Better than the last few the pacing just seems to work with an intensity they've been lacking.

A demon/ fae has an infectious bite and it's not clear what or who is behind it. ( )

Worldbuilding:
A killer bunny (I love Monthy Python, so this had me laughing so much :D), a rogue pack making things complicated and problems in paradise. Yep, all the ingredients to make another great book :D All scenes and environments had a great amount of details, perfect to just let go and enjoy the story.

Character development:
Mercy and Adam have been through a lot, their bond not as solid or open as it should be. So when Mercy notices that it's actually pretty much closed off, she knows something is wrong with Adam, but he's not sharing why... at all.
That, coupled with the current issue they are facing, is really doing a number on her. This instalment dives a bit deeper into how Mercy is feeling about it all, and I'm happy the author took the time to do this, as it helps understand the characters. Which, of course, feel so real and believable they could be your neighbours (though for your sake, I hope they're not :D).

Pacing and flow:
This instalment was filled with action, but I think everything just feels a lot slower compared to the last book :) There was a good balance between the action and much-needed conversation to keep the story moving forward.

The book:
The book's well written with no (noticeable) errors. It has 352 pages, spread over 14 chapters and is told from Mercy's point of view. ( )

I really really didn't like how this story started. I had a really hard time continuing to read it bc it upset me so much. I'm glad I kept it up.

Just a month after the last book Adam and Mercy are having some problems. Mainly he's shutting her out.
Mercy isn't going to give up and let him go. She fighting for him.
You really see how alone Mercy is. I mean she has friends but no one to talk to. Some she has to protect the pack and how Adam is perceived etc.

Underhill/Tilly has opened a door and released a bad guy... enhanced with her power. I kinda suspected who it was when Mercy was talking to Beauclaire

There's a rouge pack trying to take over too.

Oh and Wolfe- he's stalking Mercy... ick

I wonder if there's going to be something with Tad and Jessie even though they're just friends...

I liked seeing how Adam and Mercy worked things out but it was horrible the whole book bc I really love them. STUPID Elizavetta!!! Freaking death curse.

Yay!! The walking stick is back. What does that mean? ( )

I figured out who the smoke dude was about a quarter of the way through. I still love Adam. ( )

I was provided with a free version of this book via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

Once again Patricia Briggs delivers a wonderful foray into the world of Mercy Thompson and friends. Compared to previous adventures this one was not all fun and giggles. The pack is in danger again, nothing new, just a normal Tuesday after Mercy declared them protectors of the city, but in this book, Briggs reminds us that having supernatural powers doesn't make you immune to the ups and downs of everyday life.

I've always found Mercy to be a refreshing change to other Urban Fantasy protagonists as she remains genuine and real, keeping a vulnerability that we as the reader can relate to. In Smoke Bitten this was even more noticeable as the events of previous books began to take a toll on Mercy and her relationships with others. Events that have happened prior to this latest crisis are pulled back into focus as they're revisited and just with real-life some are sorted out and others have to be put aside for another day.

Feeling overwhelmed and alone we see Mercy stripped to down to her core and while it's incredibly brutal, Brigg's writing is tremendous in treating the situation with heart and realism. Anyone who has ever felt like they've hit rock bottom and completely utterly alone will recognise themselves in Mercy and that is the magic of a fantastic writer.

The darkness in Smoke Bitten is, therefore, two-fold as Mercy fights for her pack on two completely different fronts because the monster doesn't stop coming just because you're having a bad week. For those who may be worried that there's too much personal drama and not enough supernatural action; don't be. This is a Mercy Thompson story like no other so far that draws on fantastical elements from various sources to create a foe that is absolutely terrifying and unpredictable. ( )