by Patricia Briggs
Series: Mercy Thompson
Genres: Anthologies, Urban Fantasy
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
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”
I love Patricia Briggs’ Mercy Thompson series. Since I rarely read novellas Shifting Shadows the complete collection her published short stories involving the Mercy Thompson world had me curious. Shifting Shadows is beautifully compiled, and all of the tales engaged me making this a total win for Briggs’ fans. I walked away with a smile and new books in my TBR pile.
Five Caffeinated Reasons to snag a copy of Shifting Shadows: Stories from the World of Mercy Thompson
1. If you love the Mercy Thompson series, you will love how Briggs’ weaves in tales about secondary characters, fleshing them out, sharing their beginnings and increasing our knowledge of their world.
2. The stories are placed in chronological order and with each tale Brigg’s gives us the details on why she wrote it, for whom and when it took place. I found these little commentaries fascinating.
3. Each novella is well developed with a beginning, middle and end. Even though they were short, I was satisfied at the close of each.
4. Non-Mercy readers can still enjoy these stories and get a taste for both the author and the Mercy Thompson series.
5. The collection contains tidbits of information including those secondary characters you were curious about and more. I have not read Briggs’ Alpha and Omega series, but she shares a short story that had me buying book one, and I actually squealed with excitement.
Shifting Shadows is one of the best anthologies/collections I have ever read and is destined to be a fan favorite.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Sharon - Obsession with Books
I am a huge fan of this series but I tend to avoid novellas, I might have to make an exception for this one since the reviews have been wonderful.
A great review Kimba!
kimbacaffeinate
I usually skip them, but because this is in one collection I went for, and I am really glad that I did Sharon.
Berls
This was an auto-buy preorder for me because Mercy is my girl! But in the MONTH of new releases I haven’t managed to get to it yet. I think it will have to come after Witch with No Name because that’s just too important to wait. But I’m so glad you enjoyed the stories, I’m excited for all the side characters 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy it when you can. Although this is the type of book where you can read one story a night.
Jan
This sounds really good. I guess I need to get a copy soon! I really like the idea of the commentaries. I always like to know why an author writes certain things and I do love her writing. Good review, Kimba.
kimbacaffeinate
I am the same way Jan, and hope you enjoy this as much as I did
Kristin
Ah… I’d read this for the commentaries themselves!!! Hmmm, think I might be ordering this from B&N 🙂 Thanks for opening my eyeballs, girlie!!!
kimbacaffeinate
Oh a must own book Kristin!
laura thomas
This will be a new series for me. I enjoyed your 5 reasons and you’ve convinced me to give this a go:)
kimbacaffeinate
Squee..I am delighted and cannot wait to see what you think!
Red Iza
One of my friends told me (again) just yesterday how great that series is ! Must read. When I find time 😉
kimbacaffeinate
Love this series and now will be reading Alpha and Omega series.
Bea
This was so good and an absolute must-have.
kimbacaffeinate
Oh I so agree Bea 🙂
Christy
I recently started the Kate Daniels series, and this is another one I plan to start too.
kimbacaffeinate
I have Kate Daniels on my reading pile this month 🙂
ShootingStarsMag
I don’t read a lot of novellas or short stories so it’s cool that these are all in one collection. I’d be more interested in reading them that way.
Liza Barrett
I don’t normally read collections, but I might have to consider this one. I fell somewhat out of love with the Mercy Thompson series as of late, but used to be in fan girl heaven with each new release, and it sounds like this book is arranged well. Nice post!
Katherine
I’ve been wanting to try Briggs for awhile and this sounds like a good way to test her out. I have a feeling this would be a book I’d read twice – once before I read the Mercy Thompson books and another after I read them. I like that’s she’s fleshing out secondary characters!
Braine Talk Supe
Oh my, I need to hit the library soon, catch up on this series and Kat Richardson’s.
kimbacaffeinate
Braine..I have the newest Richardson book, got it on release day and dang it I need to squeeze it in. I know once I start I will lose a day..LOL
Mary
I love the Alpha and Omega series! I need to pull this off my shelf and read it RIGHT NOW.
kimbacaffeinate
I cannot wait to read Alpha and Omega. Yes Mary start this now, it is so good!
Felicia S (The Geeky Blogger)
I am hoping to get this one for audio review 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Oh yes…that would be awesome
Celine
This sounds really good! Love the reasons you listed 😀
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Celine, I am so glad I read them all.
