Storm Cursed by Patricia Briggs
I absolutely loved this installment of the Mercy Thompson Series! Mercy and Adam are working to mediate a meeting between the human government and the Gray Lords. While Adam's company provides security, Mercy is to find a location that will make both parties happy. Meanwhile, a coven of witches works to stop them and take over their territory. I loved getting to see many of the familiar characters again. Ben (and his potty mouth), Zee and Tad, Stefan and Marsilia, and even Wulfe and his craziness. I laughed several times during this story and the action was satisfying. Another great adventure by Patricia Briggs and I can't wait for more!

I just have one question. What did Coyote mean at the end of Storm Cursed?

Arg, I wish I understood him. He's such a mystery. He's powerful, a trickster, very smart and he loves his daughter, Mercy, even though he has a weird way of showing it.

The Mercyverse is one of my favorite places to go back to. I adore Mercy and Adam. After this many years, Patricia Briggs has demonstrated that a couple can be together and still attract readers without the need for an unnecessary love triangle. To this day, Iron Kissed is still one of my favorite books.

Also, I love the side characters like Stephan, Zee, Sherwood Post, Tad, Joel, Ben, Wulfe, Larry (Goblin King), etc. I wish we could spend more time with each of them. They are fantastic! Mercy keeps on bringing on strays that make her life so much more interesting (and deadly..LOL).

When I start a new Mercy book, I always wonder where Mrs. Briggs is going to take her this time. Yes, Mercy has been hurt and almost killed so many times but she's fast, resourceful and she has learned to trust her mate and friends to help her out. She continues to grow as a character. She's my girl crush.

Storm Cursed is mostly about witches. Bad witches. Black Magic witches. Mercy is not a fan. She knows they are trouble and she must intervene. She must do it. Her job is to help the humans and the Fae meet without the witches killing them all.

I hated those Bad. Bad. Witches.

Storm Cursed is full of action, intrigue, suspense, and amazing characters. Unputtable down. The stories are only getting better.

Cliffhanger: no

4.5/5 Fangs

Another epic installment from Patrica Briggs. I love this series. More often than not, a series gets old after a few books and they're not worth reading anymore, but This series just keeps getting better. Another adventure under my belt.

Mercy has to deal with some pretty powerful witches this time. A witch that can raise an army of zombie goats... Yes, you heard me right. When a book starts off with zombie goats it has to be good. We follow our favorite main character as she tries to find out who the witch is and what they want. Of course there is a lot of paranormal creatures to make the story interesting and Mercy does her usual butt kicking. You will need to read this one.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

Patricia Briggs always brings great story telling to her Mercy Thompson series.

Storm Cursed begins not too long after the events of Silence Fallen. Elizavetta has not yet returned from Europe and another coven of witches is moving in on her territory. This is all happening just as Mercy, Adam and the pack are being brought in to help set up the negotiations between the Fae and the U.S. Government.

As a reminder, in Fire Touched not only have the Fae realized their mistake in retreating to their reservations. As a group that it not too happy with their own kind, dragging them together into tight quarters isn’t working out for them very well and they want to return to their old lives among the humans, they just can’t afford to lose face or power to the Government.

That was also the story where Mercy declared, in front of TV cameras, that the Tri-Cities and everyone who lived in it were under the protection of the Columbia Basin Pack. It is one of the reasons both the Fae and the Government want to have their negotiations in Adam’s territory.

Also in Fire Touched, Mercy’s garage burned down and the new garage has finally been completed. I was very excited to see Zee and Tad back in the garage with Mercy. I really like Zee.

Back to the witches, this is same faction of witches which we also saw in the last Alpha & Omega book, Burn Bright. They are creating zombies just outside of the pack’s territory. Whether this is a test to see if the pack will come out to take care of things or to get them away from Elizevetta’s coven, or simply a power play against the Pack that would declare its city a safe harbor, is a good question.

No question that between the zombies which keep popping up and trying the placate the Government bigwigs and the Fae Gray Lords, and trying to get back to work at the garage, Mercy (and the pack) are too busy to realize that there is more to the zombie-making witches then simply trying to keep the talks from happening. By the time they realize that these witches are making a power play against Elizavetta, they have already been sucking a great deal of magical power out of Elizavetta’s witches.

