The Pack Podcast

Are you born with magic, or do you have to be bitten for it? In Season 2, Episode 4 of the Pack Podcast (Episode 16 overall), Greg, Linda, and Hasna dig into how magic works in Patricia Briggs' Mercyverse. Is it hereditary, like witches, fae, and walkers? Or is it contagion, like werewolves and vampires? And where do wizards fit in? In this episode: Hereditary magic vs. contagion: the theory that splits the Mercyverse in two Black, grey, and white witches, and what each one feeds on Sorcerers and demon partnerships vs. wizards, and why we know so little about wizards Mercy's ability to see and influence ghosts, and the theory that she has power over the dead Why Coyote, Bear, Raven, and the other avatars sit outside every category Whether being born magical or being changed makes you more sympathetic, and which one the hosts would choose Why nearly every supernatural power in the series comes with a price, and whether Mercy pays one Stress baking, pie-making heroines, and why the everyday moments keep Mercy relatable Also this episode: Grim Oak's special edition of Bloodbound opened to the public on October 28. Check it out here: [link] Join the pack on Patreon! We have four tiers: Pup, Pack, Alpha, and Walker. Alpha and Walker members join our after-show chat the Sunday after each episode drops. [Patreon link] Spoiler warning: This episode discusses events through the most recent books and short stories, including Storm Cursed, Bloodbound, and Rivermarked. Chapters (these follow the raw recording, so adjust them to your final edit) 0:00 Welcome and Patreon shout-outs 3:00 Wolf and Patricia Briggs news 4:10 Grim Oak's Bloodbound special edition 5:40 Hereditary vs. contagion magic 7:30 The three kinds of witches 8:35 Sorcerers vs. wizards 10:40 Mercy and the dead 13:40 Coyote and the primal avatars 15:15 Born or bitten: who gets our sympathy? 18:45 Which would you choose? 21:10 The price of power 26:45 Mercy, baking, and staying grounded 28:30 Wrap-up and next steps

Happy Halloween from the Pack Podcast! In episode 15 (yes, we wish it were 13), Greg, Hasna, and Linda tackle the question every Mercy Thompson fan has whispered at least once: is Wulfe the creepiest character Patricia Briggs has ever written? He looks like a teenager with an angelic face, but he's a witch-born vampire who's been around since the Renaissance, and nobody can say for sure what he wants. We dig into his creepiest moments in Blood Bound, the strange mix of witch, wizard, fae, and vampire that may explain why he's so unhinged, and the theory that he's a monster built by other monsters who outgrew his creators. We also debate Bonarata's fear of him, his fixation on Mercy, whether he's really an ally, and where he's headed after Soul Taken. Plus: news on the Graphic Audio delay, the Steel Rain cover reveal, and a look at why some hosts predict Wulfe's redemption while others are not so sure. Do you agree, or is there a creepier character we should be talking about? Let us know, because we're already plotting a Part 2! Join our Patreon for the after-chat on Sunday, October 11 at 10 AM Pacific. Happy Halloween!

Pack Podcast Ep. 14 is here! Patricia Briggs finally brings her legendary assistant "Sparky" (aka Anne) out from behind the curtain — the woman who's been running the show behind the scenes for years, from bookkeeping to manuscripts to keeping Patty out of (occasional) trouble. Plus: Steel Rain is officially finished 🎉, Dan Dos Santos has already delivered a cover Patty calls his best yet (reveal coming at DragonCon 👀), and Patty's already deep into the next Mercy book. We also swap convention stories from Bubonicon — George R.R. Martin, Martha Wells, and T. Kingfisher all made appearances. Grab your tea (or coffee, Hasna ☕), settle in, and come hang out with the Pack. #PackPodcast #PatriciaBriggs #MercyThompson #SteelRain #DragonCon #Mercyverse #UrbanFantasy #BookTok Chapters 00:00 Introduction and episode overview 04:10 Patricia Briggs and Anne introduce themselves and discuss their recent travels 16:17 Highlights from recent book signings and conventions 20:06 Details about the upcoming Steel Rain book and its length 30:10 Cover reveal and promotional plans for Steel Rain 32:45 The unique experience of visiting the Olympic rainforest 33:21 Closing remarks and appreciation for fans and Patreon supporters

In this episode, we chat with renowned book cover artist Dan DeSantos about his work on the Mercy series, the art of cover design, and the creative process behind iconic book covers. Discover how his art influences genre marketing and the stories behind his most famous pieces. key  topics Dan DeSantos' background in illustration and cover art The process of designing book covers for the Mercy series The importance of genre markers and visual storytelling in covers Evolution of cover art over 20 years and maintaining consistency Behind-the-scenes of creating Marvel and Magic: The Gathering artwork The significance of tattoos and symbolism in cover design Fan interactions and cosplay inspired by cover art Upcoming projects and appearances at DragonCon LINKS: https://www.dandossantos.com/ https://muddycolors.com/ https://patreon.com/DandosSantos/ https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cloverpressart/the-marvel-art-of-dan-dos-santos-a-deluxe-art-book-and-more/ https://www.patriciabriggs.com/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction and guest introduction 02:11 Dan DeSantos' background and early work 07:57 Designing covers for the Mercy series 15:06 The role of tattoos and symbolism in covers 21:59 Creating iconic and marketable genre covers 28:01 Fan interactions and cosplay 32:04 Upcoming projects and conventions 34:00 Closing remarks and thank you

This lively panel discussion explores vampire lore, character dynamics, and the intricate hierarchy within the Mercyverse, offering fans deep insights into their favorite characters and storylines. Key Topics Vampire hierarchy and politics Character development and relationships Impact of past events on current storylines Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Technical Difficulties 01:49 July Updates and Patreon 02:44 Vampire History and Character Discussion 10:09 Exploring Vampire Hierarchies 15:12 Stefan's Character and Relationships 20:06 Humanity in Vampires 27:04 Future of Vampire Dynamics 30:06 Conclusion and Upcoming Events Resources Patty Briggs' Official Website - https://www.patriciabriggs.com/ Mercyverse Book Series - https://www.patriciabriggs.com/mercyverse Patty Briggs' Social Media - https://twitter.com/PattyBriggs Patty Briggs' Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/patriciabriggs