SILVER: Acheron (A River of Pain) (The Amaranthe Chronicles, #1)

Silver #1

by Keira Michelle Telford

2342 CE

Dishonorably discharged from the Hunter Division and banished for crimes she did not commit, Silver struggles to come to terms with her new prison-like surroundings: a segregated area of the city called the Fringe District, populated by murderers, thieves and rapists.

Starving, and desperate for money, she reluctantly accepts the Police Division's invitation to enroll in a covert Bounty Hunter program: an initiative devised to infiltrate the criminal underworld of the Fringers, and to force the very worst warrant dodging law-breakers to meet their fate--death.

Unfortunately, Silver doesn't realize that the Police Division is about to up the ante. They need more than little snippets of information and arrests--they need someone to pull the trigger.

They need an executioner.

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Dystopia, Fiction, Lesbian

165 pages, Unknown Binding

First published November 14, 2011

About the author

Keira Michelle Telford is an award-winning author with a love for the gruesome, the macabre, and the downright filthy. She writes dystopian science fiction, contemporary and historical erotic lesbian romance, and other lesbian fiction, often with a focus on age-gap relationships.

Reviews

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm so desperate for a new book from this author that I'll read one that has a female hetero(maybe kinda bi) MC. Still, this lady can world build like no one's business. Please please please release a new book Telford!!

[Badseedgirl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Am I the only one who was completely creeped and grossed out by the fact that Silver states in the beginning of the book that the Chimera used to be human, but then we find out that it is the major source of protein in "The Fringe"? Yet Silver is still mortified that she might be buying human meat at the markets. Apples and apples people!

enjoyable if ultimately forgettable book.

[Pavarti Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received a copy of Silver in exchange for an HONEST review. I made no promise that my review would be positive and was not compensated in any way.

Holy Shit-balls Batman, do I have a new series for you! Seriously! Have you been looking for something to read that's better than the YA crap that's pumped out ad nauseum? Have you been looking for an adult book, with deep themes and grown-up sensitivities that's still fun? Have you been looking for something to get your violence and adult content rocks off? This book is so totally for you it's not even funny.

To say I enjoyed Silver would be an understatement of massive proportions. Keira Michelle Telford pulls no stops in this fast paced dystopia adventure. The only thing I'm mad about with this book is that I don't have book two yet! But I just looked at the Amazon Page and there's TEN books planned in this series. I may faint.

Ella Cross (code name Silver) is an ex-hunter. She was one of an elite force who hunted the violent and beastly descendants of humanity - The Chimera. A nuclear war altered their genetics, creating a new race. The Chimera are base animals, driven by instinct and hunger, possessing no higher functions, or so humanity thinks. Silver is discharged from the Hunters and exiled from The Sentinal District, a part of the Human Reclamation Territory (i.e. Brooklyn) after being caught having a relationship with a fellow Hunter. In addition to her exile to The Fringe District, a land where food is scares and morals are absent, Silver finds herself protecting a woman of unknown origin, human in all regards except for her shocking strength and agility and the eerie purple eyes of The Chimera.

Talk about a dense and intricate plot! And I only told you the set up. Somehow Telford is able to pull it all together flawlessly and with a surprising amount of humor. The world building is spot on and there are no info dumps. Instead every page, every word is filled with action and emotion, and yet we still get the joy of a well developed world. The romance in the book is also fantastic, it's smooth and pulls you in emotionally without the angst ridden annoyances of the normal love triangle set up. Instead, one corner of the triangle only appears once in the entire book. I'm left wanting so much more and can't wait to see what Telford does when she finally gives me some smexy time. It's going to be epically hot!

As a reader, I was thrilled with Silver, as an author, I was inspired by Telford, and as a reviewer I'm on top of the world that I get to read such fantastic books like this.