We also hear constantly that as Coyote’s daughter, chaos always finds Mercy but in book after book (except for the last one were Mercy is abducted), it is Mercy who seems to come to the wolf-pack’s rescue. Just saying.

Witches, zombies, fae, werewolves and the government — there is a lot going on here to keep the excitement level high, we also get to spend time with some of our favorite characters, such as Zee and Stefan. I loved that Mercy is forced to seek help from the one person she avoids most in the Tri-Cities and how the happenings of this story will definitely effect future stories. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next one.

I love both the Mercy Thompson and the Alpha & Omega series and simply can’t get enough of either of them.

I really enjoyed this entry in the Mercedes Thompson series which delves more into the world of witches. While I've enjoyed others in the series this particular addition felt more like a stand alone (even though there are many elements that you need to have read the rest of the series to understand). This felt more like a complete tale than others.

As always this series left me easily spellbound.

The book’s 384 pages flew by like nothing. With the author’s customary skill of weaving captivating stories, Storm Cursed was a thrilling ride from beginning to end.

While reading Storm Cursed, I was again reminded of how much I enjoy the author’s use of old and beloved characters instead of introducing a slew of new ones. Last book’s stint in Europe didn’t give me enough pack interaction, I’m happy to say Storm Cursed delivered in spades.

Indene adventurous event spilled over into the next one. Mercy had barely time to take a breath before she was called on again. It was endearing how Mercy always picked different pack members and allies to help her with her daily escapades. There wasn’t a boring minute in this book.

The overall storyline about the peace treaty between human and fae, with the werewolf pack as neutral ground, moved somewhat forward but there is still so much to be resolved. Especially since with each book new questions arise. Nevertheless I’m getting more intrigued with each book.

My favorite parts were a few wonderful scenes between Adam and Mercy – they just underscored how well those two are doing as a couple.

As always the book was well written, and I enjoyed the author’s smart and witty dialogues. The novel had some laugh out loud moments, and made it easy to be read in one sitting (actually two, evening and morning, but who is counting – lol).

One of the reasons why I love UF series so much, is the way they allow the reader to connect with the main couple for more than just one book. A series that focuses on one couple allows the characters to develop over time, as well as relationships, like Adam and Mercy’s – which a single book just couldn’t do it justice. Just to think of how far Mercy has come. Having Adam as a mate, having a pack and family – she has come a long way.

This is an excellent addition to the Mercy Thompson series and starts tying together pieces from both of the werewolf series. I enjoyed this one so much, I reread it almost immediately. Briggs is not afraid to throw in some great plot twists or say goodbye to long term characters. The worst thing about this book was realizing how long I have to wait until the next book comes along.

I devoured this book in two days, and it would have been sooner if I didn’t have to go to work!

I have given all of Patricia Briggs books in the Mercy Thompson series, five stars (except for book 10, which was four stars), but with book 11, she is back to writing in her fast, action packed style, that I love.

You would think with a book, and series, that I enjoy so much, I would go on and on about this book, but I don’t want to give any spoilers away if you’re a fan of this series. And if you’ve never read this series before, you really should start with the first one, Moon Called. But buy this one right now to help with author sales, so the series is able to continue!!!

Briggs does so much fantastic character development, that by starting with the first book, you can enjoy what an amazing job she does. And by starting with Moon Called, you’ll also be able to relish the wonderful world of werewolves, vampires, witches, and fae that she builds.

I will squee about one thing though, baby goat zombies.

Briggs stepped up her game and brought an action-packed tale as witches descend on the Tri-Cities and before all is said and done Mercy will discover another of her abilities.

Action-packed and plot-driven, Storm Cursed by Patricia Briggs grabbed me and never let go.

Full review will post @ Caffeinated Reviewer on May 6th. I will share it on social media, Goodreads and Amazon. Link provided below.

Look, I like Mercy a lot. And this was a fairly enjoyable adventure. It's just that... what I like in fantasy is world-building and character development and the later installments of this series have jumped from huge plot event from huge plot event with no downtime. I was interested in some of the revelations in this book, particularly toward the end, and I think it sets up some potentially cool plot developments for future installments but it definitely felt less like a stand-alone story than I prefer from series I read.

