Tag Archives: Mercy-verse

Alpha & Omega by Patricia Briggs

Book Review, , , , , ,

Overview

on-the-prowl

Title: Alpha & Omega
Author: Patricia Briggs
Series: Alpha & Omega #0.5, Mercy-verse #7
In: Shifting Shadows (Patricia Briggs) & On the Prowl (Patricia Briggs)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Werewolves
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Ace fantasy & Berkley
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: Anna touched Alan Frazier’s smiling face with trembling fingers.

Synopsis

The werewolf Anna finds a new sense of self when the son of the werewolf king comes to town to quell unrest in the Chicago pack – and inspires a power in Anna that she’s never felt before.

Thoughts

Anna is one of the sweetest literary characters that I have read in paranormal fantasy in a long time. Her introduction in this short story bought out a new aspect of the Mercedes Thompson universe and ran beautifully alongside Moon Called.

And then there is Charles… I love Adam and Samuel, but I still think that Charles is my favourite werewolf. The mixture of his position as werewolf assassin and Native American medicine man (for lack of a better term) leaves a strong and intriguing character. Within the first few paragraphs, he leaps off the page and his silent presence engulfs you. Anna’s sweet vulnerability is a beautiful contrast to both his overbearing presence and unemotional role within the Pack is one of my favourite dynamics in Briggs’ books.

The idea of an Omega is something that I had never considered before, but there are certainly those that seem to fit this bill in our everyday lives. The idea of somebody who is protective, but not violent; dominant, but doesn’t require followers is a great change from the general leaders and followers structure of most societies and social systems.

<- Seeing EyeCry Wolf ->

Image source: Patricia Briggs

Seeing Eye by Patricia Briggs

Book Review, , , , , , ,

Overview

strange-brew

Title: Seeing Eye
Author: Patricia Briggs
Series: Alpha & Omega #0.4, Mercy-verse #5
In: Shifting Shadows (Patricia Briggs) & Strange Brew (P.N. Elrod)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Werewolves
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Ace fantasy & St Martin’s Griffin
Year: 2014
5th sentence, 74th page: He was right.

Synopsis

In “Seeing Eye” by Patricia Briggs, a blind witch helps sexy werewolf Tom Franklin find his missing brother–and helps him in more ways than either of them ever suspected.

Thoughts

A great and fascinating short story – and a wonderful pre-introduction into the Alpha & Omega series. Moira and Tom’s meeting is a great way to not only introduce new characters into the Mercy-verse setting, but also provide more information to the world of witchcraft. The idea of White and Black Witches is a complex issue that is introduced in Cry Wolf, and, although the terror of a Black Witch is beautifully displayed, the ability of a very powerful White Witch such as Moira was a great new angle with which to explore Briggs’ intense and intricate world.

I love that both Moira and Tom are physically scarred and, to most, terrifying on the eyes – but, their ability to look past that (at least in Tom’s case) was incredibly sweet. This ability to love and care for one another in spite of all fits in beautifully with the rest of this series. I am actually disappointed that thus far they haven’t played a larger part in the Mercy-verse series – maybe something that will be rectified in the future.

<- More Patricia BriggsAlpha & Omega ->

Image source: Goodreads

Fairy Gifts by Patricia Briggs

Book Review, , , , , , ,

Overview

naked-city

Title: Fairy Gifts
Author: Patricia Briggs
Series: Mercedes Thompson #0.8, Mercy-verse #4
In: Shifting Shadows (Patricia Briggs) & Naked City (Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Werewolves
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Griffin Publishing
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: Though there is no high court any longer.

Synopsis

Fairy Gifts deals with a vampire who finds some measure of redemption in the mines far below Butte, Montana.

Thoughts

Fairy Gifts is a really good mix between an origin story and a modern tale of caution against the fae. Although Thomas Hao doesn’t appear in the Mercedes Thompson books until much later in the series, Hao is a bit of an enigma when he eventually does – so discovering more about his past and the source of his unique condition was a thoroughly enjoyable journey to be swept away with.

Although this story is primarily about Hao and his honouring of a debt of gratitude, Briggs also beautifully highlights just why the fae can’t be trusted. Their ability to use half-truths and twist the facts to suit their means is emphasised, and even Briggs’ own words will lead you down one path, while you really walk up another.

I loved this short story, not only for the insight gained into Hao’s life, but also because it managed to surprise me at every turn. Which is something I always appreciate in a well-written story.

<- GrayMoon Called ->

Image source: Patricia Briggs

Gray by Patricia Briggs

Book Review, , , , , , ,

Overview

shifting-shadows

Title: Gray
Author: Patricia Briggs
Series: Mercedes Thompson #0.6, Mercy-verse #3
In: Shifting Shadows (Patricia Briggs) & Home Improvement (Charlaine Harris & Toni L. P. Kelner)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Werewolves
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Ace fantasy
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: Peter didn’t talk a lot, just grunted, until they came back to the living room.

Synopsis

A vampire returns to her first home, and finds more than the memories she was seeking.

Thoughts

Although vampires have been quickly rising in popular culture, I’m still not 100% sold on the idea of a good vampire. One of the many reasons why I love the Mercedes Thompson series – the vampires aren’t purported to be anything but blood-sucking creatures that must kill humans to survive; regardless of their friendliness and moral compass. So it was a stark change of pace to read a short story where Briggs promotes sympathy for one of the living dead.

Like Silver, Gray is an origin tale about somehow loosely connected to the Mercedes Thompson universe. Elyna’s traumatic turning, her love and burning need for revenge illuminate a dark and twisted side that harms even those who achieve vampiric immortality. Her love is a constant flame that keeps hope and a little light shining throughout the tale, and although this is very much a tale about lost love and finding a new beginning, it is her love that will leave you with a small, hopeful feeling when you turn the last page of this story.

<- HomecomingFairy Gifts ->

Image source: Patricia Briggs

Silver by Patricia Briggs

Book Review, , , , , ,

Overview

shifting-shadows

Title: Silver
Author: Patricia Briggs
Series: Mercedes Thompson #0.1, Mercy-verse #1
In: Shifting Shadows (Patricia Briggs)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Werewolves
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Ace fantasy
Year: 2014
5th sentence, 74th page: That I lived was something that took me a very long time to forgive him for.

Synopsis

The tragic story of how Samuel and Arianna first met.

Thoughts

This is an amazingly sad and sweet tale set in the Mercy-verse. I would recommend reading this after reading Silver Borne, although chronologically, it occurs before. But the true impact and power of Samuel and Arianna’s story is so much more potent after the events in the fifth Mercedes Thompson book. Or at least, it was for me – so powerful in fact that I wept throughout the entire short story.

Not only is this story about Samuel and Arianna, but it is also a sort of origins story for Bran and his eldest son too. Finding out more about their background and Bran’s unique type of power was an amazing adventure and helped to fill in some of the minor details that surround such enigmatic characters.

I loved this sad and bittersweet love story, not only did it help to fill in some gaps about the Mercy-verse as a whole, but it was also an amazing tale that left a feeling of hopelessness.

<- More Patricia BriggsHomecoming ->

Image source: Patricia Briggs