Finished Moon Called by Patricia Briggs. This is the first in the Mercy Thompson series, about a car mechanic who’s a “walker” and can take the shape of a coyote at will. I’d heard a lot about this urban fantasy series and decided to try it.

Mercy Thompson doesn’t live an ordinary life. In addition to being a walker herself, Mercy also has to deal with a variety of magical beings, including her werewolf neighbor, Adam, and the runaway werewolf teenager who shows up on her doorstep begging for work. The teen is in trouble and being chased by some bad guys. Soon, Mercy is caught up in a conspiracy that involves werewolf experimentation, pack leadership, and much more.

I enjoyed a lot of things about this book. It was refreshing to see a woman working and succeeding in what’s thought of as a man’s field (auto repair). I honestly can’t remember ever reading another story featuring a female mechanic. Not only that, Mercy knows and recognizes her strengths and her limitations, both when it comes to repairing cars and going up against other paranormal creatures. But that doesn’t keep her from protecting her friends, no matter what the odds are.

Briggs has created an interesting urban fantasy world where some species, like the fae, are known to humans and others, like werewolves, are not. The werewolves are the main focus of the book, and there’s a lot going on with them. There are also a lot of characters to keep up with — probably a dozen that are important to the story and this is not a long book (288 pages). Several people mentioned in passing turn out to have big roles later on. So, if you read this book, pay attention. Small things matter.

One thing I got a little tired of was all the shows of strength/rank within the werewolf community and how women were pretty much left out of the picture. Other than Mercy, the only other really prominent female character is Jessica, Adam’s daughter who gets kidnapped during the course of the book. Why couldn’t we have an alpha female leading a pack somewhere?

Another thing I wonder about is the men around Mercy. I hope Briggs doesn’t have every guy that Mercy meets fall in love with her or want to make her his mate. That’s a plot device I just don’t enjoy. There are two men interested in Mercy in this book, and evidently, the love triangle plays out over the course of the next two books.

Overall, if you’re looking for a new fantasy read or are burned out on vampires, check out Briggs. You’ll probably enjoy her world.

Thumbs up.

Up next: Not sure. Maybe Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs.