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Mercy Thompson #1-6

Mercy Thompson Series Collection

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Includes River Marked, Silver Borne, Bone Crossed, Iron Kissed, Blood Bound, Moon Called.

1975 pages, Paperback

First published July 22, 2011

16 people are currently reading
818 people want to read

About the author

Patricia Briggs

132 books30k followers
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Patricia Briggs was born in Butte, Montana, to a children’s librarian who passed on to her kids a love of reading and books. Patricia grew up reading fairy tales and books about horses, and later developed an interest in folklore and history. When she decided to write a book of her own, a fantasy book seemed a natural choice. Patricia graduated from Montana State University with degrees in history and German and she worked for a while as a substitute teacher. Currently, she lives in Montana with her husband, children, and six horses and writes full time, much to the delight of her fans.

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5 stars
1,197 (73%)
4 stars
345 (21%)
3 stars
72 (4%)
2 stars
10 (<1%)
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4 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
Profile Image for Tracey.
71 reviews
February 4, 2012
I read the six books (to date) in this series within a month and a half, around the winter holidays: Patricia Briggs's urban fantasy centered around coyote shapeshifter Mercy Thompson flipped my happy switch right away. Mercy shifts form at will--a gift from her dead Native American father--and tries to live a clean life working as sole mechanic at her garage. She specializes in Volkswagons (though her name gets punned on very little), lives with her Manx cat, Medea, and tries to pay her bills on time. Oh, and she was raised by werewolves, has her trailer just outside an Alpha werewolf's home, and counts a metalsmithing fae and a vampire among her closest friends, both of whom are old and dangerous.

In Briggs's alternate world, the fae have been "outed" and get treated with suspicion by humans and other non-humans alike. Mercy's coyote self gives her access to the rest of the hidden realm, those who pass as humans to help preserve their own kind. Each book in the series deals with a particular element of the nonhuman realm; Moon Called centers on werewolves, namely, Mercy's intriguing neighbor and his pack. The others alternate focus among vampires and the fae, with werewolves always being involved, because Mercy is ever involved. Unwilling detective but tough, loving person that she is, Mercy entangles herself in the problems of her nearest and dearest, making her a threat--or a desirable acquisition--to powerful forces. The novels read like good mysteries, with the parameters of the problems mapped out well.

In any fantasy story, whether it concerns the afterlife or fairies or another planet or talking animals, I ask myself, "Did it have to be X?" That is, did this story require talking fish or rabbits or wizards or aliens, or could the story have been told with regular old humans and not lost anything? Patricia Briggs answers that question for me beautifully: Her tales are purely supernatural, paranormal, otherworldly. The rules she writes are werewolf rules, vampire rules, fae rules...and coyote rules. And Briggs's coyote, Mercy Thompson, rules.
Profile Image for Maša.
888 reviews
March 2, 2016
I'm dropping this after I read the first 4 books.

It was a ride downhill, from the interesting beginning, intriguing world, and characters to boring, cliché relationships, inconsistent world-building, and "every other female than me is a villain or incompetent in some way" syndrome that I came to despise. I get it that Mercy grew up in a toxic environment for female gender, but I don't get the continuous bashing of every other female close (or seemingly close, in vampire's case) her own age. Also, I'm sick to death of the aggressive romantic partner that our heroine is sometimes scared of. Do you know how we call that in my line of work? Red flag.

Last but not least, I constantly compared this to Kate Daniels and... Bye, Mercy. I just see the potential wasted here.
40 reviews5 followers
February 1, 2012
Rating:4.75

Mercy Thompson is one of the most well-known on-going urban fantasy series out there, written by a famed author.
All 6 books in the series as well as the prequel graphic novel released so far are equally action packed, witty, suspenseful and highly addictive. The series is crammed with were-wolves, not to mention other were animals, witches, shape-shifters, walkers, fae, vampires and various magical creatures.

I know…I know…the covers are a bit tacky…but don’t let yourself judge the story by looking at the covers… :)

[image error]

What I meant is that the girl in the covers doesn't exactly do justice to the MC, appearance or otherwise.

Its main protagonist: Mercy is a coyote turning half Native American walker shape-shifter who had grown up with a clan of werewolves under the shadow of Marrok (Big bad wolf of the North American Continent…. :D) himself in the state of Montana.



