Iron Kissed (Mercy Thompson, book 3) by Patricia Briggs
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Edition Reviewed: Paperback
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Iron Kissed (3)
I could smell her fear, and it satisfied something deep inside me that had been writhing under her cool, superior gaze. I curled my upper lip so she could get a good look at my sharp teeth. I might only weigh thirty or so pounds in my coyote shape, but I was a predator...
Mechanic Mercy Thompson can shift her shape - but not her loyalty. When her former boss and mentor is arrested for murder and left to rot behind bars by his own kind, it's up to Mercy to clear his name, whether he wants her to or not.
Mercy's loyalty is under pressure from other directions, too. Werewolves are not known for their patience, and if Mercy can't decide between the two she cares for, Sam and Adam may make the choice for her...
Review:
Right up front with this installment it's clear fans are not reading this for the mystery. Well, at least I'm not. The guilty party is always introduced right away. The red herring is a joke and half heartily tossed in. Come on. It's too easy. So what am I reading this for? The astounding world building and mind-blowing characters. Each new book develops both and creates such a vibrant world that I really believe that I could open up my front door and step out into the world of Mercedes Thompson.
The way Briggs created her werewolves and how everything ticked is so intricate and well thought out. It is what separated Mercy's series from the rest. So with each new installment it's pure pleasure to see how the pack works, the politics and everything. To this day I believe that Brigg’s idea on werewolves is what finally pushed other authors to create complex world not just for werewolves but other magical things. Making werewolves the lead, not the sad third wheel. Not only that but she showcased the fae and vampires. Playing a pivotal role in showing that not just vampires deserve the lime light in Urban Fantasy works. The extra effort to create a complex world and mythology is important.
OK. Why did I go on that mini rant? Because each book she adds more to the werewolves. Not just them though. The vampires were introduced more in Blood Bound, and it was tantalizing to see some of their crazy (and I mean scary as all get out) politics and pestering. So now we finally get a peek into the fae. Which is something I've wanted from the get go, and was probably why I was originally disappointed with Blood Bound. Vampires have been done over and over again. But at the time fae in Urban Fantasy was pretty rare. Even now it's not that common. It was fantastic finally getting to step into their world, and getting a peak at how scary they are.
Mercy's world is full of monsters. It's just a question of who's the scariest. Not to mention the poor humans that have no idea that vampires exist so they can't possibly even comprehend how fae, werewolves, and vampires could pose a threat. Like say they end up going to war over misunderstandings and such. There are other magical creatures here such as witches and who knows what else. Let me tell you it's all a heady rush.
What I love about Mercy is that each book she develops and changes as a person. She still stays an amazingly strong person and keeps her core values. But she's human, she can change. She learns. Plus, she doesn't just jump over board and then pick up the pieces. She thinks things through. From how helping her friend might be dangerous and what to avoid to not get dead. To dealing with the two Alpha males, Adam and Sam, who vie for her love. Plus her confusion over Stephan. It's this kind of realism, and Mercy's overall personality, that makes readers understand the romance here. An not mind this love square, because there's different types of love.
This book is a huge ground breaker on the world and the characters. There's plenty of development on all fronts. Even some scary ones. Ones that made me fear for where the series might go. Briggs really proves herself here. Even the writing felt more evolved.
Overall the cliffhanger is soooooo cruel. (Man that was so hard waiting when the next book wasn't out. So cruel.) It was also confusing at the time because of what happened to Mercy. It tossed some mixed signals out there. I want to reassure readers that while it feels like the emotional development ball was dropped, it's not. Breath. The next book picks up right in the same spot, and it's not bad from there. What happened to Mercy isn't ignored, nor is it painfully exploited.
What a fabulous entry! Adam and Sam are both such amazing men! To this day some of my favorite werewolves and they both deserve spots in Mercy's heart. I love how characters that were disliked in the very first book are, at least for me, loved. Ben has some secrets come out and I love him even more. Especially certain scenes with Adam. They both shine. Old beloved characters come back and it's good to see them. There's many scary parts as these beloved characters' lives are on the line. It's great learning more about Zee and the world of the fae. What's more is seeing humans become scary monster's as well. This book is a game changer for the series. But I still love that Brigg's keeps up her dedication to the world building and the characters.
Sexual Content: It’s a spoiler if I say so . . . be a little warned, but it’s nothing graphic. Sexual humor.
5/5- Fabulous, a beautiful obsession!
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| Moon Called (1) | Moon Called (1) | Moon Called (1) |
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