Title: Mercy Thompson: Moon Called, Volume One Author: Patricia Briggs & David Lawrence Series: Mercy Thompson Cover Art: Amelia Woo Genre: Mercy Thompson Graphic Novels #1 Excerpt: Yes Source: Netgalley Reviewed by: Abigail Paperback: 128 pages Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment (March 8, 2011) ISBN-10: 9781606902035 ISBN-13: 978-1606902035 Sexual Content: Semi nude depictions of Mercy Rating: Good - A fun read with minor flaws. Maybe read an excerpt before buying.

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Description

Five Mercy Thompson novels have topped the New York Times best-seller list, and her premiere graphic novel did the same. Now Patricia Briggs' heroic shape-shifter returns to comics! Mercy Thompson inhabits two worlds without truly belonging to either. To the human inhabitants of the Tri-Cities she's an oddity, a female mechanic operating her own garage. To the town's darker residents, werewolves, vampires, and fae, she's a walker, a last-of-her-kind magical being with the power to become a coyote. Mercy warily straddles the fine line dividing our everyday world from that darker dimension... 'till a boy, mauled by vicious werewolves and forever changed by the attack and on the run from those who committed the crime, appears at her door. Now her two worlds are about to collide! Outnumbered and out-muscled, can Mercy possibly save the boy... or even herself?

Review

I’m not usually a graphic novel fan. I’m too impatient to take everything in and tend to gobble down the text and turn the page with out really taking in all the illustrations.  It’s a bad habit that I can’t seem to break.  But this was the first graphic novel I’ve read on my iPad and that made all the difference.  I could restrict myself to one panel at a time and absorb both the text and the illustrations.  I’m still not a complete convert to this medium, but I am learning to appreciate it.

I read the MOON CALLED novel years ago, so it was nice to revisit and refresh my memory about Mercy, my favorite coyote shifter.  The story is told a bit out of order, which I can understand from  a graphic novel perspective, but I was a little surprised at the depictions of both Sam and Bran.  They looked so different from what I’d been imagining that it threw me.  I did love the violence that was captured here.  The books deal with a lot of violence, but it doesn’t have the same impact as seeing, for example, the werewolf attack on Mac in the beginning.  Powerful stuff.

If you haven’t read MOON CALLED yet, I’d recommend starting there before picking up this graphic novel as there isn’t the same character development here and the story is liberally abridged. But for fans of the series it’s a fun new was to re-experience this series.  Volume one takes us up until Mercy, Adam, and Sam are leaving the Marok and heading back to the Tri-Cities, and we do get a bonus story at the end which shows how Mac was captured and turned that was never explained in the original novel. I’m already planning on picking up volume 2.

Previous Books in Series	Also Reviewed By:
Homecoming (graphic novel prequel)	ICv2 Thoughts of a Scot Karissa's Reading Review

*This title will be released on March 1, 2011*

Title: River Marked Author: Patricia Briggs Series: Mercy Thompson #6 Cover Art: Dan Dos Santos Genre: Urban Fantasy Excerpt: Yes Source: Publisher Reviewed by: Abigail Hardcover: 336 pages Publisher: Ace Books; 1st edition (March 1, 2011) ISBN-10: 0441019730 ISBN-13: 978-0441019731 Sexual Content: Kissing. References to sex. References to homosexuality. References to rape.   My Rating: Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now & pre-order the sequel.

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Description

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...

Author’s Comments

Review

Why does it always feel like Christmas come early when a new Mercy Thompson book comes out?  Oh right, because it’s Mercy Thompson. Mercy has changed drastically over the course of this series going from someone who was wary, tough,  and very independent to a much softer, more playful, and embracing woman.  It’s taken me a little while to adjust to this new Mercy, but I think RIVER MARKED is probably my favorite Mercy book since IRON KISSED.  Mercy is a lot more emotional this time, and not without reason, as she has to deal with revelations about her father, her heritage, and what the future of her relationship with her mate will be like.