I'm giving Silver a solid 4.5 stars. The reasons it's not a full 5 stars are:

-The cover is lacking, it doesn't showcase the book's brilliance. It's fine, it's "good enough" but it doesn't shine like I want it to.
-The narrative has a number of cases of head hopping. This did not bother me much, as it was 3rd person close POV with a few little asides, but it's not technically correct. Sometimes the head hopping would happen for only one paragraph and then back to the beginning. A good editor would really help clean it up. I'm surprised this was there because I found ZERO editing or spelling issues like usually appear in unedited books, so I assume this was either edited (and somehow the head hopping was missed) or Telford is an amazing self-editor!

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not usually a great fan of violent, post- apocalyptic fiction, but have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed Silver: Acheron by Keira Michelle Telford.
We are introduced to the main character, Silver, immediately and we quickly gain insight into her personality. She is certainly no automaton - she makes decisions which are difficult and controversial, but which you feel are a sign of her strength of character, rather than deliberate defiance of authority.
The story is well constructed and fast paced. Written in the present tense, it has immediacy and this definitely heightens the tension.
As the first in a series of novels, Silver: Acheron has certainly set the scene admirably. The bleak and violent society is vividly described; the characterization, especially of Silver, is well developed.
I want to read more!

[Julie Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulous start to this post-apocalyptic story. It's hard-hitting, believable and wonderfully written. Fast-paced, I was at once emerged within this credible world, where being tough is the norm.

Silver is likeable, believable, strong yet sensitive and always does what she must despite how terrible it is and I'm already reading the second in the series, desperate to find out what happens to her, Alice, Alex, Luka and the world of 'terrible creatures' that we can both abhor and feel some degree of sorrow for the awful lives they are forced to lead.

An amazing tour of survival, and I, for one, am looking forward to seeing how the story develops.

Highly recommended.

[Kelli W · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
Tiny bit concerned at lack of availability for rest of series? Any advice welcome!
I enjoyed book. Would like to read next book in series. (More based on intrigue than love at first read). Regardless, I believe there is 6 or 7 books in series, and only at book 2, I'm unable to find it on any outlet, but Amazon. And Amazon I had to search beyond link (I know, extra effort was so painful;) Amazon only offers book 2 in parts? Either way, I liked this. I want to love this, and I think.. it's a series that I will. I prefer starting a series that is already completed, which this indicated it had. Just worried about getting attached and then not being able to read the rest of series.

[Nancy (The Avid Reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The following review is my opinion and not a paid review. I was given a free copy of the book from the author for my honest opinion.

Silver has been discharged from her job as a hunter in the Police Division. She has been banned to the Fringe District which is populated with murderers, thieves and rapists. With no job or money it leaves her without any food or the supplies she needs to survive. Silver being in a dire need for money accepts an offer from the Police Division as a Bounty Hunter. As a Bounty Hunter she will go undercover like to help the police catch the worst of the criminals in the Fringe District.

Upon arriving in the Fringe District Silver finds a woman and decides to help her. Silver decides that keeping this woman a secret from everyone is the best thing to do. When Silver took the job from the Police Division she wasn't only thinking about taking care of herself she was also thinking of this woman she had discovered and needed her help. Silver has it tough trying to survive in a post- apocalyptic world with only her self to worry about but taking care of someone else probably makes it a lot harder on her.

Silver was trained to be a killer so you would think she would have no feelings for someone she doesn't know. Even though she is a girl who knows how to stand up and fight for herself still has a heart with feelings. Which means she is still alive inside and has a reason to fight and be a survivor.

I really enjoyed reading Silver: Acheron with all of the updated scientific technology. I have read a lot of post- apocalyptic books lately that were very great reads and Silver: Acheron was no different. As of this moment post- apocalyptic and dystopian books just happen to be my favorite genre. I can't wait for the next book in the Silver series. If you like reading post- apocalyptic and dystopian books then I highly recommend you give Silver: Acheron a try.

[Kriss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Words have been escaping me for the last week as I try to write a review worthy of this book. It is an incredible start to a series which has me bagged, tagged and shackled up tight. There is not anything I do not like about this book.

I am not in love with all the characters but I have connected to them all. There is a teasing air of sexiness about the whole thing. Who will Silver end up being with after the hurt of Alex goes away… will it ever truly go away? Wait, we have no clue! I guess I will have to keep on reading!

