previous fantasy literature author

Patricia Briggs     

1965-

Reviewed by
John H. and Rob R.
next fantasy literature author
fantasy author Patricia Briggs
Patricia Briggs
has an informative website. Besides book excerpts and the usual stuff, she has a nice resource for writers.
View reader rating & comments about this author
Click covers for publication dates & formats (including audio & Kindle).

The Sianim Series — (1993-1998) You probably can’t get Masques unless you want to pay a lot of money. Cover Hover to see the going rate. Patricia Briggs says, “It's out of print, and used copies are selling for ridiculous prices, especially since it's a 200-page book with a number of problems common to inexperienced authors. Unfortunately, I have no copies for sale. I'll be re-writing this with it's sequel Wolvesbane when time permits, but it's definitely a back-burner project at this point in time.”
Steal the Dragon and When Demons Walk are stand-alones set in the same world.
Publisher: When the peaceful kingdom of Reth is overrun by Geofrrey ae'Magi, the evil master of illusion, Aralorn, weaponsmistress of the shapechanging race, and her companion, Wolf, attempt to overthrow him.

Sianim, Masques, Steal the Dragon, When Demons WalkSianim, Masques, Steal the Dragon, When Demons WalkSianim, Masques, Steal the Dragon, When Demons Walk

The Hurog Books — (2002) Patricia Briggs says she will probably write more Hurog Books. Publisher: Most everyone thinks Ward of Hurog is a simple-minded fool-and that's just fine by him. But few people know that his foolishness is (very convincingly) feigned. And that it's all that's saved him from death at the hands of his abusive father — who's always seen Ward as a bitter rival for power. When his father dies, Ward becomes the new lord of Hurog. Until a nobleman declares that he is too dim-witted to rule. Ward knows he cannot play the fool any longer. To regain his kingdom, he must prove himself worthy-and quickly. Riding into a war that's heating up on the border, Ward is sure he's on the fast track to glory. But soon his mission takes a deadly serious turn. For he has seen a pile of magical dragon bones hidden deep beneath Hurog Keep. They are Hurog's most precious, powerful treasure-and Ward is certain his enemies will kill to possess them.

Hurog, Dragon Bones, Dragon Blood Hurog, Dragon Bones, Dragon Blood

The Raven Duology — (2004-2005) Publisher: Tier, a baker’s son, goes off to war, and then meets Seraph, a Raven mage. They leave their homes behind to start a farm in a mountain land where the Shadow magic makes others fear to live.

Raven's Shadow, Raven's Strike

The Mercedes Thompson Books — (2006-2010) A modern paranormal urban fantasy series. There will be at least seven of these. Dabel Brothers and Del Rey are producing a graphic novel based on the series. Publisher: Mercy Thompson's life is not exactly normal. Her next-door neighbor is a werewolf. Her former boss is a gremlin. And she's fixing a VW bus for a vampire. But then, Mercy isn't exactly normal herself.

Mercedes Thompson, Moon Called, Blood Bound, Iron Kissed 4. Bone Crossed 5. Mercedes Thompson, Moon Called, Blood Bound, Iron Kissed 4. Bone Crossed 5. Mercedes Thompson, Moon Called, Blood Bound, Iron Kissed 4. Bone Crossed 5. Mercedes Thompson, Moon Called, Blood Bound, Iron Kissed 4. Bone Crossed 5. Silver Borne
Some available on audio

book review Patricia Briggs Mercedes Thompson review patricia briggs moon calledMoon Called: Great story and more realistic than Anita Blake

Mercedes Thompson, Moon Called, Blood Bound, Iron Kissed 4. Bone CrossedWow!! I sure hope that Mercedes Thompson will turn into a longer series because Patricia Briggs started off just right. The characters are believable, the way that Ms Briggs handles the various groups (fae, vampires, lycanthropes) is something that you can actually see happening. The situation just feels real.

My favorite part is the main character. Mercedes Thompson is a tough kid with a bad attitude who knows her limitations. Unlike Anita Blake, Mercy actually has limits and vulnerabilities that are real. She gets herself hurt like a normal person would and she's not able to just kill the bad guy despite it all. She's smart, she's talented, and she is realistic. The rest of the supporting cast fits in well around her and each is well developed.

