Paranormal Romance & Urban Fantasy discussion
Urban Fantasy
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Patricia Briggs



The Kitty Serie.. well, the least I say about those the better, I'd hate to upset someone on my first hour of joining this group!... But in brief, I think they're diabolical. To me, they read like they were written by a three year old.. sorry! :) For werewolves and romance,I'd be more inclined to recommend Kelley Armstrong.


I agree, too. I like that Mercy is a supernatural creature, but at the same time she's vulnerable both physically and emotionally. I think heroes that are invincible are terribly boring. If there's no danger, what's the point of writing this character in this story? It's like... god-moding a book. I much prefer the more "human" characters, whether they're human or not.

Keri Arthur writes werewolves pretty well, too.
I like Keri Arthur's books, too. They're very steamy, which is a plus in my book hehe, and she's pretty much the only author I've come across so far that can write a hybrid character (i.e. the vampire/werewolf crossbreed characters) without making me roll my eyes. Other attempts at that seem to be about making the Most Powerful Character EVER, but Keri Arthur's stuff seems much more subtle and believable.

But what was really fun for me, was the fact that it’s set in Tri-Cities, Washington a real place. Where I just happen to have lived all my life - in Richland. It’s really the oddest sensation to actually see the places Pat writes about in the book and know that they're real.

I just picked it up, too, but haven't had a chance to read it yet. I should be reading books for my classes, so I'll be ahead of the game, but... I don't want to put down the romances! I'm trying to cram in as much as I can before grad school starts, because I know I'm going to have to give up reading for pleasure as much as I do. :(
I finished it last night, and while I agree that it was very good, one thing rubbed me wrong about the story.
SPOILERS!!! Do not read this if you haven't read the book yet!!!! (Goodreads really needs a spoiler tag)
The rape and how it was handled really bothered me. I might have already been sensitive to it, having read a few articles about rape earlier in the day, but it seemed like it wasn't dealt with seriously enough. It was a very complicated situation, with the goblet involved, but... I dunno, it just seemed like Mercy got over it way too fast. I appreciated that she was so wrapped up in guilt from the magic, but... bah. I can't quite expressed why it bothered me so much. I just hate it when rape is used as a plot device (thanks to years of rape used as a way to damage male characters in comic books) and isn't dealt with as seriously as it should be. One thing that really bothered me was Adam's assumption that Mercy would be okay with Congress seeing her naked and being raped on the security video. It was necessary for them to see it, but that's a damn big assumption to make.
Anyway, I did really enjoy the book except for that one dark spot. The mystery was excellent and kept me guessing right up until the end, and I'm pleased that Mercy picked Adam over Samuel. I've been vaguely uncomfortable with the idea that Mercy would have to be completely submissive to Adam (and not just in the bedroom, hehe), but I'm pleased that Briggs had Mercy worry about these things and Adam acknowledge and debunk some of her fears.
SPOILERS!!! Do not read this if you haven't read the book yet!!!! (Goodreads really needs a spoiler tag)
The rape and how it was handled really bothered me. I might have already been sensitive to it, having read a few articles about rape earlier in the day, but it seemed like it wasn't dealt with seriously enough. It was a very complicated situation, with the goblet involved, but... I dunno, it just seemed like Mercy got over it way too fast. I appreciated that she was so wrapped up in guilt from the magic, but... bah. I can't quite expressed why it bothered me so much. I just hate it when rape is used as a plot device (thanks to years of rape used as a way to damage male characters in comic books) and isn't dealt with as seriously as it should be. One thing that really bothered me was Adam's assumption that Mercy would be okay with Congress seeing her naked and being raped on the security video. It was necessary for them to see it, but that's a damn big assumption to make.
Anyway, I did really enjoy the book except for that one dark spot. The mystery was excellent and kept me guessing right up until the end, and I'm pleased that Mercy picked Adam over Samuel. I've been vaguely uncomfortable with the idea that Mercy would have to be completely submissive to Adam (and not just in the bedroom, hehe), but I'm pleased that Briggs had Mercy worry about these things and Adam acknowledge and debunk some of her fears.

I agree with you. That whole rape scene was very strange, in my opinion. It's hard to write from a first person perspective when the first person becomes obviously unreliable, if that makes any sense. And yeah, she did seem to get over it pretty fast, aside from like 2 mentions from the garage.
I am so psyched that she picked Adam! I really like him, but damn was I disappointed that when Mercy and Adam finally get together in the end, she faded to black!!! Screw being classy! Haha...




It isn't PNR, but has anyone read her fantasy novel The Hob's Bargain? It looks like it was originally published in 2001, but it's been re-released. My best friend leant it to me, and I devoured half of it last night during a bout of insomnia. It's pretty good so far. :)

I must need to read more. Please let me know how The Hob's Bargain is. I picked it up over the weekend, but didn't buy it (went for Phantom Pleasures instead).


