Night Broken

[b:Night Broken|17562900|Night Broken (Mercy Thompson, #8)|Patricia Briggs|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1379437095s/17562900.jpg|24495112] is number eight in Patricia Briggs’ Mercy Thompson series and my introduction to the books.

After a late night visit from Fae Lord, Alistair Beauclaire, Mercy is given seven days to retrieve an artifact from Coyote. Unfortunately, no one seems to know how to find him and Mercy isn’t currently at the top of her game. A panicked phone call had forced Mercy and her husband, Adam, to open their home to his ex-wife, Christy. Now Christy is living with them as they protect her from a homicidal stalker.

Briggs is an engaging writer, but I have a problem with the fact that the rape of her heroines is a show more device she uses repeatedly. I found it hard enough to deal with it in her Alpha and Omega series, whose heroine has a brutal history of being repeatedly gang raped. So, I wasn’t chomping at the bit to dive into these books since I knew that, in one of the earlier stories, Mercy is sexually assaulted. In Night Broken, I was a little disturbed by how the rape was referred to consistently as just an assault. If I hadn’t known about it prior to going into the story I would’ve assumed that Mercy had just been beat-up. I was also horrified that there’s a video of it floating around, which almost everyone seems to have seen. I was further disturbed by the fact that everyone ignores what happened to Mercy and instead concentrates on how awesome/terrifying Adam was in it when he took out her attacker. This is not what should be concentrated on here. Why does it seems like the tape is getting passed around? Why does no one in this book see it as an extreme violation to have seen this tape? Why isn’t Mercy more upset by it? I really despised how this aspect was handled throughout the story.

Originally, I had chosen to start with this Mercy book because the plot interested me the most. I’m a sucker for stories where established relationships are going through a difficult time while danger stalks them. However, it didn’t work for me here. Mercy is having a tough time as Christy attempts to manipulate her way back into Adam’s life. Instead of doing anything about it, Mercy just keeps quiet. She constantly plays the martyr throughout this novel. By the end, I was so tired of her accepting the blame for every issue that arose and trying to take the heat for people who were at fault.

I also had a huge problem with how Adam handled Christy. He did nothing to protect his relationship with Mercy. If anything, I would say that he piled onto the issue by catering to Christy’s requests. I wasn’t on board with the excuse for his actions being that he didn’t want Mercy to look jealous and petty. I can understand (sort of) why Mercy would be concerned about everyone seeing her that way, as she’s trying to win people over. However, why is Adam so concerned by it? He’s in charge and people seem to adore him. Setting some clear boundaries and backing-up his wife instead of his ex should’ve been a no-brainer. I was further frustrated at how, by the end, nothing came from all the drama with Christy’s manipulations. We spent the majority of the book on Mercy’s angst around the topic and there was no real conclusion to it. The only thing I can think of is that Christy will still be flitting around in the next book and that’s why there was no closure there.

Despite my issues with the novel, I enjoyed the plot around Christy’s stalker and Briggs’ writing style is very smooth. It’s what kept me reading. However, I won’t be picking-up another Mercy book. I didn’t enjoy the characters, or their relationships with each other, enough to read another one. I’ll be sticking with just Briggs’ Alpha and Omega series for now. show less

First read: April 2014
Re-read: January 2018

I love this book; it is one of my favourites in the series. The first time I read it, I finished in less than a day and the second time around I again finished it really quickly because I couldn't put it down.

The plot is relatively straightforward; Adam's ex-wife Christy comes to stay with Adam and Mercy after being attacked by an ex-lover turned stalker. It is possible that he also killed another of Christy's ex-lovers and now she is in fear for her life. Adam and the rest of the pack are working towards tracking her ex - Juan Flores - so that Christy can go back to her regular life.

The element of the story that kept pulling me in was the contrast between Mercy and Christy, and how Christy show more tried to use that, as well as her shared history with Adam, to undermine Mercy and regain her status as the Alpha's wife while sharing a house with them.

There was also a couple of good scenes that added more to Mercy's background. She finds out she has a half-brother named Gary Laughingdog who she gets on well with, and has a family moment with her father Coyote and her brother as they help to track Juan Flores.

I also read this little nod to The Dresden Files with a smile:
The lawyer's assistant, who was scribbling down notes, lit right up. "Magic is supposed to affect electricity like that. I've read that wizards can't be in the same room with things like computers and stuff."
I knew where she'd read that. I bit my lip. It was to our advantage to spread a little misinformation whenever we could. (p274) show less

I've been avoiding my computer all day, because I knew I'd have to write this review (well, ok, I don't have to, but I'm willingly committed to saying something about each book I read). And I don't really know what to say - I liked the book, but I'm a bit conflicted.

I would definitely count myself a fan of the Mercy Thompson series and Patrica Briggs' writing in general, and, make no mistake, I devoured this book and enjoyed it. I'd tell anyone who has read her books that this one is a worthy entry. If asked about it, I guess this is about what I would say:

A really good read. This book felt like it had a bit more humour that most of the others in the series; one-liners or dialogue that are funny but not comedic. We get to see Mercy show more struggle with being the better woman when Adam's ex-wife comes to town. We find out more information (although not much) about Coyote and another walker is introduced.

But two things I'd mention about the story. The first one is a bordering-on-eye-rolling thing. The first scene where we meet Christie's stalker reminded me a bit of the over-the-topness from some of the final scenes of River Marked. I really love how Ms. Briggs weaves different myths and cultures into the Mercy universe and this one is no different. She had me going to Wikipedia to learn more. I just felt like that first scene was overdone. The final scene was fantastic though; really, really well written.

