Waiting on...Thursday

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selections are:

Keys to the Dragon Prison (Book 5)
By Brandon Mull
Release Date: March 23, 2010

Synopsis: Since ancient times, the great demon prison Zzyzx has protected the world from the most dangerous servants of darkness, including Gorgrog, the Demon King. After centuries of plotting, the Sphinx is on the verge of recovering the five artifacts necessary to open the legendary prison. Facing the potential of a world-ending calamity, all friends of light must unite in a final effort to thwart the Sphinx s designs and find a safe home for the five artifacts. To this end, Kendra, Seth, and the Knights of the Dawn will venture far beyond the walls of Fablehaven to strange and exotic magical preserves across the globe, where the end of every quest becomes the beginning of another. In this explosive series finale, allegiances will be confirmed and secrets revealed as the forces of light and darkness collide in a desperate struggle to control the keys to the demon prison.

Shadow of the Moon (Book 4)
By Rachel Hawthorne
Release Date: March 23, 2010

Synopsis: Hayden was born a werewolf, a Dark Guardian. But her ability to sense the feelings of fellow werewolves has made her life unbearable. She runs away, only to be tracked by charming, mysterious Daniel, a newcomer to the pack and the one Shifter immune to her powers. As she reluctantly follows him home, Hayden finds herself falling dangerously in love. . . . But even as her feelings for Daniel deepen, Hayden begins to wonder if he is who he claims to be. Where did he come from and why has no one ever seen him transform? When they stumble upon the body of a Shifter still in wolf form, her worries grow. Someone is killing her kind. Is her handsome tracker really a hunter? And is Hayden now his prey?

Silver Borne (Book 5)
By Patricia Briggs
Release Date: March 30, 2010

Synopsis: 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.

Mercy Thompson Homecoming by Patricia Briggs

Genre: Graphic Novel-Fantasy Fiction

Publication Date: August 2009

Author Website: www.patrciabriggs.com

Kathy’s Review: This is a prequel to the Mercy Thompson series and tells the story of how Mercy, Adam and the rest of the characters all met and why they settled in the Tri Cities.

I’ve had this on my hold list at the library for ages and I admit I was surprised when I picked it up today and found that it was a graphic novel (I was expecting a regular book). This is my first graphic novel (unless you count some comic books I read as a kid) and I wasn’t sure how to go about reviewing it. It was fun to see the characters visually, it moved along quickly and I liked finding out the back-story of how Adam and Mercy meet. Since it was my first graphic novel it took some getting used to, and although it was fun it kind of rubbed me the wrong way. I didn’t think the writing was that great (but maybe that’s just my lack of experience), I didn’t like the nudity (werewolves/walkers can’t keep their clothes when they change, so obviously it happens that they are nude some of the time), and overall it was just okay for me. If you’re reading the Thompson series then you will probably like this book.

I have a love/hate relationship with the series. Mercy has really grown on me and I have a huge crush on Adam. I think Adam is the only reason why I keep reading the series. It’s kind of dark, pretty violent at times and there is some subject matter that I don’t care for. Definitely a grown-up read and wouldn’t recommend it to teens. Like I said though, I like Adam and can’t wait to see what happens with him and Mercy in Silver Borne, which comes out in March.

Reading Order:
Prequel: Mercy Thompson Homecoming
Book One: Moon Called
Book Two: Blood Bound

Book Three: Iron Kissed

Book Four: Bone Crossed

Book Five: Silver Borne (March 2010)

Book Six: TBD

Book Seven: TBD

Spin-off Series

Prequel: Alpha and Omega: On the Prowl

Book One: Cry Wolf

Book Two: Hunting Ground

Alpha and Omega by Patricia Briggs

Genre: Adult Fantasy-Fiction

Author Website: www.patriciabriggs.com

One Word Review: Okay

First Line: “The wind was chill and the cold froze the ends of her toes.”

Kathy’s Review: This is a spin-off from the Mercy Thompson series. This follows the story of Anna and Charles, the Marrok’s (leader of all werewolves) son and hit-man. The story rotates point of view (which I enjoyed) and although it is rather short we learn a lot and it almost has the feel of a full-length novel. Anna was “changed” without her constant and has spent the first year being passed around the male wolves in her pack and the rest of the time being abused and trained to think she was nothing. Then Charles comes along and reveals that she is an Omega.

I enjoyed the story but it wasn’t my favorite. There was a lot of talk about sex and references to Anna’s previous abuse (although neither in any great detail), so that was a bit much. I don’t know what it is with Briggs and rape, but it seems to be a major plot line in her stories. I’m debating if I’ll read the rest of the series. Not sure if Anna or Charles really drew me in enough to continue reading. Course, it seems I say that about her books and then I go out and read them anyway.

Reading Order:
Prequel: Alpha and Omega (On the Prowl)

Book One: Cry Wolf
Book Two: Hunting Ground

Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs

Genre: Fiction

Author Website: www.patriciabriggs.com

One Word Review: Good

First Line: “I starred at my reflection in the mirror.”

Synopsis: “By day, Mercy is a car mechanic in the sprawling Tri-Cities of Eastern Washington. By night, she explores her preternatural side. As a shapeshifter with some unique talents, Mercy has often found herself having to maintain a tenuous harmony between the human and the not so human. This time she may get more than she bargained for. Marsilia, the local Vampire Queen, has learned that Mercy crossed her by slaying a member of her clan—and she's out for blood. But since Mercy is protected from direct reprisal by the werewolf pack (and her close relationship with its sexy Alpha), it won't be Mercy's blood Marsilia is after. It'll be her friends'.” -GoodReads

Kathy’s Review: After each book I say that I’m not going to read anymore, and then I find myself reading the next book. Again, I think it’s because I just love Mercy and Adam so much. I was actually pretty happy with this one; I may have enjoyed it more than any of the others so far. Once again the vampires play a big role in the story line, which means there is a lot of blood sucking going on. Some is pretty descriptive, so don’t read if you have a weak stomach. I really think this series has made me a fan of werewolves, I just love them now! I love so many of the characters that I know I will keep reading the series and look forward to book five coming out in March.

