Fair Game by Patricia Briggs

Why hello there my dear bloggy friends! Can I say how much I've missed you all? It's true. For some reason I just haven't really been feeling the 'vibe' to sit down and review any books of late but after I finished Patricia Briggs' latest Alpha & Omega novel, Fair Game, in one sitting I just knew I was gonna have to pimp it out to everyone I possibly know. Now I've been a Mercy Thompson fan for some time. I love every single tiny thing about that series. Sadly the first couple books in the Alpha & Omega spin-off series never really did much for me. I confess to picking them up in hopes of catching of glimpse of the Mercy gang or Bran(!) between books but never really investing much in the story itself. Well, I can honestly say that Ms. Briggs changed all that with Fair Game. It it truly one fantastic book and I am now fully on board with Anna and Charles.

Since the werewolves went public and thus penalties for wolves stepping out of line have become harsher, the Marrok's enforcer (who also happens to be his son), Charles, has been putting in more hours as the pack's assassin and is starting to feel the strain. Anna has watched him pull away from her for almost a year but still feels powerless, despite her abilities as an Omega, to help soothe his guilt. Knowing her husband is in trouble, Anna confronts Bran hoping that he can figure out some way to keep Charles sane. So it happens that Anna and Charles are sent to Boston to work with the FBI and Homeland Security on a serial killer case who recently added a few werewolves to his list of victims. Charles is on such a slim thread that the least provocation in this tightrope case could send him over the edge, but Anna is determined to remind her husband that he is the hero and not a villain.

I think some of my previous issues with this series was that for some reason, Anna still seemed to carry around the 'victim' vibe. Now, I know she fought off some major baddies (with the help of Charles) but I never just felt like she was truly standing up for herself. But from the very first chapter of Fair Game (at least the first one she appears in) she's laying down the law (to Bran no less) and fighting for those she loves. I don't know how to put it other than it's like Ms. Briggs finally became comfortable with her characters in Fair Game. The story flowed, the characters sparkled (I'm looking at you Anna and yes, you Leslie), and the action was pitch-perfect. Most of all I did't feel like Charles and Anna were so unbalanced as a couple -- despite facing some serious issues. They stood up for each other (Anna especially), they relied on each other. They just seemed to finally work as a believable couple. Friends, this book was just so...perfect.  I don't know how else to say it other than that. It was perfect. Go read it and have your mind changed too.

And Ms. Briggs? If you happen to read this review know that I'd pay really, really, really good money to read a book about Bran. Really good. Anybody else with me here?

series reading order:
~ "Alpha & Omega" (novella) in On the Prowl collection
~ Cry Wolf
~ Hunting Ground - my review

~ Fair Game

Because Everyone Likes a Second Opinion:

Babbling About Books, and More review

Dear Author review

Fiction Vixen review

Smexy Books review

book source: my local library

River Marked by Patricia Briggs

***Just so we are all on the same page here, this review contains unavoidable SPOILERS for the previous FIVE utterly amazing Mercy Thompson books. So if you haven't read those ones yet (and why the heck not?!?), consider yourself warned.

Change could absolutely be Mercy Thompson's middle name. Well, that and Trouble. But Mercy's hoping for a little bit of R&R from all her recent troubles now that she's finally snagged her man, local alpha werewolf Adam as the pair are headed off to spend a few days - alone - alongside the Columbia River. Shortly after their arrival however, Mercy lives up to her reputation when a rescue effort reveals the presence of a centuries-old evil now residing in the river's depths. Struggling to understand this newest threat, Mercy is startled to find help coming from her unknown father's family - a Native American heritage she has never felt a part of - but one she must now turn to if she and Adam wish to return home alive.

Words cannot even begin to describe how incredibly pleased I was with this latest installment from Patrica Briggs. Truly I have loved every single book in this outstanding series, but River Marked gave us readers something just a little bit different and I wholeheartedly approve. For starters, essentially 90% of River Marked is about Mercy and Adam, together, but separated from the pack and their own regular friends and responsibilities. Forcing the two to spend so much time together, uninterrupted, allowed for some decidedly intimate conversations. Adam reveled himself to be so much more than Mr. In-Control-Alpha, and whoa baby, that man is all heart. But his love isn't one sided either. Each is so overwhelmingly in love with the other, my little heart just melted as I watched them simply be together... joking, flirting, and yes, even fighting together.

