Review: Child of the Prophecy (Sevenwaters, #3) by Juliet Marillier

Title: Child of the Prophecy (Sevenwaters, #3) 

Author: Juliet Marillier

Rating: 4 Stars

Ironically enough, I wound up loving Child of the Prophecy more than its predecessor, Son of the Shadows. For many, this original concluding foray into Sevenwaters was a disappointment, sadly lacking in comparison to the beauty that was Daughter of the Forest and the epic that was Son of the Shadows. As someone who left the latter feeling more than a little disappointed and was prepared to feel the same way from this installment, Child of the Prophecy proved to be a pleasant surprise. A very pleasant surprise. I wound up devouring this over a brief weekend in NYC, unable to set it down on the subway, train, or bus. And yes, I did get many strange glances at my oft grief-stricken expression, not to mention the stray tears, but it was so, so worth it. If, like me, you've been putting off this series under the assumption that this novel is the weak link, let me convince you otherwise; truly, it isn't. 

What makes Child of the Prophecy a difficult novel to like is the fact that it is a difficult novel to enjoy. Sorcha and Liadan, our past heroines, are women who have grown loved and sheltered in the woodlands of Sevenwaters. Fianne, however, has grown up secluded near the ocean with only her father. Niamh, Fianne's beautiful mother, committed suicide shortly after Fianne was born and, as a result, Fianne has always wondered why she was never enough to keep her mother alive. Furthermore, Fianne's limp and sorceress status keep her secluded from others; all except Darragh who patiently befriends her and loyally returns for her every summer, though he is a traveling man. As such, from the beginning itself, Fianne is a very different heroine, one whose path does not merely lie in testing her endurance, but also in discovering her own path. 

Our novel truly begins, though, when the Lady Oonagh, Fianne's grandmother, blackmails her granddaughter into infiltrating Sevenwaters and preventing a prophecy from coming true. Johnny, the son of Liadan and Bran, is the titular child of the prophecy upon which the hopes of Sevenwaters lie as they face a perilous time nearing war with the Britons, specifically the Northwoods who neighbor Harrowfield. Fianne, though recognizing the evil intents in her grandmother's plan, is powerless to stop her as the Lady Oonagh threatens to kill Ciaran, Fianne's father. Thus, Fianne travels to Sevenwaters, little realizing that her extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins will fill her heart with love and weaken her resolve. Fianne, who has known little of love in her life and has seen its destructive hand in her family, will now discover the true power, both of family and, most importantly, of love. 

Fianne, from the beginning itself, was a protagonist I loved, merely because of her flaws. Unlike Sorcha and Liadan, Fianne is not without her evil attributes. In fact, on more than one occasion Fianne commits acts with terrible consequences, choosing not to intervene and prevent certain actions from unfolding. While this may indicate the presence of evil, what it really indicates is a character who is confused and afraid. Fianne fails to see her own beauty, both outward and inward, and also fails to recognize the power she holds. All these qualities make her an easy pawn for the Lady Oonagh and the struggles Fianne must face mold her character into one with many, many grays. It is difficult to decide if Fianne can even be considered a good person after all the evil she has done, no matter the good she does as well, but these are the precise reasons I love her character so. Fianne is not the perfect heroine Sevenwaters usually gives us. Along her way she finds way to defy her grandmother, to stand up to her and to stand up for what is right, and though she returns to being a pawn, time and time again, each time she learns and her experiences steadily give her the confidence she needs in herself to finally overcome evil. Without a doubt, Fianne's growth as a character is the best this series has delivered so far, and likely will be for her circumstances lend themselves to so much room for improvement. Fianne's steady will, her courage and determination to find a way to do right while leading her grandmother to believe she is doing wrong is such a tricky and difficult path, but she treads it realistically, with equal parts despair and hope. Although I was not comfortable with some of the decisions she was forced to make at the hand of her grandmother, I recognized their worth in her growth as a human and, ultimately, appreciate their value. 

