Shifting Shadows

Most of these stories have been out for a while, but for some reason Ive had a hard time getting them and reading them. Nearly all of them were new to me when I picked up the book this time. Even if you have read all the previously published short stories, this anthology is definitely worth picking up for the four new novellas. Roses in Winter is my favorite of the four, but all of them were fantastic.

These stories are organized in the chronological order in which they occur within the Mercy Thompson world and, though they can nearly all be read whenever, my organization-orientated mind appreciated that. Also, at the beginning of each story Patricia Briggs gives a little blurb on the history of the story, why it was written, and where it occurs in the overall storyline. Its a fun little insight into the mind of the writer. Now, onto the individual stories (as they appear in the book)

**Note: This review got a LOT longer than I anticipated. TL;DR (too-long; didnt-read) summary is: This is a fantastic collection of stories set in the Mercy Thompson world. Many beloved characters make an appearance, and some even get to take center stage. The new stories are by far my favorite, because they dont feel as if theyre under length guidelines (like some of the previously published in other anthology stories do). Highly recommended for fans of the Mercy Thompson world. For anyone new to this series, I think you can read them and enjoy them on their own, but most of them will have greater significance within the greater context of the world.**

Silver : Takes place many years before the events in Moon Called thousands (maybe?)

This is the story of how Samuel and Arianna first meet. They meet again in Silver Borne, but thats many, many years later. As you can imagine, especially if youve read the novels in this series, this is an incredibly heart-wrenching story. Fans of the series have been asking for this story for years, even knowing how much it was likely to hurt. It opens, right off the bat, with Samuel mourning his wife and children and though theres some small slices of happiness and hope, it ends in almost as sad of a place. Even as much as it broke my heart, I loved seeing this early beginning of Samuel, Bran, and especially Arianna. It fills in some of the history of beloved characters and gives more depth and insight into all three of them.

Fairy Gifts : Takes place before Moon Called.

This is a story thats set in the Mercy Thompson world, but with completely new characters. Here were have Thomas, a young Chinese man living in Butte, Montana with his father before hes made a vampire. For many years he serves his father without choice, until chance leads him to Maggie, a fae trapped in the mines. Their meeting is short, but has long lasting implications. I enjoyed reading from Thomas point-of-view. Hes an interesting, and intelligent, character. Maggie was less developed, as most of her time was off-screen, but she intrigued me as well. The only downside to this novella is its length. Being a rather short story and having completely new characters means there isnt as much time to become attached and invested in the characters. Then theres the rather abrupt ending. More abrupt than Im used to from even Patricia Briggs. Despite this, Im hoping we see Maggie and Thomas again sometime.

Gray : Takes place before Moon Called.

Another story that has completely new characters. Elyna is a vampire returning home to Chicago. She purchases her old apartment specifically because of the haunted reputation it has, hoping to reconnect with the one thats still there. This story worked a bit better for me than the previous one with new characters. Despite never having met Elyna before I got a good feel for her character, her history and her pain. Shes a strong and honorable vampire, just trying to live her life in as much peace as she can manage.

As Stefan is probably the only honorable vampire weve met in the novels of this series it was nice to get a glimpse of some more vampires Thomas and Elyna that are good people. I liked them. They do what they have to do and live as they must, but theyve got values that they wont compromise on.

Seeing Eye : Takes place one year before Moon Called.

I loved Tom and Moira when we met them in Hunting Ground. The white witch thats more powerful than she seems always intrigued me. I wondered what her history was, and here we get that. This is the story of how Tom and Moira meet. Toms brother has been taken by what Tom believes is a coven of witches. This leads him to asking Moira for help. Despite knowing this is seriously dangerous to herself, Moira feels an obligation to help after all the coven is led by someone who was once very, very close to her. I wont say too much more in case you, like me, havent read this yet. But the story is interesting, dangerous, and fun. Seeing Tom and Moiras connection bud made me smile. Again, it ended a bit abruptly, but I as I knew these characters, and we see them again, it didnt bother me quite as much.

Alpha and Omega : Takes place during Moon Called.

This is the novella that started Anna and Charles story. In Moon Called there are some discoveries that lead to Chicago. Here, we learn that Annas right in the mix of that story. When she calls the Marrok to report the shady stuff going on, shes instructed to pick up his investigator at the airport. Enter Charles, more alpha than Anna thinks she can deal with. But as his wolf is, in his words, more interested in courting her than showing dominance, theyre in for one interesting ride.

Ive reviewed this story elsewhere, so I wont go into it all again. I will say that after I got done re-reading this novella, here, I had to struggle to not go immediately into Cry Wolf to get more of Anna and Charles. They are so perfect together, and I love seeing them both grow as their relationship deepens throughout their entire series.

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. I didnt get a very good feel for him in that story except to know that his history was tragic and hed created his own future out of it. Here we get to see him reconnect with a part of his family he thought forever lost to him. Davids honorable and carries his guilt with him, always. I liked that he was able to get some forgiveness from those that mean the most to him. I also really loved meeting Devonte. We hear, in the books, about how there are more than just witches, wolves, and vampires in this world.its interesting to see them make appearance, too. This whole story was incredibly poignant and I loved the sweet, emotional and happy ending.

