Iron Kissed (Mercy Thompson #3) Patricia Briggs

[rolanni]

The advertent auditor of this journal will have noticed that I keep a "books read" list. Mostly, this is for my own information, to prove to myself that I am too reading, at least a little. I rarely comment on the books, because I learned when I was working for SFWA that commenting truthfully on novels written by people I know was more likely to get me grief than not, and, thanks to the SFWA job, I know an awful lot of fantasy and science fiction writers.

That said, there was a conversation the other day regarding the third book in Patricia Brigg's Mercedes Thompson series, Iron Kissed. It seems that the excellent buymeaclue had some issues with the third book, and the question was asked what I thought.

I have not read buymeaclue's commentary, and don't intend to. What I think is that the [spoilery thing] of which I understand she complains, and its aftermath is handled appropriately and believably for this reader. The book was not a warm and cozy read, but the [spoilery thing] worked on the storytelling level (again) for me. As always, YMMV. If you are a person who believes that fiction must never use violence against women as a "plot device," then you might not want to read this book; it'll only get your politics in an uproar.

What I understand to be a secondary beef regarding the structure of the werewolf pack and the peculiar powers of the pack Alpha -- these things were set up very clearly and maintained consistently from early in the first book. If a reader of the series managed to get to Book Three only then to be offended by the pack social structure, well...sometimes we don't read as carefully as we ought.

Comments

[difrancis.livejournal.com]

I took this up too in a couple of places, partly because the dearauthor.com reviewer had a similar reaction--though she maintained it was a hotbutton issue for her and so therefore she was inherently biased. I wrote about it here:

http://www.sfnovelists.com/2008/03/03/taboo-topics/

I personally thought the rape worked, but it's Phyl Radford that articulated it really well when I first was thinking about it here:

http://difrancis.livejournal.com/152960.html#cutid1

Her point, and one worth making, is that the rape was the only way to crack Mercy's emotional shell and self-reliance.

Personally, I thought the best part of the entire aftermath, was how Ben handled things--it was his understanding and the connection to his past that really added a level of emotional resonance that I wasn't expecting. I thought it was very well done.

Di

phew

[gryphonlsb.livejournal.com]

I did read that persons review and didnt agree at all

The 'thing' offended me, but thats what that thing does to real humans, it makes you mad.

I love the story and the characters, I truly enjoyed everything about these books. They arent epic but they are very ine reads

Glad you have enjoyed them as well

;)

[kimuro.livejournal.com]

That [spoilery thing] hurt like the hell it is. I bought into it completely and totally, both at the time and the aftermath. And I agree about the Pack dynamics. There have been clues to that from the get-go.

[kalimeg.livejournal.com]

Oh Horrors! We Must Never Use Reality as a Plot Device!!

[thefoxglovelady.livejournal.com]

The point is that Mercy ~is~ that strong, and that if it was just a "regular" (spoilerthing), then it would have been bad, but she'd've bitched and moved on....that she was convinced she'd ~cooperated and wanted it~ shattered her. That's what made it work for me. Pain is survivable, but guilt is crushing.

And hasn't Mercy been bitching (quite literally) about the pack structure since book one? She speaks extensively about how she has to finagle her way around all these controlling males, because they have all the power. That's been very clearly stated.

I like them. I like Mercy, who has her faults, but also has her strengths.

[ramblin-phyl.livejournal.com]

Ditto. The situation worked for me. I remained true to both characters and opened a can a worms that will have to be dealt with later.

Patti did a good job and I know she agonized over portraying this incident. But it works and jumpstarts some character growth issues that otherwise might have bogged down several books.

[growlycub.livejournal.com]

I haven't read any of the books and don't plan to since the genre isn't my cup of tea, but I've seen so much discussion on this particular book I can't but help voice the following question:

If the main character had been male instead of female, would the author still have decided that a rape was the only plot device to bring him out of his shell?

If the answer to that is yes, then the use of rape as a plot device is justified, but if the answer would be no, then I have to ask: if the desired/necessary character development could be achieved in different ways for a male, why were those different ways not available for a female protagonist?

[queenmaggie.livejournal.com]

Goddammit an' spit! well, really, it won't make much real difference to me.. i don't care about spoilers except as they enable me to adapt to the plots as they occur... but I really wish no one (even imaginary characters) has to go through a rape.

can't wait for the book.

A learning experience for Mercy and the reader

[bookmobiler.livejournal.com]

I've read all three of the "Mercy" books and have enjoyed them all. Yes the rape made me feel sick but its aftermath, especially Ben's actions gave me hope too.
Rape can not be glossed over by snide or pious platitudes. Neither, she asked for it (the victims never do) or get over it, life goes on (its not that easily gotten over) really address the trauma. Those out side the incident need to understand that the victim is hurting in ways that may or may not be obvious. No matter how strong they seem thoughtful and caring help is needed.
Briggs makes us see that because the story demanded it and we needed to understand.
Good books do that.

[difrancis.livejournal.com]

Thought I'd mention that Patty dropped by my blog to say a couple of things on the scene and it's really interesting.

http://difrancis.livejournal.com/158462.html

[buymeaclue.livejournal.com]

I totally support your right to have whatever opinions you like about the book in question or, hell, any book out there, and to disagree with anyone you like in any way you like...

But I guess I would like to ask you to refrain from describing my problems with the book if you haven't read my post about it? I appreciate the "excellent" description, but my positions are getting a bit mischaracterized here, and it's not really fair to dub me a careless reader on the basis of something that I didn't actually say.