This book is balls to the walls chuck full of wonderful adult subject matter (or extra wang-age as Geoff just put it *rolling eyes*) I am not talking sex scenes, though it was sexy and there were some sexy scenes, but if you are looking for the bare-chested manwhore off the cover of a romance novel, look again. These are broken individuals, struggling to stay alive, and in this society, it is the survival of the fittest with a touch of insanity. Folks who have the stomach to do what it takes to stay alive, to take the risks but not crazy enough to let it consume them.

Over three-hundred years after the apocalypse humanity is on the brink of extinction. Violent and dystopic with only a sliver of hope left at survival. The human population hangs by a thread. Yes human, because a mutant creature has evolved and risen from the ashes called Chimera, a base race of genetically altered creatures. Driven by instinct and hunger, they live in packs with nothing beyond breeding and eating as their driving force, or at least the humans think so. They outnumber humanity 21:1 and have a hunger for flesh. The very intolerant government has a specialized force of hunters, trained specifically to clear the surrounding area of the chimera. During Ella Cross’ (code name Silver) last hunt she discovers what looks to be a young woman, until she opens up her eyes and Silver sees the eyes of the enemy looking back at her. She also sees a human, and Silver does not kill humans.

Risking everything she smuggles her back into the Fringe District, depositing her into an abandoned theatre she calls her own, it even bears her mark. Then the unspeakable happens, she is arrested and the only thing keeping her from being “Enforced” (executed) is her father’s position. Surprisingly she was not charged for allowing the “human” to live, no one found out about that, but for her relationship with a subordinate soldier. A crime which could have gotten her executed, she finds herself having to live among the basest of humanity, in The Fringe District. It is a place where you are lucky to live the first 24 hours and after that if you do not sell your body or your soul you could be dead unless you learn to compromise the ethics you lived by when you were in the Reclamation Territory (Brooklyn).

This is a world which is run as many societies are portrayed in a post-apocalyptic story, by politics and strong armed power. The ones with resources having power, and fighting for survival; the population operates on the edge of desperation and against falling. You celebrate all the little things right along with our protagonist Silver and her pet human (?) OK so she is not really a pet, but she is questionable still as human. Along with the beautiful violet eyes the woman is abnormally spry and strong. Though she has no working memory of where she came from, her working knowledge of The Fringe District, she does not even remember her name. She calls herself Alice, and you will have to read the book to find out why because, Sweetie, that would constitute spoilers!

The plot is sophisticated and complex but not confusing. It is a fast paced read; you easily follow from one place to the next. The only thing I can see some folks possibly having an issue with is the “head hopping. I actually found it added to the story and gave me as a reader the emotional tilt to be just as offset as Silver and the rest of the community is on a day to day basis, The third person omniscient POV is a hard formula to adopt and write in successfully. Not many can pull it off (funny but of course I write like this), It allows the Keira to show the thoughts and feelings of the characters in the story. Not a simple task, yet Keira keeps it flowing so smoothly you are not jarred out of the action. You are right there in the midst of all, getting bloody, feeling dizzy and starving for a bag of “crispies”.

I give the read 4.75 stars (the cover may be a deterrent to some but personally I like and get it since seeing the other covers) Plus it would make a cool tattoo.. oh wait the author already did that! Some scenes maybe a trigger bad reactions but again.. it is a kick ass action packed dystopia, there will be killing and ass-kicking all around! So if you want sweet cupcake filled dreams (oh wait there is a cupcake in this, but not a bakery to buy it at) I suggest one of those mellow cozies where the murder is not.. so visceral.

[Liz at Fictional Candy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a crazy book!! I wasn't sure how I was going to like this book, its not my usual genres. In fact, I think its largely classified as science fiction, although I didn't even think of that classification until I saw it had been done. But I totally agree. It took place in like a post apocalyptic, dystopian, sci-fi futuristic world.

