Review: Addicting and beautiful story, even if you aren't a fantasy fan like me!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 7, 2013
"This is your strength, your power - what the goddess has blessed you with.  And I hope that you will embrace this gift one day instead of hiding it."I have to be honest and admit that the Fantasy genre is not my favorite.  In fact, I try to avoid it at all costs.  I'm a simple girl.  Give me an amazing love story and some really good characters and I'm happy.  Once there is too much background information and all these new terms I have to learn, my poor brain can't keep up.  Although it's rare, I do read a few fantasy books but I am very picky about them.I'm going to do something I swore I would never mention in reviews, but OMG, the world-building is amazing! (<---- That's what I swore I would never say).  What I love most about Trish's books is that instead of just telling a story, a different world is created for us.  Of Silver and Beasts is set in the world of Cavan, which is ruled by women (how awesome is that?).  Kaliope has been training most of her life to protect the Empress and serve in the Nactue Guard.  She passes her tests and gets the position of Head Nactue, but all her training isn't enough for what she must face next.  In addition, Kalliope is hiding a secret about the clamp in her chest and the mercury that runs through her veins.  Is this gift from the goddesses for good or evil?  A few days into her new job title, Cavan is attacked by Otherworlders and the empress orders Kalliope to protect Prince Caben's life at all costs.  Kalliope and Caben are abducted and taken underground where they must compete and fight to the death, until there is only one person standing.At first, Caben and Kalliope do not get along.  She thinks he's a spoiled Prince and he basically thinks she's a man hater.  When they are forced to stay together in order so survive, they form a strong and deep friendship.  Little by little, their relationship goes from tolerating each other, to friendship, to trusting each other, to a passionate romance.  These are always my favorite types of relationships, the kind that slowly sneaks up on you.  The kind where you notice things that the characters themselves don't notice or refuse to acknowledge and it just makes it that much better when they finally realize it!  Kalliope was another kick-butt strong female character that doesn't need anyone to take care of her, which makes it hard for her to let anybody in.  Caben breaks down her walls one by one, until there's nothing left to take but her heart.  I knew I was going to like Caben from the first time I met him.  He was cocky, stubborn, swoon-worthy and the perfect match for Kal.  The chemistry between this two was sizzling-hot and they had plenty of swoony-sexy scenes.  The water-cave scenes was a favorite one for me.Of Silver and Beasts ends in a cliffhanger which wasn't as bad for me as it has been for other people.  Maybe it's because after reading Astarte's Wrath, I had mentally prepared myself for the absolute worst that when the ending came I ended up actually feeling relieved!  It's still a shocking ending but it's also a really good one that sets up the next story.  Besides, I know the author can pull it off so I'm not worried about the next book.  In fact, I got a chance to read the first chapter of Of Darkness and Crowns and I am even more excited to read it.  For those of you dying to read it too, I have two words: Caben's POV.Of Silver and Beasts was an out-of-this-world adventure, one that made me stop several times to think: wow, how does she come up with this?  Trisha knows how to tell one hell of a story!  It's no secret that I am obsessed with NA, and this is a great addition to my favorites list.  Amazing story telling, great characters, danger, adventure, and shocking plot twists, Of Silver and Beast will not disappoint! (Even if you aren't a Fantasy-junkie like me)  Can't wait for the next book in the Goddess Wars series!4.5 out of 5 stars!Some of my favorite non-spoiler quotes from Of Silver and Beasts:I close my eyes and feel the burn of threatening tears.  Why is he telling me this?  Don't, Caben.  Not now.  Don't choose now to drop your walls.  We need them.  I need them."He wraps me in his arms, pulling me closer to his chest. My mouth presses against his, motionless, unsure--and he nips my bottom lip with his teeth. I gasp, and his tongue darts inside. Lips parting and closing, his tongue tangling with mine, Caben guides me to match his rhythm. My fear subsides as we steal each other's breath."I lose all thoughts of mercury, clamps, fathers and goddesses.  I only know the feel of his soft lips, the touch of his hands on my skin - and I crave more.  A low burn builds in my core, traveling down the length of my body and spreading between my thighs.  I rise up, pressing the ache against Caben's hard form, and he groans against my lips.He pulls his head back, and his gaze trails over my face. I glance at the glowing rivers lighting my arms and know what he sees-the swirling mercury on my face; around my eyes.His thumb skims my cheek. "You're my goddess." Then his lips fall to mine as he rolls me to lie beside him."Do it for me."The pleading in his eye steals my breath.  "You're asking me to end lives for you?""I'm asking you to stay alive for me."