I was shocked by the rape scene, but at the same time, it made sense to me. Mercy is a vulnerable person, not some jumped-up super woman. She can get hurt badly and with her involvement with things more powerful than her, it was bound to happen. It was difficult to read this section, but I think it makes sense. You have a guy consistently overlooked by women, so the raping was him finally exerting power over one of those women. I know a lot of people think she got over it very quickly, and I'm probably in the minority here, but I don't think she is over it. Even in the last scene with Adam, Mercy sort-of forced herself to act. She wouldn't let the rape stop her from persuing what she wanted, but she had to make that choice. The violence was still in her mind and she is just trying to be strong and pretty much repress it. To me, that fits with her character. I hope that the author continues to give us insight into Mercy's self-healing, because I don't think Mercy will ever really share her feelings about what happened if she is to stay true to Mercy's character. Mercy is not the talking kind. I think she is still quite damaged, but trying to deal with it the only way she knows how.


I live in Walla Walla... and almost fell over when I saw the books took place in the Tri-Cities...and she describes it very well!
I've devoured all three Mercy books in under a week.
I'm also an animal behaviorist, and considering Mercy is part coyote, while a little hard to take her handling of the rape seems to fit in with the 'animal' side of her. I hope they address it a bit more so we know that the 'human' side of her is adjusting ok too.
And I have to agree with the others that felt cheated in the ending of Iron Kissed. I nearly threw the book across the room.... but more for us to enjoy in the next book! I hope!

I think that she is an outstanding writer. I would strongly recommend her other fantasy books. The last two series, Dragon Bones and Raven Strike series, are outstanding. Again these are fantasy novels rather than romance novels. But I think that the romances in these books are more romantic than a lot of romance novels.
I finished up The Hob's Bargain last night and really enjoyed it. I'll probably end up trying to find Briggs's other fantasy novels next time I'm book shopping, as I really do like her writing style. It's great when a writer can move between genres like Briggs does between fantasy and paranormal. I think it shows real talent to be able to write more than one genre well.

Waves from the Tri-Cities!!! I just recently found out from Dan (local comic shop owner) that Patricia actually lived here for a few years before she moved to Montana.

Waves right back to you!!!!! I'll be over your way this weekend for a wedding!
I figured Briggs would have had to have lived in the Tri-Cities for some amount of time... she gives lots of details that you wouldn't know if you weren't from around here! Thanks for the info!!!!!

Ja'niece
I just started Cry Wolf today, and can't help feeling as if I'm missing something, or maybe I just haven't read enough of the book. Is there another book or series that should be read before this one?


Thanks Jessica. I felt like something was missing. I think I'll put the series aside until I get my hands on the prequel.


The Mercy Thompson series remains one of my favorites though. She's created such a brilliant and complex character in Mercy and I love her supporting cast of Adam, Samuel, Stefan and Zee.
Yes Tina, its a really good idea. It fills in the blanks between the first Mercy book and the start of Cry Wolf. It does a little explaining on just exactly WHY the Chicago Alpha did what he did, and how important Anna really IS to a Pack.

Personally, I think the Alpha & Omega series is much better than the Mercy Thompson series. I just find the Mercy series borders on "sugar pops" I can not seem to get into them. I have trying several of them and I felt the outcome was the same everytime.
I am definitely a fan of the Charles and Anna story.

I have to say, I like Briggs' stories and writing more than most I've read in this genre. (I think she's a much better writer than Hamilton, actually, though lighter on the crazy sex, if that's what you're looking for).
I haven't tried any of her other series yet, but I plan to.





The reason that Mercy sent the little girl to Bran was that demon that was in town. At the time she sent Daddy off to Bran she wasn't sure how long it would take to get rid of him--or if they even could get rid of him. But it would be nice if Bran does send her back to Mercy, Samuel, Adam and all the others as soon as she can control her wolf. I'm HOPING that one of the Charles and Anna books will deal with her a bit.
Sigh, so, anyone ELSE ever get to wondering what's happened with some of the "side" characters that show up for just like 3 or 4 pages in one of the stories? The little girl (ok, she's 13, so not so little NOW, but still. . . ) is one of them. But there have been others--and not just in this series either. :o)
Sigh, so, anyone ELSE ever get to wondering what's happened with some of the "side" characters that show up for just like 3 or 4 pages in one of the stories? The little girl (ok, she's 13, so not so little NOW, but still. . . ) is one of them. But there have been others--and not just in this series either. :o)


I think Briggs does a pretty good job keeping us updated on the side characters..more than some of the other authors i think
At the very least, she does bring them back and we know what they're doing at present
Like Warren and Ben and everyone else whose names i've forgotten now this early in the morning.
I really liked Ben after book 3, hope there's more of him
Books mentioned in this topic
Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast (other topics)On the Prowl (other topics)
The Mists of Avalon (other topics)
Cry Wolf (other topics)
Wolfsbane and Mistletoe (other topics)
More...
I really enjoyed it though. Has anyone else read it?