Oct 4, 2011

Books for Lolitas: the Mercy Thompson Series

Halloween is my favorite holiday. Though maybe it's not going to earn me points to say so on a lolita blog, I have always loved the costumes. More acceptably, I also love candy. And while I'm not a fan of horror, I don't mind a bit of the flavor in other things on the right occasions. With that in mind I've decided that for the month I'd point the way to a few books with some of the right elements that appeal even to those who aren't precisely fans of the ghost story.

First up is a series rather than a single book. Months ago I mentioned that I was reading the latest release and promised to write a true review when it would be more intelligent than the squeals that make up the language of the fan-girl. It isn't by any means a book about princesses or pretty clothes. At times the title character feels grateful to have clean clothes, never mind what they look like. There are faeries, though. Which would perhaps be more of a point for the books as lolita reading material if they were the helpful godmotherly kind rather the kind that come with dark stories to warn people away.

Ok, so I can't think of any excuses for pointing this one out as a read for lolitas other than it's a really interesting series.

Moon Called (Mercy Thompson book 1) by Patricia Briggs

The series centers around Mercy, a mechanic, that occasionally turns into a coyote. And happened to be raised by werewolves. And lives next to the local alpha. And is friends with the fae she bought her shop from. And is fixing a mystery machine look-alike for a vampire. And gets into trouble often, as one might guess with connections like those.

That seems like too much going on all at once, but the story is told in such a way that this is the accepted day to day life of the character. The huge cast is well managed and the plots are rather nicely woven and well told. The underlying story is that of an urban fantasy mystery, with elements of action and romance sprinkled in. The first book is great and kicks the story off incredibly well, but the characters truly come alive in the following novels.

The spin off series focuses on a separate set of characters, which leans slightly more towards romance but isn't restricted by the leanings.  Which I like better quite honestly depends on which I've read most recently. Oh, and did I mention the comics. There are also comics with some impressive art.

Coyote puppies are adorable.

The series does deal with heavy themes, and if you are sensitive to violence you may want to tread a bit cautiously. However, these things are tastefully used and well handled on the writer's part and certainly don't feel gratuitous. The series also has the interesting twist in that the general public within the world of the story is aware of at least some of the supernatural creatures walking among them and takes a realistic view of what such a world might be like. It also boasts some truly spectacular female leads.

I very much recommend this series to anyone who enjoys a good urban fantasy or maybe even just a good monster movie story.

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