A review by katleap
Shifting Shadows by Patricia Briggs
5.0
5 stars
This is a collection of short stories from the Mercy Thompson world. Some have been previously published and some are brand new, plus two outtakes. I LOVED this book. Totally worth it.
One of my favorite things is that Patricia Briggs gives an intro to every story. They are in chronological order (YAY) and she gives us some tidbits about it and where/why it falls in the story line.
Silver : Takes place years (At least 1000) before the events in [b:Moon Called|71811|Moon Called (Mercy Thompson, #1)|Patricia Briggs|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1272070347l/71811._SY75_.jpg|69530].
This is the story of Bran and Samuel and Arianna. We got the brief version in Silver Borne. It has the details of the Witch that turned Bran and Samuel. It delves into Bran's family (a little bit), and Arianna's father with his want to be more powerful than her. We also learn why Samuel and Arianna parted ways.
I adored this story. Sad though it was, the backstory was wonderful and seeing it through Samuel's eyes as opposed the Bran's made it hopeful.
Fairy Gifts : Takes place before Moon Called.
This is story of Thomas Hao, a vampire who is revisiting his home town. He finds that some of the Fae want him to find and kill an old friend who has gone "crazy". We also learn how Thomas became a vampire and how he can stand in the sun.
Oh my Goodness! Oh my Goodness! I read this story after it was published but it has importance for [b:Frost Burned|13413589|Frost Burned (Mercy Thompson, #7)|Patricia Briggs|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1344299919l/13413589._SY75_.jpg|15955708]. I was so excited when I put it together plus it explains stuff.
Gray : Takes place anytime before Moon Called.
Elyna is a vampire who is moving back into the apartment she lived in as a human with her husband. There are rumors that the apartment is haunted and because Elyna accidentally killed her husband when she was turned, she hopes that it might be him.
I read this story in the [b:Home Improvement: Undead Edition|9450406|Home Improvement Undead Edition|Charlaine Harris|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1288068876l/9450406._SY75_.jpg|14335169] and it was one of my favorites!!! I wouldn't mind seeing these characters again.
Seeing Eye : Takes place one year before Moon Called.
This is the story of how Tom and Moira, who are awesome side characters in [b:Hunting Ground|5292853|Hunting Ground (Alpha & Omega, #2)|Patricia Briggs|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1375461295l/5292853._SY75_.jpg|5360280], meet. She's a blind witch and he's a werewolf who needs her to find his missing brother.
I've never read this story. I liked it but I actually would have liked a little more. It ended really abruptly. Plus I want to see Tom's brother some more. *grin*
Alpha and Omega : Takes place during Moon Called.
This is the novella that started Anna and Charles story. Due to the events in Moon Called, Charles is sent Chicago to investigate and ends up meeting Anna. Their story continues in [b:Cry Wolf|2355575|Cry Wolf (Alpha & Omega, #1)|Patricia Briggs|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1310494063l/2355575._SY75_.jpg|2362332].
I love these two. I was so excited when I originally read this novella that there would be a continuation of their story. These two fit together so interestingly. Plus it gives us a different look at characters in the Mercy verse. (and more time with Bran and Asil). I still really want to see Mercy and Anna meet.
The Star of David : Takes place the Christmas after "most" of the events in Moon Called.
David Christiansen makes a brief, but pivotal, appearance in Moon Called. We don't get much of his story except to know that his history was tragic and he'd created his own future out of it. I liked him for it and I was happy to see him again.
David's estranged daughter calls him when she needs his help with one of her foster kids. This gives him a chance to reconnect with his family. I loved meeting Devonte. We hear, in the books, about how there are more than just witches, wolves, and vampires in this world....it's interesting to see wizards make appearance, too.
Roses in Winter : Takes place between Bone Crossed and Silver Borne.
Told from Asil's point-of-view this story gives us an update on Kara, the little girl that Mercy sends to the Bran in [b:Blood Bound|285205|Blood Bound (Mercy Thompson, #2)|Patricia Briggs|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1358229157l/285205._SY75_.jpg|2577848]. So Kara is in Montana with the Marrok pack and she is having problems with her transition from wolf to human. She gets stuck. However its time for the annual changing and an alpha is making trouble for Bran. Kara is targeted because she is breaking the rules.
I adore Asil. I've been wanting an update on Kara ever since she was first mentioned. I knew that Bran would take care of her but I was so happy to see her worming her way into Asil's heart. I want that old wolf happy and I think that he has a chance. Kara is good. Sage is good.
In Red, with Pearls : Takes place between Silver Borne and River Marked.
This is about Warren and Kyle. Warren works for Kyle and a zombie is sent to try and kill Kyle. Warren does some real detective work and figures out who has it in for his boyfriend.
I like Warren and Kyle is fun. I wish that there was some pack interaction or more Kyle-Warren interaction.
