Patricia Briggs

My dad introduced me to Patricia Briggs (as is the case with many of the authors I read). I’m glad he did. I have really enjoyed the books I’ve read, so far, and look forward to reading more of her work. I hope I will be able to get ahold of it all, as some of her books are out of print, and in one case, the cheapest copy Amazon had was going for $299. More than I am willing to pay for a book.

Books I've Read by Patricia Briggs

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Hated and feared, magic was banished from the land. But now, freed from the spells of the wicked bloodmages, magic—both good and evil—returns. And Aren of Fallbrook feels her own power of sight strengthen and grow . . . Overcome by visions of mayhem and murder, Aren vows to save her village from the ruthless raiders who have descended upon it—and killed her family. With the return of wildlings to the hills and forests, she strikes a bargain with the Hob, a magical being imbued with the power of the mountains. But the Hob is the last of his kind. And he will exact a heavy price to defend the village—a price Aren herself must pay . . . (book description) Personal note: My dad recently introduced me to this author. This is the first of her books that I've read. I really enjoyed it and will definitely be reading more of her work.

Alpha and Omega

1. Cry Wolf (Mass Market Paperback) or (Amazon Kindle Edition)

   Anna never knew werewolves existed, until the night she survived a violent attack . . . and became one herself. After three years at the bottom of the pack, she’d learned to keep her head down and never, ever trust dominant males. Then Charles Cornick, the enforcer—and son—of the leader of the North American werewolves, came into her life. Charles insists that not only is Anna his mate, but she is also a rare and valued Omega wolf. And it is Anna’s inner strength and calming presence that will prove invaluable as she and Charles go on the hunt in search of a rogue werewolf—a creature bound in magic so dark that it could threaten all of the pack . . . (book description) Personal note: This was yet another book I really had trouble putting down. It was so good I wanted to read it in one sitting, but I didn’t have anywhere near that much time all together to devote to it.

The Hurog Duology

1. Dragon Bones (Mass Market Paperback) or (Amazon Kindle Edition)

   PLAYING THE FOOL Most everyone thinks Ward of Hurog is a simple-minded fool—and that’s just fine by him. But few people know that his foolishness is (very convincingly) feigned. And it’s all that’s saved him from death at the hands of his abusive father, who’s always seen Ward as a bitter rival for power. When his father dies, Ward becomes the new lord of Hurog . . . until a nobleman declares that he is too dim-witted to rule. Ward knows he cannot play the fool any longer. To regain his kingdom, he must prove himself worthy—and quickly. Riding into a war that?s heating up on the border, Ward, the new lord of Herzog, is sure he?s on the fast track to glory. But soon his mission takes a deadly turn. For he has seen a pile of magical dragon bones hidden deep beneath Hurog Keep. The bones could prove to be dangerous in the wrong hands, and Ward is certain his enemies will stop at nothing to possess them. (book description) Personal note: My father introduced me to this author, and I am really glad he did. This is the second book I've read by her. It was hard to put down. To the point that I almost got in trouble at work for reading instead of working. Books like this are dangerous. I'm glad I have about 5 more of her books on the shelf waiting to be read.

2. Dragon Blood (Mass Market Paperback) or (Amazon Kindle Edition)

   CALL TO REBELLION Ward, ruler of Hurog, is striving to restore his lands and people to prosperity, wanting nothing more than a quiet life. But when an old friend, escaping from High King Jakoven’s torturers, seeks refuge in his keep, Ward can no longer ignore the growing rebellion against the tyrannical High King. He realizes that he cannot stand aside—he must join with the rebels. However, Jakoven has a secret weapon with which he intends to crush the rebellion: Farsonsbane, a magical artifact that has destroyed entire cities. But first, Jakoven needs blood to awaken it. Dragon’s blood. The very blood that courses through Ward’s veins . . . (book description) Personal note: This is book two of The Hurog Duology, Despite being a duology, there’s definitely room for Briggs to add to this story line if she so chooses. I don’t really expect her to do that, although I hope she does. I would love to further explore the world she’s created in these two books.

Mercy Thompson

1. Moon Called (Mass Market Paperback) or (Hardcover Edition) or (Amazon Kindle Edition)

   Mercy Thompson’s life is not exactly normal. Her next-door neighbor is a werewolf. Her former boss is a gremlin. And she’s fixing a VW bus for a vampire. But then, Mercy isn’t exactly normal herself. (book description) Personal note: Even out of order (I read book 3 first) this is a good series. I am really glad my dad introduced me to Patricia Briggs. This book made me hunger for more, which is exactly what I like in a book.

2. Blood Bound (Mass Market Paperback) or (Amazon Kindle Edition)

   Mechanic Mercy Thompson has friends in low places—and in dark ones. And now she owes one of them a favor. Since she can shapeshift at will, she agrees to act as some extra muscle when her vampire friend Stefan goes to deliver a message to another of his kind. But this new vampire is hardly ordinary—and neither is the demon inside of him. (book description)

3. Iron Kissed (Mass Market Paperback) or (Amazon Kindle Edition)

   I could smell her fear, and it satisfied something deep inside me that had been writhing under her cool, superior gaze. I curled my upper lip so she could get a good look at my sharp teeth. I might only weigh thirty or so pounds in my coyote shape, but I was a predator . . . Mechanic Mercy Thompson can shift her shape—but not her loyalty. When her former boss and mentor is arrested for murder and left to rot behind bars by his own kind, it’s up to Mercy to clear his name, whether he wants her to or not. Mercy’s loyalty is under pressure from other directions, too. Werewolves are not known for their patience, and if Mercy can’t decide between the two she cares for, Sam and Adam may make the choice for her . . . (book description) Personal note: I really enjoyed this book, and hope to read the rest of the series soon. I was able to find Moon Called at the library, so hopefully I’ll be able to make that happen. I am finding Patricia Briggs’ writing to be quite enjoyable, and have only read one book that was even a little bit of a struggle to get through.

Sianim

1. Masques (Paperback Edition)

   When the peaceful kingdom of Reth is overrun by Geofrrey ae'Magi, the evil master of illusion, Aralorn, weaponsmistress of the shapechanging race, and her companion, Wolf, attempt to overthrow him. (book description)

2. Steal the Dragon (Mass Market Paperback) or (Amazon Kindle Edition)

   A SLAVE ON THE RUN When Rialla was young, slave traders from Darran ambushed her clan, killing all the men and enslaving the women and children. For years, Rialla lived in bondage, serving her master while waiting for a chance to escape. When that chance came, she made the best of it—and fled to the mercenary nation of Sianim . . . A SPY IN TRAINING Now she can strike back at her former masters. A lord in Darran seeks to outlaw slavery—but there are plots to kill him before he can. Rialla is chosen by the Spymaster of Sianim to prevent the murder, and she’s plunged into a world of deadly magic—where gods walk in human form, where her most trusted companions are not what they claim, and where Rialla could be enslaved again . . . A CHANCE FOR VENGANCE As a spy, Rialla realizes the danger of her mission. As a former slave, she realizes she has no choice. (book description) Personal note: I enjoyed this book. There were definitely some holes in its plot, but it was still a good read. I’m glad I read some other books by this author before redaing this one, or I might have stopped here.