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writings_of_a_reader's review against another edition
4.0
I'm a huge Mercy Thompson fan and I've read every one of the books, including the spin off series with Charles and Anna, so I have no idea why it took me so long to read this compilation of stories from that world, especially since I have this in three forms! But I finally got around to it and of course I loved it.
There are a total of 10 stories plus 2 outtakes in the book and I'll add my ratings and any thoughts on each one below.
Silver- 4 stars. This was a story that went way back to when Samuel was turned into a werewolf. Bran is featured as well and I liked getting this backstory on the two of them. It also tells how Samuel first met Ariana and how they eventually ended up parting ways.
Fairy Gifts- 3.5 stars. This one features Margaret who played a small role in Fire Touched. It's been a few years since I read that book, so I struggled to remember who she was. I liked this story a lot, but it didn't hold my interest as much as I wanted it to.
Gray- 3.5 stars. A story about a woman who gets turned into a vampire in 1920s Chicago and the tragic results. I enjoyed the ghost story aspect of it the most.
Seeing Eye- 4 stars. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story about how Tom and Moira from Hunting Ground met.
Alpha and Omega- 4 stars. Most people have read this prequel story to the Charles and Anna books, but I never got around to reading it until now. Typically I would dislike how instantly these two fall for each other, but I can give it a pass considering the circumstances and the wolf mate thing. I've always loved Anna as a character and it was interesting to actually read this even though it has been recapped a lot in the series.
The Star of David- 4 stars. This story is about Adam's old military buddy David Christiansen who was featured in Moon Called. It tells about what happens when his estranged daughter, Stella needs his help with a problem involving something supernatural. I really liked this one and the themes it touched on of love and forgiveness.
Roses in Winter- 4 stars. This is the story of the teenage werewolf Kara who is mentioned in Blood Bound. Patricia Briggs wasn't able to fit it into the book, but I'm glad that it was included here. I liked finding out what happened to Kara, and also the friendship she forms with Asil.
In Red, with Pearls-4 stars. This one is a story about Warren. I always enjoy Warren in the books, so this was a nice bit of insight into his character.
Redemption- 3.5 stars. This story is about Ben and it centers around his workplace and job as a DBA. I enjoyed the bit of character growth for him in this story, and the part with him trying to quit swearing for a week were pretty funny.
Hollow4 stars. Finally we get a story about Mercy. I thought there would be more of them, but this is the only one. Mercy reluctantly helps someone with a ghost problem here, and of course things get pretty hairy, just like every time Mercy gets involved in something. I found this one very entertaining.
There are a couple of outtakes at the end of the book that I thought were pretty good, one from Silver Borne about Samuel and Ariana and one from Night Broken that involves Adam and Coyote.
There are a total of 10 stories plus 2 outtakes in the book and I'll add my ratings and any thoughts on each one below.
Silver- 4 stars. This was a story that went way back to when Samuel was turned into a werewolf. Bran is featured as well and I liked getting this backstory on the two of them. It also tells how Samuel first met Ariana and how they eventually ended up parting ways.
Fairy Gifts- 3.5 stars. This one features Margaret who played a small role in Fire Touched. It's been a few years since I read that book, so I struggled to remember who she was. I liked this story a lot, but it didn't hold my interest as much as I wanted it to.
Gray- 3.5 stars. A story about a woman who gets turned into a vampire in 1920s Chicago and the tragic results. I enjoyed the ghost story aspect of it the most.
Seeing Eye- 4 stars. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story about how Tom and Moira from Hunting Ground met.
Alpha and Omega- 4 stars. Most people have read this prequel story to the Charles and Anna books, but I never got around to reading it until now. Typically I would dislike how instantly these two fall for each other, but I can give it a pass considering the circumstances and the wolf mate thing. I've always loved Anna as a character and it was interesting to actually read this even though it has been recapped a lot in the series.
The Star of David- 4 stars. This story is about Adam's old military buddy David Christiansen who was featured in Moon Called. It tells about what happens when his estranged daughter, Stella needs his help with a problem involving something supernatural. I really liked this one and the themes it touched on of love and forgiveness.
Roses in Winter- 4 stars. This is the story of the teenage werewolf Kara who is mentioned in Blood Bound. Patricia Briggs wasn't able to fit it into the book, but I'm glad that it was included here. I liked finding out what happened to Kara, and also the friendship she forms with Asil.
In Red, with Pearls-4 stars. This one is a story about Warren. I always enjoy Warren in the books, so this was a nice bit of insight into his character.
Redemption- 3.5 stars. This story is about Ben and it centers around his workplace and job as a DBA. I enjoyed the bit of character growth for him in this story, and the part with him trying to quit swearing for a week were pretty funny.
Hollow4 stars. Finally we get a story about Mercy. I thought there would be more of them, but this is the only one. Mercy reluctantly helps someone with a ghost problem here, and of course things get pretty hairy, just like every time Mercy gets involved in something. I found this one very entertaining.
There are a couple of outtakes at the end of the book that I thought were pretty good, one from Silver Borne about Samuel and Ariana and one from Night Broken that involves Adam and Coyote.
annettesbookbanter's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
When I picked up this book, I didn't pay much attention to the synopsis so I had assumed that this would be novellas in either of the MCs from the series. However I was pleasantly surprised that most of them are about side characters and their backstories.
I really enjoyed all of the novellas but my favourite was actually the one about Asil and Kara. I love Asil's character and to get to see a softer side of him through this novella was great. I also really enjoyed the backstory and further information of the other characters. The one about Samuel and Arianna, how they met, how their relationship developed and also family history of both her and his side including his father Bran, it all gave so much more depth to the characters and also weight to their parts in the series.
