Challenge Review: Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs

Title: Iron Kissed
Series: Mercy Thompson #3
Author: Patricia Briggs
Genre: Supernatural Fictions, Urban Fantasy Fiction
Elements: Werewolves, Fae, Shapeshifters, Ghosts
Publisher: Ace Books, Penguin Group
Format: Mass Market Paperback, 287 Pages
ISBN: 978-0-441-01566-5
Release Date: January 2, 2008 
Source: Borrowed from Wentworth Library
Rating: 4.5/5

Tagline(s): ~NONE~

Summary: I could smell her fear, and it satisfied something deep inside me that had been writhing under her cool, superior gaze. I curled me upper lip so she could get a good look as my sharp teeth. I might only weigh thirty or so pounds in my coyote shape, but I was a predator...

Mechanic Mercy Thompson can shift her shape--but not her loyalty. When her former boss and mentor is arrested for murder and left to rot behind bars by his own kind, it's up to Mercy to clear his name, whether he wants her to or not.

Mercy's loyalty is under pressure from other directions, too. Werewolves are not known for their patience, and if Mercy can't decide between the two she cares for, Sam and Adam may make the choice for her...

Review:

In Iron Kissed, Uncle Mike and Zee call in the debt Mercy owes them for borrowing fae objects to kill two vampires. Someone has been murdering fae on the reservation, and with Mercy's nose she may be able to sniff out who did it. BFA agent O'Donnell was present in each of the victim's homes, but when Uncle Mike and Zee pay the guard a little visit, they find him dead in his home. Now Zee is being framed for the murder of O'Donnell. Mercy, great and loyal friend that she is, will not let Zee go down for something he didn't do. At least not without a fight.

Mercy couldn't have gotten herself in a more dangerous situation than sticking her nose (literally) into fae business. Though she was asked to help, she has gained the attention of some very powerful fae, ones who aren't very happy with her knowing their secrets.

First, there is the Great Carrion Crow, who goes by the name Nemane, who also happens to be blind. She finds Mercy sniffing around O'Donnell's place and having possession of one of their treasures. Then there is The Fideal, who catches Mercy sniffing around the local Citizens for a Bright Future chapter. He decides that since he hasn't had a good meal in a while, Mercy will make a great snack. It's amazing that Mercy is still alive considering how much trouble that nose of hers gets her into.

The treasure that I mentioned Mercy being in possession of is a walking stick that is supposed to cause its owner's sheep to bear twins. For some reason the walking stick has grown attached to Mercy and will show up wherever she is. I thought it important to mention the walking stick because it appears in future books and sometimes plays a key role in saving Mercy's life.

We learn about a couple anti-fae groups in Iron Kissed. The first is the one O'Donnell was a member of, Citizens for a Bright Future. This anti-fae group is more for the common, blue-collar person. Whereas the John Lauren Society, which is the largest anti-fae group, is geared toward those of the high class variety. Coincidentally, the lawyer Mercy hired to represent Zee is a member of this group.

Another cool thing that is revealed to us is what Zee really looks like beneath his glamour. By my mental image, he looks pretty awesome!

The side story in Iron Kissed centers around Mercy's indecision concerning Adam and Samuel. Warren warns her that she needs to choose one or neither of them before one of them loses control. They both have been in pretty good control of themselves, but Adam is more restless and his temper more volatile.

We learn the reason for this lies in Adam's mate claim being unfulfilled. When Adam claimed Mercy, a spot was opened for her in the pack, and that opening (which has not been filled) is a weakness within the pack. Adam is absorbing the effects and that leaves him constantly on edge. So there is a lot more to Adam's claim than Mercy thought, so she needs to really think about her choice.

Ben was a character that I had a love-hate relationship with. But when Ben had a one-on-one talk with Adam it really made it easier to understand him. His hatred of women and his feelings about the rape he was accused of really make sense after this. Ben even seems to soften toward Mercy after this point. Ben is probably one of my favorite characters in thise series now.

Mercy shows great strength in the face of a terrible circumstance. But it will take time for her to heal completely and I can't wait to see how she grows after this point.

About this Author:

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 husband, children and six horses and writes full-time, much to the delight of her fans.

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