Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Smoke Bitten by Patricia Briggs Series: Mercy Thompson #12
Published by Ace on March 17, 2020
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 368
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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I am Mercedes Athena Thompson Hauptman.
My only "superpowers" are that I turn into a thirty-five pound coyote and fix Volkswagens. But I have friends in odd places and a pack of werewolves at my back. It looks like I'm going to need them.Centuries ago, the fae dwelt in Underhill--until she locked her doors against them. They left behind their great castles and troves of magical artifacts. They abandoned their prisoners and their pets. Without the fae to mind them, those creatures who remained behind roamed freely through Underhill wreaking havoc. Only the deadliest survived.
Now one of those prisoners has escaped. It can look like anyone, any creature it chooses. But if it bites you, it controls you. It lives for chaos and destruction. It can make you do anything--even kill the person you love the most. Now it is here, in the Tri-Cities. In my territory.
It won't, can't, remain. Not if I have anything to say about it.
I am SO happy I chose to have the Mercy Thompson series as our Read-along this year. It has really been incredible to read them all close in timing. I know I have understood many more details and enjoyed it immensely. I really love this author and this series. Each book is so well-written with rich details, cleverly crafted plots, and imperfect, realistic characters. I appreciate the subtle humor as well.
I read Smoke Bitten earlier in the year when it came out and again right after Storm Cursed for the Read-along. At first, I felt it was kind of back to the same old stuff with one enemy and usually the fae. But there is more here with fallout from the witches too. The main characters may be werewolves, except Mercy isn’t and the fae, vampires and witches always seem to have a role in the each situation.
Mercy is incredible! I love how intelligent and compassionate she is, even when it would be so easy to not risk herself for who mistreat her. She is so very often alone in her efforts. Is this because she is independent or because the pace of the revelations happens so quickly she has to act spur the moment?
I still don’t like Christy!
I still love Kyle!
In the reread, I have been much more aware of her relationship with Adam. I didn’t appreciate the first time around, how much he loves her and the difficult positions they face, partly because she is not a werewolf. They face new challenges and I’m so proud of Mercy for seeing past the surface.
I am thrilled Mercy was able to figure things out – again – to help save some of those she loves. She has all the best characteristics of a great urban fantasy heroine. She is smart and caring which means all the different groups are willing to work with her and she has built a set of friends and allies who help her with each new and often dangerous situation.
Games:
Who said (may enter the answer in the comments)
“God,” he said with feeling, “are they going to be disappointed if that’s what they need.”
Since this is the last month, share your discussion questions and quotes in the comments.
Share your review/ thoughts on Smoke Bitten:
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 Storm Cursed:
(Thank you so much for sharing!)
- I wished Mercy’s time within the kitten was explored more. It seemed like an after thought to fix a plot hole.
- I love the video game names that Briggs comes up with for her wolf pack to play. I looked one up to see if it was real.
- Even though I know they aren’t real, I hate to read books were animals are abuse. It was fairly brief in Storm Cursed, but still unpleasant for me.
Quotes you readers shared from Storm Cursed:
(Thank you for sharing!)
“Bosses need to jump in the outhouse with the grunts occasionally. It’s good for morale.” ` Mary Jo
Schedule:
We are doing one book every 4 weeks, posting on Fridays.
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
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 – Sophia
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 – Kimberly at Caffeinated Reviewer
Oct 9: Storm Cursed – Angela at My Guilty Pleasures
Be sure to enter the giveaway!!!
Grand Prize Giveaway:
If the winner is Intl, I will send a copy of Smoke Bitten through Book Depository.
For the US winner:
- Hurog duology MP3
- Mercy Thompson Night Broken, Fire Touched + Stories MP3
- Hardcover copy of Smoke Bitten
- Mercy Thompson enamel pin
The MP3 audios were graciously provided by Brilliance Audio. The Mercy Thompson enamel pin was provided by AceRoc. Unfortunately none of the conferences happened so things won’t be signed.
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.
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
Friend or follow me at Goodreads.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- COYER-20
I had to skim this as I’m not current but smiled when I saw the 5 stars? Can’t wait to return to this series in 2021!
It’s definitely in my top 5 favorite series. I enjoyed it even more with the Read-along because of reading them more closely together I got more of the fine details which connected between books. Now I want to reread Alpha & Omega too.
I don’t think the smoke weaver is my favorite villain in this series, but it certainly was different.
Yes it felt like a back track but also Elizaveta was a villain here.
Quote from Tilly: “Mercedes Thompson Hauptman,” she purred with one of her mercurial mood changes. “You are more interesting than I imagined.” Sounds more like Marsilia to me, however, I like the quote though because it sums up Mercy and the character’s development over the series.
Thank you so much for participating and sharing for the Read-along.
I just finished this one the day before yesterday and I’m still processing. I definitely agree that Christy is dreadful and Mercy makes her look bad without trying. 🙂 Yes, this revealed so much about Adam and Mercy’s relationship. Kyle using that gun in defense was all it took to make me love him more. 🙂 I think this is the first book that admitted that he is Warren’s mate. 🙂 And, yay for college-age Jessie, Tad fending off a girl crush, and my favorite inanimate object being back. 🙂
I think Iron Kissed remains my favorite of the series But this re-read has made me see it all as so connected with many high points that it’s a tough call. You picked a winner, Anne, thanks!
Thank you so much Sophia! It has been such a pleasure for me too. I really appreciate all your help and support doing reviews and linking up and just adding to the discussion about these books.
the more i see the more i want to catch up.
It’s one of my top 5 series ever. Hopefully you can join in on the new Read-along next year.
Yea! So much fun. I’ve really enjoyed reading everyone’s reviews over the year – I do love this series. I should have done the re-reads with you all. I will re-read this one, actually, I’ll probably go back to the last Charles and Anna book and start there (but ew… my issues with that book) before next books is out in March. Anyhow, I’ll figure it out. Love this series.
YES! I really want to reread all of Charles and Anna now. But adding them in felt like too many books to tackle in a year. It has been so much fun. I hope you can join us some year and even now, you can link up reviews to join the discussion aspect. I’m really really happy I chose this series – I love it.
My feelings for Christy softened from the Alpha & Omega series, but I still want to thump her on the head.
I don’t think I’ll ever soften toward Christy. lol