River Marked Review

River Marked (Mercy Thompson 6)

–       Patricia Briggs

Publisher: UK - Orbit

Car mechanic Mercy Thompson has always known there was something different about her, and not just the way she can make a VW engine sit up and beg. Mercy is a shapeshifter, a talent she inherited from her long-gone father. And she's never known any others of her kind. Until now. As Mercy comes to terms with this new information, an evil is stirring in the depths of the Columbia River. Something deadly is coming, facts are thin on the ground and Mercy feels ill at ease. However, her father's people may know more. To have any hope of surviving, Mercy and her mate, the Alpha werewolf Adam, will need all the resources the shifters can offer. Or death will be the least of their worries.

The Mercy Thompson series is one of my favourite Urban Fantasy series. I love how Patricia Briggs is able to create whole characters, layered plots and involving storylines while still keeping the page count down to about 300 pages. Picking up the latest instalment of Mercy’s life it feels a bit like getting back into bed complete with fresh covers after a week’s holiday – comfortable, fresh and relaxing. It was so easy to settle down into Mercy’s world and catch up with old friends.

However, the reunion was short-lived as apart from the first few pages most of the action takes place away from the tri-city area as Mercy and Adam head out for a camping trip. New characters are introduced and Mercy’s family background is explored in much more detail than we’ve ever had before. This adds to Mercy as a character and helps explains some of her unique abilities as well as introducing a unique monster and a new (to us) supernatural race. There is plenty of action  and emotion as Mercy struggles to come to terms with her newly discovered heritage and her relationship with Adam continues to be one of my favourites in UF - the trust there is fantastic!

Loved this book – another great instalment that both feels self contained enough for newbies but adds so much more to those following the series.

Recommended for fans of Carrie Vaughn and Richelle Mead. 9 out of 10.