So its several hundred years away from now. This woman, Silver, is a basically a hunter for the government. She hunts Chimera which are these disgusting evolutionized (ahem, new word) monsters, evolved from humans. Hunched, grey and leathery, fully on instinct, these dead creatures are used for everything from food to their tears for antiseptic. Then one day while out hunting she finds a girl, neither fully human nor chimera, and she rescues her. This costs her her freedom. She is banished to the Fringe, which is full of crime, poverty, and drugs. Definitely not a nice place.

But Silver is tough. I like her. She's not just strong, but tough. She's got this hard exterior, I mean, she killed these monsters and was really good at it. But she's also got this soft inside, the part that cares for this girl, whom names herself Alice. I like how resourceful Silver is, and she gets under my skin.

The rest of the cast is very colorful, and I'm very much looking forward to reading more about them in upcoming books. I'm dieing to know what has happened with her boyfriend after she got banished. I want to see what happens with Luka, a childhood friend who now is on the police force in the Fringe. Heck, I'm even concerned about Maydevine, her adoptive father.

And Alice, who seems every bit the sleeper agent to me. Is she a hybrid? Whats the deal with her? This girl has me raising all sorts of questions that I can't wait to read the answers to.

This book is very dark and gritty, and more than a bit grotesque. Seriously, don't eat while you are reading. There was more than a couple scenes that had my throat clenching, threatening my gag reflex. It was awesome! I mean it, seriously! If a story can cause such a physical reaction, you know you are on to something good. And the scenery in this book was just crazy. Violence rules, and its a whole new world. Only the strongest survive in the Fringe. I had a hard time picturing when it was daylight out, it was so dismal there that I felt like it just had to always be nighttime, even though I know differently.

This was an excellent story, a great deviation from the norm. This author has a great way with words, and I'm excited to read the next in the series. But now you get a chance too! Below is a tour wide giveaway for two print copies, but I also have an individual giveaway for an ebook! You'd better hop onto this one while you can, I definitely think its a gem :)

[Rebecca Graf · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have never really been a fan of books or movies about a post-catastrophic world. I am finding material that is changing my mind. Silver: Acheron (A River of Pain) by Keira Michelle Telford is one of those convincing books.

The world is not as it is now. Most of it is gone. It is slowly being reclaimed by humans. The animals on the outside are hunted to make way for civilization. Yet civilization has its own dark side. Silver finds out when she is suddenly taken from the elite status of Hunter, to that of convict trying to survive with an unknown woman at her side and connections at the top of the police division. She finds her humanity threatened as she fights for her life and her sanity.

I really enjoyed the pace of this book that was fast most of the time, but not so fast that I could not follow. It kept me glued to the pages wanting to know what was going to happen next. The plot was very intricate, and the story line never flat lined.

Ms. Telford's writing is multi-dimensional, giving the reader a glimpse into a complicated and realistic apocalyptic world that I could easily see on the big screen. The characters had depth and the scenes created a world that had me mesmerized and slightly apprehensive.

There is language in this book, with several "f-bombs". There are suggestive scenes and words without going into too much detail of the depraved world Silver finds herself in. There were a rather large number of editing issues that did interfere with my reading, but did not detract from the story.

This is a story I am glad I had the chance to read. In fact, I am looking forward to reading the sequel. The author pulled one of my favorite things, leaving me hanging. As a reader I hate that, as a writer, I love that response. In that regard, I applaud Ms. Telford.

Give this book a chance. If the language, which is not excessive, doesn't turn you off, Ms. Telford will give you a pleasurable read, while leaving you wanting more.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of The Virtual Book Tour Cafe' and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by The Virtual Book Tour Cafe', no payment was received by me in exchange for this review nor was there an obligation to write a positive one. All opinions expressed here are entirely of my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher and publicist or the readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides

[Gaele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh My Goodness! In a fun book, like a YA, but far more adult in feel and tone, Telford has delivered a story that is darker than I normally read, but oh so much fun!