Nearly a dozen books in, readers might expect to be rehashing the same old stuff, but not so for Patricia Briggs's latest installment in the Mercy Thompson series. Storm Cursed is busy with things that have just been on the fringe of Mercy's radar before: witches and politics. While Adam is busy handling an important supposedly-secret meeting between the American government and the fae, Mercy is on the trail of a band of black witches who are turning loose zombies in the area that she has claimed--albeit inadvisably--as her own. When the two things overlap, the mystery grows even weirder.

Fans of Laurell K. Hamilton will see a great deal of similarity to her books in Storm Cursed, though minus the sexploits. Mercy spends a lot of time in her own head and drawing the admiration of all and sundry while she inefficiently handles the things that go bump in the night. Appropriately enough, she even drives the Scooby van for what is reminiscent of an episode of Scooby Doo--only for Mercy, the monsters are real.

Patricia Briggs books inhabit that area of the library stacks that I infrequently visit. But I have to say that I may be becoming a fan. Her characters, vampires, werewolves, witches and trolls etc. seem fresh in this story of loyalty, betrayal, acceptance, and bigotry. The author keeps things moving briskly, scenes of battle are well executed. She tells her latest story without losing the fledgling reader with too much inside info. or over describing previous events. Her supernatural characters and situations really just read as natural and real, just folk trying to live their lives under somewhat un-natural circumstances. I think that it makes her story all the more engaging.

Wow, this latest book about our favourite Coyote, was intense and full of action. I really enjoyed it. The plot concerns the packs involvement in the meetings between the human government and the Fae, with trouble being brewed by dark witches. I highly recommend it!

What an on-the-edge of the seat book! A fantastic entry in this long-running series that follows Mercy Thompson and her run-ins with witches, fae, and politicians (oh my!). The action stays close to home and it moves fast. It was wonderful visiting Mercy, Adam, the rest of the Columbia Basin pack, and their good friends.

Stormed Cursed by Patricia Briggs was one of my most highly awaited books this year and she did not disappoint. As always, her writing style amazed me with its attention to details that describe both characters’ body language and emotions in a way that makes them easily relatable or disliked as intended by the author. What stands out the most is this attention to writing with a psychological mindedness that is absent from many books I have read.

Mercy Thompson is taking on witches in the latest book in this series and I couldn’t put this book down due to the action and suspense. I always love to see the development of Patricia Briggs characters and she never fails in that aspect, especially when it comes to revealing more and more about what makes Mercy Thompson a force to be reckoned with.

And if that isn’t enough, the world that Mercy has built has become one that I often wished I lived in. I love her unique perspective on the interaction between species and the political play between them. I feel as if I can both see and hear the world she built when I read each book and the imagery is something my mind can’t help but yearn to be a part of.

The only criticism I have for this book is that I wish it never ended.

If I had never picked up a Patricia Briggs book, I would still grab this one because the artwork on the cover is stunning. I look forward to seeing and reading the next book in this series.

Every time I start a new Mercy Thompson title I am never disappointed. After all these years, Mercy is still utterly relatable. And her relationship with Adam - AMAZING! Every books makes me care even more deeply for them. This installment was about black magic witches, and I could not have been more excited about it! And there were zombie goats - what more does a story need! But really, this was a great story that makes readers examine the corruptibility of humans, and how betrayal can cut deeper than we can imagine. I highly recommend this series to all my fellow urban fantasy lovers, and i hope it continues for years to come.

Well. I need a minute. Or several. Wow. Much good, much plot. #11 in a series and it definitely proves that there is more to explore - and completely wreck - in this world. This was intense.

Character Development: ★★★★
Pacing: ★★★★★
Surprise Factor: ★★★★★
Will to continue with the series: ★★★★★

By the time you get get to the 11th book in a series, it sometimes falls into the trap of recycling plot and stagnating character development. Storm Cursed is a shining exemption from that tired rule—it glitters with nuanced character growth, an even-paced plot, and the continued exploration of a unique plot direction.

A little background on the world:
Mercy Thompson is a walker, one of the descendants of the spirit Coyote, most easily explained as the North American/Native god of change and mischief. Due to this parentage, Mercy can shape shift into a coyote, she has an interesting resistance and awareness to magic, and she tends to bring trouble wherever she goes. It's not her fault, it's change.

