Blood Bound is the second episode in the Mercy Thompson shape-shifter series by Patricia Briggs.  I found it more sure-footedly plotted and satisfying than the first, Moon Called, itself a pretty cool vampire/werewolf supernatural offering.  Blood Bound has a greater emphasis on the vampiric aspect of Mercy’s world than its predecessor.  It creates a stronger sense of apprehension and unease because of Mercy’s growing awareness of the uncontrolled, unpredictable nature of her world.  In Moon Called she thought she had it all figured out and just had to keep it under control: in Blood Bound she is beginning to realise that she really doesn’t have a clue what might come next.  Remind you of anything?  The real world, right!

Mercy’s vampire pal Stefan steps forward and centre in the second book of the series, getting Mercy (unintentionally) mixed up in all kinds of trouble.  Does this please Mercy’s two suitors, Adam the alpha werewolf/alpha male, or her childhood sweetheart Samuel?  Well, what do you think?  Stefan, complete with Scooby-mobile,  is possibly the cutest, funniest vampire in the entire vampiric shades-of-the-night oeuvre, but that doesn’t mean he’s without a sinister side – or surprises of his own.  Mercy certainly has surprises to come from Stefan…

Things only get worse: Mercy not only has to confront a terrifying demonic force, but she is undermined by the plotting and scheming of frenemies who cannot be trusted.  And as she becomes more entangled in their lives, she realises that Adam and his daughter, Jesse, are not a simple package deal, but have to be accepted along with the special surprise gift of the rest of Adam’s werewolf pack.  And that’s a booby-trapped joke-shop gift and a half.

One bonus for Mercy in Blood Bound is that she acquires something she was sorely lacking previously, a best girl-friend – or something approaching one, at least.  And from a surprising source.  And in the appealing young Jesse, perhaps something approaching a foster-daughter.  But the developing theme of Blood Bound is love – romantic, familial, old and new, childhood romance and long-denied attraction.  It’s not exactly your standard chocolate-box romance – all Mercy’s experiences of love are intense, troubling, mixed in their effects, and uncomfortably real.

And, if only she can survive the onslaught of demons, vampires, witches and werewolves, they are perhaps all worth exploring in the future.  If only she can make it that far…