Frost Burned

Mercy Thompson, Book 7

By: Patricia Briggs

Narrated by: Lorelei King

Length: 10 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

Mercy Thompson returns in the seventh novel in the number-one New York Times best-selling series.

Mercy Thompson's life has undergone a seismic change. Becoming the mate of Adam Hauptman—the charismatic Alpha of the local werewolf pack—has made her a stepmother to his daughter, Jesse, a relationship that brings moments of blissful normalcy to Mercy's life. But on the edges of humanity, what passes for a minor mishap on an ordinary day can turn into so much more....

After an accident in bumper-to-bumper traffic, Mercy and Jesse can't reach Adam—or anyone else in the pack for that matter. They've all been abducted.

Through their mating bond, all Mercy knows is that Adam is angry and in pain. With the werewolves fighting a political battle to gain acceptance from the public, Mercy fears Adam's disappearance may be related—and that he and the pack are in serious danger. Outclassed and on her own, Mercy may be forced to seek assistance from any ally she can get, no matter how unlikely.

©2013 Patricia Briggs (P)2013 Penguin Audiobooks

Critic reviews

“The characters and events in this world just keep getting better and better.... A fantastic book!” (Fresh Fiction)

“There’s a great story here of family, friendship, and love.” (SFRevu)

“The arc of the Mercy Thompson series has showcased Briggs’s incredible gift for delivering character development alongside intriguing plots filled with thrills and chills. This latest installment is worth every penny and moment of your time!” (RT Book Reviews)

Excellent

I love Patricia Briggs books, and Lorelei does such a great job narrating them! The distinct voices that she uses for different characters adds to the enjoyment for me.

Riveting

Listening just as good as reading 📚. Great series. Really enjoyed the narrator uses and varieties of vocalization of the different characters.

Perfection

Mercy is a seriously enjoyable heroine. The characters are complete people—elves, werewolves, vampires, human. I enjoy rereading the series and pick up bits I missed while enjoying the progress of the story. Hers is a love story woven into the narrative, not a complete stop for detailed sex as is the trend now. One of the best Series I have found.

Patricia Briggs does it again!

I loved this latest installment. I downloaded this book and could not believe I stayed up all night listening to it! That has happened only once or twice in my life. Fast paced, funny and touching are a few discriptives that describe the newest adventure Briggs takes her readers on.

Briggs is back

Any additional comments?

Briggs has made a come back with Frost Burned. The last few Mercy books that I have read have been just blah for me. I believe Briggs has redeemed herself with this one. So glad that she is back on track.

Decent Story Good Narrator

Lorelei King is a very good Narrator In my humble opinion. I haven't quite obtained the level of falling in love with the Mercy Thompson series, yet its good enough for me to keep listening. I shall continue on with the series.

Another great installment!

This one had me on the edge of my seat. Just when I thought I knew the ending it took a different direction. Looking forward to the next one!

Love her

The thing that Patricia Briggs gets right about Mercy Thompson is she’s never stupid. She makes human mistakes, sure - but not the “run up the stairs to flee the axe murderer” kind. All of her choices are logical without the storyline falling apart. She’s a badass without being catty. Tough and vulnerable. I feel like Mercy is the realest to life character I’ve ever read.

Excellent book

Except, I wish they’d put the final chapter in the correct order. Not sure how that happened, but it’s irritating to listen to them mixed up.

Mercy Mercy Mercy. . .I LOVE MERCY!!!!

Much like “ShySusan Somewhere in Darkest Utah” (Audible.com review) I re-listened to all the Mercy books and short stories, in order, to prepare myself for the newest installment in the AMAZING Mercy Thompson series. It has always been my habit with series I love the most, allowing me to immerse myself into the series and all the characters. And, as always, Mercy (and Patricia, of course ((GRIN)) don't disappoint in this newest installment to the series.
Mercy is tough. Tougher, smarter, and classier than nearly any other Urban Fantasy heroine out there today. She has been through hell in the last couple of years, and the quality of Patricia's follow through and deep care for the development of her characters is still as amazing as always.

