***********SPOILERS AHEAD! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED********
“My uncle George’s dog will shag my fucking aunt Susie before I’ll go now,” he said. “Until we get matters straightened out with the fae, I’m living right the fucking hell here.”
Jen: Both Angela and I had Fire Touched on our Most Anticipated books for 2016 list. Maybe for different reasons, maybe for the same. I can honestly say this book was going to be the make or break book in the series for me. After what happened in Night Broken, I was so angry at the Pack and Adam that I wasn’t sure I could continue on with the series. Something had to change and this was the book it had to happen in. Just my opinion, though…
Angela: Yeah, I was pretty pissed after reading Night Broken. Pissed at the Pack. Pissed at Adam. And I might have mentioned before that I wanted the ex-wife (I refuse to say her name) to just be sent off to a deserted island somewhere, never to darken Mercy’s door again. I desperately wanted something positive to happen in Fire Touched. Something to restore my faith in both the Pack and Adam. I’m not ashamed to say I started reading Fire Touched almost the instant it landed on my Kindle. I didn’t care how long my review list was or what was up next, I needed to know what came next after the events of book 8.
Plot
Jen: I might have issues with Adam and Mercy and how everyone treats Mercy but I have never, not once, had issues with a story Briggs has written. Ok, you could argue Adam and Mercy are part of the story but I mean the plot and story arc. In the last Alpha and Omega book, we see things with the Fae start to come to a head. The Fae are getting bolder and no longer want to be secluded on the reservations.
SPOILERSPOILERSPOILER****
The title Fire Touched comes from Mercy standing up and saying the Columbia Basin pack will protect a Fae touched boy. She agrees to protect him to basically do a favor for her longtime friend and mentor, Zee. Mercy’s agreement to protect the boy does not go over well with the pack and we are shoved right back to that place we were in with Night Broken. The pack against Mercy and where will Adam fall? Not to mention that protection of the boy the Fae all want possession of, will put everyone in danger.
Angela: I like how Ms. Briggs brings the Alpha and Omega series and the Mercy Thompson series together so well. When something big happens in one, you just know it will affect the plot and characters in the other. In this case, it has to do with the Fae, and if you’ve followed either series in any way, shape, or form, then you know the Fae are making moves to regain some of their power and not be shut away on reservations. And when the Fae are involved bad things are bound to happen.
There is this scene on a bridge at the very beginning where Mercy and members of the Pack have to protect both humans and unknowingly a Fae touched boy they will ultimately claim protection over that was thrilling. Have I mentioned how much I love the way Ms. Briggs writes action scenes? Because I do. I so do. They are adrenaline fueled, edge of your seat fantastic. Even though I may be upset with certain Pack members, I love how they ultimately work together to overcome the odds.
Mercy’s declaration of protection towards Aiden shakes things loose in the pack and finally has everything coming to a head. Despite my interest in the plot, it was this scene that I’d been hoping for. So to get it so early laid most of my fears to rest, which enabled me to enjoy (and concentrate on) the rest of the story.
Adam
Jen:
“I’m done with it.” All hint of softness was gone from his voice. “I am done with listening to you attack my mate while she is trying to save you. Again. I called this meeting to give notice. If I hear or hear about any of you saying anything to my mate that is in the least bit disrespectful, I will end you. No warning, no second chances. I will end you.”
Well final-freaking-ly. I mean, what the ever loving hell took this long for him to stand up and say what he did? Yes, yes, I get how they explained it but geez, this was almost too little, too late. But this scene was fantastic. Almost even better is one Adam has with bitch face Christy a little later. At least, we now know where Adam falls on the Mercy vs the pack fight. Will we see Christy again? Probably. Will everything be happy and lovey-dovey? Not likely. But this is a start. A very good start.
Angela: What you said. FINALLY! I waited through the entirety of Night Broken for Adam to speak up and take a stand in front of the Pack on Mercy’s behalf and was so upset when he didn’t. I mean I understood his not wanting to make a statement and possibly make Mercy look weak (kind of) but, alright already. It was long past time for Adam to say something concerning the Pack’s treatment of his mate.
My favorite part, though.. Honey. Honey goes on a roll and it was HER statement that had me sitting up in bed, clutching my Kindle and cheering.
Honey stood up and looked around. “I am ashamed,” she said. She let that statement hang in the air for a moment. Then she continued, “I am so ashamed of all of you. I look around, and all I see are stupid people.”
Yes, Honey! Yes! She basically says every damn thing I’ve been thinking throughout the last several books. She ends with this:
“Because they know she’ll have their back in return. Pack is about not standing alone. About having people you trust to have your back. There is not another person in this room that I would rather have at my back than Mercy.”
So while I was thankful that Adam finally lets everyone know where he stands, it was Honey who I think put the needed YOU GUYS ARE SO WRONG stamp on the entire conversation.
Mercy
Jen: Mercy is the star of this series. She never changes and never wavers in her support of those she loves. She might have internal doubts but she always does the right thing. She is a wonderful heroine. The reader can root for her so hard that when something bad happens it feels personal. There is a scene in Fire Touched with Bran, Adam and Mercy that is heartbreaking and you don’t really understand why it happens until the final pages of the book. I wish Bran had spoken to Mercy personally when all was said and done. I felt like she needed the assurance.
Angela: Mercy’s steadfastness is why this series stays on my ‘MUST READ NOW’ list. Her willingness to do the right thing, even when it might be the most dangerous, is what keeps me coming back for more. There is never any question that she will do the right thing. The scene you mentioned above regarding Bran broke my heart on her behalf. I had this feeling that it would all be okay in the end, but I’m with you on her needing some reassurances from him personally. Damn Pack politics.
Everything else
Jen: Jesse is starting to become a very interesting character. She seems to be taking a larger role in each subsequent book. She has grown up a lot.
“Baba Yaga. Really?”
I nodded and mouthed, “Really.”
She hugged herself and, as she passed by me on her way out of the room, she whispered, “Now how many people have gotten to say that? ‘Hey Dad. Baba Yaga is on the phone for you’?”
Other than what happens with Bran, there is one other super sad moment in the book. I was surprised at how upset I was by something that takes place toward the end of the major fight scene. You will know what I am talking about when you get there and all I can say is, I hope there is a way to not make it final!
Angela: I loved seeing Tad and Zee again. I loved the addition of Aiden in the Pack and how he seems to be the only one who can give Joel any respite. I highlighted this quote, and I’m not exactly sure why. Maybe because I sense this might mean something in future.
Aiden was alive because Underhill loved him.
I also loved that that woman who shall not be named is taking a trip, maybe for only a short time, but I’ll take it. I loved that Jesse is getting more interesting and that she always seems to know what’s up. I loved pretty much everything about Fire Touched. I was on such a book high when I finally finished.
Overall
Jen: I had no expectations coming into Fire Touched. After being let down so much by Night Broken, I was going to read this one and then decide to either jump ship or hang on. I am happy to say I will be hanging on and eagerly looking forward to the next book. As always, the story is riveting and so fast paced. Once you pick this book up, you won’t want to stop until you are done. Overall, the Mercy Thompson universe is going places and I can’t wait to see where it will go next. Final grade- A
Favorite Quote:
We’ll be okay, right?” I said.
If I’d been sitting on anyone else’s lap, I’d be embarrassed by how little my voice was.
“You and I,” he said, “we’ll always be okay. I can’t promise anything more.”
Angela: I’m not sure Fire Touched was a make or break book for me, but I did have certain expectations going in that I desperately hoped would be met.
I posted this on Goodreads immediately after I finished reading.
“In my upcoming 2016 Most Anticipating post I made a list of everything I was hoping and praying would happen in this book and by the time I finished reading I was able to check off every single item. If Night Broken upset you, don’t worry…. Fire Touched makes it all better again.”
So go forth and read with the knowledge that Patricia Briggs is still at the top of her game and that the newest Mercy Thompson installment totally kicks ass. Then join me in counting down the days until the next release. Final Grade- A
Favorite Quote:
“Mercy is a tough, smart woman. She can defend herself–I do not have to protect her. She is not weak or dependent or needy. She doesn’t need the pack. She doesn’t need me.”
Rating: A
Fire Touched by Patricia Briggs
March 8th 2016 by Ace
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Joint Review: Fire Touched by Patricia Briggs was first published on Fiction Vixen
