I’ve been meaning to read the Mercy Thompson series for a while now (yeah Trac, the road to hell and all that…blah, blah, blah) and Renee finally got me to buy book 1 in the series a few weeks ago. After talking more about the book this past weekend with her I finally caved and decided to read it.
I’m not normally an UF lover (and usually not a lover of love triangles either). I read UF occasionally and more often than not like them – I just don’t lean toward them on a regular basis. After reading the Alpha and Omega series by Briggs and loving it I decided to break down and just do it already. lol
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.
I have to say that when I read this blurb for Moon Called I wasn’t impressed. So Mercy knows a werewolf when she sees one and she’s working on a vamps VW bus – oh and she may get into trouble. So what? is what I said. Big deal. Nothing about this blurb made me want to read the book. But then I started talking to friends and they said there was so much more going on than that. I’m glad I listened.
Mercy Thompson is what is called a skinwalker. To her knowledge she’s the only one around. A skinwalker is more a magical shapeshifter – and she turns into a coyote when she shifts. She was raised by werewolves but is not park of any pack. She a VW mechanic and runs a garage in eastern Washington state.
She seems to have a lot of friends:
Adam – who is her neighbor and happens to be the alpha of the local werewolf pack. He’s one hot body and she can’t say that she minds looking at him at all. They share some great banter, but he also annoys the shit out of her.
Jesse – Adam’s 15 year old daughter, lives with her mother but comes to visit her dad from time to time.
Warren – gay werewolf, third in Adam’s pack, good friend.
Zee – gremlin, all around good guy, previous owner of the garage Mercy owns.
Tony – undercover cop
In this particular story we get a good background look at Mercy’s life. We hear about how she was raised, where she was raised, and how things have gone in her life since moving to Washington. The background is extensive but I didn’t feel at any time that it was too much. It wasn’t told to us all at the same time, it was only mentioned when the need arose which I very much appreciate in a book.
Mercy’s at work one day when Mac, a stray and very young werewolf, comes to her for work. Usually Mercy does things by the book and doesn’t even consider anything illegal but she’s willing to take the chance on Mac for some reason and pay him under the table. One night she goes to her garage to collect something she’s forgotten and comes across Mac with a human and another werewolf who are trying to take him away. Mercy’s not strong, but she’s fast. She saves Mac and calls Adam to come and help her out with the clean-up. This starts a huge series of events that includes Adam almost dying and his daughter, Jesse, being kidnapped.
Mercy takes Adam to Aspen Creek, Montana because she knows that the Marrok (the head of all werewolves in North America) and his pack can help her. While there she sees Samuel Cornick again. At one time Mercy was supposed to elope with Samuel but ended up leaving the town and hadn’t spoken to Samuel since that time. Now they’re face to face and having to deal with the emotions that were put aside so long ago.
With the help of the vamps, the werewolves and the fae Mercy slowly figures out who is behind the abductions and tries to make things right.
I have to say that I really liked this book. Mercy is just a character that I can appreciate. Yes, she’s more or less a shapechanger but she’s not uber strong, she knows her limitations and she’s not afraid to be afraid. She can wreak some havoc in her own way but I didn’t find her a kick-ass heroine. She’s the type who is smart enough to know that she can’t do it all on her own and I loved it.
Adam and Samuel are both wonderful as well. Adam’s love of his family and his pack as well as the ability to accept help from others made him a keeper in my book. He’s good looking, which is always a good thing, and we’re pretty sure by the end of the book that he’s got a thing for Mercy. Then there’s Samuel who is oh, so hot as well. He’s a doctor and is a healer, but is also not one who will sit back and watch while someone else does the dirty work. He’s willing to get his hands dirty – and sometimes that means killing. I got the fact that he considers Mercy his even though it’s been years since they’ve seen each other – which makes things interesting between Mercy, Samuel and Adam.
