APRIL FEATURE #1: Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs

[paulgoatallen]

[paulgoatallen]

In my opinion, this series – Patricia Briggs' Mercy Thompson saga – is one of the very best paranormal fantasy sequences out there: almost as good as Kim Harrison's Rachel Morgan saga (and that's saying something). One of the reasons I love these novels so much is that they've improved – they've blossomed – with every new installment. The last one, Bone Crossed, was my favorite to date – I loved it! and I am soooooo psyched to read Silver Borne.

1. Where does Patricia Briggs' Mercy Thompson saga rank for you? It is great, or just good? And why?

2. Where does heroine Mercy Thompson rank among the most memorable – and groundbreaking – paranormal fantasy protagonists?

3. What do you think of the world building in these novels?The reason I ask this is because of a reference in the PW review (below).

Paul

Publishers Weekly

Coyote-shifting garage mechanic Mercedes Thompson, now mated to Adam, the Alpha of the local werewolf pack, embarks on her exciting fifth dark fantasy adventure (after 2009's bestselling Bone Crossed). Three subplots—Mercy's attempt to return a magical book to a fae friend-of-a-friend, her difficulties integrating into Adam's pack, and her roommate Samuel's misery over being a lone Alpha—come together seamlessly, and excitement builds as Mercy and her loved ones go through ever more intense experiences, including a house fire, a suicide attempt, a death sentence, and a reunion between long-ago loves. Briggs creates both well-rounded characters and a complex mythology, resulting in a rich read that's far more than a series of action adventures strung together. Fans of the series will be thrilled; new readers should start at the beginning or risk drowning in the immersive world-building.

Paul

[FaeryQueen]

Cool! I was just looking for this thread.  I didn't want to post thoughts in the What Are You Reading one.

I loved this book.  I still think Iron Kissed is my favorite but I like this one much better than Bone Crossed.  I read somewhere (I think on her website) that Briggs realized that she didn't have Mercy return the fae book after Iron Kissed and it turned into a plot for Silver Bourne.  It was a cool idea.  This is also supposed to be Sam's book, but I was left wanting more of him.

**SPOILERS**

We got to meet Sam's 'mate', Ariana but it was kind of glossed over at the end of the book.  I'm left wondering if we will see more of their relationship in the next book.  We got a little back story but not enough in my opinion.  I'm just glad Sam is okay. 

[SciFiCanuck]

SO excited for this one!!  This series is one of my top 5.  :-)

It's in the mail so I should be able to start next week...woohooo!  :-D

[paulgoatallen]

SciFiCanuck wrote:

SO excited for this one!!  This series is one of my top 5.  :-)

It's in the mail so I should be able to start next week...woohooo!  :-D

T:

What are your top five series? Just curious...   

Paul

[SciFiCanuck]

Hmmmm, let me see...soooooo many awesome ones to choose from!!

1)  LKH - Anita Blake & Merry Gentry (no contest there! ...yes I'm putting them together, LOL!)

2)  Adrian Phoenix - Maker series

3)  Kim Harrison - Rachel Morgan series

4)  Patricia Briggs - Mercy Thompson series

5)  Keri Arthur - Riley Jensen Guardian series

Lots of others come close too.  :-)

[SciFiCanuck]

On another note...I was going to reserve Silver Borne at the library to get a start on it.  Yeah I was like 96 in line!!!  LMAO!  I guess not....

[Nelsmom]

Yea, I'm number 48 on the list and I can't afford to buy the book.  My top 5 series are:

Kim Harrison- Rachel Morgan series

CT Adams& Cathy Clamp- Sazi series

Lori Handeland'- The Phoenix Chronicles

Patricia Briggs- Mercy Thompson & Alpha-Omega series

Faith Hunter- Jane Yellowrock

Toni

[KWBookFanatic]

Ah Mercy.  She is one of my favorite.

I would have to rank the Mercy Thompson series at my #2 spot, but very closely to my #1, which is the Rachel Morgan series by Kim Harisson.  Here is my top 5...

1. Rachel Morgan series by Kim Harisson

2. Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs

3.Sookie Stackhouse by Charlaine Harris

4. Zodiac Series by Vicki Pettersson

5. Nocturne City series by Caitlin Kittredge

I think Mercy ranks right at the top of protagonists.  She is a hard ass, feisty, snarky and independent, but she is also caring, kind and loving.  She sticks up for her friends and puts other people ahead of herself, but has a strong sense of self preservation and can take care of herself.  I love the dynamic between her and Adam.  He knows she can take care of herself and lets her, but has her back when needed.

*SPOILER*

Take Silver Borne for example, Mercy got into quite the predicament, but knows all she has to do is survive until Adam comes for her.

I can't stand protagonist that whine and need to be rescued all the time, and that is definitely not Mercy.

I love the world building by Patricia Briggs.  I can clearly see the tri-cities in my mind.  I love the atmosphere of the pack, the vampires lairs give me the creeps and underhill is interesting.  I have never been confused at any of the descriptions that Briggs has come up with.  Mercy Thompson resides in a unique and intriguing world.

I eagerly wait for a Mercy book to come out every year, and so far I have not been disappointed.  Now let the year long wait begin for the next installment in one of the best paranormal fantasy series there is.

[Sovereign_Queen]

My top 5 (must buy immediatly, even if i'm broke list)

1) Rachel Morgan Series by Kim Harrison

2) Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs

3) Vampire Academy Books by Rochelle Mead (YA)

4) Parasol protectorate series by Gail Carriger

5) Anna Strong series by Jeanne Stein

I like strong protags who aren't afraid to defend themselves. Rose from the VA series could litterally kick Sookie's ass, lol).

