Mercy Strange

Legal Magick #2

by Alisa Woods

Some Talents are too dangerous to keep.

MERCY STRANGE—Genetic Research Lead, Strange Medical Technologies
There’s a madman who calls himself a scientist… and I have to stop him. Never mind that his med-magick drugs might be the key to my own research. Never mind that his red-and-yellow pill tempts me with the promise of turning off a Talent I’d give anything to erase. The madman developed his med-magick with an illegal drug trial, performing experiments on people like my father—and using my own family’s company to do it! The madman will pay for that, even if I have to hunt him down myself. I’ll train the FBI’s insanely sexy field agent to go undercover after the killer, but when this is done, I’ll be taking that pill… and finally destroying the part of me that’s too dangerous to keep.

SWIFT PAYNE—FBI, Science and Magick Lab
This is just another job. I keep telling myself that, but Mercy’s emotional soundscape sings to me like no other. There’s so much she’s hiding, just under the surface. She doesn’t know what I am—few people do—and it needs to stay that way. Because I’m not just following leads to find our serial-killer-by-drugs—I’m investigating her. And if she’s dirty in this, I’ll have to march her out in handcuffs. Or get yanked from the case. Or get sent back to the military work I barely escaped. Mercy’s dangerously tempting, but I can’t go back there again. Yet I can’t seem to tear myself away from the music of her oh-so-brilliant mind...

Someone’s developed a drug that can erase magickal Talents… and they need to be stopped before they kill anyone else. Swift’s Talent is secret, and Mercy’s secret is her Talent. But they have to work together to find the mad scientist with the killer drugs… before he unleashes them on the streets of Chicago.

Mercy Strange is the second book in the paranormal romantic suspense series Legal Magick. The series follows the three Strange sisters, each powerful witches in an influential magickal family embroiled in a mysterious plot to change everything about the magickal world. Legal Magick takes place in an alternate Chicago where High Magick returned in 1859 and is now integral in every aspect of the legal—and illegal—world. Each book is a standalone romance.

Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Audiobook, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance

376 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 28, 2019

About the author

Alisa Woods, Paranormal Romance Author

GET A FREE STORY: http://smarturl.it/AlisaNewsletter

Reading Order:
Dot Com Wolves (formerly Shifters in Seattle)
Claiming Mia (Book 1)
Saving Arianna (Book 2)
A Christmas Wish (Book 3)

Riverwise Private Security
Jaxson (Book 1)
Jace (Book 2)
Jared (Book 3)

Wilding Pack Wolves
Wild Game (Book 1)
Wild Love (Book 2)
Wild Heat (Book 3)
Wild One (Book 4)
Wild Fire (Book 5)
Wild Magic (Book 6)

Fallen Immortals
Lucian & Arabella
Kiss of a Dragon (Book 1)
Heart of a Dragon (Book 2)
Fire of a Dragon (Book 3)
Leonidas & Rosalyn
Chosen by a Dragon (Book 4)
Seduced by a Dragon (Book 5)
Touched by a Dragon (Book 6)
Leksander & Erelah
Loved by a Dragon (Book 7) 
Marked by a Dragon (Book 8) 
Claimed by a Dragon (Book 9)

Of Bards and Witches (Book 10) Leonidas's Story

Fallen Angels
A Deadly Sin (Book 1)
Guardian of Light (Book 2)
The Sin of Wrath (Book 3)
Seraphim (Book 4)
Prince of Shadow (Book 5)
Tempted: Tajael's Story
Kiss of an Angel: A Christmas Story

Legal Magick
Ever Strange (Book 1)
Mercy Strange (Book 2)
Verity Strange (Book 3)

Broken Souls
My Dragon Lord (Book 1)
My Dragon Keeper (Book 2)
My Dragon Mate (Book 3)
My Dragon Bodyguard (Book 4)
My Dragon Lover (Book 5)
My Dragon Master (Book 6)

Reviews

[Montzalee Wittmann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mercy Strange
(Legal Magick #2)
by Alisa Woods
I really enjoyed book one but I didn't enjoy this one as much. It seemed to have too much romance/lust in it. I don't mind that if the plot and characters are the main focus but I think they got lost a bit in this book. I still found the fantasy aspect interesting. I gave it 2 1/2 stars rounding up to 3.

