Review - Hunting Ground by Patricia Briggs

Series: Alpha and Omega #2

Genre: Urban Fantasy 

Age Group: Adult

Mass Market Paperback: 286 pgs

Source: Purchased

Published - September 2009

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Rating: 3.5/5

TW (for this series): Physical and sexual abuse, self harm and attempted suicide. Many of these things happened in the past and are not on page, but they are referred to quite often.

Anna Latham didn’t know how complicated life could be until she became a werewolf. And until she was mated to Charles Cornick, the son — and enforcer — of Bran, the leader of the North American werewolves, she didn’t know how dangerous it could be either...

Anna and Charles have just been enlisted to attend a summit to present Bran’s controversial proposition: that the wolves should finally reveal themselves to humans. But the most feared Alpha in Europe is dead set against the plan — and it seems like someone else might be too. When Anna is attacked by vampires using pack magic, the kind of power only werewolves should be able to draw on, Charles and Anna must combine their talents to hunt down whoever is behind it all — or risk losing everything...

I'll be honest. Patricia Brigg's books are addicting and fun to read, but they don't stick with me. I read this last summer and I've forgotten nearly all the details of this book.

What I do remember about this book is appreciating the look at werewolf politics and how Briggs expanded the world. She takes a different angle with these books than with the Mercy Thompson Series. This series is much more focused on the larger picture than Mercy Thompson. While this sometimes puts the romantic elements in the background, it is well balanced and fun to read. Through out the book, and this series so far, I enjoy how Charles and Anna discuss their relationship even when it is awkward or difficult. Their relationship feels genuine because they act like adults especially as their relationship is so new.

I'm anxious to see Anna grow into her abilities as an Omega even more in future books. Throughout this series I've enjoyed how Anna rises to the occasion and surpasses everyone's expectations of her.

Recent Review---> Darius by Grace Burrows

Review: Frost Burned by Patricia Briggs

Series: Mercy Thompson #7

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Age Group: Adult

Mass Market: 342 pgs

Source: Purchased

Published - March 2013 
Ace Books 

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Rating: 4/5

TW: References to sex and rape.

Mercy Thompson's life has undergone a seismic change. Becoming the mate of Adam Hauptman - the charismatic Alpha of the local werewolf pack - has made her a stepmother to his daughter Jesse, a relationship that brings moments of blissful normalcy to Mercy's life. But on the edges of humanity, a minor mishap on an ordinary day can turn into so much more...

After an accident in bumper-to-bumper traffic, Mercy and Jesse can't reach Adam - or anyone else in the pack for that matter. They've all been abducted.

Through their mating bond, all Mercy knows is that Adam is angry and in pain. But she fears Adam's disappearance may be related to the political battle the werewolves have been fighting to gain acceptance from the public - and that he and the pack are in serious danger. Outmatched and on her own, Mercy may be forced to seek assistance from any ally she can get, no matter how unlikely.

What I really liked about this book was our return to the Tri-Cities and seeing more of Mercy’s journey to find her place. Compared to the beginning of this series, Mercy has started a big transformation. She is still a trouble maker and she sticks her nose into dangerous situations, but she has allies and enemies galore.  Mercy has carved her own place out in Adam’s pack and his heart so now she has added a lot more responsibility.

I love how Mercy has found a family and watching her interact with all the friends and enemies within the pack is very entertaining. I also loved the introduction of Asil from the Alpha and Omega series. Asil is one of my favorite characters in this world and I love more page time with him. Mercy tackles her responsibilities head on in this novel when she needs to help rescue the pack after they are abducted. She calls in favors and asks for help throughout this book which shows how much she's grown and changed throughout the series.

While I enjoy the different plots in each installment I wish we were making more progress in the overarching plot. I'm not even sure what our overarching plot it at this point. In each book I feel like Briggs is trying work something out in the background as many questions about Mercy and her world are unanswered. I'd love if she would clarify that since we ARE seven books into this series.

Overall I wish this series stuck with me more. I tend to forget exactly what happened in each book. Maybe I should start a reread?

My Last Review: Once Upon a Marquess by Courtney Milan

Review - River Marked by Patricia Briggs

Series: Mercy Thompson #6

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Age Group: Adult

Hardcover - 326 pgs

Source: Purchased Used

Published: March 2011
Ace Books

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Rating: 3.5/5

Coyote shifter Mercy Thompson knows that life with her mate, the Alpha werewolf Adam, will never be boring, but even their wedding doesn't go as planned. Nevertheless, a ten-day honeymoon camping on the banks of the Columbia River, alone, just the two of them, should make up for it. But the trip - and the pimped-out trailer they're using - is courtesy of the fae. And nothing from the fae comes without strings attached...

Being a different breed of shapeshifter - a walker - Mercy can see ghosts, but the spirit of her long-gone father has never visited her. Until now. An evil is stirring in the depths of the Columbia River - and innocent people are dying. As other walkers make their presence know to Mercy, she must reconnect with her heritage to exorcise the world of the legend known as the river devil. 

Overall, I'm really enjoying this series. Unfortunately just like Silver Borne most of the impact and thrill of this story has faded over time. The details have also disappeared from my memory banks. None of that takes away from the fact I enjoyed this story and am enjoying the overall series. This series hasn't wowed me quite like the Kate Daniels series did and, even though it is unfair, I've been comparing them as I read. This book took a hit because the larger story made zero progress. While exploring Mercy's heritage was interesting and provided some answers I had, this removed us from the set of characters we know and love to tackle a side plot.

While reading it I remember enjoying the story and being amused Mercy is so easily thrown into trouble. Honestly, Adam should be used to it and expect Mercy to sniff out trouble or for it to find her. I like both of their characters. Adam grows on me the further into the series we go and, while he is a bit overbearing, he and Mercy are balancing each other out nicely.

I wasn't able to find an own voices review about this book unfortunately. While I enjoyed the story, I would be interested to see what a Native American reader thought of Brigg's use of the lore as she dives deep into it in this book.

My thoughts on the next book will follow soon as I've broken my rule and continued on with the series without a review of the previous book. 

My Last Review --> The Glass Sentence by S.E. Grove 

Review: Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs #AllHallowsWeek

Series: Mercy Thompson #5

Genre: Urban Fantasy 
Age Group: Adult
Hardcover - 342pgs
Source: Purchased (used)
Published - March 2010
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Rating: 3.5/5

TW: Mentions of past rape, mentions of child abuse, mentions of torture, attempted suicide, discussion of suicide. 

Mercy Thompson, car mechanic and shapeshifter, never knows what the day - or night - may bring in a world where "witches, vampires, werewolves, and shapeshifters live beside ordinary people" (Booklist). But she is about to learn that while some secrets are dangerous whose who seek them are just plain deadly...

Mercy is smart enough to realize that when it comes to the magical fae, the less you know, the better. But you can't always get what you want. When she attempts to return a powerful fae she previously borrowed in an act of desperation, she finds the bookstore locked up and closed down.


It seems the book contains secrets - 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 Samuel's life forfeit.

Another Mercy Thompson book, another time Mercy gets herself in a heap of trouble. Even though I know this book in the series was important, I've forgotten most of the details. What I do remember is appreciating Mercy's strength as a character. Already in this series she's been through a lot and even though the trauma is over, it is never forgotten. Briggs continues to show how Mercy's assault impacts her life and relationships.  She helps people constantly throughout the series and this is one more time it gets her in over her head.

In this volume there is even more world building and details about the mysterious fae. We learn even more about Mercy's werewolf family and Mercy herself. Adam is, as always, supportive and protective of Mercy which I continue to appreciate. I missed Stephan in this installment though. Even so, there's nothing to quibble about in this book and I remember enjoying it. This book just didn't stick with me as much as some of the others have.

My Last Review: The Strange Case of the Alchemist Daughter

Review - Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs

Series: Alpha and Omega #1

Genre: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal

Age Group: Adult

Mass Market Paperback - 295
Source: Purchased 

Published: 2008 by Ace Books

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Rating: 4/5

TW: Mention of Rape, physical abuse, self harm, suicide attempt.

*I highly recommend reading Alpha and Omega before reading Cry Wolf. The introduction is essential to understanding this book*

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. Then Charles Cornick, the enforcer—and son—of the leader of the North American werewolves, came into her life.


Charles insists that not only is Anna his mate, but she is also a rare and valued Omega wolf. And it is Anna's inner strength and calming presence that will prove invaluable as she and Charles go on the hunt in search of a rogue werewolf—a creature bound in magic so dark that it could threaten all of the pack.

As a confirmed Urban Fantasy junkie I had to check out Patricia Briggs second series set in the Mercy Thompson universe. After reading the first short story about Anna and Charles (Alpha and Omega), I immediately needed more story about these two. Their chemistry was fantastic and I loved the introduction to Anna's life and character in that short story. Overall the romance took me by surprise in the novella and in this book. I'm shipping these two really hard.

Anna is a fantastic character who is struggling to overcome a bad situation and adjust to a new life.  She had been through a lot of trauma and abuse before the events of this book. Those events are referenced quite often so if you are sensitive to the topics of sexual assault, physical abuse, self harm or attempted suicide you may want to consider this series carefully. Overall, Anna is written as a strong character who slowly comes out of her shell throughout the book and I loved her just as much as I love Mercy. Obviously the story also focused on Charles, but I was more invested in Anna's story and her growth. Charles is fairly secure in his place and life except for Anna. Their relationship comes across as an evolving partnership and they are still trying to find their balance.

Stepping into the pack atmosphere in Montana was really interesting. Since we hear so much about these characters in Mercy's series, I was excited to learn more about the infamous Bran and his family. The book focuses heavily on Anna and Charles, but there is a lot of broader world building mixed in and more back story on Bran. 

It shows that Briggs has been writing this world for a while and she knows the rules. It makes this first book stronger than the first book in the Mercy Thompson series. I really enjoyed it and plan to read this alongside the other series.

My Last Review ---> His Second Chance by Stephanie Lake

Review - Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs

Series: Mercy Thompson #4
Age Group: Adults
Genre: Paranormal
Published: February 2009 (Ace Books)
Hardcover - 309 pgs
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By day, Mercy is a car mechanic in the sprawling Tri-Cities of Eastern Washington. By night, she explores her perternatural 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.

At the end of Iron Kissed I was convinced and disappointed Briggs was going to gloss over any further repercussion from the events of that book. Instead, Mercy continues to struggle with what happened which was realistic and I liked that Briggs took the time to address it. Mercy continues to develop as a character and the entire cast of characters finally feels fleshed out and full of personality.

Bone Crossed is mostly a bridge book. Mercy needed time to recover, like I mentioned before, and Briggs needed to fill in some holes she had left open during the first few books. The book did its job though the plot of this installment was a little bland for me. Most of the details have already escaped my brain. The romance in this series is starting to take a larger role as well, but it is nicely balanced and everyone had issues to work through.

There is a distinct lack of women in this series though. Mercy doesn't have many close female relationships and she is combative with most of the women in her circle. I'd like this to change, there are some promising signs, in the future. Even though most werewolves are men, it would be nice to see Mercy have some female relationships.

My Last Review ----> The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher