January 13, 2014
In the winning eighth urban fantasy (after Frost Burned) featuring coyote shapeshifter and car mechanic Mercy Thompson, Briggs adds Canary Islands mythology and garden-variety jealousy. Mercy is mated to Adam, the Alpha of the Tri-Cities werewolves. Adam’s human ex-wife, Christy, seeks refuge with the pack to evade a dangerous stalker: volcano god Guayota. She soon begins playing on the sympathy of others to undermine Mercy’s place in the pack. At the same time, a dangerous Gray Lord of the Fae sets a deadline for Mercy to return the walking stick she previously borrowed from the Fae and entrusted into the elusive Coyote’s care. Between visits to imprisoned prophet Gary Laughingdog, whose importance grows along with the story, Mercy must fend off Guayota, who has pyrotechnic abilities and frightening red-eyed attack dogs. Briggs continues to surprise and intrigue readers with Mercy’s inventiveness and intuition under duress. Agent: Linn Prentis, Linn Prentiss Literary.
February 15, 2014
Coyote shape-changer Mercy Thompson has endured a lot to get to her happy ending of a loving marriage to alpha werewolf Adam Hauptman, but all it takes is one manipulative ex-wife to wreck Mercy's peace. When Christy, Adam's former spouse, calls begging for help and sanctuary from a vicious thug who beat her, it arouses the pack's protective instincts, but having Christy in the house is not going to be easy for Mercy. Things get complicated when it is discovered that Christy's bad date is actually an enraged and powerful entity that will stop at nothing to get her back. VERDICT This is one of the best series in urban fantasy, with a heroine who continues to grow and yet always remains true to herself. The pages fly by with action, emotion, and even some satisfying new information about Mercy's relationship with trickster god Coyote, her father.
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