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Book Review of Blood Bound (Mercy Thompson, Bk 2)

Blood Bound (Mercy Thompson, Bk 2)
mazeface avatar reviewed on + 66 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 11


I will admit that I haven't read much in the urban fantasy/horror/vampire genre, so I may not be as picky as other reviewers. I will say that I have only read two of Brigg's novels -- "Moon Called" and "Blood Bound" -- and both times I really got into the book. Brigg's conversational writing style makes it easy; after all, the protagonist, Mercy Thompson, is narrating the story.

Mercy has the ability to morph into a coyote. What I appreciated about Brigg's storytelling is how Mercy doesn't overuse her shape-changing ability in this book. She relies on her wits and intuition to solve the conflicts she faces.

Something else I appreciate about Brigg's story is how Mercy finds herself in the middle of life-or-death situations, yet still has to run her own business as a mechanic. In fact, Mercy wonders at one point how the heroines in movies find time to work and make a living while they are running around saving the world.

A couple of minor criticisms about this story: as the story progresses, Briggs throws in more an more of the "rules" about how vampire society is run, as well as the "rules" about demons and sorcerers. As someone who doesn't read much in this genre, it didn't bother me, but I kind of wondered how much of it Briggs made up to fit the plot. Doesn't ruin the story at all, but I just wondered about this.

Also, Briggs' male characters always seem a little too perfect. They are all ruggedly handsome, and yes they're all werewolves and vampires, but they're such hunky werewolves and vampires who got that "bad boy" thing going to entice the ladies. Even their negative qualities make them more macho. This kind of bugged me in "Moon Called" too. Briggs does keep the reader guessing as to who Mercy will ultimately fall for: Adam? Samuel? Stefan maybe? Again, it doesn't ruin the book, but it kind of makes me chuckle.

Overall, "Blood Bound" continues the fast-paced, suspenseful, creepy, action-packed storytelling that started in "Moon Called." Go for it.