Full review at Smart Bitches, Trashy Books 
 I have a startling confession for you. I haven't read a Nalini Singh novel before. 
 I know, I know. Everyone (including my husband) raves about Singh. I just got really burned out on Paranormal Romance after reading a ton of Laurell K. Hamilton (yes, I know it's not really romance) and Amanda Ashley because that's all that was available to me in my local bookstore in the nineties. I didn't have the moxie yet to ask to the bookseller, "Do you have books about vampires, but where they fuck?" 
 I decided to start with Silver Silence because Singh describes it on her webpage as the start of "season two" of her Psy-Changeling series. It's technically the first book in the Psy-Changeling Trinity series although it works fine as a continuation of the original series. 
 Supposedly this was a good place to start if you hadn't read any of the other books, but I sometimes found it hard to jump into without prior context. I was certainly able to figure it out, but there were plenty of times where I was a little confused or asked my husband for clarification on the world. 
 I loved, loved that we get an alpha hero who is not a giant, demanding douche-bag. So often alphas are portrayed as being able to muscle their way into any situation, take what they want, and not have to suffer repercussions for it. Valentin shows that being an alpha doesn't being demanding or directive. He's warm and loving with his clan, especially the children. He enforces rules, but never in a domineering way. He's clearly in charge, but its because he's the best suited to handle the position, to delegate, to strategize, to treat his people with kindness. He didn't get the job by swinging the biggest dick. 
 There is a scene where Silver and Valentin help with a rescue mission after a suicide bombing in Moscow, and I know that's not something everyone wants to read about, especially given how relevant it is. The scene isn't particularly graphic or very long, though, but I understand that it would upset some readers. 
 What was confusing for me as a new reader was the world-building surrounding the Psy (the shifter part was fairly easy to intuit). When Silver starts to break Silence I still wasn't entirely certain of the rules surrounding the practice or the overall ramifications. 
 It's not a horrible place to start the series; I certainly didn't feel hopelessly lost, but I also had a fair amount of questions. I think Silver Silence will be a big hit with readers of the series, and a little less effective with newcomers. I did love the healthy portrayal of an alpha hero, though, and found the world of the bear shifters to be fun and fascinating. 
 - Elyse