I love Mercy’s character. She reminds me a lot of Faythe Sanders from Shifters series by Rachel Vincent (Werecats / Faythe Sanders Series Books 1-5 Stray, Rogue, Pride, Prey & Shift). They both are independent, feisty, sardonic, stubborn, hot-headed, loyal, witty, full of snappy-smartass comebacks and are capable of kicking butt, come to think of it, they both consider butt-kicking is therapeutic… xD



No no..not THAT kind....

Anyway...in the beginning of the series Mercy tries to stay out of any and all were-related business. Wanting to keep her distance from them - especially from her ex-fiancé Samuel (elder son of the Marrok) - she run away from her childhood home Montana and settle down in Tri-Cities, Washington.

When she fails to get a teaching job to match her history field qualifications she reconcile as a mechanic working for a Fae auto repair shop owner; Zee aka Siebold Adelbertsmiter (yeah, I agree...let's stick to Zee… :D) and years after, end up with the shop to herself.

Despite of her struggle to stay away, she wind up been a jolly good neighbor to Adam: the Alpha of the Columbia Basin werewolf pack who claimed her as his ‘mate in name’ against her will, to keep her safe from the other packs (a fact unknown to Mercy ofcz). And eventually she’s been dragged into the middle of were-business which she didn’t wanted any part in, to begin with.

To add fuel to the fire she manages to catch the eye of the local vampire seethe due to her ‘walker’ abilities, regardless of her vamp friend Stephan’s effort to keep her hidden from them.
And ultimately she has to jump into Fae related matters to save Zee which nearly leaves her brain-dead in the end.

In the beginning of the series the existence of her coyote-self is an ‘unknown’ to the reader as well as to her. But after going through 6 books the readers gets to know what and who she really is.

To make things more interesting Patricia has written a spin-off series called Alpha and Omega (On the Prowl, Cry Wolf, Hunting Ground), surrounding Charles (Marrok’s son and Samuel’s brother) and his mate Anna. So if you read this series and liked it, don’t forget to checkout "Alpha and Omega" also.

Profile Image for Bettie Michele.
2 reviews
September 22, 2011
WOW. Is all i can really say about this series. Its intense to the very end of every book. You cant help but wanting to know more and more about Mercy. What will she get into next. Who will be the next freaking to kiss her? What new trouble will she find her self in next? I love this series what more can i say. One thing i can say is no matter who Mercy loves I still like Samuel the best. lol
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
162 reviews7 followers
Read
October 20, 2011
I love this seris. I happened up on it and read everyone of them I could get a hold of. I read all the way to silver borne before I stopped. The last one was ok hopeing the next will be more eventful.
Profile Image for Ashley.
54 reviews1 follower
October 15, 2011
One of my favorite its own original different then laurell k hamilton and true blood series but just as good in my opinion better due to not having sex in every chapter.
Profile Image for Blake.
1,187 reviews42 followers
March 31, 2025
(FYI I tend to only review one book per series, unless I want to change my scoring by 0.50 or more of a star. -- I tend not to read reviews until after I read a book, so I go in with an open mind.)

4.5*

First time read the author's work?: No

Will you be reading more?: Yes

Would you recommend?: Yes


------------
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)

