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Meet car mechanic and coyote shapeshifter Mercy Thompson, star of Patricia Briggs's #1 New York Times bestselling series. Being a lowly "walker" in a world of vampires, werewolves, and fae once kept her safe. But Mercy's bark-and bite-are not so harmless any more...
Though Mercy Thompson can shift her shape into that of a coyote, her loyalty never wavers. So when her former boss and mentor, Zee, asks for her help, she's there for him. A series of murders has rocked a fae reservation, and Zee needs her unique gifts, namely her coyote sense of smell, to sniff out the killer.
But when Zee is accused of murdering the suspect Mercy outed, he's left to rot behind bars by his own kind. Now it's up to Mercy to clear his name, whether he wants her to or not.
Mercy's loyalty is under pressure from other directions, too. Werewolves are not known for their patience, and if Mercy can't decide between the two she cares for, Sam and Adam may make the choice for her...
Patricia Briggs lives in Montana with her husband, children, and six horses.
Wow. So this series just keeps getting more and more intense. And in such unexpected ways. I love it when an author has the ability (and the guts) to slip in a real shocker without compromising her characters or the story as a whole. In a series, that's particularly hard to do without making it seem like a gratuitous plot twist inserted merely to keep the series going. Patricia Briggs has a 7-book deal for her Mercy Thompson series and book three has shown that not only does she know exactly what she's doing, but that we can trust her. To keep her characters and her world consistent. To take them down the right paths and introduce them to the right people...or werewolves and vampires in this case. <BR/><BR/>Mercy lives in a world where werewolves, vampires, and the fae exist side by side with humans. The first book, MOON CALLED, focuses on the werewolves. The second, BLOOD BOUND, centers on the vampires, including Mercy's quirky Scooby Doo loving friend Stefan. In this third installment, coyote shape shifter and VW mechanic Mercy Thompson is called in to help the fae solve a series of murders on the local fae reservation. Soon after, her friend Zee is arrested for the murder and, just like that, Mercy's in the thick of it, determined to clear Zee's name no matter what. Add to that the increasingly imperative choice she must make between the two werewolves in her life: Adam Hauptman (the Alpha of the local pack who's already claimed her as his mate) and Dr. Samuel Cornick (the wolf she fell in love with at 16). In what is becoming classic Briggs style, IRON KISSED combines an intriguing mystery with a streak of compelling romance, interspersed with glimpses of your worst nightmares. The combination is the height of entertainment. And what holds it all together is Mercy herself. The girl doesn't know the meaning of the words back down. I absolutely love these books.
11 out of 11 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged....before I wrote anything, but Briggs really kicks the tension, action and suspense up a notch in "Iron Kissed." Mercy Thompson, a Volkswagen auto mechanic and raised by werewolves, wants to live a basic life fixing cars and just enjoying what life has to offer. But after her friends (vampires, wolves, and fae - oh, my!) keep getting into these situations and she keeps getting stuck in the middle of them somehow, she finds that her life has taken a turn for the weird. I'm loving this series; I suggest you get the whole set, and read them!
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Sun Mar 06 00:00:00 EST 2011
Major spoiler:
I'm sorry. I will not buy another patricia briggs book after this. As someone who has had a number of friends that have suffered being raped, this book uses a horrific crime as character development. I'm also very disappointed that so many people see this as something that has made the character stronger for having suffered through this.
First off, it smacks too much of woman being put in her place Mercy goes to the house without 'asking permission' from her boyfriend, as it's better to seek forgiveness. This comes up a number of times in the book. People, mostly males, tell her not to get involved and not to investigate. She ignores them, and what happens? Gee, she gets drugged and raped by the bad guy. The same bad guy that people had warned her she had been flirting with in the beginning (she thought she was just having a talk and using her history major.) So, if a woman debates, talks knowledgeably and can hold her own intellectually, she must be flirting?
Secondly, I'm more appalled by how her 'healing' went. Yes, the rape is still references in later books, but it seems like a bunch of wolves chanting over you, and suddenly, you're in the pack and your psyche is all better. That scene made me throw the book across the room in anger.
And finally, Ben explaining Mercy's mental state to Adam? I think the author didn't trust her readers enough to understand.
I adored the first two books. I have loved her Hurog books. But after this one, I will not buy any more of her books.
Writers, repeat after me. Rape is not character development. And if you are going to use rape, make it realistic. Don't use it as a way to get the main character and her love interest closer. Don't use it as a way to make the character sympathetic to those around her. The reality is - few rape victims get the support they need. Few of them will tell their friends it has happened. Few will realize just how much it impacts them from that point on.
