Mercy in the Mist

Circle of Nine, #4

by

Valerie Biel

Could the Tuatha elders have made a mistake?

Mercy in the Mist is the fourth novel in author Valerie Biel’s imaginative and addictive young adult paranormal mystery series, the Circle of Nine, and in it, we pick up Brigit Quinn’s story soon after the birth of her baby sister Bree, almost a year from the events that kicked the series off. Back in Massachusetts and settling into life with her reunited family now that her mother and father have reconnected, reconciled, and remarried, Brigit’s sixteenth birthday approaches. 

Bree is growing like a weed, and Brigit has discovered she can hear the baby’s thoughts when Bree is thinking about her big sister. But not all is joyful in Brigit’s life. She is experiencing frightful nightmares about the showdown in Ireland last summer between the Circle of Nice and her evil grandfather, Malachi, and his coven, which the Tuatha elders had banished to the Otherworld. She fears that Malachi compelled the coven members to support him against their will, and that the elders mistakenly punished innocent victims rather than willing participants in Malachi’s plans. 

Someone else blames Brigit’s father, Rowan, for Malachi’s doings, and he’s received anonymous messages threatening revenge for his part in the confrontation. It appears the only way to get to the truth is to return to the land of her ancestors once again. 

After such an exciting third book in the series, I wondered how the author would follow it up, but I was not disappointed. Filled with magic and infused with Celtic vibes, this latest adventure is fast-paced and another absolute page-turner, while also providing a close, sympathetic look into the daily life and feelings of the teenage Brigit, with all the normal hopes, dreams, and worries of someone growing up today. Besides her special gifts, Brigit is a regular teenage girl at heart. I loved how she immediately meshed with her new sister, easily taking on the role of a loving, protective older sister, and how she tried to gently manage the hopeful aspirations and continued attentions of her former boyfriend, Tyler, despite having moved on from their relationship. 

The story takes off immediately and is set after Christmas, or Yule, in both Massachusetts and Ireland, where readers are treated to the vivid descriptions of the sights of Ireland through Brigit’s eyes. The author does a great job crafting the story so that those new to the series can pick it up with this book and still understand and enjoy what’s transpiring. However, for the best reading experience, the first three books are not to be missed, whether read first or later. 

I recommend MERCY IN THE MIST to readers who enjoy young adult paranormal mysteries or fantasies. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.