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Nate Temple #16

Dark Horse

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Rage, rage against the dying of the light

In the stygian darkness beneath his ancestral mausoleum, Nate sets out to explore the shadowed history of his infamous Temple ancestors.

And to brutally destroy a poisonous weed threatening to strangle his family tree.

Aiden Maxon, Nate’s half-brother, is on the warpath, committed and capable of killing everything and everyone Nate loves and holds dear. But…

Are they truly brothers? Was that a lie?

In the obsidian Temple of Reverie, Nate will face a choice: vengeance or virtue, power or principle, history or future, hate or love…

Despair or Hope.

The caverns of Hell will scream, the Rivers of the Dead will boil, and the Dark Horse will hike up a mountain of skulls to lead the Dread Four into battle. The crimson storms will rage as he hunts down his foe across the pages of history.

Let us hope that not all will be abandoned in Nate Temple’s conquest for vengeance…

Let us hope that the last flicker of light in the Horseman’s eyes does not die and plunge the world into the abyss before the true battle begins. The drums of the Omega War will sound like the beating heart of an awoken giant, and it will be impossible for anyone to ignore.

400 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 2022

538 people are currently reading
204 people want to read

About the author

Shayne Silvers

56 books2,126 followers
Let's cut to the chase. You read stuff. I write stuff. So, If you want to nab a few of my free Amazon Best Selling Urban Fantasy books to test the waters, go here: http://www.shaynesilvers.com

Now, let's talk about this specimen of a man named Shayne...

Shayne Silvers writes the "Nate Temple Series" which features a foul-mouthed, flawed, young wizard with a chip on his shoulder attempting to protect St. Louis from the various nasties we all know and fear from our childhood bedtime stories.

Nate's been known to suckerpunch an Angel, cow-tip the Minotaur, and steal Death's horse in order to prove his point. His utter disregard for consequences and self-preservation will have you laughing and cringing on the edge of your seat.

But he has a lot to learn. Namely, how not to be so big of an A-Hole.

Get your FREE Nate Temple Starter Library TODAY at www.shaynesilvers.com.

Shayne holds two high-ranking black belts, and enjoys conversing about anything Marvel, Magical, or Mythological. You might find him writing in a coffee shop near you, cackling madly into his computer screen while pounding shots of espresso.

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5 stars
1,030 (73%)
4 stars
299 (21%)
3 stars
59 (4%)
2 stars
11 (<1%)
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5 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
Profile Image for Louise.
784 reviews3 followers
February 13, 2022
Convoluted

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.
Profile Image for Penny.
3,140 reviews85 followers
February 4, 2022
I have been a fan of this series practically from the beginning when no one knew this author’s name. I am constantly amazed that he still produces such great books like this sixteenth (!!!) in the series. Poor Nate is still trying to find and destroy the Knightmares, but along the way, he picks up a new teen who may or may not be more than she seems. Nate is changing so much, and they are really good changes, and he’s realizing that there is still so much he doesn’t know and is being kept from him. Yes, he learns some of those things in this one. At the end, I learned something, too: I can’t wait for the next books to see what the heck is going on. This series is still going strong, and we are barreling forward into the Omega War. Highly recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
Profile Image for Paige Guido.
197 reviews5 followers
January 31, 2022
Shayne Silvers never fails to deliver a good book, but sometimes - like with Dark Horse - he just nails it. This latest entry in the Nate Temple Series has it all, including some gut-wrenching moments you may want to have tissues handy for. Leavened, of course, with Silvers' trademark humor.
Long-awaited insight into the Elders, a few revelations, a new Knight, more mysteries, lessons on honor and loyalty, one bug-shot crazy villain, a horny (heh) unicorn...and Grandmama.
Buckle up, buttercup.
Profile Image for Lorraine Robson.
13 reviews3 followers
January 30, 2022
Nate is in the Elder Realm hunting down the Knightmares that entered via his family mausoleum at the end of Savage. Of course, things don't go smoothly! The way back has been blocked, his allies are split up by an unexpected visitor, and he has a special passenger.

I am not afraid to admit that I added to Shayne Silvers' collection of readers tears whilst reading this. I had to take a few breaks, and felt like I had been punched in the gut by the suddenness of some revelations. But I stuck it out, and by the end, I was thoroughly forgiving of Mr Silvers and his sadistic ways.

Unicorns fighting. Elders making magic. Charon taking people for a boat ride. And some revelations Nate was not expecting! Oh, and did I mention a flock of unicorns?

I could mention my favourite part, but it's far too early for spoilers! The book was only released 2 days ago!

Another masterpiece from Master Silvers!
Profile Image for MLC.
192 reviews
March 20, 2022
Really? Seriously? I should know by now that there is going to be a huge twist and at the end of each book I'll feel emotionally drained. I have taken my allotted recovery day and I am still in the middle of processing, mostly the fact that the writer somehow seems to find a way to further the story along while creating 10,000 more questions that you feel you need answers to. You know there are easter eggs laced through the chapters, planting the seeds of where the story is going, but you reject them because there is just no way that is going to happen. It is my addiction and Shayne Silvers is my dealer.
Profile Image for Todd.
2,234 reviews8 followers
February 12, 2022
Dark Horse hits the ground running and never lets up to the end.
Profile Image for Ian Hall.
270 reviews47 followers
September 27, 2022
Shayne silvers does it again.

