Review & Giveaway: Frost Burned by Patricia Briggs

Posted March 6, 2013 by Gikany-Una in 5 stars, Giveaway, Rating A, Reviews, Urban Fantasy Tags: , , , , ,

Frost Burned
Author: Patricia Briggs 
Release Date: March 5, 2013
Publisher: Ace
Mercy Thompson #7
ISBN: #978-1841497983
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Format(s): Hardcover (352 pgs) e-book
Book Source: Publisher

About the book:

     Shapeshifter Mercy Thompson’s life is calming down, at least enough that she can focus on mundane matters like Black Friday sales. But on her return, Mercy is unable to contact her mate, Alpha Adam Hauptman, or the other members of their pack. All she knows is that Adam is angry and in pain. With the werewolves fighting a political battle to gain acceptance from the public, Mercy fears Adam’s disappearance may be related – and that he and the pack are in serious danger. Outclassed and on her own, Mercy may be forced to seek assistance from the most unlikely of allies: the vampire seethe.

What G & U are talking about:

     Gikany and Una must start by saying, we love Patricia Briggs.  Gikany is responsible for hooking Una on this delightful series.  The Mercy Thompson series, as many of you faithful blog followers know, is one of our favorite series, and we reread it at least once a year.  Frost Burned is a novel we have been salivating for.  Considering the final events of the Alpha and Omega series’ last novel, Fair Game, we were very interested in Mercy’s next appearance.
     If you are new to the series – you should just stop here, go out and purchase (or borrow from the library) Moon Called and start from the beginning.  For anyone who has not read the series, there are natural spoilers that cannot be avoided – this is the seventh book in the series.  We have reviewed Moon Called and we encourage you to read that review if you are interested in the series.
     The Mercy Thompson and Alpha and Omega series are intertwined with Frost Burned taking place after the events of Fair Game (Alpha and Omega #3), which occurred after the last Mercy Thompson novel, River Marked.  Mercy has healed from the numerous broken bones and other injuries she suffered during that novel.  Frost Burned begins with Mercy doing some mother/ stepdaughter bonding with Jesse.  While braving the insanity that is that Black Friday, they are involved in a small car accident, which is just the tip of the iceberg.  When Mercy tries to call for help from the pack (her poor Rabbit may be a lost cause), no one answers.  It is as if the pack has vanished – leaving Mercy and Jesse to fend for themselves.
     Something, which Una was expecting since she reads Ms. Brigg’s blog, is a change in the narration of Frost Burned.  Since the beginning of the Mercy Thompson series, the narration has been solely from Mercy’s point of view.  However, in Frost Burned, Ms. Briggs, was not able to leave it solely to Mercy’s narration without detracting from the storyline.  Therefore we are given a few chapters in Adam’s point of view.  What an experience to have an Alpha wolf’s perspective.  After reading Mercy’s point of view and how she sees the world – it was so fascinating to have such a different perspective.  A simple example we can give of this contrast is that Mercy described the skin of Zee’s true form as the color of teak.  Adam, on the other hand, thought of it as a warm oak.  Not that this is a huge thing, but the subtle differences in opinion and view are what made this so enriching.
     To all the fans of the Mercy Thompson who have missed the feel of previous novels, this one is more like previous ones.  Although Frost Burned is similar to previous novels, it is very different.  Mercy has matured and her attitude has evolved, and these changes are evident in the choices she makes.  What we are grateful for is that she is still the same stubborn, mischievous coyote we have come to respect and love.  Part of us mourns her maturation as it could herald the end of the series.  No one likes to say goodbye to such beloved characters or such a unique and fascinating world.  But take comfort, we do know that there is at least one more Mercy Thompson book in the works.
     If you haven’t picked up the Mercy Thompson series yet, and you still decided to read this review….  Go get it!!  Gikany and Una like to use Ms. Briggs as a benchmark for other books and worlds, in conversations relating to books.  She is a standard to us (and to other authors as we have come to find out).  For any urban fantasy lover out there, this is a MUST series.
     Please do not start with Frost Burned; part of the magic of it is that we have such a connection to the characters and the world.  This series is expertly woven and we encourage you to start reading the series from the beginning so you can come to the absolute joy that watching a character evolve overtime brings.

Their Rating:

Personal favorite – a must read (A+)
 
 

Giveaway

I am giving away one (1) copy of Frost Burned to one (1) lucky commenter. To enter, please leave a comment regarding the Mercy Thompson series (tell us your favorite book, favorite moment, what you want to see next, etc.) and your email address. You do not need to be a google friends connect follower of my blog, but it is always appreciated. Contest is open from March 6, 2013 until Tuesday March 12, 2013 at 11:59 PM EDT. Contest is restricted to US mailing addresses only. One (1) winner will be randomly selected from eligible entries. I am not responsible for items lost in the mail.
Purchase Info:
Reviews in the Series:

16 responses to “Review & Giveaway: Frost Burned by Patricia Briggs

  1. I’m thrilled to get back to the regular Mercy books. River Marked really disappointed me, not that I didn’t like the Mercy and Adam time, but I just felt like it didn’t need to be a whole book. A novella would’ve been fine. As for my favorite Mercy book, it’s still Silver Borne. I fell hard for Samuel and I hope we get an update on his situation. 🙂

  2. I’m new to this author and would love the opportunity of reading one of her books. Thanks for chance of winning!
    Follow by email strive4bst(At) yahoo(Dot) com

  3. My favorite book would have to be Silver Borne. All the scenes with Adam just make my heart sigh. Thanks for the giveaway!
    ~Krista
    pinkbonanza{ AT }gmail{ DOT }com

  4. My favorite is Moon Called – because it introduced me to Mercy & her world, and to Patricia Briggs. Now I’m a BIG fan! 🙂

  5. It’s so hard to pick a favorite because they’re all fantastic, but if I have to I’ll go with Moon Called – there’s always something special about the first book in a series. That’s what grabs me and makes me want to read the rest. 😀

  6. I think I’ll have to pick Moon Called, as it’s the first one in the series and the first to draw me in. Thanks for the chance to win!

    julieguan AT gmail DOT com

  7. I would have to pick River Marked and the letter than Mercy wrote to Adam at the end made me cry. I love this series and I can’t wait to read Frost Burned.

  8. I think Bone Crossed. I love how Adam & parts of his pack work hard trying to help Mercy get over her attack. Those tender moments are so sweet. I freaking love every book cover to cover.

    Thanks for the giveaway. It is the most FAB series.
    Amy @ bookgoonie
    bookgoonie at yahoo
    1207 W Buffalo Tr., Joshua, TX 76058

  9. My favorite book would have to be Silver Borne. All the scenes with Adam just make my heart sigh. Thanks for the giveaway!
    pinkbonanza{ AT }gmail{ DOT }com

  10. 🙂 I’m very much looking forward to reading Frost Burned. But my favorite moments include Mercy and Ben of all people. I like how his character develops and what we learn about him as the series continues.

    Thanks so much for the giveaway!!

    readsalot81(@)hotmail(dot)com

  11. Great series. While I love watching Mercy and Adam in the later books. The first book still calls to me as the favorite. It got me hooked so will always have a place on the list.

    bacchus76 at myself dot com

  12. I love this series. I love how sweet Adam and Mercy’s relationship is, but love that there is great supporting characters like Ben, Sam, etc. as well. I’m not sure I can pick a favorite overall, but rather have scenes across the series that stick out.

    snhoveln (at) gmail (dot) com

  13. Favorite book?!?!? That is like asking me to pick a favorite child… *sniffles* (first one) *cough*

    TheDarkerHalfMistress AT gmail DOT com