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Book Review & Giveaway: River Marked by Patricia Briggs

Title: River Marked

Author: Patricia Briggs

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Publisher: Ace
Publication Date: March 2011
Hardcover: 336 Pages

Stand alone or series: Book 6 in the Mercy Thompson Series

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…

How did I get this book: ARC from the Publisher

Why did I read this book: Mercy Thompson is my favorite urban fantasy heroine, and the Mercy books are amongst my favorites – period. I *love* Mercy. February and March each year always get me really excited, because it means the next Mercy book is just around the corner. Also, author Patty Briggs is one of the coolest ladies ever, and her writing is consistently awesome (and she has long been one of my favorite authors, since middle school!). So, I suppose you could say I was looking forward to River Marked.

**WARNING: THIS REVIEW CONTAINS UNAVOIDABLE SPOILERS FOR THE FIRST FIVE BOOKS IN THE SERIES. If you have not read the first five installments and wish to remain unspoiled, avert your virgin eyes! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.**

Review:

After years of power struggles, pack politics, and danger from all corners of the supernatural universe that comprises the Tri-Cities and surrounding areas, Mercedes Athena Thompson has finally settled down – at least romantically. River Marked begins with the long awaited marriage between Mercy and her mate, alpha Adam Hauptman. After much fanfare (involving balloons and butterflies – thanks to Mercy’s overzealous mother), Mercy and Adam finally leave the Tri-Cities for a romantic and secluded honeymoon at the Columbia Gorge camping grounds at Maryhill, near Biggs. And, for a little while, our intrepid pair are given a bit of a respite. Of course, this being trouble-magnet Mercy Thompson we’re talking about, the honeymoon period is ridiculously brief – no sooner than she and Adam have arrived at the Columbia River, trouble shows up on their state-of-the-art trailer doorstep. There’s something in the Columbia River, an ancient and insatiable monster, that has started to claim lives for its own. And this time, Mercy’s strange mix of magic as a coyote walker will be the key to stopping its path of destruction.

So, for the first time in this series, River Marked finally, FINALLY delves into Native American magic and Mercy’s particular background. I have been salivating for this story for years now, and I am thrilled to report that it is every bit as awesome as I had hoped. I loved the Native American lore of River Marked, and the shift of ideological focus from western European to (finally!!!!) American Indian. Other than her coloring and her walker ability to shapeshift into a coyote at will, Mercy knows next to nothing about her abilities or her father’s side of the family – she was born to an Anglo mother, and raised by a pack of wolves. In River Marked, Mercy comes to terms with her heritage, her namesake avatar (Coyote himself), and her father, known to Mercy and her mother simply as rodeo clown Joe Old Coyote. River Marked has folklore, wise spirits, and – for the first time – others that may have abilities like Mercy’s own.[1. Can I just reiterate how awesome all of this is? There isn’t really a werewolf pack politics battle, fae, or – gods forbid – vampire seethe in sight (well, not really, although of course all three of these usual supernatural suspects do play roles in this book). We FINALLY got the other half of Mercy’s heritage, everyone! HUZZAH!] Besides the excellent worldbuilding and expanded backstory, from a plotting perspective, essentially, River Marked is the equivalent of a monster-of-the-week episode. And I mean this in the best possible sense, as my favorite episodes of The X-Files are monster-of-the-week episodes (as much as the mytharc stuff rocked, the episodes that rock my socks most were ones like Squeeze/Tooms). It helps that the River Monster in this book is one big bad mofo.

Of course, as with any great book and per Patricia Briggs’ usual standard, River Marked truly shines in terms of its characters. So much of this book is about Mercy and Adam working at their new marriage and mate bond, which, despite its culmination at the altar still clearly has a long way to go before all the kinks are worked out. One of the things I love about this series (and Patty Briggs’ other series in the same universe, Alpha and Omega) is that she takes us past the wedding where happy ever after is supposed to happen, and tosses those disney-esque delusions aside and throws some serious, meaty issues to her characters. Inherently, the Mercy-Adam relationship is a tough balancing act for all that they love each other, because of Mercy’s independent streak, and Adam’s naturally controlling tendencies. Mercy is my favorite Urban Fantasy heroine precisely because she’s so in tune with herself, shs has little tolerance for bullshit or emotional melodrama (unlike, say, Rachel Caine’s Joanne Baldwin), and because she doesn’t let people push her around. That’s not to say she mouths off and runs around swinging a big sword or, er, magical walking stick (unlike say, Ilona Andrews’ Kate Daniels).[2. Let the record show I LOVE Jo Baldwin and Kate Daniels, but these two leading ladies have some major irritation issues.] No, having been raised by wolves that are far stronger and more ruthless than herself, Mercy knows her place, and yet she manages to stand up for herself and hold her own in a very dangerous world. And even with a hunky alpha like Adam looking out for her, I heart Mercy so much because she is not some ninny that needs rescuing every ten seconds. The awesomest thing about Mercy and Adam, particularly in this book, is their ability to compromise. Did I mention how awesome they are? Yes. Awesome.

If you couldn’t tell, I loved this book. Although I’m not really sure there’s a direction per se for the overall series arc and how River Marked fits in that arc, but with storytelling this wonderful, it really doesn’t matter. I loved River Marked for its solid storytelling, its exploration of Mercy’s particular brand of magic, and its rock solid characterizations. Another brilliant entry in the series, and probably my favorite entry since Iron Kissed.

Notable Quotes/Parts: From Chapter 1:

From The Dalles Chronicle

Two Local Men Still Missing
Thomas Kerrington (62) and his son Christopher Kerrington (40) are still missing, though the boat that they were fishing in has been recovered. The boat was found abandoned two miles downstream of John Day Dam yesterday. The men set out on a morning fishing expedition Monday morning but never returned. Sherman Co. marine deputy Max Whitehead says, “This has been an unusually bad year for boating fatalities on the Columbia. We’re stepping up patrols and urging boaters to take their safety very seriously.” Searchers are scouring the river, but after four days, hopes are low for a safe recovery of the two men.

From The Hood River News

This week’s fish counts are drastically down at both John Day and The Dalles Dams. Allen Robb of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife says, “We are concerned that there was some sort of toxic dump in the river somewhere between the dams. There is a significant reduction in the numbers of fish and our operators are telling us that this is especially true of our larger fish such as the adult Coho salmon.” Although extensive testing is under way, no sign of poison has been found in the river nor has there been an unusually high number of dead fish. “The fish are spooked,” says local fishing guide Jon Turner Bowman.

* * *

Under the glare of streetlights, I could see that the grass of Stefan’s front lawn was dried by the high summer heat to yellow. It had been mowed, but only with an eye to trimming the length of the grass, not to making it aesthetically pleasing. From the debris of dead grass in the yard, the lawn had been left to grow long enough that the city might have demanded it be mowed. The grass that remained was dry enough that whoever had cut it wouldn’t have to do it again unless someone started watering.

I pulled the Rabbit up to the curb and parked. The last time I’d seen Stefan’s house, it had fit right into his ritzy neighborhood. The yard’s neglect hadn’t spread to the house’s exterior yet, but I worried about the people inside.

Stefan was resilient, smart, and . . . just Stefan—able to talk Pokémon in ASL with deaf boys, defeat nasty villains while locked up in a cage, then drive off in his VW bus to fight bad guys another day. He was like Superman, but with fangs and oddly impaired morals.

I got out of my car and walked up the sidewalk toward the front porch. In the driveway, Scooby-Doo looked out at me eagerly through a layer of dust on the windows of Stefan’s usually meticulously tended bus. I had gotten the big stuffed dog for Stefan to go with the Mystery Machine paint job.

