Review: Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs

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.
(Blurb from Penguin Group website.)

Blood Bound is the second book in the Mercedes Thompson series by Patricia Briggs. Mercedes, Mercy for short, is a mechanic in the Tri-Cities . That's not what makes her so special, though. Mercy is a coyote shapeshifter or a "Walker". She was raised by a pack of werewolves, though was always on the outside of the pack. In the first book Moon Called, we learned that most vampire powers do not seem to work on Mercy. It is for that very reason that her friend Stefan, who is also a vampire, calls her and asks her for assistance when he goes to speak with another vampire, but this vampire is not all that he appears.

Some evils simply exist on their own. Others are made even worse. Still others seek more power and in this quest destroy everything in their path. Vampires and demons are not supposed to co-exist. Most know it, but someone apparently did not. Now it isn't only the vampires that have an enemy to worry about, but everyone.

A murdering demon-possessed, vampire is on the loose and no one is happy, especially not the vampires. The fae and the werewolves have shown themselves to the public. Well, they've shown their good sides to the public. The vampires are still in the shadows. Now there is someone causing complete chaos and rousing some suspicions, which no one really wants, the vampire seethe especially, and they will do what they must to cover their tracks.

This is one of my favorite series so far. Mercy is a heroine that is sassy and strong even though surrounded by alpha guys (literally). It does bother me that everyone close to her tells her that she's the weakest and needs to stay out of things, when all the really scary and powerful creatures are either afraid or respectful of her. I would take a hint from them personally, but maybe that's just me. At least the guys usually make up for the overprotective stuff by listening to her and taking her advice when things matter.

Speaking of alpha type guys. Mercy's next door neighbor Adam Hauptman is the alpha of the local werewolf pack. The chemistry between him and Mercy is sizzling, and I can't wait to see what all develops there. I don't think this could be a good urban fantasy series without a love triangle though, so there's also Dr. Sam Cornick, son of the head werewolf in the US. He and Mercy have an interesting past, and now he's her roommate. I'm sure that won't get at all complicated. Oh, not to mention all the hints that were given in even the first book that Mercy's vampire friend might think of her as a bit more. So, what do we have now, a square? I love all the guys sadly, so it makes it so hard, but Mercy and Adam fit the best together.

Blood Bound is a fast paced read, with one of my favorite main characters and a slew of lovable secondary characters. There was plenty of action and enough romance to keep me satisfied without taking away from the pace of the story. I'm hooked on this series and can't wait to read Iron Kissed!!

Mercedes Thompson series in the order it should be read:
1. Moon Called
2. Blood Bound
3. Iron Kissed
4. Bone Crossed
5. Silver Borne (March 30, 2010)
6. Mercy #6 (Spring 2011)

For more information check out Patricia Briggs's Website.