River Marked by Patricia Briggs (Mercedes Thompson #6)
Urban Fantasy
March 1, 2011
Hardcover, 352 Pages
Orbit
Reviewed by Mandi
Favorite Quote: Adam didn’t approve of Walmart.
Note: This is a spoiler-free review!
I had not read any blurbs or spoilers for this book before I started it and let me tell you how surprised I was at the first few chapters in this one. Yes, it tells the big surprise on the inside of the jacket cover – but since I am posting this review before release date, I don’t feel comfortable talking about it. So I’m not going to talk a lot about the plot. But I will tell you this.
I read this series for two reasons. One, I adore Mercy and Adam. Both separate and together. Mercy is such a strong, level-headed heroine who can claim her independence while surrounded by pack, vampires etc, yet she is so polite and warm. And Adam – well – he fulfills all my dirty needs when it comes to an alpha male. In River Marked we get a lot of Adam and Mercy. And by that I mean, almost the entire book is the two of them together. I was shocked, and I loved every second of it. We get a very intimate glimpse into their relationship. We see another side of Adam, and wow. What a sweetie. I love him even more.
“No ma’am,” he drawled mildly, though I could see a dimple peeping out. I loved his dimple – and I loved it even more when he dropped into the accent of his youth. I especially loved the warm strength of him against me. I was so easy.
We also learn a lot about what Mercy is. Her heritage is presented in much detail. At times I found these parts to be very slow. There is a point towards the middle that the pacing slows down so much I got worried for the rest of the book. But then something big happens and the rest finished quite nicely.
The second reason I read this series is for the amazing intricacies of pack life Patricia Briggs has created. I love her wolves, and their politics. How they live so closely as pack, yet are always on the verge of violence. I adore their dynamics and how Mercy has come to fit in. But – we don’t get that in this book. Adam and Mercy are removed from pack (or as much as they can be) in this one. I miss that. I know I sound greedy because we do get awesome Adam and Mercy stuff, but I will be looking forward getting back to pack life hopefully in the next one.
Overall I enjoyed this book. Like I said, we see a side of Adam that made me smile. Don’t worry, he totally loses it a few times and his alpha, growly, wolf takes over. But it is a very romantic, quieter side we see.
He smiled at me. “Go to sleep.”
I waited three seconds. “Are we there yet?”
His smile widened, and the last of the usual tension melted from his face. For a smile like that I’d….do anything.
The mystery and conflict are interwoven into Mercy’s ancestry and I think this look at who Mercy is and where she comes from really makes you understand Mercy better.
This book is definitely one of the more romance oriented books in the series. While I don’t think a sex scene in every book is necessary for this series, I do think this book really could have benefited from at least one. You can think me shallow for saying that – but once you read this book you might understand why I say that.
Patricia Briggs continues to write one of the best written urban fantasy series out there. If you don’t read this series, pick up Moon Called immediately. You will not be disappointed.
Rating: B
Recent Reviews:
The Book Lush – 5/5
Goodreads
Author’s Website l Series Listing
Amazon l Kindle l Nook l Book Depository
Patricia Briggs will be on tour in March for River Marked. Here are the dates and locations:
TUESDAY, MARCH 1st
7:30 PM PST
HASTINGS (9745-Richland)
1425 GEORGE WASHINGTON WAY
Richland, WA 99354
(509)-946-1060 (store)
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2nd
7:00 PM CST
BORDERS BOOKS
1500 16th St Ste D
Oak Brook, IL 60523
(630)-574-0800 (store)
THURSDAY, MARCH 3rd
7:30 PM EST
BORDERS BOOKS & MUSIC
Crossroads Center
5871 Crossroads Center Way
Bailey’s Crossroads, VA 22041
(703)-998-0404 (store)
FRIDAY, MARCH 4th
7:00 PM CST
BARNES & NOBLE
2100 North Snelling Ave
Roseville, MN 55113
(651)-639-9256 (store)
SATURDAY, MARCH 5th
6:00 PM CST
MURDER BY THE BOOK
2342 Bissonnet St
Houston, TX 77005
(713)-524-8597 (store)
SUNDAY, MARCH 6th
2:00 PM PST
MYSTERIOUS GALAXY
7051 Clairemont Mesa Blvd Ste 302
San Diego, CA 92111
(858)-268-4747 (store)
MONDAY, MARCH 7th
7:00 PM PST
UNIVERSITY BOOKSTORE
4326 University Way NE
Seattle, WA 98105
(206)-634-3400 (store)
TUESDAY, MARCH 8th
7:00 PM PST
POWELL’S BOOKS
Cedar Hills Crossing
3415 SW Cedar Hills Blvd
Beaverton, OR 97005
503-643-3131
squeee!!!! I <3 Adam and Mercy. This one was so good from their relationship stand point.
I so eated up this book (pun intended!) I loved it. I agree this book really focuses on Adam and Mercy's relationship and I think the time away from the pack is a good thing because it really explored the emotional/personal issues between them without the pack politics colouring it.