I hadn’t heard from Stefan for months, not since Christmas in fact. I’d been caught up in a lot of things, and getting kidnapped for a day (which was a month for everyone else because fairy queens can apparently do that), was only part of it. But for the last month, I’d called him once a week and gotten only his answering machine. Last night, I’d called him four times to invite him to Bad Movie Night. We were a person short of the usual as Adam—my mate, fiancé, and the Alpha of the Columbia Basin Pack—was out of town on business.

Adam owned a security firm that, until recently, had dealt primarily with government contractors. Since the werewolves—and Adam—had come out to the general public, though, his business had started to boom on other fronts. Werewolves were seen as very good security people, apparently. He was actively looking for someone else who could do most of the traveling but so far hadn’t found the right person.

With Adam away, I could give more attention to the other people in my life. I’d decided Stefan had had time enough to lick his wounds, but from the looks of things, I was a few months late.

I knocked on the door and, when that got no response, gave it the old “Shave and a Haircut” knock. I’d resorted to pounding when the dead bolt finally clicked over, and the door opened.

It took me a while to recognize Rachel. The last time I’d seen her, she’d looked like the poster girl for the disenchanted goth or runaway teenager. Now she looked like a crack addict. She’d lost maybe thirty pounds she didn’t have to lose. Her hair hung in limp, greasy, and uncombed strings down her shoulders. Mascara smudges dripped over her cheeks in faded smears that would have done credit to an extra in Night of the Living Dead. Her neck was bruised, and she held herself like her bones ached. I tried not to show that I noticed she was missing the last two fingers on her right hand. Her hand was healed, but the scars were still red and angry.

Marsilia, the Mistress of the Tri-Cities’ vampires, had used Stefan, her faithful knight, to oust traitors from her seethe, and part of that involved taking his menagerie—the humans he kept to feed from—and making him think they were dead by breaking his blood bonds to them. She seemed to think that torturing them had been necessary as well, but I don’t trust vampires—other than Stefan—to speak the truth. Marsilia hadn’t thought Stefan would object to her use of him and his menagerie once he knew that she’d done it to protect herself. He was, after all, her loyal Soldier. She’d miscalculated how badly Stefan would deal with her betrayal. From the looks of it, he wasn’t recovering well.

“You’d better get out of here, Mercy,” Rachel told me dully. “’Tisn’t safe.”

You can read the full excerpt online HERE.

Rating: 8 – Excellent

Reading Next: The Cloud Roads by Martha Wells

Giveaway Details:

We have ONE copy of River Marked up for grabs for a lucky winner! The contest is open to residents of the US and Canada, and will run until Saturday, March 5 at 11:59 PM (PST). In order to enter, simply leave a comment here, letting us know which Mercy book thus far is YOUR favorite. Only one entry per person please! We log I.P. addresses, and multiple entries will be automatically disqualified. Good luck!

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103 Comments

  • Dave
    March 1, 2011 at 12:15 am

    My favorite Mercy Thompson book is Silver Borne

  • Zoë Marriott
    March 1, 2011 at 12:48 am

    I can’t enter for this, since I don’t have a US mailing address, but I just wanted to pop up to say – you know why Pattie Briggs is my writing idol? It’s because she’s just like the rest of us writing schmoes. She paid her dues.

    She spent years writing amazing, original, inventive books that only got modest sales and hardly any critical attention. But she kept on because she loved writing and she loved her craft and eventually BAM, all that hard work paid off and people noticed how awesome she was, and she became a Huge Effing Deal. I love, love, love that. Her story gives me and all mid-list authors hope. We love you, Patricia!

  • Katie A
    March 1, 2011 at 12:52 am

    Tooms! That actor was on Lie to Me a few weeks ago, and I just kept waiting for him to elongate… & now I randomly want to watch Clyde Bruckman’s Final Repose…

    I think I have to go w/ Silver Borne, ’cause of all the relationship meaty-ness…

  • Carrie
    March 1, 2011 at 3:48 am

    I LOVE Mercy Thompson!