Marillier wouldn't be herself, though, without rich secondary characters as well. We meet almost the entire Sevenwaters cast again, sans Red who has sadly passed away by this point, and are exposed to the changes that have taken place in the past eighteen years. While our favorite characters remain the same, time has changed them and their circumstances as well. Additionally, there is a slew of new characters, all in the form of Fianne's numerous cousins, all of which I loved. Yet, the secondary character who stole my heart - and Fianne's too! - was Darragh. Darragh and Fianne are childhood friends and while Fianne cannot see it, Darragh slowly falls for her with time. Now, however, entrusted with the Lady Oonagh's deadly task, Fianne sends Darragh away, fearful that her grandmother may threaten to harm him next. Thus, Fianne and Darragh are often apart for most of the novel. Although Darragh always returns to Fianne, their moments are short and their romance is not an overwhelming majority of the novel. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that this is perhaps the most subtle of Marillier's romances, but one of the most beautiful nevertheless. While Darragh and Fianne are kept apart, their memories of one another never are and through small thoughts and subtle gestures, the longing these two share is built-up. Although I don't parade as a hopeless romantic, the truth it, the sheer longing and uncertainty and love and affection between these two had me shaking with emotion near the end of the novel, despite the lack of emphasis it was given in the book. Darragh's kindness and his love give Fianne the strength to persevere on and while he isn't a leader like Red or Bran, his innocence and gentle nature are exactly what Fianne need, not to mention his loyalty and undying faith in his best friend, despite the horrors she confesses to him. For me, at any rate, these two definitely join the ranks with Sorcha & Red and Liadan & Bran. Without a doubt. 

While Child of the Prophecy was a surprisingly quick and engaging read for me, it did have its low points. For one, the portrayal of the Lady Oonagh was disappointingly Disney-like for my tastes. After shrouding this evil sorceress for two novels and building up her legend, actually meeting the woman was a disappointing shock. Marillier failed to convey the true hatred that resided within Lady Oonagh's heart and her dialogue depicted her as a blood-hungry witch. Additionally, the death of a major character, both from Son of the Shadows and this novel, was dealt with very sloppily, in my opinion. For fear of spoilers, I won't mention any names, but this character and Fianne shared a large story line, one that was integral both to Fianne's growth and the plot of the novel. Thus, to see the character killed off in a quick and hurried fashion, mostly as a matter of convenience, was confusing, to say the least. In some ways, this novel didn't carry forth the same level of well-rounded excellency as Marillier's novels always do, with a few points shoddily disregarded or merely disappointing, but ultimately, one cannot deny that Child of the Prophecy is an excellent conclusion to this original trilogy. Not only did it exceed my expectations, but it wormed its way into my heart as well. Well and truly, Child of the Prophecy is far from being the disappointment of this series. In fact, I suspect there isn't one to be found.

You can read my reviews for Daughter of the Forest and Son of the Shadows, Books 1 & 2 respectively, HERE and HERE.

Summer Series Reading Challenge:4

Review: Too Good to Be True by Kristan Higgins

Title: Too Good to Be True

Author: Kristan Higgins

Rating: 4 Stars

Callahan O'Shea. If you're not a pile of goo after just hearing that name, then I don't know what's wrong with you. BUT *clears throat* this review isn't about the tall, handsome, utterly charming hunk of a neighbor who just happens to be an ex-convict. (Really, who cares about the convict part when there is the tall, handsome, utterly charming hunk part to focus on?) All goofiness aside, though, Too Good to Be True is, really, almost too good to be true. For me at least. As a cross between two of my favorite movies - "27 Dresses" and "The Family Stone" - Too Good to Be True cinches the deal for me with its Lincoln-loving protagonist, Gone With the Wind references, and utterly swoon-worthy romance.

It's not very commonly known in the blogosphere, but I am obsessed with the Civil War. And Gone With the Wind. And Abraham Lincoln. As such, the protagonist of this novel, Grace, who helps re-enact Civil War battles with her father, was an immediate winner. Grace mirrors my passion for history and her tragic tale of being dumped by her fiancee for her gorgeous younger sister broke my heart and made me ever-so-thankful I had a younger brother, not sister. When Grace is dragged to a family wedding, she is forced to quickly make up a boyfriend - Wyatt Dunn, a pediatric surgeon - in order to placate her sister, Natalie, that she was truly over her ex-fiancee and soon-to-be brother-in-law, Andrew. With such a classic tale of woe, it is difficult not to sympathize with Grace within the first chapters itself. Grace is the type of person who puts her family first and is constantly a pillar for them, whether it be her relentless support of her parents marriage - that doesn't seem all-that-perfect on the outside, but just might be after all - or her generosity in housing her older sister, Margaret, as she takes a break from her boring, besotted, and routine husband, or even the very fact that she brought Natalie and Andrew together after realizing her engagement had been broken off because of Andrew's affections for Natalie. And yet, Grace is evidently not a perfect person. While she makes silly mistakes and is chock-full of flaws, all this only serves to make her an even more endearing protagonist.

