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Review Of Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs

A Discussion of Shapeshifters, Vampires and Other Night Creatures

Apr 15, 2009 Jessica Gleason

Mechanic and occasional were-coyote, Mercedes Thompson was raised by werewolves a apprenticed in mechanics by a member of the fae-her life is anything but normal.

Patricia Briggs’ second Mecry Thompson novel Blood Bound (2007) from Ace Fantasy continues the evocative Thompson saga. Mercy’s unique ability to shift into a coyote makes her a prime candidate to help the paranormal community destroy a rogue sorcerer. After their unsuccessful attempts at eliminating the malevolent sorcerer, Mercy is pulled into the fray—at the behest of her friend Stephan (a vampire) to whom she owes a favor.

Mercy’s Unique Abilities

While the vampires and werewolves are stronger than Mercy, her strange circumstances give her an edge over the enemy. Mercy is a “skin walker” who can change into a coyote at will, presumably the only one in existence. This ability makes her the only one in town with the capability to destroy the enemy—a powerful sorcerer who is possessed by a demon.

Mercy’s condition makes her less susceptible to the sorcerer/demon’s mind-control efforts. Also, in her coyote state, she is regarded as a mere pet instead of a threat. This fact is what saves her life upon first meeting the menace; she is able to thwart her enemy—until she is found out.

Mercy finds out more about her powers and her past while trying to defeat this terrible foe. In the process she also learns more about her paranormal buddies and the whole paranormal sub culture as well.

Mercy’s Potential Love Interests

While eliminating the big bad sorcerer/demon is the focus of the novel, there is, of course a romantic sub-plot. Mercy has long been the romantic interest of two rival werewolves—Adam, who happens to be the local pack’s alpha wolf, also Mercy’s next door neighbor and Samuel, her roommate with whom she has a sorted past and almost eloped with at a very young age.

The sexual attraction is very strong between Mercy and both wolves, though she is unwilling to take the leap and commit to either wolf because what she will be giving up would be more then what she would be gaining from a relationship.

While Adam is sweet and hopelessly in love with Mercy, she isn’t willing to become a submissive mate. Mercy enjoys her independence and isn’t willing to part with it just to be in a loving relationship. The chemistry between Mercy and Samuel is also undeniable, but Mercy has already walked that path. Samuel’s main interest in Mercy is that she would be able to bear his children—where as wolves and humans in the past were not able to carry them to term. There is a physical attraction, but the fact that Samuel has an ulterior motive turns Mercy off.

The novel is exciting and innovative—once the action starts, it doesn’t stop. Mercy is a strong-willed vibrant character unparalleled by her contemporaries and author Brigg’s first-person narrative is unique and engaging. A must read.

The copyright of the article Review Of Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs in Romance Fiction is owned by Jessica Gleason. Permission to republish Review Of Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.