Roses in Winter : Takes place between Bone Crossed and Silver Borne.

Easily my favorite story in the bunch, Roses in Winter is told from Asils point-of-view and gives us an update on the little girl that Mercy sends to the Marrok in Blood Bound, Kara. Ive been wanting an update on Kara ever since she was first mentioned. I hoped, against hope, that shed not only survive but thrive. Here we get to see the beginning of her struggle to learn a new way.

Asil came to Aspen Creek, and has been waiting thirteen years, for the Marrok to kill him. And despite thinking he doesnt have enough control anymore, we begin to see how wrong he is here. When he takes young Kara under his wing, trying to help her get control of her shifting, he develops a bond he never expected.

I love Asil. Ive always thought more of him than he has himself, and I liked seeing this softer side to him a side that we only occasionally glimpse in the novels. The Moor has got quite a reputation, well deserved and earned, but here we get the side so few people are privy to. Patricia Briggs has been dropping not-so-subtle hints for a while about Asil and another character. I really hope they have a future together, because theyre perfect for one another.

Its also always interesting to see beloved characters from a whole new characters point-of-view. Asil has, sometimes laugh-out-loud, funny observances of Bran, Charles and others.

This story is a beautiful mix of humourous, poignant, and exciting. Im always impressed by how Patricia Briggs manages to make me hurt for characters Ive just met. One of the things Ive always loved about this series is that the author doesnt shy from showing the darker side of immortality. Sometimes forever is too long, and loss is too much. Though it makes me so incredibly sad, it also makes me appreciate the happiness that does happen exponentially more.

In Red, with Pearls : Takes place between Silver Borne and River Marked.

Werewolf Warren and his boyfriend Kyle have long been favorite characters in Mercys world. Warrens just gotten his private investigator license and is working mostly for Kyles law firm. While waiting for Kyle to get done with a consult, Warren comes face to face with a missing woman who has been turned into a zombie. One thats apparently after Kyle!

I really enjoyed the twists and turns in this story. Theres a good bit of mystery woven throughout, and solid investigative work done by Warren. It shows a different side than we usually get to see through Mercys eyes. I, also, was pleased to see the depth that was added to Kyle and Warrens relationship.

The story does end a bit quickly, rushing through the resolution of the mystery and denoument, however Warren isnt one to play with his prey, in his words, so it makes sense, too. This is the one short-story Id previously read (besides Alpha and Omega which was sold in e-format individually making it easy and inexpensive to get), and I enjoyed it as much on a re-read as I did the first time.

Redemption : Takes place between Frost Burned and Night Broken.

I was *not* expecting a story from Bens point-of-view! Ever since he first appeared as the snarky, dangerous, somewhat broken, man, Ive loved him despite Mercys own misgivings and wanted to know more. Every time hes appeared since, I grew to love him more.

Here we get to see him becoming the person he is. Bens had a horrible history, and is more than a bit of a misogynst. I know, I know, how can I love a character thats clearly hateful towards women? Well, the truth is that Im not sure. But its also that hes never had prior to being in Adams pack any examples of women who werent the bitches he calls them. It makes it hard to hate him. I want him to get healthy and better, and we get to see the small-steps continuation of that here.

When a woman at Bens work, a woman that he doesnt even like because shes weak and snivelling, get targeted by the office a-hole, Ben isnt sure why he constantly makes moves to intervene. He doesnt do it nicely, in true Ben fashion, but he does it. His confusion, the ensuing discussion with Adam, and his growth here made me nearly cheer. I love this path hes on. Its slow, as most real change and growth is, but its steady and solid.

Theres also some funny moments here when Bens taken a bet to give up swearing. One character tells him to avoid adjectives while hes attempting this. His speech at the end, and his coworkers thoughts on it, had me grinning like crazy. I cant wait to see more of Ben, and maybe one day for him to get his own HEA.

Hollow : Takes place after Night Broken.

A new Mercy short story! As Patricia Briggs puts it, what would a Mercy world anthology be with a Mercy story? Mercys always had a knack for getting herself into trouble. Despite taking precautions and being smart about things, her desire to help people that ask it of her always leads to her getting in a bit deeper than she would like to be.

When a woman shows up at Mercys (demolished) garage asking for help, Mercy knows its not her mechanicking skills the woman needs. A ghost. Of course. And when the referral came from a trusted friend, Mercy feels the need to go check it out. Taking Zach and can I say how happy it made me to see him settling in a bit better with the pack?! she heads a couple of hours out to see what she can do.

This is a short, quick mystery thats pretty easy to see whats going on. But I liked seeing the romance between two new characters, as well as how Mercy deals with this ghost. Its not like normal ghosts, and Mercys still learning how to control her own gifts. Because Mercys not afraid to ask for help and rely on friends, we get an update on Gary, as well as Samuel and Arianna.

This story made me more anxious for the next Mercy book just so I can spend more time with her, Adam and everyone else I love so much.

