Storm Cursed: Mercy Thompson Novel Series, Book 11

"Storm Cursed" is the 11th book in the Mercy Thompson series (not counting the "Alpha and Omega" series which is also connected, and consists of one novella and five full-length novels that even further flesh-out the world; there is also "Shifting Shadows," a collection of short stories in the same universe). So by this point, Patricia Briggs has a lot of existing plot threads and established worldbuilding to work with when crafting a new entry in her series. While episodic for the most part, this series has always had this interesting aspect where each story builds and develops on some substantial chunk of what went on before, and "Storm Cursed" leans heavier than most of the previous entries on this strength.Without going into spoilers, I'll say that I was very grateful that I had the urge to read all ten of the previous books while waiting for this one's release: a lot of what goes on in "Storm Cursed" provides texture and payoff to details both large and small from Mercy's previous adventures, and prominent roles for a few characters who were only small-time support players before this or else built up with no prior payoff.So, read the rest of the series before "Storm Cursed" or you'll miss out on a lot of that. Even setting that aside, this book is a fun time and a masterclass in the Mercy series' method of going from snarky lighthearted fun to grim darkness at the drop of a pin, opening on the uneasy alliance with Larry the goblin king and the mysterious, sudden appearance of "miniature zombie goats" (the "miniature" part is important, because "zombie goats" just sound Satanic) before deep-diving into the macabre world of the blackest black magic and the worst of witchcraft--making this the first book in the main Mercy Thompson series to turn its attention fully toward witch antagonists (a thing that has hitherto been more prominent in Alpha and Omega). In typical Mercy fashion, however, this crisis brings the werewolves, fae, vampires, and humans together in interesting ways, and the story never quite unfolds in the exact direction either the reader or the characters themselves are expecting. I didn't quite expect it to be as emotional a story for Adam and Mercy as it ended up being, either... once more proving that Patricia Briggs is far better at writing an already-committed romantic relationship than she is the admittedly kind of hackneyed love triangle nonsense that was being played up in the first couple Mercy Thompson books. You'd think knowing that Mercy and Adam--or Anna and Charles--are basically an unbreakable item would dampen the passion of reading about them, but nope. Still going strong. (Resist the nudge.)In terms of print quality for the hardcover edition, it's as solid a book as you could expect, although in my case I did encounter one page with semi-faded-looking ink, so print errors are a distinct possibility here. A small annoyance in an otherwise fantastic reading marathon, and not nearly as important as the story itself. Excellent work, Briggs.A side-note about some reviews decrying "leftist" propaganda in the Mercy Thompson books:Of all the "feminist" girl-power heroine stories I've read, Patricia Briggs writes what are probably the most politically balanced. Racists are present and acknowledged, but usually offset by rational people working in the same space; sexism is alive and well in these stories but dealt with in balanced ways that neither minimize nor villainize the men who are masculine in heroic and admirable ways; and if you see anyone telling you that the story is all pro-Democrat or anti-NRA or any of that rot, you are being point-blank lied to. Mercy herself is a gun owner; references to Democrats and Republicans throughout the series seem highly critical of both (there's even a mention in an earlier book of Democrats wanting to hand out scholarships to fae in order to--I may be slightly mis-quoting, but only slightly--"show how enlightened they are") and one of the major characters in this novel in particular is a Republican senator who is not exactly in love with the supernatural community but is also not halfway stupid enough to support any political direction likely to result in conflict between humans and supernaturals, resulting in a genuinely interesting beginning to an alliance between him and the Columbia Basin Pack in this story. And I don't really remember anything substantial about the NRA, but... Mercy is a gun-owner who keeps guns at home, at work, and often in a concealed carry holster on her person, so... yeah.And if you're worried about Mercy being an overly perfect power fantasy for the feminist left, rest assured: she's just about the realest female protag I've ever read in any story ever, with all the strengths and character defects that implies. It makes her relationship with both the male and female cast very interesting, especially when she gets past her often-wrong first impressions of people and her relationships get turned on their heads--characters she initially dislikes or who initially dislike her turn out to be her closest friends and supporters as the story moves forward, and characters she initially liked end up in fairly adversarial relationships with her when their true colors come out. It's that kind of story. Mercy's perception of people and things is never perfect and Briggs is a master at using that to provide substance to her supporting cast.If you're the type to believe kneejerk reviews decrying a book for daring to try "brainwashing" its likely very adult audience with politics the reviewer doesn't agree with, this is one where you want to read it yourself and make your own decisions.