[Shelley C · Rating 5 out of 5]

The mystery is starting to unravel❣️

Mercy is the middle Strange sister and focuses all her time working with her father in their research regarding genetics! Now it appears someone is making drugs and using these to essentially switch off Talents that are within those in the magick community. When her sister, Ever shows up with her new FBI boyfriend and he brings someone for her to tutor in her specialty....there is an instant attraction which Mercy and Swift both try to ignore😍

Swift is working for the FBI but he needs to focus on his mission rather than the alluring Mercy Strange. They both have secrets which will either bring them closer together or push them further apart! But they also have a madman to contend with and have to stop him before more magick people die❣️

A great story and I look forward to Verity and seeing if Mercy can convince her to help in their endeavour😁

[Trish R. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t like Mercy at all. First, she had purple lipstick on and a spiderweb painted around her eye, then she had turquoise lipstick on, that was smeared across Mercy’s and Swift’s mouths after their kiss, then she had black lipstick on. So, I’m guessing this book was aimed at teens and YA’s, and not grown-ups. That doesn’t sound like the way a twenty-eight-year-old genius would dress when she’s at the office. For me, the way she dressed, and her make-up were a real turnoff. It was hard to take her serious when she was talking, and I would picture how she looked. It really was laughable.

If there’s another book in this series I won’t be reading it. The story was ok, about them trying to find some mad scientist who was killing people while trying to change their magic or take it away all at once and the people would die.

There was a lot more sexual feelings in this book, and sex, than the other so I didn’t enjoy it as much. And the F-bomb was used 107 times.

(BTW I did end up zipping through the pages from 59% to 90% just to see how it ended.)

As to the narration: OMG! Why in the hell would you change narrators and choose Summer Roberts, of all people? She’s one of the worst female narrators out there! Didn’t you listen to her first? All her men sound just like women! She doesn’t even try to sound masculine. If it hadn’t been for Alexander Cendese I would have stopped listening as soon as Swift Payne opened his mouth, when Ms. Roberts was reading. Hate to say it but she’s awful. BUT if you don’t mind your hero sounding like a girl, I guess she’s great.

[E.G. Manetti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good premise and excellent page turning plot, but I did not find either main character super interesting.

[Shoshanah Lila · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very engaging read filled with characters we can emphathise with, opposing maniacal villians, set in a magical yet belivable Chicago. This is part two of a three-part series, so it's not over quite yet and two out of three sisters have found their heart-mates in the form of rugged FBI agents. Will this trend continue in book three? This reader hopes so. This story is somewhat like watching a paranormal NCIS episode. Fans of the Rachel Morgan series will also find themselves caught up in the struggles of Ms. Woods writing. I already have book three qued up on my reader.

[Erin Penn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second in the Legal Magick series (the first book is free by the way, a typical marketing ploy to hook you into a series which Alisa Woods uses to her advantage), Mercy Strange is about the middle sister of the Chicago business royalty magick-medical-tek business family. She takes after her father, concentrating on the research end of things unlike her older sister Ever who runs the business itself.

This book picks up where the last book leaves off on the suspense portion of the series. Each book within the series is a self-contained romance, and each suspense portion can stand alone but feeds into the overarching plot. The balance between the paranormal, the romance, and the suspense for this series is pitch perfect.

I especially love Mercy's affection of Victorian garb and weird face makeup. It is well done, her obsession with the strange and macabre - her careful attention to her makeup and clothes, her unusual decoration choices in her house. Rich gives you a chance to be eccentric and Mercy revels in it, all while diving into her work ethic of medical research.

Good book, good characters, good story.

[Shawna Sears · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mercy Strange, book 2 in the Legal Magick series, lives up to the first one! I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed Ever's and Zane's book, but this one managed to keep up great. Heads up, it's not a standalone, so please read Ever Strange first or you'll be mightily confused (and why on earth WOULND'T you read Ever's book? Seriously. It's awesome).

Mercy is the middle sister of the Strange family (I adore how that comes out) and Mrs. Woods does a good job of giving her a middle sibling feel: she faces similar issues that her older sister deals with, but rather than beating them into submission she just tries to fix. I like that the sisters had different ways of dealing with their deadly special Talents. Mercy hides hers from even her family and holds a good bit of self-loathing close to the vest as well, though she doesn't 'hide' that as she wears clothing to advertise exactly how off-limits she sees herself. Fun clothes, I might add.

Swift Payne (and the joke was made, thank goodness) is Mercy's perfect match, I have to say. A secret agent even in the FBI, he, like Zane from the first book, possesses an illegal Talent: he hears, and can control, emotions. I really liked getting to understand this Talent, and really feel for him. Swift is Zane's opposite in personality, which was fun to experience. Though his past was very unfortunate and not at all pleasant, he keeps an overall positive attitude and maintains his zeal for life despite his circumstances.

The two make a very interesting set and their adventure in continuing the search for the culprit behind the murders and Talent theft is both enlightening and heart breaking. We learn a few things, but the biggest questions still remain and the end of the book is a drop off for Verity's upcoming book. I think the best part of the book was watching Mercy ultimately find her backbone and realize both her worth to her family and herself. Followed closely by Swift's discovery that he doesn't want to loose his Talent, despite it's negative history.

An excellent book, and you should totally give it a go! I'm waiting impatiently for Verity!

[Shayay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting scenario with unique elements. There's an evil scientist trying to find a way to turn magical powers off and on, and he's willing to kill to accomplish it. Love the addition of the magical elements. The connection between Mercy and Swift was sweet; they compliment each other nicely. They also have some good sizzle. Mercy is a bit neurotic and the way the author described her took me out of the story at times; painted on horn eyebrows, what in the heck. I'm fine with goth style, but it was described too often and I kept thinking I was reading about teenagers. Mercy does have a cool intellectual side and she stands up for herself, so in the end, I liked her. I liked Swift too; he's a sweetie. I'm not too keen on the premise for the next book; it doesn't peak my interest, and I feel like Verity will just totally annoy me. She's comes across as too bubbly, flighty, high-strung, and when she wore see-through clothing; I was thinking eww. That's another thing! I don't like how the author has weird scenes with the hero and some other woman in this book and in the first. In this book, Swift stares too long at Verity in her see-through outfit, and I just find that so icky and unnecessary to include in the story. That's Mercy's sister! It didn't add anything, so what's the point. In the first book, Zane was too touchy feely with some other female character besides Ever; it's just something that rubs me the wrong way. The first 2 books were entertaining though, so I'll probably end up checking it out. Maybe Verity won't actually be such a ditz.

I listened to the audio and I liked both the male and female narrator, but the I did not like the male narrator's female voices. Still a solid performance.

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book and can't wait for the third one to come out. Just a few little things that stripped it of five stars. Warning, spoilers. Don't read any further if you aren't ready...

1. There was one point where Mercy needs to escape the police so they smuggle her back into her office. They go through all the effort of making clothes that disguise her as a Simple in order to get her in. Then she goes and paints her face with all her witchy makeup (heavy black eyes, black lips etc). Swift internally comments on how no one could ever believe she is a Simple with her face like that, but he is thinking how wonderful it is that even during this time, they can't take away her witchiness. I'm thinking: "Why are you praising the fact that she has just undone all your work turning her into a Simple by putting makeup on her face? Can't she just go without for one afternoon for the sake of avoiding the police?" The frustration diminished my enjoyment a little.

2. To me, it started to get really obvious that Mr Spiritual (as I call him) is in on it all, and I can't believe that all the FBI, Mercy and Nia, together, can't work it out. I mean, he is a sociopath. The other guy they are tracking is an invited guest on his panel, a panel the man didn't fit on. He doesn't normally come to conferences, but he chooses to talk at this one and ends up the site of the demonstration. Those are some serious coincidences that no one stops to ask about. Even when he gives everyone back their magic, it seems to take the FBI/Swift/Mercy a while to question whether he is in on it. Seriously??? Very frustrating.

[Mandy (MP Book Reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Witch Mercy Strange is a genetic research lead in her family's medical technology company. She is trying to work out how the new drug that can turn people's magick talents on and off works. It stems from the illegal drugs trade and was illegally tested on real people (her father was one of them). She also has a hidden agenda - one of her own talents is too dangerous and so she wants to take it herself. In order to succeed she has to train the FBI's very sexy field agent so he can go undercover. FBI Agent Swift Payne keeps telling himself this is just another job, but Mercy and her emotional soundscape are singing to him and he is trying to tell himself repeatedly that this is just a job. He can tell she is hiding a lot below the surface but so is he. He needs to make sure for himself that she is not dirty in this. With Swift having a secret talent and Mercy having a talent that is a secret, can they work together and get to the bottom of this illegal drug that is so dangerous?

This was a great second instalment in the series and developed our knowledge of the secret drug further. I loved the dynamic between Mercy and Swift which started with suspicion and mistrust and over time developed into something which became love and a need to protect each other. I loved the way it ended and was thrilled with the way that Mercy handled the threat to them both from the sections in the FBI and associated agencies. The so-called monk in the story seems to be a character so much more investigations in the next part of this gripping story. Well written and easy to understand. Contains some sexual content.

[Maylanie Bosgieter · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was alright. Not the best but not the worst. The science aspect and psyOPS kind of ruined for me. The situation with the psyOPS given the climate of this book makes sense. However I just didn’t like it because it just represents what’s wrong in our society. The game to be the most powerful and not caring how you get there. I understand the focus of this book was not the psyOPS but they seemed more dangerous than the People they were hunting. Davil or something like that reminds me of Amanda Waller and her sucide squad and I was not looking for that. That type of thing just doesn’t sit well with me. I don’t believe people are expendable and the author wrote the script well enough for me to feel righteous anger about that organization. I’m not sure if that the intention but that how I feel. I was looking for a romance with adventure. And the romance was barely there I expected that in a religious book but not by an author who is known for her more erotic writing. But on the bright side there was a plot which can sometimes become dismissive it that genre. Ephis storm or whatever was well written to because I found myself easily hating him and I feel sorry for the people wrapped up in his cult especially if he’s using some sex induction magic. I know it’s all fake but it makes me feel for the woman that he could have abused. Even though this is fake there are still people like that who brainwashed people and it just makes me sad.

[Kay Darius · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’d love to see this become a movie!

I’ve read several Series by Ms Alisa Woods and have always enjoyed the stories/worlds she’s created. This is definitely a darker series than any other I’ve read from her in the past and I’m hooked! Yes, this is a Suspense, SciFi, Paranormal Romance, but it’s also about “Family”. I love how the Strange Family love each other. Through good and bad, they are there for each other. I was ready to cry with Mercy when her Dad said, “It’s okay to cry” when she was overwhelmed with the love she was receiving from her family. “That’s what families do.” Was Dad’s response.

The Love Story of Swift and Mercy. O-M-G!!! It took along time for them to truly let go and give in to their feelings, but, when it happens, it was well worth the wait! They reach their HEA, but there’s more down the pike for them. I can’t wait to see more of them along with Ever and Zane in Book 3.

I’d LOVE a story about Nia!! WoW! What would it take for a guy to break through her barriers to get her to love him! I can’t remember if she was gay or not in the first book. Even if so, maybe she could be bi. ;-)

This is a much longer review than I normally write. It’s just a testament to how much I’m enjoying these novels and this Series as a whole. I’d LOVE to see the Series turned into a movie. The Action-packed Plot, the visuals, it would be ah-may-zing!! While I wait for that, I’m looking forward to Book 3 and Verity Strange’s Love Story.
I received and voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Things really get exciting as Ever's sister Mercy tries to unlock the secrets of the drug that can turn on, or off, magical abilities. She is thrown for a loop when FBI agent Swift Payne shows up to work the case. He needs an in at the drug company the Strange family owns and where the drugs silently originated. He actually works for a secret section of the FBI and his talent is illegal so he is closely monitored. He "hears" emotions and can manipulate them. What he hears from Mercy intrigues him, and she is immediately on to him when he tries to manipulate her so that is a no-go. He can tell she is hiding something but he has no idea what.

Mercy has a talent that no one knows about but her, and she plans to keep it that way. She hopes this new drug will allow her to turn it off, if she can just figure out how the drug works. The more she and agent Payne learn the more concerned she is that this drug could change everything, and not in a good way. Meanwhile, her feelings for Swift grow she she has no idea what to do with them. She is aware that he too has secrets and they when this case is over he will be gone. She is also worried about her sister Verity who has gotten herself mixed up with a cult leader, a dangerous cult leader.

I won a copy of this audio book and am voluntarily reviewing it. I do own the ebook version. Can't wait to read the next one in the series.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of "MERCY STRANGE" OMG!!!! What an extremely well written paranormal romance that pulls you right in there's suspense, secrets, intrigue, drama, mystery, passion, twists that have you on the edge of you seat.
Mercy Strange is a Genetic Research Lead at Strange Medical Technologies she's on the hunt for a madman who developed a pill that takes away talent from this with special magick talent.
Mercy thinks this pill could be used in her own research to turn off her magick which she'd be glad to get rid of but she needs to find the madman before he kills more people like her father doing experiments.
Swift Payne is FBI he works in the PsyOps Secret Crime Division he's going to work with Mercy only because he needs to be close because he's investigating her she has a pull on him it's like she's music to his mind.
This is definitely a must read tbe story line was flowed perfectly and tbe characters are captivating, interesting, entertaining and we'll developed the chemistry between Mercy and Swift is undeniable they make a great couple.
I would highly recommend to read this book but you should read the first book before this one it's a terrific series I can't wait for the next installment. AWSOME AWESOME SERIES so well worth the read!!!!!!

[Cindy Caron · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a brilliant tale Ms. Woods has woven. The Strange sisters are at it again! This time, we delve into the life of Mercy, a brilliant young scientist with a deadly secret she hasn't shared with anyone....yet. Set in her compact life of work, work and more work, her whole being is upset the moment she meets FBI agent Swift Payne. Not only is he the most "oozing hot sex" man she has ever met, he also sets off every warning bell in her body and mind. When these two find themselves in the same room together, it's almost instant combustion. Will they ever manage to crack the case? Or will they burn the house down trying?
A wonderful read that is extremely hard to put down once you start. Ms. Woods has a true talent for not only expressing her wonderfully wicked imagination through her work, but keeping her reader totally enthralled until the end.
This episode ended in a bit of a cliff hanger, but only because the story continues with Verity's story. I'm looking forward to part 3.
I received a gifted copy of this book and am voluntarily giving my honest opinion.

[Tammy Northington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mercy's a magick scientist trying to break down the drug that's been used to turn off Talents for magick enhanced people, one of which is her father. Swift Payne is employed by the FBI in the PsyOps division who has been sent in to keep tabs on Mercy as she's a person of interest as someone who could manufacture this drug. With her help, Swift gets in to another lab that they own where he gets his hands on all of their data. He gives her a copy & during her review she starts to notice things that could be clues as to where this drug will be "demonstrated." It's a race against time to try to stop this, but things spiral & go so very wrong.

You can't help but love Mercy's quirks & how she loves to dress in death clothes with funky face makeup. This story is packed with action and does end on a cliffhanger. You have to read the first book, Ever Strange, for you to enjoy this story. Put it on your TBR list.