It is hard not to fall for Grace, but surprisingly, it was hard not to fall for her family too. Grace paints a picture of her close friendship with Natalie - so much so that we simply cannot despise her. Natalie is genuinely distraught at having fallen for her sister ex-fiancee and she wants the best for Grace, and while she can come across as a little too pampered or perfect, we still come to like her, despite our initial bias for Grace. Margaret is the not-so-nice sister. A little like me. And yet, beneath her sarcastic front and blunt exterior, Margaret is caring and, most importantly, confused. Too Good to Be True highlights the difficulties of both finding a man and sustaining a relationship. Although Grace herself never experiences the latter, those around her from her older sister to her parents go through bad phases in their marriages and, once again, I am floored that Higgins dares to make these secondary characters such a huge part of this story. Higgins seems like the typical chick-lit writer, especially with her charming heroines, but her heavy emphasis on family and the strength of her secondary characters makes her books contain so much more depth. Too Good to Be True may not have been as funny as Catch of the Day, but it was just as satisfying at the end of the day.

If there are any complaints I seem to have with Higgins, it is that the development of her romances are so understated. And yet, this makes perfect sense as something must evidently give to make way for the depth she manages to incorporate. And, honestly, the romance in this novel is far more central than in Catch of the Day. With Grace and Callahan, these two have your laugh-out-loud kind of encounter that makes you grin like an idiot because you just know they have to be made for each other. Although their journey towards one another is sweet, the times they spend together afterward are even more poignant. I really love that Higgins writes about men and women who are sensible, who may not know exactly what they want from life but who aren't afraid to own up to their mistakes and deal with the consequences of their actions. Callahan and Grace are honest to one another, supportive, loving, and share a deeper understanding than we can initially imagine. And I love Callahan. You'd think a guy who was an ex-convict would be a classic bad boy, falling into the tropes of an arrogant jerk, but this carpenter just won my heart. Too Good to Be True is another Higgins novel I immensely enjoyed, possibly even more than my first, and I fully intend to sink deeper into Higgins's work. Believe me, this is one author I'm not letting go of so easily.

Review: Fate's Edge by Ilona Andrews

Title: Fate's Edge (Edge, #3) 

Author: Ilona Andrews

Rating: 4 Stars

If you've come to expect nothing short of sheer perfection from Ilona Andrews, then you're still expecting too low. No matter how utterly incredible I think these novels are going to be, they always manage to deliver far above my wildest expectations. It's hard to come across many authors like that, so take my word for it and hold this writing duo close. Fate's Edge delivers a steaming and action-packed addition to the Edge Quartet, one whose overarching plot becomes increasingly obvious as the series wears on. Now, slowly, all the threads from the past two books are coming together and combined with the events of this novel, are sure to make for a stunning conclusion. For fear of veering into a realm of spoilers, I will keep this short. Just know, plain and simple, that if you haven't already read this series then you're wasting your time.

Kaldar Mar may not have been my favorite character in Bayou Moon, but that didn't mean he wasn't on my radar. If anything, I was excited that he would finally be getting a novel of his own, all with an ass-kicking lady thief to steal the show from under his feet. No pun intended. Fate's Edge starts off slow, establishing the world of Audrey, a thief who has been forced to steal in order to keep her older brother returning to a rehab center. When our story begins, Audrey has made a new start for herself, one that doesn't involving stealing. Until, that is, her father finds her and begs her to perform one last heist for him. Unknowingly, Audrey steals an artifact that has all the dangerous organizations of the Weird after her - the Hand, the Mirror, and even the deadly Claws of Bast. Kaldar, thief extraordinaire, is sent in by the Mirror to return the artifact, all while fulfilling his plan of extracting vengeance on the Hand for what they did to his family. Kaldar and Audrey, though striking an unlikely alliance, expect everything from their wacky adventure except...finding their hearts stolen by one another too.