Witches, Fae, and Zombies, oh my! Mercy and her friends are confronted by caldron roiling with trouble and I was riveted from cover to cover to discover how they were going to handle this latest dangerous problem.Storm Cursed is the eleventh book in the fabulous Mercy Thompson urban fantasy series where all things that go bump in the night are part of a marvelous series-long adventure that must be taken in order.It's been some months since Mercy returned from her fateful adventure to Europe and the confrontation with the big bad European vampires and more. Life is just getting back to normal for Adam's pack where a pirate game and the occasional outing to police the new territory Mercy claimed as a supernatural neutral haven is the excitement of the day. But, then a murdering goblin, zombie miniature goats, and dark magic rises to remind Mercy that it might have been better to keep her mouth shut back on that bridge when she claimed the Tri-Cities because things are starting to get real. The US government want to parley with the Fae Gray Lords on this neutral ground and there are plenty who don't want this meeting to happen. It's a sad day when corralling zombies is the easy part.There was an opening action scene before things start getting going slowly and then the avalanche of danger picks up the pace to slide faster and and faster. I love this series as a whole through and through. The world, the characters, the twisting supernatural action. And, then there is the fact that no matter how wonderful the Mercy Thompson world already is; a new element shines forth or a new layer is peeled back to reveal that all is not as it seemed. In this case, the spotlight was on black magic, zombies, and the witches along with how their culture fits in with the other races.The ongoing plot thread of the humans adjusting to the knowledge that they are not the apex predator on the planet as more and more about the hidden world of the other races comes out is furthered a bit more as the US government works to help keep people safe with policy rather than war. Adam, Mercy and the Wolves are right in the middle of the human-fae relations.Though this was a witch-related book meaning that Elizaveta was a big part, Zee, Tad, Stefan, Marsilia, Wulfe, Uncle Mike, Coyote, and more had their moments to shine.I confess that my memory was wrecking havoc on my enjoyment and I wish I had done a re-read to remind me of where some things were at and who some of the characters were (I totally drew a blank on Sherwood, the new wolf in their pack and Lucia). I eventually remembered, but it was a good reminder of just how much the series installments tie together. The few intriguing threads left dangling including some new reveals about Mercy and others left me just as thrilled as ever to pounce on the next future installment.The final scene was breathtaking and amazing as they usually are. I doubt even a home invasion would have motivated me to put down the book at that point.Lorelei King is a powerhouse narrator for me. I've listened to her narrate two of my favorite series including this one and other books. In my mind, she is the voice of Mercy and all who people the books. She's caught the author's voice and the tone of the novels so that I barely notice a voice presence and my imagination fires with the story and it's world. She has a nice, husky low voice that works well with kick butt characters and action scenes.All in all, my hunger was barely sated for more and more of Mercy Thompson and all who are in her world. Mercy is a heroine who is smart, believable and gets tough when she's beaten down. She has a sense of humor and common sense. And, a female mechanic along with being a coyote shifter in a werewolf pack. Urban Fantasy fans cannot go wrong by picking up this series.

Como sempre a estória é perfeita!!! E como sempre é uma tortura esperar pelo próximo volume 💖💞

In a nutshell I felt that this particular book had no great depth, nothing in particular to hold me or grip me, unlike some other books in the Mercy Thompson series, I could pick this up and put it down without bother (i.e. I didn't want to keep reading it until I finished). The most interesting thing in the entire book was the revelation about Wulfe's witchcraft - no spoilers! I also thought the flow of the book was awkward, and unsatisfying.Other than that, I felt the book was bland, and never really got going. It was also short, or at least it felt that way.Hopefully Ms. Briggs will be back to form soon, either in this series or her Alpha & Omega series set in the same world. All in all, not worth the GBP12.99 I paid for it, and I have never said that about a Mercy Thompson book before.Has this series run its course? If the next book isn't any better, then I'll have to say "probably, yes", which would be sad, as I've loved this series dearly.

Once again it was wonderful to revisit old friends and find out what dangers they were getting into. I really enjoyed this story and it felt good to find out more about the powers Walkers possess.We finally get to learn more about the mysterious Sherwood Post. He plays a big part in the story of black witches and all their dark magic.The whole story is set around a proposed meeting between the US government and the Fae. A very important meeting that will bring peace between humans and the fae. Adam, Mercy's devoted mate, is set to be security for that meeting, along with the pack. To make sure things run smoothly and no one gets eaten!While all this is going on a group of dangerous witches decide it's time for a power play and it's the local witch, Elizaveta, who's family stand in the way.There are zombies galore in this book. They come in all shapes and sizes. As a fan of The Walking Dead, my only grumble is I'd have liked to see them in action more.Altogether, an exciting read. I'm looking forward to the next instalment.

This is book 11, I believe in the long running Mercedes Thompson series a urban fantasy where Shifters, Vampires and werewolves and fey exist and some are out to the public , Mercedes is a Coyote shifter and the Mate to the werewolf Alpha of the Columbia Basin pack in this installment Mercedes is reaping the problems in the last book where she pledged her and her pack as the defender of the Tri Cities agaisnt all supernatural predators while there are series that you can dip in and out of and still enjoy this wouldn’t be one much of the fun comes from the call backs to previous books ( not just the Mercedes thompson books either they are callbacks to the Authors other series the Alpha and Omega series as well) and the relationships built up over the course of the series almost unique in genre while mercy does gain Power ups as the series goes along what makes her really formidable is her pack and the friends and allies she collects along the way.So if new go back and start with Moon Called the first book of the series.Trouble is coming to the Tri-Cities while the pack is preparing for the up coming peace talks between the Us Government and the Fey, Mercedes and the pack get drawn in to problems closer to home when death and destruction strike one of the Packs biggest allies and whose reliability comes into question in the aftermath with the Peace talks threatened and a new threat rising in the form of a Black Witch Family, Mercedes will need the help of allies new and old to face the threat.Look obviously I loved this installment and it’s a credit to the author that at book 11 not counting the other series set in the same universe that things can still seem fresh and exciting So if your a fan of the series then this is a no brainer I have some other thoughts because I don’t want to spoil I am putting under possible spoilers.Spoilers...Possible Spoilers..I loved that we finally got Clarity on A) Witchcraft and it’s relationship to the pack and especially on grey magic, black and white seems fairly clear cut White is the power of self sacrifice and black is the torture and murder of others so where does grey come in?Simply put grey is the sacrifice of others but with there consent and is portrayed as a fairly slippery slope more power, usually then white, but only a short slip up from the black with less, possibly, power then a full embrace of the black would give you but the same vulnerabilities such as being open to demon possession the lore in Mercedes series as often been inconsistent on witchcraft so it’s nice that this book did a lot to clarify and solidify things as Witches become a more active part of the series.B) why Mercedes and Adam who are very moral people seemed cool with Elizaveta who most certainly isn’tC) why frost a villain from previous books master plan seemed so idiotic it was meant to be.D) the slow reveal reveal on Wulfe continues though as always raise more questions then it answers.End of possible spoilersThe only other series that has continuity like this that rewards a faithful reader in this genre is the Dresden files and the Toby daye series as always the worst thing about finishing this book is the wait for the next one.

Miniature Zombie goats, the Goblin king and other unusual living beings made this book both scary and hilarious! Mercy manages to get embroiled in a conspiracy that is trying to stop the fae making a treaty with the government. When Elizaveta's family are all murdered, Mercy has to ask for help from Wulfe but will he help or will he hinder? Will her Coyote nature help her to defeat the enemy?