You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion

Yes! That was it, Rusalka. I really liked the woman that played the main character.

I finished the book a few minutes ago.

A marathon, two day read. Whew!

A little convoluted there at the end. Some magic, witchcraft and a few surprises too! (view spoiler)[ looks like Adam and Sam will be vying for Mercy's hand going forward. (hide spoiler)]

That's based on Succubus Blues, but completely different to that book.
I can see the similarities with this series. I haven't found out enough about the Fae yet.

Peggy wrote: "Chapter 4: [spoilers removed]"

I feel exactly the same way about Mac. (view spoiler)[ Actually, I'm hoping that, since he is "differently made", that he will be coming back to life! (hide spoiler)]

Like I said before, I haven't read much urban fantasy, but it feels like these books tend to be set in Washington (Twilight, Moon Called, and I see Succubus Blues too). Is it a coincidence with these three books or are they really often set in that area?

Peggy wrote: "I find it funny that the cover was made this way to sell as many books as possible, but here I just hear everyone say that they almost skipped it because of it."

I thought that too. It seems to be a theme I've heard a lot. Whoever chose the cover did the book a disservice and either really wanted to push the romance aspect or didn't read the book and was just told it was PNR, which it's not. I think it's more urban fantasy, which someone else said somewhere too. I think it was a horrible decision to go with those covers, as I believe a lot of people avoid the books because they aren't represented well. Plus, if you are looking for a story that the cover suggests, you will be sorely disappointed.

Peggy wrote: "Like I said before, I haven't read much urban fantasy, but it feels like these books tend to be set in Washington (Twilight, Moon Called, and I see Succubus Blues too). Is it a coincidence with the..."

Hmmm possibly conciendence, although the further north you go, the better for vamps. I had that starkly dawn on me while reading Let the Right One In. Vamps aren't very scary in Aus, but when you only have 8 hours of sunlight, they become terrifying.

Others I have read with other US settings: Dresden Files (Storm Front) is in Chicago; Alex Craft (Grave Witch) is in fictional South Carolina; Kate Daniels (Magic Bites) is in Atlanta; Toby Daye (Rosemary and Rue) is in San Fran.

The Rook and I assume Rivers of London (I need to read that this year) are set in London.

Okay, mabe a coincidence :) but still, 3 in Washington and the other states all have just 1 book. Could still be a coincidence though, not a very big sample size.

I haven't been to that area in over 20 years, but when I visited it had a nice feel to it. A lot of open space and beautiful scenery. I get the impression from the Mercy Thompson books that there is still a small town quality to the place.

Almeta wrote: "Peggy wrote: "Chapter 4: [spoilers removed]"

I feel exactly the same way about Mac. [spoilers removed]"

I hadn't thought of that!

I have to comment, that like so many others, the cover really turned me off. I probably wouldn't have picked up this book if not for wanting to get back into the book discussions but I am glad that I did. This was my first exposure to this genre - Urban Fantasy or PNR. Although I wasn't quite sure if I would be able to take the book seriously, I ended up being drawn into the story and will keep my eyes out for future books in the series at my library.

So, from a misspent youth working in a video store, I've learned not to judge a movie by its case (or a book by it's cover). I just finished Moon Called. I really intended to join in the conversation more as I read, but it was such an enjoyable (and fast) read that I didn't want to spend waking moments talking about it, when I could have been reading lol. I really liked how information/history (personal/world/species) was all given in context, it was never assumed that the reader would (or should) just know stuff. And, the characters were all well developed, to the point where I will be looking forward to reading the rest of this series.

It sounds like a number of people are planning to read more of the series. I've read them all, and liked them all. I think it worth pointing out, though, that they change a bit as time goes on and the characters' lives progress. I felt like they got a lot better starting with Book 5, River Marked. So if anyone reading books 2-4 starts having doubts about whether to keep reading, I would encourage you to get at least as far as book 5.

I decided that I need to read Succubus Blues to round out the Northwest series. I just bought it for my Nook library. I will be interested to see how it contrasts to the TV show characters and their setting.

I have been through the Tri-Cities many, many times on trips to Montana and Spokane and am familiar with the landscape. Another series to add to the ever growing list, but it will also work for my 2017 Census Question for eye color. Win-Win!

