Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs Narrator: Lorelei King
Series: Mercy Thompson #4
Published by Penguin Audio on February 5, 2009
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Length: 9 hours, 7 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Library
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm, Barnes & Noble, Apple
By day, Mercy is a car mechanic in the sprawling Tri-Cities of Eastern Washington. By night, she explores her preternatural side. As a shapeshifter with some unique talents, Mercy has often found herself having to maintain a tenuous harmony between the human and the not so human. This time she may get more than she bargained for.
Marsilia, the local Vampire Queen, has learned that Mercy crossed her by slaying a member of her clan—and she's out for blood. But since Mercy is protected from direct reprisal by the werewolf pack (and her close relationship with its sexy Alpha), it won't be Mercy's blood Marsilia is after.
It'll be her friends'.
Bone Crossed is the fourth installment of the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs. I feel compelled to mention this, in case you started the read-along and just motored through the entire Mercyverse without stopping because it is simply that good. The story lines are interesting and informative and each book builds on the last, adding layers of of rich detail that make this entire world seem so real. On top of that, there is a growing cast of complex characters that I somehow manage to keep straight!
I have mixed feelings about Bone Crossed. I love the series so much it is difficult to say I didn’t particularly enjoy a story, because even though the particular plot or tone of the book didn’t agree with me, I still value its place in the grand scheme of things. If I had to pinpoint why Bone Crossed is possibly my least favorite in the series, it could be Iron Kissed is just a tough act to follow. But aside from that, I just don’t find the vampire politics as interesting as Pack politics, and there were a lot of vampire machinations going on in Bone Crossed.
I feel like there were actually two vampire-centered themes – the power struggle within Marsilia’s seethe and the fight with the “Boogeyman of Spokane.” I would have liked a little less of the former and a little more of the latter. I would have liked more time spent drawing out the action and really getting to know the characters so that I would be more invested in whether they lived or died. In the end, both plots seemed purposed to further explain/demonstrate blood ties and to ultimately show the depth of Mercy and Stefan’s bond.
I love the strength of spirit and body that Mercy represents. I like that she walks in the grey rather than in the black and white, because life just isn’t simple. In Bone Crossed, we see the more subtle repercussions of her assault, her panic attacks, her insecurity, and lastly, how she appears to second guess her own instincts. She lacks the same level of snarky humor, which also makes sense, as does her tentative approach to her relationship with Adam. It is a true testament to her character that amid all of her own problems, she does not shy away from any task set before her.
Ms. Briggs has such a gift with storytelling, that even though this is not one of my favorite books in the series, I still enjoyed it. The world is rich and continues to grow with each installment. Half the excitement is figuring out what culture or lore she will be bringing into the mix. I definitely noticed more foreshadowing in this book, especially with regards to Mercy’s Native American background.
Narration:
There is absolutely nothing more I can say about the narration that hasn’t already been said. I’ll just restate that the narration is fantastic and I am astounded that Ms. King is able to execute the huge cast of characters with effortless style.
Listen to a clip:
Games:
Who said (enter the answer in the Rafflecopter, don’t put in the comments)
“ If I could kill you, I would.”
There are other options in the rafflecopter for you to enter discussion questions and quotes to share.
Share your review/ thoughts on Bone Crossed:
I thought it might be fun to link up reviews so we can find them all easily. It can be a link to Goodreads or a blog, or wherever you have a review (short or long).
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Observations and questions you shared from Iron Kissed:
(Thank you so much for sharing!)
- This was probably the most emotional book for me, and it hit me harder the 2nd time around. I’m nervous about reading it for this re-read (3rd time for me).
- I want Samuel’s story now!
Quotes you readers shared from Iron Kissed:
(Thank you for sharing!)
“Stay out of trouble, Mercedes Thompson. Fairyland is no place for good little girls.”
Cheeses crusty, got all musty, got damp on the stone of a peach.
“Killing Mercy would be a mistake,” he growled. “My da had Mercy raised in our pack and he couldn’t love Mercy more if she were his daughter. For her he would declare open war with the fae and damned be the consequences. You can call him and ask, if you doubt my word.”
