Monday, August 24, 2020

Review: Fire Touched by Patricia Briggs


Fire Touched (Mercy Thompson #9) by Patricia Briggs
Publication Date: March 8th 2016 by Ace
Source: Publisher and purchased audio book
Pages: 342
Narration Length: 10 hrs 7 min
Narrators: Lorelei King
Rating: ½ 
Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible | Goodreads

About the book: 

Tensions between the fae and humans are coming to a head. And when coyote shapeshifter Mercy and her Alpha werewolf mate, Adam, are called upon to stop a rampaging troll, they find themselves with something that could be used to make the fae back down and forestall out-and-out war: a human child stolen long ago by the fae.

Defying the most powerful werewolf in the country, the humans, and the fae, Mercy, Adam, and their pack choose to protect the boy no matter what the cost. But who will protect them from a boy who is fire touched?

I originally posted this on The Readers Den, but as part of my read along with Anne at Books of My Heart I'm posting my original review for Fire Touched here. Mercy Thompson continues to be one of my two favorite Urban Fantasy series' and I'm working my way through a third time. Every time I notice new things and love the story just a little bit more. The audios are perfection!

Re-read 3rd time June 23rd 2020

Re-read April 1st 2017

My Thoughts:
When the Fae let a monster loose, the Pack are called to take it down, since the police can’t make any headway and lives are at stake. Zee and Tad join in the fight bringing with them an odd, fire-touched boy named Aiden who seeks the Pack’s protection from the Fae. Taking in Aiden brings all kinds of risk and problems, but we all know Mercy and Adam would never turn their back on someone seeking safety. At the end of the battle, Mercy draws a line in the sand with the Fae, and claims the Tri-Cities as the pack’s territory saddling them with new responsibilities, protection of its citizens being one those. This has far reaching effects on the Pack which could result in an all out war with the Fae. Can Mercy and Adam defuse the situation all the while standing their ground? I was glued to the pages to find out!

As usual with the Mercy Thompson series, once I started Fire Touched I couldn’t put it down. The Fae are very much front and center in this installment, which dives into action and danger pretty quickly. The Fae are creepy and volatile for the most part, and I love getting a little more of their history and secrets when a Fae centered installment comes along. I was definitely thrilled to have grouchy Zee back, since we haven’t had much from him lately.

The dynamics of pack hierarchy and relationships continue to fascinate me. Adam makes a proclamation to the Pack and I was overjoyed! I felt it was a long time coming, and oddly enough, it had a unifying effect over the Pack. Adam and Mercy continue strongly united and very much in love, while still being interesting and hot together. Their bond warms my heart a more and more with every installment!

I’m always impressed how masterfully Mercy sizes up situations, uses her brain before speaking, (something I could do a little more of!) and comes out on top because of it!

Still can’t stand Christy! She makes my blood boil every time she’s in a scene. That Mercy doesn’t scratch her eyes out is a miracle in my opinion! Thankfully, Christy’s presence is kept to a minimum.

There were a couple of side stories that really grabbed my interest. I’d love to continue on with Thomas and Margaret’s story. Thomas is the vampire in Frost Burned who fought by Mercy’s side, and he’s accompanying Margaret, a fae, to meet with the Gray Lords. This is a story of unrequited love and I need more, please! Then there’s Sherwood Post, a werewolf Bran sent to Adam’s pack. He’s a bit damaged since he lost one of his legs, and feels sort of useless to the Pack. I won’t go further into his portion of the story, but I’m hopeful we get more of him in the future.

I’m addicted to anything Patricia Briggs writes, Mercy Thompson and Alpha and Omega are in my top five favorite Urban Fantasy series, and Fire Touched is another winner for me. Just makes me want to go back and read them all over again!


10 comments:

  1. This is a series I have been meaning to try. I just need to find the time.

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  2. I can't believe how much I have forgotten before this reread. It's a joy to discover it again. Thanks for participating in the Read-along. I can't stand Christy either.

    Anne - Books of My Heart

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  3. i know i have read some but not all of the series and loved what i have read. need more....especially seeing that cover
    sherry @ fundinmental

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  4. Yes, follow ups with Thomas and Margaret and Sherwood would be fab. I do love that Adam laid down the law like that. On we go to the next wonderful installment. :)

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  5. I was very glad about Adam's proclamation in this one, too. 'Bout time! And Aiden's a fun character, too. :)

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  6. I need to get back to this series. I started it and really liked it but I've only read the first one.

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  7. I really need to catch up with the read along! I've fallen so far behind that I'm missing the point of a readalong now! 😂
    I'd finished book 4 when lockdown happened and didn't keep going. I definitely want to read the series before the year is out!

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