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Circle of Nine #4
Circle of Nine: Mercy in the Mist
“A gripping collision of prophecy, peril, and betrayal—
this spellbinding installment is riveting, immersive, and unforgettable.” —Laurie Buchanan, The Sean McPherson Novels
The danger was supposed to be over.
The sacred treasures are safe.
The enemies banished to the Otherworld.
But Brigit Quinn’s dreams tell a different story.
The condemned return to haunt her sleep—pleading, accusing, refusing to be forgotten. Something is still wrong, even if the rest of the Circle of Nine insists the threat has passed.
When anonymous warnings surface and the police begin asking questions about the missing, Brigit’s visions intensify, blurring the line between dream and prophecy. The Circle is unraveling. Shadows are gathering.
To restore what’s been broken, Brigit knows they must return to the Otherworld and seek answers from the immortal Elders—knowing that to question them is to risk everything.
In this spellbinding fourth installment of the Circle of Nine series, ancient magic, mortal danger, and Brigit’s quest for the truth collide in a journey that will test the bonds of loyalty, love, and the fragile trust between gods and mortals.
The danger was supposed to be over.
The sacred treasures are safe.
The enemies banished to the Otherworld.
But Brigit Quinn’s dreams tell a different story.
The condemned return to haunt her sleep—pleading, accusing, refusing to be forgotten. Something is still wrong, even if the rest of the Circle of Nine insists the threat has passed.
When anonymous warnings surface and the police begin asking questions about the missing, Brigit’s visions intensify, blurring the line between dream and prophecy. The Circle is unraveling. Shadows are gathering.
To restore what’s been broken, Brigit knows they must return to the Otherworld and seek answers from the immortal Elders—knowing that to question them is to risk everything.
In this spellbinding fourth installment of the Circle of Nine series, ancient magic, mortal danger, and Brigit’s quest for the truth collide in a journey that will test the bonds of loyalty, love, and the fragile trust between gods and mortals.
- GenresYoung Adult
270 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 5, 2025
About the author
Valerie Biel
10 books156 followersValerie Biel's love for travel and insatiable curiosity inspires her storytelling. Her award-winning Circle of Nine series is set partially in Ireland where she was inspired by the ancient stone circles which dot the countryside. Beltany, an actual stone circle in County Donegal, Ireland, plays an important part in this novel. "There's something eerie and beautiful about these circles which rise up out of the greenest grass you've ever seen. Who built them? Why did they build them? If that's not enough to start a story, nothing is." Her other books include HAVEN, a middle-grade novel that sensitively handles the tough topic of domestic abuse through the eyes of an 11-year-old, and BEYOND THE CEMETERY GATE, a mystery suspense novel.
She holds a degree in Journalism (Public Relations/Broadcast News) and Political Science from the University of Wisconsin and has spent more than 25 years working in the public relations field. She edits manuscripts and develops and implements marketing & publicity plans for other authors via her agency Lost Lake Press. She often teaches about writing topics at conferences, libraries, and schools. She also creates a monthly Writers’ Forum column with the latest news from the publishing industry and writing world on Substack publication Reading, Writing, & Roaming. She sits on the board of The World Orphan Fund, a charity founded by her husband RJ Johnson in 2010 that assists children's homes in countries around the globe. She lives on a (tiny) piece of her family's century old farm in Wisconsin, but regularly dreams of finding the perfect cottage on the Irish coast where she could write and write.
To keep up with what's happening with her books or to enjoy some fun 'stuff' for readers (like a awesome playlists), go to her website at www.ValerieBiel.com. For more frequent updates, "Like" her author Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ValerieBielBooks or subscribe to her blog at https://readingwritingandroaming.subs....
She holds a degree in Journalism (Public Relations/Broadcast News) and Political Science from the University of Wisconsin and has spent more than 25 years working in the public relations field. She edits manuscripts and develops and implements marketing & publicity plans for other authors via her agency Lost Lake Press. She often teaches about writing topics at conferences, libraries, and schools. She also creates a monthly Writers’ Forum column with the latest news from the publishing industry and writing world on Substack publication Reading, Writing, & Roaming. She sits on the board of The World Orphan Fund, a charity founded by her husband RJ Johnson in 2010 that assists children's homes in countries around the globe. She lives on a (tiny) piece of her family's century old farm in Wisconsin, but regularly dreams of finding the perfect cottage on the Irish coast where she could write and write.
To keep up with what's happening with her books or to enjoy some fun 'stuff' for readers (like a awesome playlists), go to her website at www.ValerieBiel.com. For more frequent updates, "Like" her author Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ValerieBielBooks or subscribe to her blog at https://readingwritingandroaming.subs....
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 8, 2026
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 tries 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.
September 2, 2025
Have you ever wondered about some of the old Celtic magic? The beliefs were passed from mother to daughter about the Tuatha de Danann and their ancestors. In Circle of Nine: Mercy in the Mist, Valerie Biel explores this while continuing the story of Brigit and what it means to be a teenager today who’s descended from such a long lineage. This specific story covers nightmares that Brigit keeps having, which cause her to paint very detailed, haunting paintings of those who were condemned for dark magic. There are also mysterious threats and a police investigation going on that causes the entire Circle of Nine and their families to have to find out exactly what is going on.
While this is the fourth book in the Circle of Nine series, Biel does write it in a way that it can be enjoyed as a standalone. However, the story is so much more powerful and captivating if you take the time to read the first three books prior to this one. There is a lot of background information that adds depth to the story, and a few easter eggs thrown in.
The story takes place both in Massachusetts and Ireland about equally. We get to go with Brigit as she sees some of the different landmarks in Ireland and also gets to have a taste of what school is like over there. We even get to experience her first time driving on the wrong side of the road and what that might be like for a new driver.
Something that Biel does a really good job of is bringing in the young adult energy while also keeping the action of the story going. Many times, authors will remove the “teenage” vibe and cause the main character to act older than their age. However, Brigit genuinely feels and thinks as a teenager would throughout the story. While she is worried and concerned about the potential dangers, she is also worried about friendships and fitting in. This is so important when writing a story with a specific audience in mind, as it helps that audience to truly relate to the characters.
As far as the magical content of the book is concerned, Biel does a great job at pulling you into each moment as if you might be experiencing it yourself. Something else I thought was really amazing is that she wrote out the magic in a way that it could have potentially happened in the real world and just been explained away by those unknowing. The way she writes is also very captivating. I was hooked from the beginning and wanted to know what was going to happen.
All in all, Mercy in the Mist by Valerie Biel was a well-written young adult urban fantasy with action, fun, adventure, magical realism, and cozy moments. There is mild cursing and some romantic kissing. This is definitely a story you should check out if you want to learn more about Irish folklore or if you just love a good cozy fantasy read with a bit of danger and mystery. I look forward to more in the Circle of Nine series!
While this is the fourth book in the Circle of Nine series, Biel does write it in a way that it can be enjoyed as a standalone. However, the story is so much more powerful and captivating if you take the time to read the first three books prior to this one. There is a lot of background information that adds depth to the story, and a few easter eggs thrown in.
The story takes place both in Massachusetts and Ireland about equally. We get to go with Brigit as she sees some of the different landmarks in Ireland and also gets to have a taste of what school is like over there. We even get to experience her first time driving on the wrong side of the road and what that might be like for a new driver.
Something that Biel does a really good job of is bringing in the young adult energy while also keeping the action of the story going. Many times, authors will remove the “teenage” vibe and cause the main character to act older than their age. However, Brigit genuinely feels and thinks as a teenager would throughout the story. While she is worried and concerned about the potential dangers, she is also worried about friendships and fitting in. This is so important when writing a story with a specific audience in mind, as it helps that audience to truly relate to the characters.
As far as the magical content of the book is concerned, Biel does a great job at pulling you into each moment as if you might be experiencing it yourself. Something else I thought was really amazing is that she wrote out the magic in a way that it could have potentially happened in the real world and just been explained away by those unknowing. The way she writes is also very captivating. I was hooked from the beginning and wanted to know what was going to happen.
All in all, Mercy in the Mist by Valerie Biel was a well-written young adult urban fantasy with action, fun, adventure, magical realism, and cozy moments. There is mild cursing and some romantic kissing. This is definitely a story you should check out if you want to learn more about Irish folklore or if you just love a good cozy fantasy read with a bit of danger and mystery. I look forward to more in the Circle of Nine series!
September 4, 2025
Have you ever wondered about some of the old Celtic magic? The beliefs that were passed from mother to daughter about the Tuatha de Danann and their ancestors? In “Mercy in the Mist,” Valerie Biel explores this while continuing the story of Brigit and what it means to be a teenager today that’s descended from such a long lineage. This specific story covers nightmares that Brigit keeps having causing her to paint very detailed, haunting paintings of those who were condemned for dark magic. There are also mysterious threats and a police investigation going on that causes the entire Circle of Nine and their families to have to find out exactly what is going on.