The world building was tremendous, with a protagonist, Silver, who is hard as nails but still manages to let enough of her guard slip so you see the soft cuddly bunny (ok – not really, but some vulnerability) inside. With graphic and often disturbing imagery, the author has painted a viable and quite realistic sense of those left behind, bruised, broken and often making controversial decisions in order to survive and move forward.

With a tremendous set up to establish the world and the characters that inhabit it, all done without overwhelming the reader with useless information but highly descriptive and emotional combinations that allow the reader to ‘feel’ the desperation and even the fear, it was an edge of the seat read for many pages. Even the romance is beautifully nuanced and established, without falling into the trap so many love triangles create.

This is a must read for all dystopian fans, tired of the softer-sells of the books geared to the YA market. Telford has managed to make an incredibly complex plot, loaded it with characters that develop and change before your eyes, and doesn’t lose readers in the mix. I really enjoyed the book and the author’s style – and I am not a fan of the darker and more graphically violent reads.

It should be noted that this is NOT a book for teens, it is darker, more violent and laced with adult content: perfectly fun read for those adult readers who have exhausted their patience with the YA market.

I received an eBook copy from the author for purpose of honest review on the Full Moon Bites tour. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Silver: Acheron is one of 'those' books for me - the world-building is top-class, and I'm hard-stretched to think of any recent read that has done it better. Nuclear war is the cause of the apocalypse that has pushed human beings to the brink of extinction. The prologue didn't really work for me, I found it a little choppy and difficult to immerse myself in - but once the story itself started, I was completed hooked.....

When Ella 'Silver' Cross is banished to the Fringe District after saving a naked, seemingly deranged woman from the Chimera, she finds herself expelled from the life she has always known and living alongside the dregs of society. The Fringe District is a place where evil freely flourishes, and Silver: Acheron pulls no punches in describing just how low humanity can stoop when pushed to the knife-edge of survival. Slavery, degradation of women, drug abuse - the Fringe District is a disturbing place, but the descriptions and writing makes you really feel as if you are there.

The series is started perfectly in that although secrets are alluded to, there is so much 'taster' for the rest of the story that it's impossible to not crave more. The writing is edge-of-your-seat thrilling - as Silver finds and begins to befriend the woman she seemingly rescued from the Chimera, Ms. Telford drops tantalising tasters of the revelations that are to come.

I also have to mention the artwork in the book - it's truly chilling and all through the story I had the Chimera pictured in my mind - which made the book come to life even more.

I can't wait to read more of this world, and find out just what those secrets are....

Read more of my reviews at The Aussie Zombie

[Mindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Silver is a hunter. She hunts and exterminates Chimera, a feral species who hunt humans. On one raid she finds a woman in a den of Chimera and they haven’t tried to hurt her. Unable to kill the woman, as she doesn’t kill humans, Silver saves her and smuggles her into a safe house in the lawless lands planning to visit soon. But that very night Silver is arrested and outcast, not killed because of her father’s position in society, a month later because she dared to have a love relationship with a fellow hunter.
2
Her father does what he can to help her, giving up his position to take over a new position that allows him to give her work and pay her despite being unable to bring her back home. She continues to learn more about the woman she rescued while she grows into her new life and takes on new tasks. Culminating in her father asking her for one more favor….. but that’s for the sequel.

This book is quite the adventure story, a hint of romance, fantasy/post-apocalyptic in nature, a touch of mystery, drama galore, and tension running throughout. You actually don’t realize how much tension is in the story until the story ends and you exhale stretch and release the tense set to your shoulders. I worried about Silver, wanted to hold her, slap her, shake her, tuck her into bed, make her tea (it’s a southern thing), and many other emotional gut reactions. She also kind of scared me. Excellent things for a book. I enjoyed the tension, the gut reactions the story evoked, and the way the words wove pictures of the world in my mind’s eye.

I give this book a definite 4.5 clouds out of 5.

This product or book may have been distributed for review; this in no way affects my opinions or reviews.

[Maghon Thomas]

Well now, my distopian fans will fall in love! I did and I will say maybe if you aren’t for the darker side of things, it may not be for you. I actually loved this part. The fact that things are not pretty and cuddly are what made this book for me! It’s gut-wrenching, scary, cruel, but beautiful I know those things don’t always go well together, but for here, it’s perfect!