Redemption : Takes place between Frost Burned and [b:Night Broken|17562900|Night Broken (Mercy Thompson, #8)|Patricia Briggs|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1379437095l/17562900._SY75_.jpg|24495112].
It's about Ben!!!!
Ben is a new transfer to Adam's pack in Moon Called. He hates women. And is one of the lowest dominants in the pack. As the series continues Ben proves himself and hints at some sort of tragic history. He and Mercy start to connect. He has become one of my favorite characters.
Ben works with databases and he likes to keep his distance from his coworkers. He is particularly mean to the secretary, who is continually being hit on by one of the supervisors. Ben isn't sure why he constantly makes moves to intervene. He doesn't do it nicely, in true Ben fashion, but he does it. His confusion, the ensuing discussion with Adam, reveals that Ben is a low dominate because the other dominates don't trust him to protect them. But Ben is changing. His coworkers are ones he is starting to protect. We also get a bit of Ben's history, why he came to Adam's pack. Plus Mercy comes to pick him up. It's sweet.
Hollow : Takes place after [b:Night Broken|17562900|Night Broken (Mercy Thompson, #8)|Patricia Briggs|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1379437095l/17562900._SY75_.jpg|24495112].
This is the Mercy story in the collection. She goes to deal with a ghost taking Zack (the new submissive) with her. She is making decisions about her garage and we get to see both Sam & Arianna and Gary. It was awesome.
Outtakes : I wasn't expecting to get some deleted/outtake scenes from the Mercy Thompson books, so this was a nice treat when I got to the end of the stories!
From Silver Borne, it takes place near the end of this novel and is from Arianna's point-of-view. Patricia Briggs notes that her husband thought, since she included the beginning of Samuel and Arianna's relationship in "Silver" and that it ends on a rather sad note, she should include something to remind readers that they do get their happily-ever-after. A sweet scene that shows them reconnecting, and gives even more history between them. It was perfect and just added to Silver Borne.
From [b:Night Broken|17562900|Night Broken (Mercy Thompson, #8)|Patricia Briggs|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1379437095l/17562900._SY75_.jpg|24495112], again it takes place near the end when Mercy's recovering and is from Adam's point-of-view. I really loved seeing how Adam thinks of her, and how in love with her he is. I really thought that this was the perfect way to end the book. I wish so hard that this had been the way [b:Night Broken|17562900|Night Broken (Mercy Thompson, #8)|Patricia Briggs|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1379437095l/17562900._SY75_.jpg|24495112] had ended.
Just loved the whole thing!!!!
This is a collection of short stories from the Mercy Thompson world. Some have been previously published and some are brand new, plus two outtakes. I LOVED this book. Totally worth it.
One of my favorite things is that Patricia Briggs gives an intro to every story. They are in chronological order (YAY) and she gives us some tidbits about it and where/why it falls in the story line.
Silver : Takes place years (At least 1000) before the events in [b:Moon Called|71811|Moon Called (Mercy Thompson, #1)|Patricia Briggs|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1272070347l/71811._SY75_.jpg|69530].
This is the story of Bran and Samuel and Arianna. We got the brief version in Silver Borne. It has the details of the Witch that turned Bran and Samuel. It delves into Bran's family (a little bit), and Arianna's father with his want to be more powerful than her. We also learn why Samuel and Arianna parted ways.
I adored this story. Sad though it was, the backstory was wonderful and seeing it through Samuel's eyes as opposed the Bran's made it hopeful.
Fairy Gifts : Takes place before Moon Called.
This is story of Thomas Hao, a vampire who is revisiting his home town. He finds that some of the Fae want him to find and kill an old friend who has gone "crazy". We also learn how Thomas became a vampire and how he can stand in the sun.
Oh my Goodness! Oh my Goodness! I read this story after it was published but it has importance for [b:Frost Burned|13413589|Frost Burned (Mercy Thompson, #7)|Patricia Briggs|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1344299919l/13413589._SY75_.jpg|15955708]. I was so excited when I put it together plus it explains stuff.
Gray : Takes place anytime before Moon Called.
Elyna is a vampire who is moving back into the apartment she lived in as a human with her husband. There are rumors that the apartment is haunted and because Elyna accidentally killed her husband when she was turned, she hopes that it might be him.
I read this story in the [b:Home Improvement: Undead Edition|9450406|Home Improvement Undead Edition|Charlaine Harris|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1288068876l/9450406._SY75_.jpg|14335169] and it was one of my favorites!!! I wouldn't mind seeing these characters again.
Seeing Eye : Takes place one year before Moon Called.
This is the story of how Tom and Moira, who are awesome side characters in [b:Hunting Ground|5292853|Hunting Ground (Alpha & Omega, #2)|Patricia Briggs|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1375461295l/5292853._SY75_.jpg|5360280], meet. She's a blind witch and he's a werewolf who needs her to find his missing brother.
