SOUL TAKEN by Patricia Briggs

  

 

A Mercy Thompson Novel Book 13
Ace Publishing
August 23^rd, 2022
978-0-440-00161-4
Paranormal, Urban Fantasy Action, Werewolves/Shifters, Vampires
Hardcover

Reviewed by Dawn (love2read28@gmail.com)

Obtained by Self Purchase

5 Hearts

For Mercy Thompson, having a vampire stalker is bad, the stalker being Wulfe, a vampire who can wield magic in some form and is one of the scariest people she has had to deal with takes it to another level of fear. But when Wulfe goes missing, people in the Tr-Cities are dying and now the threat to a fragile alliance Mercy and her mate, Adam made with the vampires and the neutrality of the place where they live is at stake. An enemy is determined to destroy the pack and Mercy herself. The question is, can Mercy figure out who took Wulfe, why and save their vampire allies before all she holds dear is gone and Mercy is left bleeding on the ground?

Sweet lord above, SOUL TAKEN is one heck of a ride from start to finish. I am going to try to not spill any spoilers in case you haven’t read this one yet but suffice to say, be ready to ignore everything around you as you go on t his merry go round of a story that will leave you breathless. SOUL TAKEN is a story that has been coming since the events of Silence Fallen (Book 10) and the twists and turns in this newest addition in the Mercy Thompson series has me eager to see what is going to happen in the future. In SOUL TAKEN, Mercy is resigned to Wulfe being a nuisance stalker but when he goes missing, an ancient artifact shows up and death follows, well let’s just say that Mercy is about to find herself tested in ways that even she didn’t see coming. What I love about this series is how the author keeps it fresh with each book. We got characters that are as mysterious as the day they showed up in the series and we got long reigning characters popping in with secrets ready to be told, magic abilities that seem to scare the dickens out of people and danger is all around. Mercy is Coyote’s daughter and as always chaos follows but, in this case, it is a on the fence if it’s a good thing or not, especially as Mercy finds herself with abilities not the norm for her pop up. This is a story rich in character development, world building that keeps me glued to the pages and wishing for a map to refer to in the book and a story that continues to weave around this area of the Tri-Cities like a river. For myself, I felt like I was right there alongside Mercy, Adam, and the pack as they took on this foe that threatens not just them but everyone they love and care for. Patricia Briggs delivers in SOUL TAKEN the next part of Mercy’s story and delivers such depth in her storytelling, I never looked at the clock until I could put this down in order to sleep last night.

SOUL TAKEN is more than heroes get to fight danger and live another day. It’s also Wulfe’s story as a we get to know more of how he became the scary vampire who can wield magic at times and is powerful in a broken sort of way. The fact that the author kept the pacing a bit slower than I expected from the beginning until halfway through before revealing specific twists, information and more in the last half of the book is like night and day here. I am not sure if that was by design or not but when that happened, it took me a bit to get back into the story as I was jarred out of it all. SOUL TAKEN delivers all the bells and whistles that is a Mercy Thompson novel but also, we get insight on some of the long-term characters we didn’t have before, as well as questions from a few past books get answered even as new questions pop up by the end of SOUL TAKEN. What I do know after finishing SOUL TAKEN was this: Get ready for Mercy to go boom on her enemies because this time, she is playing for keeps.

If you haven’t gotten into the Mercy Thompson series before, I highly recommend reading it from the beginning (Moon Called, book 1) and I can attest, if you love quirky characters, worldbuilding that is on par with Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files or Yasmine Galenorn’s Wild Hunt series) then this series will keep you entertained, engrossed and ready for more. Now I am eager to see what Ms. Briggs has in store for Mercy, Adam, and the gang in the future books because SOUL TAKEN just about upped the ante in danger and intrigue.