[Cmoore · Rating 3 out of 5]

After finishing Ever Strange, the story ARC kept nagging at me, so I broke down and picked up the next one in the series, and I gotta say that these stories seem a tad formulaic! Again we have another bad boy monster, Swift Payne, watching Mercy (Ever's sister). To Swift, she's just another job assignment. He's yet another FBI agent, looking for evidence proving that Mercy's somehow involved in the manufacture of a highly illegal drug... But, holy gods, the story and the chemistry between them heats up quicker than a bar-room brawl on a Hot August night, while the story unfolds! So really, a big thumbs up for getting me past the beginning and writing another engaging story, but damn... it's left us clutching at the edge of a deep canyon!
I felt that Summer Roberts was a better storyteller than Alexander Cendese, 'cause he really needs a chill pill, or maybe a time out as he goes a little overboard...

[Patricia Hoffstaetter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this marvelous, paranormal mystery romance, it is the second book in the series “Legal Magick” The story-line and plot is intriguing, well-thought out and written. The characters are well-developed with complex personalities which occasionally results in verbal confrontation but at other times they entwine fairly well with each other.
There is: a smart but insecure magick witch/scientist (Mercy), a talented man with hidden intentions (Swift), FBI criminal Magick Department, crime syndicates, twists & turns, intrigue, suspense, attractions, deceit, betrayal, action, danger, enemies, violence, conflict, threats, secrets, a bio weapon, undercover assignment, investigations, verbal conflict, spells, devious plans, manipulations, confrontations, explanations, ultimatums & some steam. I look forward to the next book in this series with great anticipation.

[Jennifer Prescott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mercy is working to help figure out how the new drug that her sister Ever (Ever Strange: Legal Magick #1) uncovered before something horrific happens. And then she is paired with FBI agent Swift Payne who is there undercover to infiltrate the research company the Strange family owns that they have traced the drugs back to. And to see if she has any hand in creating this drug. She is cleared, but she is hiding her own secret talent that is dangerous and illegal that she desperately wants to be rid of. Together, she & Swift figure out several critical plots and develop a desire for each other that is getting hotter during the time they spend together. This book was great, and I'm really looking forward to reading the next book to discover more about this mystery. Ms. Woods delivers a well woven story!

[Jocelyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Legal Magick Series, a great paranormal romantic suspense. This time, this is Mercy Strange story. The story continues where the last ended. Mercy and Swift are great and strong characters. Mercy is a Genetic Research Lead at Strange Medical Technologies, her family empire. Swift is an FBI agent at Science and Magick Lab. They are both powerful (secret power) and strong. The storyline is as suspenseful as the first book, and we get to know more about the intrigue and mystery. I love to have both POV. I love the sisterhood and family spirit in this story. Once again, the story has a great HEA for now, but ends with a cliffhanger/introduction to Verity story. Summer Roberts and Alexander Cendese did a great job to bring to life this amazing and suspenseful story. I love their voices together. I enjoyed listening this story/Series.

[Frances Law · Rating 5 out of 5]

The society Miss and the pauper!

Another gripping romance from Alisa Woods! Mercy is Ever Strange’s sister. She is the reclusive scientist who is determined to find out who is behind the drug that takes away people’s magic! But, she isn’t happy when she has an FBI agent thrust upon her. Something isn’t right with Agent Payne and she wants to tell him to get lost but... there’s just something about him. Swift Payne quickly realises that Mercy is suspicious and pulls in his magic. He needs her to give him credence with the company that he needs to infiltrate. That is in addition to investigating Mercy herself for who better to develop the sophisticated drug than her? The problem is that he doesn’t want her to have been involved because there’s just something about her.

[Christine Karmelreads2665 W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Swift Mercy

Book two was just as wonderful as book one. Once you start reading it is hard to put down.

Mercy is Uber smart but insecure when it comes to her Talent.b Family is extremely important to her and she will do whatever is necessary to protect them from harm.

Swift has a Talent that once people know about it all they want to do is use him. He has never had anyone to honestly care for him and he thinks it will never happen.

These two will come together for a case but will they figure it out before the magic world is terrorize?

I have voluntarily read and reviewed but because I am a big fan of the author whose books are marvelous.

[Linda Levine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mercy has her secrets and they are getting harder to hide as she investigates the people who almost killed her father. Swift has his secrets too and one is he is investigating her. They will have to trust one another if they want to find those responsible for killing so many.

The sisters in the series are very different from one another. Mercy likes to keep her distance from others and focus on work. Her father almost dying really shocked her into action. She is not sure what to make of Swift. He has an agenda but she can't resist the attraction. I really liked the chemistry between them. They make for a great couple.

I am voluntarily reviewing a copy I received.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mercy is a force to reckoned with and she proves it in this second book of the strange sisters. She's on the hunt to decipher the Scientist's pill that takes away magic and stop him before he can kill more people. Swift Payne is a member of the FBI's secret division where forbidden talents get put to good use and he Mercy team up to take down the bad guy once and for all, but will they be able to? I was on the edge of my seat through this whole book. The chemistry between Payne and Mercy was so thick I could have cut it and the danger felt like it would leap off the pages. I cannot wait for the next installment. Excellent series. I volunteered to read this book.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the 2nd in the series and it's lacking in many ways compared to the first.
Too much teenage angst "I'm so bad I have to keep it secret and revel in my sadness".
Mercy is immature and judgemental about everyone so I guess it's not surprising that she hasn't bothered working on herself.
Supposed to be 26 but acts more like 18.

I skipped a lot of pages because I was bored with the over description of tech world and over explaining possible scenarios.
Mercy was boring and Swift was full of self-hate.
I hope the next book is better but since the last sister is even younger I doubt I'll be impressed...

[Candy Laine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mercy's story continues what started off in the first book with Ever. The sisters are trying to figure out who is killing people with magic and then reviving them. What is it that he hopes to achieve. Mercy is a genius and needs to replicate the drugs antidote.
Swift is an FBI agent with a secret past. A place where he escaped from and will not like to return. Unfortunately, as he gets closer to Mercy, he realizes that with her power, she needs more protection than he can provide.
Very interesting...waiting for the last installment...

[Kathy Zuercher Diveley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mercy and Swift

Mercy is the medical genius of three witch sisters. Swift is sent from the FBI and PsyOps to help her and keep an eye on her, as she is a suspect in the production of the magic controlling drug. They narrow down the production of the drug to Toban Raine who runs one of her manufacturing plants. But when the FBI goes to take him into custody, he has disappeared. Mercy figures out when he is going to test the drug, but doesn't get there in time, and people die. She figures out two more times of testing and finally the FBI catches him, but he's killed.

[Brad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engrossing with Great Plot Twists

It’s pretty clear from the start that Mercy and Swift are destined to be together. It’s anything but clear how that can or will ever happen.

This continues the story started in Ever Strange, but can be read as the starting point (with only a little loss of background). The characters are well developed and the plot keeps you invested in the outcome.

While this book brings closure to part of the story, it clearly sets up the third book - Verity Strange.

I enjoyed the story and heartily recommend it.

[DMA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb read!

Brilliant second book in the series! It really ramps up the different types of magic there are in this superbly built world!
I loved Mercy as much as I did Ever despite the fact they are so different! Swift is a wonderful character who you empathise with straight away!
Great twists and turns in the story, they will keep your head spinning!
I love the idea of 'soundscape'!! This author has a compelling imagination!
Can't wait for book three!

[Lynall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic imaginative romantic story, Mercy Strange is the second sister in the Strange family, she finds her soul mate but he works for the FBI and is investigating her. There is magic and murders and gene sequencing. It is just a fabulous story, and totally engaging. I cannot wait for the next book to come out to see what happens to the next sister.