by Terrance Mc Arthur
Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of Fire Touched, along with a link to purchase the book where a portion goes to help support KRL, and another one for Amazon.
Mercy Thompson is a mechanic. Mercy Thompson is now Mercy Thompson Hauptman, but she’s still Mercy Thompson, more or less. Mercy Thompson is married to Adam Hauptman, the leader of a werewolf pack in the state of Washington. Mercy Thompson is a part Native American shapeshifter coyote. Mercy Thompson is such a popular urban fantasy character that “Fire Touched” is the ninth book Patricia Briggs has written about her.
Things are not going well for Mercy Thompson. Of course, if things were going well for Mercy Thompson, “Fire Touched” wouldn’t be much of an urban fantasy. The fae have sent a troll to capture some escapees from their reservation and cause mayhem among humans, but he was distracted by a bridge, and the wolfpack comes to the aid of the local police. The escapees include their old friends Zee and Tad, and Aiden, a human changeling who has been trapped for centuries in Underhill, the sentient former home of the fae. He can emit and control fire, which is good news for a pack member sharing his body with a volcano god. The fae want the changeling to learn how he uses magic. Some of them want to go to war with humanity and take over the earth to regain their former power.
Mercy Thompson and Patricia Briggs have been delighting readers since 2006. If you haven’t encountered the series before this, the learning curve isn’t too steep. If you’ve read some of the books but missed a few, it’ll be like riding a bicycle again; you’ll be up to speed in no time.
Some urban fantasies are nothing but fighting. There are some unusual battles in Fire Touched, but there are also clever puzzles to solve, and the character relationships tie things together into a cohesive whole. The settings hold together, be they towns between Yakima and Walla Walla, or the blink-and-it-changes otherness of Underhill. There is a healthy dose of urban paranormal snarkiness, with echoes of Buffyness, but with a lot more sexual teasing.
Briggs is one of the major deities of the fantasy writing pantheon, and Mercy shows no signs of losing her cool, her toughness, or her popularity. Give her a try. It’s worth it.
To enter to win a copy of Fire Touched, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “fire,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen April 9, 2016. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please include your mailing address.
Check out more fantasy book reviews in our fantasy and fangs section.
Use this link to purchase this book & a portion goes to help support KRL & indie bookstore Mysterious Galaxy:
I have overlooked fantasy genre, but this book seems to have the storyline that will give me the reading adventure I desire. Thanks, Terence, for a ‘heads up’ review. Thanks, Patricia, for an enticing story. Thanks, KRL, for the giveaway opportunity.
I so love this author and the character Mercy. I really can relate to how she is more than any other heroine. Would love to be able to win the book!
I’ve loved Patty’s books from the first one she ever wrote!! When she was a midlist author I’d buy two of her books new when they came out so that she could keep writing. I’m so glad she’s successful!
I am so excited for this book, I’ve been waiting for it since I finished Night Broken!! Patricia Briggs is my favorite Urban Fantasy writer. Her characters, and writing in general, is so enthralling. I cannot wait to get my hands on a copy.
Love this series.
I just love the Mercy Thompson books and I hope Patricia Briggs just keeps going with this series. I feel like I can’t get enough of this universe and her characters 😀
I’ve been reading this series since the first book came out, each one only gets better, and leaves me shaking my head, wondering how Ms. Briggs could crafts such mind-blowing situations for the characters yet which seem so normal and perfectly a part of the world in which they live. I look forward to each new installment in the Mercy series.
I love all of Patricia Briggs’ books! She is one of my favorites, thanks for the giveaway!
I love urban fantasy & patricia briggs is one of my favorite authors in the genre. I really enjoyed this book. A definite recommended read!
This is my favorite series, only Dresden Files and Jane Yellowrock compare…installment after installment of growth, action and relationships amidst monsters and mayhem.
Love these novels (this is the ninth novel of the series), and the series really does improve not only in themes but in characters over time. She grows in strength and personality as the books progress, but she also suffers setbacks as well, which she overcomes, usually with love from those close to her.
I can not recommend these books strongly enough. There is a reason these books usually premier on top of the best sellers list when released. Give them a try, I am glad I did.
Love Patricia’s stuff – cant wait to read this one. Awesome review. and thanks to KRL for a chance to win the book!
I love love love all of Patricia’s books!!! I can read them over and over! (:
I love Patricia Briggs’ work. Her characters are amazing and her worlds draw you in. If you are looking for a good read, pick up any of her books. You won’t be disappointed!
Thanks for the giveaway folks!!!!
Great review and thanks for the giveaway! I love Patricia Briggs books. 🙂
caliwillette(at)gmail(dot)com
You are absolutely right. This series is the standout series in Urban Fantasy. I hope there are many more books to keep the story going
I love this series! I have read it so many times. Thanks for the chance. Would love to get Fire Touched. 🙂
I love all of Patricia Briggs books and the Mercy Thompson series is at the top of my list. This book was no exception, I pre ordered and finished it the day it was delivered. Now I wait for the next!
I love — ALL of Patricia Briggs books – have everyone of them except this one & omg how I would love to win it. Thanks for the opportunity ?
I’m #3 of 15 on my libraries wait list, would love a copy so I don’t have to wait any longer (I was #9 to start). Love this series, just picked up the Aralorn books, also by Patricia Briggs. Not sure how I missed them when they came out, but I’m looking forward to reading them this week!
Love P.B. so much! This book was stolen last week, so winning a new copy would be AMAZING!
I’m a HUGE Patricia Briggs and Mercy Thompson fan!!! Since the beginning with Moon Called! I love the amazing characters with real world settings. Makes you feel like you could run into Mercy on the streets and if you did you just know you would be best friends lol. Patricia has done an amazing job being all her characters to life but Mercy is hands down my favorite <3
Patricia Briggs’ series are fresh & creative. I’m always on the edge of my seat while reading as the stories are never predictable and always have a hysterical amount of sassy humor.
Love this series. Briggs is an incredible story teller.
This is one of my favorite series of all time! Patricia Briggs never disappoints.
We have a winner!