Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs Narrator: Lorelei King
Series: Mercy Thompson #2
Published by Penguin Audio on October 1, 2009
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Length: 10 hours, 2 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Purchased
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Mechanic Mercy Thompson has friends in low places-and in dark ones. And now she owes one of them a favor. Since she can shapeshift at will, she agrees to act as some extra muscle when her vampire friend Stefan goes to deliver a message to another of his kind.
But this new vampire is hardly ordinary-and neither is the demon inside of him.
I was excited when Anne said she wanted to do a read-along on the Mercy Thompson series. I really love this series. I’ve read most of the books once and then listened probably three times, making this my fourth time listening (for five over all). Patricia Briggs just writes such amazing characters and wonderful plots, that no matter how long the series gets, she keeps out doing herself. Adding Lorelei King as the narrator (and Holter Graham if you’re doing the entire Mercyverse, you can get the chronological order of both series together here, which even includes the orders for the short stories in anthologies and graphic novels, though you don’t have to read those in order or at all if you don’t want to).
“Never trust a mechanic who drives new cars. They’re either charging too much money for their work, or they can’t keep an old car running – maybe both.” ~ Mercy
Anyway, so Blood Bound is the second book in the Mercy series. We are starting to get more of a feel about Mercy and the creatures that live around here. While we were introduced to the vampires in the first book, we get to see a lot more of them. Stefan, Mercy’s vampire friend, and lover of Scooby Doo, is calling in his favor, asking Mercy to help him as he checks in on a vampire that shouldn’t be in their territory. They both get more than they bargain for with this vamp.
“If I ever become a serial murderer, I’ll be very careful to kill people in a pattern that centers around a police station – and not my home or work.” ~ Mercy
I really love how Ms. Briggs continues to bring out more of the world with each book. In Moon Called, we learned a lot about werewolves, in Blood Bound, the vamps, then in the next book, Iron Kissed, there is more to learn about the fae. Just more and more worldbuilding as time goes on, so you’re never overwhelmed with new information.
I also love the character building. This series ends up with a large cast of characters with many different personalities. I love how they all intermingle together and how the pack dynamics come into place (and even the dynamics with the vampires and fae too).
I know there are a lot of books in this series (and even more in the Mercyverse), but don’t let that prevent you from starting this series. It is so amazing, you’ll fly through them. I started the revisit of this series just this year and I haven’t wanted to leave. As I’m writing this (on the 16th of January), I’m already into the fourth book in the series (I’m doing the entire Mercyverse (though it wasn’t exactly in chronological order, as I was worried I wouldn’t get to this one before I had to write my post, so I’m going back to get the Alpha & Omega books now).
Narration:
This was the first series I listened to with Lorelei King. It was also very early into my audiobook listening obsession. I do think I can blame Ms. King for a large part of my audiobook fascination. She does such an amazing job with this series. She brings out the humor and snarkiness of Mercy, but also does really well with the more gruff characters like Adam and Darryl. Add in Warren’s lazy drawl and Stefan and Zee’s unique voices and it appears there isn’t a voice she can’t master. This is also a series that has way more men in it than women and she makes it look so easy. King is one of my favorite narrators and really brings any fun story to life.
Listen to a clip:
Games:
Who said (enter the answer in the Rafflecopter, don’t put in the comments)
“Even after all this time, I keep forgetting that heroes can be found in unlikely places and persons — like mechanics who can turn into coyotes.”
There are other options in the rafflecopter for you to enter discussion questions and quotes to share.
Quotes you readers shared from Moon Called:
“Mercy,” he mumbled. “What the hell did you do to my French Roast?”
Let me know if you would be interested in reviewing River Marked for the Read-Along.
Schedule:
We are doing one book every 4 weeks, posting on Fridays.
Jan 31: Blood Bound – Melanie
Feb 28: Iron Kissed – Carole at Carole’s Random Life in Books
Mar 27: Bone Crossed – KC
Apr 24: Silver Borne – Berls at Because Reading
May 22: River Marked
Jun 19: Frost Burned – Jonetta at the Blue Mood Cafe
Jul 17: Night Broken – Jennifer the Book Nympho (now at That’s What I’m Talking About)
Aug 14: Fire Touched – Robin
Sep 11: Silence Fallen – Sophia Rose at the Delighted Reader
Oct 9: Storm Cursed – Angela at My Guilty Pleasures
Nov 6: Smoke Bitten – Anne
Miss a post?
Jan 3: Moon Called – Anne
Be sure to enter the giveaways!!!
Giveaway:
Smoke Bitten Hardcover and a Mercy Thompson enamel pin (US only) generously provided by AceRoc:
Grand Prize Giveaway:
I am still developing the complete grand prize package which I will update here as we go along in the Read-along. I know it will contain the MP3 audio versions of the books from Brilliance Audio, probably signed as I intend to go see Patricia Briggs at a conference or two this year. It will also contain swag from those events. There will be a Mercy Thompson enamel pin from AceRoc.
About Lorelei King
Lorelei King is one of the most successful and accomplished American actresses working in the UK today, appearing in numerous films and television shows. Lorelei is also a multi- award-winning narrator of audiobooks, recording the works of best-selling authors Janet Evanovich, Sue Grafton and Patricia Cornwell among others.
Born in Pennsylvania and raised in Los Angeles, Lorelei now makes her home in London, where she lives with her husband, actor Vincent Marzello.
About Patricia Briggs
Patricia Briggs was born in Butte, Montana to a children’s librarian who passed on to her kids a love of reading and books. Patricia grew up reading fairy tales and books about horses, and later developed an interest in folklore and history. When she decided to write a book of her own, a fantasy book seemed a natural choice. Patricia graduated from Montana State University with degrees in history and German and she worked for a while as a substitute teacher. Currently, she lives in Montana with her children and six horses and writes full-time, much to the delight of her fans.
