Review: River Marked (Mercedes Thompson #6) by Patricia Briggs

Title: River Marked

Author: Patricia Briggs

Series: 6th in Mercy Thompson series

Pages: 326

Published: Available now from Ace

ISBN: 9780441019731

Source: Library

Description: Car mechanic Mercy Thompson has always known there was something different about her, and not just the way she can make a VW engine sit up and beg. Mercy is a shapeshifter, a talent she inherited from her long-gone father. She's never known any others of her kind. Until now. An evil is stirring in the depths of the Columbia River-one that her father's people may know something about. And to have any hope of surviving, Mercy and her mate, the Alpha werewolf Adam, will need their help...

I Give This ...

 

I've really enjoyed this series to date, but I was beginning to wonder what else could their possibly be that Mercy could go through.  How in the world could the author makes the fresh and new and not the same old things.  I'll be honest, I was completely surprised and blown away by River Marked.

I was really surprised and enjoyed seeing Mercy get all worked up at planning her wedding to Adam.  She freaks out on her mom and soon everyone has a bet on how long before they elope to avoid everything.  Instead, she gets a surprise wedding which I loved!  Adam wisks her off to a camping honeymoon, which I thought was really perfect and fit with who they are.  A secluded camp ground with plenty of open grounds to run and hunt.  What more could a girl/coyote ask for?

My favorite part of the story was the full acceptance of Mercy's Indian heritage.  We've dealt with wolves, vampires, and the fae to this point.  But, in this book we learn more more about Mercy's father and Indian folklore.  I found myself fascinated with it.  I love Coyote and how he was connected to Mercy.  I enjoyed the "father" spirits like Wolf  Thunderbird and how they were connected to The Great Spirits.  I enjoyed their reactions to modern society.  

I really liked the story of the monster lurking in the Columbia river.  The legend behind it was wonderfully constructed.  I liked the idea of what it wanted and how it was taking people who were using the river.  But the story lost points for me with the actual destruction of the monster.  I liked how it was done, I guess it was the after math.  It lost some of its credibility for me at that point.  But, I guess in a society were the fae and wolves are out to society a huge ancient monster is no big deal.

I'm anxious to see were this story could go next and when it might end.  I'll continue reading until then I'm sure!

Silver Borne (Mercedes Thompson, #5) by Patricia Briggs

 

Title: Silver Borne

Author: Patricia Briggs

Series: Mercedes Thompson, #5

Published: March 2010

Publisher: Ace

Pages: 342

ISBN: 9780441018192

Source: Library

Description: When mechanic and shapeshifter Mercy Thompson attempts to return a powerful Fae book she'd previously borrowed in an act of desperation, she finds the bookstore locked up and closed down. It seems the book contains secret knowledge-and the Fae will do just about anything to keep it out of the wrong hands. And if that doesn't take enough of Mercy's attention, her friend Samuel is struggling with his wolf side-leaving Mercy to cover for him, lest his own father declare Sam's life forfeit. All in all, Mercy has had better days. And if she isn't careful, she might not have many more to live...

I Give This Book 4 Stars!

I thought I would prefer the books that tend to favor the vampires.  But, I discovered I like Iron Kissed more than Blood Bound.  The same goes for this one over Bone Crossed.   The Fae continue you to amaze me.  There's always something new to learn.  You wouldn't think they could be the most dangerous mythical creatures, but I'm beginning to change my mind.  While the stories with the vampires tend to scare me more than normal, the one's with the Fae seem to test your intelligence. They want to know if you've been paying attention.   I love how Mercy doesn't fit all the typical rules.  It seems no one knows quite how she will react or how things will effect her (including Mercy herself).  I really loved watching her relationship with Adam and the pack grow.  I was not surprised to discover the deep rooted animosity towards her within the pack.  I also wasn't surprised to watch Sam struggle with his wolf.  I've actually been waiting for it to come for a couple books now (especially since Mercy chose Adam).  Overall, I loved it and can't wait for the next in the series!

