Shapeshifter Mercy Thompson has friends in high places—and in low, dark, scary ones. And in this must-have collection of short stories, you’ll meet new faces and catch up with old acquaintances—in all their forms…Includes the new stories…“Silver”“Roses in Winter”“Redemption”“Hollow”…and reader favorites“Fairy Gifts”“Gray”“Seeing Eye”“Alpha and Omega”“The Star of David”“In Red, with Pearls”… Eye”
“Alpha and Omega”
“The Star of David”
“In Red, with Pearls”
“One of the best urban fantasy anthologies I’ve ever read.”—The BiblioSanctum
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Silver:
This is Samuel and Ariana’s story. It shows how violently Samuel and Bran were turned and how they escaped from the witch. This was a very emotional story, filled with loss and sorry. I am glad that Ariana and Samuel found each other again (Silver Borne), even if it took centuries.
Fairy Gifts:
This is Thomas Hao’s and Margaret Flannigan’s backstory. It was quite fascinating and depressing. Both of them had terrible things happen to them and suffered greatly from it. Together they saved each other.
Gray:
This was a very interesting story about Elena, who is a vampire, and a ghost. I really enjoyed it. It shows that love can last forever.
Seeing Eye:
This is how Tom and Moria met. I find Moria fascinating because she has hurt herself to help people. Also because she is the only white witch, I think, that has been discussed in this series.
Alpha and Omega:
This is the beginning of Anna and Charles story. Anna is an omega who is being abused by her current pack. Charles is in Chicago to find out why this pack is selling werewolves and realizes that she is his mate.
The Star of David:
A story of David Christianson getting a second chance with his estranged daughter, Stella.
Roses in Winter:
This is about Kara, who we never meet in the books but she is reference in Blood Bound, when her father is trying to find a werewolf to help his 10 year old daughter. This is her struggle to accept what has happened and learn to control her wolf.
In Red, With Pearls:
I love that we finally get a story from Warren’s point of view. He is one of my favorite wolves.
Redemption:
A story about Ben!!!! I am so glad we get to see inside his head. I loved that he was trying so hard not to curse because of a bet. His struggle with not cursing was hilarious. Ben has grown so much since he was first introduced. He is dealing with his past and becoming a better person and wolf. I really hope we continue to see his development as the series progresses.
Hollow:
And of course we have to have a Mercy story. A ghost story at that.
This is a great story collection.
The worlds of Patricia Brigs always make me stay up and read late, late at night.
These stories give us a lot of insight into the side characters of the Mercy Thompson universe. All in one place plus the heartbreaking start of Samuel and Bran as werewolves.
My favorite series.
I love how some of these short stories fill in the background to some of our favorite characters and some stories are from other points of view than Mercy’s.
Alpha & Omega: A great introduction to Charles and Anna and a must read before diving into their series!
Gray: Gahhh I loved this story so much. Vampires and ghosts in love?!?! Just made for me.
Fairy Gifts: Another great story in the Mercyverse!
Seeing Eye: I LOVED MOIRA AND TOM SO SO MUCH!
Silver: This one broke my heart! My poor Sam.
The Star Of David: AWWWWWWWWW David. My heart.
Roses In Winter: This one was so sweet. Asil is such a sweetheart.
In Red, With Pearls: Not my favorite of all the stories, but I do so love Warren and Kyle.
Redemption: BEN IS A GOOD BOY AND I LOVE HIM. This is one of my favorites so far.
Hollow: Mercy really is a trouble magnet and it’s going to drive Adam to an early grave. Really loved this one.
Wish there were more, it;s soooooo hard to wait for a new book. Alpha series too.
Another home run Patricia Briggs.
Superb in every way. A thrilled, riveting ride in the world of Mercy and Adam.
Really enjoyed this anthology of short stories in the Mercedes Thompson universe. Some of them are reprints of previously published stories, but there are a few that are new. These new stories are fantastic! Loved them!
I love Patricia Briggs and her writing. Usually, inconsistencies are enough to kill a story for me, but I love her books and writing enough that I am willing to overlook them. I will say that one of the main stories in the book (“Silver”) has huge inconsistencies with what we’ve been told in the series, so it bumped down the rating for me down to a 4 star, because most of the story doesn’t fit with what has been previously revealed in the series (like Briggs mostly ignored what was written before).
Definitely worth a read, especially if you are a fan and want more background and info on some of the supporting cast.
Have a lot of background on the characters in her Mercy Thompson series.
I love this book and I love so much that Samuel finally gets happy ending after Silver Bourne because he meets his mate (agian)!! I love their backstory in this book and I love the little excerpt from Silver Bourne where Samuel and Ariana we’re talking!
Overall, I am in love. I had so much fun with all of these stories, even the ones that put me through way too many emotions (hello Silver). I think it’s best to read these stories (except Alpha and Omega) after you’ve caught up with both the Mercy Thompson and Alpha and Omega series. I never want these series to end, I’m so invested and I just want everyone to be happy and okay (not really, because that wouldn’t be interesting – but Anna and Charles, Mercy and Adam, Samuel and Ariana, Bran, Asil, Ben – sobs. And so many others, so maybe everyone?
***
Finished Silver which gives the history of Bran and Samuel being changed into werewolves AND Ariana’s relationship to Samuel. Loved hearing the origin story.
***
Fairy Gifts introduces Thomas and Margaret who also make an appearance in Fire Touched. This short story is indeed quite short, less than 30 pages. And while I had fun reading a bit about these characters, it could have been fleshed out and told fully. Alas, that’s the way of short stories sometimes.
***
Not sure how Gray or the characters in it connect to the Mercy Thompson world, but it was a good story. A mite sad, and I want to know how Elyna connects. I just don’t remember her being mentioned.
***
In Seeing Eye, we meet Moira and Tom. They also show up in Hunting Ground, and I loved hearing how they got together. Now the introduction to that story says Briggs is going to write more about Tom and Moira – I NEED that more.
***
Alpha and Omega is everything I wanted, and sets up the series so perfectly. Anna and Charles quickly became favorites.
***
The Star of David is currently my least favorite of these stories. I remember learning about David and his backstory in another book, and it was tragic. But this short missed the mark for me. It didn’t bring me the emotion I thought should be present for finally seeing your daughter after 40 years. Star of David would have benefited a great deal if it’d been expanded more.
***
I can’t deal. Roses in Winter is so good. Kara appears in Burn Bright and I couldn’t, for the life of me, remember where she came from. This story cleared that up.
It also made me love Asil more than I already did, which I didn’t know was possible. I want a series dedicated to that man finding happiness. Loved Roses in Winter so hard.
***
In Red, With Pearls was surprisingly good for a short detective mystery. Enjoyed reading Warren’s POV and the mystery was quite good.
***
I need more Ben! Redemption made me empathize with Ben and of course, fall in love with his character so much more. I’d love more backstory and for Ben to find happiness, okay? That’s all.
***
I believe Hollow is the last actual short in this collection, and it didn’t disappoint. I’m always amazed at where Briggs takes Mercy and her seemingly ever-growing abilities.
***
The last two things are outtakes from Silver Borne and Night Broken. I liiiiiive for Adam and Mercy, so getting a smidgen extra of Adam and his feelings at the end of Night Broken was a real treat. Ariana and Samuel’s story is tragic and I just want to hug and protect them.
No story by Patricia Briggs has ever disappointed me.
I’d buy this book again for Ben’s story alone.
I love all of Briggs’ werewolf books.
Mercy is a kick-ass heroine!