“It’s only fair to warn you that you sealed your fate tonight. When you knew you were in trouble, you came to me. That makes twice, Mercy, and twice is almost as good as a declaration. You are mine now…. Ben says you might run. If you do, I will find you and bring you back. Every time you run, Mercy. I won’t force you, but. .. No more excuses, Mercy. You are mine, and I am keeping you.”
Schedule:
We are doing one book every 4 weeks, posting on Fridays.
Mar 27: Bone Crossed – KC
Apr 24: Silver Borne – Berls at Because Reading
May 22: River Marked: Rachel at Waves of Fiction
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
Oct 9: Storm Cursed – Angela at My Guilty Pleasures
Nov 6: Smoke Bitten – Anne
Miss a post?
Jan 3: Moon Called – Anne
Jan 31: Blood Bound – Melanie
Feb 28: Iron Kissed – Carole at Carole’s Random Life in Books
Be sure to enter the giveaways!!!
Giveaway:
Digital or Paperback copy of Silver Borne from Amazon (US ) or Paperback copy of Silver Borne from Book Depository (open Intl):
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've developed a preference for audiobooks over the last few years, which allow me to complete chores, run carpool, or work on my many building and craft projects while 'reading.
My all time favorite selections include Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series, Karen Marie Moning's Fever series, and all of Robin Hobb's books set in the Farseer world. Honorable mentions to Elle Kennedy, Penny Reid, Meljean Brook, Ann Aguirre, Krista and Becca Ritchie, Jeaniene Frost, and Kristen Callihan.
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Yay! I love this series!
Me too!
Anne, thanks so much for choosing this series! It seems like everyone enjoys rereading it, and it has introduced people to the series too.
It really is great!
oh man. i feel i am so missing out…
It’s an amazing series. One of my top 5 of all time. So I would encourage you to try it if you like urban fantasy.
Sherry-this would be a great time to start it!
Great review. Love this series. Love Mercy!
Thanks Angela!
Thanks!
I enjoyed your review, KC. I thought Iron Kissed was a tough act to follow, but I was thrilled to see the way she ground it out and was getting back some of her own. I do love Stefan and the vampire politics so I enjoyed it more especially seeing Mercy and Marsilia face off a few times.
I loved it too because it is just so well-written. Thanks so much for sharing your review Sophia!
ITA on it being well-written. It is weird, because I am normally partial to vampires, but other than Stefan, it is hard to like the seethe. They are weird and scary. Wulfe and Lily have potential and that isn’t to say they don’t grow on me later in the series… thanks for sharing!
Those last two quotes are two of my faces from this book. This isn’t one of my fave Mercy books but I did like how realistically Briggs portrayed Mercy after the events of Iron Kissed.
Yes true. Every book is so well-written and has a place in the overall story with such realistic emotions in the characters.
I love this series, too. Yes, there are installments that are not my favs, but I still enjoy the story. As a whole, this series is one of my all-time favorite UFs. I think it’s a tie with Kate Daniels. I need to get cracking on the re-read. I have one more review book that I got in an audio from the library before I start again. I think I’m still really worried about the re-read of Iron Kissed cause it’s so intense.
Yes I think this one has a lower emotional whack because anything would after Iron Kissed. Perhaps people don’t like this one quite as much because Mercy is dealing with the aftermath. I love every book and it’s also one of my favorite UF series.
Thanks for sharing your review link! (It had one extra digit at the end which I fixed)
Thanks, Anne!
Iron Kissed is a tough book to follow for sure. I remember liking this one but not as much as Iron Kissed. I like the stories that deal with vampires but I remember enjoying the Spokane thread a bit more. The narration really is top-notch for this whole series.
As I continue the reread I’m reminded of what an amazing series it is. People have preferences of liking to read about certain thing be it vampires or fae or werewolves so I think that plays into which book they enjoy more a little. I like it all so I’m good. I just devoured the next one Silver Borne and it is even better.
If you had asked me how joining the pack would happen, I wouldn’t have expected it to happen that way.
Most people would think a coyote couldn’t actually become part of the pack so it is interesting.
I continue to love this series!
Me too! I can’t believe how much more I am seeing / remembering in the reread.