From the beginning itself, Audrey is the type of heroine I love. And we know what heroine this is now. Ilona Andrews writes strong, independent women with difficult pasts who manage to make their life work despite the hurdles in their way. Not only are they all gorgeous, but their wit is unrivaled and the banter between them and our hero is the type of entertainment we eat up with buttery popcorn. I am pleased to report, then, that Andrews doesn't fail to deliver - not in the least. Audrey and Kaldar are two broken adults, but their attraction to one another, their joint love - and talent - for heist, and their underlying understanding of one another make these two a formidable team and an even more frustrating couple. Out of all the books in this series, this one easily has the sexual tension notched up the highest. It's both exhilarating and painful to have to keep flipping frantically, waiting for these two to realize what's been in front of their eyes all along. 

Yet, despite the sexual tension, Fate's Edge focuses heavily on the plot with the romance veering toward the backseat. A non-stop delight, this novel tracks on heist after heist, clever mission after clever mission, wyverns and shapeshifters. Perhaps best of all is the inclusion of two old favorites - Jack and George. Ever since reading On the Edge, I've been convinced that these two brothers were some of the most interesting characters Ilona Andrews drew up - and I was right. Jack and George, the younger brothers of Rose, play a heavy role in this novel, dominating the front in growth and action alike. Seeing them change and deal with their new roles in society, not to mention their evolved relationship as siblings, was a journey in and of itself. I can only hope we see more of them in the future as their role in the plans, action, and book in general made this all the more sweeter. 

While Fate's Edge is fast-paced and action-packed, it does suffer heavily from a rushed ending. As do all the books in this series, but this is perhaps the worst. In the last ten percent of the story, Kaldar and Audrey - quite conveniently - have epiphanies that they love each other and, moreover, rescue each other from the villain within pages. It was simply too fast and too unbelievable, especially taking into account the amount of time and planning and effort every other idea or rescue mission in the novel took. Nevertheless, despite that small bump, the overwhelming majority of this novel was perfect. Kaldar and Audrey are perfectly balanced for one another and their romantic story arc was developed perfectly. Additionally, seeing old characters - Cerise and William, not to mention Rose and Declan have a line or two as well - mesh together with a new plot was thrilling. All in all, I simply cannot wait to see how this series ends. If the rest of the books - and Ilona Andrews in general - is any indication, it is sure to be mind-blowing.

Summer Series Reading Challenge: 3

Lisa Schroeder Verse Novel Mini-Reviews: Chasing Brooklyn & The Day Before

Title: Chasing Brooklyn

Author: Lisa Schroeder

Rating: 3 Stars

Schroeder is one of the top names when it comes to verse novels and I can now see why. Although I often stay away from these poetry-bound novels, Schroeder assuaged most of my fears and managed to suck me into her beautiful tale. I wasn't expected it, but Chasing Brooklyn managed to contain deep and well-rounded characters I truly felt for. Brooklyn, the protagonist who lost her boyfriend and is now haunted by her friend who overdosed is a heroine we can get behind, struggling to maintain a facade of being alright and caring for her dad while her mother and two younger brothers remain elsewhere. And then there's Nico, more of a protagonist himself than a love interest, and his fragile self-esteem combined with his delicate relationship with his parents made him so very real. When put together on the page, their story is gripping and lovely; a novel of dealing with grief and moving on with life, all told in a very unique style that is hard to forget.

