Cody Martin

This is a breezy and entertaining urban fantasy novel that forms a stand-alone addition to the SERRAted Edge Series written by Mercedes Lackey and a handful of other authors. Staci is stranded in the rather strange town of Silence with her less than functional mother. Elves, "magic" motorcycles and other odd-ball creatures make an appearance. I preferred The Chrome Borne and The Other World omnibus edition stories to this one, but Silence is still a nice addition to the series. The teenage characters in this novel did not whine so much as is usual for Mercedes Lackey novels aimed at teenagers, nor was this novel as dark as some of the others in the series. A short, enjoyable read.

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This is part of the SERRAted Edge series but it stands alone and can be an entryway into the books. Staci has gone to live with her alcoholic mother after her father’s recent remarriage. Silence is as difference from NYC as can possibly be. There is no cell phone coverage in town, internet is back to the 80’s speed and so much of the town has a 1950’s feel to it along with only having one employer. Even being by the ocean doesn’t get it any tourist industry. With the start of summer, Staci is having a hard time integrating into the local population since her mom is no help. She does fine she can get some phone coverage on a hill out of town and she guilts her dad into sending cash to smooth out some problems of transportation [ bike] and things she needs to make life a bit easier to live with her disengaged mother. She does connect with some kids at a local bookstore and is introduce to the few local social activities. This gets her the attention of the son of the family that own the only big employer in town and invites to his house parties. Of course not everything is as it seems and with the help of a stranger to town Staci and her friends find out why Silence is the way it has been and try to stop it.
Not my favorite of this series but I am happy to see this series coming back. I have to wonder will we see more of Staci in following books when she gets older and decides to go out in the world.

Digital review copy provided by the publisher through Edelweiss
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