    I think my favorite so far has been Silver Borne, but I am so excited to read the newest one!

  • Dana
    March 1, 2011 at 5:00 am

    I love this series but I think I loved iron kissed the most. Can’t wait to read this book

  • srs
    March 1, 2011 at 5:54 am

    Whichever one I’ve just read is my favourite, so I’ll have to go with Silver Borne as I just reread it in preparation for the River Marked release.

  • Jenn C.
    March 1, 2011 at 6:20 am

    This is a hard question! I’ve loved them all so far! But I think Bone Crossed, because it combines elements of all the stories, Adam and Mercy are finally together, but Samuel isn’t forgotten. That may change however, when I do my Silver Borne re-read closer to the time I can get a hold of a copy of River Marked 🙂

  • Amber
    March 1, 2011 at 6:37 am

    This is a hard one. I think I would go with Silver Borne but I LOVE THEM ALL!!

  • Carly
    March 1, 2011 at 7:02 am

    I absolutely love Mercy! My favourite is a toss up between Iron Kissed and Silver Borne. But really, I love them all.

  • Greg
    March 1, 2011 at 7:54 am

    Moon Called…. since I have only gotten to read the first out of my ever growing mountian of to read books….

  • Mariya
    March 1, 2011 at 7:58 am

    I would have to say my favorite book so is Silver Borne. I loved everything about the book and omg. I love Adam! XD

  • Christine
    March 1, 2011 at 8:00 am

    Thea!!! I can’t wait to read this. You know how much I love Mercy, right? I, too, have been eagerly anticipating learning more about Mercy’s heritage and her powers as a rare coyote shifter. And then when you say and probably my favorite entry since Iron Kissed.? Now I REALLY can’t wait!

    My favorite in the series so far is Iron Kissed. Ask me again after I read River Marked, though… 😉

  • Su
    March 1, 2011 at 8:07 am

    I would have to go with Iron Kissed. While it’s one of the most difficult books I’ve ever had to read, I thought the writing was well handled. It broke my heart so many times.

  • I'm Sandra Dee
    March 1, 2011 at 8:18 am

    I love giveaways – this is a perfect book to giveaway – I have magical dreams of it becoming MINE – Thanks

  • Alishka Babushka
    March 1, 2011 at 8:21 am

    I am just oh so excited about this book! I loved Silver Borne, definitely my favorite so far.

  • Throuthehaze
    March 1, 2011 at 8:48 am

    I actually have not read any of this series yet although I do own the first book.

  • Laura
    March 1, 2011 at 8:55 am

    @katie a I love Clyde Bruckman’s Final Repose!

    On the book front, I love all of Patrica Briggs’ books that I’ve read but a favorite Mercy? Probably Iron Kissed.

  • mary Ann Langan
    March 1, 2011 at 9:11 am

    I never read this series, must try.

  • Elizabeth
    March 1, 2011 at 9:27 am

    This is one of my favorite urban fantasy series! It’s hard to choose between them, but I’d probably say Iron Kissed or Silver Borne. But then Moon Called does do such a good job introducing the world… Thanks for the giveaway!

  • jenmitch
    March 1, 2011 at 10:44 am

    haven’t read her, but now she’s on my list! thanks for the giveaway 🙂

  • Angie
    March 1, 2011 at 10:54 am

    Oh, Thea. I can’t wait to start it now. So glad you loved it. It’s fun to see everyone’s favorite entry in the series. Looks like Silver Borne and Iron Kissed are running away with it.

    My favorite has always been BLOOD BOUND. Awesomesauce from start to finish.

  • Lauren
    March 1, 2011 at 11:03 am

    I can’t pick just one! Patricia Briggs is a favorite author and one I recommend all the time. In particular, the Mercy series is where I tell people to start, then move on to the Alpha/ Omega and maybe Hob’s Bargian, for fun. I’m glad there is no end in site for these! ~ L

  • Jocelyn C.
    March 1, 2011 at 11:36 am

    Heck yes I want in on this drawing!

