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michellewords's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Finally, a Mery Thompson book that fell back into that fun, action/adventure plot.
Although, this book was clearly written to indulge the romantic audience-which I could do with A LOT less. That was minimal though because River Marked had an honest-to-God compelling plot that wove it's way throughout the overdone romance sections.
Mercy and Adam are on a "special" trip, camping in an RV. While on this trip, Mercy discovers and uncovers the truth about her father and the wonderful heritage from her Native American side. While on this journey of discovery, they also uncover a growing mystery of deaths in the river and Mercy starts having some very unsettling dreams about the victims. She's "marked" by the thing in the river and must find a way to save herself and prevent further death.
This book is remarkable. I was nervous when they started going down the Native American myths and history route. Briggs characters can sometimes land on tropes that are very close, if not exact stereotypes and I don't think I wanted to read a book with a bunch of racial stereotypes. She surprised me though with minimal use of the stereotypes (thank God)! Her exploration of Native American myths and legends across the different tribes was EXACTLY what I wanted from this type of book.
I really enjoyed seeing Mercy's character grow in this book as well. I feel like it's been a LONG time since we have seen her grow and truly develop as a person in a positive way. I love her relationship with Coyote and I'm going to be truly crushed if we don't see him more in future books.
Sorry if this next part is a spoiler. You read my reviews at your own risk. You know what I could have done without? The wedding. Man, it was awful start to finish. It felt so much like fan service and did not feel genuine at all. I think a lot about the Alpha and Omega series and how they pained the wedding with Anna and Charles and how thoughtful and simple it was. This one felt so off-brand for Mercy and Adam-like both of them would have hated every second of that. And Briggs really wanted you to settle into this wedding and maybe I'm in the minority-but I'm not reading this series for weddings and gooey romance. So, can we tone that back a little? Thanks.
Final thoughts: Despite some too-long romancy bits, this book was amazing and worth the read overall. 100% could recommend.
Although, this book was clearly written to indulge the romantic audience-which I could do with A LOT less. That was minimal though because River Marked had an honest-to-God compelling plot that wove it's way throughout the overdone romance sections.
Mercy and Adam are on a "special" trip, camping in an RV. While on this trip, Mercy discovers and uncovers the truth about her father and the wonderful heritage from her Native American side. While on this journey of discovery, they also uncover a growing mystery of deaths in the river and Mercy starts having some very unsettling dreams about the victims. She's "marked" by the thing in the river and must find a way to save herself and prevent further death.
This book is remarkable. I was nervous when they started going down the Native American myths and history route. Briggs characters can sometimes land on tropes that are very close, if not exact stereotypes and I don't think I wanted to read a book with a bunch of racial stereotypes. She surprised me though with minimal use of the stereotypes (thank God)! Her exploration of Native American myths and legends across the different tribes was EXACTLY what I wanted from this type of book.
I really enjoyed seeing Mercy's character grow in this book as well. I feel like it's been a LONG time since we have seen her grow and truly develop as a person in a positive way. I love her relationship with Coyote and I'm going to be truly crushed if we don't see him more in future books.
Sorry if this next part is a spoiler. You read my reviews at your own risk. You know what I could have done without? The wedding. Man, it was awful start to finish. It felt so much like fan service and did not feel genuine at all. I think a lot about the Alpha and Omega series and how they pained the wedding with Anna and Charles and how thoughtful and simple it was. This one felt so off-brand for Mercy and Adam-like both of them would have hated every second of that. And Briggs really wanted you to settle into this wedding and maybe I'm in the minority-but I'm not reading this series for weddings and gooey romance. So, can we tone that back a little? Thanks.
Final thoughts: Despite some too-long romancy bits, this book was amazing and worth the read overall. 100% could recommend.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Violence
Minor: Gore
thelibronaut's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore and Violence
Minor: Sexual content
dreamerfreak's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Child death, Death, and Violence
tonton2612's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Another great book in this series. I love how we get more insight into Mercy's heritage.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Physical abuse, Violence, Child death, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
Minor: Gun violence
mariakureads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I kid you not, Trouble must be Mercy's middle name instead of Athena, because it followed her on her honeymoon!! Like this could only happen to her?
Just like previous novels, this one starts right up from the previous and good thing because Mercy is not just VW mechanic but Mrs. Hauptman and deserving of what I thought would be a nice getaway and get some well deserved R&R on her honeymoon but fate, karma, Mercury retrograde,or whatever decided nope. Not that week because instead she is having to deal with other people, fae, and her past to understand her heritage and what that means to save herself and Adam.
Is it too much to ask that she gets a break from the troubles and not breaks by the troubles? Mercy keeps kicking but I wonder if eventually, how she can keep kicking back... I'm off to find the next installment because I have to know now!
Just like previous novels, this one starts right up from the previous and good thing because Mercy is not just VW mechanic but Mrs. Hauptman and deserving of what I thought would be a nice getaway and get some well deserved R&R on her honeymoon but fate, karma, Mercury retrograde,or whatever decided nope. Not that week because instead she is having to deal with other people, fae, and her past to understand her heritage and what that means to save herself and Adam.
Is it too much to ask that she gets a break from the troubles and not breaks by the troubles? Mercy keeps kicking but I wonder if eventually, how she can keep kicking back... I'm off to find the next installment because I have to know now!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Death, and Violence
Minor: Child death
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