Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs

My very first Kindle read! And well, I was a little disappointed. Now I know that once you've read a few books in a series, there's always the danger that the stories will start to run together and sound the same. Pretty much each book becomes like the last one, only more so. That, thankfully wasn't the case. Briggs didn't let me down in that respect, the story was new, exciting and edgy.....

but....

Ok first things first, unless I'm missing something, and I hope I'm not, the writing style was different in this one. Something big would happen in the story, or something about the scene would change with absolutely NO set up. It left me flipping back and rereading paragraphs going "What the hell?" only to find the explanations a few more paragraphs in. Has she always written like that and I have been so captured by the story that I hadn't noticed, or is this something new? It was very distracting. Every time I had to stop and figure out where the hell she was coming from it took me out of my story- my frequent absences were apparently bad for Mercy because....

And here is problem #2- Mercy became a little wussy here. Yeah, I know. Shocking. I always knew that in order for Mercy and Adam to get together there would have to be a certain amount of compromise, and I was already expecting it to fall on Mercy to submit in this case because, well, Adam IS the Alpha and anything else would have made him seem weak which wouldn't have worked at all. So I get that. I'm fine with that part. But this was a bit much. First Mercy is rescued from this, and immediately following Mercy is kidnapped by that. Then oops Mercy's gone missing again. Found her! Wait, nope, someones threatening her life ONE MORE TIME.

And #3, the problem I alluded to in my Iron Kissed post.... This is not a romance story, it's good ol' fantasy fiction. That said there is, however, a very strong romance going on between Mercy and Adam. A gifted walker and the formidable Alpha. Mercy's hesitancy to submit to Adam wasn't in the cheap romance couldn't-give-in-to-a-rogue way. No, it was something more primal, between two very remarkable animal natures who are bound by instincts and laws that humans could never understand and they are trying to find a way to be with each other without destroying who they are. THAT IS IMPORTANT SHIT. It was hawt and fierce and and and...there was no sex. Please don't misunderstand, I'm not asking for porn on paper, but it is very important that someone who is writing a romance (be it the main focus of the book or not) address the emotional aspect that had to be in play when the Alpha finally physically joined with his mate. They had a giggly, hinted at romp which really didn't capture what's been building between them.

But then again, I guess I should be happy that Briggs didn't use the word "balls."

I read somewhere that Briggs has a deal for three more Mercy stories and I will wait on the edge of my seat to see what she comes up with next. I wasn't happy with this story but I am IN LOVE with the series and overall pleasantly surprised by Briggs. I'll forgive her the jumping around she did in this book, because, well, may be the story was a little bit overwhelming for her too. Still a huge fan.