Lorelei KingNight Broken: Mercy Thompson, Book 8

Fantastic!So I just finished Night Broken, and I already say how fantastic I find the book, and yes I love this serie and this world so much I'm going to reread the book! LOLMercy was the first character if I remember well I started reading in this category fantasy "bit-lit" we called in french. Before I was reading mostly fantasy, pure and hard fantasy.So this serie and those characters have a special place in my heart.And I remember the weekend I bought the first book "called moon", I remember have read it all the afternoon on my couch and I fell in love with Adam, follow Mercy in her quest of truth and justice with excitation and anxiety. And here we are, the 8th book, I am proud to say I have them in french and english now, and follow Alpha and Omega because it's so good. (I prefer the english version than the translate one).But as usual after each new book new questions are delivered and I just can't stop hypothetize and ask me "And now what is going to happen??" Beware lot of spoilers.So we follow Mercy in her days to days life being turned upside down by the arrival of Christy, Adam's ex-wife. [spoiler]Christy is being stalked, and who did she call to the rescue.... Adam of course. But Christy's intentions are not really genuine.In the meantime Mercy try to retrieve the walking stick from Coyote to give it back to its son's creator.And we learn that the stalker Christy 's been followed by is a really strange guy, and not human at all!So what I find amazing was the intricated plot. Also it brings up a doubt, that maybe Coyote has ingeniered all this retrieving walking stick party just because Mercy will need it to understand something about her futur opponent. Which makes me wonder if Coyote hasn't a foresight gift, and like Gary, Coyote must have the possibility to see a futur.I really loved how Patricia Briggs brings the pack to see Mercy a bit differently, make the pack respect her more. Actions speak more clearly than words and the fact that most of the pack usually think her a liability, but now starts to see her as a strong unquitable woman. Now I wonder what will it bring in for the pack dynamic? More cohesion?The Mercy and Adam couple is magnificent, so sweet, I was all along the book feeling on the edge, but when Mercy is with Adam and they shared those intimate moments, I was feeling really peaceful. I love their relationship. As Mercy said, Adam and her enjoyed even fighting, and arguing together. Because there is unconditionable love between them, but also respect, confidence. And Briggs described it very well.Like all good book well written, when I read Briggs its amazing how I'm totally sucked in the book. Like I was there. It's fluid and enthralling.Mercy is a really smart character, with a lot of humour. She is responsible. And most of all she is a good person, which give her the means to deal with complicated and stressful situations.She has a beautiful relationship with Jesse. And had an incredible good mother instinct.She will be a fabulous mother, and I keep hope we will be able to see her being a mother. I know that's stupid, but I can't stop wondering what will happen, how Adam and Mercy will react, and the pack, and all people around? Another story and dynamic for the pack. But also another uncommon being for the creatures community, as Mercy is kind of the last coyote.This discussion is already been talk about on the forum, so I'm not going to speculate here.And at last, in this book we met Christy. In the previous books, Briggs gave some clues of how she is and how was her mariage with Adam, or how she was seen by the pack. But here we have a taste of what Adam have been through... Briggs lay in words a detestable character. I could not believe Adam married this woman. But her manipulative and complaining personality was really well transcribed.Christy is an irresponsible harpie (to be polite) and I'd wished to be able to punch her several time.[u]However, and this is a negative point for me in this book[/u]; I don't understand why Adam do not correct her when she act rudely toward Mercy. Why can he not tell her no? I mean it distress Mercy, she even cannot eat, he should see it, or feel it through their bond. And I didn't really like some of Adam behavior at a particular moment.Mercy is his mate, not just his wife. They do not have children yet together, but it doesn't make less their bond stronger. So I really do not understand Adam's behavior.when Adam let Christy play childish games, (she invade the master bathroom with the grace of bulldozer, as if it was still her own) doesn't stick to the alpha and man Briggs created in the previous books. But it might be a deed to show how Christy screw him up so much.Like Auriele when she came and knock at their bathroom door, thought they are in the shower, Adam let that be permitted, made me confused. I was waiting for him to snarl or growl and said to Auriele to leave... But nothing came. I fell an antagonism here. In those situation. This is what upset me in the book. And I didn't understand.The "I love you" from Christy toward Adam at the end, and the fact that he said thank you was Not to my taste either. Sure it shows how selfish and selfcentered Christy is, but I didn't feel like it play in the favor of Adam, because his comportement wasn't right again.I really felt like Adam was weak. Ok Christy knows how to manipulate people but he is an alpha, I would not have imagined him so soft and a bit tame in christy's presence. But maybe was the contrast Briggs wanted to show. The Adam with Christy and the Adam with Mercy. I prefer the last.In the begining of this book, The pack continues to be direspectful toward Mercy. They hate for having a coyote as second... Too bad. They are also very unfair towards Mercy. I couldn't believe they have no shame to accuse Mercy to be mean or petty toward Christy, when they are doing the same. Their bias blind them. They cannot even appreciate the sacrifices Mercy made for the pack. I was just glad to seen her opponent soften their opinion toward her presence in the pack in this book at the end. They start to see her value and the benefit her presence bring them. Which also smell the end of the serie... SadlyThe day by day life with Christy is stressful. Patricia Briggs makes her a very very 'good' villain character. Drama irresponsible immature queen. And her intention at the end to move back killed me! Instantly. I was laughing, imagining Mercy's face.I hope for Mercy's, Adam's and also Jesse's sake that she is not going to moving back in the tricities.in conclusion Christy is a really great character as a vilain, but I think she will destroy the alpha man Adam usually is. I didn't not enjoy all Adam's personality when in presence of Christy.Loved how Mercy is working so hard in herself to accommodate everybody. With brings a pleasant contraste between the two women.Jesse is still the sweet teenager I learned too love in the begining of the serie. She has so constantly been desappointed by her mother it was painful to read. But hopefully she has Adam and Mercy.The new opponent is gruesome, he killed and killed but also eat his victimes. Awesome! And what an Interesting man! Christy is attract by dangerous men.Meanwhile we met new people.Zack, a new wolf. The guy seemed to be a good guy, lost, broken too, apprently he has some personal issues. And I was really glad to see the pack welcome a new wolf, I hope it will not be temporarely. But I can't keep thinking he is going to bring some troubles. Even if he is a submissive wolf. Will see.Gary the half brother of Mercy. I like him. He is funny and pragmatic. I enjoy seeing a relative if Mercy.I still cannot put a finger on coyote's real intentions. But what an intriguing character.Make me think that is not a bad guy like Gary keep saying. He is full of surprise. And he looks like he really love his children.So my question are,The walking stick is back :D What does it mean? What happened to it? Why does it like so much Mercy? What ties do they have together? Why can't it stay with the fae?Joel: What will happened to him? Will he be able to be a humain again? What will happened for the pack? what brings this new addition? Will the pack be unhappy with this new situation?Mercy: She win more respect from the pack. It looks like she assert her position as a second and alpha's mate in this book, she show the pack, that she can protect them, and will die trying.But the fact that she add Joel -even by last-chance move- in the pack, will it not shake again the cohesion of the pack and increase the pack distastes of her? Will she live longer than a normal human span life?Will she be pregnant? Sam's obsession for her possibility to bear viable children makes me wonder, what could be the progeny between her and Adam.Stephan: I was happy to 'see' him back in Frost Burn, and to know that him and Mercy have still a tie. What a great and mysterious surprise. What will that bring between them (Adam-Mercy-Stephan) in the futur? What consequences on the pack? and with the seethe? The kiss was a touching surprise.The book revealed also a big plot behind the CNTRP agency and big troubles are to be expected.The status of Mercy is slidding. People are asking questions about her humanity. What will happened?[/spoiler]I absolutly hate the cliffhanger at the end! I am so mad. >:(So many things, so many questions, and I really cannot believe they were going to be answered just in the next. It's too big.I wish Mrs Briggs continue this série past the 9th book. This serie must continue.

My Initial Reaction...Night Broken may be my favorite Mercy Thompson book to date! After feeling lukewarm about the last one, I loved every second of the action, mystery, and the dynamic between Adam, Mercy, and the pack.Note: Expect series spoilers - we're too far along to avoid them, sorry!The Characters...One of the things that felt off to me in the last book was Adam and Mercy's relationship. It just was just so easy that it didn't have the spark. Well, the spark was definitely back for me - even though I never doubted their relationship. But it did have a real stress put on it - Adam's ex-wife, Christy.OMG I hated this woman. She was worse than any paranormal threat Mercy has faced! She manipulates and lies and tries to gain control and just... UGH!!! I found it surprising that she was so easily able to manipulate members of the pack who should have been more attuned to deceptive behavior. But she manages to not actually outright lie - perhaps because she honestly believes that she is this victim that needs protection and to be babied. But I wanted to throttle her!Mercy wanted to too - but she didn't. I was so incredibly impressed with the way Mercy was able to handle Christy and keep her cool. Adam does a decent job too - he's aware of what Christy is doing and he does his best to let Mercy know that he appreciates her and loves her, despite Christy. Jessie too - she knows her mother is a piece of work, and even though she loves her she sees through her manipulative behavior.A new character introduced in Night Broken was Gary Laughingdog and OMG I loved him. He is another child of Coyote and has a bit of a frustrating relationship with Coyote. He just wants Coyote to leave him alone because Coyote has gotten him into so much trouble - he claims Coyote tries to kill his children - something that Mercy can sort of relate to. Anyway, his life experiences have made him very sarcastically hilarious. I hope we see a lot more of him in future books. With him comes Coyote - and I always love Coyote, Night Broken was no exception!All said - the characters were handled beautifully with a few new ones and little bits of new insight on characters we've known for a while, in and outside the pack.The Story...Night Broken centers on the return of Adam's ex - Christy - to the town. She's running from an ex-boyfriend who got abusive and possessive and she thinks might have even killed another boyfriend of hers. She's staying with Adam and Mercy for protection while Adam uses all his resources to try and find and stop her stalker ex. Christy stirs up plenty of drama within the pack on a good day, so Mercy and Adam are doing their damndest to keep things from getting crazy.Meanwhile (because Mercy's life is never simple), Mercy has a Grey Lord showing up at her door wanting his father's walking stick back - yep, the one she gave to Coyote. She's been given a week to get it back, which wouldn't be easy EVEN IF she knew how to reach Coyote, which she doesn't. Oh and on top of that the police have asked for her help because they've got some horrific massacres taking place and they know it's supernatural - they think werewolf, but Mercy knows it's something else. Something big and bad and unknown to her.Everything about the flow and pace of Night Broken was perfect for me. It struck me how naturally right it felt to have Mercy in Adam's house, at the head of the pack as his mate. She fits there and with the pack in Night Broken in a way she hasn't before, IMO. It was awesome to see and read :)Concluding Sentiments...The mystery and action was fantastic in Night Broken! I was pretty much constantly anxious about what was going to happen - when I wasn't I was either LMAO at Gary or yelling at Christy. There were a few tears, but thankfully not too many. All in all a great read, with some BIG changes at the end, hinting at another awesome read coming up next!

Excelente livro de fantasia urbana. A autora consegue dar continuidade a série de forma criativa e surpreendente. Recomendo fortemente toda série Mercy Thompson.

Ottava avventura della serie dedicata alla mutaforma coyote Mercy Thompson ed alla truppa di lupi mannari di cui è parte integrante avendo sposato l'Alpha del branco, Adam.L'elemento scatenante di questa storia è l'ex-moglie di Adam, una umana che lo aveva lasciato dopo avergli dato una figlia, Jessie. Solo che, nel frattempo, Christie si è invaghita di uno sconosciuto incontrato in un casinò e che si rivela essere il dio del vulcano Teide di Tenerife, deciso a rapirla e tenerla legata a sé. La leggenda alla base di questa storia fa riferimento al folklore delle Isole Canarie e dà un tocco insolito e curioso ai fatti narrati.E' invece un poco fastidioso il modo in cui Christie si insinua in casa di Adam e Mercy seminando scompiglio nel ménage e nel branco.Questa è forse la parte che ho gradito meno, non tanto per l'eccessiva e assurda sopportazione di Adam e di Mercy (evidenziata in molte altre recensioni) , ma perché qui l'autrice, disegnando la ex come una persona profondamente egoista e autoreferenziata, finisce per appiattirne il personaggio in un modo che non sono abituata ad aspettarmi da una scrittrice talentuosa come Ms. Briggs.Tanto premesso, questa è probabilmente una delle avventure più violente e pericolose del branco di lupi mannari: il dio-vulcano sembra effettivamente un avversario impossibile da sconfiggere e la nostra Mercedes rischia più volte di lasciarci le penne.Per sua fortuna è piena di ottimi amici fra le fate e i vampiri e lo spirito Coyote che è suo padre la aiuterà (a suo modo) facendole incontrare il fratellastro Gary Laughingdog (in personaggio cinico e spassoso che offre una nota comica alla storia).Una parte molto bella di questa serie è la lealtà e il supporto che i protagonisti offrono senza risparmio ai loro amici e che, libro dopo libro, amplia la cerchia di quanti si trovano a gravitare attorno a Mercedes e Adam e di quanti si ritrovano ammessi alla protezione del branco.Certo, si tratta di una serie paranormale; e tuttavia le decisioni morali e l'affetto e il sacrificio che trapelano dalle azioni dei personaggi hanno un sapore di autenticità con cui il lettore può immedesimarsi.Ottima la versione audio letta dalla bravissima Lorelei King.

I love this series and love the fact that no bookis boring, all can be read as stand alone and that's not easy.All the characters are well delimited and even though there are like a million in each book, they don't fight for attention, don't interfere and give some meaning to the whole.Love Coyote and Tad and Zee and all the rest. Even those i don't like i care.Good read for a lover of paranormal.C. C.

Fantastic vivid characters, Mercy is a hero that I can connect with, she doesn't annoy me with stupid decisions or cliche personality traits like some main characters do. Her stories have such a rich complicated background of characters that you will love and hate and hope some of them die terribly. But it also comes across as believable. Another smash hit

This was an amazing story. There were so many twists and turns, returns of familiar characters, and some dangerous new villains. It was pure fun to read and an absolute must-read for fans of Mercy and Adam.