Yes, this hit a massive nerve. But the reality is rape and its aftermath are nothing like what this book portrays. And that a good author has followed the formula of lesser authors disappoints me and infuriates me.
4 out of 10 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I was so close to giving this book 5 stars. It was wonderful. I was suprised that I liked that it centered around the fae so much. For those who haven't read the series, the fae are magical creatures. This can include gremlins, gnomes, and fairies. In this book you get a very up front look at a few fae legends and very they're very rigid beliefs. I really got into the intensity of the story. Mercy has a knack for sticking her head out for anybody that means something to her. And for some reason, it makes me like her even more. I think she's a kick ass heroine. I liked watching her figure out her love interest issues. I also appreciated the way the author handled a very sensitive subject without getting graphic (although some people seem to feel differently)! So far this series has everything paranormal wrapped up in it. In 3 books I've gotten werewolves, witches, sorcerers, fae, and vampires.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.winrain
Posted Fri Apr 10 00:00:00 EDT 2009
This was by far my favorite in the Mercy Thompson series. Patricia Briggs has created an incredible cast of characters that are fleshed out and a joy to know. Mercy is a believable heroine with quirks and humor and loyalty - and you can't help but root for her. Bravo!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.jadedimage
Posted Mon Mar 16 00:00:00 EDT 2009
I Also Recommend:
well i love he fact the she is not a warewolf like so many other books. you would find that she has a hard head like most women, with a very big heart for those she loves. its a good read for just one time, not to venture for another one, but wants to know what the other book will be about.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Iron Kissed is about 280 pages long. The first 220 pages are in line with the first two installments, which I gave 4 stars. Then, everything makes a complete 180, and the remaining pages of the book were so gut-wrenching that I found myself thinking "Is this still a Mercy Thompson novel written by Briggs?" Personally, I hated every word that was written on those pages! So, I gave this book 3 stars (average of 5 for first part and 1 for last part). It felt like I was reading two different novels. The main character Mercy is sexually assaulted in Iron Kissed, and had I know this would have happened from the beginning, I wouldn't have started reading this series, although I really enjoyed the first two books. Personally, and I know everybody has their own opinion, I read fantasy books for enjoyment and to escape reality a bit; and therefore, I do not want to read about things like that in my spare time. A reader gets invested in the characters (especially after three books), and such a strong blow to a character, also affects the reader. In addition to my personal preference, I feel that this is not in line with the Mercy that was presented to us in the first two books, and an event like that will have to be carried throughout the rest of the series. Eliciting a strong emotional response, does not always make for a good book! And the strong shock value it delivers to readers further emphasizes that this turn of events is not in line with what was presented and foreshadowed to us in the first two installments. Briggs should have focused the third installment solely on resolving the love triangle to move the story and characters along. But I will leave it at that (otherwise I would type an essay).
2 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This book is not much different than the first two. In it, a part of the supernatural community, this time the fae, somehow cannot manage to solve their own problems without Mercy's help. This is still one of the better paranormal fantasy series I have read. I find it irritating, however, that the different types of supes are not more seamlessly blended into the plot. Book one: Mercy helps the weres. Book two: Mercy helps the vamps. Book three: Mercy helps the fae. It's a bit tiring. Still, the fae are far more interesting than the weres are, in my opinion. I recommend this book for a fun, fast read.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Tue Feb 26 00:00:00 EST 2013
I love all of the mercy thompson series and I love the alpha and omega series as well. These are books I could sit down and read again and again. Filled with suspense, mystery, romance and a bit of sass these are excellent books that anyone could enjoy. Probably best if said people were at least 14 or 15.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.-Rahj
Posted Thu Jan 10 00:00:00 EST 2013
This series, and this book in particular, is one I have gone back and re-read multiple times. It's an exciting life our Mercy lives, and I enjoy every second of if.
Many of the reviewers have expressed discontent with the way the near to end is handled, but to be honest if you are offended by something so minor you really are in the wrong genre. Things out of the ordinary happen because it is a a science fiction and it is a romance. We have a strong female character as the lead here and that type of character appeals to women of all personality types, but one thing will always hold true and that is that we want to see her fight her way through terrible odds and come out on top. We want her to go through something we can root her on for. This book does that, and in a classy way.
Mercy goes adventuring into Fae affairs and she comes out the victor, of course, but not without new scars. This is a much more intense installment than the previous two books, and I believe there is more variety in her life outside of emergency time and saving everyone she knows and all of that jazz.
With book 2, I felt as if there was some considerable downtime during her search for the vampire Andre's house which made everything feel as if it was a scene or two out of order. In this book (3) there is absolutely no downtime. There may be times during which you wonder "what good is all of this?" but in the end it all falls into place.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Sat Jan 05 00:00:00 EST 2013
I LOVE this series, the author did an amazing job, she puts u into the book, where u feel like ur going along for the ride with mercy. If you liked the anita blake series. Than u will love this book. Just dont expect to do much when u start this book, because u wont want to put it down. :)
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Tue Nov 20 00:00:00 EST 2012
Patricia Briggs brings these characters to life and writes in a way that makes me eager for every page and sad when I know I only have a few more pages to go! Great characters with history and a plot that makes you eager to find out who is doing what - highly recommend this series.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Sun Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 2012
What is this doing in the Paranormal Romance section?
3 books into the series and only a few kisses to account for any "romance"... disappointed... and the plot is weak too...
1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.In the third book of the Mercedes Thompson series, Mercy's friend and apprentice, Zee, is arrested for a series of murders on the Fae reservation, and Mercy gets involved with the Fae in a way that does not make them happy.
This book delved deeper into the Fae world and showed us their way of life. I love the different worlds the author has created in this book series. From the Fae to the werewolves to the vampires, each group has its own set of rules/laws to govern them, and they each interact more or less independently from one another, but yet they all make up the world of Mercy Thompson. This book was expertly written and executed and able to keep the reader's attention through all its twists and turns.
One thing I really liked about this book was it pretty much put an end to Sam/Mercy/Adam situation. I'm always game for a good love triangle, but sometimes they get drawn out too long and get boring. I liked that we got to see through Mercy's eyes and hear her think through her decisions so we knew why she chose the way she did. Mercy has proved again and again to be a great friend and ally, but in the end, Mercy is always true to herself.
I thought the author also did a great job with the rape scene, which can be a very touchy subject to write about. She went through this, and the aftermath, with great care. After the rape Mercy did not just go back to "normal," but took some time to get over it. I liked that we got to watch her do that and be inside her head to see her way of thinking things through.
In this book we also got to go deeper into the wolf pack and also into some of the individual wolves, which helps to make them seem more real.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.BreezyBR
Posted Wed Jun 15 00:00:00 EDT 2011
I+dont+like+how+the+author+keeps+going+back+over+and+over+again+what+happened+in+the+first+two+books+and+warewolf+ways.+It+gets+old+quick
1 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.bookluvrmindy
Posted Sat Apr 09 00:00:00 EDT 2011
I am having a hard time with this book. I really liked it because it was an easy quick read and the true murderer Mercy was trying to find throughout the whole book totally caught me off guard. What happens to Mercy is something I cannot accept and all I can say is that I am glad there were no details.
The ending has me upset because Mercy has been this really independent woman that will do anything for ANYONE she cares about. Now I have no idea what roll her character will play. The books wouldn't be any good if she didn't still have the strong willed personality that she has had throughout the series so far.
I really liked what happens in the end that Ben takes part in. Ben has always been this big jerk but now you see his reasons and his true side. The very end stopped really abrupt so I will be reading the next book soon.
I hope the remaining Mercy Thompson books do not take a toll on me like this one did, but I guess that is partly why the book was good.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.this addition to the series was so amazing. there aren't even words to describe how mind blowing great this was. i would recommend this to anyone.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.It was tough, but this book is my favorite of the series (so far). The story line was fantastic, the characters are something else. The book had everything I was looking for. I highly recommend the entire series to anyone looking for an unbelievable read.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Mon Sep 08 00:00:00 EDT 2008
This book had a minor slow start but once it got moving it never slowed down. I was so happy w/ the outcome of Mercy's relationship between Sam and Adam. I hated the trama that Mercy went through but i'm glad she was able to work through it. I was impressed at how sensitive Ben was to her situation and shocked at how Adam needed Ben to spell it out for him. Hopefully Mercy's financial situation will improve from here on out. I highly recommend the this book and the rest of the series.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sat Sep 06 00:00:00 EDT 2014
1. No godmodding or you will be kicked out 2. No cussing 3. No sexual behavior ((EWW!)) 4. No powers only wings. 5. Enjoy and haave fun
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Overview
Meet car mechanic and coyote shapeshifter Mercy Thompson, star of Patricia Briggs's #1 New York Times bestselling series. Being a lowly "walker" in a world of vampires, werewolves, and fae once kept her safe. But Mercy's bark-and bite-are not so harmless any more...
Though Mercy Thompson can shift her shape into that of a coyote, her loyalty never wavers. So when her former boss and mentor, Zee, asks for her help, she's there for him. A series of murders has rocked a fae ...