Tanja
I still haven’t started with Mercy Thompson series and I really cannot wait to get to meet her. I have heard amazing things about it. I need to make a note to get this one as well. Glad you enjoyed it. Great review, Kim 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Eep, you need to try them Tanja..go, go to your library 🙂
Melissa (Books and Things)
I need to catch up with this series and yes, I do need this one. 🙂 I love it when they collect novellas all together like this!
kimbacaffeinate
This is just an awesome collection Melissa, I don’t think there was a story I did not enjoy.
Siiri
Eeep! I ‘m glad you enjoyed it 😉 I’m not big on novellas or anthologies, but this one seems cool since it’s not different authors but important stuff that gives this world and the characters even more depth and background. Yay for chronological not random order and whoooop! Every novella should be structured not random and I’m glad these are liek mini-books they ought to be 🙂
Siiri @ Little Pieces of Imagination
kimbacaffeinate
For fans of the series, these little side stories were amazing, and for me added Alpha and Omega to my reading pile..LOL
Maja (The Nocturnal Library)
I love Patty’s notes before each story! They really helped me realize why she chose those characters to write about, and they helped with the timeline, which was important. This series is one of my favorites so this collection felt a lot like a present. Let’s say triple chocolate birthday cake.
kimbacaffeinate
I agree, and yes cake and coffee for sure!
Heidi
I am seeing lots of positive reviews for this one. I love the Mercy series even though I am two books behind now. Argh! I need to get this one as well.
kimbacaffeinate
Ooo you need to catch up!
Megan
Ohh, I like that there are author’s notes for each one. That is pretty cool.
kimbacaffeinate
It was neat Megan and she talked to you as if you were at a table drinking coffee.
Rita
I don’t read much UF because I am so nit-picky about them, but I have read every single Mercy book except the latest (the only complete UF series I’ve read). I was kind of disappointed by RiverMarked, so I didn’t pursue the new book but maybe I should just get over it and move on. I love the author’s storytelling; she was able to sway me out of my comfort zone!
kimbacaffeinate
I love this series, although sometimes I get annoyed by crap that happens, but the fact that I get so annoyed is indication of how involved I get with these characters…LOL
kindlemom1
I really do need to pick this series up again. Glad this was a good collection of stories in the Mercy world.
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Ali. I loved it and of course the series, and now have to read Alpha and Omega
Jenny
YES KIM!!! We’re review twins today:) I really enjoyed the commentaries as well, it’s always a treat to get a peek into an author’s mind and find out what they were thinking when they wrote something. And I’m so glad you loved Charles and Anna! I absolutely love their series, I hope you enjoy book one!
kimbacaffeinate
Wahoo! I am really excited about Alpha and Omega, and so darn glad I read these side stories.
Lupdilup
I’m listening to Heir of Fire, but this on waiting on my phone. I love Mercy too 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Ooo I would be pulling my hair out because both are so good. Well you could read a single story, then go back and forth..gah.
brandileigh2003
You know I haven’t read this series yet, but one of these days I will try some of these big name adult series 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you do, she writes awesome urban fantasy.
Lily
Oh I haven’t even started this series but now I know that if I do this novellas is a must so I can better understand the characters 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
These tie in nicely, but aren’t necessary making them even more delightful as we discover new things!
Melanie Simmons
I really loved this book. I don’t like short stories unless it is from existing series. They give insight into things that the author can’t cover in the regular novels. I think you will love the Alpha & Omega series. I love it just as much as the Mercy Thompson series.
kimbacaffeinate
For me it depends on author, and a lot of times I never read the short stories, but these were so well developed.
Angela Adams
I’m becoming a fan of novellas…shorter stories means less pages means more authors to read! Thanks for the post.
kimbacaffeinate
That is a good way to look at it. I love them for the hours between 10 am and 1 pm. If I start a new full-length novel then chances are I will one more chapter my way to 4 am. A novella or collection is easily finished or paused.
Melliane
Oh yes I keep hearing amazing things about this one and I confess I’m really curious to discover the little stories. And this cover is just a-m-a-z-i-n-g!
kimbacaffeinate
I love the cover too, and her series are so good
Nick
Jenny reviewed this as well today! I like how you get to know the secondary characters better and that the novellas are all well-developed.
Great review, Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
Jenny loves this author too, I hope you get to read the Mercy Thompson series Nick 🙂
blodeuedd
Jealous, I want this one
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you get a copy Linda.
Michaela
Awesome cover!! I’m not usually a huge novella reader either but every once in a while there is one worth reading 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Since I adore this series and author, and it is in one collection I could not resist and I am so glad I did!