Mercy has been beaten, tortured, shot, burned and variously abused. And, she has been raped. Patricia's handling of that rape was brilliant. She didn't break Mercy completely, but she definitely is taking her time helping Mercy heal completely. Her handling of the situation across the last few books has been masterful, making me wonder if Patricia might possibly know someone who had this happen to her. The great thing about her responses is the way Mercy(Patricia) is so honest in her handling of the situation, and how her friends all gather around her, support her, and help her through it. She killed the person who did it to her – bully for her!!!! And it wasn't someone she trusted and had a true relationship with. Unlike other writers, Patricia didn't make it a close “friend” and she didn't make her carry the blame for what happened. Sure, she fells at fault at first, but she isn't made to wallow in guilt and shame. Her flashbacks and panic attacks are realistic, but she comes to realize that she is not truly at fault. Patricia gains my undying respect for that. But, that is another book, the storyline carried into this book, but not overwhelming it. Mercy is getting better. Good for her!!

The storyline continues soon after the events of “River Marked” where Mercy was once again drug into a situation outside of her control, and did her best to handle it as she always does – she sees what needs to be done, and does it, no matter the cost to herself.

As in her other stories, Mercy is strong, secure and focused. She knows, going in, that it is going to cost her for what she does. But she does it anyway, because it is right and good and true. She is the kind of person anyone could wish themselves to be. She doesn't whine and complain, she just does the right thing. She is given what she needs to get the job done, and she does it. Often, at great cost – especially to her body, and sometimes to her very soul.

One of the other things I like about Mercy is her relationship with Adam. He is an alpha wolf and a strong one. But he doesn't lord over Mercy. He doesn't shove her around, force her to submit to his will. He loves her the way she is, tough as nails, scarred and beaten up and all. He knows that she does what she does because it is right and good. He doesn't try to overwhelm, but he does give her the support she needs. In this edition, it is him and the rest of the Pack that Mercy is coming to the rescue of, and he knows without doubt that he can rely on her in all things. Very impressive in a writer.

Many of the other characters in the series make a stronger appearance in this edition than they have had the opportunity for in past books, and I love that. Patricia's 'extras on set' are fascinating in their own right, with back stories that deserve all the attention they can get. She could go on writing this series for as many books as she wishes, and I would invest in every one. But I would also happily invest in books lead by some of the other characters as well – especially Zee. I was, however, heartbroken by the loss of a pivotal member of the story. I know, I know, losses are to be expected, and there has been little true loss through the story line, but the loss of this particular character had me in tears.

As for Stephen, Mercy's vampire friend – well, I am prejudiced. It would be very, very hard for me to be friends with Stephen, no matter what. Hey, there has to be someone you can't bring yourself to like, right? Well, besides Marcillia . . . Stephen has been around since that witch Marcillia first showed up in what was an undiscovered country back in their day – and had everything to do with the fact that Mercy is nearly alone as a Walker these days. Stupid vampires. Hate em, hate em . . .

Even though Stephen is a “friend” of Mercy's, he is still just as guilty as Marcillia and the others of slaughtering Mercy's people. No forgiveness here, Stephen! Of course, as a “Native” myself I am allowed to be bitter about the slaughter of our peoples, right? That is my excuse, and I am sticking with it!

Overall, Patricia's series is quality all the way. As I always listen to her books, I can also assure you that Lorelei King again delivers an incredible narration. We have been blessed to have her brilliant voice as Mercy for each of the books in the series and she never disappoints. Much as Renée Raudman IS Kate Daniels, Lorelei IS Mercy. Talk about matches made in Heaven!

You can read “Frost Burned” as a stand alone. However, I don't recommend it. You would be depriving yourself of a brilliant writer's work, magnificent characters (even those you love to hate), tremendous world building and many hours of pure pleasure.

Highly, highly recommended – as in, however many stars you want to add on to the FIVE I give all of the Mercy Thompson books, you may still want to toss in a few, they are THAT good.