 

This is an objective review and not an endorsement

 

 

 

WILD SIGN by Patricia Briggs

An Alpha and Omega Novel, Book 6

ACE

March 16^th, 2021

978-0440001584

Paranormal Mystery, Fiction, Romance

E-ARC

Reviewed by Dawn (love2read28@gmail.com)

Obtained by Publisher via Netgalley

4 Hearts

 

In a small town in Northern California, the residents have disappeared and the Marrock, leader of the werewolves, finds out the town of Wild Sign is on their lands they own there. So, Bran sends mated werewolves, Charles Cornick and Anna Latham to check it out, but the question remains, how did the residents disappear with no trace? As past collides with present, Charles and Anna find that danger mounts as they deal with something they never anticipated before and if they can’t find the answers, whatever awakened will continue to cause havoc.

 

Wow! WOW! WOW! Is all I can say after reading this latest installment in the Alpha and Omega series which is a spin-off of the wildly popular and one of my favorite series, Mercy Thompson series. This time, Charles and Anna are tasked to investigate something that is more than either anticipates or finds the past of their pack meeting with the present as it collides in WILD SIGN. What I love about this series is that the author delivers a set of characters that just grow with each book and deliver some amazing scenes together and apart. I love how soft Charles can get around Anna yet anyone looking at her crossly will get his back up and his title as enforcer of the pack is not all for show. Add in a mystery that is as complex and unique as ever well, the reader will get sucked in like I did with the story and get lost with all the twists and turns. I know some things I sure didn’t see coming and the ending alone, left my jaw on the ground.

With each book in this series, we get treated to more of the pack, the complex and unique dynamics that engulf Anna as the omega of the pack and Charles who stole her heart and is one scary guy/wolf. Ms. Briggs delivers an action-packed story full of interesting characters-some old faces, some new ones, a mystery to figure out and danger that comes closer with each page to Charles and Anna. When the climatic last chapter hit, I was on the edge of my seat, anxious to see if they would live or die. It was that intense. Ms. Briggs is a talented storyteller who knows how to weave a spell around her readers and in WILD SIGN, the readers won’t be disappointed. Get ready for an edge of the seat ride from start to finish and you will be amazed in the end of some secrets that were only hinted at in past books. I can’t wait to see where the next book will take these guys and the readers as well.

 

This is an objective review and not an endorsement.

 

 

Alpha and Omega by Patricia Briggs

Cry Wolf: Volume One by Patricia Briggs

Publisher: InkLit/ Penguin

Date published: 02 Oct 2012

ISBN: 9780441018482

Paranormal

Hardcover/ Graphic Novel

Reviewed by Gabrielle

Weblink: http://www.us.penguingroup.com/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9780441018482,00.html?Alpha_and_Omega:_Cry_Wolf:_Volume_One_Patricia_Briggs

Obtained via publisher

Anna is a rarity among werewolves. She is an Omega wolf with many powers that even she has yet to discover. Anna was brutally changed into a werewolf and abused until she meets Charles. Charles is an Alpha wolf and he is the law of the pack. He must be judge, jury and executioner when it comes to the pack. Can Anna put her past behind her and find a way to accept her mate or will she be lost forever in her pain? Charles must find a way to balance his relationship with Anna and the pack. Will Anna find her way and fit in with his pack and learn to trust Charles?

This graphic novel was nicely drawn and gives us the story of Anna and Charles. If you are a reader of Patricia Briggs novels this is a nice addition to her books. I enjoyed meeting Anna and Charles. Watching the bond form between the two was a nice read. Anna may be new to being a werewolf but she gives it everything that she has and fights for what she thinks is right and fair. Charles is a good man and loves Anna. The attraction between the two is evident right from the start.  It was nice seeing the two work through their problems and try to find a way to work together. The author does a good job of mixing the action and the romance in this story. This is a fast paced graphic novel with lots of emotions and depth from the characters.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

 

 

SILVER BORNE by Patricia Briggs

Publisher: ACE Books
Date published: April 2010
ISBN: 978-0-441-01819-2
Urban Fantasy
Hardcover
Reviewed by Dawn
Obtained by library



Mercy is a mechanic by day, a coyote shifter and the mate of the local Alpha werewolf. A peaceful life is not in Mercy’s fate. When she tries to return a Fae book she borrowed, she finds the bookstore shut down and no one there. Then comes the attacks on her friends and Mercy has to figure out what is so special about this book that the Fae are determined to kill for it. On top of that, Mercy has more to worry about then vengeful Fae; someone is also trying to destroy her bond with her mate and her friend Samuel is going through a crisis that will have drastic consequences if let alone. Will she be able to survive all this in time to live her own version of happily ever after?

