Fire Touched (A Mercy Thompson Novel Book 9)
Tensions between the fae and humans are coming to a head. And when coyote shapeshifter Mercy and her Alpha werewolf mate, Adam, are called upon to stop a rampaging troll, they find themselves with something that could be used to make the fae back down and forestall out-and-out war: a human child stolen long ago by the fae.
Defying the most powerful werewolf in the country, the humans, and the fae, Mercy, Adam, and their pack choose to protect the boy no matter what the cost. But who will protect them from a boy who is fire touched?
Reviews (188)
Of Two Minds, but Overall Disappointed
Fire Touched is the 9th book in Patricia Briggs’ Mercy Thompson Series. I have been a long time reader of this series and Mercy is a character that always seems to come alive. Fire Touched was much more action filled than many of the previous books in the Mercy Thompson series and moved at a quick and steady pace, but I just kept thinking WTF? Fire Touched just did not seem to keep true to who I always felt Mercy was and IS. Character growth in Urban Fantasy is something that this genre does phenomenally well and yet I just feel like Mercy is losing her “stuff”. Mercy grew up with the freakin’ Marrok. The dang Alpha of Alphas..the master at werewolf politics, so why did Mercy continue to not understand (until it was drawn in kindergarten crayons) how her actions affected everyone else. This just didn’t fit at all. There is no way anyone could justify the level of ignorance Mercy displayed multiple times in Fire Touched. Briggs , as always, does a brilliant job at creating vividly haunting new creatures, unforgettable characters and epic moments. The deeper look inside of the fae innerworkings was a great element in this installment and added a lot to the overall story. I am so conflicted! Part of me loved the action and world and the other part is weeping for why my favorite bad-ass mechanic is suddenly acting like an idiot. And this entire ex-wife thing with Christie has to stop. BOUNDARIES, I would think Mr. Military britches would get it. As you can see, I am a little of two minds. My frustrations were high throughout Fire Touched, but this is still a world that could fill endless hours of conversations with fellow readers. I rate Fire Touched 3 out of 5 Bullets! I purchased this book (twice..technically) and also received this book directly from the publisher for the purpose of providing an honest review.
A rating...
My Review: I adore this series and this story started out with a great scene...a giant troll on the bridge that brings the pack and Mercy into the very public spotlight as they work together to defeat the troll...and eventually become heroes for humankind. Who knew they would eventually end up here? Mercy, as usual, rocks...and I adore that Adam finally, finally stood up for her and how the pack is treating her. Gah...I hate the way they continue to treat her as an outsider when she's done so much for them. (I kind of love her.) This story brought about some interesting changes for the pack and Mercy and Adam's life. I have to say although I get it, I was shocked by Bran's actions. :( But Tad and Zee are back in this book and I love that. (This is a very fae-focused story...which isn't my favorite, but I liked how things are evolving.) There was also the change of an addition of a new character to Mercy and Adam's world. I love Aiden and how he pulls Jesse into the story more. I also giggled every time there was a new fire at the house. Those scenes made me giggle every time...including the one that makes it into the next book (shh, yes, I immediately read the next book after I read "the end" on this one...even though that review won't go up until the March release...but here's a spoiler for you...I give it an A+). I love this series and world. It just gets better and better. Love the Mercy Thompson world.
Good story
Another great Mercy Thompson book. Once again Mercy and her mate Adam find themselves caught up in a squabble between supernaturals. This time, the Fae. In a rush of adrenaline after a fight with a troll, Mercy and her trusty walking stick, make a statement proclaiming protection for those entering the packs territory. As it turns out the first one in need of sanctuary is a young boy. Who looks human enough, but seems to be hiding some pretty big secrets as well. This starts a long and drawn out trek into Fae politics. Necessary, but problematic on several fronts. This story took us out of the pack, and threw us right in the middle of the Fae world. I liked finally getting some answers about what really goes on behind the scenes in the Fae realm. But the Fae do nothing without lots of protocol and rules. I loved having Zee and Tad back. Zee in all his Fae glory is truly amazing, and truly frightening. I love Aiden. He is unique as a character. The body of a ten year old boy, the experience and longevity of an ancient being. But having no clue how to deal with the modern world. His interactions with Jesse were hilarious. I loved seeing the two new pack members, brought in in the last book, doing better. I think Aiden will be a huge help for Joel. I loved Adam finally stepping up for Mercy with the pack. It was long over due. I was not happy with Bran and what he did to the pack and to Mercy. I understand why he did it, but he had to know how it would affect Mercy. Adam’s ex wife, she just needs to go away. I will miss the walking stick. It has come to Mercy’s aid on more than one occasion, and in its own way been a comfort for her. Overall a good book, not my favorite of the series but well worth reading. On to the next book.