All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked

Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see the stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)
Profile Image for Alisa.
64 reviews
April 7, 2022
I'm really enjoying this series. If anyone enjoys paranormal thrillers these are a fast read with good plot twists & turns and combines multiple supernatural elements (werewolves, vampires, fae, Native American deities, etc). Most notably I'm enjoying the main character special-ness. It's nice to see an author step out of the traditionally used greek / roman / celtic pantheons & deities. Patricia Briggs
4 reviews
April 27, 2019
What can I say about the Mercy Thompson series? The transitions between light and whimsical to dark and menacing are amazing. The blend of European lore with Indigenous American lore was masterfully depicted in every book. This is one of my foundation series that I have re-listened to everytime a new book comes out!!!
Profile Image for Karlyn.
330 reviews
October 21, 2018
I love the Mercy Thompson book series. It has everything that draws me in. A great heroine who is both strong but needs help. A bit of comedy that makes me laugh out loud from time to time. A great world of paranormal. And overall good story telling.
6 reviews
May 2, 2019
This series is phenomenal and I'm not exaggerating when I say I bought and read them all in the span of 2 weeks. Let's just say veeeery little work got done while I enjoyed the stories of the awesome badass Mercy Thompson.
Profile Image for Rica Mayers.
1 review
July 31, 2017
Every single one of these books is amazing I have read them three times now and I'm sure I'll read them again by the time the next one comes
Profile Image for Cassi Coates.
29 reviews1 follower
March 5, 2019
I have read this series about 4 times. I will for sure be listening to it again. This series is amazing! I would highly recommend it.
96 reviews
October 4, 2020
These are fun, easy books - just what I needed to get me through a COVID summer and as a light refresher between other (sometimes more serious) books.
Profile Image for Jeannie.
1,019 reviews30 followers
April 10, 2022
I’ve loved reading everyone of these books. Every book seems to lay another layer to the foundation that is Mercy. I highly recommend this book and series.
Profile Image for Amy.
249 reviews
September 18, 2025
I’m rereading this becasue I hadn’t touched the series since high school. It isn’t as good as I remember but I did like the interesting takes on supernatural creatures even if the side characters were a little flat.
The library has the full set, so I will read the newer ones I hadn’t got to yet as well.
The werewolf pack mechanics don’t bother me as much since wolves who aren’t family members fight a lot in nature but a list of key characters and factions would be great. Mercy states a couple times there are around fifty wolves in Adam’s pack but we ever really only see ten of them. A full pack intodroduction scene, no matter how long would have helped since there is no character map. It even comes up that this full introduction after the mating bond between Marcy and Adam was not done and no good reason was ever given. Marcy doesn’t even sit in on a full pack meeting, she only ever interacts with the top five wolves or bottom two ever.
Since book 5 focused on the pack ranking system, it would have been nice to have a list becasue as a reader, I was blindsided with people I didn’t know when the stakes were so high.
Since a lot of vampire, fae, and wolf politics are determined by who Mercy knows, a list would be good for us too even if Mercy is terrible with names and never remembers her customers outside of nicknames.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Jesse Acosta.
17 reviews3 followers
July 28, 2014
I started reading these after needing a fix from finishing all the Jim Butcher Dresden Files books. While I don't think it's quite as awesome as Dresden files in terms of how the world of magic and man are blended so well and in depth, I really did have fun with the Mercy Thompson series.
When I picked up the first book, I was very afraid it was going to lean more paranormal romance than urban fantasy. I was very pleased that it wasn't so much about romance and junk, and actually told really fulfilling stories.
BTW, I've been living in the Tri Cities for two years now. The local book stores and local comic shop had her come this year and last. After the second time is when I checked out the books because the name kept getting promoted. I'll have to see her next time see promotes the followup book. When the story talks about the Tri Cities, it's very accurate. Obviously many places had to be made up, but where they are is real. I've never read a novel where I lived in the city the author described and could imagine it all from memory. Really nicely done.
Profile Image for Heather Harris.
103 reviews17 followers
April 24, 2016
Considering how many books there are in this continuing series, I wanted to find a collection of as many as I could to rate instead of each individually. This is very much on par with the Dresden series and just as enjoyable. I really like Mercy, the main character, and the development of her and those around her. My only big gripe is with the cover art. I've waffled on buying the books simply because of the horribly misleading cover art - it makes the books look like crappy romance novels with Mercy as a super hot seductress or something. Whoever did it has really not read any of the books, since Mercy is described as a petite, tomboyish car mechanic, not whatever they've put on the cover. I'm sure they did it to try to entice more women to buy it, but I really dislike it. I have zero interest in romance novels at all, and that cover is the only reason I've hesitated to buy the books. But aside from that, the books are great and I'm looking forward to more.
Profile Image for Maria João.
209 reviews5 followers
August 7, 2016
No BookClub RSunshine! do mês de Novembro a autora era Patricia Briggs e eu decidi-me a ler finalmente toda a saga, pelo menos a que está editada em Portugal.
E em boa hora que o fiz. Gostei muito de acompanhar as aventuras desta mecânica tão especial. Acho que dentro do género fantástico esta foi uma aposta fantástica pois têm todos os ingredientes pra nos deixar agarrados da primeira à ultima página. É claro que não gostei de saber que ainda não acaba por aqui, nos EUA já foi publicado o sétimo volume e o oitavo será publicado em Março, agora é só esperar que eles saiam cá todos :)
Bem sem querer entrar em muitos pormenores, gostei de acompanhar o desenvolver da relação entre Mercedes e Sam, para mim foi completamente inesperado, apesar de ter adorado o desenlace final. Gostei que o gremlin tivesse um papel cada vez mais proeminente e o cajado foi demais.
Venha o próximo..
Profile Image for Nadia Jules.
69 reviews2 followers
July 31, 2015
Great series. I didn't think the first book in the series was amazing but decided to keep reading bc of the good reviews. It definitely got better and I enjoyed the way Mercy was written. She's not all powerful, but she's not weak like so many of these books like to do to women. Even though most of the other characters are much more powerful than she is, she holds her own and saves the day over and over again. She also is smart and isn't afraid to speak her mind. And even though she's tough, she's not too hard, she's caring and vulnerable and kind. The books are well paced and well developed. The only book I was disappointed by was the 6th one, I feel like it was lacking when compared to the other books, but I liked that it answered a lot of questions about her character that hadn't been explored in the last 5 books.
Profile Image for refgoddess.
529 reviews3 followers
August 6, 2012
I started this series in the middle, as is often my wont with series. I found myself attracted by the setting (Tri cities area of the Columbia River Gorge) as well as the kick-ass strength of the main character, Mercedes Thompson. The fantasy is an excellent alternative reality, where werewolves, vampires, and "fae" are living among "normal" humans. The social and behavioral laws governing the characters in this series are consistent and believable. I get a little tired of the violence, not to mention the fact that sex is so closely allied to the violence, but there is humor to leaven it, as is appropriate to the coyote shape-shifting character. And it's absorbing enough that I went back to the beginning and have continued to track down Patricia Briggs' books.
Profile Image for Seantheaussie.
947 reviews34 followers
May 10, 2016
I have reread this series and intend to do so every decade for the rest of my life along with
Raymond E Feist's Riftwar and Empire
David Eddings' Belgariad, Mallorean, Elenium and Tamuli
Patricia Briggs' Hurog, Raven, Mercy Thompson and Alpha and Omega
Joel Rosenberg's Keepers of the Hidden Ways (unknown classic)
Dave Duncan's A Man of His Word (unknown classic)
Robin Hobb's Farseer and Tawny Man
S M Stirling's Dies the Fire
Tad William's Memory, Sorrow and Thorn
Ilona Andrews' Kate Daniels
Kevin Hearne's Iron Druid
Joe Abercrombie's the Heroes book
David Gemmell's Drenai
Ann Bishop's Tir Alainn
Profile Image for Alicia Thomas-Woolf.
Author 7 books4 followers
September 1, 2014
Urban fantasy is one of my favourite genres. Of every urban fantasy book or series I have read, for me, the Mercy Thompson series tops them all.
In terms of writing style, character development, voice and artful plotting, Briggs masterfully manages to keep them all going. Mix in an underdog trope, some various fantastical characters, a love interest, continuing mysteries and disgusting anti-heroes with the above and you've got some very solid books on your shelf. I have read mine over and over. I would give this series six stars if I could.
Profile Image for Sarah.
2,122 reviews30 followers
February 6, 2016
I love how Mercy's one of a kind in this story. I love the pack lifestyle and the way that everyone's trying to keep her safe but doesn't quite happen. One of the best mix paranormal series around.
I like that each book leads on to the next. I love that Adam is hard to read at times but deep down just doesn't want to be hurt again and mercy does come across as flighty at time.
This series is one of the best fantasy paranormal scary and romance all rolled into one series if you haven't already read it your missing out.
Profile Image for Rachel.
88 reviews
October 25, 2011
After enjoying the Sookie books, I have been well in need of another series to fire my imagination, and this series delivered. A strong and likeable heroine, werewolves a-plenty, and enough other intriguing supernatural creatures cleverly woven into the stories. I don't know if book 6 was the last one, or if there will be more to follow - I hope it is the latter.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews

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