If you are reading or considering reading this series, I highly recommend reading these novellas. I only wished that I had known about them earlier so that I could have read them throughout the series.
I really enjoyed all of the novellas but my favourite was actually the one about Asil and Kara. I love Asil's character and to get to see a softer side of him through this novella was great. I also really enjoyed the backstory and further information of the other characters. The one about Samuel and Arianna, how they met, how their relationship developed and also family history of both her and his side including his father Bran, it all gave so much more depth to the characters and also weight to their parts in the series.
If you are reading or considering reading this series, I highly recommend reading these novellas. I only wished that I had known about them earlier so that I could have read them throughout the series.
thebookandteacup's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
bookishwonderlandco's review against another edition
5.0
I was excited to get back into the world of Mercedes Thompson, even if it was in the form of minor characters and shorter novellas. Its been almost a year since I read this, so only a few of the titles remind me of what the stories were about, so give me some leeway as I scrounge to remember.
All these stories were fascinating. Some remained with me more than others, but they all helped me see and realize more about these characters than I had previously realized by just reading the Mercy books.
In these novellas you will read about Samuel and the Marrok, and how they were turned and lived for a while. In that story you will also find out how Samuel met and fell for Ariana.
One of the last stories included is with Mercy as she gets in yet more trouble trying to help out a guy with a...poltergeist? (I think the description said poltergeist but it might have just been a malevolent ghost. Either way.
Also, one of the stories in here is about Ben. If you love Ben as much as I do, this book is totally worth everything just to have Ben be the main character and to get inside his head for a little while. The novella that is about him takes place a book or two after Ben is introduced into the Mercy world and is actually the events that turned Ben from a really self-centered wolf into the Ben that in later books is extremely loved. This story was absolutely fantastic and really helped me understand Ben in a way I didn't realize I needed to. Basically Ben finds a girl at his workplace that is being harassed by his and her boss, and Ben has to decide if he is going to stick up for her, ultimately showing he cares about others and not just himself, or he can continue to be more self-centered.
Another great thing about this book full of novellas, if the fact that these take place in the world of Mercedes Thompson wasn't enough, is that before each story there is a blurb where Patricia Briggs says something about the story you are about to read or the characters in said story. It offers some more wonderful insight not only into this world but everything that goes behind these stories, as well. Honestly this was an incredible read and I enjoyed every story that was in this book. I know I only brought up three of the many novellas in this book, but I have a lot more that I really enjoyed but I would run out of space. This was an incredible book and a great insight to many of the secondary characters and completely worth the read if you are even the smallest fan of the Mercy series!
All these stories were fascinating. Some remained with me more than others, but they all helped me see and realize more about these characters than I had previously realized by just reading the Mercy books.
In these novellas you will read about Samuel and the Marrok, and how they were turned and lived for a while. In that story you will also find out how Samuel met and fell for Ariana.
One of the last stories included is with Mercy as she gets in yet more trouble trying to help out a guy with a...poltergeist? (I think the description said poltergeist but it might have just been a malevolent ghost. Either way.
Also, one of the stories in here is about Ben. If you love Ben as much as I do, this book is totally worth everything just to have Ben be the main character and to get inside his head for a little while. The novella that is about him takes place a book or two after Ben is introduced into the Mercy world and is actually the events that turned Ben from a really self-centered wolf into the Ben that in later books is extremely loved. This story was absolutely fantastic and really helped me understand Ben in a way I didn't realize I needed to. Basically Ben finds a girl at his workplace that is being harassed by his and her boss, and Ben has to decide if he is going to stick up for her, ultimately showing he cares about others and not just himself, or he can continue to be more self-centered.
Another great thing about this book full of novellas, if the fact that these take place in the world of Mercedes Thompson wasn't enough, is that before each story there is a blurb where Patricia Briggs says something about the story you are about to read or the characters in said story. It offers some more wonderful insight not only into this world but everything that goes behind these stories, as well. Honestly this was an incredible read and I enjoyed every story that was in this book. I know I only brought up three of the many novellas in this book, but I have a lot more that I really enjoyed but I would run out of space. This was an incredible book and a great insight to many of the secondary characters and completely worth the read if you are even the smallest fan of the Mercy series!
lollylovesbooks's review against another edition
Brilliant anthology.
Personal favourites were:
Personal favourites were:
- Roses in Winter
- In Red, with Pearl's
- Redemption
But honestly enjoyed it all. Great accompaniment to the series.
mystery_jem's review against another edition
3.0
Mercy Thompson’s world just got a whole lot bigger…
A collection of all-new and previously published short stories featuring Mercy Thompson and the characters she calls friends…
Includes the new stories…
“Silver”... “Roses in Winter”... “Redemption”... “Hollow”
…and reader favorites
“Fairy Gifts”
“Gray”
“Alpha and Omega”
“Seeing Eye”
“The Star of David”
“In Red, with Pearls”
A collection of all-new and previously published short stories featuring Mercy Thompson and the characters she calls friends…
Includes the new stories…
“Silver”... “Roses in Winter”... “Redemption”... “Hollow”
…and reader favorites
“Fairy Gifts”
“Gray”
“Alpha and Omega”
“Seeing Eye”
“The Star of David”
“In Red, with Pearls”
frzncmbstn's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-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? It's complicated
4.25
nerdymamabooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
livsliterarynook's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
emilyb_chicago's review against another edition
5.0
Very satisfying book of short stories. They are a nice mix of new and republished and give extra depth to some of the characters that we have seen throughout the Mercy universe.