 

The majority of RIVER MARKED takes place outside of the Tri-Cities, and as much as I like all the wolves, vamps, fey, and human characters we’ve met since MOON CALLED, it was nice to pare down to just Mercy and Adam.  We do meet some rather significant new characters who provide real answers and explanations about Mercy and Walkers in general.  I know Briggs has said that she was nervous about delving into Mercy’s Native American origins, but she' needn’t have been.  It never felt like information overload.  Most of the explanations—apart from one about Joe Old Coyote—felt logical and interesting. 

 

And after missing Stefan in BONE CROSSED, I was very pleased with the scenes he got in RIVER MARKED (including my favorite description of him to date: “He was like Superman, but with fangs and oddly impaired morals”).  I’m guessing here, but I’d be surprised if Mercy #7 didn’t deal heavily with Stefan and the Seethe.  We’ll have to wait until 2012 to see if I’m right.

 

The Mercy Thompson series is one of the best in the urban fantasy genre for good reason.  The mythology of the series is rich and complex, borrowing just enough fact to feel real, and mixing just enough fantasy to feel magical.  Mercy’s world is about to get much bigger in RIVER MARKED when she learns, in a lot of ways, that she is not nearly as alone in this world as she thought. Overall, Mercy 2.0 may be more domesticated than the, pardon the pun, lone wolf mechanic we met in MOON CALLED, but her transformation into the woman we see now has been believable and hard won. 

 

Mercy is happy now in a way I don’t think she imagined possible.  And I’m happy for her. Of course Mercy’s happiness is about as far from boring as it gets.  In RIVER MARKED she battles river monsters, Otterkin, and Native American gods armed only with her wit and walking stick.   And she does it all with the same cool and tenacious attitude that endeared her to so many of us six books ago, and hopefully for many more books to come.

 

Previous Books in Series	Also Reviewed By:
Moon Called Blood Bound Iron Kissed Bone Crossed Silver Borne	Genre Go Round Reviews

I always take note when one of my favorite authors is going on tour.  When that author happens to be Patricia Briggs, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Mercy Thompson series [she’ll be on tour this March to support the release of RIVER MARKED (Ace Hardcover; March 1, 2011; $24.95)] I enter the crazy fan stratosphere.  So it’s probably a good thing for Patricia that Arizona didn’t make the list of stops this year and both of us can be spared my desperate inquiries about when Mercy and Stefan are going to get married and have lots of walker-vampire babies.

I’m may be out of luck, but are you going to be able to see her? Feel free to steal my question when you meet her if you happen to live in any of these cities:

Tour Dates & Locations:

TUESDAY, MARCH 1^st
7:30 PM PST
HASTINGS (9745-Richland)
1425 GEORGE WASHINGTON WAY
Richland, WA 99354
(509)-946-1060 (store)


WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2^nd
7:00 PM CST
BORDERS BOOKS
1500 16th St Ste D
Oak Brook, IL 60523
(630)-574-0800 (store)



THURSDAY, MARCH 3^rd
7:30 PM EST
BORDERS BOOKS & MUSIC
Crossroads Center
5871 Crossroads Center Way
Bailey's Crossroads, VA 22041
(703)-998-0404 (store)



FRIDAY, MARCH 4^th
7:00 PM CST
BARNES & NOBLE
2100 North Snelling Ave
Roseville, MN 55113
(651)-639-9256 (store)



SATURDAY, MARCH 5^th
6:00 PM CST
MURDER BY THE BOOK
2342 Bissonnet St
Houston, TX 77005
(713)-524-8597 (store)



SUNDAY, MARCH 6^th
2:00 PM PST
MYSTERIOUS GALAXY
7051 Clairemont Mesa Blvd
Ste 302
San Diego, CA 92111
(858)-268-4747 (store)



MONDAY, MARCH 7^th
7:00 PM PST
UNIVERSITY BOOKSTORE
4326 University Way NE
Seattle, WA 98105
(206)-634-3400 (store)




TUESDAY, MARCH 8^th
7:00 PM PST
POWELL'S BOOKS
Cedar Hills Crossing
3415 SW Cedar Hills Blvd
Beaverton, OR 97005
503-643-3131

Title: Mercy Thompson Homecoming Author: Patricia Briggs, Francis Tsai (Illustrator), Amelia Woo (Illustrator) Series: Mercy Thompson (prequel) Cover Art: Dan Dos Santos Hardcover: 112 pages Publisher: Del Rey/Dabel Brothers Published: August, 25, 2009 ISBN-10: 0345509889 ISBN-13: 978-0345509888 Source: Bought Reviewed by: Abigail

Book Description

Mercy Thompson is a walker, a magical being with the power to transform into a coyote. She lives on the fine line dividing the everyday world from a darker dimension, observing the supernatural community while standing apart.

