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the67impaladragonchild's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
veraann's review
4.0
Some of the stories in this were really great, some were just okay. There was one I skimmed through quickly because it just bored me. Overall good read, nice collection of short stories based in the Mercy world.
kathydavie's review against another edition
5.0
A collection of ten short stories that weave in and out of Mercy Thompson's World, an urban fantasy based in Washington state and revolving around a VW mechanic who happens to shift into a coyote and has ties to the Marrok in Montana.
On a very positive note, Shifting Shadows holds every short story Briggs has published so far in the Mercy Thompson series (two are in the Alpha & Omega series) PLUS four new ones! Briggs has also included a couple of outtake scenes.
Mercy Thompson Series:
"Silver" (NEW; centuries before Moon Called)
"Roses in Winter" (NEW; MT 4.5; A&O, 2.5)
"Redemption" (NEW; 7.5)
"Hollow" (NEW; 8.5)
"Fairy Gifts" (about a century before Moon Called and only connect to MT because there are fae in it)
"Gray" (before Moon Called and only connected to MT because it has vampires in it)
"Alpha and Omega" (Mercy Thompson 1a; Alpha & Omega, 0.5)
"Seeing Eye" (a year before Moon Called, so 0.75??; only connected to MT because it involves the Emerald City Pack in Seattle)
"The Star of David" (1.5; a fellow vet and friend of Adam's)
"In Red, with Pearls" (6.5)
The Stories
"Silver" is the first half of Ariana and Samuel's romance. How they met and why they parted. It's too sad, but incredibly detailed with back history on Samuel and Bran and how they came to be wolves because of Bran's black witch of a mother. This tale continues in Silver Borne, 5 (MT) 7 (overall).
"Fairy Gifts" takes place in an abandoned copper mine in Butte, Montana. It's a clever story in many ways with Briggs not telling us what Thomas is until the end. It's a twice-needed rescue for Margaret Flanagan and gives Thomas the greatest gift. A gift for which he is so very grateful.
It's an interesting story but convoluted. You'll need to pay close attention to this.
"Gray" is such a sad love story about a vampire who finally wins free to seek her old love. I absolutely adore it even as I cry.
"Seeing Eye" is an odd alliance of werewolf and white witch as they hunt for the wolf's missing brother and do battle against an evil coven. There is such a wealth of history in this one, and so much sadness as well. Yet it does end on a note of hope.
"Alpha and Omega" is one that I adore. It's Charles' meeting up with Anna and is so romantic — werewolf-wise, lol. It takes place in Chicago when Charles is forced to clean up an insane mess. We also get the background on why Charles was born and why his birth makes him so special.
"Star of David" is a Christmas side story about David Christiansen, a survivor along with Adam of the attack in Vietnam that turned them both into werewolves. It's sad and fascinating as David's estranged daughter contacts him for help for one of her foster kids. Yet another indictment of the fostercare system. The title is about Stella, the daughter David has always called his star.
"Roses in Winter" is an odd partnership of Asil and Kara Beckworth, the young girl who was attacked and whose parents have been trying to keep her safe and alive. It was her father in Blood Bound, 2, who had approached Mercy about his daughter. This short story provides a peek in at the rules that bind the werewolves, the Marrok, and Asil's past and sense of honor.
Asil speaks to Kara of his mate whom he had loved enough to want to destroy the world. I love that his memory of her is roses. That "roses smelled like happiness … [and that every time] … she smelled a rose, she thought of the day we met."
I love that Asil is so supportive of Kara and that comment he makes to one of the alphas made me want to cheer: "You are so anxious to kill her that you cannot wait ten minutes?"
"In Red, With Pearls" is a real twister of a story that starts with a zombie assassin after Kyle. Naturally Warren is very concerned and learns all sorts of things about those who might want his lover dead. Loved all the deductions Warren made!
"Redemption" is just too funny as it opens with Ben talking to a tech support guy in India about their lousy software. It's funny on so many levels what with Ben not being able to swear (and Briggs does a great job of making us feel Ben's efforts, lol) and Rajeev frustrated over the "half-written spaghetti code". It's ins and outs of geekery with the humanizing efforts the geeks include for their servers as well as the advantages some programmers try to take. Oh, boy.
