Mercy Thompson, car mechanic and shapeshifter, faces a threat unlike any other in this thrilling entry in the #1 New York Times bestselling series. I am Mercedes Athena Thompson Hauptman. My only “superpowers” are that I turn into a thirty-five pound coyote and fix Volkswagens. But I have friends in odd places and a pack of werewolves at my back. It looks like I’m going to need them.Centuries … going to need them.
Centuries ago, the fae dwelt in Underhill—until she locked her doors against them. They left behind their great castles and troves of magical artifacts. They abandoned their prisoners and their pets. Without the fae to mind them, those creatures who remained behind roamed freely through Underhill wreaking havoc. Only the deadliest survived.
Now one of those prisoners has escaped. It can look like anyone, any creature it chooses. But if it bites you, it controls you. It lives for chaos and destruction. It can make you do anything—even kill the person you love the most. Now it is here, in the Tri-Cities. In my territory.
It won’t, can’t, remain.
Not if I have anything to say about it.
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Patricia Briggs does it again! I absolutely loved this book. I finished it in less than 12 hours. The only bad part is now I have wait for the next book!
Smoke Bitten is the 12th book in the Mercy Thompson series, a story about a coyote shifter who is married to an Alpha werewolf. Each book has a new series of problems and new bad guys to defeat and this one was no different. I love that we get such a nice mix of the paranormal creatures. Werewolves of course are at the heart of every book, but we often see vampires, fey, and other things as Merry and her pack try to keep the tri-states area safe.
In this book we have a mysterious creature going around and biting people. Through its bite its able to take over the person, control them, and make them do terrible things. We don’t know its origin or its purpose but once a member of the pack is bitten Mercy and Adam have no choice but to go to battle.
I absolutely recommend this book!
You know how as a series goes on for a long time you start to wish the author would just stop? I never feel that about this series. The Mercy Thompson books continue to entertain and delight each time they come out. There was a short period of one or two books where things felt like they were starting to drag but they are totally back on track now.
Even when we cover situations that have repeatedly come up before, like certain pack members taking Adam’s ex’s side against Mercy, Adam and Mercy having relationship issues, they are usually written from a fresh perspective and I don’t find them repetitive at all.
My usual complaint about the oversexualized covers with aspects that don’t fit the character, still stands though this one was slightly better, mostly because we only see her upper body I think. Don’t get me wrong they are always beautiful and eye-catching, but they don’t fit Mercy. The feather earrings always seem like overkill to make sure we remember that she’s native American, she almost never dresses sexy, and it’s repeatedly said in the book that she has one tattoo—but for some reason the designers always cover her in ink. It annoys me, but not enough to skip the books.
I don’t let the covers affect the rating because it’s almost never the author’s choice, but I do keep thinking if I say it enough the publisher will work on coming up with a cover that suits the main character better.
Honestly, I don’t know what more to say about this series that I haven’t said in the other reviews I’ve given. This is a solid series with great characters, engaging dialogue, and lots of action. Love it and can’t wait for more.
Content Warning: There’s a couple non-graphic sex scenes in it. They’re quick and pretty vague / not detailed; easily skipable if you wish to do so. I’d say they’re on a PG-13 level.
I just love Mercy and the gang. I’ve been making my way through this series and now that I’m all caught up I’m a bit sad. I just adore Mercy and Adam so much. Adam is going through some things in this one and it absolutely broke my heart but we all know Mercy isn’t one to just let things slide. There was so much going on in this one and it is impossible to put down. I absolutely inhaled this book!
Another explosively good Mercedes story.
Mercy has not only her own issues to deal with but that of her pack and her mate.
Adam hasn’t been himself since they killed the witches including their pack witch Elizaveta.
Now they have someone body-snatching and it involves none other than the Fae. Everything that happens in this story is sticky and keeps our Mercy on her toes.
Absolutely one of my favorites thus far and anticipating what or who is next.
**I read this book via my Local Library and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review of this book**
I have loved every book in the Mercy Thompson series and this one was no exception. Of course I love Mercy and Adam; that goes without saying. But the story line just gets better and better. However I also love so many of the side characters – if you could even call them that. I love Jesse and Aiden, I love Ben and Stefan and, at this point, even Bran and Wolfe. This particular story was filled with an abundance of fantasy and fairytales as well as some unique struggles between Mercy and Adam. It kept me reading until 3:30 AM. As always, at the end of Smoke Bitten, I am already filled with anticipation for book #13!
