Iron Kissed (Mercy Thompson, Book 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

~ (Author) "A cowboy, a lawyer, and a mechanic watched Queen of the Damned," I murmured..." (more)
Key Phrases: iron kissed, sea fae, fae magic, Uncle Mike, Gray Lords, Bright Future (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Shape-shifter Mercy Thompson has a complex life, juggling two werewolf lovers and a job working for a fae mechanic; things get even more hectic when her boss and mentor is arrested for killing a citizen of the fae reservation. As the fae seem content to let him rot, Thompson takes it on herself to clear her friend's name, beginning a lone-wolf investigation that may cost her life. Briggs's third novel featuring Thompson (after Blood Bound) is another top-notch paranormal mystery; her well-balanced contemporary world, where humans live uneasily among werewolves and fae, is still a believably lived-in world; the ever-present threat of government legislation against nonhumans (though familiar to X-Men fans) adds weight to her paranormal elements, and thoughtfully researched mythology adds rich detail. Thompson is a sharp, strong heroine and her lycanthropic love triangle is honest and steamy. Briggs never shies from difficult material, and she moves effortlessly from werewolf pack psychology to human legal proceedings, making this a tense, nimble, crowd-pleasing page-turner. (Jan.)
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Review

"In the increasingly crowded field of kick-ass supernatural heroines, Mercy stands out as one of the best."
-- Locus

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Ace; First Printing edition (January 2, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0441015662
• ISBN-13: 978-0441015665
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (199 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #5,588 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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• This is item 3 in The Mercy Thompson Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

91 of 95 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just as good as the first two and leaves you wanting more..., January 2, 2008

By	Nicola Mattos "www.fiendishlybookish.squaresp... (San Francisco girl transplanted to New York...) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

In this latest installment Mercy is thrust directly into fae affairs as she struggles to clear Zee of murder. Someone has been stealing fae relics and killing those who owned them-a transgression that not even the Gray Lords will stand for. Someone will have to pay the price and that means Mercy and Zee might end up being the fall guys.

It is not necessarily the plot line that attracts readers to this series but the tenuous relationships between the characters. It strongly conjures up similarities to Moning's "Fever" series and Hamilton's "Meredith Gentry" series with one striking difference; while Moning might take us to the front lines of the fae/mortal battle, Brigg's provides only an intoxicating glimpse, concentrating her creative talents on character development.

But that shouldn't discourage readers-this is where Brigg's strength lies. But there is a tone of seriousness to this story not present in earlier novels and fans might be taken aback. For those who have read Kim Harrison's series-remember Rachel and Kisten? Well the tone is just as serious because this 3rd book is the catalyst, and important decisions and events occur.

Mercy finally chooses between Samuel and Adam. Mercy, Adam, Samuel, Ben, Zee and pack politics are fleshed out enough to both satisfy and leave readers clamoring for more. Briggs also touches on a seriously traumatic event that Mercy experiences, and handles it both in a sensitive and cautious way. This event, and the subsequent actions of her characters lend a permanence that will stay long in readers minds.

Brigg's has proven she can stand with the best writers of supe fiction. Mercedes Thompson is just as enigmatic and strong has Armintrout's Carrie Ames, Armstrong's Elena Michaels, and Moning's Mackayla Lane. After waiting a while for this third novel to come out, I was deeply satisfied with the outcome-read it twice in one day though the ending seemed somewhat incomplete-perhaps a ploy to keep us wanting more-at least it worked for me. It delivers on many levels and I can't wait for the next one. Kudos!Copyright(c)Nicola Mattos

67 of 69 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very strong mystery (4.5 stars), January 6, 2008

By	R. Kyle (USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Someone's killing fae on the Umatilla Reservation. Mercy (Mercedes) Thompson gets called in by her mentor, Zee, to help see if she can scent out the killer. She's a skinwalker, possibly the only one in existence, and her sense of smell could provide the fae with information to solve the case.

While she's investigating, she also discovers a secret and now she understands far better why the fae were so willing to have permitted themselves to be locked up on reservations. Unfortunately, the rulers of the fae, the Gray Lords, know she knows and that could pose a problem since they keep their secrets close.