I will definitely be moving on to the next book in this series soon as Patricia Briggs has once again sucked me in (I stopped by my local bookstore and picked up book 2 on my way home yesterday!). I love it when an author does that!
Sounds like a good book and reminded me of Charlaine Harris's Sookie Stackhouse series – all the supernatural beings wrapped up in a mystery to be solved. Have you read those?? Is this book anything like that??
MsM
This is one of my favorite series -absolutely keeper shelf! My husband read it (the series) and I asked him how he liked it and he said "when's the next book coming out?"
Ms. M. – I haven't read the Sookie Stackhouse series so I'm sad to say I can't compare the two. Maybe someone else who has can chime in?
Patti – Wow you got your hubby to read it? I'm impressed! As I said I picked up book 2 last night and had already picked up book 3 at the UBS so I'm set for a while. 😉
LOL, finally, Tracy!! 😀 So far, which do you like better, Alpha & Omega or Mercy Thompson?
You're right, Ms Brigg did a good job weaving Mercy's background into the storyline. It wasn't just dumped on us 😀
I don't like love triangle either, but this one gets resolved pretty fast 🙂
Also, I think that Moon Called is kind of a must read if you like Alpha & Omega so much, because it does link everything…
Oh, Mercy. *sigh* I just love her and her world, I really do. The stories, the world and character developments just get tighter and tighter as the series progresses.
Man, I still have the first 3 Mercy books in the stacks and haven't gotten to them yet. I will, really, I will…
Great post Tracy!
Thanks for reminding me I must read Mercy.
L
LOL I haven't heard of anyone reading the Alpha and OMega series first. 😛
I love this series and I'm glad you're planning on reading more. Now, have you read Richelle Mead's Succubus series? LOL
Nath – so far I don't think I can compare – although I do love the romance in A & O. I think they're both great.
It was great to see some of the characters from A & O in Moon Called.
Christine – I can't wait to read more!
Lea – Good book and I have a feeling that the next 3 will be just as good if not better.
Ames – Really? I'm just an original egg! lol
I haven't read that series yet – I should I take it? I'll look into it – thanks.
Hmm… you finally fell for Mercy, Tracy.LOL! I haven't started the A&O series yet, I'm waiting for Dec… let's see if after reading that series, the same thing happens to me.;P
Tracy, I too bought this book after reading about Charles and Anna. I wanted to "catch up" to the beginning of the whole story. So, I have yet to read this… but review definitely got my interest piqued to want to read it… And I only bought one… not knowing if I would want the rest.. but if it is this good… well, then hot damn… I have to go catch up with my debit card… it is still running from Heather D's place with the Kiss of Midnight series… lol!! All these books and so little time in a day to consume them all… lol
I hope you had a great weekend!
Am so glad you enjoyed it Tracy! Your description of Mercy is exactly why I like her:
Yes, she's more or less a shapechanger but she's not uber strong, she knows her limitations and she's not afraid to be afraid.
It's such a great series! Oh, and while I love Mercy and Adam and Sam…I just adore Bran and Warren!
Yay!!! I am so glad that you liked it! I was the same way. As soon as I finished the first book I ran out and got the second book. Just be glad that you have at least 4 books before you will have to wait for the next Mercy fix, LOL!
Hilcia – I know how you feel – I just can't wait! lol I think I'll get book 4 from the library and then wait until it comes out in PB to buy.
Cecile – I'm pretty sure after reading this book and then the A & O that I'm not gonna be disappointed.
the kiss of midnight series? Do you mean the Breed series by Lara Adrian? I love that series.
Orannia – yeah, I love Bran from the A & O series too and Warren, I'm sure, will become one of my favs in future books.
Jill – I think having to wait for the next one is what's making me wait a few days to read book 2. The anticipation will kill me! lol Especially since the next book doesn't come out until next March to get Silver Borne.
Just coming up for air!
SO GLAD you (finally!) read MC! While I love PB's writing in general, it's Mercy that makes the series for me.
I can't wait to see what you think of the rest of the series. 🙂