Fire Touched

Fire Touched (2016) Patricia Briggs

Another re-read because the library doesn’t have the audio version of this book available, and BY GUM I have to have all material fresh in my mind before going onto the final book.

It starts when Mercy and Adam receive calls at the same time.

“I don’t know if you and Adam can help us,” Tony said rapidly. In the background, sirens were doing their best to drown out his voice. “But we have a situation here. There is something, a freaking-big something, on the Cable Bridge, and it is eating cars.”

“You and Adam” was short for “please bring a pack of werewolves out to take care of the car-eating monster.” If they were asking for the pack, they must be desperate.

This book deals with something I had issues with for several books–the way some of the pack treated Mercy. Despite her saving of the awful Christie, members of the pack still griped about her.

Adam crossed his arms, and said, “Do we have anyone who would like to start?”

Mary Jo shot to her feet, body tense, though her eyes were lowered.

“Not you, I think,” said Adam thoughtfully.

I actually thought that bit was done very well, if belatedly.

“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.”

I shot to my feet. “That’s not true,” I said hotly.

He tilted his head a little, his eyes meeting mine. His eyes softened. “I misspoke,” he said in a steady voice. “She doesn’t need me to make sure she has enough food or a place to live— that is my privilege, but she doesn’t need me to do that. She doesn’t need me to keep her safe or to make her a whole person. She doesn’t need me to do anything except love her. Which I do.”

Well now, I thought, abruptly breathless.

One note:

We are the only pack on the planet that has members who are not werewolves or human mates of werewolves, and even that last is right uncommon.”

The book immediately following this, in the Alpha & Omega series, seems to claim Jonesy as part of the Marrock’s pack. It could be that this is secret from anyone outside of the Marrock’s pack, but then there’s also Samuel and Ariana, who might not technically be part of Bran’s pack, BUT.

And a last note:

“Neutral doesn’t work,” Charles said. “When you watch your allies commit atrocities and do nothing, who is more reprehensible? Those who rape and plunder or those who could have stopped it but do nothing?”

I do like this story; I feel like the series is re-centering itself here, with more of the pack and a little bit less Mercy-centered. I like Mercy, but at some point things begin to stretch credulity.
Publisher: Ace
Rating: 8/10

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