Underhill
This is another excellent addition to the Mercy Thompson series. If you are new to it, you need to start with book one, Moon Called. If, like me, you've read every book in Mercy Thompson and Alpha and Omega series, you know what to expect. This book begins with Mercy unsuccessfully trying to fend off the spiel of a multi-level marketing salesperson, then pits Mercy, Adam and friends against the Grey Lords who are after Tad, Zee and a young human named Aiden. Aiden is more than human because of untold time spent in Underhill, however. He is fire touched, extremely powerful, and almost feral. Mercy has granted him 24 hours protection, time to sort out how to deal with the Fae who sent a troll into the Tri Cities after him. Fae who may see the troll's death as an act of war. Briggs once again balances fantasy, adventure, humor and suspense into a spellbinding book I didn't want to put down. One I highly recommend.
It Never Gets Old Reading Top Shelf Quality Books and This Is One Of The Best
The Mercy Thompson series has been one of my favorites since I picked up book 1 several years ago. It is always well written, the plots varied and full of twists. This latest incarnation is no different but the plots are becoming deeper, the interpersonal relationships are becoming more involved and add depth to these stories. I can tell you I read this book in 1 day, I could not put it down. As the synopsis indicates this book starts out with a rush of action in a battle with a troll which was awesome but it was just to setup a much more involved plot that takes us places we have never been before in this series and turns a few things we have believed in the last couple of books are now portrayed in a bit of a different light. We are fast approaching all-out war between humans, werewolves and the fae so in addition to everything else that has to be avoided at all costs so hang on tight, things are going to get rough. There is a bit of tragedy that makes me kinda sad. I can't say too much about the actual story because the action pretty much starts on page one so anything beyond that becomes a spoiler. Bottom Line: As always the writing, story and plot are exceptional. The characters are varied and rounded out, no cardboard cutouts in these books (it is still hard to keep up with so many of them). The pack bond relationships are brought out more in this book and a lot of the disharmony we have seen in the last few books will be resolved firmly. So enjoy a great book, I sure did 5 Stars easy and you will NOT be bored on any page
THIS HURTS TO SAY
never thought I'd say this but, this book was just ok. good writing but this just wasn't like the Mercy Thompson books that I have come to love. It wasn't worth the 14dollars I paid for it. spoiler coming, I didn't like that Brian just dropped her like a hot potato and the death of the walking stick just wasn't right. Mercy was too politically correct to safe. it was like she was more of a supporting character in this book. I truly hate to say this because this is my favorite author and series. this was too short, it didn't feel like a full book. none of the usual characters showed up no coyote no Stefan. heck Mercy didn't even shapeshift. the ex wife didn't even need to show up in this book. there wasn't any deeping of the love between Adam and Mercy or their mate bond. Nothing exciting happen in this book it just left me feeling disappointed. This book left Mercy looking weak and alone. the thing Adam did with the pack should have been done a lone time ago, but the way the pack just was ok now Mercy is great now right after was just not believable. To put this to a close this book left me feeling sorry for Mercy something I never felt for before and didn't like, I will read the next one but if some of these thing are not fixed I will have to leave this series behind and that saddens me. Please Ms. Briggs bring the real Mercy back !
Vivid and extremely original
I purchased this when it first came out and it just took me this long to get to it. I have way too many books to read. Briggs quickly brings readers into fast-paced action as Mercy and the pack battle a Troll who is rampaging on a bridge. The story is vivid in its details and extremely original. My favorite parts were getting to see the interaction between Mercy and Adam. Their relationship was such a long time coming and it’s wonderful to finally see them really just be a couple and interact as such. The politics of the Fae and the Grey Lords are strong at work and the Fae are forever scheming. How to weed out who is allies vs foe? The story gets complex and a number of characters are introduced. Not to mention all the past characters from previous books. The amount characters and the interwoven subplots made the book a little complicated and I honestly got a little lost. I read too much to remember the nuances off all the past novels in this series. With that I am giving this 4 Boundless stars, it was good I and I really enjoyed it. I’ve already pre-ordered the next one. Hopefully, it won’t take me so long to get to it.
Another awesome tale.
