Blood Bound (Mercy Thompson, #2): A Mixed Bag of Magic and Frustration
As I dove back into the world of Mercy Thompson with Blood Bound, I found myself torn between the appeal of Patricia Briggs’ storytelling prowess and my own simmering frustrations, especially with the book’s infamous cover. When I joined my fellow Now You See Me Now You Don’t express buddy read with Nafeeza, Layla, and Ange, I expected a thrilling continuation of Mercy’s adventures. Instead, I experienced the discomfort of a beautifully wrapped present filled with disappointment.
One of the highlights of Blood Bound is the exploration of Mercy’s feelings of independence and her complex relationships with the men in her life. In the first book, we get a taste of her fierce spirit, but this sequel amplifies that. However, it’s also where I started feeling frustrated. The relationships, while pivotal, seemed to overshadow her character development. Instead of seeing Mercy thrive as an independent mechanic, too often she felt defined by the men around her, which made me shake my head in disbelief rather than cheer for her progress. I couldn’t help but ponder if her story would have been better served by a more focused narrative, free from the shadows of unnecessary romantic entanglements.
The pacing of Blood Bound also left me hanging. Though it kicks off with promise, my interest waned quickly, and I hit the 21% mark before deciding, with much internal debate, that it just wasn’t for me. I wanted urgency, excitement—an itch for the kind of tension that kept pages turning. But instead, I found lengthy dialogues and meaningless descriptions weighing down the narrative.
And let’s talk about that cover! As my buddy read friends and I discussed, the portrayal of Mercy felt… well, less than empowering. The exaggerated femininity seemed to distract from her tough persona as a mechanic and a shapeshifter. I wondered why, in a genre flooded with strong female characters, we still had to deal with covers that seemed to prioritize aesthetics over substance. It’s frustrating to think that a character as layered as Mercy would be presented in a way that undermines her badassery.
Despite my grievances, the world-building continues to be a strength for Briggs. The details around the supernatural society and its politics draw you in, and fervent fans of urban fantasy might find solace in exploring these themes deeper. And yes, I have to admit, that certain camaraderie among Mercy’s quirky antagonists and allies was something to smile about.
If you found joy in the first installment or if you’re someone who loves navigating through fantasy romances filled with twists, there might still be something for you in Blood Bound. For readers who crave groundbreaking representation and dynamic character arcs, it might be a bumpier ride.
In conclusion, Blood Bound resonates as a mixed experience—an elaborate tapestry of engaging worlds filled with delightful glimpses but marred by pacing and relationship dynamics that didn’t quite align with what I hoped to see. For fans of the series, it might still fill that supernatural craving; for me, it’s a heartfelt return that left me longing for a little more depth. Here’s to future reads where perhaps the cover won’t overshadow the journey within. Happy reading, my fellow literary adventurers!
Discover more about Blood Bound (Mercy Thompson, #2) on GoodReads >>