Moon Called by Patricia Briggs
Narrated by Lorelei King
Series: Mercy Thompson #1
Ace / Penguin Audio
Publication Date: January 31, 2006 (print) & September 9, 2009 (audible version)
Date Read: February 6, 2016 (2nd read)
Source: Purchased – Audible
Length: 9 hours 14 minutes
★★★★★
Mercedes “Mercy” Thompson is a talented Volkswagen mechanic living in the Tri-Cities area of Washington. She also happens to be a walker, a magical being with the power to shift into a coyote at will. Mercy’s next-door neighbor is a werewolf. Her former boss is a gremlin. And she’s fixing a bus for a vampire. This is the world of Mercy Thompson, one that looks a lot like ours but is populated by those things that go bump in the night. And Mercy’s connection to those things is about to get her into some serious hot water…
I love it when I can read a book for a second time and enjoy even more than the first time. There are a few book worlds that I hate to leave and Mercy’s world is one of them. When I finished reading Fire Touched recently, I wanted more Mercy so I decided it was time to listen to some of the audiobooks from this series that have been sitting in my audible account for a couple of years. I was surprised by how much more I liked it this time around.
This is the first book in the Mercy Thompson series and it does a really good job of introducing a large number of the key players in the series. This book is one of the really great first books in an urban fiction series. All of the world building works nicely into the plot. The book opens with a lot of excitement and you just kind of learn how things work as the plot moves forward.
I loved going back to spend time with an earlier Mercy. She is such a wonderful character. She is extremely brave in this story despite being fully aware of her limitations. She is smart and able to make good decisions under pressure. She really shows a protective side in this story with both Mac and Jesse which I really liked. It was really fun spending time with Adam, Samuel, Bran, Zee, Stephen, Jesse, Warren, and the rest of gang in this book.
The mystery in this book was solid. When a young werewolf ends up in Mercy’s garage, she quickly learns that some strange things are happening. Adam is quickly pulled into the mystery and is actually quite vulnerable during much of this book. Mercy and the werewolves must find out what is going on and what their motives are in order to keep everyone safe. I really liked seeing how many things from later in the series were foreshadowed in this book. There were so many things that I didn’t pick up on during my first reading.
It took me a few minutes to adjust to the narration of this audiobook. Don’t get me wrong, I thought the narration was great in the end but Mercy is a character that I have been reading about for years so I had a preconceived notion about what her voice should sound like. The narrator didn’t match the voice in my head at the beginning of the story but by the end her voice was Mercy’s. I think that the narrator did a fabulous job with all of the different character voices. I really enjoyed how much emotion came across in her reading of the story. I definitely plan to listen to more audiobooks featuring Lorelei King’s narration.
I would highly recommend this book and series to fans of urban fiction. The Mercy Thompson series along with the Alpha & Omega series which is set in the same world are among my favorites. This is a series that is best read in order so this book is a great starting point. I am looking forward to re-reading the second book in the series very soon.
About the Author
Photo: © Mike Briggs #1 New York Times bestselling author Patricia Briggs lives in Washington State with her husband, children, and a small herd of horses.
I've never heard of this series before. SO glad to now that you enjoyed it even though it's a 'reread' It sounds like a great read with a solid mystery. I'm not a paranormal reader though so the mere mention of werewolf put me on doubt. Great review, though 🙂
czai @ the Blacksheep Project
If you don't like paranormal things, this would not be the series for you. I love books that involve werewolves, vampires, and really anything out of the ordinary. Thanks!
This is an author that is totally on my radar as of late. I really think I might pick up this series at some point as so many love it. Glad to hear the audio did work out for you even if it took a minute to get used to it. Great review!
I have found that with a series that I love it usually takes me a minute to get used to a narrator. I always have an idea of what the character should sound like in my head from years of reading a series. Thanks!
This looks like a great series! I will need to look into adding this to my TBR list. I love your view on the audiobook I feel like I could be totally thrown by the voice if it is not what you are expecting.
It is a wonderful series. I have been imagining Mercy's voice for years and of course this isn't the same voice. I did really enjoy the audio and highly recommend it.
I have been wanting to try this author out so badly….her books sound amazing, and you have me tempted to pick her up NOW!! Great review.
I think that you would really enjoy this series. They are really that good. Thanks!
Another series that I must start soon. Great review!
I think that you will like this one, Lekeisha! I hope you get a chance to read it soon. Thanks!
I'm not familiar with this series but I might have to check it out 🙂 Great review!
It is such a good series. One of my absolute favorites. I hope you do get a chance to check it out.
This is one of my favorite UF series, Carole, and one I have on audio as well. It's the only way I 'let' myself re-read books 🙂 Because I can say that the audio is a different experience. I'm so happy you enjoyed the narration, and that Mercy was still spectacular in the very beginning 🙂
Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews
I love doing rereads with audio. A large portion of the audiobooks that I own are books that I have already read. I do love rereading my favorite books.
This is one of my favorite series. The lack of sex made the books sexier because it focuses more on Mercy's connection with Adam. It's more intimate IMO plus the action sequences and mysteries are all well written. Love this to the moon and back!
I agree completely. Mercy and Adam's relationship is really wonderful. It was so much fun and see so many hints of things that will come later in the series. One of my favorites!
This series is setting on my Audible wishlist. I was going to read it, but think I'll go with audio. A lot of people love Lorelei King's narrating.
I have about half of the series sitting in my audible account but it looks like I am going to have to pick up the other half this year. It is a really good listen and Lorelei King did a fabulous job.