Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Soul Taken by Patricia Briggs Series: Mercy Thompson #13
Published by Ace on August 23, 2022
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 352
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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The vampire Wulfe is missing. Since he’s deadly, possibly insane, and his current idea of “fun” is stalking Mercy, some may see it as no great loss. But when he disappears, the Tri-Cities pack is blamed. The mistress of the vampire seethe informs Mercy that the pack must produce Wulfe to prove their innocence, or the loose alliance between the local vampires and werewolves is over.
So Mercy goes out to find her stalker—and discovers more than just Wulfe have disappeared. Someone is taking people from locked rooms, from the aisles of stores, and even from crowded parties. And these are not just ordinary people but supernatural beings. Until Wulfe vanished, all of them were powerless loners, many of whom quietly moved to the Tri-Cities in the hope that the safety promised by Mercy and Adam’s pack would extend to them as well.
Who is taking them? As Mercy investigates, she learns of the legend of the Harvester, who travels by less-trodden paths and reaps the souls that are ripe with a great black scythe
I chose the Mercy Thompson series for the Read-along in 2020 and it was an amazing reread for me. With complex plots and mysteries, along with many great characters it was helpful to read from the beginning, all the books close together rather than a year apart. In 2021, we had a book in the companion series, Alpha & Omega, which features Charles & Anna. So now almost two years later, we continue with Mercy.
She and the pack are dealing with the fallout from her declaring the pack would be the protector, the battle with the black witches including Elizaveta, and the continuing unease of the seethe with Bonorata. Everything including Sherwood’s memory comes to a head with a knockout blow.
The action came swift and brutal. There are plenty of problems and they all seem deadly. I don’t know if it is because we are in Mercy’s point of view but it feels like Mercy drives everything, leads, and solves everything. Adam is with her and they do communicate well but sometimes it feels he is just there on the side. Zee continues to provide Mercy with education and insight on both car mechanics and the fae.
The world-building and plot are as detailed and incredible as always. There’s bits of information revealed about Sherwood, things in the pack, Jesse’s situation, the seethe, Zee and Tad, and even Samuel. As urban fantasy with long on-going plots, I would not start here. I would read the series starting at the beginning. I loved the furthering of information and more development of the characters. There wasn’t as much humor as I sometimes find. But Kyle and Ben never let me down.
“It has not been my experience that owners of new cars read their manuals unless their names are Kyle.”
I felt unsettled during my read. There are many things not resolved. The pack is in a precarious position with Mercy’s claim to protect the area. Underhill is an ongoing threat. Sherwood will always be kind of a question mark. Bonorata is not going to let things go. As a vampire, he will be there to upset things indefinitely. I don’t see easy solutions to the issues, so I’m relieved the author is much smarter than me.
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.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 22-COYER
Unsettled is a good word! While I felt the pack was stronger than ever, there are so many threats that should provide a unifying force for the books to come. I also cannot wait to see what happens with the “bomb” dropped at the end of Wild Signs – I’d love a crossover book!!
yes while the pack is working together I don’t feel like anything got resolved here. Although maybe Wulfe will be more on their side? I have my doubts. At least we learned some things. I think at this point they are all kind of crossover books a bit. But I guess Bran, Charles and Anna were not in this one at all.
I’m so glad this was a five star read for you. And it sounds like there is much more to come in this series!
This is a top favorite author for me and a MUST read.
There are a lot of things at play in the universe right now and I cannot wait to see how the author handles everything. I do love Mercy, Adam, and the rest of the pack and was thrilled that Zee and Tad played big roles in this book.
yes, I really don’t know how it will all work out and some things will always be an issue. I don’t think the fae in general are something which can be “solved.” Probably vampires aren’t either.
I hope to start this someday. I am glad to see its a five star read at book #13. Great review.
Thank you Nadene. This series along with her companion Alpha & Omega are the best. Patricia Briggs and Ilona Andrews are the top of my favorites. We did the Read-along in 2020 so I can’t offer that to help you tackle this series but it is SO worth it.
ah yet another series I’ve wanted to read. Maybe someday
yes we did the Read-along in 2020 so I can’t even offer that to help you along through the series. It is 1000% worth reading, though.
Urban fantasy is not my go-to genre, but after loving The Others series by Anne Bishop a few years ago I found myself open to exploring more (hence my recent delve into the Psy-Changeling series). I’ve seen so many raves for this series by Briggs that maybe it should be the next series I tackle. It can be a bit frustrating when so much is left unresolved but hopefully more answers are coming in the next book.
The series I would recommend to you are this by Patricia Briggs and even more, Hidden Legacy by Ilona Andrews. The Ilona Andrews one has more romance and humor. But they are both excellent.
Thanks for sharing your review of Soul Taken, Anne, I can’t wait to read it!
Thank you for visiting Eva!
I love MERCY!! ^_^ I haven’t read this one yet, but I’ve got my copy and will be getting the audiobook too. Yep I love owning it in all formates. Great UF. Thanks for the review.
Thanks Angela! I love every book in the series.
Me too ^_^.
What an exciting series, and it looks like the author left you with a lot of questions that need to be answered with the next book in the series!
Thank you Wendy. It’s the way of urban fantasy that some plot is developed over multiple books.
Wonderful review, Anne! You know I loved this one, too, and I was excited to get all the reveals about Sherwood and more! Now the wait for the next one!
Thank you Rachel. I loved it and what we learned. I just felt unsettled and concerned that some issues would ever be resolved. And it’s probably 2 years with an Alpha & Omega probably next year.
eeee I can’t wait to catch up
Good luck! It’s awesome reading.
Absolutely love Mercy and Adam and this entire series. You’re right, this book was unsettling. Just as you start getting comfortable with a character, Mercy reminds you why you shouldn’t. They are all unpredictable and dangerous.
yes I do love this series, an absolute all-time favorite.