River Marked (Mercedes Thompson, #6) by Patricia Briggs

[Lisarenee]

This topic is open for discussion of River Marked by Patricia Briggs. It is the 6th and latest of the Mercy Thompson series and part of our second series read. Be prepared for SPOILERS.

Description on Goodreads:

Car mechanic Mercy Thompson has always known there was something different about her, and not just the way she can make a VW engine sit up and beg. Mercy is a shapeshifter, a talent she inherited from her long-gone father. She's never known any others of her kind. Until now.

An evil is stirring in the depths of the Columbia River-one that her father's people may know something about. And to have any hope of surviving, Mercy and her mate, the Alpha werewolf Adam, will need their help...

Pages: 326

[Lisarenee]

So I finally finished. Mercy got Married! I love how they surprised her with a surprise wedding.

So we got to meet a new fae called otterkins, although I believe that's the last we'll see of them. We FINALLY got to meet Mercy's dad. *doing a happy dance* Yay! I have been waiting to find out for a long time and it looks like he might be a permanent addition so the story. But may I ask what's up with him not confessing he's her father? A little odd.

I wished we'd have found more out about Mercy's powers. I wonder if she has any more? Why didn't her father use his healing powers at the end? Didn't he heal her earlier in the book? I'll post more tomorrow but thought I'd post my initial thoughts now.

[Lisarenee]

For those of you wondering here is a picture of "She Who Watches" from the book:

[Lisarenee]

Here are some pictures of stonehenge from the book:

[Lisarenee]

Picture Columbian River Gorge:

[Lisarenee]

Picture of Horsetheif Lake. It's Beautiful.

[Lisarenee]

I think you could get away without rereading the fifth book. This one starts up pretty much with the wedding and they head off on their honeymoon. Only thing that I couldn't remember was the yo-yo girl who killed the Fae Queen or whatever she was. They kept talking about a prophecy/prediction she made and I couldn't find it in the book. I couldn't figure out if there was one in the previous book or if I somehow missed it in this one. I think if you reread any the fifth is the only one you'd have to reread and then you could tell me if there is any mention in that book or this. It wasn't that critical to know, but it did make me scratch my head wondering.

[Laura]

REVISIT

[Laura]

End of chapter 1
(view spoiler)[
Alissa, you got your wish for more vampires. That was quite the scene Mercy walked into at Stephan's house. I think she will be able to pull Stephan out of his depression.
I love the humor in this first chapter especially the parts where Stephan is teasing her about the upcoming wedding. Ha, poor Mercy having to deal with her mom's wedding plans. Will she elope or cancel the wedding? Not sure where the newspaper articles at the beginning fit into the story but I 'm sure we will figure that out as we go along.
(hide spoiler)]




One of my favorite images of Mercy!

[Laura]

End of chapter 2
(view spoiler)[
Surprise wedding! I was hoping for a few more wedding details. I love how they were all taking bets on Mercy eloping!
This chapter seemed like a "filler" chapter.
I want to know more about Stephan and how he is going to fill his menagerie. Hopefully chapter 3 is a bit more exciting!
(hide spoiler)]

[Alissa]

I forgot when we were suppose to start so I'm about to start chapter 4.

I don't know about this one. The drama hasn't started yet so I'm excited to see what it will be. I don't think this one is going to have more vampires in it. But I'm happy he made an appearance.

[Alissa]

Also completely agree that the wedding plan was great and just what she needed or I don't know if it would have happened.

[Laura]

Sounds great Alissa. I read chapter 3 this afternoon so can easily read chapter 4 tonight after clean up!!

[Laura]

End of Chapter 3
(view spoiler)[
So is Mercy's dad dead or alive? Was he a walker like her? Too many unanswered questions in this chapter.
Her vision was a bit creepy!!
Mercy always seems like she doesn't belong anywhere, though I think since becoming part of Adam's pack she has more of a sense of belonging. I 'm wondering if knowing that her dad was coyote will help in that feeling of belonging.
Looking forward to reading more! (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Chapters 4- 8
(view spoiler)[
Wow, well Briggs can definitely tell a story. Sorry, I had to read lots more!
So much happened... Mercy is "river marked" . ( still trying to figure that one out)The plant was definitely not a plant!! eeks Adam is shot. I love how the pack and mate bond can let them know what the other is thinking and feeling sometimes? Ha , that would definitely help in a relationship.