Cover Comments: My husband totally makes fun of me whenever he seems me reading a Mercy novel. I don’t know why they portray her like that; it doesn’t really match the Mercy I’ve come to know. I also wonder about the tattoos, does she really have that many? Maybe I missed that, but I thought she only had one?

Reading Order:
Book One: Moon Called

Book Two: Blood Bound
Book Three: Iron Kissed
Book Four: Bone Crossed
Book Five: Silver Borne
Book Six: TBD
Book Seven: TBD

Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs

Genre: Adult Fantasy

Author Website: www.patriciabriggs.com

One Word Review: Disappointing

Summary: When her former boss and mentor is arrested for murder and left to rot behind bars by his own kind, it's up to shape shifting car mechanic Mercy Thompson to clear his name, whether he wants her to or not. And she'll have to choose between the two werewolves in her life-whether she wants to or not.

My Review: I think the only reason I keep reading these books is because I like Adam (and Mercy) so much. I know Adam rubs some people the wrong way, but I think even though he is the Alpha and super dominant, he really makes an effort to not use that on Mercy. He lets her live her life and doesn’t try to change her; in fact he really tries to change himself. I don’t think I could write this review without giving away spoilers, so I decided that I would put my “spoiler” info in the comment section. I liked that this book focused on the fae, it was interesting to learn more about them and to meet new characters. I like Zee a lot, I was sad that he was out of the picture for a lot of the story, but I guess it had to be done. Overall, I wasn’t happy with the book. The ending upset me and I think it could have been handled differently. I don’t know if I would really recommend the series, it is rather dark and at times pretty violent. There has always been something that was a little off for me, the ending of this one didn’t help. Because of that I don’t know if I will continue the series. I’m very happy who Mercy chooses so I think I would be able to end on at least that good note

Reading Order:
Book One: Moon Called
Book Two: Blood Bound
Book Three: Iron Kissed
Book Four: Bone Crossed
Book Five: Silver Borne
Book Six: TBD
Book Seven: TBD

Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs

Genre: Adult Fiction

Author Site: www.patriciabriggs.com

First Line: “Like most people who own their own businesses, I work long hours that start early in the morning.”

One Word Review: Okay

Summary: “Mechanic Mercy Thompson has friends in low places - and in dark ones. And now she owes one of them a favor. Since she can shape shift at will, she agrees to act as some extra muscle when her vampire friend Stefan goes to deliver a message to another of his kind. But this new vampire is hardly ordinary - and neither is the demon inside of him...”

My Review: Okay, so I’m a little embarrassed to post the book cover for this one. I’m not sure why they have Mercedes dressed like that; it doesn’t really match her characters personality at all. And, I think it would turn away a lot of readers that would otherwise enjoy these books.

So, I decided to give Mercy Thompson another try. I admit, I’m a huge fan of Adam’s and the chemistry between him and Mercy is really what keeps me reading. I did enjoy this one a little more than the first. Briggs really keeps the vampires and werewolves in their more traditional roles, which I like. The vampires in her stories are more “realistic” or stick with your typical myths, like being out in the sun, holy water, and wooden stakes. I love the werewolves in the story as well, and although I don’t know a whole lot about werewolves, they seem to stick with your typical stereotypes. Mercy is a lot more independent in this one. She needs the help of friends along the way but she really has to handle things herself. She’s one tough mechanic! I’m not a diehard fan, but I do enjoy the stories. I am definitely curious to see what happens with Mercy, Sam and Adam (I’m all for Team Adam! and think Sam should leave), so I’m sure I’ll be reading the rest of the series pretty soon.

Reading Order:
Book One: Moon Called
Book Two: Blood Bound
Book Three: Iron Kissed
Book Four: Bone Crossed
Book Five: Silver Borne
Book Six: TBD
Book Seven: TBD

Okay, so I just read on Brigg’s site that ACE has contracted her for a total of SEVEN Mercy novels, with a possibility of even more later on. I wonder if this is a good idea. I rather like shorter series and kind of feel like after four or five books it’s just a bit much and the story usually loses its appeal. The thought of the love triangle being drawn out for more than seven books is enough to turn me away. So, I guess I’ll just have to play it one book at a time.

Moon Called by Patricia Briggs

"'Werewolves can be dangerous if you get in their way, but they'll leave you alone if you are careful. They are very good at hiding their natures from the human population, but I'm not human. I know them when I meet them, and they know me, too.'

Mercy Thompson's sexy next-door neighbor is a werewolf. She's tinkering with a VW bus at her mechanic shop that happens to belong to a vampire. But then, Mercy Thompson is not exactly normal herself... and her connection to the world of things that go bump in the night is about to get her into a whole lot of trouble."

I'm torn with this book. I really wanted to like it, and the overall story idea was intersting. The characters fell flat for me, the writing was a bit boring, and full of random information. I found myself having to re-read passages to try and understand what was going on. I didn't feel the love triangle was well developed, and I'm using the term "love" losely. I wanted to like Mercy, and for the most part she was okay. I thought it was funny that she was portrayed as a strong fighter type, but cried most of the time. I wasn't satisfied with the ending, and although I am curious with who Mercy ends up with, I don't think I will read the other books in the series.

Book One: Moon Called

Book Two: Blood Bound

Book Three: Iron Kissed

Book Four: Bone Crossed

Book Five: Silver Borne

Book Six:

Book Seven: