Patricia Briggs' "Mercy Thompson" series

[Nyktipolos]

It's definitely not as bad as series of this kind of genre tend to be and that's the best thing I can say about it. Of course, I live in the Tri-Cities where the books are set and I can't say I appreciate the attention. (How long before movies start coming out and people are busting into town for Twilight-esque tours??)

After reading the first book (which I loved, btw) I don't see it coming to the big screen any time soon. Mercy is her own character, not a stand-in for the author or the readers (like Bella is), and she's also fiercely independant (not like Bella), despite the men she's attracted to around her (I feel like a broken record here), both of which movie companies that are just looking for the money arn't looking for.

[Aine Rayne]

After reading the first book (which I loved, btw) I don't see it coming to the big screen any time soon. Mercy is her own character, not a stand-in for the author or the readers (like Bella is), and she's also fiercely independant (not like Bella), despite the men she's attracted to around her (I feel like a broken record here), both of which movie companies that are just looking for the money arn't looking for.

I agree, the series is very excellent, I thoroughly recommend it. However, like Nykti said Mercy is way too awesome for them to make a series with her. She's extremely independent and intelligent and it's amazing they did the Hunger Games as a movie. Not to mention it takes her several books to actually get in bed with anyone. Like, four books I believe. She does her own thing and kicks ass as a real heroine as opposed to an overbearing, obsessive, codependent girl who can barely think or care for herself and is way too emotional and lacking in common sense. Mercy and Katniss are total opposites to Bella.

[Lokabrenna]

Has anyone here read Patricia Briggs' "Mercy Thompson" series? Is it any good?

For some reason, I stopped reading this series after reading "Iron Kissed". I have no idea why, maybe because I was waiting so long for the next one (in paperback) and when it came out I was just all "meh" and didn't bother picking it up again. Maybe I should give it a go again...

Also, I'm sure it's been said but WTF is up with those sexed-up covers? It's such a horrible trend in Urban Fantasy! I found the cover for Iron Kissed to be especially cringe-worthy. Gods, that is just awful....

[Aine Rayne]

For some reason, I stopped reading this series after reading "Iron Kissed". I have no idea why, maybe because I was waiting so long for the next one (in paperback) and when it came out I was just all "meh" and didn't bother picking it up again. Maybe I should give it a go again...

Also, I'm sure it's been said but WTF is up with those sexed-up covers? It's such a horrible trend in Urban Fantasy! I found the cover for Iron Kissed to be especially cringe-worthy. Gods, that is just awful....

Actually I find Moon Called and Bone Crossed to be worse. And you're right, that seems to be a trend in Urban Fantasy. I've got plenty of great books that don't have that much sex in it (like the Mercy Thompson series) that have these super sexed covers

[Kylara]

Also, I'm sure it's been said but WTF is up with those sexed-up covers? It's such a horrible trend in Urban Fantasy! I found the cover for Iron Kissed to be especially cringe-worthy. Gods, that is just awful....

I love the Mercy books, they are one of my favorite series, and one that I reread on average once a year. And I'll admit, I bought my first two at a used book store and was drawn to them by the title Blood bound (I enjoy vampire things) and then the cover art (Mainly her tattoos actually, though I do like them overall). After having read the books, I will say that I don't think Mercy would actually walk around like that though!

What I love about Mercy is that she is very opinionated, but she isn't all powerful. She makes mistakes, she deliberately does things she knows she will have to answer for later, and sometimes she is just completely outclassed and not thinking about winning but running away and surviving.

I also like the sister series Alpha and Omega. Have read all the books in both (including the first Mercy graphic novel that hubby got me for Christmas a couple years back).

The only other book by her I have read is Dragon Bones (I have the sequel to it but can't bring myself to read it). I was actually pretty disappointed, which has made me drag my heels on reading some of her other series'. I think I just didn't like the main character at all.

[Aine Rayne]

I love the Mercy books, they are one of my favorite series, and one that I reread on average once a year. And I'll admit, I bought my first two at a used book store and was drawn to them by the title Blood bound (I enjoy vampire things) and then the cover art (Mainly her tattoos actually, though I do like them overall). After having read the books, I will say that I don't think Mercy would actually walk around like that though!

What I love about Mercy is that she is very opinionated, but she isn't all powerful. She makes mistakes, she deliberately does things she knows she will have to answer for later, and sometimes she is just completely outclassed and not thinking about winning but running away and surviving.

I also like the sister series Alpha and Omega. Have read all the books in both (including the first Mercy graphic novel that hubby got me for Christmas a couple years back).

The only other book by her I have read is Dragon Bones (I have the sequel to it but can't bring myself to read it). I was actually pretty disappointed, which has made me drag my heels on reading some of her other series'. I think I just didn't like the main character at all.

I love the alpha and omega series too

[SunflowerP]

Also, I'm sure it's been said but WTF is up with those sexed-up covers? It's such a horrible trend in Urban Fantasy!

For that matter, in fantasy in general (and quite a few other genres as well). As the saying goes, "Sex sells!" - but does it? And to whom does it sell?

A writer friend of mine, who takes a good deal of interest in the workings of the publishing industry, was talking about this just the other day. Apparently, when it comes to book covers, who sex sells to are the buyers for chain bookstores, which until quite recently has been a heavily (het) male-dominated field. When buyers are choosing books in a genre that isn't one they're interested in, they're likely to choose for often-superficial reasons that have little to do with why readers of the genre choose books. (This is also why, a decade or so ago, so many genre romances had bodice-ripper covers even if they weren't bodice-rippers.)



I can't cite any sources in support of this, but if people are interested, I can ask my friend to provide some.

Sunflower