SILVER BORNE is the fifth book in the Mercy Thompson series and this is a series that just keeps getting better with each novel. Ms. Briggs is a masterful storyteller who draws the reader in from the first page and captivates them till the very end. I love the character of Mercy Thompson. She is very feisty, independent and loyal to her friends/family, though she is not without faults. Mercy is a woman readers can relate to and cheer for as they see her jump head first into trouble then ask questions later. I have to admit, this is one of the best books to date on Mercy and he friends and Ms. Briggs does a great job in creating characters that has the reader so invested in them. We get to see a more in-depth look into the Mercy-Adam relationship as well as some familiar characters that keep the story flowing smoothly.

SILVER BORNE is a character driven story that keeps the reader glued to the edge of their seat as they flip the pages trying to see what happens next. With each page, the reader is given a deeper understanding of Mercy, Adam and their pack mates/friends. I love the way this author just let Mercy be herself. A person, who has had many mishaps that could have killed her but in the process, has made her stronger. What I really enjoyed about SILVER BORNE was the way this author shows us how conflicted Mercy was and even with all her doubts and fears, she knew she could count on her mate, Adam, to find her no matter what. The relationship these two have is so rich and even as they deal with the aftermath of Mercy’s rape in the last book, Mercy always knows she can count on Adam no matter what. This is what makes the book so strong for me. Add in complex relationships that cause confusion, joy and more with multi-dimensional characters that continue to grow and mature in each book, you have the makings of a story that will stay with you long after the last page is read. This is a series that I can read multiple of times and still be affected in the same parts.
If you haven’t read any of the Mercy Thompson novels, I highly suggest you run to grab them. I do recommend reading them in order as each book capitalizes on the last. If you enjoy a fast paced, tightly written series with some memorable characters, then grab SILVER BORNE and the rest of the series for pure reading enjoyment.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

IRON KISSED: MERCY THOMPSON, BOOK 3 by Patricia Briggs

Publisher ACE fantasy
Date published January 2008
ISBN 978-0-441-01566-5
Paranormal Romance
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Valerie





Mercy Thompson is a shape-shifting coyote who was raised by a werewolf pack. In the pack, she was taught loyalty and trust but after a forbidden love affair Mercy was abandoned by the pack. When her fae boss and mentor is arrested for murder, her loyalties will be tested. He insists he doesn’t want Mercy to help him, but she feels it’s her job to clear his name. She has never disobeyed her mentor before, but she can’t just stand by and watch him be accused falsely. Mercy doesn’t have time to think about it as the werewolves want justice and right away. She also needs to make up her mind about two men in her life. One is the pack alpha who has already claimed her as his mate, the other, a lone werewolf who is her roommate. If this decision isn’t made soon, dire consequences could result.

This is the third book in The Mercy Thompson Novels, the other titles are Moon Called and Blood Bound and have gone onto my wish list. This is an extremely exciting story that will carry the reader along on a thrilling ride until the last page. Patricia Briggs cleverly combines wereswolves, vampires, fairies and all manner of the paranormal and entwines them into today’s world, then adds in suspense that is chilling and thrilling, and a love story that is sensual and keeps the reader guessing. She switches from the paranormal, to human legal proceedings effortlessly. She takes the reader into werewolf pack psychology, fairy politics, then switches into the human world with ease. This is a fantastic read and I enjoyed it so much. It will have a permanent place on my keeper shelf. I can’t wait to get the first two in this series.