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I started listening to audiobooks when a new book in a series was coming out and I wanted to get a refresher, but didn’t have time to read all the books (I think it was Anita Blake). I fell in love. I stayed with strictly re-reading books that I’d already read for a long time. I eventually tried an audiobook for something that I hadn’t read first and was hooked there too. Now, I listen to audio for both re-reads and first time. I have some series that I’ve given up reading and only listen. I try to get any many books/audiobooks from the library to help save on my budget. Books on CD and the newer digital downloads from the library really allow me to listen more. I then purchase my favorites (because who can wait in line for your favorite book??) and less mainstream books from Audible or some other online retailer.
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Oh yes I love this series!
Me too! I am so happy to be reading it from the beginning again as it has been about 8 years.
It is one of my favorites too. 🙂
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
Excellent review, Melanie? This was my first ever UF series and back when I first read this book, I didn’t realize the sequence you artfully lay out…wolves in #1, vamps in #2 and fae in #3. That clarifies so much in my mind about the world building. Thanks for bringing this book back to my forefront. I made it through River Marked and look forward to resuming the series with this read along.
This was the book that hooked me to Mercy and her world!
I loved this from the beginning. I started my UF reading with the trifecta of Kate Daniels, Mercy Thompson and Sookie Stackhouse. Thanks for joining us!
I had been an Anne Rice fan for years and was reading a single book a year. After I had read all of Rice’s vampire books, I went on vacation with a stack of books, including Moon Called (also Armstrong’s Bitten, LKH’s Guilty Pleasures and Twilight) and devoured all of them. I can’t say for sure which one got me really into reading, because they were all great. I have revisited this series many times.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
LOL, I’ve probably read/listened to this one a half dozen times, too. I don’t get bored no matter what which says a great deal about her world and writing. I think what stood out for me the most this time around was how Mercy responded to that situation near the end when she didn’t approve of Stefan’s method of keeping her safe from the Seethe for what she had done. He knew what he had to lose and did it anyway and she still felt the way she did understanding the depth behind that choice.
Probably one of my top three favs in the series.
With great characters you get tough choices. It’s not all black or white, there’s definitely gray areas. Thanks for reading with us Sophia. I appreciate your sharing of your thoughts.
One of my top five favorite series too
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
This is my first reread of the series. The first time I think I made it to book 8 or so. Very happy to be hanging out with Mercy and crew again.
I’m glad you’re joining us on this revisit. I just love Mercy and the gang.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
I love this series. I felt for Samuel in this one. Boy learning more about the Vampires was intense and to see that her friend Stefan has to play the game and well she doesn’t like some of the things he does.
Their are a lot of great quotes in this one; like the one you put up. Love that one.
I also like these:
(“You should be home sleeping. What is the use of having a man in the house, if he cannot take care of you for a while?”
“Mmm,” I said. “I give up. What’s the use of having a man in the house?”)
(“The problem with deciding to bend the rules was trying to figure out just how far you could bend them.” )
Those are great quotes too. I don’t consider Mercy a snarky character, like say, Kate Daniels, but when she has them, they’re good ones.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
I’m about 20% into Blood Bound and enjoying it so far! I’m so glad that the readalong has spurred me on to revisit this series as I’m really enjoying it. 🙂
I’ve really been sucked back into the Mercyverse. I’m now 7 books in (that’s including the Alpha & Omega books and the anthology, Shifting Shadows, which I had only intended to read the stories up until Iron Kissed, but kept going because I was having so much fun). I just love Mercy and the gang so much. Thanks for stopping by.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
I LOVE this series so much!! I’ve read/listened through it twice, and I agree, Lorelei King is amazing! What a lovely giveaway! I can’t wait to dive into Smoke Bitten and I’m thrilled it’s releasing soon as I didn’t get an ARC for it. 🙁
I always wait for the audiobook. After I started listening with Lorelei King, I couldn’t seem to go back to just reading. Now they only thing that I read in the Mercyverse (because Holter Graham reading Alpha & Omega is great too), are the graphic novels. I have a great time with those.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
I think this would be a series I love! I remember the hype around them years ago, and I’m also pretty sure I own a few >.< So glad to hear you love this series!
I really hope you get a chance to try Mercy. She’s a really great main character.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
I have listened to and read the books from this series and Lorelei King does such a good job with it. I think I love the series just a bit more with every book I read or re-read. I do love the cast of characters in this series.
Agreed 100%. It only get better with the revisit.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
Patricia Briggs is one of my favorite authors. I love her books!! Thanks for the giveaway and read along.
I just started listening to books outside of the Mercyverse. I just tackled the Aralorn books and loved them. I need to read more of her backlist.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
Yes those are good ones too. I love the Alpha and Omega series too.
I’ve only done this whole series once through, but there are couple stories I’ve read more than once. I started out reading and listening to the series, but now it’s audio-only. I love Lorelei King in the series – she is amazing. Great review!
Thanks Jen. King does a really great job with this series.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
I like your review. I love the Mercy series. I am still re-reading Moon Called; need to catch up. :/
It is easy to get behind with so many great options out there. Enjoy.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
It’s interesting as we learn more about the different paranormal groups as the series progresses.
I agree. I love learning more and more about the different species and the world. So well developed.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
I’ve been reading this series for years and it’s one of my favorites. I really like Patricia Briggs’ writing.
It is still one of my favorites too.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
I love that Patricia Briggs makes me think of Stefan as a good friend, and then startles me with the reminder that he is a vampire. At times, it’s easy to forget his inherent vampire nature.
Agreed. Even as a “good vampire” he still has extreme flaws. But he would do anything to protect Mercy I think
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart