Top notch urban fantasy (Moon Called - Patricia Briggs)

Member Name: ladybracknell

Product:	Moon Called - Patricia Briggs
Date:	20/06/09 (28 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Gripping, well written and addictive

Disadvantages: Patricia Briggs doesn't write fast enough!

Hurray! A book I can rave about!

Moon Called is the first in an urban fantasy series set in the area of the Tri Cities in Eastern Washington State and featuring Mercy Thompson, car mechanic and walker. The term walker is derived from 'skinwalker' a native American term for people who wear animal skins and take on the characteristics of that creature. However Mercy isn't a skinwalker she can shapeshift into the form of a coyote.

The story is set in a time after the Fae have 'come out' as have other paranormal beings, such as werewolves and vampires, and Mercy has more than a passing acquaintance with several beings from each of these groups having worked for a Gremlin, one of the Fae; being friends with Stefan, a Vampire who's VW camper van she's fixing up; and catching the romantic eye of her neighbour, Adam, the alpha male from the local werewolf pack.

Mercy, although not a werewolf, was brought up by werewolves. In fact, she was raised by the Marok, who is the top dog in the United States. (No disrespect to werewolves intended by that remark!) She is the product of a liaison between a walker and a human and her mother took her to the Marok when she realised that Mercy could shapeshift. But now Mercy's all grown up and working away from the pack.

This book grabs you from the first couple of lines: "I didn't realize he was a werewolf at first. My nose isn't at its best when surrounded by axle grease and burnt oil -- and it's not like there are a lot of stray werewolves running around Eastern Washington."

This young werewolf sets in motion a chain of events which results in Adam being wounded and his daughter being kidnapped. So Mercy, with the help of her friends, as well as the Marok and one of his sons, Sam, whom Mercy had once loved and still sort of loves, sets out to rescue Adam's daughter.

I really can't praise this book highly enough. I found it by chance in a charity shop and thought I'd give it a try. Not only was I hooked from page 1, but I also became hooked on urban fantasy; a sub genre I'd never bothered with until then.

Patricia Briggs has created in Mercy, a heroine worthy of the title. She's strong, independent and feisty, without being an in-your-face feminist. The story is fast and gripping and despite being populated with creatures from fantasy, is totally and utterly believable.

Of all the various series of urban fantasies and paranormal novels I have read since I first discovered this sub genre, this series remains my favourite and I can't wait for the next book to be published. The books in the series so far are:

1. Moon Called
2. Blood Bound
3. Iron Kissed
4. Bone Crossed

There is also a graphic novel recently published for those of you who like pictures!

If, like me, you become hooked on this series, there is also a spin-off series which Patrica Briggs has begun, featuring another son of the Marok, Charles, who is a troubleshooter for his father. Another excellent series.

Summary: Urban fantasy at its best