Mercedes "Mercy"
Thompson is a talented Volkswagen mechanic living in the Tri-Cities area
of Washington. She also happens to be a walker, a magical being with
the power to shift into a coyote at will. Mercy's next-door neighbor is a
werewolf. Her former boss is a gremlin. And she's fixing a bus for a
vampire. This is the world of Mercy Thompson, one that looks a lot like
ours but is populated by those things that go bump in the night. And
Mercy's connection to those things is about to get her into some serious
hot water...
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Dance when the moon sings, and don't cry about troubles that haven't yet come.
I’d heard about this series for over a year before I indulged. People raved on the Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance forums over it constantly, so who wouldn’t be curious? Shapeshifters aren’t really my thing, but Urban Fantasy, series, and good stories are, so I was eager to dive into it and join the “raving” crowds. Did it live up to my expectation?
From the start it’s clear that Mercy is not your ordinary female protagonist. It’s a refreshing change to go to someone without a massive chip on the shoulder. As a sweet natured gal, she’s also independent in an unusual career – owning an auto shop and repairing cars. She lives in a trailer by the more luxurious house of the town’s werewolf pack master, whom she loves to irritate and goad in all sorts of sarcastic ways. Being a different kind of shifter, she’s usually killed by the predators, but is under protection of sorts because of her history and connections. Wary, she keeps her distance as much as possible but must work with the alpha in this particular story.
The book lends plenty of chuckles when encountering the powerful, dominating alpha and his human teenage, and of course her pal Stefan, a vampire who keeps bringing in his van, painted like the Scooby Doo vehicle, for repair.
Not all is fun and games when an attack forces Mercy to go back to her hometown and face an old friend who turned betrayer (at least in her mind), she found out why he was really interested in her.
Really the story shines due to Mercy. She actually has common sense leading her around and is missing that massive bitch-chip on the shoulder so many other UF Protagonists have. Adam’s a bit dreamy and Stefan interests me, but frankly the story always squeaks by. It’s bland. The world feels unevenly structured when it comes to supernatural explanations and hierarchy. This could be since it’s the first novel, though, so waiting to see how it expands. The mystery is decent but takes a bit long to reach.
Briggs writes well – her dialogue is right on. She saves the suspense and excitement more toward the end for this one – which is a semi-risky move when it comes to a first novel in a series. If your interest holds, it gets better.
Overall this decent series appetizer left me wanting to read more, not really for the story, but for the melodrama in some of the character’s lives. All “loveable”, they have intriguing potential. Not every series starts with a bang, but as long as it gets there, then that’s the point of continuing and trying on for size right there.
Recommended for when you want some Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, and want to toss in some fun, elbow grease, engine oil, and a feisty, unique female.
Book Quotes:
“Hard truths can be dealt with, triumphed over, but lies will destroy your soul.”
“Happiness is German engineering, Italian cooking, and Belgian chocolate.”
“Moonlight streamed in, sending loving beams over his face. He closed his eyes and basked in it, and I could tell it was calling to him, even though the moon was not full. She didn't speak to me, but Samuel had once described her song to me in the words of a poet. The expression of bliss on his face while he listened to her music made him beautiful.”
“Don’t lick the guests, darling. Bad manners.”
Map of Tri-Cities, WA:
Link from the Author's Site
Sample Chapter
Other Reviews from this series:
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