It's a tale of harassment that forces Ben into greater personal growth, forces him to understand what truly makes a wolf dominant.
"Hollow" is a sort-of ghost exorcism as Mercy helps a couple of strangers get rid of an unexpected ghost haunting a man. There's also a quick bit in here about Mercy's decision to not rebuild her garage after events in Night Broken, 8.
An outtake scene from Silver Borne that relates to Samuel and Ariana's story during the rescue of Mercy from the fairy queen's Elphame when her mate bond with Adam was broken. Of Samuel's despair and Ariana's fear.
An outtake scene from Night Broken that Briggs simply couldn't work into the story and comes at the very end of Night Broken when Mercy is dying in the hospital and Coyote saves her.
The Cover and Title
The cover has a blue sky background with snow-covered mountain peaks angling across the bottom with a profile of a busty Mercy caught between thin golden rails one of which includes a loping coyote within a semi-circle, perfectly replicating the coyote at the top of her bicep tattoo. She's wearing a form-fitting black tank top, her hair in braids, wearing long feather earrings, and appearing to be lost in thought as she looks downward.
I'm thinking the title reflects Mercy's world of Shifting Shadows for shifters keep within the shadows to protect their secrets.
On a very positive note, Shifting Shadows holds every short story Briggs has published so far in the Mercy Thompson series (two are in the Alpha & Omega series) PLUS four new ones! Briggs has also included a couple of outtake scenes.
Mercy Thompson Series:
"Silver" (NEW; centuries before Moon Called)
"Roses in Winter" (NEW; MT 4.5; A&O, 2.5)
"Redemption" (NEW; 7.5)
"Hollow" (NEW; 8.5)
"Fairy Gifts" (about a century before Moon Called and only connect to MT because there are fae in it)
"Gray" (before Moon Called and only connected to MT because it has vampires in it)
"Alpha and Omega" (Mercy Thompson 1a; Alpha & Omega, 0.5)
"Seeing Eye" (a year before Moon Called, so 0.75??; only connected to MT because it involves the Emerald City Pack in Seattle)
"The Star of David" (1.5; a fellow vet and friend of Adam's)
"In Red, with Pearls" (6.5)
The Stories
"Silver" is the first half of Ariana and Samuel's romance. How they met and why they parted. It's too sad, but incredibly detailed with back history on Samuel and Bran and how they came to be wolves because of Bran's black witch of a mother. This tale continues in Silver Borne, 5 (MT) 7 (overall).
"Fairy Gifts" takes place in an abandoned copper mine in Butte, Montana. It's a clever story in many ways with Briggs not telling us what Thomas is until the end. It's a twice-needed rescue for Margaret Flanagan and gives Thomas the greatest gift. A gift for which he is so very grateful.
It's an interesting story but convoluted. You'll need to pay close attention to this.
"Gray" is such a sad love story about a vampire who finally wins free to seek her old love. I absolutely adore it even as I cry.
"Seeing Eye" is an odd alliance of werewolf and white witch as they hunt for the wolf's missing brother and do battle against an evil coven. There is such a wealth of history in this one, and so much sadness as well. Yet it does end on a note of hope.
"Alpha and Omega" is one that I adore. It's Charles' meeting up with Anna and is so romantic — werewolf-wise, lol. It takes place in Chicago when Charles is forced to clean up an insane mess. We also get the background on why Charles was born and why his birth makes him so special.
"Star of David" is a Christmas side story about David Christiansen, a survivor along with Adam of the attack in Vietnam that turned them both into werewolves. It's sad and fascinating as David's estranged daughter contacts him for help for one of her foster kids. Yet another indictment of the fostercare system. The title is about Stella, the daughter David has always called his star.
"Roses in Winter" is an odd partnership of Asil and Kara Beckworth, the young girl who was attacked and whose parents have been trying to keep her safe and alive. It was her father in Blood Bound, 2, who had approached Mercy about his daughter. This short story provides a peek in at the rules that bind the werewolves, the Marrok, and Asil's past and sense of honor.
