Such a great installment!! Briggs always finds new ways to grab my interest and hold it through the roller coaster ride and this one was especially good. All is not well in the tri-cities nor at home for Mercy and Adam. Really great read and can't wait to see what happens next!!

I love the Mercy Thompson series. However, new readers might want to start with Storm Cursed to get the nuances of the story. Or just start at the beginning because they are that good, she's an author that I re-read and buy for my personal collection as well as for my library. She's a master storyteller and blends fable, myth, plot and character effortlessly.

Once again, Patricia Briggs has written a Mercy Thompson book that kept me on the edge of my seat with my heartbeat throbbing. Mercy is facing so many challenges and enemies in Smoke Bitten that I kept thinking it should feel contrived but it makes perfect sense with Mercy's history with the fae, werewolves, vampires, and witches. As soon as I finished the book, I wanted to dive back in especially when I think of the wait to find out what happens next. Fantastic book!

Another terrific installment in the Mercy series. I particularly liked that this book takes place so soon after the last one so there is a lot of narrative continuity. I must admit, I am starting to have trouble believing the injuries that Mercy supposedly continues to function with. But I liked the mystery, and I really like following what is happening with the larger world with the Fae reservations, and Beauclaire's declaration of cold war. I love Mercy, but there is a thrill to the larger scale story that I find very compelling.

Mercy knows something is wrong with her husband Adam. The alpha werewolf is acting differently ever since his encounter with a witch. There is more to worry about: a smoke weaver is wreaking havoc in the Tri-Cities area, and a rogue werewolf pack is trying to muscle in on their territory. Once again, Mercy must put her life at risk to save her friends. I've been waiting to read this novel, and this exciting page-turner was worth the wait. I am grateful that the publisher and Netgalley provided me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Ahh, another magnificent story where we fallow our favorite shapeshifter. This book was rough for Mercy. There was a lot of tension between her and Adam, and on top of that, there is a mysterious creature attacking her friends. If I was in Mercy’s shoes, I would probably hid under my bed until the end of times. Loved the story. It kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. I flew through the pages in one afternoon. Great read.

This review will go live on the Book Confessions blog on 2-25-2020.

Pub date: March 2020
Mercy's stories are always so good, and this was no different! This 12th book in one of my favorite urban fantasy series finds Mercy and Adam going through a rough patch while trying to fight a mysterious smoke creature that is infecting their friends. This is also an intimate look at Mercy and Adam's relationship and the self-doubt and self-esteem issues that happen even when you're a powerful supernatural being. For fans of urban fantasy, Ilona Andrews, or anyone who wants a fun adventure with a strong female lead character and some spicy romance (but do start with the first book!) Can't wait for more with Wulfe!

Just to make this crystal clear, I loved the book. A LOT.

That been said, this book destroyed me. I never felt so sad, and powerless and ANGRY whilst reading and after finishing a book like I feel right now. I have ALL THE FEELINGS and it makes for a *really hard* task reviewing it, because how can I do it without spoiling it? Or give it the credit it deserves when at the same time all this emotions bubbling tends to make people thing that is a … bad thing? Just for the record, it isn’t. When it is done this way, it’s magnificent, and it’s a really good rave to the author’s talent.


Book Highlights:

Funny Moments: From the Nudge, to Warren’s joke & innuendo to Schoolgirl’s crushes, the book had enough humor at the right places. Sooooo goood.

All the feelings: We all know that Adam has some self loathing, and Mercy has some insecurities… This book takes all of it to a whole new level. It’s like feelings on steroids. Because we get to relate to them. The Fear. The vulnerability. The self loathe. The regrets. The Trust. It breaks your heart and makes you want to scream and break things, because we can only watch, and pray that it works out in the end.

Closure to Anti-climatic endings: There’s nothing that leaves me more frustrated than a lot of building up and then not enough release at the end. That been said, last book was all kinds of awesome, but Elizaveta’s demise felt… off. Too easy. Not enough closure. Nothing is that easy, right? Right?! Sometimes I hate being always right.

Big Baddie and more Fae plots: I got who he was!! And it didn’t take me that much. I am le happy. Of course knowing who the bad guy is, and defeating it… it’s a whole different thing and the possibilities that open up make my heart sing because that means MOARRRR BOOKS!!!!

Pet Peeves: Oh, I have a lot. Christie… The way the pack never is on Mercy’s side. Oh, and the one thing that almost ruined the whole concept… you know THE THING… that was referred on Anna and Charles’s book… I’m a bit worried about it… let’s hope is just my perception of how bad that hit me.

There’s so much to say about this book, Patricia’s writing keeps getting better, and her plot skills are up the roof with this one. I couldn’t stop reading it, and I’m loving all the plots and twists. Some series start feeling forced when they grow into double digits, that is not the case. It just keeps getting better and better.

Smoke Bitten, was exactly what I needed. Not only was it a story that engaged and captivated me, it also allowed me to leave RL behind and enjoy the world of Mercy Thompson to the fullest.

I’m always fascinated when authors change the status quo. Things I thought were settled and well adjusted, are now on its head. For any Mercy Thompson fan, this book is shaking things up.

What I love about this series the most is that Mercy is still very much her own person. Although she found her place in Adam’s pack, she still operates very much as a her own entity. Nothing has changed in the way she supports Adam in every way she can, but she is also aware that she is not fully part of the pack yet. That allows for some very interesting maneuvering on her part regarding pack politics, dynamic, and allegiances between the members of the pack.

Most important of all, Mercy is strong, smart, and loyal. Her faith in Adam is unbroken, not even in the face of some unsettling changes. And I very much admired the way she handled it all. There isn’t another heroine like her that has the ability and intuitive perception to see the bigger picture. She is not easily scared or jumps to conclusion. I wish other heroines would be like her.

Also, the every changing pack dynamic is still a favorite part of mine. The ever growing allegiances and slight changes in pack ranking are fascinating to see unfold. Besides the friendships that have developed and strengthened over time, new enemies and foes are plenty.

Furthermore Smoke Bitten delivered quite the development, and I can’t wait to see where it all leads to. In regards to the main plot, it was as always fascinating. I absolutely adore monsters that are patterned on myth, lore, and folktales (see Kate Daniels). Even more so, when the author weaves the story brilliantly and makes it impossible to guess who it the bad guy really is.

And as always, reading a Mercy Thompson novel goes by way too quickly, and I’m now sitting here, waiting impatiently for the next one.

Fabulous! The marital problems facing Mercy and Adam were compelling and heart-breaking, and I loved how they thematically played into the story. It was also great fun to try and guess the identity of the monster before Mercy could. (I totally didn't manage to.)

Another great Mercy read.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for a copy. This is my honest review.