*Pick it for me Freebie Reads #20. Thanks for voting!* 
 Of Silver and Beasts won by a landslide in the Freebie Poll. With the amount of the votes it got, I was so excited to start it. Plus, it's a New Adult Fantasy. (Which now I know means next to nothing, in the grand scheme of things). As much as I wanted to love this one, I couldn't. 
 What first struck me was the info dump. The first two chapters (at least) were loaded with information about Kal - our main character - and the world she lives in. I tend to be picky when it comes to world building, especially in fantasy, craving a more piece by piece approach when it comes to learning about the world. I felt like I HAD to know everything right then and there, before the plot could actually move along. Then there were other times when there were people, objects and such mentioned, that I had no idea who/what they were. It was obvious I was SUPPOSE to though, so that was really frustrating. 
 The world itself is very interesting. I enjoyed the spin on the "roles" of men and women; although I will admit, some aspects were really extreme. It's not something you would typically see in fantasy and it's uniqueness was appreciated. However, I think Kal (and others) were a little too narrow-minded for my liking. Had there been a progressed growth in her character, it wouldn't have bothered me so much. 
 So Kal herself has been training to a be a guard for 7+ years. It's an honor for the woman to join the Nactue Guard, and Kal was selected as their leader. What struck me as odd was how weak Kal really was. I don't mean emotionally, either. Sure, she has this bad-ass vibe to her, but I just can't see the likelihood of someone with so much training, supposedly so "bad ass," could constantly get their ass kicked. Seriously. Aside from that, her character was just OKAY. She is loyal to her friends, her country and empress. But overall, I didn't connect to her. 
 I think her back story was sad and interesting too. She has Mercury flowing through her veins, and a clamp in her chest to cut off the flow to her heart. There are unknown power associated with it, which she doesn't embrace since she feels it's a curse, not a gift as her mother has told her. 
 Caben, the Prince whom Kal is charged with protecting, was probably my favorite character. It's odd for me to like the love interest more than the main character. The difference between the two? He had honor, far more loyal and was NOT so narrow-minded like Kal. His county is so different from hers, but I didn't get a judgy vibe from him as I did from Kal. He is also smart, cunning and let's not forget sexy, mm'kay? 
 As far as the romance goes... *sigh* Let me explain it this way; how many books have you read where the relationship is already established? There are no first's or build up, because the relationship was already THERE? That's how the romance felt to me. Does it start this way? No. There was a little sexual tension going on, but it went from that to them pretty much together and in looooove in a short span. It didn't feel natural to me the way their relationship progressed. At the same time, I liked them together once they were together. Caben really chips at her walls and challenges her. 
 The action was overall, my favorite part of the book. I love that Trisha took a leap and did some questionable things during the course of the novel. Certain characters killed off, torture and gore - call me morbid, whatever. I have high respect for those that take their stories to a new level, and Trisha did just that. That alone, has me curious about the next book. And because we get Caben's POV. 
 My Peeve - 
 Well, a lot to be honest. 
 Overall - 
 This was just okay for me. I loved the world overall and the action too. Sadly, that was not enough for me to fall in love with it. I am curious about the next book, because of how Of Silver and Beasts ends, so I might be checking it out. 
 Recommend - 
 Eh.. That's tough. I seem to be in the minority with this one, so give it a shot.