Sara's Review: Iron Kissed (Mercy Thompson #3) by Patricia Briggs

REVIEWER PURCHASE PUBLISHER: Penguin Audio RELEASED: November 1, 2009 GENRE: PARANORMAL ROMANCE LENGTH: 9 hours and 11 minutes FORMAT: EBOOK, AUDIBLE, PAPERBACK

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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...

FIVE BOUNDLESS STARS

Having originally started this series nine years ago, I didn't remember too many details about the first two books. However, this book Iron Kisses stuck with me. SPOILERS AHEAD Zee, Mercy's ex-boss and a dear friend, asks for her help tracking down a killer on the fae reservation. Zee is arrested for the Murders, and Mercy isn't having it knowing he is innocent. As Mercy starts to solve the case, she is drugged by a fae artifact and raped. Briggs isn't graphic in the rape scene, thank goodness. But the emotional upheaval that happens to Mercy makes me angry, devastated, depressed, and so, so very sad for her. I cried the first time I read it and the second time listening to it. This is such a violation of such a brave, strong woman that brings her to such a low point. It's devastating. Again I am just truly thankful that the scene wasn't graphic. I was crying so much my Husband even asked me what was wrong. So much so this plotline has stuck with me over nine years. Maybe not some of the finer details but what happens to Mercy. This book is devastating, but it shapes who Mercy is and ultimately strengthens the woman she becomes (in later books). Iron Kissed is the linchpin in Mercy's development.