THE FIRST MERCY THOMPSON NOVEL!

Moon Called is the novel that introduced Patricia Briggs’s Mercy Thompson to the world and launched a #1 bestselling phenomenon... 

Mercy Thompson is a shapeshifter, and while she was raised by werewolves, she can never be one of them, especially after the pack ran her off for having a forbidden love affair. So she’s turned her talent for fixing cars into a business and now runs a one-woman mechanic shop in the Tri-Cities area of Washington State.

But Mercy’s two worlds are colliding. A half-starved teenage boy arrives at her shop looking for work, only to reveal that he’s a newly changed werewolf—on the run and desperately trying to control his animal instincts. Mercy asks her neighbor Adam Hauptman, the Alpha of the local werewolf pack, for assistance. 

But Mercy’s act of kindness has unexpected consequences that leave her no choice but to seek help from those she once considered family—the werewolves who abandoned her...

Moon Called is book one in the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs. 

I read this series years ago and have re-read it many times; before I decided to try the Audiobook. I listened to the audio for the first time in 2017 and have re-listened over the years to get ready for each new release. As many of you may know, if you follow me, this is one of my all time favorite series. Mercy Rocks!

We are treated to Action, Adventure, Suspense, Mystery, Magic, Supernaturals of all kinds, and so much more. The author does a splendid job introducing us to a verity of characters and supernaturals in the Tri-City area. Adam is the Alpha of the Columbia Basin werewolf pack, Mercy our heroine is a coyote shifter, Stefan the vampire, and many others. There are no shortages of interesting and unique secondary characters to enjoy. 

Mercy is one of my all time favorite heroine’s. She makes my top three list of kick-ass women. She’s a tough cookie that understands the werewolves behavior’s, (since she was raised by one), and knows how to deal with their moods. She’s got brains and can think for herself as well as she listens to her instincts. She’s got bit and doesn’t need to undergo any training to be capable; because she’s already a strong capable women, but she also has some vulnerabilities too. I love that both sides mesh.

Adam Hauptman – Man he’s hot and sexy. He’s a strong Alpha leader. You can see his strengths and weaknesses. He does get his ass handed to him a few times in this novel, but he weathers it well. He doesn’t put anyone down and works with those around him. He promises to be a perfect love interest for Mercy and a strong Pack leader. I adore his relationship with his daughter, Jesse.

Jesse, Adam’s daughter. I love kids in my novels. Especially when they are written to improve the story and characters. Her relationship with her father is wonderful. I also like her relationship with Mercy too. You can see she will play a part in getting her father and Mercy together. 

Sam aka Dr. Samuel Cornick – His introduction was done well and the past he has with Mercy, well you see that it changed her life. Will she go back to Sam or move forward. Only time will tell, but I can say that Sam is another interesting character and promises fun things. 

Stefan – The vampire. He’s got a unique relationship with Mercy. You wonder if they can be friends or not for vampires kill Walkers. He’s got this good/bad vibe to him. You can see he’s different from the other vampires we meet, but is he different enough. 

Briggs is an amazing world builder. The author does an outstanding job introducing all the characters and building the world. The story is fasted-paced. We are kept on our tows trying to find all the players and figure out what’s going on while hopping everyone is safe. 

Narration: Lorelei King is one of my favorite narrators. She does an outstanding job with all the characters and building the story. The voices are perfect for all he characters introduced. I can’t recommend the audio enough.

Moon Called is one of the best Urban Fantasy’s out there. I can’t recommend the Mercy Thompson series enough. It’s got so much to love. 

Rated: 4 Stars

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Challenge:

• 2020 Audiobook Challenge

 

Book Review 
A Man Called Ove by Frederick Backman
Ove is 59. Ove is an "archetypal, grumpy old sod". Does not like cats. Does not find why there has to be any extravagance in life. He has his own way (which he thinks is the right way!) of doing things - "Why you need to make saffron rice, when potato and meat and sauce can do just fine", Ove wonders. Why do you have to break rules when there are sign boards all around stating you should not be doing something like this. Basically, Ove is someone whom you would love to hate. Someone who is not fit to stay in the modern society.
But as the book progresses, you get to know this grumpy old sod. Orphaned at a very young age, Ove lived a very lonely life, his only passion being automobiles and houses. His life was pretty mundane and colourless till he met the love of his life Sonja - the only person who understood Ove. But life had a different way of mocking him and once again, with the turn of events Ove was left alone. Then moves in a foreign family of 5 right next door. From a not so pleasant first meeting, things move to something beyond people could comprehend about Ove. His liking for the family, specially the pregnant Iraninan woman and her two daughters, brings out the compassionate side of Ove and he goes to extreme levels to help people out in his neighborhood. He even starts liking cats and lets one stay with him! Parvaneh, the pregnant Iraninan woman, is the complete opposite of Ove, talkative, full of life, expressive, but she somehow sees in him things that others fail to see. It is her way of dealing with Ove that brings about the change in Ove. My favourite is the chapter where she learns driving from Ove.
The story revolves around Ove, who is the main character, and things that happen in his neighborhood. It unfolds, slowly, one chapter at a time and gives you the details of Ove's past. His parents, his marriage, his house, his car. We experience the life events of Ove and feel his joy, pain, frustrations and anger. His lone fight against the authorities. The narrative is so free flowing and beautiful, that even though it takes us through a lot of harsh realities of life, there is still a lot of optimism and humour in everything. The descriptions are so vivid that you can clearly visualize each and every scene, as if they are happening right in front of you.
Overall, "A Man Called Ove" is about empathy and optimism. Inspite of all the harsh things life throws at you, you cannot help but realise that happiness lies more in giving than anything else. A wonderful reading experience.