The Diva Review:
When I was discussing the Rachel Morgan Series (by Kim Harrison) with a friend, she suggested the Patricia Briggs' Mercy Thompson Series since it too was that emerging genre of Urban Fantasy. She mentioned that the 4th book was just released (first week in Feb 09) and that she had really liked the series. So away I went with all 4 books in hand.
As the name might suggest, this book is primarily about werewolves. But there is more to it then that, Briggs is building her world. This world has not only werewolves, but vampires and the other magical creature from myth (known as Fae). And in this world we meet Mercy Thompson, the tough as nails, yet feminine VW mechanic that gets tied up in the misadventures of these preternatural denizens. Oddly enough, Mercy is not any of the above. She is a Walker, a Native American that can change into a coyote at will. She has a very real understanding of her limitations which is refreshing.
Living next to the local werewolf Alpha (leader) has some disadvantages. The main one is turns out that you get mixed up in what seems to be a turf war. Mercy saves the Alpha's life and decides to help find his human daughter. Along the way we meet many interesting characters such as Sam, the werewolf Mercy loved when she was young; Zee, Mercy's Fae mechanic mentor; and Stefan, a vampire who drives a van that is painted like the Mystery Machine from Scooby-Doo. The world is multidimensional with each group having its own rules, customs and politics.
Briggs shows amazing talent in creating characters that are interesting, diverse and frankly fun to read about. She does this by showing us what they do and how they interact. What I was disappointed with is the telling of Mercy's past with Sam. It's then it is discussed…several times. This narration was so boring and badly written that I almost stopped reading about a quarter of the way through. Let me tell you, I am VERY glad I kept reading. About halfway through the book I was enthralled with the characterization and the richness of the world that Briggs had created. I quickly finished the rest of the series without looking back.
4 Stars for building a wonderful world with interesting characters, missing a perfect score due to narrating events in Mercy's childhood in possibly the worst way possible…then talking about it.
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