BOOK REVIEW: ‘River Marked’ by Patricia Briggs
Title: River Marked (Mercy Thompson #6)
Author: Patricia Briggs
Publisher: Orbit (UK) | Ace (US)
Publication Date: March 2011
Ebook: 326 Pages
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Source: Own Copy
Reviewed by: Laura
SUMMARY:
An evil is stirring in the depths of the Columbia River—one that her father’s people may know something about. And to have any hope of surviving, Mercy and her mate, the Alpha werewolf Adam, will need their help…(Goodreads)
REVIEW:
I love the fact that Mercy has been allowed to grow up throughout the series, and was very excited that we got a wedding! And a wedding not shrouded by disaster, other than Mercy’s mother’s insane planning! This book was very much about Adam and Mercy’s relationship as they become husband and wife and working together as a team. It’s great that the author has had the confidence to allow Mercy to choose her mate and break away from the will they, won’t they storyline that many UF books fall into. And also have the courage to resolve the painful love triangle with Sam, although I very much enjoyed reading about it in the earlier books.
Of course, just because the wedding goes smoothly, don’t hold your breath for the honeymoon! Mercy’s inexplicable habit for running into trouble or need help people is not going to leave her just because she’s married now. There is one scene at Wal-Mart which didn’t fail to make me laugh as Mercy convinces Adam to leave her shopping alone:
“I’ve been shopping at Wal-Marts for most of my life, and I’ve never been assaulted in one.”
You just know she’s doomed for trouble!
The biggest development in this book is Mercy discovers more about her part Indian heritage, her father and what it means to be a walker. There is some great Indian folklore interwoven into the story as well as some new characters, Coyote and Gordon Seeker are worthy of a special mention. I hope we see some more of them in future books.
If you love the series’s supporting characters, Samuel, Warren, Jesse and Zee to name just a few, you may be slightly disappointed with their absence. As this is mainly about Mercy and Adam’s honeymoon we get a few phone calls, but other than that it’s just about the two of them. I enjoyed this difference, but want the characters back for the next book please.
The book wouldn’t be complete without a decidedly evil baddy and the need for Mercy to save the day, get beaten up and escape by the skin of her teeth. Don’t worry there are scenes in ‘River Marked‘ that will keep you on the edge of your seat and the writing is as pacy and engaging as ever. And yes, the baddy is grimly evil and definitely needs a good killing 
VERDICT:
Book #33 100+ Books In A Year Reading Challenge 2011
Book #10 Horror & Urban Fantasy Challenge 2011
13 Comments
I just got the first book of the series yesterday and I can't wait to read it! Thanks for this! <3
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Laura – I'm so glad you recommended this series to me – have now read first two books and I think it's a great series so far! Glad this one lived up to expectations.
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Thanks for your review ! I've really love this book, it's one of my favorite Urban Fantasy serie. There are always so great ideas !
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Thanks for the review! I have the first book sitting on top of my TBR pile, but it keeps getting buried before I get to it. *sigh* some day!!
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I love this series as well! It is consistently one of the best UF reads out there and I agree, it is good to see Mercy grow, learn and change as the series progresses!
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Great review — thanks BCC! This is an auto-buy series for me; I fell in love with it at first book! This particular story had me re-reading a few spots to make sure I understood what was going on, but it has one of the BEST endings I've come across. LOVED IT!
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I do love this series
And I so want the next one now
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@Naj oh you're in for a treat, the first three are the best I think
@BookChickCity oh I'm so glad you liked them. I'll have to get you reading KMM's Fever series next
@Melliane it's one of my favourite series too!
@Twimom227 oh push it up your list, it's worth it!
@Mel it's so one of my favourites, Mercy has definitely grown too as you say it's nice to see
@Dani definitely an auto-buy series!
@Blodeuedd I want the next book too, but I don't think it even has a title yet!
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I've read the books previous to this and this review has made me even more excited to pick it up!!! I fell in love with this series from the first few pages in of Moon Called! Great review
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The wedding bit was one of my favorites in RIVER MARKED. I also loved the development of Mercy and Adams relationship as well as learning more about her heritage. This was a very satisfying book and I can't wait to read more.
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I love, love, love this series. I have been reading it from the beginning and River Marked in on the wishlist. Thank you for sharing your review today.
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@books glorious books me too 'Moon Called' hooked me straight away.
@Jennifer I know, how nice was it to get a wedding! It gave me a big smile on my face
@Denise I'm glad you enjoyed the review. I hope you like Rivermaked!
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Hello
I liked your review. I've read River Marked and like you mentioned I think it needs the return of the other characters. I still liked it and thought it was a good read but it wasn't my favourite of the series. Still can't wait for the next.
Lynn
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