This original story, set before the events of Patricia Briggs' best-selling novel series, finds shapeshifter Mercedes "Mercy" Thompson fresh out of college and looking for a job. Somehow she ends up smack in the middle of warring packs of werewolves and face-to-face with angry vampires. Worse yet, she faces the dreaded job interview! And as if fangs and fur weren’t bad enough, Mercy must deal with the scariest creature of all: her mother, who is convinced that Mercy is making a mess of her life and determined to set her daughter on the right course.

The thrilling adventures of Mercy Thompson–Moon Called, Blood Bound, and Iron Kissed–have topped the New York Times bestseller list. Now Mercy makes her comics debut in an exclusive new story created by Patricia Briggs. Mercy Thompson: Homecoming is sure to please longtime fans and capture new ones with its mix of unforgettable characters and thrilling supernatural intrigue.

 Review

Full disclosure: I am not a comic/graphic novel fan.  I read Archie comics as a kid and made a failed attempt at reading Watchmen at the urging of a friend who swore I become a convert after trying it (I didn’t).  I even bought a bunch on the Buffy season 8 and Angel After the Fall comics (which sat mostly unread on my shelves until I passed them on to more appreciative hands).  What I am a fan of is Mercy Thompson, so I knew eventually I’d be picking up a copy of the Mercy graphic novel prequel HOMECOMING.

Up front I’ll say that HOMECOMING hasn’t changed my opinion on graphic novels as a whole, but knowing that from the outset, I did enjoy HOMECOMING for a number of reasons.  It’s really, really pretty.  There were several artists working collaboratively and some of their different styles are apparent from scene to scene (for example, Mercy has crazy buff thighs in one panel, and then a more balanced physique in the next), I found myself staring at the pages long after I’d ‘read them.’

 

The best part of HOMECOMING was getting to ‘see’ the characters and locations.  Zee and Stefan are two of my particular favorites from the series and they each got quite a lot of face time, although Stefan looks nothing like how I imagined him. 

The thing I missed the most in HOMECOMING was the same shortcoming I find in all graphic novels: the almost non existent dialogue and internal character thoughts.  It’s all about the action scenes, which are very cool to see, but I expect more from a Mercy story than action.

 

There aren’t any real surprises here and the storyline is nothing special, but if you’re a Mercy fan, you’ll want to check out HOMECOMING to see everyone in action and get a little inside scoop on Mercy’s first few days in TriCity (slinging fries at Burger King, buying her trailer, and how she ended up with Medea the cat). 

Sexual Content: Lots of naked Mercy art.

My Rating:

3/5
Good - A fun read with minor flaws. Maybe read an excerpt before buying.

Click HERE to see some of the art from MERCY THOMPSON HOMECOMING

Previous books in the series:

1. N/A

Also reviewed by:

• Robots and Vamps
• Comic Book Resources
• See Michelle Read

*Disclosure: I received this book courtesy of Penguin Books

Book Description

All-new action in the #1 New York Times bestselling urban fantasy series

When mechanic and shapeshifter Mercy Thompson attempts to return a powerful Fae book she'd previously borrowed in an act of desperation, she finds the bookstore locked up and closed down.
It seems the book contains secret knowledge-and the Fae will do just about anything to keep it out of the wrong hands. And if that doesn't take enough of Mercy's attention, her friend Samuel is struggling with his wolf side-leaving Mercy to cover for him, lest his own father declare Sam's life forfeit.

All in all, Mercy has had better days. And if she isn't careful, she might not have many more to live...

