Search - Blood Bound (Mercy Thompson, Bk 2)

I preordered this book and when I started reading it a few days later I had to stay up all night to finish it. This is the second book in the series about coyote shapeshifter VW mechanic Mercedes Thompson. In the last book she helped the werewolves and this time she helps the vampires. Her vampire friend Stefan comes to her for a favor - to be an impartial witness to some vampire business. He does not expect much trouble but they get into a lot more danger than he expected. As usual I think that the plot is very tight; I didn't notice any glaring plotholes and Mercy's character is very strong and believable. She knows a lot about werewolves and learns several things throughout the book about vampires, and also about another supernatural creature that is threatening the vamp clan. It is so dangerous that everyone suffers a trace of its evil effect on the tri-cities area. This book is quite similar in structure to the first one, though Mercy advances in her knowledge and network, and there are some interesting developments in the relationship area. A fascinating series I will continue to read.

I will admit that I haven't read much in the urban fantasy/horror/vampire genre, so I may not be as picky as other reviewers. I will say that I have only read two of Brigg's novels -- "Moon Called" and "Blood Bound" -- and both times I really got into the book. Brigg's conversational writing style makes it easy; after all, the protagonist, Mercy Thompson, is narrating the story.

Mercy has the ability to morph into a coyote. What I appreciated about Brigg's storytelling is how Mercy doesn't overuse her shape-changing ability in this book. She relies on her wits and intuition to solve the conflicts she faces.

Something else I appreciate about Brigg's story is how Mercy finds herself in the middle of life-or-death situations, yet still has to run her own business as a mechanic. In fact, Mercy wonders at one point how the heroines in movies find time to work and make a living while they are running around saving the world.

A couple of minor criticisms about this story: as the story progresses, Briggs throws in more an more of the "rules" about how vampire society is run, as well as the "rules" about demons and sorcerers. As someone who doesn't read much in this genre, it didn't bother me, but I kind of wondered how much of it Briggs made up to fit the plot. Doesn't ruin the story at all, but I just wondered about this.

Also, Briggs' male characters always seem a little too perfect. They are all ruggedly handsome, and yes they're all werewolves and vampires, but they're such hunky werewolves and vampires who got that "bad boy" thing going to entice the ladies. Even their negative qualities make them more macho. This kind of bugged me in "Moon Called" too. Briggs does keep the reader guessing as to who Mercy will ultimately fall for: Adam? Samuel? Stefan maybe? Again, it doesn't ruin the book, but it kind of makes me chuckle.

Overall, "Blood Bound" continues the fast-paced, suspenseful, creepy, action-packed storytelling that started in "Moon Called." Go for it.

I've read a lot, possibly too much, of the urban fantasy trend as of late. I think this series is the best of the lot.

Mercy is a strong, funny, likable character. She's tough but still needs to adress her vulnerability which is so much more interesting than the other MarySue women in this genre. Finally, we have a heroine that isn't the biggest-baddest-sexiest variety. Mercy is still nobody's doormat.

Good plot. I thought the end was a little strange. I'm getting tired of finding love-triangles in every paranormal these days too. Those are two small quibbles for a fun book.

lots of action! am enjoying this series as much as Cat & Bones books!!

I can't wait to get my hands on the rest of this series!! I just started reading Mercy Thompson after debating for a while and Patricia Briggs is excellent! They remind of a cross between the best parts of Kim Harrison's Rachel Morgan and Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse. I love Patricia Briggs voice for Mercy. I love that Mercy knows who she is and that she is unashamed. I have read some series where the main female character is so plagued with inner dialog and confilct about herself that you feel like she's on the couch and you're the therapist. Not Mercy, she tough and somewhat bad ass without being stupid and that a chick I can relate to, she's a breath of fresh air. I also love the sexual tension between Adam and Mercy and the triangle forming with Samuel. (not a threesome triangle you would find some books but, a "I'm deciding between the two", triangle.

The only negative I have to say is that I felt that a lot of the book was spent on catching up the reader who had not read the first in the series. Maybe it was the fact that I just read the first book, but it seemed a little like overkill to me. I liked the first book quite a bit and this was just more of the same, but not exactly the same. New story kept things interesting, but the characters that I really liked from the first book were still there.