Tag Archives: Werewolves

Star of David by Patricia Briggs

Book Review, , , , , , ,

Overview

shifting-shadows

Title: Star of David
Author: Patricia Briggs
Series: Mercedes Thompson #1.5, Mercy-verse #10
In: Shifting Shadows (Patricia Briggs) & Wolfsbane and Mistletoe (Charlaine Harris & Toni L. P. Kelner)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Werewolves
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Ace fantasy
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: Her father considered that.

Synopsis

Centers on David Christiansen, who was briefly mentioned in Moon Called. It’s a heartwarming story of how murder and deception can bring a family together.

Thoughts

For me, Christmas is all about family and love. It is about gathering together and being grateful for each other’s’ presence in our lives and hearts. And there are a lot of Christmas tales out there that focus on this, there are also a lot who focus upon the Christian understandings of this celebration. Briggs’ Christmas tale focuses on the aspects of Christmas that I love the most – love, family and reconciliation.

David Christiansen is a bit of a sad character in Moon Called – he was changed in the worst circumstances, and struggles constantly to accept his new place in life. The horror of his past constantly taints his future, and, through the incredible short story, The Star of David, you discover that he has lost not only his humanity, but also a part of his family. The resonating loss in Devonte’s position as a foster child in hospital at Christmas drives home the pain of this and the need of everyone to be constantly be surrounded by people who love and cherish you.

The spirit of Christmas hovers over the whole story, and the final, closing scene is a beautiful way in which to highlight the uplifting and beautiful message within this story. A great short story to read over this Christmas break, something that will make you happy and hopeful as you navigate the most hectic time of year.

<- Moon CalledBlood Bound ->

Image source: Patricia Briggs

Moon Called by Patricia Briggs

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

moon-called

Title: Moon Called
Author: Patricia Briggs
Series: Mercedes Thompson #1, Mercy-verse #6
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Werewolves
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Ace fantasy
Year: 2006
5th sentence, 74th page: Bran didn’t have a telephone at his home – or hadn’t when I left.

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Synopsis

Werewolves can be dangerous if you get in their way, but they’ll leave you alone if you are careful. They are very good at hiding their natures from the human population, but I’m not human. I know them when I meet them, and they know me, too.

Mercy Thompson’s sexy next-door neighbour is a werewolf.

She’s tinkering with a VW bus at her mechanic shop that happens to belong to a vampire.

But then, Mercy Thompson is not exactly normal herself… and her connection to the world of things that go bump in the night is about to get her into a whole lot of trouble.

Thoughts

Mercedes Thompson is one of my all-time, all-time favourite literary characters. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve read Moon Called since I first bought it – it’s a great book to pick up when I don’t know what to read and every time I pick it up, I discover a new aspect of the story that I had previously missed. Mercy is a great mix of intrinsic toughness and independence, with a caring and compassionate centre.

The amount of detail that Briggs puts into her storyline and world is amazing. Mercy’s unique voice and way of explaining the world of werewolves slowly unfolds the complex social rituals of another species. The sass with which this information is delivered adds to the amusement and delight of this new world. The gradual unfolding of the world of werewolves alongside the greater story of death, mayhem and conspiracies was a great technique to impart a lot of knowledge without completely overloading my brain.

There are a lot of vampire and werewolf books out there these days – the literary world of paranormal fantasy and romance seems to have seriously expanded recently. So, finding a really independent voice and unique character is rare. So is finding a series that portrays vampires and werewolves as dangerous predators worthy of respect, instead of romanticised, misunderstood creatures.

<- Fairy Gifts ReviewStar of David Review ->
Image source: Patricia Briggs

Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

cry-wolf

Title: Cry Wolf
Author: Patricia Briggs
Series: Alpha & Omega #1, Mercy-verse #8
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Werewolves
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Ace fantasy
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: “Sure,” Sage said.

