Review: Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs

My Rating: E, P, B

Published: 2010
Publisher: Orbit

Author's Website: patriciabriggs.com

Purchase @ Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com

Being a mechanic is hard work. Mercy Thompson, for instance, just spend the last couple of months trying to evade the murderous queen of the local vampire seethe. And now the leader of the werewolf pack, who’s maybe-more-than-just-a-friend, has asked her for her help. A book of fae secrets has come to light and they’re all about to find out how implacable – and dangerous – the fae can be.

Okay, so maybe her trouble have nothing to do with the job. But she sure could use a holiday...

Silver Borne is the fifth instalment in the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs. This book is suspenseful, sexually torqued to the max and full of mystery.

Mercy is still trying to deal with her issues after the ‘Tim incident’ and is slowly coming round to being able to be with Adam without flinching. Dealing with the pack is another can of worms altogether. Now that she has been properly inducted into the pack as the Alpha leader’s, Adam Hauptman, mate she can feel the pack at anytime, anywhere and vice versa. This would be a great thing if Mercy was able to control the magic within her but she can’t, which makes her a target and easy prey for those in the pack that don’t like having a coyote in their midst. Another problem arises when Tad, Zee’s son, calls Mercy and asks her to look in on a friend who seems to have gone missing and turns into a man-hunt. On top of all that, Mercy has a suicidal werewolf to deal with.

Silver Borne pulled me in from the minute I opened the first page, as did the other books in the series. I feel as if I can relate to Mercy even though I am nothing like her. She has the same love life problems as most women her age except she has to throw the supernatural on top of it, she’s a coyote and her love interest is the alpha male of the local pack. A pack which detests Mercy, which to me feels like being back at school. Everyone has their own clique and if you don’t fit the criteria you are an outcast. This has never stopped Mercy though – she ploughs on and takes it all on the chin and comes out the other side fighting. Sometimes I just wish that Mercy could be given a break from her life as everything seems to come at her all at once, she never seems to get a break from the onslaught. Hopefully the next book might have a bit of rest and relaxation in Mercy’s future.

Overall, I absolutely love this book and have thoroughly enjoyed the series. I am sad that we never saw any interaction with the vampires in this book but I am sure there is more to see from them in future books and I can’t wait to see how it will involve Mercy and/or the werewolf pack.

Disclaimer: I do not own this book, I borrowed it from my local library. I have not been paid to review this book and everything I have said is of my own honest opinion.

In My Mailbox...(15)

In My Mailbox is a meme that is hosted by The Story Siren every Sunday.

Borrowed

Succubus on Top by Richelle Mead

Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs

Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs

Bought

Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick

What did you guys get?

Review: Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs

My Rating: E, P, B

Published: 2009
Publisher: Orbit

Author's Website: patriciabriggs.com

Purchase @ Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com

Car mechanic and sometime shapeshifter Mercy Thompson has learned – the hard way – why her race was almost exterminated. When European vampires emigrated to North America, they found Mercy’s people had a hidden talent for vampire slaying. Unfortunately for Mercy, the queen of the local vampire seethe has discovered her true identity.

The undead queen is also furious when she learns Mercy has crossed her and killed one of her own. Mercy may be protected from direct reprisals by the werewolf pack (and her interesting relationship with its Alpha), but that means Marsilia will come after Mercy some other way. So Mercy had better prepare to watch her back.

Bone Crossed is the fourth novel in the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs. Once again I wasn’t disappointed by this series. We see action, quite a lot of action, and some amorous moments.

Mercedes Thompson is still getting over the attack from a few months ago but with the help of those around her she manages to slowly overcome her panic attacks and starts to enjoy life again. Whilst this is going on, Marsilia, the Mistress of the local vampire seethe, finds out about Stefan’s disloyalty by covering for Mercy when she killed not only one but two vampires. She doesn’t take too kindly to this revelation and punishes those who are guilty of wronging her.

We meet a new character that is from Mercy’s past in this book under suspicious circumstances but yet Mercy helps her which leads her into more trouble. But all this unravels as you read the book. I wasn’t able to put this book down for long before I had to start reading it again.

My favourite part of this book was when Adam was helping Mercedes get over her anxiety attacks. I don’t want to say what or how he helps her as this will give away some of the story. But I like his methods. Oh and finding out something interesting about Ben, that was a nice little tid bit of information.

Finally my suspicions were confirmed in this book about Mercy’s suitors. I was right that she had three love interests at one time. I’m interested as to what is next for Mercy. She has had a bad life as it is with all the people that have been coming after her, left, right, centre and from behind. She never seems to have a minute alone to herself or have a day where nothing bad happens. Even on a date, something bad happens and she has to rush in to help.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book as I have the series and can’t wait to read the next book in the series. Patricia Briggs is one hell of a writer and I love the characters she has created.