River Marked also gives us a much better handle on Mercy and her Native American heritage, including the father she never knew. I for one found the translation of Indian myths into Mercy's world utterly fascinating and hope like hades some of the key players make return appearances in future novels (sorry for the vagueness here...I'm trying to keep some secrets). Together with her newly cemented status as Adam's mate, Mercy getting a better grip on her own personal genealogy added yet another layer to her already complicated yet vivid personality with satisfying results.

Each and every book in this series is absolutely outstanding, but I think River Marked will always hold a very, very permanent place on my keeper shelf. Primarily due to that final letter which left me with tears streaming down my face and shaking my head over the absolute rightness of Mercy and Adam together. Truly my friends, THAT is something worth waiting six books for.

series reading order:
~ Moon Called
~ Blood Bound
~ Iron Kissed
~ Bone Crossed
~ Silver Borne - my review
~ River Marked

Because Everyone Likes a Second Opinion:
All Things Urban Fantasy review
The Book Smugglers review
Fiction Vixen review
Smexy Books review
Tempting Persephone review

book source: my local library

How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper

It seems like Molly Harper continually gets good reviews for her Nice Girls series, especially by the trusted Kmont over at Lurv a la Mode who named the Nice Girls series her top humor read for 2010. So naturally when I was offered a chance to review her newest title, the first in a series featuring a pack of werewolves in remote Alaska, I jumped at the chance. Although not exactly my preferred genre, this paranormal romantic comedy was just right for putting a big 'ole smile on this readers face.

When Mo Duvall-Wenstein finally decided to dump her vanilla fiance and make a fresh start away from her overbearing hippy parents, remote Grundy, Alaska seemed like the perfect escape. Even if the town happens to be a little on the smallish side, Mo quickly begins to feel right at home after finding a cooking job at the local diner/saloon and making friends with - most - of the locals. With the glaring exception of one Cooper Graham, smokin' hot good looks notwithstanding. Cooper has yet to bestow a single civil remark or gesture to Mo when she unexpectedly finds the surly man on her porch late one night, naked, with a bear trap caught around his ankle. Demanding an explanation, Mo is understandably astonished with Cooper transforms into a very large and very furry wolf. Which isn't the last of Cooper's startling revelations after several hikers and even Grundy locals fall prey to fatal wolf attacks. Attacks that Mo are sure could not have been caused by Cooper even if he can't remember his actions while in wolf form.

With chapter titles such as "When Options A and B Both Suck" and "Moroseville, Population: Me" I found Molly Harper's witty banter and snarky observations in How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf hilarious. Instantly likable with her fast quips and enviable southern cooking, Mo's adventures with the confusing Cooper held my attention completely. I also devoured every single one of Mo's observations on the eccentric and diverse population of Grundy. Each individual added a new dimension and plenty of humor to keep the pages flipping. At times I was a little thrown off by minor details (Mo easy acceptance of Cooper's werewolf status for example) but the story itself was simply too much fun to complain about. And even though there were considerable more *sexytimes* than I was anticipating (which, honestly I don't know what's wrong with me since the title all but screams hot encounters contained within!!) they were never over the top or enough to throw me out of the story. As a light, fluffy read with plenty of comedy, I absolutely recommend How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf.

series reading order:
~ How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf 
~ The Art of Seducing a Naked Werewolf (March 29, 2011)

Because Everyone Likes a Second Opinion:
Fresh Fiction review
Smokin' Hot Books review

book source: review copy from the publisher

Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

As spring leisurely breaks winter's strong hold on the small town of Mercy Falls, Sam slowly begins to accept the fact that he is not going to turn back into a wolf. At times he's still unable to believe that he's been given this unexpected gift of constant humanity but with Grace by his side, he's willing to accept it. Alternately, the once unflappable, practical Grace is feeling more and more restless with the arrival of spring. On top of the strange symptoms she's been experiencing, Grace's previously non-involved parents have become increasingly more and more resistant to Sam's steady presence in her life. Which is the last thing either want to deal with as Beck's new wolves begin to return to their human form - full of confusion and uncontrollable instincts; ultimately requiring direction and protection from Sam.

