You know, I agree that Harris did not give any clues that Bill was going to turn out to be a bad apple. I suspect that she changed from her original plan with respect to him because there are several things in the first 2 books that don’t add up to the whole “Bill on a mission” storyline that she later inserted. And while that’s her prerogative as author, I can also see where some readers would cry foul on it.

Anyway, thanks for taking the time to expand on what you meant.

I really liked the first few Sookie books and I think Harris is a very good writer, but I don’t trust her because of her past books and so I didn’t want to get caught up caring for characters (like Bill) only for them to turn almost villianous.

I’m rooting for that third potential suitor myself. :) I know he doesn’t stand a snowball’s chance it would seem, but ‘twould be my preference.

Oh, and while Sam has a certain appeal, I’m all for Adam. And not just because I’m not crazy over how Sam manipulated Mercy in the past.

Mercy did save the day again, but not in the uber-powerful way a lot of characters end up doing in these sort of books, so I’m cool with it. She didn’t appear to pull a new power out of her tail or anything, just realized that one power she’d always had was useful and she used it.

I’m tyring to decide who I like more… Sam or Adam.

Like many other readers, I’ve also become wary of copycats of the Anita Blake fiasco, since I had been so deeply disappointed by the quality of Laurell K. Hamilton’s recent books. The way the love interests are being developed thus far, though, is promising. Samuel and Adam each seem to be well-balanced characters that have their own merit regardless of any relationship with Mercy. Also, the third potential love interest really came out of left field, although there is some prior warning in a few scenes.
Here’s hoping Patricia Briggs can sustain the quality of Moon Called and Blood Bound in the next two books she’s been contract for, unlike so many other series that have started with high hopes and have ended with disappointment.

I read on May’s site yesterday in an interview with P Briggs that it sounds like Briggs doesn’t know which werewolf Mercy will end up with. That was a little encouraging for me because if it is a decision between Sam and Adam, and not Sam and Adam and 8 other guys, I can get behind that. :)

Another worrisome quibble and warning spoiler alert: Is that Mercy for two books now have had to save everybody again. I hope that’s not a trend for the future books otherwise, I’ll be quitting them. If Adam, Bran and Samuel are dominant, let them be dominant. So far, their power has been pretty limited and only Mercy has been the one to say the day. I’m all for female power but there is a limit.

I do have to say though, even though i haven’t read it yet, Mercy speaking in an educated manner doesn’t surprise me. Something about the way her character played out in Moon Called just makes me think there’s a lot more than the average shapeshifter/car mechanic ;o)

I wonder if Mercy will ever have troubles with the Hanford area. *grin*

Maybe i was wrong for me to mention it but . . . it’s something that was raised in my mind while reading and made me feel . . . discouraged a bit.

I don’t really know if she is actually irresistible to everyone. I know that i am leery of the Mary Sue after so many bad experiences but I don’t feel like that with this series and this character. As far as i can tell they each want her for a different reason and these are all slowly being revealed as the series goes on.

Anyway, I recommend reading the first book, while this book can be read on it’s own, you get a better idea of the politics and background if you read the first one.