Iron Kissed (Mercy Thompson, Book 3)

amazing series. great writer. interesting characters.

Absolutely love this series!! Great for adults or older teens. Can't wait to finish this series and start the series that actually came in a time frame before this one alpha and omega. I heard the two series go together.

Someone's killing fae on the Umatilla Reservation. Mercy (Mercedes) Thompson gets called in by her mentor, Zee, to help see if she can scent out the killer. She's a skinwalker, possibly the only one in existence, and her sense of smell could provide the fae with information to solve the case. While she's investigating, she also discovers a secret and now she understands far better why the fae were so willing to have permitted themselves to be locked up on reservations. Unfortunately, the rulers of the fae, the Gray Lords, know she knows and that could pose a problem since they keep their secrets close. Very shortly after, a reservation guard is savagely murdered. Zee is the prime suspect, literally caught red handed while the guard's blood is cooling. Zee goes to jail and refuses to speak a word in his defense despite Mercy hiring the best criminal defense lawyer she can for him. Despite warnings from the fae, Mercy takes the case. In order to find the killer, she's going to have to use more than just her nose. Mercy Thompson novels are some of the best serial fiction in urban fantasy. Patricia Briggs excels at character development and not rushing relationships or even growth on her people. Her characters are also good at staying in character. The mystery in this plot is almost as good as the fantasy. Ms. Briggs has a talent for dramatic writing and she can sink a barb deeper than a mad porcupine. She also did keep me guessing until very near the end of the novel, which is not that common even for hardcore mystery writers. What is most interesting about Briggs' writing is her worldbuilding. What happens to the world when the supernaturals come out? Many authors have posited an alternative world with this type of scenario. In many ways, I think Patricia Briggs' guess is one of the most interesting and accurate. And as the old saw goes, "those who do not study history are destined to repeat it." Well, those who do study history will strongly recognize the common patterns from Ms. Briggs' books to our history, particularly reservations and the level of hate group activity. Mercy Thompson Books in Order: Moon Called (Book 1) Blood Bound (Book 2) Iron Kissed (Book 3)

So, this review comes after reading the novel, several reviews, and sleeping on it. So, first things first. It is probably a 4 3/4 star book, but that's not an option =) I liked this book very, very much. Patricia Briggs tops my list as an author that I love to read, and more importantly, re-read. She writes at a satisfying length (though I do wish for longer books sometimes, so I can keep reading), with complex characters that are nonetheless tangible and realistic. Also, she resists going with the "happy-happy" trend I have observed recently. Her characters go through difficult, or possibly destroying, events, yet they always end with a note of hope, fragile though that may be. In this I find her writing to be reminiscent of Holly Lisle or Ann Bishop, who often use their characters with a brutal lack of care for "gentler" conventions. However she never leaves them dangling (or in some cases reveling) in their pathos, to their (or our) annoyance. She leaves us with a clean taste, and in some cases a deeper thought about "what-if's" and the unusual ways possible to triumph over tragedy. So, on to Iron Kissed. As referred to in other reviews, there were interesting conclusions in this book for previously established thread plots. She further developed some characters, most notably Ben (in my opinion). Ben is almost developing into an anti-hero, whom you like in spite of himself. In a broader view he reminds you that people who act awfully often have been the victims of awful events, but that the choice to move beyond the event instead of being consumed by the event is completely up to the "victim". I do agree that in many ways Samuel was marginalized, but also understand that there are four more books coming (as well as novellas, etc). Within these four books Ms. Briggs has been "gently advised" to keep Mercy's love life "complicated". Ah, commercialism at its best. So, personally I am willing to put up with that in order to see more of Mercy's world. Additionally, I believe that Mercy and Sam discussed there being attraction (not the lack). If this was resolved a bit abruptly I applaud Ms. Briggs for not dragging the resolution on into the next 11 novels (oh wait, she's only contracted for four more, I must be thinking of someone else). As an audience I appreciate the cauterization, as it were. This book is a more serious examination of Mercy, which allows her to continue to mature and develop as a character. In some ways it is grim, and I admit to re-reading the last 50 pages or so 3 times, to better absorb the emotional impact. To those who thought that the event was "trivialized" by Mercy's "quick recovery and playing ghost whisperer", I would suggest waiting, as well as considering another thought. When a person feels helpless, taking action where possible makes the helplessness less unbearable. On a side note, I would suggest that her acceptance by the Adam's pack is perhaps an illustration of how much circumsta

Wow, I am trying to figure out what book the "negative nellys" are reading because it isn't the book I read. Iron Kissed is a very pleasing third book for me - yes, it is much more serious than the other two - but it is so well written and necessary to advance the characters and the overall story. I will admit I was mad when the book ended because I wanted more, but not mad in the sense that I was disappointed. I think this book showed the depth to Mercy and opened up the character of Ben for me. I say well done!

