Night Broken by Patricia Briggs
Series: Mercy Thompson #8
Published by Penguin
Published on: March 11, 2014
Genres: Urban Fantasy, Werewolves
Pages: 352
Format: ARC
Source: NetGalley
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#1 New York Times bestselling author Patricia Briggs’s Mercy Thompson series has been hailed as “one of the best” (Fiction Vixen). Now, Mercy must deal with an unwanted guest—one that brings a threat unlike anything she’s ever known.
An unexpected phone call heralds a new challenge for Mercy. Her mate Adam’s ex-wife is in trouble, on the run from a stalker. Adam isn’t the kind of man to turn away a person in need—and Mercy knows it. But with Christy holed up in Adam’s house, Mercy can’t shake the feeling that something about the situation isn’t right.
Soon, her suspicions are confirmed when she learns that Christy has the farthest thing from good intentions. She wants Adam back and she’s willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen, including turning Adam’s pack against Mercy.
Mercy isn’t about to step down without a fight, but there’s a more dangerous threat circling. Christy’s stalker is more than a bad man—in fact, he may not be human at all. As the bodies start piling up, Mercy must put her personal troubles aside to face a creature with the power to tear her whole world apart.
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When I first began reading this book I couldn’t help but cringe at the ex-wife story line; Adam and Mercy are one of my absolute most favourite paranormal couples, so I wasn’t thrilled at the prospect of Briggs rocking their relationship’s boat. And admittedly, I did spend the initial chapters of this novel feeling skeptical about the story’s direction, and wishing that Thompson would stop being the bigger woman and finally wipe that stupid smile off Christy’s face with her fist. However, once the stalker’s true motivations come to light things really pick up, and NIGHT BROKEN is transformed into a un-puttable-down read whose ending you’ll need at least a full day to recover from.
Patricia Briggs continues to amaze me with the phenomenal character development that’s present throughout this series, and this installment was no different. I loved watching Mercy and Adam deal with one of the biggest (non life-threatening) challenges that their relationship has faced to date. Thompson’s mixed feelings about Christy are obvious and completely understandable, but I loved how she refused to stoop to the ex-wife’s level. Mercy’s confidence and unwavering faith in her and Adam’s bond was further proof that paranormal couples are capable of maintaining a healthy marriage. Also, however much I despised having Hauptman’s ex play a role in this book, I thought that the author did a bang up job of making Christy the character you just love to hate.
I found the first half of this novel to be a little on the slow side, mostly because of the necessity of Briggs having to develop the ex-wife’s boyfriend story line before being able to progress to the meat of NIGHT BROKEN’s plot. I was happy to see Coyote back for another round of mischief, and that Mercy’s Native American heritage continues to play a more important role as this series evolves. I enjoyed the mythology surrounding Guayota and his tibicena, and Laughingdog’s input on walkers added a few extra pieces to the MERCY THOMPSON puzzle.
Honey really surprised me in this installment; I thought she’d be president of the Christy fan club, but instead she’s actually one of Mercy’s biggest supporters. So, even though she might not like having a coyote as alpha, Honey respects Thompson’s place within the pack. I especially loved the scene where she makes all of the werewolves watch Mercy’s fight with Flores over-and-over again for “instructional purposes”, with Christy in tow. Samuel, Stefan, Wulfe and Tad are fabulous secondary characters, and I was pleased to see them out in full force in this book. Joel and Zack were also interesting additions to the Pack, and I’m really beginning to love that darned walking stick!
The ending is rather shocking and… abrupt, but I’m sure that it’ll all make sense in due time. One thing is for certain after this installment; Mercy is definitely proving to be a force to be reckoned with in her own right—North American pack alpha aside. NIGHT BROKEN made me cringe, cry, and pump my fists with delight; Briggs is at the top of her game!
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Owner, designer and main blogger behind Rabid Reads. Avid book reader, snowboard bunny, video gamer and Supernatural fan. I love all things paranormal, werewolves especially. Oh, and I’m Canadian, eh!
“wishing that Thompson would stop being the bigger woman and finally wipe that stupid smile off Christy’s face with her fist.”
YES! Call me immature, petty, or vengeful, but there were definitely a couple times where I wanted to knock Mercy off that high road she was walking and tell her to put Christy in her place:) I just adore Mercy. I like how she changes and grows in each installment, and I agree that she is definitely a force to be reckoned with!
I SO wanted there to be a girl fight! LOL Of course, Mercy would totally have owned Christy, but it still would have been satisfying to read.