I also loved the insights/knowledge we got about Mercy's heritage – DID not see that happening! Can't wait for more :D
I have mixed feelings now… you *almost* had me convinced to lay out the $12.99, which I still consider absurd for any Kindle book, but then you said there's no sex… egad. I'm even more shallow, then. I have read the rest of the books, and enjoyed them, but if you are going to have a couple-focused book that is more romance-oriented, and then have no sex….I'm not sure I actually do want to lay out the funds for that…
Sam
*happysigh* I can't wait to read it.
Tori – it is! it is!
Has – yes – I loved the stuff with Mercy's heritage. This series is so good!
Samantha – wellll…like I said – sex isn't necessary for every book in this series…buttttt…I wish we would have had one here. But – big things happen in this book..I think you don't want to miss the other stuff!
Angie – :)
So exeictd I found this article as it made things much quicker!
I agree with you about how Briggs writes the werewolf pack. I've always thought that was brilliant. And those quotes! Reading this one soon…can't wait! Very nice review Mandi. :)
*drools a bit* I need this book, I need it bad. But will get it later in the spring :)
ARGH! I can't wait for this one :)
I know it's going to be hard waiting for a new Mercy until 2013 :(
I can't wait for this one!! I already pre-ordered it!! Is it here yet?!?!
I love reading about the pack, I guess I'm a bit disappointed that we won't be getting much of that.
Lots of Adam and Mercy is good. I've read the first chapter online, and I love it – I'm guessing that might be the thing that's on the cover of the book, maybe?
Can't wait to read the book, I love her writing, but a little disappointed about no sex scene and not much pack. I know I'll love the book anyway, but those would have made it great.
Hopefully I'll be able to read a copy soon!
~Ailsa
Julie – Love her pack politics!
Blodeuedd – *wipes drool*
Danielle – zomg..I know..2013 is so far away!
Nicole – looking forward to your thoughts!
Ailsa – Yes – first chapter you learn what I didn't want to mention. Maybe it is common knowledge? It isn't that big of a surprise…but I loved :) Hope you enjoy!
I see. I read that chapter and I was just like, 'WAIT, did I miss something? Did this come up in the last book at all?'
It completely took me by surprise. But it was a nice surprise.
I meant to go back to see how the last book ended…but I forgot. Either way – it was a verra nice beginning! :)
Oh, I can't wait to read this! I <3 Adam and Mercy so big :)
no sex??? oh no!!! I'm super shallow I need the sex!! 2013???!!! why? thats ridiculous!
I still need to catch up on this series. Thanks for telling me about the spoiler in the blurb, I won't be reading it, for sure. I rarely read the blurbs on the series I read anyway – I need surprise!
Adam = awesomesauce. And I totally agree with you about Mercy. She is the full package.
I got anemail from the Book Depository a couple of days ago so I should have my copy in about 10 days – I can hardly wait. I love Adam.
No sex scene between Adam and Mercy? :(
Lots of Adam and Mercy together (or Adam in general)? :D
Are…are you seriously serious? Mercy and Adam together are the worst part of the series, and Adam alone is a close second. How is his "his alpha, growly, wolf" in any way desirable? He's controlling and mindless and abusive. I just, I don't get that at all. Please explain.
In absolutely no way do I think Adam is abusive. I said this on twitter..but Alpha does not equal Abusive. Or at least in the books that I read. EVER.
Maybe this series isn't for you :)
Alpha =! abusive or controlling.
I'm not caught up with the series, I'm at book 4, but Adam has never struck me as an overly controlling sort.
I've enjoyed the series as much as I have because Mercy's capable and humble at the same time. I like that she defers to others' judgement at times, including Adam's. It shows confidence, to me. I'm sick of the go it alone, come hell or high water, UF heroine. That's not strength to me, that's hubris.
Kayla+Cyna
I agree with Mandi – can you please point out where he has been abusive/controlling and mindless in the books? I may have missed this in the books – can you please point them out to us?
Not saying the characters don't have their faults and Mercy herself has said that werewolves especially alpha ones are control freaks – but Adam has never hit/beaten up Mercy.
Adam has never dictated on how she should behave, even when he has ordered her to do things she has managed to ignore it when she disagreed with him or agreed with it when he made sense. And when it did made sense it was for her best interest again, which Mercy agrees with is that an action of a mindless or abusive man or one who cares and loves for the woman who loves? Adam also listens to Mercy and respects her decisions and has given her space- never in the books has he forced her to do anything.
He has never belittled her or undermined her.
Also Mercy knew what she is getting herself into when she got involved and mated with a werewolf but she she can defend herself when she needs to – Just because she's not physically powerful it doesn't mean she doesn't know how to deal and interact in different ways.
I know readers can read a lot of things into books/characters but one thing for sure – abusive is definitely I can't see in this series/characters. And I have read my fair share where it has been the case.
I agree with Mandi, Ridley and Has. Adam has never been abusive – he's been exceptionally patient with Mercy, allowing her to take her time to decide whether or not she wanted a relationship with him, even though this meant great strain to the pack and his power base as alpha – he would have accepted (albeit sadly) Mercy choosing someone else but he never pressured her into the relationship – even to the point that he didn't tell her the significance to the pack/himself of his declaration that she was his mate – he let her think that was just for her protection so that she wouldn't feel forced. His treatment of her after the events of Iron Kissed showed his love for her even more so, as well as his patience and devotion – no abuse or mindlessness there.