Last thing: NO PORN!!!! Patricia Briggs delivers the sexual tension without having to fall into the trap that Laurell K Hamilton fell into and has not extricated herself from. I hope that Briggs can keep the tension without having to get into unnecessary detail....just leave it to our imagination and most of us will be fine!

Great book, great start!     —John H.   Comments


fantasy book review Patricia Briggs Mercedes Thompson Moon Called, Blood Bound, Iron KissedMercedes Thompson: What a little moonlight can do.

Mercedes Thompson, Moon Called, Blood Bound, Iron Kissed 4. Bone CrossedFor a woman raised by wolves — OK, werewolves — Mercedes "Mercy" Thompson has turned out all right. Though Mercy's half-Native-American heritage allows her to shapeshift into a coyote, instead of a wolf, she's taken care of herself by working as a mechanic and keeping her nose out of supernatural matters. But her eastern Washington town has too many such matters: her former boss is one of the fae; her neighbor is the local werewolf Alpha; and her client with the Scooby-Doo-inspired van is a vampire. Moreover, times are changing, as the fae have made themselves known to humanity, which isn't accepting their existence with perfect grace. And though Mercy has found her niche between the natural and supernatural worlds, their slow collision threatens to crush her.

Mercedes Thompson, Moon Called, Blood Bound, Iron Kissed 4. Bone CrossedTo date, author Patricia Briggs has published three novels starring Mercy (Moon Called, Blood Bound, Iron Kissed), and a fourth (Bone Crossed) is due soon. Each probably can stand on its own, but reading them in order is recommended.

fantasy book review Patricia Briggs Mercedes Thompson Moon Called, Blood Bound, Iron KissedMoon Called:  The arrival of an unknown group of werewolves and werewolf hunters threatens the local pack, forcing Mercy to seek help from the local vampire seethe.
fantasy book review Patricia Briggs Mercedes Thompson Moon Called, Blood Bound, Iron Kissed Blood Bound:  Mercy tries to pay off her debt to the vampires by helping them hunt a demon-possessed vampire.
fantasy book review Patricia Briggs Mercedes Thompson Moon Called, Blood Bound, Iron Kissed Iron Kissed:  When Mercy's former boss is framed for murder, she defies him and the fae by seeking the true killer.  (No vampires in this one.)

book review iron kiMercedes Thompson, Moon Called, Blood Bound, Iron Kissed 4. Bone CrossedThese quick synopses fail to do justice to the fast-paced, complex plotting in each book (and thought-out imagining of the structures and tendencies of werewolf, vampire, and fae societies). Each is told from Mercy's smart, no-nonsense perspective, and it's to the author's credit that, even though I usually like first-person narrators with above-average eloquence, I never tired of her voice. True, I have my quibbles (e.g. the first-person viewpoint is limited in its ability to present information, which is tough in novels that rely heavily on mystery; and also, there are a few long passages of deduction or conversation that seemed to go a bit too perfectly to get to the right outcome) — but overall, the writing is solid and keeps things moving. It's also mostly free of sex and profanity (though with regard to the latter, there are a few too many instances of someone starting to curse and stopping short).

Although these books lack that superior element of style, enlightenment, or brilliant plotting that would warrant a fifth star, they're solid modern fantasy/action/mystery entertainment. Granted, my offspring and work schedule have (temporarily, I hope) deprived me of the time and capacity for "weightier" works, but I read all three of these in less than two weeks (and just checked out Cry Wolf, the first in a related series).

Recommended as paperback purchases or library loans for fans of this genre who are at least of high school age. 3-1/2 stars for Moon Called; 4 for Blood Bound due to its plot; 4 for Iron Kissed due to a well-done climax (in which Mercy really suffers).  —Rob R.   Comments


book review Patricia Briggs Mercedes Thompson Iron KissedIron Kissed

book review iron kiMercedes Thompson, Moon Called, Blood Bound, Iron Kissed 4. Bone CrossedThis it the third volume of Mercedes Thompson and to this point Patricia Briggs has done a wonderful job of blending relationship stuff with some interesting, at times tense, urban fantasy. She has a great grip on the world she is writing and her heroine, Mercy Thompson, is very well developed.