Even though I adore Maggie Stiefvater's books and her unusually beautiful writing, I resisted picking up her latest, Linger, out of sheer perversity. Really, let me explain. Hands-down, Shiver had one of the loveliest endings I've read in quite some time and I just wasn't ready to watch life unravel for Sam and Grace as I knew it ultimately would. Eventually I gave in. And I'm glad I did. Maggie Stiefvater is truly an amazingly talented writer. Her words flow so easily from the pages, full of incredible imagery and sensory descriptions so strong I found myself thinking about particular scenes from Linger - in detail - days after finishing the book. I also quickly fell in love with the additional narrative voices of Isabel Culpeper and Cole, one of Beck's new wolves. Isabel was a stand-out character from Shiver and her straight-forward approach to life could not be more refreshing. Undeniably, Ms. Stiefvater is unparalleled at her craft but I did find myself bothered by a couple of aspects of the novel.

Which leads me to the list of... Things that Bothered Me in Linger:

1. Another Absurdly Talented Musician. I get it that Maggie Stiefvater herself is something of a musical genius (I am not, so I will simply bow down to her prowess) but do we really need yet another dreamy boy with a passion for all things music? And then the fact that Cole and Sam never even once discuss their shared interest in music (highly improbably in my experience with musicians) is incredibly suspect. Can we not just find another interest for our characters? Which leads me to...

2. Cole. While I love me a bad-boy rocker, I have issues with certain aspects of his character. The bad-boy part I'm totally on board with - especially the whole: I'm jaded, where's my next big high? persona. Love that. It's the tortured genius thing I don't really believe. That whole explanation seemed rushed and basically wound up as a convenient plot solution. Hopefully this is addressed more in Forever, because I really, really like Cole - I just don't think he's been fully developed yet.

3. NARKOTIKA. Can someone please explain to me why in heavens name Cole's band is called NARKOTIKA?! And WHY is it always written in caps? I feel like I should be yelling it every time I read it. (Gee, I guess I'm supposed to.)

4. Crappy Parents. Yet again. And this award doesn't just go to Grace's parental units (Hello! Can you not tell your daughter is sick here?). The Culpepers, Cole's smarty-pants family, and even Sam's adopted father, Beck, all seem to be gunning for this coveted title. I know Grace tends to envy Sam's upbringing, but Beck has always seemed a little off to me with his whole "let me bite and create more unstable werewolves" thing.

Harsh, right? I know. But it's not to say that I didn't like Linger. Really, I did. It just isn't my favorite although guaranteed I'll be tracking down Forever (which, HELLO! has a gorgeous new cover) once it's released next year to find out how it all ends for Sam, Grace, Isabel, and Cole.

series reading order:
~ Shiver - my review
~ Linger
~ Forever (July 2011)

Because Everyone Likes a Second Opinion:
Angieville review
Presenting Lenore review
Not Enough Bookshelves review
The Compulsive Reader review
YA Highway review

book source: ARC tour

Mercy Thompson: Homecoming by Patricia Briggs

Patricia Briggs has really been feeling the love for her Mercy Thompson series lately. With Bone Crossed released in hardcover earlier this year and her very first Mercy Thompson graphic novel out as well, Mercy fans have plenty of reasons to become giddy. For myself, I'm not really a comic book person, but I am a dedicated Mercy fangirl and couldn't wait to catch a glimpse of her adventures in full-color.

Homecoming is basically an origin story for Mercy Thompson: how she meets both Adam and Stefan and how she lands the mechanic position at Zee's shop. Although it is a stand-alone story, unless you've already had the privileged of reading Mercy's other adventures, Homecoming may not feel as robust as the others. It's fun, it's fast but I did miss the trademark Mercy narration. Several little details of Mercy's life are revealed that only long-standing Mercy fans will appreciate the significance of - little things like how Mercy gets her cat.

As for the artwork itself: Beautiful and suitably shadowy yet very powerful. Though it was a little jarring to see how often Mercy herself changed. I know there were multiple artists working on this book, but since she is the title character, I would have expected a little more continuity with her character at least. But that said, her action scenes were fabulous. Consequently, I had buckets of fun matching up my mental picture of Mercy's gang with the artists' rendering. Adam and Zee were just as I pictured, but I was a little disappointed with Stefan as a '80s grunge rocker. Not really the way I pictured the mystery machine driving vampire.

On a side note, Patricia Briggs and the artists of Homecoming did choose not to shy away (at all) from the shape-shifting side of Mercy's life - which to be honest, I'm happy with because Mercy herself is never really concerned about whether she is clothed or not. But gentle readers be warned: there are several panels of Mercy naked which might be off-putting. The artwork is stylized and the important parts are usually covered, but it is all still quite clear, which may keep the book out of the hands of Mercy's younger fans.

Homecoming was a fabulous fast-paced action story and an efficient reminder of why I love the Mercy Thompson series so much. I do wish it had been longer, but I understand the format is more suited to quick action and less dialogue. Thank heavens we have Silver Borne coming in March 2010.

Mercy Thompson novels reading order:
~ Moon Called
~ Blood Bound
~ Iron Kissed
~ Bone Crossed
~ Silver Borne (March 2010)

Because Everyone Likes a Second Opinion:
Fantasy Dreamer's Ramblings review
Grasping for the Wind review
Janicu review

book source: my local library

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

All her life, Grace has lived at the edge of the forest and every year as the seasons begin to turn colder, she waits and watches for her wolves to appear. Her friends and family can't understand Grace's fascination with the wolves that almost took her life years ago, but Grace feels an unexplained connection to one wolf in particular - the one who protected her from the other wolves that awful day. Every winter, Grace waits for her wolf to return, knowing he will stay close to her throughout the winter - a bright spot in the otherwise lonely and cold season.

At the beginning of the school year, all of Mercy Falls is shocked to discover a fatal wolf attack on a local bully, Jack Culpeper. The entire community is ready to take to the woods to hunt the dangerous wolves down, but Grace can feel nothing but sympathy and worry for her wolf. Then a boy shows up on her porch, wounded, and Grace is sure she knows him and knows she will do anything in her power to keep him near.

Unlike the non-stop, hold your breath action of Ballad, Shiver is a rather quiet book. Neither Grace or Sam are alpha heroes by any means, but they both posses courage and strength in spades. Sam especially has had to grow up faster than any boy ever should but who wants nothing more than to retain his humanity. To label Shiver simply as a 'werewolf' novel would be a gross underestimation. Most definitely it is a love story about two practical, old souls who have experienced more than your average teen and who forge a connection well outside of convention.

Maggie Stiefvater's secondary characters are also a study in contrast. They aren't ever distinctly good or evil, they are just people who sometimes make good choices but who often make incredibly bad choices too. One of my favorites is the spoiled diva Isabel Culpeper who Grace wants nothing to do with but who ultimately comes to her aid when she's most needed. Additionally, there are lots other of little details that make this a good read: the temperature reading at the beginning of each chapter, the alternating point of view of Sam and Grace, and very real, very compelling nature of Sam's wolf pack. I can fully understand why Grace is jealous of Sam's idyllic upbringing - I am too.

And just because it is so beautiful, I'll leave you with the Shiver trailer, made by the lovely author herself.


series reading order:
~ Shiver
~ Linger (July 2010)

Because Everyone Likes a Second Opinion:
Angieville review + interview
The Book Smugglers review
The Eclectic Book Lover review
Karin's Book Nook review
Preenting Lenore review
Shooting Stars Mag review

book source: borrowed from a friend

Bitten by Kelley Armstrong

After simply loving the fantastic timing and characters in Kelley Armstrong's The Awakening and The Summoning, I thought I'd check out her backlist to see if her adult novels were just as good. I knew in picking up Bitten that I'd be getting a werewolf novel (perfect timing for Halloween) but didn't know much else.

What I stumbled into was a complex and very character driven story about a strong female werewolf, trying to build a life for herself outside of the Pack. Since werewolves are only born male, Elena was bitten (against her will) and has never really gotten past that little detail. Even though her Pack has helped her try to accept this new part of her life, she's determined to break all ties with them in favor of trying to make it on her own in the city. She does pretty good for a while, even moving in with her boyfriend Phillip - a kind and patient man who has absolutely no idea what she really is. That is until the Alpha Jeremy calls asking for help and her return does she start to panic. Even though she's been gone more than a year, Elena still hasn't really sorted out her feelings about being a werewolf or her fellow wolves. She really doesn't know what to do about Clay, Jeremy's foster son, the man who stole her heart but who ends up breaking it more often than not since he tends to usually act more like a wolf than a man. Unwillingly, Elena returns to help the Pack only to discover they are on the brink of an all-out war with some insane loner-wolves who will stop at nothing to get what they want.

Elena's story moves at a fast clip with plenty of action and some truly memorable characters to lead the way. Unfortunately, as I got more settled into Bitten, I continued to have issues with a few aspects Elena's story. The characterizations are all there and there were even some really good Pack dynamics happening - I just couldn't get over my irritation with Elena. That's not to say I didn't like her at all, I actually did - she's had some pretty rough things happen in her life and has come out a strong, determined woman - very admirable, but I couldn't stand the way she treated Clay and Phillip. I mean, I know Elena had moved away, trying to make a clean break from her life with the Pack and had set up shop with Phillip; but when things change does she break it off with Phillip or even ask for some time apart? No, the girl doesn't know what she wants (somewhat understandable) and so continues to keep both men stringing along. Very bad form. I understand that there was a lot going on to distract her from making up her mind, but she was so dang slow about it, she just ended up hurting my head. Probably part of the reason is because I became super attached to Clay. Southern drawl and all, the man is a total package. So it's entirely possible I might have become a little miffed any time I thought he wasn't being treated right. That said, Bitten spun an intriguing story full of what I like best: believable characters - I just wish some had acted a little differently.

series reading order:
~ Bitten
~ Stolen
~ Dime Store Magic
~ Industrial Magic
~ Haunted
~ Broken
~ No Humans Involved
~ Personal Demon
~ Living with the Dead
~ Frostbitten

Because Everyone Likes a Second Opinion:
All Booked Up review
Alpha Heroes review
Angieville review
Flames Rising review
My Years of Reading Seriously review

book source: my local library

Hunting Ground by Patricia Briggs

I've firmly entrenched myself in the incomparable Mercy Thompson novels and am now feeling the love from Patricia Briggs' most recent series, Alpha & Omega. Following an initial novella titled Alpha & Omega and an actual full-length book, Cry Wolf, this second full-length book has totally found its rhythm that works on so many levels.

After having married the enforcer (or assassin) of the North American werewolf pack, Charles Cornick, Anna is still trying to figure how to effectively use her talents as an Omega while making a life for herself with Charles. Charles' father, the Marrok Bran, has decided that the North American werewolves are going to reveal their existence to the world no matter what other wolves might think. To try to the help wolves from other countries understand how this whole 'big reveal' will pan out, Bran has called a type of council where various alphas can come and discuss their options. Not wanting his father to be anywhere near the discussions, Charles agrees to go in his place to act as an intermediary. Only problem is, due to Anna's past, she has more than a little trouble being in the same room with a bunch of dominate males; leaving both her and Charles on edge. Hoping the group will be kept in check by the moderating presence of the powerful fae Dana, Charles agrees to let Anna come. Of course at the meetings, tempers escalate as disagreements arise but when wolves start getting attacked and an alpha is even killed, Charles becomes the prime suspect in a crime Anna is sure he didn't commit.

Even though Ms. Briggs' series are both set in the same world, they follow essentially two distinctly separate groups - albeit both under the direction of the Marrok - and must be viewed as individual stories with just a bit of overlap. I've come to enjoy the inherent differences between the two series; Alpha & Omega benefits from the perspective of multiple narrators who offer differing insights and viewpoints while Mercy narrates all of her books to perfection. Anna herself couldn't be farther from the gusty Mercy, but I like her just fine. As an Omega, Anna is often seen as a super submissive wolf, but in actuality an Omega is outside of the pack hierarchy and doesn't feel the compulsion to follow orders as other wolves do. They also don't have that 'killer instinct' but can kick serious butt when needed. Their most attractive feature (at least to other wolves) is their calming influence on other wolves because the more dominate guys can actually relax around them since they realize an Omega would never challenge them. Got it? It's taken me two books to finally understand this concept and in all honesty, it's only because of one enlightening conversation between Anna and another Omega, Ric.

Hunting Ground felt like such a tighter novel on so many levels. I figured out what an Omega does (finally) and now, I'm totally digging Anna and Charles' relationship (finally). Anna has had a rough start as a werewolf and has taken some time to get more comfortable and relaxed around Charles, which lead to some nice conversations between the two in this book. They have a nice give and take and I think they both are starting to trust and rely more on the other. This was a great second book and I'm more excited than ever for the next installment.

series reading order
~ Alpha & Omega (novella) in On the Prowl collection
~ Cry Wolf
~ Hunting Ground