(Spoilers) Shifting Shadows, by Patricia Briggs | Book Review

Hello friends. Today I have my review of Shifting Shadows (Mercy Thompson Shorts) by Patricia Briggs.

Mercy Thompson’s world just got a whole lot bigger…

A collection of all-new and previously published short stories featuring Mercy Thompson, “one of the best heroines in the urban fantasy genre today” (Fiction Vixen Book Reviews), and the characters she calls friends…

Includes the new stories…
“Silver”
“Roses in Winter”
“Redemption”
“Hollow”

…and reader favorites
“Fairy Gifts”
“Gray”
“Alpha and Omega”
“Seeing Eye”
“The Star of David”
“In Red, with Pearls

Shifting Shadows is a collection of Mercy Thompson Short Stories. Of the 12 short stories in this novel, I believe on a couple are from Mercy’s viewpoint. The rest are from characters we’ve met along the way.

Like these short stories, what I’ve got to say about said stories will be short as well.

Enjoy!

SILVER

(The events in Silver “happen a long, long time before Moon Called.”)

I’m glad that we finally get to read/see Samuels start of being a werewolf. I’m happy that we also see the start of Samuel and Ariana—-a relationship that is held very dear to Sam’s heart.

FAIRY GIFTS

(The events in Fairy Gifts all happen before Moon Called)

Thomas was a character that I didn’t think we would get to read from. Frankly because after reading the novel(s) that Thomas was in, I put him out of my mind. However when we saw Thomas in the stories, I was alway curious to know how Thomas came to be a supernatural. Thomas is secretive about many things, the first thing he will not talk about is how he came to be a vampire. So I was relieved to see that Thomas got his own story—-wherein we see Thomas’ young life!

GRAY

(Gray takes place before Moon Called)

Elyna is a character that I didn’t know about at all before reading this short story collection. I cannot remember whether or not Elyna was mentioned in the series. However, that did not stop me from enjoying this glimpse into Elyna’s life. My heart is conflicted because of what happens in this story, and the memories that are brought up while Elyna lives in her apartment. Nevertheless I thoroughly enjoyed reading from Elyna’s point of view.

SEEING EYE

(Seeing Eye takes place about a year before those in Moon Called)

Within Seeing Eye we see Tom and Moira’s relationship. Frankly I was so happy to read a story from their points of view. Tom and Moira’s story was such a fun read and so adorable too.

ALPHA AND OMEGA

(Alpha and Omega take place during the events in Moon Called)

Cute reading Anna and Charles’ story again. I say again because I’m pretty sure that this story is the start to the Alpha and Omega series. I adore reading Anna and Charles’ story.

THE STAR OF DAVID

(The Star of David takes place during Christmas after most of the events in Moon Called)

As much as I liked reading David’s story, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for him. There’s been so much that David went through in his life that is mentioned in The Star of David. I can feel David’s guilt and sorrow so easily throughout his story. However, I’m glad that David works on doing better in his life. Overall The Star of Davide is a cute story. I loved getting to know the characters/people around David, and I am so glad that there’s a happy ending to this one.

ROSES IN WINTER

(Roses is Winter takes place between Bone Crossed and Silver Borne)

Kara was a character that we never met in the Mercy Thompson series, but I do remember reading about Kara’s father who appealed to Mercy asking for help with his daughter, Kara, who was Changed. Roses In Winter story made me feel incredibly happy, sad, angry–all in the time it takes to read 40 pages. I actually think that Roses in Winter might’ve been one of my top favourite short stories in this collection.

IN RED, WITH PEARLS

(Warren’s story takes place between Silver Borne and River Marked)

I am SO GLAD that we finally got a part of Warren’s story. Warren’s point of view was great to read from, and I’m so glad that In Red, With Pearls was included in this collection of short stories.

REDEMPTION

(Ben’s story takes places between Frost Burned and Night Broken)

When we first met Ben in the series, Ben was a pain in the butt—to say the least. However, over time his character grew on me–you could say Ben mellowed out. Now with reading Redemption I adore Ben’s character. Ben can be serious and then joking within a short time, and Ben does tend to swear quite a bit so that’s another reason Ben is one of my favourite characters in the Mercy Thompson series.

HOLLOW

(Hollow takes place after the events in Night Broken)

Even though Hollow is told in Mercy’s point of view, the story is about two people who fall in-love with each other, but believe that the other part of their duo doesn’t feel the same way. There’s also something keeping Rick from being with his new love. I found Hollow to be a cute short story. I also liked that Mercy learned some things that she didn’t know about previously.

OUTTAKE FROM SILVER BORNE

I love love love that Sam found his great love again, and I am loving that Sam and Ariana have a snippet of their points of view. This outtake would‘ve been great to have at the end of Silver Borne to be quite honest with you.

OUTTAKE FROM NIGHT BROKEN

I honestly loved reading this outtake. Having Coyote reappear in this short story was a joy to read—even though Coyote is elusive as always. Adam is such a good guy to Mercy. I’m glad this outtake was included within this short stories novel.

I’m so glad that I finally finished reading Shifting Shadows: Stories From the World of Mercy Thompson. Finishing Shifting Shadows took me a while (borrowing and re-borrowing), but I finally finished Shifting Shadows and I couldn’t be happier about that.

Overall I give Shifting Shadows, 5 stars.

Have you read any of the Mercy Thompson series? Have you read the Alpha and Omega series?