Bone Crossed (Mercedes Thompson, #4) by Patricia Briggs

Title: Bone Crossed
Series: Mercedes Thompson #4
Author: Patricia Briggs
Published: February 2009
Publisher: Ace
Pages: 309
ISBN: 9780441016761
Source: Library

Description: By day, Mercy is a car mechanic in the sprawling Tri-Cities of Eastern Washington. By night, she explores her preternatural side. As a shapeshifter with some unique talents, Mercy has often found herself having to maintain a tenuous harmony between the human and the not so human. This time she may get more than she bargained for. Marsilia, the local Vampire Queen, has learned that Mercy crossed her by slaying a member of her clan—and she's out for blood. But since Mercy is protected from direct reprisal by the werewolf pack (and her close relationship with its sexy Alpha), it won't be Mercy's blood Marsilia is after. It'll be her friends'.

I Give This Book 4 Stars!

This was everything I've come to expect and love of a Mercy Thompson book. I wasn't sure were the author would take the series after the events in the last book, but I wasn't disappointed. I loved the way Mercy handles herself after the traumatic events that occurred. I was afraid it would make her cold and harder her demeanor a little. I loved watching her relationship with Adam grow. And the vampires in this one are fantastic! I love vampires story that are more true to the myths of vampires. Their suppose to be scary! (Don't get me wrong I like a lot of the novels that romanticize them as well). This book actually made me rethink reading it late at night with all the lights off. It's a dramatic and fast passed book that will leave you wanting the next book!

Hunting Ground (Alpha & Omega, #2) by Patricia Briggs

Title: Hunting Ground
Author: Patricia Briggs
Published: August 2009
Pages: 286
ISBN: 9780441017386
Source: Library

Description: Mated to werewolf Charles Cornick, the son and enforcer of the leader of the North American werewolves, Anna Latham now knows how dangerous being a werewolf is, especially when a werewolf opposes Charles and his father is struck down. Charles's reputation makes him the prime suspect, and the penalty for the crime is execution. Now Anna and Charles must combine their talents to hunt down the real killer or Charles will take the fall.

I Give This Book 4 Stars!

This book had a little bit of a slow start for me.  I was afraid it wouldn't have the same pull as Cry Wolf.  I kept reading because I like the characters and I was hoping it would pick up.  I was in for a treat.  The story became very intense later on.  I enjoyed the mystery and the thrills.  It was definitely a page turner from about half way through the book (the story picked up way before that).  I love how the author manages to pull in different mythical races into one story without making it seem like to much information.  The author has created a tightly woven subculture in today's human world.  I really loved watching Charles' and Anna's character evolve with each other.  And, I was relieved to finally learn a little bit more about what an Omega werewolf is.  I will be looking forward to the next in the series!

Iron Kissed (Mercedes Thompson, #3) by Patricia Briggs

Title: Iron Kissed
Author: Patricia Briggs
Published: January 2008
Pages: 287
ISBN: 9780441015665
Source: Library

Description: When her former boss and mentor is arrested for murder and left to rot behind bars by his own kind, it's up to shapeshifting car mechanic Mercy Thompson to clear his name, whether he wants her to or not. And she'll have to choose between the two werewolves in her life-whether she wants to or not.

I Give This Book 4.5 Stars!

I was so close to giving this book 5 stars.  It was wonderful.  I was suprised that I liked that it centered around the fae so much.  For those who haven't read the series, the fae are magical creatures.  This can include gremlins, gnomes, and fairies.  In this book you get a very up front look at a few fae legends and very they're very rigid beliefs.  I really got into the intensity of the story.  Mercy has a knack for sticking her head out for anybody that means something to her.  And for some reason, it makes me like her even more.  I think she's a kick ass heroine.  I liked watching her figure out her love interest issues.  I also appreciated the way the author handled a very sensitive subject without getting graphic (although some people seem to feel differently)!  So far this series has everything paranormal wrapped up in it.  In 3 books I've gotten werewolves, witches, sorcerers, fae, and vampires.

