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| Hard Cover cover art. |
Hardcover: 336 pages
Publisher: Ace Books; 1st edition (March 1, 2011)
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| Inside front flap |
File Size: 576 KB
Publisher: Ace (March 1, 2011)
Sold by: Penguin Publishing
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Orbit (February 2011)
Advanced Copy sent by Publisher. No remuneration was exchanged. All opinions are my own.
Advanced Copy sent by Publisher. No remuneration was exchanged. All opinions are my own.
Story and Pace: ExcellentPassion: Appropriately understatedIck Factor: none at allCliché: None that I can discern.
From Patricia Briggs’ website. http://www.patriciabriggs.com/books/
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.
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.
From Amazon.com
Product 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.
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.
I have been sitting around my house this afternoon perusing River Marked and trying to find an angle for my review. You know, something more than, “Wow, great book, buy it.” Because, while it is a great book and you should buy it you might like to know why it is good.
First, Briggs is a very good prose artist. She can paint a picture or dialogue with words and it sounds like the characters. Each line of dialogue or narration is written in that character’s voice; Adam sounds different from Mercedes who is different from Stefan or Jesse. While I may have read a book with the characters so distinctively written, I think that Patricia is a master of the art.
The book is not about sex, or really even romance. It is a paranormal thriller urban fantasy. Yes, Adam and Mercy are on their honeymoon, and they have some lovely loving, but that is not what it’s about.
In terms of their relationship it is more about them building a relationship as a married/mated couple without setting off all their alarms. They do like fighting because it suits the animal sides of their natures. Something happens when we marry that subtly changes us even if we've been together a while. They discuss how their rings mark them as each other’s as far as anyone outside the pack is concerned.
Mercedes has to learn to let him exercise his natural, genetically wrought need to protect her. He has to learn she isn’t a little woman in an apron and pearl earrings who will be waiting for him at the door with his cocktail in hand.
I admire the way Mercedes approaches problems and the unknown because she does it with a mechanics mind set. Working on old bugs there are no onboard computers to clue her in on what is wrong. She has to look at the car methodically and do a differential diagnosis. She approaches problems that way too. Mercedes is an immensely likable character and a favorite among the heroines in Urban Fantasy. She isn't a damsel in need to rescue, but she is also vulnerable physically and emotionally.
Another theme in the book, other than never accept a favor from the fae, is that there are bigger and worse monsters out there than werewolves and vampires. And, some are so bad that sometimes one has to be the person running towards the fight. And, sometimes Adam is going to have to let her.
I must say that Patricia’s understanding, in my [not really] anglo-eyes, of the Aboriginal people of North America is excellent and that this is the first time I haven’t felt a story about the various tribes wasn’t told in an overly simplified way or in a patronizing way. She does a great job giving enough of the Native American culture without it becoming hokey. Better even than some anthropologists she seems to get the allegorical nature of the legends and the seeming paradoxes that come with their telling.
So, NOW I can say, “Wow this is a great book!.Pre-order it now! Beg, borrow, or buy it March 1.
GIVEAWAY: MOON CALLED—ANOTHER GREAT BOOK BY PATRICIA BRIGGS
The wonderful people over at Penguin (at least one of many!) is allowing me to giveaway a copy of the newly printed hardcover of the first book in this series, Moon-Called. US addresses only. It will come directly from Penguin. While hugely appreciated, following is not required. Entries will be open from 12:00 AM February 17 to 10:00 AM February 18 (Th.& Fri.)
GIVEAWAY: MOON CALLED—ANOTHER GREAT BOOK BY PATRICIA BRIGGS
Won by Redd!
The wonderful people over at Penguin (at least one of many!) is allowing me to giveaway a copy of the newly printed hardcover of the first book in this series, Moon-Called. US addresses only. It will come directly from Penguin. While hugely appreciated, following is not required. Entries will be open from 12:00 AM February 17 to 10:00 AM February 18 (Th.& Fri.)
RULES:
1. Must be 18 or over. Since you need to be 18 to read my blog, it makes sense that you need to be 18 to enter.
2.USA addresses Only.
3. Must enter within the dates and times specified.
4. While unlikely, I retain the right to change contest terms as needed.
5. Winner to be chosen through random.or, book will be shipped from publisher
5. Winner to be chosen through random.or, book will be shipped from publisher
6. Your information will not be shared with anyone.
7. You must provide complete information.
8. Upon drawing of winner an email will be sent to that person who will have 48 hours to contact me with full name and US address.
9. Name will also be announced on my blog. If you have a blog I would be happy to post the URL or Badge along with your name.
10. Once books are Penguin cannot be held responsible for damage or loss.
11. One Entry per person. In the case of duplication only one entry will be counted.
12. You must complete the Form below.
Want to meet Pat? Here are her tour dates.
Patricia Briggs, #1 New York Times bestselling author
of the Mercy Thompson series, will be on tour this March to support the release of RIVER MARKED (Ace Hardcover; March 1, 2011; $24.95). Please see below for all event dates and locations:
TUESDAY, MARCH 1st
7:30 PM PST
HASTINGS (9745-Richland)
1425 GEORGE WASHINGTON WAY
Richland, WA 99354
(509)-946-1060 (store)
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2nd
7:00 PM CST
BORDERS BOOKS
1500 16th St
Ste D
Oak Brook, IL 60523
(630)-574-0800 (store)
THURSDAY, MARCH 3rd
7:30 PM EST
BORDERS BOOKS & MUSIC
Crossroads Center
5871 Crossroads Center Way
Bailey's Crossroads, VA 22041
(703)-998-0404 (store)
FRIDAY, MARCH 4th
7:00 PM CST
BARNES & NOBLE
2100 North Snelling Ave
Roseville, MN 55113
(651)-639-9256 (store)
SATURDAY, MARCH 5th
6:00 PM CST
MURDER BY THE BOOK
2342 Bissonnet St
Houston, TX 77005
(713)-524-8597 (store)
SUNDAY, MARCH 6th
2:00 PM PST
MYSTERIOUS GALAXY
7051 Clairemont Mesa Blvd
Ste 302
San Diego, CA 92111
(858)-268-4747 (store)
MONDAY, MARCH 7th
7:00 PM PST
UNIVERSITY BOOKSTORE
4326 University Way NE
Seattle, WA 98105
(206)-634-3400 (store)
TUESDAY, MARCH 8th
7:00 PM PST
POWELL'S BOOKS
Cedar Hills Crossing
3415 SW Cedar Hills Blvd
Beaverton, OR 97005
503-643-3131