What did you think of some of the things we discussed here, Jenn? Like for example that some of us found the ending a bit convoluted or the hints towards a love triangle in future books?

Hey Peggy, definitely a bit of a twist (view spoiler)[ but I'm glad that even they didn't have it all figured out, but they were also on the right track. I can give her that one because she had to go somewhere plausible without having given everything away. Kept me guessing right to the end, at times I was actually getting frustrated because I thought everything had been given away, and then . . . nope :) (hide spoiler)] and, as far as the triangle, (view spoiler)[ it is looking like her world may be filling up with an interesting bunch of competitive boys, but Mercy is nothing if not her own coyote. . . (hide spoiler)] should be interesting times ahead :)

Peggy wrote: "I finished the first two chapters.

I haven't read much fantasy with werewolves and vampires etc., but I find it interesting that in this series [spoilers removed]

The only other series I read ar..."

I was also interested in that aspect of the book. I would like to have more information about the Fae - the different types, powers, origins etc... I hope that this is something that is developed in later books in the series.

I expect it will Karen. I think she will encounter different kinds of Fae in all books and we will learn about them as she does. There was also a hint towards Mercy's powers as a coyote. Didn't Stephan say she was not dangerous because she wasn't aware of everything she can do as a walker?

One of the things that I wondered about as I was reading this book was whether the way Briggs described the power dynamics and relationships between male and females (particularly with the werewolves) was meant to be making any sort of social commentary. Or whether this was just a detail of how she envisioned the werewolf community. Does anyone else have any thoughts about this?

I think it was clearly intended as social commentary.

I did not feel that Mercy was raging against it, but acknowledging the dynamics in the wolf pack. She pushes her boundries where she can with her wit and quick tongue - which gets her into trouble at times, but realizes that it is the "pack" dynamic.

I just started; it is more engaging than I expected it to be. I cannot imagine creating such a detailed fantasy world. My creative fantasies run more to rewriting Downton Abbey shows.

You all raised good points. The author's style of integrating essential information is very good, and I don't like information dumps either.
The cover image is all wrong; I almost skipped reading it because of the image too.
I'm on chapter six and feeling like she introduced too many characters and subplots in chapter 5& 6, too much complicated back story.

This will sound strange but in some ways this reminds me of the way that the Star Trek t.v. show couched uncomfortable social commentary in fantasy.

Who was Kieran McBride? I'm on chapter 7.

Joan, Kieran McBride (view spoiler)[ was the poster boy who led the way for The Fae's coming out (hide spoiler)] and I agree there are definitely a lot of new faces introduced in a brief span, but I didn't feel that it was too much of an overload

Thanks Jenn, I actually tried doing a google search thinking he was a boy-band star like that Bieber kid or something.

After three nights with dreams of wolves, coyotes and vampires, I've finished. Great start, great characters and I enjoyed the core plot. The last 30% not so much.

I am 100 pages into the book and I am not that much into the story.
I love paranormal books usually and her writing style is ok, but I don't really care about the characters sadly.
I will try to go further into it today but does it go better after page 100? Becaus for now, this is just "meh" for me and I don't know what I have to blame for this... maybe just me :)

Ariane, too bad you're not much into it. To be honest, I don't know if it will get better for you. I have the impression that most of us were into it from the start, at least I was. For me it got a bit less interesting towards the end.

Joan wrote: "After three nights with dreams of wolves, coyotes and vampires, I've finished. Great start, great characters and I enjoyed the core plot. The last 30% not so much."

What did you not like about the last 30% Joan?

Reading you posts, I feel like I must pick up that series again,.. I am 3 behind, As a lot a you did I really like the series. While it is not a favorite, they are always a fun read. I really like Mercy.

Peggy wrote: "I expect it will Karen. I think she will encounter different kinds of Fae in all books and we will learn about them as she does. There was also a hint towards Mercy's powers as a coyote. Didn't St..."

That part intrigued me as well Peggy.