All in all, “Mercy in the Mist” by Valerie Biel was a well written young adult urban fantasy with action, fun, adventure, and cozy moments. There is mild cursing and some romantic kissing. This is definitely a story you should check out if you want to learn more about Irish folklore or if you just love a good, cozy fantasy read with a bit of danger and mystery. I definitely hope there will be more in the series!
For a more detailed review, go to the link below:
https://readerviews.com/reviews/mercy...
All in all, “Mercy in the Mist” by Valerie Biel was a well written young adult urban fantasy with action, fun, adventure, and cozy moments. There is mild cursing and some romantic kissing. This is definitely a story you should check out if you want to learn more about Irish folklore or if you just love a good, cozy fantasy read with a bit of danger and mystery. I definitely hope there will be more in the series!
For a more detailed review, go to the link below:
https://readerviews.com/reviews/mercy...
June 30, 2025
Valerie Biel's latest book in the Circle of Nine series does not disappoint. Brigit is a contemporary teen dealing with her ancient Irish origins and magical gifts inherited from the Tuatha de Danann. The story seamlessly weaves typical teen concerns with her mission to protect her people. Heroes, sorcerers, good magic and evil test Brigit's sense of self, her resourcefulness, and her family's bonds. Oh, and readers are treated to a sweet romance forged in the fire of battle. I'll say no more lest a spoiler slip out.
December 19, 2025
Mercy in the Mist is a series that feels like stepping into a rabbit hole—you keep going deeper, following every twist and turn, always wondering what will come next. From the very first chapter, the story grabs your attention and never lets go. The plot is full of surprises, and just when you think you have the answers, the author adds another layer of mystery.
The characters are one of the strongest points of the series. They grow and change in ways that feel real and meaningful. You see them struggle, learn, and evolve, which makes catching up with them a pleasure. Their development adds emotional depth and keeps you invested in their journeys.
The storytelling is well-paced and engaging. Suspense and emotion are balanced perfectly, and every chapter brings something new—whether it’s a revelation, a conflict, or a subtle clue that will matter later.
The world-building deserves special mention. It starts as a mysterious backdrop and gradually becomes a rich, complex universe with its own rules and secrets. This layered approach makes the setting feel alive and keeps your curiosity burning.
Overall, Mercy in the Mist is a captivating read for anyone who loves mystery, character growth, and unexpected twists. It’s not just about finding answers—it’s about exploring a world where every answer leads to new questions. Highly recommended!
The characters are one of the strongest points of the series. They grow and change in ways that feel real and meaningful. You see them struggle, learn, and evolve, which makes catching up with them a pleasure. Their development adds emotional depth and keeps you invested in their journeys.
The storytelling is well-paced and engaging. Suspense and emotion are balanced perfectly, and every chapter brings something new—whether it’s a revelation, a conflict, or a subtle clue that will matter later.
The world-building deserves special mention. It starts as a mysterious backdrop and gradually becomes a rich, complex universe with its own rules and secrets. This layered approach makes the setting feel alive and keeps your curiosity burning.
Overall, Mercy in the Mist is a captivating read for anyone who loves mystery, character growth, and unexpected twists. It’s not just about finding answers—it’s about exploring a world where every answer leads to new questions. Highly recommended!
August 21, 2025
This magical fourth installment in Valerie Biel’s award-winning series, Circle of Nine, is a must for readers who love Celtic lore, spells, potions, and time portals.
Brigit Quinn, heir apparent to her mother’s place in the powerful Circle of Nine of the Tuatha de Danann tribe, can hear others’ thoughts. She cannot ignore anguished cries in her nightmares. Could the Otherworld’s Elders have erred and banished innocents to eternal punishment, along with the evil Malachi Dunne, Brigit’s grandfather? Hoping to question the Elders and free the innocents, the Quinn family travels from Massachusetts to Ireland to join other Circle members on their quest. But many perils and excitement await!
Biel has crafted a “realistic fantasy” as readers will soon suspend disbelief and cheer on Brigit, her boyfriend Bodie, and the others attempting a rescue. Green pastures and the beautiful Irish Sea are skillfully juxtaposed against ancient cairns and sinister plots to stop the team. This fast-paced mystery will have readers creating chants and longing for the continuation of this series!
