Iron Kissed (Mercy Thompson, Book 3)
by Patricia Briggs
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Book Reviews of Iron Kissed (Mercy Thompson, Book 3)
Book Review: Favorite Heroine
Summary: 5 Stars
The third book of the Mercy Thompson series is probably the best so far, although I would be hard put to pick out a favorite book in the series. I'm just happy that the "love triangle" aspect of the book, which was always a background thing, has been resolved in such a way that no one is alienated or left out in the cold. Very nicely done.
This novel is so good, that I read it twice - after finishing it, I just reread it because I enjoyed it so much.
The premise of this novel involves Mercy repaying her debt to the fae, and Zee, her friend and onetime boss, getting caught a the scene of a crime and accused of murder. Mercy, of course, feels the need to protect him by finding out the real murderer.
The pace of this novel was somewhat slower than those of the other two books, as the buildup to the action waxes and wanes throughout. This isn't to say that the book is slow, more that it is less nonstop action, and more action then real life. I've seen other reviewers complaining about the pacing of the book, but I didn't see it as too much of a problem.
Mercy is one of the most likable heroines I've read in a long time. She comes across as being real and sincere, while still being heroic and magical. That is a pretty hard balance for many authors, but Briggs really pulls it off well. Mercy's likability makes the tragic consequences of her investigation all the more harrowing, because you feel her pain as read the novel - the end has more than one place where I teared up feeling for her.
Briggs doesn't pull any punches in this book, but manages not to be too graphic, and unlike many other novels in this genre, there are dire consequences for Mercy and those she cares about that many are not brave enough to write about. Briggs treatment of this is spot-on accurate, which makes her writing even better. What is even more interesting, is that Mercy is able to use the tragedy in her life to help her make something good come out of it, just as Briggs uses the tragedy to show us a bit more about the werewolves in Adam's pack.
The only complaint I have is that I have to wait until February to see what happens next. I'm finding myself anxious for Mercy and the werewolves as the danger of the world she inhabits is real. My hope is that Briggs won't do worse to Mercy and the werewolves in the next novel - it would be nice if they were able to have a happily ever after of sorts.
Book Review: Darker, murkier, better...
Summary: 4 Stars
Still reeling from the bloodfest that included beheading a vampire, Mercy Thompson suffers from the nightmares that send shivers down her spine. Although no vampire, friend or foe, has come calling since that dreadful incident, Mercy knows that the best thing to do would be to lay low and not get into any more trouble. But it's always easier said than done...
When her old mentor Zee, the gremlin fae, asked for her help in investigating a series of murders in the local fae reserve, it never occurred to Mercy that it would involve more than the use of her coyote "nose". Hours after her visit, she finds out that Zee has been arrested by the local police and it looks like the fae have turned their back on him. While Mercy knows that sticking her nose into fae's business could mean a death sentence for her, she also knows that she is the cantankerous gremlin's only hope of proving his innocence.
And if that isn't bad enough, Mercy is also under pressure from the local werewolf pack to choose between Adam and Samuel. The temperature rises as the pack grows restless waiting for a possible bloodshed as the two dominant werewolves vie for her heart. Mercy knows that the pack is right and she cannot afford to keep the men waiting. One is bound to lose control and it could mean death for either one. So, what's a woman to do?
IRON KISSED is the third instalment in Patricia Brigg's fantastic Mercy Thompson series. Briggs has created an intriguing world where werewolves, fae and vampires co-exist with humans, a world so effortlessly created that one cannot helped but be enticed and be part of the make-believe. The author also continues to display her flair for wonderful characterization as the reader gets sucked into each character's life and personality. And you know you have a good thing on your hand when you start caring for the characters. I was shocked and pleased with the ending; shocked at the life-changing event that our favorite coyote has to go through, but pleased with the resolution to the love triangle. I haven't read any of the reviews but I suspect that the last few chapters would probably leave a bitter taste in some reviewer's mouth. I personally thought that Briggs handled it with care but you'll have to read it and form your own opinion. I did feel that some parts dragged, but I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next.
Book Review: SPOILER for a necessary warning
Summary: 4 Stars
There's only one thing I can say about this book for people like myself: Skip pages 227 to 276. The little "tragedy, traumatic experience, etc" that Mercy goes through will give you nightmares and put you in an emotionally bad place if you've experienced her "tragedy" and aren't prepared to read about it.
So here's the spoiler/needed warning: Mercy is manipulated, controlled and violated in mind, body and spirit (raped) by the killer. The werewolf Ben understands completely since he was sexually abused as a child.
The book is good. If you're at a point in your life where you can watch this type of "trauma" on TV or read it in a book without going back to that place, than you don't need to skip any pages. If you haven't reached that point, skip it. You'll still get the gist of everything and understand the ending if you skip those 49 pages; but with your psyche intact.