Although I liked this installment I had some problems with it. I hated Adam’s passivity to Christy’s antics. I also hated that after everything Mercy has done for them they Pack has not accepted her yet. They really don’t deserve her.
I understand the issues you had with this installment, and I struggled with them at times as well, but overall the good far outweighed the bad IMO.
I was ready to choke Adam for letting Christy any where near his phone. I mean, come on, you know what she is doing. I’ve seen several reviews where people didn’t like this book, but I’m like you. I enjoyed it overall. I just wish that more people would’ve seen through Christy.
I can’t wait to see where Briggs goes with Gary and the change in Stefan. I also think that many of things that happen in this book will bring Mercy into the pack more fully.
Also, that thing at the end. Wonder where that is going???
Good! I was beginning to think I read a different book than everyone else cuz most of the other reviews I’ve read have been 3-4 stars, and peeps are saying that this is their least favourite book.
Yeah, that ending was interesting. We shall see I guess!
I gave it four, probably could have done 4.5. It would have been five, but the Christy thing was too much for that, for me anyway. I understand Adam wanting to let Mercy fight her own battles, but keep your damn phone out of her hands. That really bothered me.
I’ve seen several reviews that were three and I was surprised. I thought it was much better than that. I’ve read some that others loved and I thought were just okay. Everyone is allowed to like what they want, that is why there are so many books out there.
I still cannot believe Mercy didn’t eat her!! Awesome review:) and Adam needs to keep his dang phone in his pocket 🙂
Yeah, I know, RIGHT? I would have lost it a long time ago if I were her. And, Adam was just being stupid sometimes. You’d think he’d know better. I mean, he was married to the woman.
The emotional and character development sounds so well done!
Briggs knows her craft, that’s for sure!
I have to agree that the first half was a bit harder to get through. I was unhappy with Christy’s reappearance as well, and was starting to get the ‘filler book’ signals, but as soon as it picked up, it became downright spectacular. Briggs did what she does best and combined great action with character growth.
Lovely review!
She’s pretty good at the whole slight of hand thing too. Makes you think a story is going in one direction only to completely dumbfound you with the truth later on.
I’m glad this one is that good, I keep hearing great things about it and I confess it makes me curious. I really want to discover it, but I still need to read book 7. And I agree, I so want to wipe the smile off Christy’s face! It must be great to see that.
I kinda wish that Mercy would have lost it at some point, but on the flip side it also makes me happy that she and Adam’s relationship is that strong.
Glad to be forewarned, that the book picks up half-way through. So many of my favorite authors are loosing their drive the further they are along the series. I had to stop reading a few series in the last few months ;( Great review!
This series definitely has staying power. There were a few so-so installments, but I’m happy with it overall.
I enjoyed this one more than the last two. And with the fae thing and the ending I hope we get more of Tad in the next one.
Tad’s an interesting character for sure. I liked Frost Burned, but River Marked was a little meh. I’m not a huge fan of the “Urban Fantasy heroine goes on vacation” installment.
I haven’t started this yet, so I just saw the rating. YAY!
You might not feel the same way. LOL Most of the other reviewers don’t. o_O
Ok I totally just skimmed your review because I haven’t started this book yet – I have my preordered hard back sitting on the shelf yelling at me for scheduling COYER when it came out. I’m testing my will power to see if I can wait for April 1 to read it! But I’m thrilled it got 5 paws!!
You’re waiting until April? Are you MAD? 😉
Want, want want…in PB, sighs
Yeah, the price sucks. I can understand that. Plus, aren’t you still on a book buying ban?
I have seen this series all over the blogging world, but have yet to read any of the books. I enjoyed your review – “wipe that stupid smile off Christy’s face with her fist”. I like some humor with my weres. Have a great weekend.
Thanks Sherry, you too!
Yet another series that I’ve failed to start. I’m sort of a newcomer when it comes to UF books but I know that this series is a must. It sounds so good and I’m glad you enjoyed this one as well. Great review, Carmel 🙂
I just recently got caught up on this one myself. Thanks. 🙂
I still need to read the last book but I’m super excited to start on this one! I’m pleased to see you enjoyed it.
A wonderful review! 🙂
I just finished Night Broken and you are spot on! Oh I wanted to slap Christy and several of the wolves myself over all of the manipulation they were doing. I don’t think I could have risen above it like Mercy. My respect for Honey grew so much with this installment too and I loved that she made them all watch the video. I’m really curious how Gary’s going to figure into upcoming books.
I’m so embarrassed that I haven’t read this series yet. I will soon. I’m glad that you enjoyed it. 🙂