Every time I read a new book by Nalini Singh, I think she’s reached her peak. Few authors who have a backlist as long as hers would get such unequivocal praise from me, but after years of enjoying Ms. Singh’s world building and character building (across two series, no less!) I expect nothing less than a DIK book from this author. Silver Silence did not disappoint.

This story takes place in the Psy-Changeling Trinity series. It is the same Psy-Changeling world as in the Psy-Changeling series but takes place after the introduction of the Trinity Accord, which binds all the races to work together in a new way.

Silver Mercant has an active role in this, as she is now head of the worldwide Emergency Network, or EmNet. Although based in Moscow, Silver and her team train others to respond to disasters all over the world through this new network made up of emergency response teams.

Silver is a Psy unlike any other we’ve ever read about. As a Mercant, Silver belongs to one of the most powerful Psy families in the world. The Mercants are known for taking care of their own, so while she grew up in Silence (the emotion dampening protocol that protects psychic minds), she has more experience with familial bonds than most other Psy. At the same time, her abilities as an audio telepath (Tp-A) link audio input and emotion in her brain in such a way that the more emotion she experiences, the more she hears. Most Tp-A Psy die at a young age as the noise overwhelms them, but Silence has protected Silver up until now, when Valentin Nikolaev barges into her life.

Valentin is the Alpha of Moscow’s bear clan, StoneWater, and he’s been poking at Silver since the day they met. In spite of her many refusals to go out with him, he keeps turning up - which is how he happens to be at her apartment the morning Silver is poisoned. Silver collapses in the middle of their conversation, and Valentin’s quick responses in catching her and calling for help save her life. Later, while Silver is still recovering from the poison, Valentin and Silver’s grandmother, Ena, agree that Silver should stay with StoneWater for some time while Ena puts all her efforts into finding Silver’s poisoner. Valentin is the only person they can be sure of right now, and he is more than happy to offer his hospitality.

As one might expect, prolonged exposure to Valentin and his clan soon erodes Silver’s defenses. She falls in love, not only with Valentin but with his family as well. This poses a problem for Silver’s audio telepathy, which grows steadily worse, but I won’t go into detail on how the pair tackles that situation. Suffice it to say that they handle it, but with a twist I wasn’t expecting.

The thing that amazed me most about this book was how much I liked both characters. I usually find myself drawn more toward one or the other, but here Valentin and Silver proved equally compelling. Silver shows a hard exterior of rational efficiency, but it doesn’t take much to reach the loving, protective aspects of her character which come from being a Mercant. Those aspects make her the perfect mate for Valentin, whose gruff demeanor also masks some vulnerabilities stemming from the way his clan split when he became Alpha, with some members choosing not to follow him. The two truly do complement each other, and that chemistry makes the book a delight to read.

Beyond that, Ms. Singh continues to do an impeccable job with her world-building, developing an overall story arc while still focusing on Silver and Valentin. This can definitely be read as a standalone, but I’d recommend anyone considering the Psy-Changeling series to just start at the beginning. There are so many good books to enjoy, and Silver Silence will be that much better when you understand what’s come before.

by AAR's Alexandra

I'm not sure I can properly express my love for this book. I have loved the Psy-Changeling series so much. It's one of my all time favorite series, in any genre. But, with the close of the first "arc" of the series, with Allegiance of Honor, I wasn't sure how I would feel focusing on a whole new set of characters in this new extension, the Psy-Changeling Trinity series. I'm so thrilled to say my concerns were completely unfounded. I should have known this author wouldn't let me down! This felt like a bit of a reboot, but not. It still has the same world, the same issues, and mentions many of the same beloved characters throughout. It just delves deeper into a character we've seen before, and introduces a new character, along with his Bear Changeling clan that is just fantastic. I do believe you could use this as an entry point to the series, but of course, I recommend reading ALL THE THINGS before it!

Silver Mercant has been Kaleb Krycheck's senior aide for years. We've heard about her peripherally, as well as her family, pretty much since Kaleb was introduced in the series. She's a perfectly Silent Psy, from a very powerful family. In the recent stories, she took over as head of EmNet, a humanitarian aid group helping to stabilize areas after disasters. EmNet came into being along with the Trinity Accord, which is an agreement of all 3 races, Psy, Changeling, and Human, working for peace. She's based in Moscow, but works remotely to affected areas when needed. One of the 2 dominant changeling clans that run Moscow, is a Bear clan called StoneWater. She deals with them for business purposes quite often. Their alpha is Valentin Nikolaev.

Valentin wants Silver. He's been courting her for months, which she just doesn't understand, because she's Silent. But, Valentin won't give up. He's an alpha, used to getting his way, and he knows Silver is meant to be his. The book starts off with a surprising event, that puts her even more into his orbit right away. He challenges her and the way she looks at the world. And her intelligence challenges him to rethink some things as well. She finally realizes he's correct in some of this assertions, and she begins to see things, and him, in a new way. Meanwhile, Valentin's clan is having their own issues that are weighing heavily on him, and it's taking a lot of his attention.

The story itself took off with a bang, but the romance was a bit of a slow burn, as most of the books in the series are, when they include a Silent Psy. But it was so worth the wait. Valentin is a bit of a dirty talker, which I loved. So did Silver! Also, his many nicknames for her were delightful, but the one I loved most was Starlight. Their banter was quite funny, even when she was still "Silent". They really had fabulous chemistry, and Valentin was irresistibly charming. I fell in love with him right along with her!

The world that Nalini Singh has built in this series is unbelievably impressive. It seems so realistic, though it takes place far in the future, and has many fantasy elements. All the characters were interesting and fun to get to know. Valentin's clan of bears were especially hilarious, constantly teasing, and playing jokes on one another. Silver's Grandmother was another fascinating character. She's been mentioned in the past, but we finally got to know more about her in this book. Additionally, Silver's brother was quite intriguing as well. Getting to see more of fan-favorite Kaleb was great too, as always.

This book broke my heart, and made me laugh. I swooned, and I felt bereft, while always hoping for the best. It was everything I hoped for, and more. I seriously cannot recommend this book, and this series, highly enough. I am so excited to see where this new portion of the series goes from here!

I reviewed this on Goodreads and will post the review to Amazon and Litsy as well.

I have been waiting for Silver's book and I was not disappointed. Ms. Singh is introducing new shifters with their own characteristics. A very fun read.

I was so amazed with this one! Bears!! Silver F__ing Merchant! The story and pull between these two was electric! I was rooting for him the whole way!!

This was a damn near perfect addition to Nalini Singh's Psy-Changeling world. While I liked the previous book, I was looking forward to returning to a more familiar formal where Singh focused on specific characters and advanced the overarching plot through. I couldn't have been more satisfied by Valentin and Silver's book! The introduction of the bear changelings (who are hilarious) and the new arc of the story was so well executed and rather reflective of current events in the world. I loved the sense of humour that was threaded throughout the book and liked how it balanced out the seriousness of the dangers that surround the world in which Singh has created. I have absolutely no idea what characters Singh is going to focus on next and I can't wait. It is impressive that Singh is constantly able to keep her series fresh while also satisfying longtime fans with a storyline that quite simply works. The romance and complex world keeps me coming back for each book and I can't wait to see where this new story arch goes. Highly recommended for fans of the series, especially those who enjoy a greater focus on the Psy side of things.

This book proved me so wrong. I thought I was beginning to fall out of love with Nalini Singh, the last few books in her Psy-Changeling series have disappointed me. And then came Silver Silence and the start of a spin off series. I was sceptical. Was it just going to be more of the same? Was I in for another disappointment? Yes and no.

Yes, because it was more of the same Nalini Singh, but old school Singh. Silver Silence reminded me of her earlier books. These are the ones that I initially fell in love with and the memory of which has kept me reading her newer releases even after experiencing a streak of books that I haven't really enjoyed. I loved them that much. Like the earlier books this was heavily centred around the romance between Silver, a Psy woman you will be familiar with if you have read the original series, and Valentin, a new Changeling character who also brings along with him a whole new culture.

Now, we come to the crux of why I loved this book: all's I can say is...bears. If it weren't so unprofessional I would also be adding a million heart emojis at the end of that. I adored the bears, it was hard not to. From Valentin the alpha of the bear clan to the adorable gangster cubs. They are brash, loud, playful and choc full of charisma, it was easy to see why Silver fell for Valentin and risked everything to be part of it.

What I really liked about Singh's Psy-Changeling series was that although (to begin with) the romance was the most important aspect of the book, it also pushed the main story arc forward. In Silver Silence Singh has gone back to the same model. The balance was just right, heavy on the romance, but with a bigger story in the background which helps bring characters together. The story builds on what was created in the Psy-Changeling series and continues exploring the pitfalls of a fallen Silence. This is why I highly recommend that you read the Psy-Changeling series before starting on Trinity. It lends a much deeper, richer read when you understand the background and some of the other characters. I believe you could read and enjoy this without having read the original series, no doubt you would enjoy the romance; however, I find it hard to disassociate the original and look at it as an entirely new series.