The second struggle I have is an on-going one with the whole series. It is a testament to Ms. Briggs excellent writing and subtle (most of the time) handling of difficult or dark issues that keeps me coming back, book after book. But I can't stand reading about anyone hurting animals. Hate, hate, hate it and normally I just close the book and get rid of it when I stumble across one that includes animal cruelty/sacrifice/anything-that-isn't snuggly. But the Mercy books (and at least one Alpha & Omega) include animal death. It isn't dwelt on, or detailed (much) and it's usually after the fact, but it's still really difficult for me to get through and it diminishes my enjoyment of the books.

If Ms. Briggs granted me one wish, it would be that future story lines wouldn't include bad things happening to good animals and a solemn oath that nothing will ever happen to Medea. Because I have serious angst about that sweet cat and her continued safety.

But Ms. Briggs doesn't know me or have any reason to grant me wishes, so I'll keep on reading, keeping my fingers crossed for the critters, and focussing on all the great things that make this series worth reading. show less

I noticed that many of the reviews for this installment were unhappy about Mercy's attitude & characterization concerning the relationship drama over Christy back in Mercy & Adam's lives. And, I have to agree that the angst got on my last nerve as well, and was easily the weakest part of the book. It veered too strongly away from urban fantasy and into paranormal romance. Not that I don't enjoy PR; but it's a tonal shift for this series that I hope is only a one off thing. It got beyond ridiculous that most of the pack continuously coddled and sided with Christy, even after it was revealed that she withheld information that put them all in danger. This woman abandoned their alpha and her daughter, put them at risk, and they simply show more ignore because she's a good cook? *eye roll*

That said, I found the mystery/plot to be very engaging, and while not quite as exciting as Frost Burned, it was very good. Naturally, what is after Christy is not merely human. And, its appearance when the werewolves are fighting to maintain a good reputation toward humanity in the wake of the Fae crisis could not be more..inconvenient. In addition to this problem, the Gray Lord Beauclaire has returned for his walking stick and Mercy has one week to retrieve it from Coyote.

A couple new and interesting characters come into play with this story, which helps expand Mercy's world. I was also happy to see her growing more comfortable with her role in the pack, and earn some much needed respect amongst some of them. However, it's somewhat frustrating that Mercy has NO female friends aside from her step-daughter Jesse. This is just unrealistic, honestly, and I hope that Briggs remedies that. Honey being the most likely, and best candidate.

Overall, I found this to be a very good installment of the series. But I seriously hope we've seen the last of Christy. She could easily sink the whole thing. show less

Pretty good, right up until the last chapter. Fizzled right out. I mean, Mercy and Adam really do make up for it, but the end was a bit of a let down. I was really unhappy with Mercy slut-shaming Christy, even if her lecture ended sort-of okay, but I was totally giving Mercy the side-eye.

I am looking forward to the next book, because I think Stefan is going to be around, but I'm really not feeling all too invested in the series anymore. I love the hell out of books 1-5 but these last 3 have felt almost lackadaisical. This may just be psychological though, because I read the hardcover and all of the formatting felt like filler. The lines are spaced very widely and the font was on the large side. The book is about 340 pages long, but show more could have easily lost 1/3 if it was formatted differently. show less

Things are going well for Mercy, her husband Adam, and Adam's pack until Adam gets a phone call from his ex-wife asking for help because she has a stalker. He can't turn her down and Mercy is going to help, too, despite the fact that she knows Christy for the vindictive, manipulative kind of person who won't be good for their new balance.

As soon as she arrives, Christy begins her insidious ways and tried to nudge Mercy out of her new place in the Pack while making it look like Mercy has it in for her. Besides, she isn't very forthcoming about the man she insists is stalking her.

When the stalker visits Mercy's garage, it becomes apparent that Christy has been leaving things out. It turns out that her stalker is a volcano god who has show more fixated on Christy. Some immortal whose ability to channel fire is not something any of them have dealt with before or know how to deal with now.

In addition, one of the Gray Lords is also on Mercy's case to return the walking stick that has been following her around for the last few books. Because it was developing a taste for blood, Mercy had gifted it to Coyote and now she can't find him.

Mercy does find a brother she never knew she had. Gary hates Coyote and blames him for all sorts of dangerous situations he has gotten him into. This situation is no different. Gary's visions are essential for Mercy to find a way to defeat the volcano god and protect those she loves.

This was engaging, fast-paced and entertaining. I like the sharp contrast between Mercy and Christy which shows that Adam has learned to make better choices about the women he loves. I like that Mercy has such a strong protective streak and won't let anyone she cares about suffer. show less

I read through this in just over 12 hours due to some awful insomnia. I adore the Mercy Thompson books, and I adored most of this one. I am giving it 4 stars instead of my usual enthused eleventy-billion because I have real problems with the first section in which Adam's ex-wife shows up and everyone involved fails to set appropriate boundaries and tell Mercy on multiple occasions that their money is on her beating Christy.

This is a hugey-big-no-good-very-bad and entirely unacceptable problem. Patriarchy loves setting women at odds with one another for two reasons. First, women who are competeing with each other are too busy to dismantle the power structures that restrict them, and secondly, this behavior then functions to affirm the show more centrality and importance of the man they're fighting over (and subsequently of patriarchy). In short, setting up women to compete with one another, to police one another's behavior and/or to dis one another supports exploitative and damaging social systems. And while Briggs' work has at times very definitely done some problematic things, this is FAR and away the worst I have seen since she has been publishing and I am very disappointed that this book's premise relies so heavily on a tired and nasty overdone trope.

Setting the Christy crap aside, the rest of this book stood up pretty well, the mythology was interesting and unique, we get some more interaction with Coyote, as well as some play with the political fallout from Beaclaire's declaration of war on humanity from Hunting Ground. I wish we could have heard more from Ben, definitely missed him. But getting to know Darrell, and Honey, better was a total plus. show less