These books exist in the cross-section of urban fantasy that take the concept of vampires, werewolves, fae, and other fantastical creatures and plunks them in to our current world of technology and politics. Mercy's pack, the Columbia Basin Area pack in the Northwest United States, is one of the most visible werewolf communities in the country—you could say they're the poster children for the werewolf community. Due to this, many of Mercy's books tend to deal with the trials and everyday/not-so-everyday issues that plague a supernatural community that deals with a human population that has no idea how to react to them. Obviously, these tensions and political/social issues that arise often are juxtaposed against a supernatural bad guy who is trying to mess up the balance.

Let's talk about Storm Cursed:
I'm trying my hardest not to spoil anything for readers who are interested in starting the series from scratch, so I will not recap or allude to plot points from the previous books—I'll just note that this story involves details from some of them. Specifically, Mercy is dealing with the lingering results of the bad guy from Frost Burned, the promise she made to the supernatural community in Fire Touched, and....well, the interesting aspects of Mercy's powers that came up in Silence Fallen.

Storm Cursed also delves deeply into an aspect of the supernatural community that Mercy has pretty much left alone until this point: the witches.

Yes, here there be witches. Plural.

Also, to get my undead lovers interested, there is a zombie element. I don't know why I'm surprised to say this, but that element was extremely well done.

Storm Cursed was an extremely well-paced exploration into Mercy's world and the lengths to which the Columbia Basin pack will go to maintain the peace in their territory. While it was less lighthearted than some of the books in the series, it was swiveling between Mercy's newfound abilities, the pack's relationship with the American government, treaties with the Gray Lords (scary leaders of the fae), and some downright dark and twisted black witches.

There's a lot about death in this one and I'll admit, there were some deaths close to home.

One plot point in particular completely shook my foundations, and I had to read that page three times. I'm still shook. Just when you think Patricia Briggs can't surprise you....

Overall, a more than solid entry into the canon and a wonderful read for all who enjoy urban to high fantasy.

Another exciting chapter in the life of Mercy Thompson, who finds herself in the company of her werewolf pack, vampires, fey, and human politicians as she takes on a dangerous coven of witches moving into her territory. This book felt slightly too short, and I felt cheated out of the summit that was discussed but came off-screen during the book. I feel that the Alpha & Omega series also published by Patricia Briggs might provide more insight into these events, but it left me feeling like I didn't get the full story. Still, another fun adventure in the world of Mercy Thompson.

I'll start by saying I think the Mercy Thompson series is the best shifter series ever!!! That being said this was not my favorite. The first half of the book kind of dragged for me. There is a lot of dialogue setting up the story and not a lot of action. The second half of the book was more of what I expect a Mercy Thompson novel to be. Black witches, zombies, vampires and a dragon too...because that is the type of world that Mercy lives in.

If you find that the first half of the book drags like I did, hang in there! The second half is worth it!

Now the hardest part.....waiting for another book to come out.

Zombies, Werewolves and Witches, OH MY!

I have been with Mercy Thompson now Hauptmann since the first book and because the books don’t come as fast as I’d like, I want all the stories all the time, I love finding myself back into this world of werewolves, Fae, Goblins,Witches and Vampires again. This is the 11th book in the series and unlike other series where you can read them as standalone, this series is very much not like that. You will most def have to know what happened in the previous books or you would be lost. Heck with two years since the last one having been read, I was lost!

Mercy is once again In the thick of everything unwillingly. After she proclaimed the CB pack would basically protect the city from all the supernatural beings, she and her merry bunch of wolves find themselves battling a goblin. Then things go crazy from there all within a day.
Murder, Miniature zombie goats, zombie werewolves and voicemail messages to her suddenly absent mate Adam is all classic Mercy.

When a new Evil scares even the baddest of the bad and is threatening to take over the Tri-Cities; Mercy, the wolves, and human and fae alike are shook! And Mercy mixes up her old team with some new elements to try and defeat it.

Witches have always been an element in the MT books, just not front and center like this one and while I liked the storyline, I felt the book was too short and things were paced well, but i was not expecting to turn the page and then BOOM, here is the ending. The writing, as always was great and even the new characters were fleshed out, but for me, not enough was on the main storyline.