And yet, there were still so many flaws with this novel. For one, I find that most grief novels tend to depict the deceased as perfect human beings, which is not only disappointing but also renders their characters to be very flat. And while that didn't bother me too much with this book, it still existed. Instead, what really bothered me about this novel was the ghost plot line itself. Now, I'm not a big fan of ghosts and the plot line with nightmares and terrifying dreams was all just a little too overstated and obvious to have much of an impact. All of Brooklyn's dreams were filled with typical metaphors and symbols that spelled things out for her too easily. I wish that Brooklyn's journey had been more about herself and Nico than about how their ghosts brought them together. It was all too convenient and cliched for my liking. Additionally, by the end of the novel I felt as if the effectiveness of the prose really began to wear off. With this type of style, it's hard to get behind too many topics and cover them all in-depth - I wanted to know more about the secondary characters, more about Brooklyn's father, more about these parents who were also grieving. Nevertheless, all things considered - especially my aversion to verse novels - I'd call this read a success. It's short and sweet and I'll certainly be on the lookout for more of Schroeder in the future.

Title: The Day Before

Author: Lisa Schroeder

Rating: 3 Stars

Once again, Lisa Schroeder manages to stun...and disappoint. From the beginning itself, The Day Before has a rocky start, throwing together two strangers - Amber and Cade - without reason. It is evident, though, that both these teens are hurting in their own way and as the story progresses, the truth about their pasts unravel. Unfortunately, what Schroeder's verse novels lack is plausibility. Is it really that believable for two teenage strangers to decide to be one another's companions for the day? Doubtful. And yet, despite this rocky set-up, Schroeder can write. On more than one occasion, her poems were heartfelt and touched a hidden part of me. Furthermore, despite the slenderness of this volume, she managed to make me feel for these characters and I can assure you that the romance in this novel, though very insta-love (and certainly not as believable as Just One Day's love story), has no shortage of swoon-worthy moments.

For me, this is why Schroeder excels: in her ability to make us, the reader, feel emotion with just a few mere words strung together. Not only does she choose unique topics and even more original ways of discussing them, but her characters feel so very realistic and jump out of the page. Sadly, though, for me her verse novels don't begin to compare to the fullness of a solid book. I always find myself wishing for more - more closure, more detail, just more. And this, I fear, is a personal qualm. Nevertheless, if you're a fan of verse novels then Schroeder is undoubtedly one of the best out there. Even I can admit that.

Series Review: Mercy Thompson (#5-7) by Patricia Briggs

I've been flying through this series and it's hard to believe that I've finally caught up. Needless to say, this series just keeps getting better and better and I highly recommend it for any fans of UF. You can check out my review for the first book HERE and my mini-reviews for the other books in this series HERE. You can also read my reviews for the spin-off series HERE and HERE. Also, just to quickly confirm, these reviews are spoiler-free.

Title: Silver Borne (Mercy Thompson, #5) 

Author: Patricia Briggs

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Being a mechanic is hard work. Mercy Thompson, for instance, just spent the last couple of months trying to evade the murderous queen of the local vampire seethe. And now the leader of the werewolf pack, who's maybe-more-than-just-a-friend, has asked for her help. A book of fae secrets has come to light and they're all about to find out how implacable - and dangerous - the fae can be. OK, so maybe her troubles have nothing to do with the job. But she sure could use a holiday...

At this point, I am unable to re-call a single swoon-worthy factor about any character whose name isn't Adam Hauptman because, DAMN, Adam Hauptman. Silver Borne is a lot of things; it's another action-packed Mercy Thompson installment, it's another fae-infused novel from this world, it's a novel that I wouldn't hesitate to label, really, as Sam's book...but despite all that, Adam Hauptman steals the show. Granted, he sorta does that every time he saunters onto the page, crisp in his suit and tie, his eye glinting with the ferocity - and vulnerability - of an alpha of the werewolf pack, but if Mercy wasn't already Adam's, you can bet I'd have volunteered myself into a Hunger Games to win him after this book.

While the plot of Silver Borne is deceptively simple and its execution similar to that of the Alpha & Omega Series with a heavy dose of action during the last few chapters, character growth in the name of the game with this installment. Not only is there an overarching plot thread concerning the book Mercy borrowed from Phin - and didn't return, mind you - there is an even more pressing concern of Mercy's new involvement with the pack, because now, she is pack. While we experienced the dynamics of a mate bond between Charles and Anna in Hunting Ground, the bond between Adam and Mercy is different not only because of their personalities or because Mercy is a coyote, but also because Adam is the leader of a pack and all their minds are intricately intertwined, whether they like it or not.

As such, Mercy truly has to come to trust Adam in a way she never has before. Now, Mercy can no longer push Adam aside and deal with issues the way she prefers, she has to let Adam in, no matter what the nature of the issue may be. In fact, there are many lengthy conversations between these two and the depth, growth, and maturity of their relationship simply continues to astound me. In addition to Mercy and Adam, though, Mercy's friendship and loyalty to Sam is tested as her best friend slowly begins to lose control. And when a werewolf loses control, you better pray you're in a bomb shelter or hidden in an underwater grotto - they're that scary. I think Mercy's growth as a person is the most significant in this installment - and I loved that.

Nevertheless, Silver Borne does suffer from a few flaws. For one, the plot wasn't nearly as captivating as that in Iron Kissed or Bone Crossed. Honestly, I didn't expect it to be, but was still slightly disappointed regardless. Additionally, a new character is introduced in this novel and her involvement is all very coincidental, but perfect, to the dynamics of these characters. While I frown at the convenience of the situation, I remain curious to see if/how it continues in the sequel. With the exception of those minor faults, though, Silver Borne was just as brilliant as the other installments in this series, if not more because of the intimate role the pack played in this novel as well. All in all, I remain stolidly impressed by Patricia Briggs and am only hoping they come out with Mercy-Thompson-Restraining-Pills soon so this urge I have to keep reading, reading, reading will dissipate. It may not look like it, but I really am trying to prolong this series for as long as I can. At the rate I'm going, though, I suspect Frost Burned will be joining my shelves in just a matter of weeks - this series is simply irresistible.

Title: River Marked (Mercy Thompson, #6) 

Author: Patricia Briggs

Rating: 3 Stars

Coyote shifter Mercy Thompson knows that life with her mate, the Alpha werewolf Adam, will never be boring, but even their wedding doesn't go as planned. Nevertheless, a ten-day honeymoon camping on the banks of the Columbia River, alone, just the two of them, should make up for it. But the trip - and the pimped-out trailer they're using - is courtesy of the fae. And nothing from the fae comes without strings attached...Being a different breed of shapeshifter - a walker - Mercy can see ghosts, but the spirit of her long-gone father has never visited her. Until now. An evil is stirring in the depths of the Columbia River - and innocent people are dying. As other walkers make their presence know to Mercy, she must reconnect with her heritage to exorcise the world of the legend known as the river devil...

Ironically, River Marked was the Mercy Thompson book I was most looking forward to. All I knew was that it was about Adam and Mercy's honeymoon and combined with the depth their relationships sustained throughout the past two books, I simply did not think this could go wrong. Unfortunately, however, River Marked is the worst book in the Mercy Thompson Series. Not, of course, like that's saying much since it's still a Mercy Thompson and, therefore, I still love it. Yet, after the last three novels in this series - which have been absolutely incredible - River Marked is a sore disappointment and crushing reminder that Patricia Briggs is, after all, only human.

River Marked is, as I mentioned, about Adam and Mercy's honeymoon. After a beautiful wedding, the two set out to camp using the trailer loaned to them by Uncle Mike. As we all know, though, trouble seems to follow Mercy wherever she goes and borrowing a trailer from the fey turns out to be a terrible idea for the reservation where Mercy and Adam are camped is home to a river devil. River Marked is interesting in the sense that it explores Native American heritage in a way Briggs has never explored it before. Mercy's heritage is always known throughout the novels, but it truly shines and comes to light here under the backdrop of forgotten lore and spirits.

And yet, this is also the reason this novel did not work for me. River Marked deals a lot with Mercy's difficulty of belonging, but in a very one-dimensional sense. Throughout this series, it is obvious that Mercy is alone in the world, whether it be because of her mixed lineage or her unique walker abilities. River Marked explores this idea by delving into the unresolved issues Mercy has with not knowing her real father because he died before even knowing her mother was pregnant. For me, this entire plot thread felt all too sudden. In the Kate Daniels Series by Ilona Andrews, Kate has issues with her father too - issues that are built up and touched upon subtlely in each novel. Furthermore, Kate confides these fears with her mate - Curran. With River Marked, though, we have a sudden influx of confessions, of hidden feelings we didn't even know Mercy possessed. As such, the deep bond that is forged between Mercy and the reader, particularly with the preceding three novels, feels very weak. River Marked failed to impress merely because the emotional punch that comes with every Briggs novel was lacking.