That was bloody brilliant. Where the hell is this series going to go from here. And that ending WTF ?
Profile Image for Summer Riley.
19 reviews
February 1, 2022
Who doesn't love fried chicken and goat...insert evil genius laugh here! What a freaking whirlwind this was! More reveals and the plot has thickened! The Temples have done it again, the more I learn the more questions I have. Diving headfirst into the Elder Realm, this merry band of misfits are bound to save the world, eventually...right? You can really feel the pull towards Omega War...all the pieces are falling into place and more and more players are drawing their lines in the sand. You definitely win some and lose some in this round but all in all it's another story Shayne has hit out of the park! I'm so excited to see what happens next with Nate and Quinn...are they even on the same side? Who knows...
897 reviews7 followers
January 31, 2022
Wowzer! Absolutely great story. This was a fabulous continuation of the Templeverse series. Lots of details are revealed. Carl, Talon , Grimm, Yahn and Charon are highlighted in this installment. The majority of the story is in the Elder realm. I thought figuring out time zones was difficult, it’s nothing compared to time in different realms. I typically read the books in this series in one sitting. This particular book throws in a LOT of details pertaining to previous books. Shayne is finally had mercy on his readers and gave some answers, I don’t anticipate it happening again.
25 reviews
January 29, 2022
I know I will not be disappointed by any book I pick up by Shayne Silvers and Dark Horse is no exception. Masterfully written, we finally get our glimpse into the world of the Elders. Be prepared to feel all the emotions. Clear your schedule, grab a drink and some tissue, and hang a do-not-disturb sign on the door because once you open this book, you're not going to want to put it back down.
362 reviews4 followers
December 8, 2025
Love this series.

This book grabs your attention, your heart and beats your soul to the elders world, then the underworld and back to the elders. I loved Grandmama and learning more about fu#king Carl. Can't wait for the next!!
Profile Image for Lora Shouse.
Author 1 book32 followers
February 22, 2022
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 as 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.
Profile Image for Brandi Reshetar.
42 reviews
February 26, 2022
You would think....

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.
Profile Image for Gaylord.
90 reviews3 followers
February 13, 2022
The best yet

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.
Profile Image for Brett Wickersham.
96 reviews1 follower
February 8, 2022
Once again we join Nate and Company. This time they are trapped in the Elder Realm, in pursuit of Nate's nefarious half-brother, and the "Knightmares" he has created with the stolen suits of round table armor. What seems like a simple hunt and capture mission turns sideways when other foes from Nate's past show up and throw a wrench in the works. As usual, the book is filled with revelations and questions, and tons of snark and in-jokes. Along the way we get to see Nate grow a little more, and start to learn, what it truly means to be a Temple. If you liked the previous books in this series, and its associated series you will love this one as well. If you haven't read them, it's time to get started, but be sure to start with book one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
233 reviews1 follower
February 8, 2022
Wow, there’s a lot that happens in this magical, action-packed, thrilling, and so hard to put down book! I absolutely loved the humor that had me laughing-out-loud and receiving some very strange looks from my family. I really appreciate the truly unique characters and the loyalty they have for their friend, Nate. It’s quite the adventure they have in the Elder Realm, secrets are out, battles are fought, and Grimm is hilarious. This action-packed book has danger, destiny, battles, unicorns, the Reverie, the Elder Realm, betrayal, magic, Charon, mystery, Horsemen, secrets, Anubis, suspense, knightmares, Grandmama, Battles, laugh-out-loud humor, twists and turns and more.
Profile Image for The Mysterious Reader.
3,589 reviews66 followers
February 14, 2022
A brother who may not be one (and he could very well kill everything and everyone Nate loves and holds dear, so probably not the best of brothers to have anyway), caverns of Hell, Rivers of the Dead, and - oh yes - that eponymous Dark Horse. Yup, Nate is up to his neck in it with Dark Horse (Nate Temple Series, Book 16), but don’t worry, somehow Shayne Silvers will pull things off in style yet again. Pretty incredible 16 books (nevermind all the trusted tales) in, but nevertheless this tfor Ted author does it grandly, and we readers most definitely benefit. This novel is extremely easy to highly recommend.
102 reviews1 follower
March 14, 2022
Nate is back, and kicking ass!

