Dark Horse: Nate Temple Series, Book 16

So. At the end of chapter 19 we find proof that Shayne Silvers is a sadist. Nate Temple, the antagonizing protagonist, declares the author is a sadist. Can the author cause his main character to tell untruths? On the other hand I can't recall a death scene written so poignantly as occurs later in the story, two scenes really. Would a sadistic author care as much about anything to be able to write such emotion to wrench at a readers heart?I have enjoyed reading these 30 plus stories in the Nate Temple universe, although frustrated at the sheer length and twisty turns. This entry into the set has revealed Shayne Silvers abilities to have grown considerably. I hope you have read all of Nate Temple's, Quinn MacKenna - The Phantom Queen, and Callie Penrose - Feathers and Fire, up to this point. Enjoy, and maybe keep a tissue or hanky handy.

Or more specifically, I should have known better. I should have known not to underestimate Shayne Silvers!!! 😍 I mean, honestly, can you blame me? Who else can still pull the craziest of adventures, the wildest story arcs, the undeniably BEST character stories and blend it all together SEAMLESSLY - on book 16 ??? And let's NOT forget that this series is interwoven with two other series, another 23 books!Well, OBVIOUSLY, Shayne can. Boy can he ever.Shayne, if you get the chance to turn this amazing world you have created into a show, please make sure that whomever you have contracted with HBO, Netflix, Amazon etc..., it is SPECIFICALLY written in said contract that: 1.) They are not allowed to change ANY details - ANY DETAILS - in regards to the characters or storyline. NOT ONE CHANGE (So many great stories have been wrecked by this, i.e. W.O.T. & S.O.T.)2.) They contract for as many seasons and/or as many movies that it takes to tell this story thoroughly and completely. Yes, I know this might be a sticking point BUT it worked for J.K. and those famous wizards and in my humble opinion - YOURS ARE BETTER.

Dark Horse begins in the middle of the ongoing battle between Nate Temple and his friends and the adherents of his supposed half-brother, Aiden Maxon. They are in the cemetery outside the Temple Family Mausoleum. During the fighting, we pick up a pair of regular people, Nadia and Asha, a mother and daughter whose nearest connection to the fighting is that Nadia’s husband and son (Asha’s father and brother) were killed in the chaos some months earlier at the St. Louis arch. They are buried in much more modest graves in the same cemetery, and Nadia and Asha are only there to visit their loved ones’ graves.They are taken into the mausoleum for their protection, but while they are there they are attacked by some Knightmare wannabe and a mysterious figure in a hooded cloak who stabs Nadia and sends the two of them down the waterfall/portal to the Elder realm from inside the mausoleum. A lot of Nate’s time and energy in this book is geared toward protecting these two people and trying to avenge the wrongs that have been done to them. They are interesting because, with only a few very minor exceptions, they are the only normal people Nate has dealt much with since the beginning of this series. After Nadia’s death, Nate appoints himself Asha’s guardian, and once again we see him taking a young girl he sees a defenseless under his protection (first there was Alice, then Makayla Randulf). And once again, this young girl proves to be not so ordinary and defenseless after all.This story has a much more focused plot than all but maybe one of the other books in this series.Although Nate and his companions do make a couple of side trips to find and take care of the other members of their party, Nate is primarily focused on finding a way back out of the Elder realm (since he suddenly can’t use his magic to leave it) and tracking down whoever stabbed Nadia.Along the way:Grimm finds a new girlfriend but doesn’t succeed in getting laid.The party visits Elder Carl’s grandmother, who turns out to be the baddest sorceress ever, and crafts a tracking spell for Nate to find whoever trapped them in the Elder realm. This is the Dark Horse spell.They have an altercation with the traditional Horsemen, Conquest (Pestilence), and War.Only later do they find out that this was prompted by Callie Penrose’s having killed Death.The main task Nate has to accomplish to get out of the Elder realm is to visit a place called the Reverie that is supposedly one of the Temple properties. This is supposed to be a very scary place, and the purpose is for Master Temple to face and overcome his fears.Apparently, Aiden has visited the Reverie first. Since it is supposed to only be accessed by members of the Temple bloodline and Aiden is only Nate’s half-brother (not from his father’s side) this prompts a long discussion of who exactly is a Temple.In the end, after Nate has overcome the problem of the Reverie (although I suspect he may need to revisit this in the future) and his people are able to use the portal it contains to return to Chateau Falco, the Dark Horse spell signals it has found its object and takes Nate to it. Only what it seems to have found is so unexpected and contrary to reason that, like Grimm, I almost (but not quite) believe that the Dark Horse spell is broken.

Dark Horse, the 16th book of the Nate Temple Series by Shayne Silvers, is another great ride in Nate’s life. You never know where Silvers will take the reader but you know it will be filled with action and heart. This time, you follow Nate to the Elder Realm to face his fear and his worse nightmare.Silvers is a brilliant writer. He knows how to use words in a way that pulls you into the story and experience what the characters do. I love Nate, the key character in this series. Silvers has it made possible to walk beside him where you experience every moment that hope defines the character he is.Everything about the book engages your mind, touches your heart and stimulate your senses. He weaves a tale that grips your emotions. Silvers is also a master at details. Every scene, every conversation, and every thought is a piece of the puzzle. Not just for this book but for the whole series.I use to try to figure out where Silvers was going but decided to just enjoy the beauty of his brilliant storytelling. Another amazing aspect of Silvers’ work is his subtle insight into life; taking the reader to the mountaintop of self-awareness.As usual, the book is filled with enough humor and lightness to balance the dark mood of the story. Even though there are moments that will bring you to tears, he also uses his typical snark to make you laugh.Dark Horse is a dark chapter in Nate’s life but is a necessary piece to understand the depth of this character and all those that surround him. Carl, another favorite character for TempleVerse readers, is shown in a new light that is incredible and moving.Once again, Shayne Silvers proves why he continues to be my favorite author. I love to read but his books are masterpieces.

I have been dreading reading this one. That's pretty weird, I know, but I started off loving these books, but the last few have left me feeling cold, or annoyed, or bored. I still want to know what happens in the story, but it's so repetitive and the constant drawing everything out is just hard work to read. I also don't think I've ever eye rolled about an author tooting their own horn before, but here we are. It's all very American. That whole "look at me, I'm so great!' attitude just grates on my nerves. I also don't love that almost every character in this story has become something of a mary-sue. Still, I read it, and it was alright, the gut-wrenching scene of Asha's was actually very written and heart-felt. I'm not usually one for books that rip my heart out, but that bit actually made me feel something, which these books haven't done for a while, so extra half a star. I do really jist want the story to end now though.

Awkward one to rate. I enjoy the TempleVerse but the story arc is becoming strained.I get that SS has to earn a living but we are up to 40+ books and it still feels no nearer a conclusion. I'm just waiting for the latest baddie to meet a gruesome end only for a new one to turn up out of the blue and round we go again.The action is fine, the banter and humour enjoyable but it is all becoming repetitive.Time to conclude and move on.

What I like Grimm , Carl, Gunner , Yahn all of them and Nate Temple to rule the worlds .... I am hooked brilliant writing Its like I am living in it there'd no other way to explain fantastic keep them coming xxx

Another book that I didn’t want to put down until I had finished but still took me 2 days. Nate’s adventures continue and are as exciting and nerve wracking as ever. Well done Shayne - can’t wait for the next one 👍🏻👍🏻

Fantastic, brilliant, Shayne you have done it again , couldn't put it down ,bring on the next one please 😊