Synopsis

Anna never knew werewolves existed, until the night she survived a violent attack… and became one herself. After three years at the bottoms of the pack, she’d learned to keep her head down and never, ever trust dominant males. Then Charles Cornick, the enforcer – and son – of the leader of the North American werewolves, came into her life.

Charles insists that not only is Anna his mate, but she is also a rare and valued Omega wolf. And it is Anna’s inner strength and calming presence that will prove invaluable as she and Charles go on the hunt in search of a rogue werewolf – a creature bound in magic so dark that it could threaten all of the pack…

Thoughts

This is a great tale that reminds us that strength and power isn’t necessarily tied in with size and looks – sometimes the most fragile of us is able to overpower the strongest. Anna’s inability to recognise her own abilities and power are not only realistic – we often forget that our greatest strength sometimes lies in the ways that we are able to care for and love others. This is echoed in the trouble which Charles and Anna have with their mating bond – it is only when Anna accepts herself and her powers that she truly accepts their bonded love.

Love is an overarching theme within the story – Asil’s past and future collide beautifully with his love for his lost mate. These bonds that tie the gorgeous cast together help to highlight the great power that love holds over all of us. The ties of family, lovers and friends all coalesced in a way that not only highlights their importance to our fundamental being, but also the ways in which such relationships can be used against us.

More of Bran’s history and his pack is outlined in Cry Wolf, even the reason for his more bizarre choice in a mate is explained. As is his relationship to both his sons and the power that he keeps beautifully hidden under a cloak of ambiguity.

Cry Wolf is a fantastic beginning to the tale of Anna and Charles, and well worth the read. It carries you on a journey of fascination and fear.

<- Alpha & OmegaHunting Ground ->

Image source: Patricia Briggs

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

Homecoming by Patricia Briggs

Book Review, , , , , ,

Overview

Homecoming

Title: Homecoming
Author: Patricia Briggs
Series: Mercedes Thompson #0.4, Mercy-verse #2
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Graphic novels, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Werewolves
Pace: Medium
Format: Graphic Novel
Publisher: Penguin
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: He’s hardly even a snack.

Synopsis

Mercy Thompson is a walker, a magical being with the power to transform into a coyote. She lives on the fine line dividing the everyday world from a darker dimension, observing the supernatural community while standing apart.

When Mercy travels to the Tri-Cities of Washington for a job interview, she quickly finds herself smack-dab in the middle of a gang war between rival packs of werewolves. And as if fangs and fur weren’t bad enough, Mercy must deal with the scariest creature of all: her mother, who is convinced that Mercy is making a mess of her life and determined to set her daughter on the right course.

Thoughts

This is the first graphic novel that I have read in my adult life, possibly my entire life. And I found it really enjoyable. I’m not hunting out other comics / graphic novels that will capture my fancy. Although I still don’t think that anything can replace a good, solid book. Homecoming was the origin story of one of my favourite fantasy characters – Mercedes Thompson. I’ve loved her from the moment I read Moon Called and this love affair has extended to all of Patricia Briggs’ books.

I thought that visiting Mercy Thompson’s first days in the Tri-Cities and telling the full story that is alluded to in the series, was a really nice concept. And doing this in a graphic form was such a novel idea to me (I’m sure many other authors have done this, just none that I’m currently obsessed with). Some of the storyline was not what I expected – I didn’t realise that there was a competition for control of the Tri-Cities for example when she first moved in. But so many details from the books were beautifully illustrated on these pages.

The characters in the graphic novel look nothing like what I pictured – but I think that that’s the beauty of writing – you can create your own images as you read. I had a similar experience with the Harry Potter books and movies. I’ve read a few reviews that said that this completely put them off, but I just found it to be a different take on what I was already visualising.

This was a nice, quick, easy to read story that I was able to digest on a car ride into the city. I liked the simplicity and the ease of access to Mercy’s story and thought that this was a great little addition to a series that I am already WAY too obsessed with.

<- SilverGray ->

Image source: Patricia Briggs