DO NOT MISUNDERSTAND: If you have first-hand experience with one or (like me) both of these situations, there is nothing gentle, kind or cautious in these 49 pages for those who have been there and definitely not for those that still have moments where the memories come out of nowhere and deliver a sucker punch to your spirit. This is a great book, but you'll hate it if you haven't "recovered" enough to recognize and deal with the fact that your misery is simply a great plot point for the media at large.
If you know someone who has experienced this, DO NOT be dumb enough to give them this book as a way to "deal" or give them hope. The book is fiction and so is Mercy's way of "dealing with it" and blindingly fast "recovery" for the majority of the people who've actually been in Mercy's shoes. Ben is the figure for someone who's "recovered and learned to deal," not Mercy.
I think I've repeated myself enough to hopefully give warning to those who need it. The story is great, I saw nothing wrong with the love triangle and I think the overall tone of the book makes sense when you combine the events of the first two books with this one. This is a true book series, so you need to read the books in order to understand the dynamic of the various character relationships.
In final reference to my warning, I think a friend summed it up best: "The rape was pointless. I think losing her arm would've been more traumatic for Mercy."
Book Review: The Mercy series stays strong.
Summary: 4 Stars
The third book in this series was just as entertaining as the first two although darker. Mercy is growing as a character and we got to learn more about others in the series such as Honey, Ben and Zee. The fae world is prominent and intriguing. The mystery was well crafted although I did suspect that one of the early characters in the book was involved and that proved to be correct.
**SPOILER** The love triangle appears to be solved. One of the characters in this triangle seems to have an epiphany about his feelings for Mercy that comes out of nowhere as far as the reader can tell based on the previous 2 books. It seems that what Mercy knows about werewolves from growing up with them and at the knee of the Marrok is not exactly accurate, or so she is told by Sam. Also, her keen senses in her coyote form tell her Sam is not well, fragile in fact, maybe from age. All this plus Sam's history concerning Mercy made me suspicious when he tells her that he is not in love with her. There is a lot of tension between Adam and Sam concerning this love triangle and it effects the pack's stability. If the Alpha ain't happy, nobody's happy. It is only a matter of time before the situation erupts into violence. I had to wonder if someone in Adam's pack called the Marrok and he in turn called Sam and told him to solve the problem before things deteriorated further, thereby bringing the situation back into the series in the future. Maybe I am too suspicious and there is nothing more to it than what it is, but if so, then I found the solution too pat, convenient, as if the author just wanted to get this situation out of the way and go on to something else. I hope not.
There is also a tragic consequence for Mercy when solving this mystery that was not easy to read but I think Ms. Briggs handled it very well. There is a long conversation between Adam and Ben concerning this incident that was very hard for Ben but necessary for Adam to understand completely Mercy's feelings and her reactions after her ordeal. I thought it was done very well and an eye opener for Adam who didn't realize all the ramifications for Mercy.
I gave it 4 stars because the ending was a little abrupt and the book somewhat slow until about halfway through. Even so, for the most part I couldn't put it down and was glad I spend the money.
Book Review: Excellent...An emotional rollercoaster ~~~~
Summary: 4 Stars
In the 1st book in the series, Moon Called (Mercy Thompson, Book 1) the author introduces Mercedes "Mercy" Thompson. In the 2nd book, Blood Bound (Mercy Thompson, Book 2) Stefan Uccello, a vampire and friend, called in on a favor. Things turn bad and soon Mercy gets involved in a hunt for a vampire-sorcerer. Several of her friends are kidnapped and held hostage by Cory Littleton, the vampire-sorcerer. She comes to the resources and kills Cory, and his maker, Andre, using items that Zee and Uncle Mike provided. Now in the 3rd book, Iron Kissed (Mercy Thompson, Book 3) Siebold Adelbertsmiter "Zee", her former gremlin boss and mentor, calls in on his favor. He wants her to help sniff out a killer. Mercy identifies O'Donnell, a BFA agent, to Zee and Uncle Mike. Zee is later arrested at the house of O'Donnell, he is found with the body, and is charged with murder. Zee doesn't want her involved he is afraid she will get in trouble or worse arguer the Gray Lords. But of course - Mercy can help but put herself in danger by finding O'Donnell's killer and exonerating Zee.
Mercy also finds herself needing to desperately make a decision between Adam Hauptman, the Alpha of Columbia Basin Pack, and Dr. Samuel Llewellyn Cornick's "Sam", a lone wolf but is still 3rd in rank of all North American packs. Warren and Honey warn her that they are both are extremely dominant werewolves the territorial contentiousness is weakening the pack - which is dangerous for everyone.
The story tugs you along; I was unable to see a satisfying outcome. I was also unable to figure out who the killer was and that is rare. This is the best of the series so far. I only hope the series can continue at this momentum. This book way exceeded my expectations. I really missed the vampires in this book - I am hoping they return in the next book.
The other book in the series...
Bone Crossed (Mercy Thompson, Book 4)