Blood Bound (Mercedes Thompson, #2) by Patricia Briggs

Title: Blood Bound
Author: Patrica Briggs
Published: January 2007 by Ace
Pages: 292
ISBN: 9780441014736

Description: Mechanic Mercy Thompson has friends in low places-and in dark ones. And now she owes one of them a favor. Since she can shapeshift at will, she agrees to act as some extra muscle when her vampire friend Stefan goes to deliver a message to another of his kind.  
But this new vampire is hardly ordinary-and neither is the demon inside of him.

I Give This Book 4 Stars!

I enjoyed this book much more than Moon Called.  Maybe it's because this one dealt with the vampires.  The wolf pack is there, and you get more insight into the inner workings of the Alpha and his pack.  But, I loved the vampires.  This seethe (as its referred to in the book) is more how I picture vampires.  They are evil and not to be trusted.  Even Stefan, who Mercy considers to be a friend, I wouldn't want to be alone with in a room.  I loved the descriptions of how each mythical creature's magic works.  And the scene with the demon and Mercy at her trailer actually freaked me out a little (made me wish I wasn't reading it late at night with all the lights off)!

Moon Called (Mercedes Thompson, #1) by Patricia Briggs

I Give This Book 3.5 Stars!

Description: "Werewolves can be dangerous if you get in their way, but they'll leave you alone if you are careful. They are very good at hiding their natures from the human population, but I'm not human. I know them when I meet them, and they know me, too. "
Mercy Thompson's sexy next-door neighbor is a werewolf.
She's tinkering with a VW bus at her mechanic shop that happens to belong to a vampire.
But then, Mercy Thompson is not exactly normal herself... and her connection to the world of things that go bump in the night is about to get her into a whole lot of trouble.

For the most part I really enjoyed this book.  I liked the characters and their development throughout the story.  I especially like Mercy.  The plot was interesting and kept me reading.  My only problem was at times, it was hard to follow.  I found myself having to reread paragraphs (or pages) to make sure I understood what was happening.  In fact I had to reread the section with the vampires more than once because I was completely confused.  I enjoyed reading more about the werewolves and how their dominance works.  And I was right in thinking that reading Moon Called (and maybe more of the series) first would have been better when reading Cry Wolf.  Overall, still a likeable read.

Teaser Tuesday From Moon Called by Patricia Briggs

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

•  Grab your current read


• Open to a random page


• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page


• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)


• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My teaser:  “Then power washed through the van, not like the power the Alpha's could call, nor did it feel like the magic Elizaveta Arkadyevna used.  It was akin somehow to the fae power of glamour and tasted like metal and blood in my mouth. 

From Moon Called by Patricia Briggs

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT with either the link to your own Teaser Tuesdays post, or share your 2 ‘teasers’ in a comment here (if you don’t have a blog). Thanks!

Cry Wolf (Alpha and Omega #1) by Patricia Briggs

I give this book 3.5 Stars!

Description: Anna never knew werewolves existed until the night she survived a violent attack and became one herself. After three years at the bottom of the pack, she'd learned to keep her head down and never, ever trust dominant males. But Anna is that rarest kind of werewolf: an Omega. And one of the most powerful werewolves in the country will recognize her value as a pack member, and as his mate.

I never been much on fantasy/sci-fi books.  But I liked Harry Potter, The Twilight series, and recently the Sookie Stackhouse series.  And technically speaking those could all fall under that category.  I decide to branch out a bit and see what else I might like.  Patricia Briggs seems to be a popular author in that category, so I added a few of her books to my to read list.  I happened to notice this one in the library last week and picked it up.  I was pleasantly surprised by it.  The story line was a lot like those by my favorite authors, it just so happens the main characters are werewolves and the antagonist is a witch!    The only reason it's 3.5 instead of 4 stars is I kind of felt like I should have read the Mercy Thompson books first.  It's the start of a new series, but it seemed like there were things that the author assumes you know because you've read the other series already.  But overall, I enjoyed it.