Silver is complicated. She’s tough- as a hunter she must be- and yet she has a forbidden love with a fellow hunter- this gets her into trouble- and she saves a woman she may not normally save. I like this about her. Even though her family is “special” she isn’t the spoiled brat, she works hard and is smart and will fight for what she believes in.

The world created here is just fantastic! I don’t know how else to say it. It’s quite hard core as well. Things are changing for Silver and her family and it’s about to get even more complicated!

There’s nothing like sitting on the edge of your seat. That feeling when you just HAVE to know what’s going to happen, and when you finish you realize you were completely captivated by the story. The author’s writing style is unique, but very gripping. I’m not sure if I’d only call this distopian as it also has an urban fantasy feeling to it. Plus, there’s a ton of plot twists, so now the rest will be up to you to find out what’s gunna happen I definitely recommend this to my apocalyptic fans! I’m so in for the next round! I look forward to the next book.
5 EXPLOSIVELY APOCALYPTIC PAWS!

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Silver is an extremely complicated character. A few times I got a glimpse of the person she once was but, now, banished, ripped from her lover’s arms, and all-but broken mentally from the travails she has endured, Silver has hardened her heart and carries around a huge chip on her shoulder. I tried to be sympathetic to her plight and to her situation but, honestly, she makes it incredibly difficult. However, the few times she lowered her guard a little bit, especially with the mysterious Alice, I know there is a likable person barricaded behind all the steel and contrariness. Silver exists. She does what has to be done to fend for herself and for Alice, but, oh! the toll it takes!

I was fascinated by Silver’s world. The author paints vivid pictures with her words. A few times the images shown are just disgusting and gross. I personally would have preferred a bit less description in a couple of scenes. However, the ugliness exists and Ms. Telford shows us the underbelly of a society barely hanging on. This is the opening episode of a planned multi-book saga. This is a dark, grim world that I am anxious to explore further.

This book was provided to me by the author in exchange for my honest review.

Reviewed by Laurie-J

[Sanchi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book on goodreads/firstreads:

I started this book with hesitation because of how small it was, and I was hooked from the first sentence! This is a dystopian book about a girl named silver who is banished from the life she has known into a world of terror, but lucky for her she has been born to fight as a hunter. This is definitely an adult read I do not recommend to young kids at all. I do however recommend this book for all adults who enjoy a good dystopian book:0 I loved this story and it was very entertaining, I look forward to the next book very much! I was nervous about the length of the book, but that proved to be none to worry because book two is out and I don't have to wait for it:) 5 star read most definitely!

[A.M. · Rating 2 out of 5]

The setting is interesting, but the prose a little expository. Also I often struggle with present tense, which didn't help.

The ending left me unsatisfied, too... As often happens with first books in a series, the conclusion made me feel like I'd been reading. prologue instead of a stand alone story.

That said, overall the plot and setting I liked. So this hovers at a 2.5 star rating for me.

[Michelle McPherson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the unique take on "zombies", in viral mutations. The society created is a tad bit scary and the food sources leave a lot to be desired but makes the story that much more riveting. There is a lot going on and I have already purchased the next story.

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would have been five stars if it hadn't fallen apart somewhat at the final couple chapters. Still an excellent read and I will be picking up the rest. Silver and Alice make for a dynamic duo of strong female characters.

[Csimplot Simplot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book!!!

[Erin Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review up on Bookluvrs Haven tomorrow!!!

[Cinta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full review coming soon

[Anelle Ammons · Rating 3 out of 5]

Intriguing world and story. Didn't care for the main character much. Didn't care for the crudeness. It just seemed crude for the sake of being crude, and didn't add much to the story.

[Roxanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book in a group of books... Grabbed my attention I will have to continue. Action packed..

[Ruth chapman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad

Easy to read, a fun read, Silver is a fun and lively women. If you are looking for a fast read give it try. Loved Silver.