Brigit Quinn, heir apparent to her mother’s place in the powerful Circle of Nine of the Tuatha de Danann tribe, can hear others’ thoughts. She cannot ignore anguished cries in her nightmares. Could the Otherworld’s Elders have erred and banished innocents to eternal punishment, along with the evil Malachi Dunne, Brigit’s grandfather? Hoping to question the Elders and free the innocents, the Quinn family travels from Massachusetts to Ireland to join other Circle members on their quest. But many perils and excitement await!
Biel has crafted a “realistic fantasy” as readers will soon suspend disbelief and cheer on Brigit, her boyfriend Bodie, and the others attempting a rescue. Green pastures and the beautiful Irish Sea are skillfully juxtaposed against ancient cairns and sinister plots to stop the team. This fast-paced mystery will have readers creating chants and longing for the continuation of this series!
November 7, 2025
Circle of Nine: Mercy in the Mist by Valerie Bell is book number 4 in the Circle of Nine book series! I love the beginning of the book where we meet Bree, who is the newest family member of the Quinn family. Brigit feels something is still wrong as she struggles with her dreams, she is getting visions and dreams. I love the relationship and interaction between Brigit and Bree. They are so cute:) I loved the relationship between Bodie, her boyfriend, and Brigit also, they are cute and fit well together. The story is mostly centered on Brigit and her journey to Ireland to solve the problem of what is going on in the underworld with their enemies. There are two boys also in love with Brigit in this book also, which makes the book more of an interesting read. I also enjoyed the part where Brigit was finding out about the disappearances in Ireland while Brigit and her family were there. I loved that ending and can not wait to see what happens on Beltane next!
July 9, 2025
A year has passed since Brigit learned about her magical Irish family history and gained her special, but sometimes embarrassing, power of knowing what people are thinking about her. Her parents reunited in the last installment of Valerie Biel’s Circle of Nine series, and now she has a new baby sister, who is already communicating her thoughts. Brigit’s biggest problem seems to be having two boys in love with her until she reads Irish news clippings about an ongoing investigation into disappearances that occurred while Brigit and her family were visiting Ireland. One of the people is Brigit’s grandfather. She knows the others too, and now, they’re haunting her dreams in this mystical story about ancient magic, those who guard the old stories and practices, and the epic battle between good and evil.
December 23, 2025
Mercy in the Mist by Valerie Biel is another terrific read! Like the finale in Harry Potter series, this fourth book is absolutely epic. When all is supposed to be over, everything is falling apart. No answers. To get answers, means to risk everything. How far will the heroine and characters go to find what they seek? It has everything. The characters worst fears, the edge of doom hanging in the air, and the what if they can't solve it vibe closing its grasp tightly. Valerie Biel does a splendid job in her world building that as a reader I felt completely transported into another world much more fascinating and deadly than the one really exists. Spellbinding, engaging, and thrilling Mercy in the Mist is an a magical adventure that forever live in the minds of readers to come.
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
August 9, 2025
A wonderfully restored family life, good friends, and a dreamy Irish boyfriend - what could go wrong? Well, hearing things, faceless threats, and old enemies reaching out from beyond, to name a few. In the much anticipated next installment to the Circle of Nine series, Valerie Biel’s Mercy in the Mist is spellbinding from first to last.
The story continues to follow Brigit as she understands her role as a descendant of the Tuatha, one of the magical tribes that formed Ireland. If that wasn’t enough pressure, she still has to deal with school, complex friendships, and a new baby sister. Biel beautifully blends the realistic day to day angst of being a teenager with spiritual magic. I cannot wait for the next book!
The story continues to follow Brigit as she understands her role as a descendant of the Tuatha, one of the magical tribes that formed Ireland. If that wasn’t enough pressure, she still has to deal with school, complex friendships, and a new baby sister. Biel beautifully blends the realistic day to day angst of being a teenager with spiritual magic. I cannot wait for the next book!
July 22, 2025
Magic and romance enthrall in Mercy in the Mist—the latest installment of Valerie Biel’s Circle of Nine series. Since the Elders imprisoned a purportedly dangerous group wielding black magic, Brigit Quinn has been haunted by horrific nightmares. As her dreams become more frightening, Brigit is more convinced that some of those locked in the Other World are innocent and calling out to her for help. And now her family is receiving anonymous death threats. Still only a teenager, skipping school and falling in love with her new boyfriend, Brigit’s magical gifts are as powerful as she is courageous. She takes on evil sorcerers and the Elders in this enchanting and suspenseful read.
