My Urban Fantasies: Review: Frost Burned by Patricia Briggs

Title: Frost Burned

Author: Patricia Briggs

Series: Mercy Thompson, #7

•Source: Purchased
•Publisher: Ace Books
•Publication Date: March 5, 2013

Opening Line: "You should have brought the van." said my stepdaughter.

Mercy's life has undergone a seismic change. Becoming the mate of Adam Hauptman—the charismatic Alpha if the local werewolf pack—has mad 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 a car 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. But she fears Adam's disappearance may be related to the political battle the werewolves have been fighting to gain acceptance from the public—and that he and the pack are in serious danger. Outmatched and on her own, Mercy may be forced to seek assistance from any ally she can get, no matter how unlikely.

The Mercy Thompson and Alpha & Omega series usually coincide with each other. If you follow the storyline there is another book between River Marked and Frost Burned, that book is Fair Game (Alpha & Omega #3). While you do not have to read Fair Game to follow Frost Burned, it will give you a better understanding of why the Fae removed themselves from society declaring that the United States no longer has any authority over them.

Frost Burned takes place a few months after River Marked. Mercy and Jesse are out shopping on Black Friday. While Mercy is not thrilled with this she agrees to go because it's an easy way to cheer Jesse up and Mercy loves spending time with Jesse anyways. They are on their way to the last store when Mercy has what feels like a panic attack, thinking it has something to do with Jesse's baby question, and plows into the car in front of her. The Rabbit, may it rest in peace, is totaled.

Jesse tries to call Adam to come pick them up but can not get through. She then tries Darryl and gets the same results. Mercy pulls out her cell phone and notices a bizarre message from Bran. She tries calling Bran back, nothing, then Mercy tries Samuel and gets his answering service. Bran's text is starting to bother Mercy now and she realizes her earlier panic attack may not be what she thought. Mercy tries calling more pack members; Warren, Ben, Honey, Mary Jo and even Paul, who hates Mercy but would rescue Jesse, with no results. Mercy tries to reach Adam through her bond but is distracted before she can get through. Mercy tries changing tactics and calls people who are not were-anything. She calls Kyle and Elizaveta, no answers, then Jesse tries Gabriel, again nothing. Mercy tries to reach down her bond with Adam again, this time she senses only rage and pain. Someone is hurting Adam. Mercy and Jesse hitch a ride with the tow truck driver back to Mercy's garage, where she finds Gabriel and Ben. Mercy's fears are confirmed, the pack has been abducted.

While I loved River Marked, it was nice to have the gang back together. I was afraid that because Adam was kidnapped in the beginning of Frost Burned, the book might be Adam light. I'm very happy that I was wrong, Adam has a strong presence in Frost Burned. Their are even two chapters from his point of view. Yay! Now for some sad news, Samuel is not in this book. I know, it completely sucks. There is however a surprise character from Alpha & Omega, Asil. Asil is not as grumpy as he was when we first met him, though he's still a little nuts. I love how Asil and Mercy interacted with each other, so funny!

Mercy, Adam and Ben will always be my favorite characters in this series. But I have to mention what a total bad ass Kyle was. Kyle is snarky at its best, attitude all the way and I completely loved it! He was on fire. I know that Warren keeps Kyle in the dark about some of the supernatural stuff, but Kyle definitely proves that he can handle anything thrown at him.

Favorite Quotes

"So we need to make sure Kyle is safe first because that's what pack does, Stefan. The strong protect the weak."

"You must be fae. I never heard so much truth built into a lie. Did your mother have wings and pointed ears?"

Coyote never loses. Because I change the rules of the games my enemies play.

"Werewolf you know. Dangerous and evil."

"Alexander Bennet. Dangerous and stupid."

"Are you arguing with a ghost, Mercy? Good for you."

"I love you."
"I know. How could you help it?"

"Holy symbols, Batman. We have help."

"Not being Coyote's child with a mystical connection to a werewolf, I have to follow the rules of magic."

"I love you just as you are, Mercy. I don't need to swallow you whole, I don't need to be in your head at all times. I just need to know that you're there."