I read a review here that said the ending was bittersweet. I am a romance novel reader first and foremost and almost always require a satisfying (read happy) ending to my books and I felt that Iron Kissed delivered on that regard. I won't provide a summary because I think other reviews and the blurb does a good job. This book, more than the previous two, is packed with emotion, mystery, romance, and fantasy providing a full bodied read for the urban fantasy fan. Mercy is at a crossroads in her relationships with the two men in her life, Samuel and Adam Hauptman. Both are alpha werewolves although Samuel has no pack and Adam is the alpha of Tri Cities werewolf pack. Mercy must decide which one she loves more because Adam has declared his feelings for her and her lack of definitive response is weakening the clan. When her mechanic mentor, Siebold Adelbertsmiter aka Zee, calls upon her to repay a favor to the Fae, she is grateful for the distraction. There have been several unsolved murders on the Fae reservation and the magic which the fae can call on without incurring the wrath of the Grey Lords has been insufficient in finding the perpetrator. Mercy is called in to use her nose to see if she can find an identifying scent of the murderer. She does and completes her task only to receive a call that Zee has been accused of murder himself. Zee is a surrogate father figure for Mercy and it spurs her into finding out who is the real murderer. This investigation triggers a whole set of terrible consequences for Mercy. Mercy eventually figures out who did the killing but not before something tragic (and I know this is an overused word but it is totally appropriate here) befalls her. In order for her to move on, she must come to terms emotionally and physically with this tragedy. The way in which this tragedy was worked into the story was organic to the mystery. I never felt manipulated. As a reader of primarily romance, this hit all the right buttons for me. There is a depth of emotion in this book not often found in the urban fantasy trope. Many times urban fantasy is compelling for external motivations: world building, mystery, action. The last third of this story, though, was truly emotional. I was moved to tears at Mercy's struggle with the aftermath of her tragedy and grateful for her eventual triumph. The love triangle was resolved beautifully and not in a way that I saw coming. I generally hate love triangles, particularly when the author is skilled in making me believe that both are good choices. Samuel and Adam are both decent, honorable men. They also both have their overbearing negatives. I was torn going into the story about which Mercy should choose and while I wanted her to choose someone, I wasn't sure which one and when. The way in which the triangle was resolved was subtle and satisfying. I felt good when I read how the triangle concluded. If readers haven't picked up a Mercy Thompson book, I think they could

In this latest installment Mercy is thrust directly into fae affairs as she struggles to clear Zee of murder. Someone has been stealing fae relics and killing those who owned them-a transgression that not even the Gray Lords will stand for. Someone will have to pay the price and that means Mercy and Zee might end up being the fall guys. It is not necessarily the plot line that attracts readers to this series but the tenuous relationships between the characters. It strongly conjures up similarities to Moning's "Fever" series and Hamilton's "Meredith Gentry" series with one striking difference; while Moning might take us to the front lines of the fae/mortal battle, Brigg's provides only an intoxicating glimpse, concentrating her creative talents on character development. But that shouldn't discourage readers-this is where Brigg's strength lies. But there is a tone of seriousness to this story not present in earlier novels and fans might be taken aback. For those who have read Kim Harrison's series-remember Rachel and Kisten? Well the tone is just as serious because this 3rd book is the catalyst, and important decisions and events occur. Mercy finally chooses between Samuel and Adam. Mercy, Adam, Samuel, Ben, Zee and pack politics are fleshed out enough to both satisfy and leave readers clamoring for more. Briggs also touches on a seriously traumatic event that Mercy experiences, and handles it both in a sensitive and cautious way. This event, and the subsequent actions of her characters lend a permanence that will stay long in readers minds. Brigg's has proven she can stand with the best writers of supe fiction. Mercedes Thompson is just as enigmatic and strong has Armintrout's Carrie Ames, Armstrong's Elena Michaels, and Moning's Mackayla Lane. After waiting a while for this third novel to come out, I was deeply satisfied with the outcome-read it twice in one day though the ending seemed somewhat incomplete-perhaps a ploy to keep us wanting more-at least it worked for me. It delivers on many levels and I can't wait for the next one. Kudos!Copyright(c)Nicola Mattos