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Book 5 in The Mercy Thompson Series 

Mercedes is Volkswagen mechanic living in the Tri-Cities area of Washington. Her native american heritage has gifted her with the ability to take the form of a coyote at will. She's surrounded by far more powerful supernatural beings, including werewolves, vampires and an assortment of fey. –Hurog.com

Review:
SILVER BORNE has been my most anticipated novel of the year (and already the River Marked, Mercy #6 is my most anticipated book for next year). Everything I’ve loved about the previous books are here again.  Mercy is just plain cool.  She is laid back, resilient, tough without being pushy, and brave enough to risk her life for those she loves (which she inevitably does several times in this book).  If you want to know exactly how cool Mercy is, check out the Character Profile I’ve compiled for her HERE.

The world building is as rich and nuanced as ever. Werewolf, Fae, and Walker lore are all explored with more detail (sadly Stefan and the vampires are no shows this time out). And a pretty significant piece of Samuel’s past is revealed that will have definite repercussions on future books. I have to say how impressed I am with Patricia Briggs’ ability to showcase her—rather large by this point in the series—cast of characters without making SILVER BORNE feel crowded.  Every scene is full and satisfying even though most of the characters only have minor roles, they still have impact.

Well deserved praise aside, I’m sorry to say that I wasn’t as blown away by SILVER BORNE as I expected to be. Maybe I built it up to much, maybe I missed the character of Stefan too much, or maybe it was the lack of romantic tension between Mercy and Adam.  They became mates in the previous book, but because of Stefan, there was still plenty of romantic tension.  But Adam and Mercy are in full blown couple mode throughout SILVER BORNE constantly telling each other how much they love the other one.  Mercy has previously been pretty gun-shy with her feelings, and I didn’t expect her to be this mushy (for Mercy) so quickly. 

That all came out harsher than I intended.  The Mercy Thompson books are still my pick for best urban fantasy series out there.  They set the bar for every other urban fantasy series I read, and no one has dethroned Mercy yet (though Kate Daniels comes close).  Even with the minor criticism, SILVER BORNE was an excellent read, and even at hardcover prices, you should put it at the top of your to-buy pile.  The next Mercy book is called River Marked, it has a tentative release date for Spring 2011. 

Sexual Content: References to a previous rape, references to  homosexuality. A brief non graphic sex scene.

My Rating (out of 5):

Click HERE to read an excerpt of SILVER BOURNE

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Ace Hardcover; 1 edition (March 30, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 044101819X
• ISBN-13: 978-0441018192
• Cover art: Daniel Dos Santos

Disagree with my review?  Email me your review for this or any other book I’ve reviewed and I might use it for 2nd Opinion Review

“Mercy is not just another cookie-cutter tough-chick urban fantasy heroine; she's got a lot of style and substance and an intriguing backstory. . . Highly recommended.” —Library Journal   #1 New York Times Bestseller Patricia Brigg’s will be on tour in April for her next hardcover SILVER BORNE (Ace; on-sale March 30, 2010). Briggs will be signing books and meeting with readers! Please see below for dates.

The phenomenal Patricia Briggs will be coming (hopefully) to a city near you next month for the release of the newest Mercy Thompson book, SILVER BORNE.  The Mercy Thompson series is, in my opinion, the hands down best urban fantasy series to date, and if you haven’t read them, go now!  Sadly Patricia will not be making an Arizona stop on her tour, but I plan on living vicariously through those of you who live in the fortunate cities below:

March 30^th in SEATTLE

UNIVERSITY BOOKSTORE@ 7 PM

4326 University Way NE 

Seattle, WA  98105 

 

March 31^st in PORTLAND

POWELL'S BOOKS @ 7 PM

Cedar Hills Crossing

3415 SW Cedar Hills Blvd 

Beaverton, OR  97005 

 

April 6^th in LOS ANGELES

BARNES AND NOBLE #2743 @ 7 PM

7881 Edinger Ave. 

Huntington Beach, CA  92647 

 

April 7^th in SAN DIEGO

MYSTERIOUS GALAXY @ 7 PM

7051 Clairemont Mesa Blvd: Ste 302

San Diego, CA  92111 

 

April 9^th in HOUSTON

MURDER BY THE BOOK @ 6:30 PM

2342 Bissonnet St 

Houston, TX  77005 

 

April 10^th in MINNEAPOLIS

UNCLE HUGO'S SCIENCE FICTION BOOKSTORE @ 1 PM

2864 Chicago Avenue South 

Minneapolis, MN  55407 

 

Thanks to everyone who entered my 300 followers giveaway.  As you can see I’m actually closing in on 500 followers now which is mind boggling.  I definitely loved being able to giveaway complete series, so I will absolutely be doing this again soon.  But you guys want to know who won this time, right?  Here we go…

There were 1079 entries. The winners, chosen by Random.org, are…

For the complete Mercy Thompson series (Moon Called, Blood Bound, Iron Kissed, and Bone Called): #980 Aik

 Aik who said...

