Friday, July 16, 2010

Review: Moon Called...Or Starting At The Beginning

From Amazon.com:



Mercy Thompson's life is not exactly normal. Her next-door neighbor is a werewolf. Her former boss is a gremlin. And she's fixing a VW bus for a vampire. But then, Mercy isn't exactly normal herself.




Having just finished Moon Called, which by the way, I hate the fact I waited this long to pick it up. Especially when I recall, distinctly, picking up subsequent books in the series and biting my lip, contemplating and yet never indulging. I loved the covers, and each one seemed to call to attention the series, they belonged to one another. But I never did. Mostly because I have this really annoying habit of finding series in the middle, and while so far (knock on wood) its been pretty easy on me, the reviews and tweet of mouth, err, fingers? made me not want to do the tried and true method.






And while my TBR pile is really a mountain (or a mountain range as it were), I finally caved. Border's gifted me (as it does on a weekly basis) with a fabulous offer. Home Moon Called came (say that three times fast!)...






Let me tell you, a little vitamin d time and some Mercy make for an enjoyable afternoon...with no where to go save the cooler.






As I read, I felt a little biased. I checked out my fellow bloggers reviews (mostly on goodreads) and saw that a few thought it started a little slow. Perhaps a little long in explanation about Mercy? But, I found I liked that. It wasn't slow to me, more like an introduction. Of course, it was just enough in my eyes to allow the rest of the tale to fill in the spaces in between.






As a heroine, Mercy isn't your typical female, at least not at first glance. A tomboy mechanic who specializes in foreign (read mostly German) autos, she's independent and not afraid to get dirty. And she knows more than a walker (read, coyote) should about werewolves given that she's not. Especially since the area alpha lives right behind her trailer in his rather nice (hmm) abode. (It tickled me how she loved to push his buttons...three wheels, a little graffiti perhaps?) She had strong character but, unlike how some stories tend to make their female character either entirely strong willed and loud mouthed or simpering and obedient, Mercy knows how to handle a situation both politically and to her advantage. Its kinda refreshing.






The fabric of her world is woven in such a way that the story, like previously mentioned, fills in the details, at times with Mercy herself or just the situation she faces. Subtle and yet at times, kind of a here ya go. The distinction between the preternaturals was presented in such a way that really, it wasn't like you need an extra in the back of the book to keep everything straight.






The werewolves alpha in town gets attacked (and a lone wolf that Mercy took in gets killed), all in a tangled web of mysterious druggings, changings, and downright messiness. Oh, yeah, and his human daughter gets kidnapped. Mercy somehow gets herself wrapped up in this (but lets face it, the girl has great extincts combined with fierce loyalty and protectiveness so its not a surprise).


***Possible Spoiler in next paragraph***


Adam is badly hurt, possibly by a member of his own pack, that Mercy takes him to the only other alpha she knows that is more dominant to control the wolf (who wants to be dinner when you're trying to help?). Her old pack, whose alpha is the Marrock, Bran. The leader of all packs on this side of the ocean. With all the old baggage that comes with going back home (read sexy dominant first crush, and all that extended family fun). All the while, knowing someone deliberately attacked the area alpha...and there may be more beneath the surface.


Okay, you're good to go now.


As I read and finished my first Mercy Thompson Novel, I recalled how I felt when I read Guilty Pleasures for the first time by Laurell K. Hamilton. (But in that case I had in fact, my in tradition, started at Cerulean Sins...I'm a sucker for a stiletto.) Anita became a strong character who likewise didn't mind getting dirty. The beginning of series can do one of two things, I believe. It either makes you like it, care enough for the characters to want to see more and hope the next one is better. Or it begins the series in such a way that just itch to get the rest. Right then and there. And Guilty Pleasures was the latter for me. Eagerly, Moon Called also fits into that category.


If I had any complaint, its that for a late comer like me (in this and any series), I need a reading order folks. Sometimes you can't rely on the info on the first few pages. So I've taken to previously logging on Amazon or the authors site to get a reading order and making myself a nifty little list. Now, I have it at my fingertips (love you, my smart phone.)



Here's a link to help with this little annoyance!



And now, I can proudly say I am now on the Mercy Thompson Express. Or something not so cheesy sounding!





Contest:



Post a comment below to enter to win a copy of Red Fire by Deidre Knight...The first in the Gods of Midnight Novels, so you can start out right!



Rules:



1.) In your comment, tell me what series you've discovered and loved, yet you seemed the last to be in the know! (It's okay, there are like three I've found and about two more that I have to get a move on!)

2.) Please leave your email address or click on the link to send it to me if you'd prefer!

3.) This isn't a requirement, but you get an extra entry for being a follower (I love finding new blogs).



Good Luck! Contest ends Friday July 23rd....Good Luck!

17 comments:

  1. I'm so glad you started this series!! It's one of my favs!! Now you can share in the love! Woot!

    Ok, now to answer your question, I was super late starting the Anita series. I've only read the first Black Dagger Brotherhood book, though I have most of them, I'm still missing book 2 darn it. Oh, and I haven't read the Demonica series or the Breeds series, which I'm told is very awful of me. I will eventually though! :)

    and of course I'm a follower!

    notreallysouthernvampchick(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I just recently read the first four books in Rachel Vincent's Shifters series, mere months before the release of the last book DX

    My email is ArcadiaWearsPrada[at]yahoo[dot]com
    I am a follower.

    Thanks,
    Cade
    Braintasia Books

    ReplyDelete
  3. I feel like that a lot actually. Some of them are: Mortal Instruments, Hunger Games, Sookie Stackhouse, Bodyguard series (Cindy Gerard), The Novels of the Final Prophecy. Are just a few of the more recent ones.

    I am a follower.

    bacchus76 at myself dot com

    ReplyDelete
  4. 1.) In your comment, tell me what series you've discovered and loved, yet you seemed the last to be in the know! (It's okay, there are like three I've found and about two more that I have to get a move on!)

    The Millenium Series- The With The Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Kicked The hOrnets Nest and The Girl Who Played With Fire!!


    2.) Please leave your email address or click on the link to send it to me if you'd prefer!

    nedsped at gmail dot com

    3.) This isn't a requirement, but you get an extra entry for being a follower (I love finding new blogs).

    Old Follower!!

    Thank you!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I've just recently discovered the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning. It's really good!

    I'm a new follower

    Skk25@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. I would have to say that I was behind on reading Kim Harrison's book but when i got to them i love them.Still behind on a few more. always having to catch up.
    I'm a follower
    sasluvbooks(at)yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. I still haven't read Kim Harrison's Hollows series. I own books 1-3, I just haven't gotten to them yet. I was a little behind on Charlaine Harris's Sookie books. There were eight out already, although I did find them before Trueblood. I also haven't started Keri Arthur's Riley Jensen series yet (I have book 1) but I did name my kitten after the main character. I found the Mercedes Thompson series around the time book 3 came out. Other than that, I tend to find books early on in the series.

    I'm also a blog follower.

    Sara M
    sara_UFblog [at] yahoo [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Mine was the Twilight series. I read them all about a week before the first movie came out.

    Follower

    Ladytink_534(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  9. it took me forever to start reading the house of night novels (just never got around to it), and i was slow to the dresden files party too....now i have a lot of catching up to do...

    i am a follower

    k_sunshine1977 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I would say, just about every one of them, I am always the last to know. Recently, I have been reading the stephanie plum series. It is pretty good.
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. I forgot to add, I am a new gfc follower.
    debbie
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. I discovered the "Sisterhood Series" by Fern Michaels after the 5th book was out. I could not believe I did not know as I loved her other series. The 19th due out I think end of this yr and 20th in 2011. Awesome series with some a.. kicking ladies. They are smart, good looking, and know how to take care of those on their list.

    I am a new google follower

    Not-Really Southern Vamp Chick sent me over.

    Thanks for the opportunity to enter this giveaway.

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I've been told the Mercy books are awesome, and I need to collect them all and find time to read them. I am so behind.

    juliecookies(at)gmail.com

    I'm a follower.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Meljean Brook's Home of the Guardians series went under my radar for a long time.
    I'm a follower.
    marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Amanda!!! Hey lady! It's not THAT awful. I will forgive you (after all, I have you to thank for Barrons *wink*). But, you must read Avalon Revisited. *stern face*

    Cade...I kepp trying to get the first one. I am determined to start at the beginning, but its always out. GRR.

    Donnas...MORTAL INSTRUMENTS!!! I am obsessed. Horribly so. Can't wait for Clockwork Angel. Drool. And Mockingjay? I may have a heart attack. (Sookie still not sure. I have a friend who will not stop about that one. So to spite her, I am waiting *smile*)

    Books and Bane...DRAGON TATTOO! Must get.

    Stephanie...Not Really Southern Vamp Chick got me on this. LOVE. So different...

    Stacie...those covers are just amazing, and I want. Must get, too!

    Sara, you are the second to mention this today alone. Research is a coming!

    Ladytink...TEAM ALICE (must push that for my husband). Yeah, I like...a ton.

    K_sunshine1977, House of Night literally drove me insane (in the best possible way). But I am stuck on Burned right now.

    misskallie200, hmm, sounds like another for my TBR pile.
    Not really Southern Vamp Chick, she rocks.

    Julie, me, too!!!!!!!


    Thanks for the participation, I am floored! I can't wait to send out a prize to the lucky winner!!!

    *WAVES* Welcome, by the way!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I have found the children of the goddess series by R G Alexander and loving it

    meandi09@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thanks for coming on over...I loved your answers, and now I have more to add to my mountainous pile! Glad to know I'm not the only late comer to some of these series...

    Look for the winner on Saturday! Thanks again...

    ReplyDelete

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