes that make the characters so darn lovable.

"Because...bears."

Silver Silence is LONG. My struggle with long books stems from my inability to remember things. I do great with books I can pick up and finish in 2-3 days. When I have a long book that will take me a week, I find that I am constantly forgetting what was going on. But, once I was sucked into the story, even though it took a while to read it, I was engaged enough to keep track of everything going on.

Its difficult to really love Silver because she has chosen to keep her Silence protocol. So, she is devoid of emotion and therefore not able to love Valentin. He, on the other hand, is filled with emotions. His adorable gifts signed with his "Mr. I. Am. A. TeddyBear are just one of the things that had me swooning for him. I loved the bear clan overall. They are cuddly and warm towards everyone and those emotions radiated off the pages of the story.

While this certainly isn't a stand alone, Silver Silence and the Psy-Changeling series is the type of sweeping epic that you want to immerse yourself in because of its beauty, intrigue, and romance.