In 'Fire Touched', the ninth installment of the Mercy Thompson series, readers are taken on a wild ride filled with action, high stakes, and intricate world-building. The plot revolves around Mercy and Adam being tasked with stopping a troll, only to uncover a more dangerous threat involving a child with fae powers. As the war between the world and the fae heats up, Mercy must draw her own line in the sand, leading to unexpected twists and a satisfying denouement. The book seamlessly weaves together compelling story arcs, character development, and moments of light relief, showcasing Briggs' talent for balancing intense climaxes with quieter reflective scenes.
From The Publisher:
Mercy Thompson has been hailed as "a heroine who...always remains true to herself" ( Library Journal ). Now she's back, and she'll soon discover that when the fae stalk the human world, it's the children who suffer...
Tensions between the fae and humans are coming to a head. And when coyote shapeshifter Mercy and her Alpha werewolf mate, Adam, are called upon to stop a rampaging troll, they find themselves with something that could be used to make the fae back down and forestall out-and-out war: a human child stolen long ago by the fae.
Defying the most powerful werewolf in the country, the humans, and the fae, Mercy, Adam, and their pack choose to protect the boy no matter what the cost. But who will protect them from a boy who is fire touched?
Ratings (29)
Incredible (9) | |
Loved It (16) | |
Liked It (2) | |
It Was OK (2) |
Reader Stats (37):
Read It (33) | |
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3 comment(s)
(
3.5 stars)
"We were going to fight monsters."
Fire Touched starts off with a bang. Mercy, Adam and some other Pack members are called to help stop a rampaging troll on a bridge. Despite some major occurrences in
Fire Touched, the action level was a bit tamer than expected, especially following Mercy's proclamation
-
"Let the Gray Lords in their halls know that the Columbia Basin Pack holds these lands and grants sanctuary to whomever we choose."
. I'd expected that alone to light a bigger fire than it appeared to do. Most likely, that'll come in future installments. Some have called this a bridge book and I have to agree.
Aiden, the Fire Touched, is a unique addition. The boy who's not a boy is slowly finding his way around this world with the help of Mercy, Adam and Jessie. For me, his story was one of the most interesting aspects of this installment - his relationship, for lack of a better word, with Underhill was twisted, sad yet somehow touching. I'm anxious to see how he will continue to grow in this new environment.
I loved the return of some characters
Aiden helped Tad and Zee escape
, but missed one
Stefan
I thought would've shown after Mercy's declaration and had hoped another would've had a bigger part to play
Bram. Although, the video conferencing scene was great and we were able to briefly witness interactions between Mercy, Adam, Bram and Charles
.
"Pack is about not standing alone. About having people you trust to have your back. There is not another person in this room that I would rather have at my back than Mercy."
Adam made a major declaration of his own.
"We are here to discuss Mercy. And your attitude toward my wife. My mate.”
[...]
“Mercy is a tough, smart woman. She can defend herself—I do not have to protect her. She is not weak or dependent or needy. She doesn’t need the pack. She doesn’t need me.”
[...]
“I am done with listening to you attack my mate while she is trying to save you. Again. I called this meeting to give notice. If I hear or hear about any of you saying anything to my mate that is in the least bit disrespectful, I will end you. No warnings, no second chances. I will end you.”
*mike drop* he's out. AWESOME scene!
It was overdue and necessary, now more than ever, as the pack needs to be united against any who would threaten them or those they've sworn to protect.
There was a 'fire' theme throughout: Aiden, the Fire Touched; Joel, the sometimes tibicena/human; and a surprising discovery/possibility
- Thomas (vampire) is escorting Margaret Flanagan (fae) while she speaks with the Gray Lords; Margaret's power comes from the sun; Thomas saved her and as repayment, she gives him three gifts ... was one of those the ability to walk to in the sun?
Margaret's suffered unimaginably yet she's found love and is seeking relationship advice from Mercy.
. I'm so anxious to learn more about each of these characters, as well as what's to come for the Pack.
This felt like a snack, I'm ready for the meaty goodness!
****4.5****
These books are like... I don't know. Coming home and visiting family you haven't seen in ages. I always enjoy them. I'm excited to see how the overarching plot - the fae and the werewolves being publicly "out" and how the fae are able to integrate into the world - plays out.
I wish we had more Bran, because he remains my favorite character in the series. I can't imagine having to make the hard choices he makes, rather than being free to go with your heart. But having responsibility for ALL the werewolves... he has to make the hard choices so that they are all safe.
Re-read March 2017 - Mmmmm, what's not to love? High stakes situation between the Fae and werewolves, with Adam and Mercy whipping the pack into shape and holding their ground.
And Bran didn't abandon them, not really. He just did what he had to do to prevent, frankly, the end of the world - full on war with fae, wolves and humans, like some of the suicidal fae want, would be catastrophic for everyone. I know Mercy has - totally legit - abandonment issues, but now that she's seen a different perspective on several of her encounters with Bran, I hope that she can stop jumping to the worst conclusion about him.
Also
farewell, Walking Stick of Lugh. You were one of my favorites, and I'll miss you very much. But you chose a glorious, honorable death, that was worthy of you.
Mercy Thompson continues to stand out in a broad field of female leads in the urban fantasy genre. Having focused so much on her connection to Coyote in the last book, Briggs takes a step towards Mercy's werewolf pack and her connection to the Fae; she doesn't turn into a coyote once in this novel, which is oddly refreshing. She does use her powers, just not that one. Mercy's powers often extend to mundane things like listening, making careful bargains, and being diplomatic (even though this book is set off by Mercy being very spontaneous and perhaps not diplomatic). She's the heart of the pack in many ways.
What I particularly love is the complete non-issue of Adam and Mercy's relationship. There's no Sam-and-Diane syndrome here; after the will-they-won't-they, they finally did, and now they are still interesting because Briggs doesn't see "happily ever after" as an actual ending. Their relationship is a journey, negotiations are ongoing as it were, and they are so good together that I would read a book about them going to the grocery store. Just, let's have brunch and go to a movie, I would read that book.
Plus I love Baba Yaga in all her forms, there is no story about Baba Yaga that I will not love.
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