Smoke Bitten

I adore Mercy but this was so draining to read. The book couldve been half of what it is. But theres so much rehashing about past events, lore, pack members, people who really have no importance. I wanted to claw my eyes out having to hear about the same things. Trust the readers to remember who each flipping person is! Honestly, the whole story felt pointless other than making an excuse for Adam being a jerk and weak. It felt like such a cop out to silence anyone who voiced disappointment in him. Yes, witches are powerful and Adam has been abused, but good lord. I had no idea this was going to be a therapy session with a dash of lame folklore. Ive never read a book that so much had happened when there was so much not happening. I dont even make sense. But I felt like I was in sludge all day reading this. I wanted to quit but paying a ridiculous amount for a book means Im gonna finish. I wish Id listened to my gut and waited. But the freaking world is standing still and I just made time even slower by reading this. And Stafan fans, theres practically no Stefan even though hes relevant. Yep, more time spent on Christy and the useless pack and reiterating what fans already know than valuable page time with a great character. Think Im done with this series. Turned into a bunch of weird mental fighting and Mercy being able to figure out what no one else can.

Spoilers* I had high hopes, the opening scene has Tad and Zee, and I love the byplay. Then we get a hint of Christy being herself and i got a little worried. But it’s fine, here comes under hill with some trouble. And Wulfe is stalking, nicely? All this while I’m ignoring the “trouble ” between Mercy and Adam. Seems overdone at this point. Not saying they can’t disagree or have rough patches, but short of death, they got it. Then bam, rogue werewolves. All right! Double trouble! Time for everyone to pull together and get this figured out. Nope. All factions stick their respective noses in their respective sands. After everyone played so well together in Italy. Big bad Fae running around, no one can say his name. Strange werewolves that weren’t that much of a threat and were there because of the witches, ok. Adam is death cursed. . . um, ok. The big bad Fae is rumplestiltskin ya’ll. Not ok. And Mercy figured this all out. On her own. And if course being her dad’s daughter, she has some immunity. I really love this series, but I like the world building and cohesiveness of the different factions working together, or apart. We really didn’t even get that many pack members having more than a few lines besides about 5, Mercedes and Adam included. I feel like this book is just a set-up for the next one. The next plot is really good, but a few things have to happen for it to make sense and so we got this. But hey, the walking stick is back, and that stick is my effing hero. So this one was not my fave. Still my favorite author and I would read toilet paper reviews if she wrote them.

I have read every book in the series and although some are more exciting than others, this latest edition was my least favorite. Bottom line, it dragged for 90% of a shorter than normal book and then tried to wrap up three major storylines in the last few chapters which left me unsatisfied. It was also without its usual wit, humor and fun interaction with the cast of characters, even though they tend to be facing doom and gloom, these books usually have a balance. This particular installment was anything but balanced.

As a fan, most will read it anyway and judge for yourself, but strap yourself in for 250 pages … it advertises its 351 pages, but cant be right at 4300 kindle locations, of domestic despair, secret keeping, and pretty much a one woman show with limited interaction with any characters. Many of our favorites including Wulfe, Stefan, Warren, Tad, Zee and even Adam whos storyline was supposed to be major, were hardly in the book and Mercy is left to solve all the mysteries and triumph over them on her own. A lot of filler was also thrown in, including the overused and extremely tired Christy drama, even though Christy isnt even in the book, and every danger or peril lacked danger or peril. Were told people got themselves into situations but they were managed outside of whats happening in the story and for the rest, all the major characters were on lock down and completely missing. I will always read a Mercy Thompson story, but they are best when Mercy is fully integrated and actively working with the characters we all have grown to love. There was a return of a beloved character in this installment, but no explanations for it. Overall, this book set up some agenda and mysteries that will likely unfold in the next installment, but on its own, it fell flat.

If you haven’t read any of Briggs’ novels before, read them sequential order. Each book builds on the others, and this one has a full list of characters that will be hard to keep straight if you haven’t met them already. Not her best work.

I am a huge fan, I’ve read the entire series many times over. So when I say I loved it, I mean it. I love anything with Mercy of Bran in it. I do feel like this particular story was incomplete. By the last three chapters i felt rushed and left wanting more and not in a good way. Although I do like the setup for the next installment.

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