Reviewed by Ami and JustJen
Title: Fire Touched
Author: Patricia Briggs
Series: Mercy Thompson #9
Heroine/Hero: Mercy/Adam
Genre: MF Paranormal
Length: 352 Pages
Publisher: Penguin/Ace
Release Date: March 8, 2016
Available at: Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads
Blurb: Tensions between the fae and humans are coming to a head. And when coyote shapeshifter Mercy and her Alpha werewolf mate, Adam, are called upon to stop a rampaging troll, they find themselves with something that could be used to make the fae back down and forestall out-and-out war: a human child stolen long ago by the fae.
Defying the most powerful werewolf in the country, the humans, and the fae, Mercy, Adam, and their pack choose to protect the boy no matter what the cost. But who will protect them from a boy who is fire touched?
Ami’s Review: It has been a couple of years since the release of Night Broken (book #8 of the Mercedes Thompson series) but I only needed to read a few pages of Fire Touched to remember how much I loved being in this world. The first chapter was light and funny – Mercy is visited by her stepdaughter’s friend’s mother, who tries to sell her magical things – and I was giggling like crazy. Then Mercy and Adam get a call from the police who ask for assistance to handle monster on Cable Bridge, off they go, and that peaceful start went to ashes *lol*
After that, we encountered troll, old faces reappear (Zee! Tad! BABA YAGA!), new characters introduced — one of them, Aiden, who is VERY important to the whole plot and is linked to the title of this book. Mercy and Adam navigate a new threat from the fae who wants Aiden for themselves, a lot of fae politics (it was enough to make my head spin), and several other things. It was fast-paced, page-turning, at one time jaw-dropping (it had to do with Beauclaire showing off his power), and most definitely high entertainment factor all around. I could read 100 more pages of this book and I wouldn’t be at all bored.
I was very much intrigued with Aiden and how he would be immersed with the pack, as well as the Thompson Hauptman family. Considering that he had not been in the human society for such a long time, it would be an interesting adventure I think. I hope to read more about him in the future books.
There were two very important things that I needed to highlight – aside from the brink of war between Columbia Basin pack versus the fae and how it was solved.
One, Adam finally, FINALLY take a stance against his own pack members who keep being disrespectful to Mercy as his mate. It was one thing I wish Adam would copy from Beast Lord Curran (from Ilona Andrews’ Kate Daniels series) who never had any problem telling his pack what he will do to them if they are opposing Kate. Not that Mercy couldn’t take care of herself, but Adam let things going on for far too long, like in the previous book with his ex-wife. So yes, I’ll say that it’s about darn time!!
Two, there was a casualty at the end of the book. I am not going to spoil a lot about this, although I will say that it is not exactly a ‘living’ thing. However, it was a quite surprising turn of event. I never thought it would happen because this ‘character’ (I use the term loosely) had been around for quite a while in this series. I will miss this character…
All in all, it’s a solid book (like I have any doubt!) in the Mercedes Thompson series. Look forward for the next book.
Overall Impression: I really liked it
Jen’s Review: Boy, does it feel good to be back with this crew. I’ve loved this series, and while the last few books haven’t wowed me completely, this one feels more like the earlier ones I fell in love with. It’s been a while since the last book, but it doesn’t take long at all to get re-familiarized with this world.
Mercy and Adam are pretty much settled in together, but that doesn’t last too long before they are called to help handle a major problem – an out of control Troll. They and the pack tackle this working together which was really nice to see. While attempting to take care of the Troll issue, it is learned there is a bigger issue at hand, one involving the fae, of course. More specifically, the issues all seem to do with the new boy, Aden, who is Fire Touched and apparently on the run from the fae. In an attempt to cover for an injured Adam, Mercy steps up and makes a declaration in the name of the pack, thereby making a deal with Aden wherein the pack will give him shelter and protect him during his time with them. Mercy’s actions cause quite a stir among the pack who have still not quite accepted her as Adam’s mate. Thankfully, Adam finally stands up for Mercy and lays down the law to the pack. This becomes especially important after a declaration is made by the Marrok where Mercy and Adam are concerned.
Aden was quite an interesting addition with a lot of fae history. It takes a while for us to learn enough about him to know whether he is bad news or not. He hasn’t had the easiest life up to this point, so much of his behavior is understandable.
I love seeing some of the other characters again, and was even happy to see the Walking Stick making itself more predictable and useful. There is so much to love about this series and this world in general. Above all, the voice of Mercy remains true and leaves you feeling like you only just put the previous book down. I definitely recommend this as one of the better paranormal series out there that solidly delivers time and time again.
Overall Impression: I really liked it
*We received a copy of this book from the publisher in return for a fair and honest review.*
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