    I’ve always loved Blood Bound–I really dug the creepy vampire stuff. But Silver Borne was great, too.

  • Susan Laura
    March 1, 2011 at 11:38 am

    Blood Bound (#2) would be my favorite Mercy book.

  • kathybaug
    March 1, 2011 at 11:41 am

    I’ll go with Silver Borne, too. But I’ve loved all the Mercy books

  • willaful
    March 1, 2011 at 12:10 pm

    “Can I just reiterate how awesome all of this is? There isn’t really a werewolf pack politics battle, fae, or – gods forbid – vampire seethe in sight ”

    SIGN ME UP!

    Not sure if my favorite is Iron Kissed or Silver Borne.

  • LiLi
    March 1, 2011 at 1:43 pm

    I’d have to go with Bone Crossed just because it left the biggest impression on me. Thanks for the giveaway!

  • Katee Robert
    March 1, 2011 at 1:48 pm

    I think the books keep getting better and better. I really liked Iron Kissed but, so far, Silver Borne is my favorite.

  • pscott
    March 1, 2011 at 2:00 pm

    Moon Called because I had no idea how awesome Patty Briggs was till I picked it up on a whim (and then preceded to devour everything she has ever written).

  • wont
    March 1, 2011 at 2:05 pm

    Just commenting, not entering. I loved this book. Patty’s gift continues to grow. I did not believe she could equal Silver Borne, which brought me to my knees. I love River Marked as well. My only complaint, now it’s another year to wait! Sorry, writing on this level inspires reader greed!

  • Scoot
    March 1, 2011 at 2:13 pm

    Tough question because I love them ALL. They are some of my favorite books. Its been a while since I’ve read them and I plan to re-read them before picking up River Marked… but for now I seem to recall really liking Iron Kissed. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of River Marked!

  • Stephanie
    March 1, 2011 at 2:34 pm

    Anything with Mercy in it is awesome. If I had to pick one I would have to say Blood Bound. I am so excited for this giveaway!

  • TXDee
    March 1, 2011 at 3:04 pm

    Since I have read all of her Mercy books and have finished each one only to want another one, I have to say that Silver Borne is my current fav, if only because I haven’t read River Marked yet. Ms. Briggs is definitely a writer who doesn’t disappoint.

  • Amelia P.
    March 1, 2011 at 3:14 pm

    I am SO excited for the new Mercy Thompson book! While I love them all, I would have to say that the first, Moon Called is my favorite as I just loved its vibe and was hooked right away by it…

  • Sarah
    March 1, 2011 at 3:39 pm

    All of the books in this series are amazing! If I had to choose a favorite it would be Silver Borne.

  • elaing8
    March 1, 2011 at 3:51 pm

    I haven’t read this series yet.But I do have all the books but this one.

  • Kristen
    March 1, 2011 at 4:05 pm

    Wow, now I am very excited about this (like I wasn’t already). More about Mercy’s heritage and your favorite since Iron Kissed?! Can’t wait!

    My favorite book in the series (so far) is Iron Kissed.

  • Melissa (Books and Things)
    March 1, 2011 at 4:09 pm

    Can I pick the whole series? 🙂 All are my faves!

  • Robin K
    March 1, 2011 at 4:16 pm

    Oh no, I have not read any yet! *whimpers* I swear I have them ready to read though 🙂

  • Sarah
    March 1, 2011 at 4:23 pm

    My favorite Mercy book is easily Iron Kissed. I love them all; but that one takes the cake 🙂

    Thanks for the contest!

  • joey4577
    March 1, 2011 at 4:37 pm

    I liked Iron kissed the best

  • Breanne M.
    March 1, 2011 at 4:47 pm

    Ah, so excited! I love them all!

  • Miranda
    March 1, 2011 at 4:48 pm

    OMG Love this series!!! Silver Borne is my FAVE!!!!

  • Sotheara
    March 1, 2011 at 5:23 pm

    I read Patricia Brigg’s books in the Alpha & Omega series, and I really enjoyed them. However, I haven’t ready any of the Mercy Thompson books. I’ve heard great things about this series and actually bought the first book Moon Called, which is on top of my TBR pile.

  • River Jordan
    March 1, 2011 at 5:26 pm

    My favorite is Silver Borne! I cannot get enough of Adam. <3

  • Mary Beth
    March 1, 2011 at 5:43 pm

    I don’t know if I can pick a favourite! I guess I’ll say Silver Borne because it was the most recent. I love Briggs’ other books too.

  • Mariee
    March 1, 2011 at 5:50 pm

    I haven’t read any books in this series yet. It’s on my TBR list.

  • Pam P
    March 1, 2011 at 6:55 pm

    Love Mercy. The whole series is great, Iron Kissed my top one of the series.

  • Indigo
    March 1, 2011 at 7:08 pm

    So far I would have to say Iron Kissed. Then again I just finished the third book. It’s a relief to see Mercy finally make a choice. I would love to win River Marked. I have all the other books in the series so far. (Hugs)Indigo

  • Victoria Zumbrum
    March 1, 2011 at 8:08 pm

    I have never read any of the series but I would like to. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

  • Stephanie K.
    March 1, 2011 at 8:09 pm

    My favorite is Iron Kissed. I loved seeing another side to Ben.

  • Lashawn
    March 1, 2011 at 8:20 pm

    I love them all, but I think Moon Called is my favorite. Or Bone Crossed. 🙂 Also, the artwork on the covers is done by my fav fantasy artist!

  • Jen B.
    March 1, 2011 at 8:40 pm

    I love this series. I just got notification that my copy is in the mail! Yippee! If I win this, I am going to send it to my niece in Hawaii. I got her hooked on the series. Seems only right that I help feed the addiction! 😀

  • Bonnie L.
    March 1, 2011 at 8:41 pm

    Dude, you want us to choose just one? That’s hard because they work so well as a whole. However, I would have to choose Bone Crossed as my favorite.

  • Pam S (pams00)
    March 1, 2011 at 8:51 pm

    Have only read the first one but loving it so far and looking forward to reading the rest of them.

    ty for a chance to win this one :)!

  • winnie
    March 1, 2011 at 9:29 pm

    My favourite Mercy book so far is Silver Borne! Thanks for the opportunity to win!

    chibipooh(at)gmail(dot)com

  • Tiah
    March 1, 2011 at 9:37 pm

    My favorite is Bone Crossed. But I truly love all of them.

  • Elizabeth
    March 1, 2011 at 9:48 pm

    First let me say how difficult it is to pick a favorite book from your favorite series! I would say Silver Borne…but I have a feeling River Marked is going to be so much better!

  • Amanda
    March 1, 2011 at 10:07 pm

    Moon Called.

  • Gladys
    March 1, 2011 at 10:51 pm

    Silver Borne was awesome, but I think Iron Kissed is my favorite. I love it when Zee and the fae are a big part of the story, but Iron Kissed portrayed the rape of the heroine in a way that I could believe wasn’t just for cheap sensationalism. If I liked her before, I was in awe of Briggs as a writer after that.

  • Courtney
    March 1, 2011 at 10:52 pm

    I haven’t read any of these books yet, but they are on my to-read list!

  • SaraC
    March 1, 2011 at 11:05 pm

    I think Moon Called was my favorite, although I have loved them all!

  • Josephine
    March 1, 2011 at 11:08 pm

    Moon Called!

  • JenM
    March 1, 2011 at 11:24 pm

    Aargh – you are trying to get me to choose a favorite? Impossible. It’s the way this series has built over each successive book that I love so much. However, if I have to choose, I think I’d pick Blood Bound. I wouldn’t want to see Mercy with anyone but Adam, but there’s just something about Stefan.