Have you guys seen this?  Since we're discussing heroines, I thought this might be appropriate (I apologize if it's not).  Urban Fantasy Heroine Haircolor Horoscopes:

http://www.dirtysexybooks.com/Dirty_Sexy_Books/Home/Entries/2010/3/29_Carolyn_and_Rebecca%E2%80%99s_...

[Fangbanger]

I am psyched to pick this book up after work.  Mercy is one of my favorite paranormal series heroines.  She seems so real and well rounded.  She is the type of person I would want to go get a beer with.  I have been counting the days until this book comes out.  So excited.  As far as paranormal series go, here are my top five:

1.  Anita Blake.  I love her and LKH.  This is the series that brought me into the paranormal/fantasy genre and I devour each book that comes out.  June and Bullet cannot get here quick enough.

2.  Merecedes Thompson.  Love Mercy.  Love Samuel.  Love Adam.  Love it all.  The Alpha and Omega series is fabulous as well.

3.  Rachel Morgan.  Now, I am so far only about halfway through Every Which Way But Dead, but I love Rachel.  She kind of reminds me of myself, and it frequently makes me laugh out loud.

4.  The Women of the Otherworld series is great.  Kelley Armstrong knocks my socks off with each installment.  I love the revolving narrators as well.

5.  The Dresden Files.  Harry is great.  My second favorite wizard named Harry.

[Nelsmom]

I don't have to wait for the library copy.  I forgot it was on my wish list for Audible books and was one of the two books I got this month. So I'm listening to it now.  The other book I got was A Local Habitation which was one of last month's books.  Have more to say about Silver Borne once I finish the book.

Toni

[dalnewt]

My copy was delivered yesterday and I'm about to start reading.  

Before I start I had to mention the cover. It's terrific, much better than I ever envisioned. I love the way the figure is embossed onto the background. It really imparts a dimensional visual impact. Love it, love it, love it... 

[Sovereign_Queen]

I read it on the airplane.  

Wow.

As always, it's fast, actionpacked read and I wasn't dissapointed.. I love Mercy as a MC, she's strong, sassy, and off-the-cuff.  I love the twists and turns of the world she lives it.  However, the books always leave me wanting a little more of the relationship between her and Adam. 

~Suzi

[PhyllisJ]

freaky Eathquake just hit us out here on the west coast, it really shook my Apt and I am on the 4th floor.  I just heard on the news it hit in the Desert and I am at the Beach.  Freaked me out.

[PhyllisJ]

Sorry, I was getting ready to post about Silver Borne and the Earthquake distracted me, I guess it was a 6.9.  I live alone and Eathquakes scare me and make me want to move out of CA. 

Well on to Silver Borne, as with all of the Mercy books I enjoyed this one and read it in one sitting. 

SPOILERS

I felt that this book was divided into three parts

Part One was about Samuel and his life crisis and Mercy trying to help him through it, also we meet Samuels Mate, Ariana.  I would like to have more story on the two of them.

Part Two was actually the meat of the book = Mercy trying to return the book that she borrowed.

Part Three is about Adam and Mercy and the roadblocks they encounter from some of the pack.

Really I didn't put any spoilers in here, I don't want to ruin the book for anyone that hasn't read it yet.  I think the Mercy books just keep getting better.

My top 5 series are

Kim Harrison - The Hollows Series - Rachel Morgan

Patricia Briggs - Mercy Thompson

Jeanne C. Stein - Anna Strong - Vampire Chronicles

Vicki Pettersson - Signs of the Zodiac - Joanna Archer

Jeaniene Frost - Night Huntress Series - Bones and Cat

[dalnewt]

I finished Silver Borne (Mercy Thompson Series #5) the day before yesterday and loved it. This book is entertaining on all levels. There's plenty of action, conflict and emotion and it's all wrapped up in a non-stop story which combines two personal plot lines with a mystery concerning the disappearance of a part-fae bookstore owner and a strange book of faerie tales he lent to Mercy. The more emotional plots concern Mercy's attempts to keep Samuel alive after the ascendancy of his wolf following his suicide attempt and her struggles dealing with and integrating into Adam's troubled wolf-pack. It's basically one thing after another in a ceaseless string of experiences which are further complicated when a kidnapper contacts Mercy and informs her that Gabriel has abducted to ensure that she hands over the book of faerie tales. Note, the wolf-pack dynamics are engrossing. Further, the descriptions of a faire queen's enchanted and hidden court are spectacular. This is simply a delectable read.

[SciFiCanuck]

PhyllisJ wrote:

freaky Eathquake just hit us out here on the west coast, it really shook my Apt and I am on the 4th floor.  I just heard on the news it hit in the Desert and I am at the Beach.  Freaked me out.

Wow Phyllis!!  I hope all is okay!

You know everyone keeps asking how Canadians can live here because it gets sooooooo cold in the winter...I'll take the cold over earthquakes, hurricanes, etc. any day!  We have the odd tornado but that's about it.  You're very brave P!

So I think my copy of SB is arriving tomorrow...I got the other 3 from the same order today...I'm so excited!!!

[SciFiCanuck]

Yeah the Anna Strong..... Zodiac series by Vicki Pettersson & Jim Butcher's, Dresden Files are up there for me as well.  :-)

[KeithMelton]

I love this series.

Highly recommended.