Additionally, the plot of River Marked was not all that gripping. What makes the Mercy Thompson Series so spectacular is not just Mercy and Adam, but the secondary characters too. While River Marked did have an interesting side cast, it was nearly impossible to feel much for them, and definitely not the way we feel for Stefan, Warren, Kyle, or Zee. It is clear to me now that Mercy and Adam are not enough to carry this series forward the way Anna and Charles are, simply because they haven't been that way from the beginning. While I will admit to enjoying the interactions between Mercy and Adam in this book, there was a shortage of truly deep moments. Granted, this isn't a bad thing, but I think I expected more struggle and turmoil emotionally between these two on their honeymoon than what I got. Nevertheless, River Marked is a vital installment to the Mercy Thompson arc, shedding light on Mercy's parenthood, and while not the best Mercy Thompson book out there, it still has plenty of shirtless Adam in it, so who am I to complain?

Title: Frost Burned (Mercy Thompson, #7) 
Author: Patricia Briggs
Rating: 4.5 Stars

Mercy Thompson’s life has undergone a seismic change. Becoming the mate of Adam Hauptman—the charismatic Alpha of the local werewolf pack—has made her a stepmother to his daughter Jesse, a relationship that brings moments of blissful normalcy to Mercy’s life. But on the edges of humanity, what passes for a minor mishap on an ordinary day can turn into so much more…. After an accident in bumper-to-bumper traffic, Mercy and Jesse can’t reach Adam—or anyone else in the pack for that matter. They’ve all been abducted. Through their mating bond, all Mercy knows is that Adam is angry and in pain. With the werewolves fighting a political battle to gain acceptance from the public, Mercy fears Adam’s disappearance may be related—and that he and the pack are in serious danger. Outclassed and on her own, Mercy may be forced to seek assistance from any ally she can get, no matter how unlikely.

It's more than a little disappointing that I've already caught up on this series. I didn't expect to love this novel as much as I did, particularly after the disaster that was River Marked or the perfection that was Fair Game - two extremes that made for mixed feelings going into this - but I needn't have worried. Frost Burned certainly delivers and perhaps my only qualm is the awkward shift to third person during Adam's narration. With that slight bump aside, this was nothing short of a pure delight. Quick, action-packed, romantic, and featuring some of my past favorites such as Stefan and Asil, nothing can quite go wrong with this latest installment.

From the beginning itself, it is clear that Frost Burned is a different kind of Mercy Thompson. Not only is this the first time that we see Mercy take on her role in the Pack, but it is also one of the few times that Adam is truly in trouble. While Mercy has never relied on Adam in the past, he was always there in the background, a reassuring hum, if you will. Thus, with Mercy suddenly alone and thrust into a realm of responsibility, the stakes are suddenly much, much more different. And better. Seeing Mercy embrace her position in the Pack is nothing short of wonderful. Frost Burned gives us the mature, kick-ass, ever-sarcastic Mercy that we've wanted her to become from the beginning and left to her own devices with only Stefan by her side, she is just as - if not more - formidable than ever.

Even more than simply Mercy, though, the entire Pack takes on a sharp realization of their own. Since Mercy can now feel the bonds the rest of the Pack feels, our emotions while reading this are much more tangible. Additionally, Adam's perspective gives us a deeper view into the moral ambiguity that comes with being a werewolf. Although we've always known that these supernatural creatures are deadly and strong, we've perhaps never felt just how dangerous they can be. Furthermore, the subtle undertones of understanding between Mercy and Adam, the many wonders of their Mating Bond...all of these come to light and enhance the relationship between these two. If you thought Mercy and Adam were the perfect couple, this book only solidifies that image. It is heart-wrenching, gripping, and utterly un-put-down-able. Prepare to see a new side of Mercy, of Adam, of the vampires, and even of everything you thought you knew about the fae. With a rich installment of characters, particularly Asil, a favorite from Alpha and Omega, Briggs's latest promises to make you question your all-time favorite book in this series. Let's just hope Night Broken will be the same.

Summer Series Reading Challenge: 2