  • brit
    March 1, 2011 at 11:39 pm

    This is my absolute favorite series, I even got my sister-in-law addicted and she never reads. I think Iron Kissed is my favorite, it just has so much in it.

  • Shored
    March 2, 2011 at 4:42 am

    I loved Iron Kissed. I have a hankering for the fae and the developments from Mercy was just picture perfect.

  • debbie
    March 2, 2011 at 6:08 am

    This is a new author for me. It sounds like I have to add it my TBR list now.
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

  • Butt-kicker Heroine
    March 2, 2011 at 10:43 am

    My favorite (so far) would have to be Bone Crossed. Stefan is my favorite supporting character in the series and I got to see another funny side of him in this book.

    Where else can you find a super charming character who can argue with a five-year old in ASL about dragon ballz and scooby doo?

    Who else is secure enough in his manhood to drive around in a Mystery Machine with an oversized scooby doo plush toy peeking in the window?

    Ah… Stefan Ucello.. My perfect vampire. <3

  • theresa_who
    March 2, 2011 at 1:12 pm

    My favorite is the FIRST one – I love the way the author introduced the world and the characters to the reader. It drew me in and got me hooked even before all the action really started!

    Mercy’s one of my favorite heroines too – and this is one of the few series my husband also reads!

  • Kiki
    March 2, 2011 at 1:34 pm

    If I have to choose one it will have to be the first book in the series. That was the one that hooked me. I have enjoyed this series and I am looking forward to reading River Marked.

  • Lisa
    March 2, 2011 at 1:57 pm

    I think Iron Kissed was my favorite, but really, I love them all.

  • Michelle M
    March 2, 2011 at 2:46 pm

    Oh man, can I tell you how much I want to read this one like RIGHT NOW?!? Fabulous review and I’m glad you enjoyed it.

    My fav (thus far) has to be the first, MOON CALLED. But IRON KISSED was a close second.

    Now if we could only get Ms. Briggs to write another spin-off starring Bran… *sigh*

  • Kate A
    March 2, 2011 at 3:06 pm

    I absolutely love this series! My favourite would have to be Iron Kissed, though it was a tough choice!

    Thanks for the giveaway!

  • Audra Holtwick
    March 2, 2011 at 5:05 pm

    I love SILVER BOURNE- THANKS for the contest entry
    audie@wickerness.com

  • River Marked by Patricia Briggs – Review
    March 2, 2011 at 5:05 pm

    […] The Book Smugglers say: […]

  • Jasmine A S
    March 2, 2011 at 6:01 pm

    I think to-date, my favourite Mercy Thompson book was Iron Kissed. I preferred the Fae and Werewolf politics to Vampires. 😛

  • jennifer
    March 2, 2011 at 6:55 pm

    Blood-Bound… =D Hard decision though.

  • whitneywrites
    March 2, 2011 at 7:24 pm

    Gosh, it is very hard to choose only one Mercy book to be a favorite.
    It feels like they are all just one long book released in segments. 🙂

    Since I have to choose, I’d have to say the end of Iron Kissed and Bone Crossed.
    Rape is something that is so taboo in our society as far as honest conversations are concerned, and I just appreciated so much that Patty truly allows Mercy space to deal with what happened to her.
    She hurts, and we, as readers, get to go through it with her.
    Also, I love that being with Adam is hard and weird and kind of scary after what happened with Tim.
    Like, of course she can trust Adam who cares deeply about her and loves her in a way she doesn’t even understand yet.
    But she has to find her way back to herself, a path that Tim truly crashed.
    The journey to that is beautiful and poignant.
    Patty is not afraid of the hard parts as a writer, and that is incredibly inspiring.
    I’m so stoked for River Marked.
    I’ve wanted to know from chapter one of Moon Called what the situation was with Mercy’s dad and her heritage.
    Glad you loved it, Thea. 🙂

    If I win (which I greedily hope I do), my email is:

    whitneywriteslove [at] gmail [dot] com

    Thanks for the review!