Asil speaks to Kara of his mate whom he had loved enough to want to destroy the world. I love that his memory of her is roses. That "roses smelled like happiness … [and that every time] … she smelled a rose, she thought of the day we met."
I love that Asil is so supportive of Kara and that comment he makes to one of the alphas made me want to cheer: "You are so anxious to kill her that you cannot wait ten minutes?"
"In Red, With Pearls" is a real twister of a story that starts with a zombie assassin after Kyle. Naturally Warren is very concerned and learns all sorts of things about those who might want his lover dead. Loved all the deductions Warren made!
"Redemption" is just too funny as it opens with Ben talking to a tech support guy in India about their lousy software. It's funny on so many levels what with Ben not being able to swear (and Briggs does a great job of making us feel Ben's efforts, lol) and Rajeev frustrated over the "half-written spaghetti code". It's ins and outs of geekery with the humanizing efforts the geeks include for their servers as well as the advantages some programmers try to take. Oh, boy.
It's a tale of harassment that forces Ben into greater personal growth, forces him to understand what truly makes a wolf dominant.
"Hollow" is a sort-of ghost exorcism as Mercy helps a couple of strangers get rid of an unexpected ghost haunting a man. There's also a quick bit in here about Mercy's decision to not rebuild her garage after events in Night Broken, 8.
An outtake scene from Silver Borne that relates to Samuel and Ariana's story during the rescue of Mercy from the fairy queen's Elphame when her mate bond with Adam was broken. Of Samuel's despair and Ariana's fear.
An outtake scene from Night Broken that Briggs simply couldn't work into the story and comes at the very end of Night Broken when Mercy is dying in the hospital and Coyote saves her.
The Cover and Title
The cover has a blue sky background with snow-covered mountain peaks angling across the bottom with a profile of a busty Mercy caught between thin golden rails one of which includes a loping coyote within a semi-circle, perfectly replicating the coyote at the top of her bicep tattoo. She's wearing a form-fitting black tank top, her hair in braids, wearing long feather earrings, and appearing to be lost in thought as she looks downward.
I'm thinking the title reflects Mercy's world of Shifting Shadows for shifters keep within the shadows to protect their secrets.
kristen1994's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
agirlandherlibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
My Series review / chat with Librarian Part 1 can be found here: https://youtu.be/I5kVezRc1Qk
Part 2 Can be found here: https://youtu.be/ZbhpqVA7Fqs (from 27th July 2021)
Part 2 Can be found here: https://youtu.be/ZbhpqVA7Fqs (from 27th July 2021)
katieinca's review against another edition
3.0
A collection of short stories, some of which are really not short, some of which are pretty forgettable, and some of which have been published elsewhere (but only one of which I’d read before). But if you get a really good deal on Kindle like I did, it's a fun read. E.g., there's a story about werewolf Ben at work that's just delightful. Also a Charles/Anna story that made us finally consider reading the Alpha Omega series, which we'd been hesitant do even though we tore through all her Mercy Thompson books.
catmegz's review against another edition
5.0
Love the Mercy Thompson world. Things aren't clear cut, and there are no easy solutions. The characters are unique and memorable and beautifully flawed.
skycrane's review against another edition
4.0
I haven't read all the stories in this yet (I skipped the early ones for now), but those I have read are all good. "Fairy Gifts" in particular was great, and "Gray" was my favorite. I guess I just really like Patricia Briggs' vampires. It's fun to read about creative and non-traditional takes on vampires too, but I appreciate that these ones are actually evil and actually dead. It's nice to read about vampires that truly feel cursed.
"The Star of David" is pretty good, but also a little bit hilarious. I didn't realize this when reading Moon Called but the person the werewolves chose as the face for their coming out is a man who murdered his wife and her lover only 30 years ago. Apparently he never got caught, but there are people alive who remember him and his family. Might be a bit of a liability.
I also liked "Alpha and Omega". The broad strokes of the story are already explained in the series, but this fills in the details.
"The Star of David" is pretty good, but also a little bit hilarious. I didn't realize this when reading Moon Called but the person the werewolves chose as the face for their coming out is a man who murdered his wife and her lover only 30 years ago. Apparently he never got caught, but there are people alive who remember him and his family. Might be a bit of a liability.