My favourite book is Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran.

For the complete Alpha & Omega series (Cry Wolf, Hunting Ground, and On The Prowl): #90 Elie

 Elie who said...

My least favorite book was Thirst by Christopher Pike. ack.

Congratulations Aik & Elie!  I’ve emailed you both.  Please respond within 48 hours or a new winner will be drawn.

Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway for Shade Fright by Sean Cummings.  If you missed Sean’s visit, you can check it out HERE. 

The winner of Shade Fright by Sean Cummings, chosen by Random.org, is… vslavetopassionv who said:

Demi Moore as a zombie would definitely be worth seeing. :D
I'm a follower through google friend connect.
~smooches~
Jase

 

Congratulations Jase! I’ll be emailing you soon. Please respond within 48 hours or a new winner will be drawn.

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Today is the last day to Enter & Win Patricia Briggs books!

Click HERE to enter. 

Today is the last day to enter for your chance to win some amazing Patricia Briggs books. The 400 follower mark came and went awhile ago, so as promised, there will now be two winners!  One for the complete Mercy Thompson series, and one for the complete Alpha & Omega series.  The giveaway is international (anywhere that Book Depository ships). 

One winner gets: Moon Called, Blood Bound, Iron Kissed, and Bone Called.

Another winner gets: Cry Wolf, Hunting Ground, and On The Prowl! 

Click HERE to enter. 

The winners will be announced tomorrow. 

Don’t think I didn’t notice when I passed the 300 follower mark recently.  I remember when I hit 50 followers and thought elated wasn’t a big enough word.  Well, 300 followers makes 50 feel like that time I shut my toe in the car door and then had my way-too-fat dog jumped up and down on it. 

    So I saw this event coming and knew I needed an amazing giveaway to celebrate.  I decided to go with a complete set of the books that started my love for all things urban fantasy (and they are still my favorite UF books): The Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs. Moon Called, Blood Bound, Iron Kissed, Bone Called. So you’ll be all caught up in time for Silver Borne (Mercy Thompson, Book 5) which comes out March 30, 2010!

My Reviews of The Mercy Thompson Series
Moon Called (Mercy Thompson, Book 1)
Blood Bound (Mercy Thompson, Book 2)
Iron Kissed (Mercy Thompson, Book 3)
Bone Crossed (Mercy Thompson, Book 4)

The Mercedes Thompson Series is a series of urban fantasy novels written by Patricia Briggs that follow the adventures of Mercedes (Mercy) Thompson, a Native American shapeshifter who was raised by Werewolves. The series is set in the Tri-Cities area of Washington state in an alternate world in which Werewolves and certain types of the fae have been forced to reveal themselves to the public. The series follows Mercy, a VW mechanic by trade, as she learns her true nature and is caught up in the affairs of the local werewolf pack, led by Adam, the Alpha who lives next door, and the local vampire seethe, a member of which she has befriended. –Wikipedia

Want to find out more about Mercy?  Check out my Mercy Thompson Character Profile

And then I thought, Patricia Briggs is such an amazing author, I should giveaway the books in her (Mercy spinoff) Alpha & Omega series too!  So, *if* I cross the 400 follower mark before this giveaway ends, I’ll draw another winner to receive Cry Wolf, Hunting Ground, and On The Prowl!

My Reviews of the Alpha & Omega Series
Alpha and Omega (Prequel included in the On The Prowl anthology)
Cry Wolf (Alpha and Omega, Book 1)
Hunting Ground (Alpha and Omega, Book 2) (I don’t even have this one yet)

Giveaway Guidelines

Open Internationally (anywhere Book Depository ships)

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