This feature is for short reviews, reviews of books in a series where it might feel repetitive, or (as Michelle suggested) books I was too lazy to write a “real” review for. Today’s books are all from the Mercy Thompson or Alpha & Omega series by Patricia Briggs. See Anne at Books of My Heart is doing a Mercy Thompson read-a-long this year. And I wanted to join in with a reread. But then I got excited and read way too fast… but I haven’t necessarily been posting reviews. This month they’re on Fire Touched. Crazily enough, this was the first book I hadn’t read previously, with the exception of the collection of short stories. So here’s my review of Fire Touched (Check out the read-a-long review and giveaway) and the stories in Shifting Shadows. And then HOPEFULLY next month I’ll stay on track.
These reviews are super short, twitter worthy reviews. Just snippets of my thoughts when I finished the books. But I’m rereading the series, so know it’s worth your time, even if you don’t find something you love in my reviews.

Series: Mercy Thompson #0.1, , , , , , , , ,
Published by Ace on September 2, 2014
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 450
Format: Hardcover
Source: Purchased
Goodreads

Mercy Thompson’s world just got a whole lot bigger…
A collection of all-new and previously published short stories featuring Mercy Thompson 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”
For this book, I followed a reading order I found online (and can no longer seem to locate), so the stories are read in-between other books and out of order. I’m reviewing them in the order I read them.
1/31- finished “Silver”. Such a sad story, but really gives you a lot of insight into Samuel and Bran. It also helps understand the book later in the series, with the witch, so much better.
2/4 – finished “Grey”. I’m curious to see if some of these characters connect to Ana in Alpha and Omega and I’ve just forgotten. Started on audio and love Margarite Gavin still.
2/4 – finished “Fairy Gifts”. I had a hard time investing in this story. I didn’t see the connection to the Mercyverse, I guess and that’s what in craving right now. But it was a decent story… 3 stars. The narration wasn’t Marguerite Gavin, but it was still good.
2/5 – finished “Seeing Eye”. What a great short! I love the characters and honestly would love to see them have a full length story. I’ve forgotten their names, but the witch has a fascinating story and I love her strength as well as her vulnerability from being blind. Such a nice juxtaposition. And the werewolf must have a great back story – as he’s also scarred. And their chemistry is magic! Literally! Need more! (This couple reappears in the Alpha & Omega books)
2/5 – also finished reread of “Alpha and Omega”. Probably my 3rd time reading this one. I just love Anna and Charles chemistry from the get go. And the way their wolves connect before they do as humans. And the way Anna is so strong (and the way Charles brings that strength out) despite being abused for 3 long years. LOVE them.
2/12 – finished “Star of David”. I think I know who this character is in later books, so it was fun to get this insight to him. Also love his daughter, Stella. Hope to see her again… I think I recall her.
2/24 – finished “Roses in Winter.” It was so good to get more of Cara’s story… This is the first time we meet her, but you knew she had to be fairly incredible to have successfully turned were at such a young age. But now she’s in danger because she has to learn to control her wolf. I love that Azeel is the one to connect with and help her!
3/8 – finished “Redemption” – 4 stars! Loved getting a story that brings us closer to Ben – he’s a favorite of mine and you can’t help but be curious about his past. He really is a good guy, and I love seeing him blossom under Adam.
3/23 – finished “Hollow”– a fun ghost/fae story with Mercy at the center. Always fun to get Mercy, but since we get her so much more and better in the books, not my favorite. (3 stars)

Narrator: Lorelei King
Series: Mercy Thompson #9
Published by Brilliance Audio on March 8, 2016
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Length: 11 hours
Format: Audiobook
Source: Purchased
Goodreads

Tensions between the fae and humans are coming to a head. And when coyote shapeshifter Mercy and her Alpha werewolf mate, Adam, are called upon to stop a rampaging troll, they find themselves with something that could be used to make the fae back down and forestall out-and-out war: a human child stolen long ago by the fae.
Defying the most powerful werewolf in the country, the humans, and the fae, Mercy, Adam, and their pack choose to protect the boy no matter what the cost. But who will protect them from a boy who is fire touched?
*Library Journal
Another great read! I’m not sure I processed as well, perhaps due to COVID distractions, but it was great to see developments in terms of Mercy and Adam, vis-a-vis the pack. And the fae sure do keep things interesting. This was another book with no Stephan, though we did see some of the vampires.
Berls is catching up with the Mercy Thompson read-a-long. Have you been reading along? Share on X
Fire Touched is one of my favorites in the series. I haven’t been re-reading with the crew, but I’m living vicariously through all the reviews. This is such an enjoyable series and so glad you all are sharing the reviews (at any time and in any order!).
The first time I read Shifting Shadows I saw the connection between a few books, but now, after doing this re-read, I’m seeing the connection for more of them with side characters or were side stories for main characters. After doing the Mercy stories now I want to do a re-read of the Alpha and Omega stories, too.
Great itty bitty reviews, Berls!
Thanks Sophia! I have been reading the Alpha & Omega along with the Mercy books – following the reading order and it’s been great! I definitely recommend a reread. I loved reading Shifting Shadows this way!
Thanks so much for joining in on the Read-along. You can link up your review also if you like. We just finished Fire Touched and are now reading Silence Fallen. I am enjoying this reread so much. I do love the Alpha & Omega books also but couldn’t expect people to read that many more books; it’s enough just to read one every 4 weeks. But they can read them on their own as you have.
Definitely! I just linked up. And I also just scheduled my review for Silence Fallen for next month 🙂 Have you chosen a series for next year ?
I read the first one and enjoyed it but never continued the series, I really need to reread that one and start again. 🙂