I also liked "Alpha and Omega". The broad strokes of the story are already explained in the series, but this fills in the details.
katyanaish's review
4.0
Really great collection for Mercy-verse fans, that fills out some detail on the stellar secondary cast in the series.
Silver - 4.5 stars
I ate this one up for the details about Bran and Samuel's beginnings - anyone who has read my Mercy reviews knows that Bran is my favorite character, and so it was great to get these details. Lots of it was heartbreaking.
I didn't care so much about Ariana - she feels a bit like a convenient booby-prize that wrapped up the love triangle, and I'm not entirely convinced that this short works with the little bit of backstory we got on their relationship in Silver Borne ... I love Samuel, and I love that he got a real HEA - he deserves it - rather than just left adrift when Mercy picked Adam. But I don't care much about Ariana and I probably never will. She's too convenient ... this super powerful fragile doll that Samuel is utterly devoted to and has to protect.
What I'd really love is a short story that really hammers out what happened with the witch, and how Samuel got his father back.
Fairy Gifts - 4 stars
This was an excellent short giving us the background of Thomas and Margaret... and I really enjoyed it. I'm embarrassed to say, though, that it took me a good chunk of the short to remember who Thomas is - I finally remembered when he first encountered young Margaret in the mines, and then kicked myself for being stupid.
Really well-done story, and it is fantastic to know just what went on to create this unusual devotion between the vampire and the fairy princess.
Gray - 5 stars
This one surprised me. I didn't know the character (still don't - I think she may be a new one in the Mercy-verse, created for this short?), but the story was so tremendously engaging ... this heartfelt story of love, loss and redemption ... that I was completely engaged. I am getting choked up now, just putting the review together. Excellent, excellent short story. And that's saying something, because in general, shorts aren't my favorite things... and shorts with characters I don't know are usually even less appealing to me - there's barely time to get to know the character, much less get invested, before we're done. So this one is well worth the read.
Seeing Eye - 4 stars
The story of how Tom and Moira met (characters from the Alpha and Omega series). It was good, but they were so focused on the crisis (and of course they were, that's not a slam) that we didn't get much of a chance to explore their connection with each other. I feel like... I'd have loved for this to have like 30% more story, so that we got to see Tom and Moira really form a personal connection. As it is, in this short, they worked well together, but I'd sort of expect that, now that that business is done, they'll each go their own way. We know that doesn't happen (because their appearance in A&O is after this), so I'd like to see how that relationship grows.
Alpha & Omega - 5 stars
This story is about Charles and Anna meeting. I've read it before, and it is fabulous. This is the kick off to the A&O series.
The Star of David - 3.5 stars
We get to meet David Christiansen. Okay, we met him briefly in Moon Called but he didn't really stand out - in that first book, we met SO MANY characters that he was sort of lost in the shuffle. Even more so because he sort of came out of nowhere in the 3rd act, and we weren't really sure who he was, what his motives were, etc.
Anyway, David's life was tragic - he, along with Adam, was Changed while on a mission. But while Adam was fortunate, and was found/helped before he hurt anyone, David was not so fortunate - he changed and killed his wife. And, we find out in this short, probably would have killed his children, but his daughter stopped him.
This story is David's reconnection with his daughter. It was a sweet story, but hard to get emotionally invested in. I think the difference between this and Gray (because that one worked so much better at getting me emotionally involved, despite it also being about characters I don't know) is that this one had so much going on. We had to stay focused on business - the vampire, the wizard kid - and didn't get much time to buy into the relationship between David and Stella. Because ... I still don't believe it, I guess. Why, after all this time, would she call him for this? Okay, I get that she thinks something hinky is going on, but why wouldn't she call her brothers, then? And how did this mend her relationship with her father? What realizations did she have? We didn't see any of this, so I feel like I don't know.
Roses in Winter - 5 stars
We finally get to see what happens to Kara!!
And even better, Bran and Asil (who I never talk about, and I don't know why, because I adore Asil) were core in this story.
I would like to say, though, that for a people who regularly mourns that they can't have children, and supposedly cherish them ... I can't believe I just cannot believe that everyone wouldn't agree that this is a special circumstance.
