Patrica Briggs writes one of my favourite characters, Mercy Thompson. Why do I enjoy Mercy so much? She is a wonderful female protagonist. Strong spirited and whole hearted, Mercy Thompson’s series begins with Mercy in her early thirties. Old enough to have earned some wisdom and emotional scars, but young enough to believe in the good in those around her.
Mercy and I were the same age, with different scars, but it was easy to connect with a character who took an interesting degree, hers in History, mine in Anthropology, yet realizing after the fact there wasn’t a lot of jobs available requiring that degree.
While she worked at and eventually owned a garage, I can change my car’s oil and that is about it, her series focus is all about character. Mercy had the equal amounts of fortune/misfortune to be brought up along side the Marrok’s wolf pack. Fortunate, as she had a loving family and intimate knowledge of the non-human elements of society, unfortunate because she never belonged. Wolves didn’t want or need a coyote in their pack.
Fine by her, she set out on her own and made her own pack, filled with friends and family that continues to grow as the series progresses. Moon Called is the first book in the series where a half-starved young werewolf arrives at the garage looking for a job which ends him, Mercy, and the local wolf pack Alpha, Adam in a whole lot of trouble. With lives on the line, Mercy has no choice but to turn to the wolf pack, who rejected her, for help. as is the way with life, everything gets more difficult from there on.
Through the first book, and the remainder of the series I have read to date, Mercy continues to find her way through her chaotic, magic-filled world. She gains allies, love, and enemies, but always holds onto who she is.
Smoke Bitten, Book 12 in the Mercy Thompson Series
The main series is up to Book 12, Smoke Bitten, out in March of 2020. I enjoyed it, as I have everyone book in the series. If you are knew to the series, that means you have 12 wonderful books to binge! I envy you.
My current favourite book in the Mercyverse is the Shifting Shadows Anthology (The main image above). I have spent so many years getting to know Mercy and her crew, it was nice to enjoy stories about her friends and family. Patricia Briggs has built a wonderful cast of characters, unique, wounded, and heart felt. Each of their life experiences make them integral to the stories and are brought together to fight evil in a way that only Mercy can do. She is the glue in it all. When I need a quick read with a uplifting story, this is the anthology I turn to.
The Latest Anthology Patricia Briggs as a story in.
Patricia Briggs has another series in the Mercyverse called Alpha Omega. It focuses on the wolf pack Mercy was raised in. The short story in the Fantastic Hope Anthology is about Asil, an old wolf whose frenemies are playing a game with him and sending him on blind dates. This will be Asil’s third date and it is filled with the wit, vanity, and violence a reader would expect from him. I met Asil in the Mercy Thompson Series as he was sent to help Mercy in Frost Burned.
Enjoy your binge reads and let me know which of Patricia Briggs characters you enjoy the best! Happy reading.
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