A little confused that Mercy could see Faith as a ghost and the other walkers couldn't . Is this because of her dad and who he is?
Interested in seeing how the Fae play out in all this. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Couldn't help myself, I had to see how this ends. Sorry!!
So good!

FINISHED
(view spoiler)[
Whoop, Stephan makes an appearance at the end of the book!! I love how he gives practical advice to Mercy regarding the pack when she is kinda clueless about pack structure/rules/ order
i. e - she ordered them all away and couldn't figure out why they weren't coming back.


What a great fight with the river monster. I love that kind of fast paced- action. Though Briggs is good at her world building and character development as well. Mercy's character has definitely grown since book 1 as well as friendships and the pack bond. Loving this series!
(hide spoiler)]

[Alissa]

Laura wrote: "End of Chapter 3

So is Mercy's dad dead or alive? Was he a walker like her? Too many unanswered questions in this chapter.
Her vision was a bit creepy!!
Mercy always seems like she doesn't belong..."

I agree that made me feel like he may still be alive. Her vision was really creepy and I think we will learn more about her Indian side this book.

[Alissa]

I just finished chapter 5 so I'm not going to look at you comments until I get there.

I just finished the Woman in Cabin 10 so I should be able to get close to finishing since I know its about to make the turn where I have to know how it ends.

[Alissa]

I finally read to through chapter 8. You are right about this one being the best one yet. I like how much we are finding out about Mercy and who and what she is.

I wonder if Calvin is related to Mercy since I definitely think he also changes to a coyote.

I can't wait to see what happens. I'll probably finish in a couple hours and try to catch you on book 7.

[Alissa]

I finished and yes that fight was crazy. I knew the stick was coming into play. I love the Coyote and I hope we get to see him again.

I agree about her relationships evolving over the series. I like how Briggs brings everyone closer without it feeling forced. that is why I was patient after the first one knowing it could only get better with each book.

[Laura]

Alissa wrote: "I finally read to through chapter 8. You are right about this one being the best one yet. I like how much we are finding out about Mercy and who and what she is.

I wonder if Calvin is related to ..."

Ack, sorry, I read book 7. It was also really good!! It will be several days until I read book 8. ( I have to wait for it to come in -paper copy) I will wait for you to catch up if you like.

[Alissa]

Sounds good

[Laura]

How about if I ask for a thread tomorrow for book 8 for two weeks from today? Would that work?

[Alissa]

Yes!

[Laura]

BUDDY READ FOR Night Broken BY PATRICIA BRIGGS- STARTING JULY 17, 2017

[Alissa]

Are we doing it here?

[Laura]

sure, we may as well. Since we don't have a thread! Anyone comes behind us, I 'm sure they won't mind. ( or at least I hope not)

Chapters 1-3
(view spoiler)[
Ugh, I am not a fan of Christy's. This book should be interesting. I think pack will change a bit and become weaker. Why doesn't Adam say something and put Christy in her place?
Not much happening in the first 3 chapters:-(
(hide spoiler)]

[Alissa]

(view spoiler)[I agree completely about Christy. I think she is going to get it and I hope it will be Mary Jo or Auriele.

I wouldn't be surprised if she set the fire in her condo.

I also don't know how I feel about the new werewolf, Zach.

I also miss Samuel so I hope he makes an appearance in this book.

It will be interesting to see what is going to be the issue in this book. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Another three for tomorrow? 4 if its not too much of a stretch?

[Alissa]

Sounds good....so through 7

[Laura]

Yes

[Laura]

I'm almost finished chapter 7. It definitely got a whole lot more interesting. Back soon with some comments.

[Laura]

Chapters 4-7
(view spoiler)[
Another coyote walker.. that was interesting. I can't figure out where he escaped to or what else his role is going to be.

I still don't understand why Adam doesn't just tell Christy to back off. That lady has lots of balls putting her make up in Mercy's bathroom.
Chapter 5 was particularly gruesome. More so then we have seen to date.
Chapter 7 was intense! I like these action scenes. Mercy can certainly handle herself. The difference between her and Christy is quite evident in this chapter. I definitely prefer Mercy. I like Mercy's idea of throwing her to the bad guy!
Tad...wow, I was wondering if he was just going to keep being the background guy. I wonder where Briggs will go with this. I like Tad, more so than his dad.
Looking forward to seeing how they stop Christy's stalker!
(hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Ahh , sorry, Alissa, I'm likely going to finish this one tonight. Its hard just reading a little bit.
Lots of paranormal /supernatural in this one!

[Alissa]

(view spoiler)[ I agree with all of that. I really liked Tad in the last book as well so I'm happy to see him with a bigger role and to see what he can do.

I'm really interested to see the explanation of the new supernatural character she introduced. It will be very interesting to see how they are going to stop him.

It looks like Honey is going to be the one to let Christy have it so I'm excited to see that go down. (hide spoiler)]

Are we going to finish it or read through chapter 10?

[Alissa]

You were reading my mind 🤓

[Alissa]

It ended at the point that you don't want to stop. I'm going to work on getting book 9.

[Laura]

Lets try and finish it off. I can finish it tonight. I am sprinting so that will help. I have the next one but I can wait for you. I 'll switch back to the Morganville Vampires until you can get a copy.

I have been reading them from my Overdrive but this copy is a physical paperback. Nice for a change!

[Alissa]

I got it at one of my libraries so I can start the next one.

[Alissa]

Is the series good?

[Laura]

Great! Want to start tomorrow? I can keep to 3 chapters tomorrow! ( Parents are coming in)

Yes, I do like the Morganville series. I 'm hoping to continue with it. I 've read a few now so I 'm invested in the characters. If you don't mind YA you may like it.

[Laura]

chapters 8 to finish
(view spoiler)[
Coyote is a bit eccentric!! Maybe crazy? I like that we meet Mercy's 'brother' in this book.
The police meeting was interesting. I thought for a minute that Mercy was actually going to be arrested. I am really enjoying this world that Briggs has crafted.
The vampires are back. Oh , I knew that Stefan's and Mercy's bond was not broken. I think somehow its going to keep helping them. ( Mercy and pack) Interesting that Adam also knew before Mercy. ( or maybe she did but so much happens to her that she needs to focus on the most important, immediate stuff! lol)
Wulfe is a bit crazy. I wouldn't want to meet him on a dark night!

Mercy and Adam's goodbye was sad. I 'm glad that she wrote their goodbyes different this time but referenced the letter from River Marked. The humour in her books is as good as the action!
Another great ending. I love how she takes her magic and always manages to come out on top ( if somewhat banged up ) Ha, she has the stick again.
I wonder what will happen to Tad since he is being held at the reservation?? OMG... hahaha, she totally got Christy. I guess we should have seen that coming with the earlier references that Adam made about the shoes and the Xmas tree. Loved this one too!
(hide spoiler)]

[Alissa]

Yes, this was my favorite so far so excited I have the next one to start!!
Agree completely with all you said.

(view spoiler)[ I like be how Stefan is back and I can't wait to find out more about their bond and how it works. I'm also interested to see if her brother will stick around and what is going to happen with Joel.

I also can't wait to see how Tad is going to get out. I love how the walking stick came back which I knew it would. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

This one was not my favorite. I couldn't stand Christy and couldn't understand why Adam wouldn't say anything. Plot, I guess. I did really like it, though. The two before this one have been my favorites.

[Laura]

BUDDY READ FOR BY PATRICIA BRIGGS, STARTING JULY 19, 2017

[Laura]

Oh boy, the synopsis looks really good for this one! I'm guessing they go against Bran's orders?

[Laura]

Only 29 pages in so far but it's good so far!

[Alissa]

Yes it's started off action packed

[Laura]

chapters 1- 7
(view spoiler)[
Wow, that was an explosive start. Ha, a troll? What will Briggs think of next? Mercy can't not get involved, can she? So graphic and detailed, it was like I was on the bridge.
I was not expecting that pack meeting! Finally, I guess I see why Adam chose to wait but it was driving me crazy that he was "letting" Christy and the pack say and do whatever to Mercy without standing up for her. I think this will change the pack dynamics entirely now.
I was surprised when Bran denounced the pack but it made sense in light of what Mercy did.
I'm not sure what to make of Aiden. I guess time will tell.
(hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

chapters 8- end
(view spoiler)[
I like this one but enjoy the vampires more than the fae. This book was quite political and I did enjoy seeing the power play struggles. I'm glad the ending worked out for Aiden.
Ha, interesting twist to find out that the salelady at the beginning was Baba Yaga. As much as I love Briggs action her humor is awesome too. (hide spoiler)]
Looking forward to the next book. Hopefully, it comes in on Thursday!