Many of you know Patricia Briggs from her fantasy novels The Hob's Bargain, When Demons Walk, Dragon Bones, and Raven's Shadow. If you've read her, you know how good she is. She's what we call a writer's writer; the kind other authors read for the sheer pleasure of seeing it done right, and who is already so good that you don't think she can really get any better.
Moon Called is not just better. It's brilliant.
With this novel Patricia Briggs kicks off the story of mechanic and skinwalker Mercedes (Mercy) Thompson. Mercy's got her share of troubles, which include changing into a coyote, a dark and disturbing Alpha werewolf neighbor, vampires with car troubles, and all manner of fascinating Otherworld creatures being forced out of hiding by modern technology. When Mercy hires a young drifter to work at her garage, she has no idea the chain of events she sets into motion -- or how quickly all hell can break loose.
I loved how smart this book is, along with the world-building, the characters, the plot, and damn near everything about it. As much as I enjoy her fantasy work, it's so cool to see Patricia write in our world (which she promptly rebuilds to suit herself, but then, don't we all?) My only complaint: I have to wait months before the next Mercy book comes out. I should bribe her editor or something.
Moon Called will be hitting the shelves on January 31st, but if you'd like a preview, you can read the first chapter here right now.
Thanks for the heads up. I write in this genre, read in it, and am always looking for more. You're very generous.
ReplyDeleteThis was on my "Hmm, this sounds intriguing" list already. Thanks for the reminder to add it to my "to be purchased" list.
ReplyDeleteSounds excellent and I read the first chapter so now I HAVE to get it. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the recommendation... please continue to let us know about books that are "new finds". I read about "Dark Lover" here and picked up a copy and enjoyed it so much.
I preordered moon called from my independent book dealer a couple of weeks ago after coming across it in the PBA. After reading the first Chapter, I'll probably start nagging some of my friends to do the same. Your recommendation doesn't hurt either.Also heard that my copy of Rebel Ice may come in today. I'm chomping at the bit
ReplyDeleteI don't normally like the voice used in this particular genre (which is why I don't tend to read them), but I enjoyed the chapter. It was a nice change to have a straight forward story without it being infused with humor on every page. The cover doesn't hurt either. *g* I'll definitely pick it up and give it a try.
ReplyDeleteYou knew that for some of us reading the first chapter would mean we'd have to read the book. *Grin* Luckily I have a birthday in just over a month from now and the Hint list just got one book longer. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThis is going on my to buy list. Thanks for the heads up, PBW.
ReplyDeleteThis book look awesome! Can't wait to read it!
ReplyDeleteLookie lookie, series again. Doesn't anyone know how to write single novels anymore?
ReplyDeleteJez wrote: Doesn't anyone know how to write single novels anymore?
ReplyDeleteBeing the author of a series doesn't render one incapable of writing standalones (I speak from experience.) Series contracts tends to pay more of the bills, though. :)
LOL, I think it was mostly frustration talking. I really don't like series. Especially the kind with the cliffhangers. You read an interesting book, and the author leaves you panting impatiently till next year. By the time the next book comes out, you have forgotten the rules of the worldbuilding, and most likely your lust for it has burned out anyway. But oh, those first weeks of frustration at the sheer inability to know what happens next. At least the "heroine and her twelve sisters who'll get their stories too" kind of series have one-book plots.
ReplyDeleteI try to read only completed series. Then I'll know that if I love the book, I can go buy the other seventeen. Yes, it's a long standing tradition in SF and Fantasy, and I think it originated from the serial novels. But many authors do series purely for their marketing value, forcing stories to become series, giving birth to artificial sequels, whatever. That's why I get a bit frazzled, perhaps. The true nature of the cliffhangers is so obvious, and I don't much like being manipulated.
Cool book, btw. One thing I'd like to know though. Why Wrath's brothers are named Phury, Rhage, Zsadist and Tohrment -- their mother couldn't spell? Bad comic book names for a dark fantasy novel. Odd.
ReplyDeleteI got this book, opened it and started reading before me and my mom had even pulled out of the parking lot, and didn't put it down until it was finished. This is an awesome book! I don't think that anything else that I could say would do it justice. I can't wait until school starts back so that I can talk my friends into reading it!
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