Outtakes : I wasnt 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 Ariannas point-of-view. Patricia Briggs notes that her husband thought, since she included the beginning of Samuel and Ariannas 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. I loved seeing this, and am really hoping that well get more from these two in the future.

From Night Broken, again it takes place near the end when Mercys recovering and is from Adams point-of-view. We all know Mercy ends nearly every book recovering from some horrible injury or another, and the same is true in Night Broken. I really loved seeing how Adam thinks of her, and how in love with her he is. Theyre so perfect together and its nice always to get the calm moments after the storm with the characters I love.

Shifting Shadows is a fabulous collection of short stories and novellas in the Mercy Thompson world. Patricia Briggs writing is so beautiful and pulls me so completely into the world shes sharing that I never want to leave. I know Ill be revisiting this anthology many times in the future.

Very conflicted feelings about this compilation. The first few stories I really didn’t enjoy. Until Anna and Charles’ story, I was starting to feel like there wasn’t going to be anything that would be able to hold my attention or interest.

Fairy Gifts was confusing. Gray, Seeing Eye and Star of David felt tedious.

Silver was okay. Not as great as I hoped but I liked knowing Bran, Samuel, and Ariana’s backstories.

Alpha and Omega (as mentioned) – loved loved loved this story that delved into how Anna and Charles met. It also allowed for closure in regards to what happened with Mac and how those that had wronged him were served justice. (Which made me so happy. Not embarrassed to say I teared up and felt my heart break a bit with what happened to Mac in the first book)

Roses in Winter – I was happy to learn what happened with Kara and even happier that it turned out to be such an intriguing story.

In Red, With Pearls – loved the murder mystery story that gave us more insight into Warren. My only issue was that it was a short story. Personally I thought this deserved to be a full blown story that would have allowed more development with the plot and characters, but even as is I’d rate this a 4 out of 5.

Redemption and Hollow – just like Warren’s, these should have been full stories of their own. Not short ones and part of the compilation, in my opinion. But just like Warren’s, these were very well done. Intriguing situations that hooked you right from the beginning.

Despite the slow start, though, I am very happy to have bought this.

I’ve been a huge fan of Patricia Briggs for years and will read literally anything about Mercy Thompson that she puts out so obviously I snatched this up as soon as I saw it. Some of the stories aren’t new. I’ve read several of them a number of times in other collections, but there were some new pieces in here to make it worthwhile.

Most of the stories in here are origin stories, or prequels, or epilogues for characters you will be familiar with from the main series. There’s one about Bran, one about Warren, and some other side characters. Very few are about Mercy herself. I think only one or two actually. But I enjoyed almost all of them anyway, even the ones I’d read before and I loved finding out what happened to the little girl werewolf they rescued because I’d always wondered how well she was going to cope since it was so unusual for a child to be turned.

And Bran has been one of my favorite characters since the beginning so his origin story was awesome! Well, worth the money to pick this one up even if you’ve read most of the short stories already.

A great collection of short stories and one novella. All set in the world of Mercedes Thompson the Coyote shapeshifter married to an Alpha werewolf. We get to see a different side to some of the supporting characters as well as learn more about them. There are also some answers to issues that were not addressed in Mercys books like the story about the reporters daughter who was violently attacked by a werewolf when she was ten. Too young to survive as a werewolf she has somehow managed to stay alive and her father turned to Mercy for help, she in turn sent them to the Marrock, Bran Cornick (leader of all the werewolves) in Roses in Winter we catch up with her and find out how she is doing. In In Red with Pearls we see Warren Adams third, investigating an attack on his mate Kyle. Redemption sees Ben a member of Adams pack , see see him in the workplace trying not to get involved in a nasty situation. Silver is the story of Arianna a fae and Samuel Cornicks first meeting so so long ago. Fairy Gifts sees vampire Thomases backstory. Alpha and Omega is the Marrocks son Charles Cornick and how he meets his mate Anna. The Star of David is a Christmas tale featuring line wolf David Christiansen, Adams old army buddy who was turned into a werewolf at the same time. Redemption rounds off the stories and is a Mercy tale about a dangerous ghost.

This is a collection of short stories all of which take place in the Mercy Thompson world – although you could read this collection on its own it is a special treat for fans who will truly appreciate it. The author has carefully arranged the stories in chronological order and detailed how they link with the main novels. Some of these short stories have been published in other collections (I already owned three of them) but there is enough new material to make the book worthwhile and to make you glad to have them all in one collection. To my delight the author also publishes the short story which is the beginning of the Alpha and Omega series here in full – I have this already but it is in a collection with stories by other authors and it is the only good part of the book, it is nice to have it with other Patricia Briggs’ short stories.

There are some stories here which go back to Bran’s past and some which explain Samuel’s previous life. There is one set in Bran’s world which also includes Asil and a few about witches and how they relate to werewolves. All the stories are top quality and are very readable and they fit consistently into the cracks between the novels. The author also includes a couple of sections from the novels that she had previously excluded.

This is a great collection and might just keep me going until the next full length novel appears.

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