Mostly, I really loved this one because... Bran and Asil have a great relationship. The way they dance around each other is wonderful. And seeing both these old wolves struggle because they love this child, and they are old enough to know that allowing connection to anything is dangerous ... it's just a really beautiful story.
Also, I'm waiting for the book where we really see Bran throw down. He's put himself in a position where he doesn't need to fight, for the most part - and I feel like that's a good strategic move. I mean, so many of the old wolves struggle with not losing themselves... I suspect that if Bran had to fight and kill as much as, say, Charles ... they'd probably lose him.
But he will need to fight eventually. Every once and awhile, the Big Boss has to show his teeth, so people remember why he's the Big Boss. And I think that this short made it clear - with the douche Alaskan Alpha - that it is probably time for Bran to show his teeth.
In Red, With Pearls - 4 stars
I enjoyed this, because I love Warren and Kyle. They are two of my favorites from Mercy's supporting cast, and I'm always happy to revisit.
That said, this was fairly ... straightforward. It also felt weirdly retreading to have
This short is a comfy cup of cocoa with old friends. Not challenging, not particularly emotional, but a lovely time was had by all.
Redemption - 4 stars
Ben is another of my absolute favorites in the Mercy supporting cast. (He's no Bran, but Bran is in a league of his own. Ben, though, with his harsh exterior and squishy, hurt interior has utterly won me over.)
This short story was fun, because I noticed the change in Ben in the Mercy-verse - the way he was taking on more of an authority position, and watching out for the other wolves - and it was awesome to see the beginning of that.
Hollow - 4.5 stars
Mercy, Zack, and a ghost story. With a little bit of Adam, Samuel and Ariana thrown in for extra fun.
It's a good short story, and a wonderful treat for the end of this collection. Poor Adam. He may actually be the first wolf in history to die of a heart attack. And you get some extra stuff too ... Mercy struggling with whether to rebuild the garage, struggling with what her role is. Really enjoyed this short.
Silver - 4.5 stars
I ate this one up for the details about Bran and Samuel's beginnings - anyone who has read my Mercy reviews knows that Bran is my favorite character, and so it was great to get these details. Lots of it was heartbreaking.
I didn't care so much about Ariana - she feels a bit like a convenient booby-prize that wrapped up the love triangle, and I'm not entirely convinced that this short works with the little bit of backstory we got on their relationship in Silver Borne ...
Spoiler
I just re-read it recently, and so I'm positive that in the book Samuel left her way back then because he couldn't bear her terror of wolves/dogs. But in this short, she actually leaves him, because she's afraid she'll lose control again (after nearly killing him when she lost control).What I'd really love is a short story that really hammers out what happened with the witch, and how Samuel got his father back.
Fairy Gifts - 4 stars
This was an excellent short giving us the background of Thomas and Margaret... and I really enjoyed it. I'm embarrassed to say, though, that it took me a good chunk of the short to remember who Thomas is - I finally remembered when he first encountered young Margaret in the mines, and then kicked myself for being stupid.
Really well-done story, and it is fantastic to know just what went on to create this unusual devotion between the vampire and the fairy princess.
Gray - 5 stars
This one surprised me. I didn't know the character (still don't - I think she may be a new one in the Mercy-verse, created for this short?), but the story was so tremendously engaging ... this heartfelt story of love, loss and redemption ... that I was completely engaged. I am getting choked up now, just putting the review together. Excellent, excellent short story. And that's saying something, because in general, shorts aren't my favorite things... and shorts with characters I don't know are usually even less appealing to me - there's barely time to get to know the character, much less get invested, before we're done. So this one is well worth the read.
Seeing Eye - 4 stars
The story of how Tom and Moira met (characters from the Alpha and Omega series). It was good, but they were so focused on the crisis (and of course they were, that's not a slam) that we didn't get much of a chance to explore their connection with each other. I feel like... I'd have loved for this to have like 30% more story, so that we got to see Tom and Moira really form a personal connection. As it is, in this short, they worked well together, but I'd sort of expect that, now that that business is done, they'll each go their own way. We know that doesn't happen (because their appearance in A&O is after this), so I'd like to see how that relationship grows.
