River Marked by Patricia Briggs

Ace, 2011
ISBN: 0441019730
Available: Hardcover and multiformat digital

Just as Lord of the Rings established a plethora of fantasy standards Patricia Briggs’ Mercy Thompson series has left its mark on urban fantasy. In this sixth book of the series, Mercy has made her commitment to the local werewolf alpha, Adam. In fact, after a surprise wedding (like a surprise birthday party), Adam whisks Mercy off on a ten day camping trip in a plush trailer lent to them by the fae. Since the fae never give anything for free, both Mercy and Adam are suspicious, but determined not to let that ruin their alone time. Then a river monster, an ancient Native American cannibal, rises and claims Mercy as its own.

Briggs is excellent at drawing in both readers and multicultural magical elements. In this story she isolates Adam and Mercy from their pack, and sets them up against what might as well be a god. Briggs reminds readers that they don’t need European vampires and Nordic werewolves for intrigue and adventure: America has plenty of secrets all its own.

This series is very popular, for good reason. It strikes a perfect balance between urban fantasy elements—romance, mystery, horror and magic. It is led by strong, but not perfect characters whose power might set them apart with a less talented literary hand. Instead Briggs keeps them human, valiant, noble, challenged and even light-hearted. Readers looking to try out urban fantasy would do well to start here, and a librarian on a tight budget will most likely see this series gives a high interest value for the money.

Contains: violence, language, sexual situations