Ok, here comes the reason this got 5 stars: Mercedes Thompson gets the crap kicked out of her in a major lasting way and it's completely her own fault. Talk about a great change from some of the other urban fantasy authors who let their characters get away with being stupid over and over again. The details would spoil the story, but let's just say that Mercy stays true to who she has been so far and pays for it big time. Warning...what happens to her is really harsh and for some people may be a bit too traumatic for easy reading. This is an adult series, so I don't have a problem with it, but keep that in mind.

Iron Kissed took a little while to really get going. There was a little more of the relationship/romance stuff than before, but it's not so cloying that it degrades the story into a romance. If you liked the first two Mercedes Thompson books, then Iron Kissed will be a treat, too.   —John H.   Comments


book review Patricia Briggs Mercedes Thompson 4. Bone CrossedBone Crossed

fantasy  book reviews Patricia Briggs Mercedes Thompson, Moon Called, Blood Bound, Iron Kissed 4. Bone Crossed 5. In Bone Crossed, the fourth installment in the Mercedes Thompson series, Mercy is learning to cope with her new role as the mate of the local werewolf pack while still suffering the effects of a horrific assault that occurred at the climax of Iron Kissed. Complications from inter-species conflicts remain a central theme, and her relationship challenges don’t simply fade away, but Mercy Thompson does not cry mercy.

Patricia Briggs keeps the story moving, introducing new plot elements which require Mercy to constantly re-evaluate and adjust. Another author might wave a magic wand and make things all better for Mercy, but Briggs doesn’t, and my respect for her writing deepens as a result. Too many authors leave their heroes static, allowing everything to magically work out right without much effort by the characters. But just as real life keeps tossing us problems, so Briggs doesn’t let Mercy rest. It’s not that she's on a non-stop wheel of pain — it’s just that she doesn’t get to skip through life without paying the bill for being an agent of change. New issues continue to pop up, and past choices by supporting characters come back to haunt Mercy and her friends. I love that Briggs makes her heroine deal with the second and third order effects of having broken with tradition and made enemies in the past.

Bone Crossed is not a long story, and Briggs doesn’t cover lots of new ground here, but there is still plenty to absorb in this well-written novel. Patricia Briggs deserves high marks for maintaining a high level of realism (and high quality writing) in a genre that's not consistently known for that. Briggs keeps both feet on the ground while leading us on another exciting chase through an urban fantasy world that is better developed than any other I have read.  —John H.   Comments

Alpha and Omega — (2008-2010) Publisher: Anna never knew werewolves existed until the night she survived a violent attack…and became one herself. After three years at the bottom of the pack, she’d learned to keep her head down and never, ever trust dominant males. But Anna is that rarest kind of werewolf: an Omega. And one of the most powerful werewolves in the country will recognize her value as a pack member—and as his mate.

book review Patricia Briggs Anna and Charles Alpha and Omega 1: Cry Wolf 2. Hunting Groundbook review Patricia Briggs Anna and Charles Alpha and Omega 1: Cry Wolf 2. Hunting Ground
Available for download at Audible.comClick here for audio download
Forthcoming: book 3 (Aug 2010)

review Patricia Briggs Alpha and Omega 1: Cry WolfCry Wolf

book review Patricia Briggs Anna and Charles Alpha and Omega 1: Cry Wolf 2. Hunting GroundPatricia Briggs has chosen to write a spin-off series during the middle of her very successful Mercedes Thompson series. I am not complaining, because Mercedes Thompson has been really good, but it’s something of a surprise to me.

Briggs opens Cry Wolf, the first installment of Alpha and Omega, without a lot of explanation of what has happened in the story so far. We are taken straight to a scene in Chicago where Bran, the Marrok (Werewolf Overlord), is cleaning up the mess caused by his son Charles rescuing Anna. Anna is a different type of werewolf than we have known before and it makes for some interesting diversity as her specialized abilities become clear. The first 60 pages or so are spent on establishing a relationship between Charles and Anna while providing a smattering of background information on how she came to be in the horrible situation from which she was saved.

The best parts of Cry Wolf are in the last half of the book as the adventure really takes off. There are some particularly well written moments as Briggs continues to build the world that we know from Mercedes Thompson. Anna provides a new set of experiences and a completely different personality through which to explore Briggs' world. Briggs' superb writing skills are clear and she never re-uses the same character types in her novels.

On the whole, Cry Wolf is a good book for a new reader of Briggs' urban fantasy work, but it’s a really good book if you have enough background information to appreciate what’s going on. For me, the additional insight into Mercedes Thompson's world and some of the history that is depicted more than made up for the rough first section of the book. Briggs is doing some really great stuff and for her fans, the addition of a parallel series is nothing less than a treat.   —John H.   Comments


review Patricia Briggs Alpha and Omega 1: Cry WolfCry Wolf: More than just huffing and puffing

book review Patricia Briggs Anna and Charles Alpha and Omega 1: Cry Wolf 2. Hunting GroundAnna Latham may be a rare Omega werewolf (as opposed to an Alpha/pack leader), but it hasn't done her a bit of good. Abused and degraded by her Chicago pack, she's at once freed and claimed by Charles, a strapping son of the Marrok (the North American werewolf lord) with rare abilities of his own. Anna returns with Charles to the Montana wilderness, both eager and hesitant to begin her life anew; but even the Marrok's home territory isn't exempt from the prowling of a rogue werewolf — and an even older and more sinister evil ...

Cry Wolf is the first book in Patricia Briggs's Alpha and Omega series. However, it's important to note that it's a spin-off from her Mercy Thompson series (which includes the Marrok and his sons and references the purifying of Anna's pack) and a continuation of the short story "Alpha and Omega" in the On the Prowl anthology; and even though it can be enjoyed on its own, I'd recommend reading at least Moon Called (Book 1 of Mercy Thompson) for an introduction to the normal/paranormal setting and the common characters.

One noteworthy difference between the two series is the viewpoint. Whereas Mercy narrates her own series, Cry Wolf is told from the third-person perspectives of Anna, Charles, and others — e.g. the Marrok (Bran) and Asil, a Moor, who are both extremely old, powerful, and savvy wolves. Asil's character in particular is well-developed, while a nice thread of history/myth is woven into Bran's background. The multiple viewpoints appear to allow for the story to develop in the most interesting and best-paced way possible; and if anything, Ms. Briggs's writing is both richer and smoother than in the Mercy books. 

Overall, this is a solid, paranormal thriller with some nice touches of character (again, mostly from the older werewolves — I don't think Anna or Charles has quite found herself/himself yet, and Anna's just learning what an Omega is). Recommended as a new paperback purchase (perhaps for vacation) or as a library loan for fans of this genre (who, due to some sexual content, are at least of high school age). But again, the best starting point would be Moon Called or the "Alpha and Omega" short story. Four curiously large pawprints in the snow.  —Rob R.   Comments

Stand-alone novels:
The Hob's Bargain
— (2001) Publisher: To save her village from ruthless raiders, Aren of Fallbrook strikes a bargain with the Hob, a magical, humanlike creature imbued with the power of the mountains. But the Hob will exact a heavy price to defend the village — a price Aren herself must pay.


book review The Hob's Bargain Patricia BriggsThe Hob's Bargain: Too short, but not bad.

I think that the ability to create a world that is filled with magic and unknown places is perhaps too great a task to do in one book. There is a degree of detail that we, as readers, have come to expect due to the growing trend of long multi-volume series.

In The Hob's Bargain, Patricia Briggs does a good job of telling a story within the constraints of a single volume. The heroine is interesting and relatively likeable, but not terribly believable. That's probably because there simply isn't enough space in a single short volume to do much in the way of character development.

The setting is a small village that goes through several disasters in a short time. The heroine loses her new husband and her family and is plagued by an onset of magical power in a community that equates magic with evil. Add to this mix the return of mythical magical creatures and you have a pretty good idea of what's going on.