July 9, 2025
Brigit Quinn’s magical powers grow stronger by the day. By night, her powerful dreams tell her something is off with the age-old prophecy. The Elders don’t lie. But Brigit risks everything to unveil the truth. I was entranced by the fourth book in the Circle of Nine Series. I’m a sucker for teenage protagonists who break the rules and question traditions and Mercy in the Mist delivers spellbinding suspense. This book has all the magic and charm of Biel’s previous books. Positively enchanting!
July 31, 2025
What if your trusted magic made a mistake? What if you condemned innocents to a fate worse than death? In this thrilling next installment of the Circle of Nine series, Brigit and her coven of mystical protectors are haunted by the cries of former enemies, wielders of dark magic who may have been innocent all along. Brigit races against time to learn who to trust and how to face Ancient Elders who might just as well kill her as help her. A mysterious and twisting tale full of magic, Irish lore, and a touch of romance. — Silvia Acevedo, award-winning author of Mail-Order Monsters: Crash Course
August 6, 2025
This novel by Valerie Biel weaves together modern times with ancient Irish lore, magic, and mystical practices. Teen Brigit Quinn must sort through her nightmares to face what’s real in order to seek help to fix a past mystical mistake. With others from the Circle of Nine, she must go into the Otherworld to save innocents despite the wrath they might face from their own Ancient Elders. Fascinating challenges, memorable characters, a gripping plot, and a sweet romance kept me captivated throughout the story.
August 8, 2025
Brigit Quinn is fierce, with and without her magical abilities! In Mercy in the Mist, Brigit faces nightmares and stalkers, all leading her back to Ireland to reconvene the Circle of Nine for a dangerous quest in the Otherworld. Understanding who is a friend and who is a foe undermines the Circle’s judgment, but the future of the sacred treasures and the Circle itself is threatened in Book 4 of The Circle of Nine series. Follow Brigit as she continues her journey of love, trust, friendship, and family ties, charged with magic and ancient Celtic mythology.
March 9, 2026
I haven't read the first book, but it was easy to pick up what had happened. The cast of characters and the glossary in the back was very helpful in that regard. This is an enjoyable read with plenty of action as well as a bit of romance. Brigit seems mature beyond her years and does assert herself more than one would expect from a trainee.
Some things do come together a bit more easily than what one would expect, specifically the resolution to the financial issues her Brigit's boyfriend and family are undergoing.
Some things do come together a bit more easily than what one would expect, specifically the resolution to the financial issues her Brigit's boyfriend and family are undergoing.
July 26, 2025
Brigit Quinn is a delightful heroine. She’s at a challenging stage of adolescence, and her magical powers are growing. She can hear what people are thinking, and while she tries to handle this judiciously, at times she just wants to listen. Her nightmares lead her to embark on a dangerous mission to the Otherworld to rescue wrongfully imprisoned members of her tribe. Adding to her problems is the challenge of a new romance. This is a book that’s impossible to put down.
July 14, 2025
Celtic magic stirs, and danger awakens. In Mercy in the Mist, Biel intensifies the stakes as Brigit Quinn’s haunted dreams crack open a truth the Circle of Nine isn’t ready to face. With ancient magic stirring and trust unraveling, this explosive installment delivers prophecy, peril, and reckoning in equal measure. Riveting, immersive, and unforgettable.
January 8, 2026
Valerie Biel’s Circle of Nine: Mercy in the Mist pulled me in from the first page and did not let go. Brigit Quinn’s journey is everything you want in a great fantasy with danger, romance, and magical twists around every corner. I loved that Brigit’s dreams refused to let her or the reader rest easy… I couldn’t stop reading; every chapter just raised the stakes.
What makes this story stand out isn’t just the magic and suspense, it’s the heart that underlies the words. The moments of loyalty, love, and fragile trust between Brigit, her family, and some very questionable immortals felt so real. If you love books where danger is just the beginning and every character is fighting for something bigger than themselves, this one’s a must-read. I loved it so much I’m grabbing the whole series for my nieces, and honestly, I can’t think of a better recommendation than that.
What makes this story stand out isn’t just the magic and suspense, it’s the heart that underlies the words. The moments of loyalty, love, and fragile trust between Brigit, her family, and some very questionable immortals felt so real. If you love books where danger is just the beginning and every character is fighting for something bigger than themselves, this one’s a must-read. I loved it so much I’m grabbing the whole series for my nieces, and honestly, I can’t think of a better recommendation than that.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews