*** 4 ***So once again I have to write something about a book in the Mercy Thompson world and I feel like anything I say would be redundant... I love the strongly influenced by the Native American culture of storytelling and mythology tale Patricia Briggs has gifted us with. I love the characters she has created and managed to enthrall us with. I love the creativity the world is build upon and the unobtrusive descriptiveness everything from the smallest action to the wildest character feature are painted with... See, I know I am fan-girling and know not what to do about it - I just love this series!!! This storyline was slower, more subdued, and singularly focused on Adam and Mercy spending time with each other as a new committed couple. Going camping in nature seems like a good idea at first, but obviously trouble keeps finding our part time coyote everywhere. Once again she has to save the day, and on the way she gets to learn more about her native American heritage and possibly her father... There is danger, love, friendships, and hidden agendas as always, expanding our understanding of Mercy's nature...I recommend this book to all fans of the series and the Urban Fantasy genre. Happy reading to all!!! :-)

This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.This wasn't my favorite book in the series but it was still a really good story. If you have been following my reviews you probably already know that I adore this series. I remember reading this book back when it was first released and enjoying it and I liked it just as much on this audio re-read. This is a series that I have made a point to keep up with and look forward to every installment. I had a lot of fun listening to the audio of this story.This story takes place away from most of the group and I have to say that I missed some of the characters that I have grown to love just a bit. Mercy and Adam are there for the whole book so I didn't have too much time to spend missing everyone else. Mercy and Adam are off on their honeymoon but they end up getting involved in a situation that needs their help. There are some interesting characters that are a part of this installment including some that knew Mercy's father.This book had a lot of really good elements. I like how Mercy and Adam's relationship just keeps getting stronger. I really cannot get enough of these two and think that they are just perfect for each other. The chemistry between them is amazing. It was interesting to learn a little bit more about Mercy's background. Her father is really quite a mystery so getting the chance to learn a little bit more is really quite exciting. There was plenty of excitement in this installment. I mean there is a river monster to be battled so of course there is some excitement. This was the kind of book that you just don't want to put down.Lorelei King does an amazing job with this audiobook. I really didn't expect anything else. She has done such a fantastic job with all of book in this series that I have listened to so far. She has become the voice of Mercy form me. She does a great job with a large cast of characters and brings a lot of emotion into the story. Her voice is very pleasant to listen to and she read the story at a very natural pace. I was able to completely lose myself in this book for hours at a time. I can't wait to listen to more of this series.I would highly recommend this series to others. I do think that this is a series that really does need to be read in order since the relationships between the characters develop throughout the series. I can't wait to continue with my re-read of this series very soon.Initial ThoughtsNot my favorite book in the series but still a really good story. Adam and Mercy are away for most of this book and I did kind of miss the rest of the regular group. Plenty of excitement in this installment.Book source: Audible purchase

Favorite Quote: Adam didnt approve of Walmart.Note: This is a spoiler-free review!I had not read any blurbs or spoilers for this book before I started it and let me tell you how surprised I was at the first few chapters in this one. Yes, it tells the big surprise on the inside of the jacket cover but since I am posting this review before release date, I dont feel comfortable talking about it. So Im not going to talk a lot about the plot. But I will tell you this.I read this series for two reasons. One, I adore Mercy and Adam. Both separate and together. Mercy is such a strong, level-headed heroine who can claim her independence while surrounded by pack, vampires etc, yet she is so polite and warm. And Adam well he fulfills all my dirty needs when it comes to an alpha male. In River Marked we get a lot of Adam and Mercy. And by that I mean, almost the entire book is the two of them together. I was shocked, and I loved every second of it. We get a very intimate glimpse into their relationship. We see another side of Adam, and wow. What a sweetie. I love him even more.No maam, he drawled mildly, though I could see a dimple peeping out. I loved his dimple and I loved it even more when he dropped into the accent of his youth. I especially loved the warm strength of him against me. I was so easy.We also learn a lot about what Mercy is. Her heritage is presented in much detail. At times I found these parts to be very slow. There is a point towards the middle that the pacing slows down so much I got worried for the rest of the book. But then something big happens and the rest finished quite nicely.The second reason I read this series is for the amazing intricacies of pack life Patricia Briggs has created. I love her wolves, and their politics. How they live so closely as pack, yet are always on the verge of violence. I adore their dynamics and how Mercy has come to fit in. But we dont get that in this book. Adam and Mercy are removed from pack (or as much as they can be) in this one. I miss that. I know I sound greedy because we do get awesome Adam and Mercy stuff, but I will be looking forward getting back to pack life hopefully in the next one.Overall I enjoyed this book. Like I said, we see a side of Adam that made me smile. Don't worry, he totally loses it a few times and his alpha, growly, wolf takes over. But it is a very romantic, quieter side we see.He smiled at me. Go to sleep. I waited three seconds. Are we there yet? His smile widened, and the last of the usual tension melted from his face. For a smile like that Id.do anything.The mystery and conflict are interwoven into Mercys ancestry and I think this look at who Mercy is and where she comes from really makes you understand Mercy better.This book is definitely one of the more romance oriented books in the series. While I dont think a sex scene in every book is necessary for this series, I do think this book really could have benefited from at least one. You can think me shallow for saying that but once you read this book you might understand why I say that.Patricia Briggs continues to write one of the best written urban fantasy series out there. If you dont read this series, pick up Moon Called immediately. You will not be disappointed.Rating: B

As much as I've loved reading every book so far in this series, it is about time that we got something like this one. The old Mercy and Adam are back at it again but with sweeter, more tender moments between them that will make you melt. And while most of the pack wasn't present in this, it was okay because for once, this book is all about Mercy. Her heritage, her (finally) feeling like she belongs somewhere, and of course, her relationship with Adam and I couldn't of asked for more.We got so much that has been missing from the other books without even realizing it had been missing. We finally get the in depth took into what makes Mercy, Mercy and I couldn't of been happier about it. With an introduction to some new characters and lots of new surprises, this was a non-stop read from the exciting plot to the romantic moments. A wonderful addition to the series that just might very well have been my favorite to date.

In longer urban fantasy series, a road trip is often involved, taking the characters away on a quest and away from their usual world. This one focuses mainly on Mercy and Adam. We delve more into Mercys heritage and the world of walkers. I adore Mercy and Adam as a couple but I found I missed some of the usual players. I feel happy for Mercy to have immersed herself in Native American magic as up til now she hasnt had much information to work with.Next!