Patricia Briggs is proof that good writing transcends genres. As I’ve stated before, I’m not a paranormal or fantasy fan. I particularly dislike books featuring werewolves and other preternatural creatures. Yet I enjoyed Moon Called, the first in the Mercy Thompson series, and I absolutely loved Blood Bound.
Mercy Thompson, mechanic and coyote shapeshifter, has some unusual friends. She has an ongoing semi-flirtation with the local werewolf alpha, Adam, and is currently sharing her trailer with her erstwhile love, Sam, also a werewolf. Although she’s not sexually involved with either of them, she feels torn in her affections and isn’t sure which one she would choose if forced to make a decision. Despite Mercy’s interesting domestic situation, Blood Bound is not a love story. Or if it is, Mercy’s is not the primary romance.
When Mercy agrees to accompany her vampire friend, Stefan, on a dangerous mission, she has no idea what she’s getting herself into. A demon-possessed sorcerer is on the rampage in the Tri-Cities, causing death and destruction wherever it goes. The vampires appear powerless to stop it and the fae refuse to intervene. Thus it falls to Mercy and the werewolves to hunt the creature down and annihilate it, with a little help from a vampire who likes to bend the rules.
What follows is a fast-paced tale featuring interesting characters and fun plot. Mercy develops some self-awareness about her abilities as a walker and realizes both the advantages and limitations to her new-found powers. Her relationships with Adam and Sam develop and I suspect I know which one she will eventually choose (I’ve been uncharacteristically well-behaved and not read the blurbs for the third and fourth books in the series, although I have heard that Briggs is not going to pull a Janet Evanovich-style stunt and leave readers with a frustrating love triangle.) I think Adam is a fantastic character, so no prizes for guessing which one I’m rooting for! Sam is extremely egocentric and I’m not convinced his love for Mercy goes much beyond her ability to provide him with healthy progeny.
I’m very fond of Warren, the gay werewolf, and I was pleased at the outcome of his subplot. Stefan is a worthy addition to the cast and I hope he shows up in future books. Nevertheless, I was irritated by Stefan’s apparent interest in Mercy. I really hope he doesn’t represent a third potential suitor! Other secondary characters are also surprisingly well-developed, even though most of them occupy very little space in the book. It’s a real talent when an author can make you care about peripheral characters without sacrificing the main storyline and characters.
As this is an urban fantasy, there is a certain amount of world-building in the book but it is not contrived and the information given is done in an organic fashion and fits the story.
I finished Blood Bound late last night and had to resist the temptation to start Iron Kissed immediately. Patricia Briggs has yet another fan! Grade: A-
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Yay! I’m so glad you liked this book. I really liked Blood Bound, too. It’s my favorite in the series so far (I haven’t read Bone Crossed yet, though). Iron Kissed goes more into the world of the fey.
I think my absolute favorite character is Stephan. I am a fan of the wampires.
>>I’m not a paranormal or fantasy fan. I particularly dislike books featuring werewolves and other preternatural creatures. <<
@Sarah — I so agree with you on this. I read all the stories in “On The Prowl” even though I bought it just for “Alpha & Omega.” (I won’t say more about that book, as you’re reading it…!) I too have problems with paranormality and wouldn’t read a paranormal romance unless, as with “Alpha & Omega,” the author managed to pull something off for which the werewolf aspects were essential. (It helps to know & like dogs, by the way.)
I wasn’t planning on reading the Mercy Thompson books, but you’re right — Briggs is so good, I may have to!
After hearing about Briggs for awhile, I decided to try this series, even though I haven’t been interested in vampires and werewolves. I LOVE this series! I flew through Moon Called, Blood Bound, and Iron Kissed; and then immediately ordered the Alpha & Omega novels and Bone Crossed. Iron Kissed is my favourite so far.
I also tried Ilona Andrews’ books after great online reviews (Magic Bites, etc.) and love those. I guess I do like werewolves and other preternatural beings after all or at least well-written ones. Have you tried any of Andrews’ books?
@heidenkind I have ‘Iron Kissed’ but I’m going to wait until ‘Bone Crossed’ comes out in paperback to buy it. It’s due out at the end of January 2010, so only another few months.
@Magdalen I finished ‘Alpha & Omega’ and loved it. I’ll post my review next week. The Mercy Thompson books are told in the first person, so they are slightly different to the Alpha & Omega series. I’m still amazed I like books about werewolves. I’m also tempted to try more of Briggs’s books. I’ve heard good things about her Dragon duology.
@Mary Beth I find it interesting that so many of us who don’t usually like paranormal/fantasy have been converted by Patricia Briggs.
No, I haven’t tried Ilona Andrews. I must look her up. Thanks!
I’m glad you really like this too! I just read it recently and had a really hard time not immediately reading Iron Kissed. Don’t see myself waiting very long though!
I also loved the way Warren’s subplot went – really well done aspect of a great book overall.
@Meghan Warren’s subplot was one of the reason’s I liked ‘Blood Bound’ so much.