I really loved this book. That is surprising to me when I'm this far into a series. A lot of authors are winding down after 8 or 9 books but I feel like this series is still going strong. I bought this book a few days ago and was hesitant to actually start it. The reason being, I knew as soon as I started I wouldn't want to put it down. That proved true. I love the characters in this series. I always miss the ones that aren't included. In this book there are a lot of characters that felt pushed to the side. I did miss them but at the same time I enjoyed the Fae. The story is basically a continuation of what's been going on for a few books now in both of Patricia Briggs series. The looming war the could possibly play out between the Fae and humans and or werewolves. There was so much to love about this book so I'm just going to list a few. MERCY: I find a lot of heroines of Urban Fantasy novels annoying. They are usually so perfect and beautiful and tough and even though they are only 100pounds soaking wet they are the toughest in the room. MERCY isn't that at all but she IS special. I totally get why Adam loves her. ZEE: I love him and wish she'd write a back story on him,(if there isn't one already) THE FAE: To me at least they are just endlessly entertaining. There are so many storylines that can be explored. At least another nine books worth. THE WOLVES: I love that in a genre where the vampires usually reign, these werewolves kick butt. I love the whole pack structure, and how it's explained. I love Bran. I also like how this book set up a situation that could cause Adam and his pack some future problems. I'm anxious to see where it goes. I was happy to see Thomas and Margeret. I couldn't for the life of me remember how I knew them and their origin story I knew it wasn't in another Briggs novel. Finally I literally googled it and found that their story had been included in an anthology I read a few years back, Naked City, Tales of Urban Fantasy. It was also included in Shifting Shadows, a collection of short stories by Patricia Briggs. That was a nice surprise. There was a new character, the eponymous Fire touched, who slowly grew on me. At the end of the day, it was what all Patricia Briggs books are, satisfying. Oh and I just have to mention this, I'm so happy and grateful that this book didn't end with a cliffhanger. I think that cliffhangers are such cop outs to ensure your audience will buy another book. This book ending with a laugh and that's much better in my opinion. :) This product was a personal purchase for myself at the normal retail price. I am reviewing it because I want to share my experience with other potential customers.
This Series Never Disappoints
I, often, think that it’s harder to review a book in a favorite series, or by a favorite author, than almost any other review I write. Not only am I comparing that book to everything else I’ve ever read, but I’m comparing it to the best that this author, this series, has ever given me. Then there’s the fact that because I have twelve full-length novels in my history from this series, I have a bit more love for it than most books. I’ve given this series not only a huge investment in time, but a large chunk of my heart. So, I’m both more forgiving and more harsh – all at the same time. I’m not sure where that leaves me in the ‘how do I rate it’ area. Let me just say, first off, that my biggest pet-peeve with this series was completely turned on its head here! YES! I cannot even begin to tell you how ecstatic I am that in the fight that must be fought, Mercy and Adam fought together. Mercy was integral and needed, not a liability (like so many of the Pack have accused her of being). And despite how many times we’ve seen her kick ass on her own, this was the first time that Adam wasn’t knocked out of the fight so early as to have been a non-issue, so that Mercy could shine. I don’t want to say too much about what happens in the book, except that there were some unexpected tears (over some really unexpected things), some much-needed laughs, and some kick-ass action scenes. Not to mention the overall movement in the world. If you didn’t like the uber-close-pack-politics view from Night Broken, then Fire Touched is going to make you happy in that regard. A world-plot-driven novel, this is – much more so than either Night Broken or Dead Heat. There are pack politics – and some much needed movement on some very contentious issues – and there always will be, because Mercy is a part of the Pack. But there’s also HUGE events taking place in the larger world, with the fae, and the vampires, and a whole host of others. When I finished Fair Game, I expected lots of things to happen right away. They didn’t so much, being more subtle and taking their time – which is definitely the more tension-filled way to go about it, but things I definitely did not expect started occurring here. I love that Patricia Briggs can still surprise me, still make me question what I do and don’t know, and still give me a more varied, bigger, and scarier world for Mercy and Adam to inhabit. I hope that their adventures are nowhere near ending, and I can’t wait for the next book in this series. Anna and Charles, or Mercy and Adam…or give me some Honey, Ben, Warren, or a host of others – I’ll be a happy camper to keep reading about these characters. Oh! And I will say, without trying to spoil some really great moments, I was so, so, SO happy with the resolution on a couple of lingering issues from the previous books. Things that had irritated me were…well, let’s just say I’ll be re-reading those sections post-haste, and probably many times, just for the (evilly-satisfied)smiles.
Brilliant!
I immediately purchase this book when I heard it was released and I wasn’t disappointed. Mercy is fiercely protective of her loved ones and the defenceless. She doesn’t have extreme magical abilities, but is rather an astute born leader that inspire others to follow her lead and right the wrongs. Similarly to other Mercy Thompson novels, expect thrilling fight scenes and destruction, new characters with their backstories, more involved interpersonal relationships and interesting deeper plots. It was like visiting an old time favourite friend. Where other books focused more on action, this one delved a little more into the emotional growth of the characters. An unexpected death was really shocking … I’m silently hoping that some fae magic change this situation in the next instalment. And as always, Patricia’s books have some lessons to share. I also especially like the following quote: “‘Death is part of life’, he told her. ‘Without the one, it is hard to have the other…’” (page 334 on Kindle). I highly recommend Patricia Briggs’ series and I'm a big fan! (I actually re-read some of her books!!!).
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