the_pale_woman's Reviews (542)

I'll admit I didn't give this much of a chance, but it wasn't able to immediately grab my attention. I might consider giving it another go if the series is completed to good reviews.

Like many readers, I only heard about this book because of its recent adaptation. The movie looked decent, so I logically thought I'd pick the book up first. 

It reminded me of Murderbot with its vibe and tone, but it definitely has its own personality and themes. Mickey is an entertaining character. I found myself hooked almost immediately. The constant gallows humor combines perfectly with the captivating dystopian concepts. I hope the movie does it justice because I'm now pretty excited to see it.

I have been meaning to read this book for years. Given the frequent references to Greek mythology in contemporary literature, I thought this book would be a great way to brush up on the topic. 

I found the beginning, detailing the gods' origins in a chronological manner, engaging and interesting. However, the narrative subsequently fragmented into a disjointed collection of vignettes featuring various deities and scenarios, lacking a cohesive overarching structure. The presentation felt more like an overly detailed outline interspersed with a lot of British dad jokes. Additionally it features an excessive number of footnotes. I appreciate etymology as much as the next reader but it can take you out of the topic or story. 

Ultimately, I found this book a tad too tedious. I'd probably just recommend playing Hades instead. 

So I finished this and got 50 pages into the second book when I admitted to myself that this wasn't worth it. The extra lore Alpha and Omega might provide the Mercy Thompson series is not worth the effort it would take to read these. Big interconnected series are only exciting when they offer consistency. 

This series feels like a step down from Mercy in multiple ways, and that wasn't a high bar to begin with. From the start, it struggles to find its footing, relying on the reader having read the opening prequel novella and at least the first Mercy novel. I take issue with that when this is labeled as the first book. 

Then it bounces the reader around with inconsistent multi-POV chapters. The story clearly revolves around and centers on the girl. I feel like the additional perspectives are only there to observe her and advance the plot. Because why would a woman in love be able to drive her own plot? And I don't even want to get into the fact she told him she didn't like sex and he was like "I'll prove to her that she will".

The most annoying quirk was when the girl would be wondering about something she (and the reader) didn't know, and she would think, "I'll just ask him later." Then it would be forgotten. It would never come to fruition, promising answers and conversations that never materialized. 

Look, it wasn't all sloppy trash if I'm being fair. However, if I'm being honest, I hated it.

This exceptionally charming murder mystery provided a delightful reading experience; it was incredibly heartwarming. The protagonist, the admirable Vera, is easily relatable. However, in my opinion, the novel truly excelled in its mouthwatering descriptions of food and tea; they were superb. I found myself craving every item presented, even the bird's nest and fake French patisserie. 

It's happened again! I start a book series only to find out after the fact that it has another series woven into it. The list I found breaking down the reading order for this world is outrageous. I'm only three books into Mercy Thompson, and now I find out I should read three other books from a companion series before I continue?! And what is with all the short stories published in anthologies? Completely unnecessary, and do you really expect your readers to keep up with all that? At least show that these books take place in the same world in the bibliography, or mention it in the acknowledgments. 

I thought about just ignoring this series, but then I worried that I'll end up really liking the Mercy series and might regret skipping this side story for convenience's sake. This novella that starts the Alpha and Omega series was fine, but I think it's overshadowed by my annoyance that it exists.

Well, that ending was unexpected.  I'm on the fence about making Mercy's trauma such a big part of her character. I really like Mercy, and I don't want this to become all about her PTSD.

This sequel was an improvement in the plot department. Many of the side characters are still a little flat, but overall it was an enjoyable, quick read. I will be picking up the next one, although I doubt it will keep me interested enough to read all fourteen. Here's to hoping it can defy my expectations.

I've picked up many books this year that haven't worked. So, just finding an enjoyable, average read feels like an accomplishment. 

This first Mercy Thompson book held my interest enough to make me want to try a few more.  With time, it might become better at developing a coherent plot. 

I've always heard this series referred to as the female Dresden Files. On reflection, it's a fair assessment. They are similar in two major ways: they are both typical urban fantasy stories, using known fictional creatures like werewolves and vampires; and they both feature a protagonist with an internal monologue that can't help but address the attractiveness of the opposite sex in every scene. 

Alternatively, Moon Called gives the distinct vibe of a romance, where I'd never thought of the Dresden Files that way, even though you could argue that Mercy's relationship isn't the central plot of this book. So, is it actually a romance? The layers of misogyny run deep here.

Simply said, I did not like this book. 

While I enjoyed the other two books in this series, this particular installment frustrated me beyond imagining. I also have serious issues with the twists and the ending. Consequently, I do not intend to read any more books by this author. This book was not my cup of tea; to the point where I have lost all trust in her work.