Alpha & Omega - 5 stars
This story is about Charles and Anna meeting. I've read it before, and it is fabulous. This is the kick off to the A&O series.
The Star of David - 3.5 stars
We get to meet David Christiansen. Okay, we met him briefly in Moon Called but he didn't really stand out - in that first book, we met SO MANY characters that he was sort of lost in the shuffle. Even more so because he sort of came out of nowhere in the 3rd act, and we weren't really sure who he was, what his motives were, etc.
Anyway, David's life was tragic - he, along with Adam, was Changed while on a mission. But while Adam was fortunate, and was found/helped before he hurt anyone, David was not so fortunate - he changed and killed his wife. And, we find out in this short, probably would have killed his children, but his daughter stopped him.
This story is David's reconnection with his daughter. It was a sweet story, but hard to get emotionally invested in. I think the difference between this and Gray (because that one worked so much better at getting me emotionally involved, despite it also being about characters I don't know) is that this one had so much going on. We had to stay focused on business - the vampire, the wizard kid - and didn't get much time to buy into the relationship between David and Stella. Because ... I still don't believe it, I guess. Why, after all this time, would she call him for this? Okay, I get that she thinks something hinky is going on, but why wouldn't she call her brothers, then? And how did this mend her relationship with her father? What realizations did she have? We didn't see any of this, so I feel like I don't know.
Roses in Winter - 5 stars
We finally get to see what happens to Kara!!
And even better, Bran and Asil (who I never talk about, and I don't know why, because I adore Asil) were core in this story.
I would like to say, though, that for a people who regularly mourns that they can't have children, and supposedly cherish them ... I can't believe
Spoiler
that they were all hardcore about the rules for Kara. Give me a fucking break. She spent years in a cage. She's making progress, and they can all see that. Why can't it be like... she gets a year WITH BRAN to get her shit together? There's no precedent for one this young - if Bran and Asil don't know of any werewolf this young, you can bet there probably has never been one - so give her some room to see if she survives.Mostly, I really loved this one because... Bran and Asil have a great relationship. The way they dance around each other is wonderful. And seeing both these old wolves struggle because they love this child, and they are old enough to know that allowing connection to anything is dangerous ... it's just a really beautiful story.
Also, I'm waiting for the book where we really see Bran throw down. He's put himself in a position where he doesn't need to fight, for the most part - and I feel like that's a good strategic move. I mean, so many of the old wolves struggle with not losing themselves... I suspect that if Bran had to fight and kill as much as, say, Charles ... they'd probably lose him.
But he will need to fight eventually. Every once and awhile, the Big Boss has to show his teeth, so people remember why he's the Big Boss. And I think that this short made it clear - with the douche Alaskan Alpha - that it is probably time for Bran to show his teeth.
In Red, With Pearls - 4 stars
I enjoyed this, because I love Warren and Kyle. They are two of my favorites from Mercy's supporting cast, and I'm always happy to revisit.
That said, this was fairly ... straightforward. It also felt weirdly retreading to have
Spoiler
yet another one of Elizaveta's family be the bad guy. I just have to wonder how many of her family members are going to be behind attacks on the wolves before they are like "well, okay, fuck this... let's wipe out the witches." Bran is right, can't trust any witches in the Mercy-verse.This short is a comfy cup of cocoa with old friends. Not challenging, not particularly emotional, but a lovely time was had by all.
Redemption - 4 stars
Ben is another of my absolute favorites in the Mercy supporting cast. (He's no Bran, but Bran is in a league of his own. Ben, though, with his harsh exterior and squishy, hurt interior has utterly won me over.)
This short story was fun, because I noticed the change in Ben in the Mercy-verse - the way he was taking on more of an authority position, and watching out for the other wolves - and it was awesome to see the beginning of that.
Hollow - 4.5 stars
Mercy, Zack, and a ghost story. With a little bit of Adam, Samuel and Ariana thrown in for extra fun.
It's a good short story, and a wonderful treat for the end of this collection. Poor Adam. He may actually be the first wolf in history to die of a heart attack. And you get some extra stuff too ... Mercy struggling with whether to rebuild the garage, struggling with what her role is. Really enjoyed this short.
aoutramafalda's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25