@Peggy:
Toward the end (view spoiler)[ I felt the author was trying to pack in all the mystical characters that she has planned for this magical world and too many plot twists- there were a few information dumps in this part. That was too bad because she had skillfully avoided information dumps in the beginning.
I think it would have been better to leave out the troll, cut down on the vampire complications and just stick to her main plot of dissension and rebellion among the werewolves.
(hide spoiler)]
forgot to say, I really liked that (view spoiler)[ Marcy did not have some emotional trauma interfering with her love life. I usually read mysteries and it seems almost required that the detective be hauling some baggage. I liked that Mercy, Adam and Samuel were just three individuals trying to figure out love and life. (hide spoiler)]
I really like the main characters and the detailed fantasy world Briggs has created.
Are most fantasy novels as detailed?

I agree with your comments Joan. I also thought it became a bit too complicated at the end and I also liked that although there was love involved, it was not dramatic or too romancey.

I think most fantasy novels (at least the ones I read which tbh aren't that many) have a lot of detail, perhas even more than in this one. Especially fantasy books that create a whole new world or magic system.

Good fantasy books usually have a lot of detail. The author has to create a world, find a way to communicate what the rules are for it, and then follow the rules. Bad fantasy can have constantly changing rules to let the good guys win.

I never knew that. The rich detail and rules suit me, any particular fantasy series you recommend? I don't like dystopian books much - they depress me.

If you like fantasy with supernatural creatures like vampires and werewolves you could try the Iron Druid series.

For fantasy that takes place in a whole new world and magic system, try Brandon Sanderson's books (stormlight archive or mistborn series) or Michael Sullivan's Riyria Revelations.

I'm sure others can recommend much more :)

I tried again last night but after 150 pages, I still didn't care about the characters so I did not finish it... Life is too short, after all.
I think werewolves are not for me ;)
Still, it is fun to read your comments!

Ariane wrote: "I think werewolves are not for me ;)"

I'm not a werewolf fan either. Too boring, and to close to reality for me.

Russalka - I knew you were a shapeshifter

Joan wrote: "Russalka - I knew you were a shapeshifter"

LOL! Just beware when the moon is full.

Dammit, and I thought I was being so sneaky!!

I'm really a dingo :P

Joan wrote: "I never knew that. The rich detail and rules suit me, any particular fantasy series you recommend? I don't like dystopian books much - they depress me."

The Mercy Thompson series is probably my favorite. The same author has another series about related characters that starts with Alpha & Omega. Another series in a similar vein is the Jane Yellowrock series that starts with Skinwalker. Another author you might enjoy is Seanan McGuire. She writes a series about a character named October Daye, or "Toby" Daye, that starts with Rosemary and Rue. I like later books in the series much better than the first one, but you sort of need to start at the beginning. In a more humorous vein, McGuire also writes an urban fantasy series about "incrypteds" that starts with Discount Armageddon. A classic stand-alone fantasy that is a personal favorite of mine is Moonheart.

Thanks for the hints - I guess I've added a whole new genre to my list.

Rusalka wrote: "Dammit, and I thought I was being so sneaky!!

I'm really a dingo :P"

ROFL!

Sam F wrote: "I read - 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke and discussed it in the Discussion Thread.

The book is based not just on our ..."

Hey Sam F, I think you meant to post this in the reporting thread, rather than here.
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Lynn wrote: "Hey Sam F, I think you meant to post this in the reporting thread, rather than here.
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... ..."

Sorry about that - I thought this was the discussion thread for the theme.

I enjoyed this book and I will be reading more of the series throughout the year.

My only complaint was the ending (view spoiler)[ The "reason" for all this misery was shaping up pretty well, even with the small holes. Then it shifted so drastically, I about fell over..... (hide spoiler)]

About Mac (view spoiler)[ I'm glad there is a short book behind this. I was already getting attached to him and was bummed out when he died. I already had a picture in mind about how great of a werewolf he was going to be when he was able to control himself. LOL. I'm a nerd. (hide spoiler)]

I think I'm the only person who loved the cover! To me it communicated that Mercy is a bad ass with Native American heritage. I will say, the shirt is a little slutty... BUT otherwise I like the cover. LOL!

Peggy wrote: "Chapter 5:"
Peggy, did you like the answer the author gave us for why people hate Mercy?

Oh! Forgot to mention, looks like I'm putting a new series on my TBR list. After so many comments mentioning the Iron Druid series, I'm definitely intrigued!