Patricia Briggs is a great author whose work in other series I have really enjoyed. The Hob's Bargain is not her best novel, but it works well if you need a good quick read. —John H.   Comments

To rate, review, or comment, join/login with a Google account (see the bottom of your screen).
gravatar Kelly – Iowa
July 01, 2009 - 00:41
Subject:

I love the Mercy Thompson novels and the Alpha and Omega novels! When I first found them, I had been on a trip and was checking out the bookstore. I didn't know what I wanted and I picked up a few different novels, the Omega book being one of them, and bought them without really knowing if I liked them or not. As soon as I started to read Omega I got hooked! I actually haven't even read the other books that I bought with it and it's been a year or so. ^^;; I've read all the Mercy Thompson novels and Alpha and Omega novels that I've gotten my hands on. I can't wait till I get the newest ones!

gravatar Sherrie Smith – Maryland
June 27, 2009 - 10:47
Subject: Mercy Thompson/Crywolf

My bestfriend started me on the Sookie books. I loved them. She gave me the Twllights aftet that. So she gave me the Mercy books and I let them sit around for months before I picked them up. I didn't think any story could top the reading I had just done. Once she talked me into reading them I didn't put them down . I read for four days straight. I love Mercy and her adventures. When Mercy was over I went straight to Crywolf . I loved these books. I loved the way you are telling the story of Bran's family. It's almost July and I can't wait until August so I can read the next Alpha Omega book and I can't wait for the next Mercy book I have to see what Mercy and Adam are doing. I must say your books are my favorite. Your stories are Awesome. Please keep the Mercy books going. It was such a great idea to do the spinoff books. Your books are amazing.

gravatar mary – Boise
May 30, 2009 - 15:25
Subject: Mercy Thompson novels

These are fantastic books. I grew up in the Pacific Northwest, and have been to all the places mentioned in the books. I just finished the books that are out, but am thinking about re-reading them already.

gravatar Margie – pennsylvania
May 25, 2009 - 22:26
Subject: Mercy Thompson series

Dear Ms. Briggs,

I love your Mercy Thompson books, they are soooo good. I can't wait until the next book.
You are a great, and talented storyteller. Thank you.

gravatar Samantha – pasco,WA
May 07, 2009 - 16:11
Subject: Mercy Thompson Series

my cousin handed me these books( the first three in this series) and told me to give them a read and let her know what i thought of them. i wont lie i did let them sit for a month or so but when i picked up the first one i couldn't put them down they are such an easy read and everything that is going on is so easy to follow! i'm currently on your site so that i may grace my bookshelves with as many more of your novels as i can!

gravatar Vanessa Ogbonnaya – United Kingdom
April 22, 2009 - 10:33
Subject: Subject: Mercy Thompson Series and all the books by Patricia briggs!!

I bought Moon called for my best friend and it was almost dueling pistols at dawn before i finally agreed to give it to her!!
I love the Mercy Thompson books!! She is one brilliant writer and i like to read them again and again!!
I hope and pray you keep up the good work; thanks for making me smile; Patricia Briggs!!
I can't wait for your next work of art!

gravatar Michelle – texas
March 28, 2009 - 08:11
Subject: bone crossed

WOW! i was so excited when i saw that BONE CROSSED was out i bought it right then and there ....but the sad part is once i start to read it i cant put it down and before i know it i was done with the book . Know Im gonna have to sit and wait for the next ..So thank you for giving my few moments in Mercy Thompson's world and cant wait to get there again in 2010

gravatar Stephany
January 08, 2009 - 21:00
Subject: Mercy Thompson

OMG!! I am so addicted to the Mercy Thompson novels. My husband was looking for a book I would like at Walden books and he saw Moon Called and decided it sounded good and even if I didn't like it that he probably would and now neither of us can get enough of them. I've already pre-ordered Bone Crossed and we're hoping that it's not the end of Mercy. I'm not sure what I would do if I couldn't read any more Mercy Thompson novels!


Support FanLit by purchasing your books (and other items) through our Amazon links. Or donate.
© 2007-2010   Fantasy Literature


Discount Gold Offer

The FTC wants you to know that many of our review copies are received free from publishers.


Subscribe to FanLit Posts Posts    Subscribe to FanLit Comments  Comments
  Posts  Comments


Follow FanLit on Twitter


Admin