Gwen’s review of Iron Kissed (Mercy Thompson Series, Book 3) by Patricia Briggs
Contemporary paranormal fantasy published 2 Jan 08 by Ace (Penguin)
Briggs’s Mercy Thompson books have consistently delivered several things: well-developed and interesting characters, complex and compelling plots, unique details, and some good sexual tension. Iron Kissed is no exception – it delivers all of the quality I’ve come to expect and entertains beyond all expectations.
In Iron Kissed we learn more about Mercy’s former boss, Zee, and the fae. She feels compelled to be Zee’s champion, contrary to all common wisdom and warnings. She gains the support of an inanimate fae object along the way – something that helps her in the clinch. She also gains the attention of the fae’s Gray Lords – something that definitely isn’t desirable. This is all deliciously twisted and convoluted and oh so interesting to read. Very fun paranormal/fantasy elements.
Also in this book, Mercy has an epiphany about her love life. How she reaches it and what she does with it is so worth the wait in the previous books. I bemoaned Mercy’s lack of “busy-ness” in the previous books. Briggs’s resolution to that lack is very satisfying. We actually get a sort-of-HEA in this book, unlike the others.
Read my review of Blood Bound here, and On The Prowl – Alpha and Omega here. This book stands alone, but you will enjoy it a lot more if you read the previous entries. Briggs doesn’t belabor details and doesn’t rehash a lot of previous plot points, so some things may be confusing, though you’ll still enjoy the story.
If you’re a fan of paranormal, contemporary/urban fantasies, you will love this series. If you’re simply a fan of excellent writing, you’ll love this series. If you’re a fan of strong female characters, you will adore this series. This book is icing on the Mercy Thompson cake. I cannot wait for the next entry.
Grade: A
Blurb:
When her former boss and mentor is arrested for murder and left to rot behind bars by his own kind, it’s up to shapeshifting car mechanic Mercy Thompson to clear his name, whether he wants her to or not. And she’ll have to choose between the two werewolves in her life-whether she wants to or not.
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
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Same world, but different story line:
What’s next for this author :
[Taken from Briggs’ website] The first “Anna and Charles” book is finally done, and is tentatively titled Cry Wolf… Cry Wolf picks up the story of Anna, an omega werewolf who spent several years in a dysfunctional pack, and Charles, a powerful werewolf sent to clean up the mess. Their story began as a short story, Alpha and Omega published in On The Prowl, an anothology of urban fantasy stories… [note from Gwen – these characters are related to and live in Mercy’s world, but it’s a separate story line.]
I loved this book like a chocoholic loves a chocolate sweet shop! I managed to get a copy a few weeks ago and I think this book is the best yet. Mercy is a fantastic heroine and that ending was gut wrenching, intense and bittersweet. I think Iron Kissed will cement this series and now that she has chosen her man, I am looking forward to see how that will evolve in the next few books.
I can’t wait to read this!!
I’ve been drooling for this book, I swear, it’s one of my have too reads.
Mmmmm I can’t wait and am amazed that no spoilers about her choice have come out yet
Chez – and I hope none do come out. It makes for a really good ending.
When a book generates the kind of booklust in me that this one does, I avoid any and all reviews that might have a remote chance of slipping in hints about major spoilers. I figure that I’m automatically reading it, so why take a chance on ruining it by reading reviews.
Nevertheless, it’s reassuring to know my “book twin”, Beavis, loves it.
I heart spoilers… I wanna know the end!
B-head – you’ll LOVE this book and its ending.
Okay, so I made a point of hitting Borders yesterday after dropping off the cheerleader carpool. I was less than $11 bucks from my next Borders reward and didn’t want to lose it after Monday.
Iron Kissed WAS VERY VERY good. Except for one part that bugged me. Let’s see if I can be vague enough not to spoil…
I thought Ben’s “wake-up call” to Adam was too detailed to be just intuitive. Yes, I “got” that his past gained him some understanding of what Mercy was going through, but I thought there was too much detail for me to believe he extrapolated all that from his experience and Mercy’s behavior. Had he said that he also based his conclusions on random mutterings when Mercy was sick and out of her mind, THEN I would have found it more believable.
Also, Briggs doesn’t write graphic scenes, so I honestly wasn’t sure if what happened to Mercy actually happened until it was referred to with the “R” word. I didn’t need every graphic detail, but I think a bit more “show, don’t tell” would have worked with that scene.
And I agree that the “choice” was handled well. Of course I still feel sorry for the “other one” on general principal because he is such a sympathetic character, but the fact that there wasn’t any heart-breaking drama gives me hope that he will continue to be apart of Mercy’s life and we’ll still see him.