Shane Silvers Temple series really is, in my opinion, one of the best fantasy series being written today. Add in Callie and Quinn and you get a massive, sprawling adventure series that keeps on surpassing itself. I'm a huge fan of Shane Silvers, I've read everything he's written, and I keep coming back for more, so that's a massive recommendation from me. Dark Horse is funny, sad, uplifting, tragic, and all around just an excellent addition to the Templeverse. Thank you Shane. You have definitely earned a place on my bookshelves, and it's a place of honor.
Profile Image for John E.
696 reviews2 followers
February 10, 2022
The games continue

16 books in and Nate and the Templeverse keep getting more intriguing. From early laughter to heartbreak to knowledge and tragedy, this story has it all. You know an author has interesting characters when other authors reference them. This story was apropos as another series I just read referenced f*cking Carl and then in this story we learn about the Elder race, the Elder realm, Carl's family and a whole lot more. There is a lot of loss in this book but the depth and creativity and Hope keeps everything moving forward.
1,471 reviews4 followers
February 13, 2022
good

I really like this book. It was just as good as all the other books in the series. Nate is back with his annoying quips along with the rest of his little gang. I liked Carl ever since he was introduced into Nate‘s story but some of the things that happened to Carl in this book really made me sad. There were some other heart wrenching things that went on in this book as well. There was a lot of things in this book that I did not expect especially when it came to the biblical four Horsemen. I did not really like the end of this book. It seemed a little open ended. I can’t wait until the next book comes out though.
Profile Image for Terri West.
2,157 reviews
March 1, 2022
Yet again Shayne Silvers delivers an exciting novel in this Templeverse series. Even though this is Nate's 16th book, the plot and the characters remain fresh. In this episode Nate learns more about himself and there are new characters in the mix, added to which we find out more of The Elder Realm and Carl. Witty humour that had me in stitches, laced with plenty of emotion to keep the story real.
As we head closer to the Omega war the crossover characters are starting to truly come together. I am excited to see where these characters will head next.
4 reviews
Read
March 3, 2022
Extremely addicted to every book he has written so far.

The plots, the characters, the bonding love, the endless picking on each other even when shits hitting the fan and the mystery. This author does mystery like no other. Only negative I see reading these books is I still believe Temple and Callie should be together but I keep trying to look outside of that. It's so hard though. Whatever this author writes is truly golden. You honestly can't go wrong with any of his stories.
Profile Image for Cindy Kerwin.
212 reviews1 follower
January 15, 2023
Not real fond of these now. They kind of drag on without anything really interesting or exciting happening, all of the characters that I love from the first books rarely show up now. They books aren't fun and goofy or thrilling anymore. The storyline is just, sorry, boring. The first 10 books maybe gave The Dresden Files a run for its money, but now.....I'm actually dreading listening to these as I know I won't like them. I'm going to power through in hopes he goes back to the original style of writing, but I don't have high hopes.
979 reviews11 followers
January 31, 2022
The 16th book in this series screams at an unrelenting pace filled with action, mystery, devastating emotion and delicious twisty's. Shayne's trademark humor is ever present in this book as well. Such a good story, I'd say it's pretty much my favorite. Weeping, I was weeping hard. Recommend the series highly.




















































































Profile Image for Rose Mclaughlin.
87 reviews2 followers
February 8, 2022
Another great read!

Ok well I can't say much without giving to much info! But as usual Shayne has left me wanting more! I started this last night and just finished,had to stop to go to work. Lets just say I laughed alot and cried a little and was very happy to have old friends pop in the storyline, can't say more, but will be rereading because I pretty much devoured the story! You will not be disappointed!!!!!
Profile Image for James Copeland.
124 reviews2 followers
February 14, 2022
Whoa!!

This is an amazing read. It picks up quickly and you learn a lot. You see Nate grow and deal with some emotions that he's never had to. You see Grimm find something, or someone, special. You learn more backstory and it answers some needed questions.
I cried at parts, but laughed a lot more. It was an exquisite balance on both sides and well worth the read. Thank you Shayne for another amazing book.
Readers! Pick this up. You will not be disappointed.
94 reviews1 follower
February 20, 2022
Damn'ed plot twists!

Shayne Silvers, You dirty rotten SOB! Once again you have written a brilliant story. Full of laughter and tears. Worries and fears. Lost and found. Family and foe. And then ya leave me hanging, wanting more RIGHT NOW.
Nate Temple has survived his world so far. Can he survive the Elder realm?
Get your copy now and join the cuss- out Shayne Silvers fan club.
22 reviews1 follower
May 3, 2022
Shayne Silvers delivers as always!!!

I have really enjoyed the Nate Temple series. I came across his books through a recommendation on Amazon/Kindle and I have been hooked ever since. I am now also reading the Callie Penrose series and pretty much anything else that he's written that I can get my hands on. I would recommend Shayne Silver's books to pretty much anybody on the street. Will definitely be watching him and following his writing career from this point forward.
10 reviews
May 8, 2022
Damn!!!

I NEED the next book! I couldn't put this down. There is so much to cheer about in this series, but the stuff that goes down in this book .. Shock and awe about cover it. There is so much that still has to happen and so much that I want to happen lol. Just read it, if you've come this far you don't need to be sold on it, you are already aware of the awesomness that IS Nate Temple.
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