Very shortly after, a reservation guard is savagely murdered. Zee is the prime suspect, literally caught red handed while the guard's blood is cooling. Zee goes to jail and refuses to speak a word in his defense despite Mercy hiring the best criminal defense lawyer she can for him.

Despite warnings from the fae, Mercy takes the case. In order to find the killer, she's going to have to use more than just her nose.

Mercy Thompson novels are some of the best serial fiction in urban fantasy. Patricia Briggs excels at character development and not rushing relationships or even growth on her people. Her characters are also good at staying in character.

The mystery in this plot is almost as good as the fantasy. Ms. Briggs has a talent for dramatic writing and she can sink a barb deeper than a mad porcupine. She also did keep me guessing until very near the end of the novel, which is not that common even for hardcore mystery writers.

What is most interesting about Briggs' writing is her worldbuilding. What happens to the world when the supernaturals come out? Many authors have posited an alternative world with this type of scenario. In many ways, I think Patricia Briggs' guess is one of the most interesting and accurate. And as the old saw goes, "those who do not study history are destined to repeat it." Well, those who do study history will strongly recognize the common patterns from Ms. Briggs' books to our history, particularly reservations and the level of hate group activity.

Mercy Thompson Books in Order:

Moon Called (Book 1)
Blood Bound (Book 2)
Iron Kissed (Book 3)

72 of 77 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Blend of Fantasy and Emotion, January 2, 2008

By	Jane Litte "Jane at DearAuthor.Com" (US) - See all my reviews

I read a review here that said the ending was bittersweet. I am a romance novel reader first and foremost and almost always require a satisfying (read happy) ending to my books and I felt that Iron Kissed delivered on that regard.

I won't provide a summary because I think other reviews and the blurb does a good job. This book, more than the previous two, is packed with emotion, mystery, romance, and fantasy providing a full bodied read for the urban fantasy fan. Mercy is at a crossroads in her relationships with the two men in her life, Samuel and Adam Hauptman. Both are alpha werewolves although Samuel has no pack and Adam is the alpha of Tri Cities werewolf pack. Mercy must decide which one she loves more because Adam has declared his feelings for her and her lack of definitive response is weakening the clan.

When her mechanic mentor, Siebold Adelbertsmiter aka Zee, calls upon her to repay a favor to the Fae, she is grateful for the distraction. There have been several unsolved murders on the Fae reservation and the magic which the fae can call on without incurring the wrath of the Grey Lords has been insufficient in finding the perpetrator. Mercy is called in to use her nose to see if she can find an identifying scent of the murderer.

She does and completes her task only to receive a call that Zee has been accused of murder himself. Zee is a surrogate father figure for Mercy and it spurs her into finding out who is the real murderer. This investigation triggers a whole set of terrible consequences for Mercy.

Mercy eventually figures out who did the killing but not before something tragic (and I know this is an overused word but it is totally appropriate here) befalls her. In order for her to move on, she must come to terms emotionally and physically with this tragedy. The way in which this tragedy was worked into the story was organic to the mystery. I never felt manipulated.

As a reader of primarily romance, this hit all the right buttons for me. There is a depth of emotion in this book not often found in the urban fantasy trope. Many times urban fantasy is compelling for external motivations: world building, mystery, action. The last third of this story, though, was truly emotional. I was moved to tears at Mercy's struggle with the aftermath of her tragedy and grateful for her eventual triumph.

The love triangle was resolved beautifully and not in a way that I saw coming. I generally hate love triangles, particularly when the author is skilled in making me believe that both are good choices. Samuel and Adam are both decent, honorable men. They also both have their overbearing negatives. I was torn going into the story about which Mercy should choose and while I wanted her to choose someone, I wasn't sure which one and when. The way in which the triangle was resolved was subtle and satisfying. I felt <em>good</em> when I read how the triangle concluded.

If readers haven't picked up a Mercy Thompson book, I think they could start with Iron Kissed although I am sure reading one will spur the desire to read the previous two in the series. It's definitely a series I recommend to romance readers, particularly those that enjoy strong fantasy elements.

I hesitate to give out perfect grades, but I've read this book three times since I received it and each time was transportative. I don't know that it was a perfectly crafted book but it was perfect for me.

Just a note to clarify some speculation that this is the end of the Mercy Thompson series. It is not. Patricia Briggs is contracted for 4 more Mercy Thompson books and has started book 4.