  • April
    March 2, 2011 at 9:48 pm

    I love all of them but I think I’d have to say Moon Called. The more I read of Urban Fantasy, the more impressed I am that the Mercy Thompson series has remained consistently awesome from the very beginning.

    inspector.librarian@gmail.com

  • sakura
    March 3, 2011 at 10:14 am

    I’ve only just learnt of this series a few months back and have the first one on my wishlist. Sounds rather delicious.

  • Tatiana
    March 3, 2011 at 10:43 am

    I’ve heard of the series and have added it to my “must read” list. Winning this would really motivate me to go out and get the first one.

  • Nafiza Azad
    March 3, 2011 at 11:47 am

    Dude, I love your blog. That whole thing with Jackson Pearce/Sisters Red got me here and I am oh so glad for it. As for my favourite Mercy Thompson book, that would be Silver Borne.

  • Tina
    March 3, 2011 at 5:31 pm

    I really love the first one and would have to say its my favorite… because its the only one I’ve read so far :mrgreen:

  • Sarah
    March 3, 2011 at 7:32 pm

    My favorite is always the last one I read. Though the last one in the series *was* really, really, REALLY good, so.

  • Bryan
    March 3, 2011 at 7:38 pm

    It’s so hard to say which book I liked best, as I read them all back to back, as soon as a friend put me on to them. (The same friend who shared your great website with me.) If forced to choose, I’d have to say Iron Kissed.

  • S.S. White
    March 3, 2011 at 8:18 pm

    I’d like to enter! My favorite thus far is IRON KISSED!

  • Betul E.
    March 4, 2011 at 10:52 am

    Moon called 🙂

  • Anonymous
    March 4, 2011 at 10:59 am

    my favorite book was when mercy and adam finally got together and mercy let him take the lead. it was written so well l could feel her feelings. patricia briggs is my favourite author.

  • sana
    March 4, 2011 at 11:03 am

    sorry comment 88 is mine, forgot to put my name and email

  • cari
    March 4, 2011 at 11:07 am

    I was “forced” into reading Moon Called by a coworker years ago and will remain forever grateful. Since then I have gently forced countless others into reading it as well. So while it is not the “best book” of the series…whose first book is after all…it remains my favorite because it started it all. 😀

  • Jill
    March 4, 2011 at 11:17 am

    I love the Mercy series! My favorite was probably Blood Bound, but they are all wonderful books.

  • Heather Brewer
    March 4, 2011 at 11:22 am

    I love this series. my brother got me started reading it because he is a mechanic and fell in love with Mercy. I think my favorite so far has been Iron Kissed. I also like the Alpha and Omega series too.

  • Dani C.
    March 4, 2011 at 12:09 pm

    I have been waiting F O R E V E R for this book to come out! Mercy is one of my favorite heroins ever!

  • SandyG265
    March 4, 2011 at 12:25 pm

    My gavorite was the first because it introduced me to Mercy.

  • drey
    March 4, 2011 at 12:27 pm

    My favorite is Silver Borne, because it was the latest (to me) and it kept the characters and the story progressing. But I love all of ’em!

    Thanks for this awesomeness! 😀

  • Breiab
    March 4, 2011 at 1:06 pm

    My favorite would have to be Silver Borne.

    bbricke at yahoo dot com

  • Lyn
    March 4, 2011 at 3:07 pm

    I actually haven’t read any of the books yet, but they are on my TBR list!

  • Karalynn Lee
    March 5, 2011 at 12:33 am

    The first one, just for that lovely discovery of an urban fantasy heroine who’s an auto mechanic.

  • Jennifer
    February 15, 2012 at 12:59 pm

    Blood Bound and Bone Crossed were two of my favorites. Mostly because by this time there was lots of character building done and many of my favorite characters ahd very intersting issues to deal with. They were thrilling and the characters had many layers to them. The series is fantastic, I would love to get my hands on River Marked, I just can’t wait to read it.

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