I've never read this story. I liked it but I actually would have liked a little more. It ended really abruptly. Plus I want to see Tom's brother some more. *grin*
Alpha and Omega : Takes place during Moon Called.
This is the novella that started Anna and Charles story. Due to the events in Moon Called, Charles is sent Chicago to investigate and ends up meeting Anna. Their story continues in [b:Cry Wolf|2355575|Cry Wolf (Alpha & Omega, #1)|Patricia Briggs|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1310494063l/2355575._SY75_.jpg|2362332].
I love these two. I was so excited when I originally read this novella that there would be a continuation of their story. These two fit together so interestingly. Plus it gives us a different look at characters in the Mercy verse. (and more time with Bran and Asil). I still really want to see Mercy and Anna meet.
The Star of David : Takes place the Christmas after "most" of the events in Moon Called.
David Christiansen makes a brief, but pivotal, appearance in Moon Called. We don't get much of his story except to know that his history was tragic and he'd created his own future out of it. I liked him for it and I was happy to see him again.
David's estranged daughter calls him when she needs his help with one of her foster kids. This gives him a chance to reconnect with his family. I loved meeting Devonte. We hear, in the books, about how there are more than just witches, wolves, and vampires in this world....it's interesting to see wizards make appearance, too.
Roses in Winter : Takes place between Bone Crossed and Silver Borne.
Told from Asil's point-of-view this story gives us an update on Kara, the little girl that Mercy sends to the Bran in [b:Blood Bound|285205|Blood Bound (Mercy Thompson, #2)|Patricia Briggs|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1358229157l/285205._SY75_.jpg|2577848]. So Kara is in Montana with the Marrok pack and she is having problems with her transition from wolf to human. She gets stuck. However its time for the annual changing and an alpha is making trouble for Bran. Kara is targeted because she is breaking the rules.
I adore Asil. I've been wanting an update on Kara ever since she was first mentioned. I knew that Bran would take care of her but I was so happy to see her worming her way into Asil's heart. I want that old wolf happy and I think that he has a chance. Kara is good. Sage is good.
In Red, with Pearls : Takes place between Silver Borne and River Marked.
This is about Warren and Kyle. Warren works for Kyle and a zombie is sent to try and kill Kyle. Warren does some real detective work and figures out who has it in for his boyfriend.
I like Warren and Kyle is fun. I wish that there was some pack interaction or more Kyle-Warren interaction.
Redemption : Takes place between Frost Burned and [b:Night Broken|17562900|Night Broken (Mercy Thompson, #8)|Patricia Briggs|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1379437095l/17562900._SY75_.jpg|24495112].
It's about Ben!!!!
Ben is a new transfer to Adam's pack in Moon Called. He hates women. And is one of the lowest dominants in the pack. As the series continues Ben proves himself and hints at some sort of tragic history. He and Mercy start to connect. He has become one of my favorite characters.
Ben works with databases and he likes to keep his distance from his coworkers. He is particularly mean to the secretary, who is continually being hit on by one of the supervisors. Ben isn't sure why he constantly makes moves to intervene. He doesn't do it nicely, in true Ben fashion, but he does it. His confusion, the ensuing discussion with Adam, reveals that Ben is a low dominate because the other dominates don't trust him to protect them. But Ben is changing. His coworkers are ones he is starting to protect. We also get a bit of Ben's history, why he came to Adam's pack. Plus Mercy comes to pick him up. It's sweet.
Hollow : Takes place after [b:Night Broken|17562900|Night Broken (Mercy Thompson, #8)|Patricia Briggs|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1379437095l/17562900._SY75_.jpg|24495112].
This is the Mercy story in the collection. She goes to deal with a ghost taking Zack (the new submissive) with her. She is making decisions about her garage and we get to see both Sam & Arianna and Gary. It was awesome.
Outtakes : I wasn't expecting to get some deleted/outtake scenes from the Mercy Thompson books, so this was a nice treat when I got to the end of the stories!
From Silver Borne, it takes place near the end of this novel and is from Arianna's point-of-view. Patricia Briggs notes that her husband thought, since she included the beginning of Samuel and Arianna's relationship in "Silver" and that it ends on a rather sad note, she should include something to remind readers that they do get their happily-ever-after. A sweet scene that shows them reconnecting, and gives even more history between them. It was perfect and just added to Silver Borne.
From [b:Night Broken|17562900|Night Broken (Mercy Thompson, #8)|Patricia Briggs|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1379437095l/17562900._SY75_.jpg|24495112], again it takes place near the end when Mercy's recovering and is from Adam's point-of-view. I really loved seeing how Adam thinks of her, and how in love with her he is. I really thought that this was the perfect way to end the book. I wish so hard that this had been the way [b:Night Broken|17562900|Night Broken (Mercy Thompson, #8)|Patricia Briggs|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1379437095l/17562900._SY75_.jpg|24495112] had ended.
Just loved the whole thing!!!!