LOVE MERCY THOMPSON HAUPTMAN!!! When self-isolating during a global pandemic, nothing better than reading about a bad ass female, kicking @$$ and taking names. So what that she’s got some silly marital issues going on, BFD!!! She can still pound the ever living @$$ outta of obnoxious supernatural dickwads who think she’s no threat just because she’s a girl. GO MERCY!!!
i couldn’t put it down, now to wait for the next one!
One of the most action packed Mercy Thompson novels yet. One of my favorite series of all time.
Patricia never fails to deliver awesome books. I love Mercy´s books but I can say I was ready to kick Adam in this one… I love how they are not a perfect couple and they have fights and insecurities but their love is so strong that it survives all. Cant wait for the next
I tried to read it Slow!!
Mercy and the gang are just too much fun to read slowly! Fear, laughs, creeps, sassy kids, bad killers, creepy bad killers, and good killers! They are all here! Loved it!
Patricia Briggs is at her best with every book she writes. From characters that are like friends to excitement and originality, you can always count on her to give a can’t put down read. Highly recommend. I can’t wait for her next book. She is the best of the best.
The writing with this series feels as if the author is under pressure to turn out the next book. The characters are shallow, predictable, the story line redundant.
Love the Mercy Thompson series! Always keeps my interest.
Mercy Thompson Hauptman is a coyote shifter, Volkswagen mechanic, and mate to the werewolf alpha. Things quickly get out of hand when Underhill decides to create a door on their property, and unleashes a smoky enemy. The smoke creature can control anyone he bites and leave chaos and death in its wake. Now Mercy and the pack have to find it and stop it before it gains too much power.
This book was one of my most anticipated books of this year and it did not disappoint. I am a huge fan of this series and can read it over and over without ever growing tired of it. I always recommend this series to anyone looking for a good book. I already want to reread this book because I cannot get enough of this series!
This book has a slower pace than previous books in the series, but it worked beautifully for the situation. It was a bit of a mystery with Mercy trying to identify and stop the monster. While slower paced, it was still an exciting story with plenty of action to keep it interesting. Mercy and Adam are also experiencing marital problems in this book, which really concerned me at first but by the end I felt that they will pull through it and be a stronger couple for it.
Overall, this was a wonderful and different addition to the series. Even after twelve books, Briggs is able to keep the story fresh and exciting and make you long for more. I cannot wait for the next book and wonder what shenanigans Mercy will get into next.
Mercy Thompson is one of my favorite fictional characters in modern fantasy.
Favorite characters-I love Ben and Warren!, a strong mystery, some discord, and a whole lot of curiosity made Smoke Bitten a very good read! But marital issues for Mercy and Adam?!
Smoke Bitten was a slight departure from the last few books in terms of action and suspense, yet the mystery Mercy is tasked to solve was intriguing and kept me guessing for quite some time. The ulterior motives of Underhill, the suspicious activities of Wulfe, the weirdness surrounding the wolves…there was a lot happening!
But what really had me gobsmacked was the marital discord between Mercy and Adam! Obviously these two are both very strong willed individuals and they have a good share of highs and lows…okay, maybe more than the average bookish couple- but at heart, I’m a firm believer in happy ever afters. I like my little bubble of happy sunshine rays when I’m reading about my favorite couple, so being left on tender hooks while they got themselves sorted was slightly nerve wracking!
Overall, this was a really good read and I’m ready for the next adventure!
Mercy, Adam and the wolfpack are back in another adventure~ Adam has something inside him leftover from the last battle they won…it is sinister and affecting the mating bond. Mercy knows something is off but cannot figure it out. She comes across a jackrabbit that seems out of place. She sees her neighbor’s ghost and goes running for her house only to discover her husband and her dead…with an alien magical signature left behind. One thing the dead husband and a few others have in common is a bite that releases smoke. It did not work on Mercy when bitten because Wulfe came along and saved her. Speaking of Wulfe, he has a new strange obsession with Mercy and is stalking her~ they will have to deal with a smoking monster, Adam’s problem, a rogue group of werewolves containing an assassin, and the Underhill this round~ Mercy always seems to be surrounded by life and death battles…but she is the daughter of Chaos…or Crow~ Others always underestimate her and her abilities. This time she will prove once more do not mess with her family, friends, pack and most especially her mate!
I love all of Mercy Thompson’s books. The world and characters Patricia Briggs has created are awesome. I can’t thank-you enough for sharing your stories with the world. Aiden has quickly won my heart. The twists of Wulfes’ character intrigue me so! Christy needs to go on permanent vacation!!!!! I laughed, cried,got frustrated at Adam(come man time to share!!!!!!). If love Mercys’ chaotic world jump in!!!!!
Always brilliant and unpredictable!