This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Published by Penguin Random House Audio
Released on March 17, 2020
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
The Delight
When you’ve just duked it out with black witches and a door to fairy appears in your backyard, if you’re Mercy Thompson Hauptman, you put the closed until further notice in your garage’s window and prepare for the inevitable nasties to come out of the woodwork. No surprise I was gasping for this next installment in the series from the moment the previous book ended. The Mercy Thompson world is a place listeners and readers are guaranteed a riveting, complex urban fantasy adventure.
Review
Smoke Bitten is the twelfth of the Mercy Thompson series of books that must be read/listened to in order. As is my usual advice for newcomers, read the Mercy Thompson and Alpha Omega series as one for the fullest enjoyment.
Mercy and the pack have just scored a decisive victory over an old and powerful clan of witches seeking to elbow into their Tri-Cities territory, but she very much fears that did not come without repercussions. The remainder of the Hardesty Clan are out there and ever since, her mate and husband has been shutting her out and shutting down the mate bond. Any attempts to discover why are rebuffed leaving her wondering if he’s had about enough of the coyote who brings chaos in her wake.
But, of course, there has to be more because trouble doesn’t come calling alone and Mercy is faced with a deadly creature whose bite gives it control over it’s victim to kill for it until the victim perishes and the creature can take the victim’s shape. Oh, and a renegade pack of wolves think the Tri-Cities needs a new pack to replace the old. Mercy might have trouble making all her mechanic jobs this week.
Smoke Bitten puts Mercy through the inferno with internal and external conflict bombarding her from all sides. Her relationship, her friends, her pack, and her life are all on the line. The conflict had supernatural elements from the enemies without, but also showed a vulnerability in both Adam and Mercy- Adam, especially. It’s not a new struggle for him and has come up before, but now it has come to a head and plays on Mercy’s doubts in herself as well. So, they fight with each other and for each other while facing attack from multiple directions. Adam, you beautiful idiot!
I flew through this book and had no desire to set it down until it was all over. There are strong indicators of future troubles that they must face making me eager for more.
I thought there were some wonderful pauses in the trouble when everyone has to adjust to Jessie growing up and getting ready for college and her first heartbreak, when weirdo Wulfe decides on the new hobby of stalking, when Underhill’s plots mean mischief for all, when Mercy gets a sweet serenade, and my favorite is a huge surprise that had me sooooo happy- An old favorite returns.
Lorelei King uses her magical voice to enhance an already stellar book. Young, older, male, female, human or not, they all come to colorful life as she tells this latest.
All in all, I was enthralled. Mercy is amazing. I need more- so much more- from this incredible world and a talented author’s pen. Those who haven’t tried yet are in for a treat beyond compare and those who are still in early books, hurry friends.
My thanks to Penguin Random House Audio for the opportunity to listen to this book in exchange for an honest review.
Challenges Met
New Release #171
COYER Quarantine #78
Audio #95
Books N Tunes #42 Simon and Garfunkel’s Sound of Silence sung by Pentatonix
About the Book
SMOKE BITTEN BY PATRICIA BRIGGS
Mercy Thompson, car mechanic and shapeshifter, faces a threat unlike any other in this thrilling entry in the number one New York Times best-selling series.
I am Mercedes Athena Thompson Hauptman.
My only “superpowers” are that I turn into a 35 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.
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 husband, children, and six horses and writes full time, much to the delight of her fans.
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Happy Thanksgiving to the whole team and family! Hugs, RO
Yes! It is a happy one. You have a splendid Thanksgiving, too, Radiant Ro!
Every book in this series is a treasure.
I second that!
Gah. I want to read more but my library does not have the next one I need to read and audio doesn’t have it for free. Sighs.
What a pain! Hopefully, the library will get some buying funds soon and can get this one.
I love Lorelei King so much and she does such a great job with these books. I really enjoyed Smoke Bitten and the unique twists on the mythology. Great review.
Same here! I think I could listen to her read a repair manual. 🙂
Yes, I guessed the myth in this one after a bit- but so clever the way it was done.
I loved this book. I haven’t listen to the audio yet but hope to sometime in the near future. Lorelei King does take things to the next level.
Love her voice work and yes, a re-read will be a treat on audio of this one. 🙂
Yes, Adam was a beautiful idiot! How can you not love him, though? I knew you’d be happy with that surprise return! I was, too! Wulfe is a psycho, but somehow I have a soft spot for him. I know, I’m crazy, lol.
He screwed up, but his motives were good. Oh my stars, yes! You were so right about how I’d love that surprise.
You know? I don’t hate Wulfe either and he cracked me up in this one.