Bottom line: I went into this book expecting same-old same-old and to continue falling a little out of love with Nalini Singh's books. Instead, she smashed my expectations and reaffirmed why I pick up every single thing she writes. With the aid of some adorable bears she has breathed new life into her most beloved series.

Silver Silence starts a new chapter in Singh’s Psy/Changling series as the world tries to adjust after the fall of Silence signing an accord to bring a balance of power between Human, Changeling, and Psy communities. Silver Mercant is a character that has grown in the shadows of Kaleb Krychek’s story and in this book she takes center stage as head of a world-wide emergency aid organization reacting to rampant terrorism. She’s an important symbol, making her an obvious target. But Alpha Valentin Nikolaev of the StoneWater Bear Clan has already decided she’s his to protect. Opening with the inevitable assassination attempt, Valentin and Silver start the story arc of tracking down the deadly shadow factions that want to undermine the Trinity Accords and have to figure out if what’s very obviously between them can survive the physical toll of her gifts.
This was a strong entry into the series but I’d strongly suggest anyone wanting to jump into the series start from the beginning (Slave to Sensation) because there’s such a huge, fascinating cast of characters to meet. That said, Singh’s diverse and fascinating world-building are on full display along with a bumped up level of humor in the face of adversity with the introduction of the Bear Changelings. It's fun, occasionally heartbreaking, and at times laugh out loud funny.

This book is a great starting point for the new reader. The setting is new to the returning reader and deals with the bears of Moscow and minor character from the ongoing series. Silver has been poisoned and the only people with access to have done it looks like family. To keep her alive and maintain the charade that everything is fine it is passed off as building bridges with the new alliance. Tthis doesn’t always go to plan and there are attacks in Moscow from the new set of villains hoping to destroy the Psy and anything like an alliance between the three races.

There are some new people brought into the story and I’m sure we will see more of them and I really hope we see more of both Silver’s grandmother and brother.

Despite being a later book in a series where I've missed a number of books I didn't feel lost or bored by repetitions of information that I already knew. I also didn't experience any story fatigue or feel like I've read the same story before despite having some of the same themes and similar story line as earlier books in the series. She strikes an excellent balance and had engaging characters to keep a reader's interest. Excellent book that I'd highly recommend, even to those new to the series.

As a continuation of the Psy-Changeling series, this is really enjoyable. If you're coming to it with no previous knowledge of the world (this is technically a new series, so it might attract new fans), I think you'll be kind of lost. A lot here is built on what has come before. And seriously, if you haven't already read the Psy-Changeling series, go there first.

As for this book, it was a little bit hard for me to get into the romance. It seemed to happen so fast! I really liked how it ended though, and I'm interested to see what happens next.

I aboslutely love meeting a new world of changlings! The StoneWater Bears have been through some very tough challenges in the harsh winter of Russia. But their alpha is out to capture his mate...Silver Mercant, head of the EmNet. He is there at every turn to pull her from Silence into a world of feeling. But when tragedy strikes, and Silver's life is in danger, the only place safe for her is deep in Denhome with the bears who can't keep their paws to themselves or their noses out of trouble.

Singh pulls you into a whole new world, with all new characters to fall in love with. While many favorites are mentioned throughout the story, we get to be immersed in packs with all new rules of how to survive...and a Mercant who has to decide whether or not to let Silence fall.

This is the introduction to a new series for Singh - jumping off from the already established psy-changeling world, and she did an... alright job.

I've read the entire psy-changeling series, and I enjoyed them, I also enjoyed this book, but there is no doubt that this book made sense to me because I had done all the previous readings - it does not read as the start to a series, and I think I would be very confused if I did not have more than a dozen books of background.

On the plus side, the first books in Singh's other romances are very 'alpha male' centered (literally, the males are 'alphas'), and they don't hold up well to modern scrutiny - I went to reread some of the first ones in the psy-changeling series and was honestly a little uncomfortable. This series is starting with strong leads - the male lead is unabashed in his admiration of the female, and I appreciated that. Moreover there was a neat subversion of traditional gender roles. Valentin, our male lead, is emotional and loving and responsible for the emotional health of his friends and family, and Silver, the female lead, is out of touch with her emotions, to say the least.

I also liked that when Silver said she had a reason to remain silent, there was a legitimate reason for that, which is often a weakness. I've grown terrible of the "my power is too terrible" trope which has emerged. Silver's life was literally threatened by breaching "silence", which made her choices feel more meaningful.

Also: Gay characters!

Silver Silence is an epic continuation of this series/start of a spin-off series! Nalini Singh does an amazing job of presenting this trifecta world where Humans, Psy and Changelings not together in a not so happy melting pot of crazy. Three races that are interdependent on each other, but if you've read any of the previous books know that don't like each other. And for good reason, Psy abilities make them mentally strong and smart, Changelings are dominant, strong and cunning, Humans carry the weight of society and bridge that gap between the Psy and Changelings. What they see of each other are dumb creatures controlled by their animals, monsters that use their mental abilities to manipulate and strike at others and easily harmed and manipulated worker bees.

The struggle has been long in this series, their entire society imploded and needs to find a way to recover but old fears stand strong. This new spin-off series takes place on the other side of the world from previous books. Enter Silver Merchant, now the Director of EmNet, a worldwide emergency response network that became necessary during the struggle for control in previous books. She strong, capable and hanging onto being Silent since her psy power, TP-A, is exacerbated by emotions. Valentin Nikolaev, alpha of the StoneWater bears knows that he has a long way to go to convince Silver that she belongs in his life. A assassination attempt helps him get an inside track into her life, but can they survive the turmoil around them and her awakening ability?

I was really looking forward to this novel. This is the first look into bear changelings and also set predominantly in another part of the world. The dynamics in this region are vastly different than what I became used to with Lucas and Hawk's region. Bears, Wolves and Psy this time and the bears are REALLY different than other groups we've seen. My understanding of some of the Psy logistics was shaken with Silver's unique ability. I was so engrossed by this book and the wrenches it through into my expectations that I hardly slept after finishing it. I kept dreaming about some of the mind-boggling things that I was not expecting.

Amazing book! I was so worried that I would have a hard time getting into a new set of changelings because the SnowDancer and DarkRiver clans were like old friends. That said, I love the bears from StoneWater and their alpha Valentin. Throughout the book the quirks of the bear clan are used as comic relief simply by the word "Bears". Silver Mercant is the ultimate in controlled Psy and her unwilling attraction to the crazy bear guy is not at all what she ever expected. The various factions of humans, changelings and Psy are jockeying for power after the upheaval of the Council collapse. Valentin and Silver find themselves in the middle of it. After an attempted poisoning of Silver, the threads start to come together. I loved the intrigue, the hot romance and the general laid back atmosphere of the bear's DenHome . This book is the start of a whole new world of characters that long time Psy-Changeling fans will love! I can't wait for the next one!!!!

I love this start of her new arc in the Psy-Changeling world. She always manages to keep this world fresh.

The storytelling is superb and just keeps getting better. Each book in the series surprises me with new characters and adventure. The minute I finished, I re-read it.

This is the introduction to a new series for Singh - jumping off from the already established psy-changeling world, and she did an... alright job.

I've read the entire psy-changeling series, and I enjoyed them, I also enjoyed this book, but there is no doubt that this book made sense to me because I had done all the previous readings - it does not read as the start to a series, and I think I would be very confused if I did not have more than a dozen books of background.

On the plus side, the first books in Singh's other romances are very 'alpha male' centered (literally, the males are 'alphas'), and they don't hold up well to modern scrutiny - I went to reread some of the first ones in the psy-changeling series and was honestly a little uncomfortable. This series is starting with strong leads - the male lead is unabashed in his admiration of the female, and I appreciated that. Moreover there was a neat subversion of traditional gender roles. Valentin, our male lead, is emotional and loving and responsible for the emotional health of his friends and family, and Silver, the female lead, is out of touch with her emotions, to say the least.

I also liked that when Silver said she had a reason to remain silent, there was a legitimate reason for that, which is often a weakness. I've grown terrible of the "my power is too terrible" trope which has emerged. Silver's life was literally threatened by breaching "silence", which made her choices feel more meaningful.

Also: Gay characters!

Nalini Singh does it again! Silver Silence is the "start" of the second arc in the Psy/Changling series. Times are changing in the world, the Psy are opening up to emotion and beginning relationships with the other races. Valentine Nikolaev has been fascinated with Silver Mercant forever and with the fall of silence he sees his chance. Silver may find Valentine intriging but she has her own reasons for holding on to silence. Unfortunately not everyone is quite so thrilled with the way the world is turning. Working behind the scenes the Consortium is trying to tear down every attempt at world collaboration. Lovers of paranormal romance will adore where Singh is taking the series.