Disclaimer: I do not own this book, I borrowed it from the library. I have not been paid to review this book and everything I have said is of my own honest opinion.

Review: Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs

My Rating: E, P X

Published: 2008
Publisher: Orbit

Author's Website: patriciabriggs.com

Purchase @ Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com

It wasn’t hard to follow the scent of blood to the living room where the fae had been killed. It had been a violent death, perfect for creating ghosts.

Mercy Thompson enjoys being a mechanic, but life is never simple given her increasing closeness to the local werewolf pack, and her ability to change into coyote form at will. And when a member of the fae community calls in a favour, needing her skills for a covert murder investigation, she jumps into the hunt.

But the dangers multiply and she clashes with shadowed creatures of great power. When her old boss Zee is charged with a brutal assassination, Mercy finds herself fighting alone. There are those who love her, who would keep her safe, but she is way and holds her freedom precious. Until, that is, she has nothing left to lose but her life…

Iron Kissed is the third novel in the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs. Mercy is one tough nut and it takes a lot to get her down but we see a different side to her in this story. This book is full of action and torment for Mercy, as she tries her hand at detective work and her heart is aching with a question she doesn’t know the answer to.

Mercy has a tough time in this book as she faces creatures she has never come across in her walker life. She comes face to face with some fierce fae and they don’t take to her very well. All those fairytales won’t help you out much against these fae.

This series is one of my favourites. It’s more focused on the plot than romance but we see the romance card is being used quite a few times in this book. To me there are three love rivals but we don’t see the third at all in this book, makes me wonder where he has gone and if he will be back. The other two, Adam and Samuel, are at the fore front of Mercy’s thoughts. She doesn’t know who to choose though and continues to debates this throughout the book.

I think my favourite part of this book was at the very end after everything was over and done with (I don’t want to give out details in case you haven’t read the book/series yet) and Mercy was with a certain someone. It ends on a suggestive note that leaves you wondering what happens next.

I really didn’t like reading the last few chapters. Something happens to Mercy and I found it hard to read because trying to imagine what Mercy had gone through was too horrific to even think about. I know it’s most likely essential to the plot line but I can’t see how yet, that will probably all pan out in the rest of the series. Or was it to show that Mercy can be weakened and that she isn’t the super duper heroine we all think she is?

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I have liked the series as a whole so far. I would recommend this book/series for anyone that is a young adult upwards. I wonder what Mercy is going to get up to next in Bone Crossed will have to wait and see.

Disclaimer: I do not own this book, I borrowed it from the library. I am not paid to review this book and everything I have said is of my own honest opinion.

In My Mailbox...(3)

In My Mailbox is a meme that is hosted by The Story Siren every Sunday.

Having recently lost her dad and stepmother, Betsy Sinclair (nee Taylor) is adjusting to rather more than just married life. Their untimely deaths have left her and Eric as sole guardians of her little brother. Two vampire parents – albeit vampire royalty – for a decidedly human baby. Still, Betsy is more than up for the challenge. If only everyone would stop being so nervous around her, given her sudden recent burst of power. Betsy most emphatically Does Not Want To Discuss It, and for the moment everyone is following her lead.

But then the ghost of Betsy’s stepmother turns up at their house. And as stubborn and insufferable as she was in life, she’s even more annoying in death – especially as she regards her demise as all Betsy’s fault!

It wasn’t hard to follow the scent of blood to the living room where the fae had been killed. It had been a violent death, perfect for creating ghosts.

Mercy Thompson enjoys being a mechanic, but life is never simple given her increasing closeness to the local werewolf pack, and her ability to change into coyote form at will. And when a member of the fae community calls in a favour, needing her skills for a covert murder investigation, she jumps into the hunt.

But the dangers multiply and she clashes with shadowed creatures of great power. When her old boss Zee is charged with a brutal assassination, Mercy finds herself fighting alone. There are those who love her, who would keep her safe, but she is way and holds her freedom precious. Until, that is, she has nothing left to lose but her life…

Kitty Norville is a midnight-shift DJ for a Denver radio station – and a werewolf in secret. Sick of lame requests, she accidentally starts ‘The Midnight Hour’, a late-night talk show for the supernaturally disadvantaged.

After desperate vampires, werewolves and witches across the country begin calling into share their woes, her new show is raging success. But it’s Kitty who can use some help. With one sexy werewolf hunter and a few homicidal undead on her trail, Kitty may have bitten off more than she can chew…

Review: Blood Bound - Patricia Briggs

My Rating: E, P, B Released: 2007 (USA) & 2008 (UK) Publisher: Ace, Penguin Group (USA) Inc & Orbit (UK) Author's Website: patriciabriggs.com Available @ Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com Mercy Thompson; woken at 3am by a vampire. Stefan also happens to be a friend, and he needs her help. He has to deliver a message to a fellow undead and needs a witness that won’t be noticed – and Mercy’s shapeshifting abilities maker her the perfect candidate. But the assignment turns into a bloodbath and Mercy attracts the attention of not just a powerful vampire, but the even more powerful demon possessing him. She can count on the supernatural community for protection – and alpha werewolf Adam would like her to rely on him in other ways, too – but when it comes to being protective, she’s on her own. Blood Bound is the second book in the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs. If you have read Moon Called and enjoyed it, prepare to be enthralled with Blood Bound. This story is full of action, a love triangle or even a quadrangle depending on how you look at it, and a tad bit of lusting. This book has been rather enjoyable to read. It has been a nice break from some of the other supernatural books I have been reading lately as it’s more focused on the plot than romance although the story does touch on the subject more than once. You don’t get caught up in the romance, or lust, enough that it makes you forget what the plot is all about. Our heroine Mercy, gets pulled into some serious trouble along with her wolf friends and Stefan due to her loyalty, caring personality and her over protectiveness for the ones she loves or cares deeply about. (WARNING – THIS PARAGRAPH CONTAINS SPOILERS) From the first book, Moon Called, we know that Mercy was raised by wolves and is a skinwalker. Her other form is a coyote. We also know that she used to be in love with Samuel Cornick until his father Bran, the Morrok, told her to leave. In the meantime, she has been living across from the local Alpha, Adam Hauptman. It seems that there is a love triangle going on between these three – Samuel still loves her and mourned her when she left as if he had lost his mate and previously Adam named her as his mate in front of the pack so that she wouldn’t be attacked by them. But it seems that Adam likes Mercy more than he lets on and I think the feeling is mutual. Samuel was her first love and even though he was using her as a means to have a living child she still loves him deep down. (END OF SPOILER WARNING) Mercy is requested to repay a favour to a friend, Stefan - a vampire, who wants her to witness an act as her four legged self. Paying Stefan back opens a whole can of worms and could have cost Mercy her life. After finding out the powerful vampire is being possessed by a demon, the local Alpha, Adam, and her past love, Samuel, decide that she is to stay out of the way and that they and the vampires will deal with this vampire. Mercy, being Mercy, couldn’t just sit and do nothing. She decides to intervene when the wolves plans go a tad wrong - putting herself in imminent danger. We can clearly see that there is a love triangle but I think this is going to turn into a love quadrangle, the fourth member being Stefan. Mercy thinks of him as a friend, but doesn’t know if he considers her a friend as he has never come out and said it. He is one of the undead and they are known as evil and can turn their back on you in a heartbeat, not the type of person you would think would call you a friend, more like someone that would use you. But Mercy has never thought of Stefan as being like the other vampires. She thinks he is one of the good ones despite constant warnings from her friends that she can’t trust him. I think there is some deep affection for Mercy emitting from Stefan as we find out as the story unfolds, but I am not sure what it will turn into. Mercy already has Adam and Samuel to deal without adding Stefan to the mix. The problem with trying to figure out who Mercy will end up with is down to how submissive she is willing to be. Wolves are known for being dominant and living in the cave ages as their women don’t have the same rights as the men in the pack. Choosing Adam would lead to her having the same status and dominance over the other wolves as Adam, i.e. if Adam wasn’t about the other wolves would have to obey her commands. I think if Mercy officially went and said that she was with Adam as his mate, that this might cause some conflict within the pack as they only currently tolerate her and are not around her all the time. Being with Samuel would leave Mercy uneasy as to whether he is with her out of love or just to get a child out of it. Samuel doesn’t belong to a pack, he’s more of a lone wolf at the moment but he is the Marrok’s son so is a very dominant wolf. If Mercy was to be with Stefan I don’t think she would have to change at all but she would forever be watching her back with the Mistress of the Seethe as Stefan still answers to her. The Mistress doesn’t like Mercy as she fears her. She may like him as a friend but I am not sure how she would cope having a relationship with a man that is literally dead during the day. I will definitely be reading the rest of the series just to find out what does or doesn’t happen between those two. Blood Bound is a book I think you can read on its’ own and it isn’t essential to know what happened in book one, Moon Called, to understand what is happening. The situations and storyline are well set out and quite easy to follow. The action scenes aren’t too graphic and there aren’t really any sexual content in this book. This book can definitely be read by teenagers and any age upwards. Disclaimer: I have not bought this book or been given it free of charge and I am not receiving any money to review this book. I borrowed this book from the local library and everything I have said is based on my honest opinion.