Review: Blind Date with a Werewolf by Patricia Briggs
When the deadly werewolf Asil is gifted five blind dates by some anonymous “friends,” his reclusive life will never be the same, in this enthralling novel in stories from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Mercy Thompson series.Includes two all-new stories as well as three previously published stories.
Dear Asil:
We are worried about you. A werewolf alone is a sad thing, especially at Christmastime. So we have a challenge for you: five dates in three weeks. We have taken the work out of it and connected you with five people from online dating sites. You should also know that we have informed the whole pack and instigated a betting pool. Have fun!
Sincerely,
Your Concerned Friends
Review:
Dear Patricia Briggs,
Reading this book was a new experience for me. I knew that the main character features rather prominently in your two very long ongoing series – Mercy Thompson and Alpha and Omega. I only knew that because a dear friend of mine whose tastes usually align very close with mine raved about it. She briefly mentioned Asil’s background and then talked about this book. I asked her if I should read it if I have very little familiarity with both series (VERY little – I only read first books in each of them). My friend was doubtful because she told me that it may not resonate as well with me. And of course she made sense. I am not even sure how many books are written now? Fifteen? Twenty?
I decided to read this book anyway, something I will not ordinarily do, but if my friend recommends something, the chances that I will love it are usually very high and lately when we talk books we rarely find something rave worthy so I spent 14.99 and I dived in. I *loved* it. I loved it so much. I know I missed call backs to Asil’s history (obviously) but even if I did not know a single thing about him, I would still feel his “darkness” on the pages of this story.
I saw that some stories were previously published. I have not read them before, I have no idea how much the author rewrote in each story to make it into a novel and I do not need to know that.
Basically the story is exactly what the blurb promises. “Concerned Friends” presumably from the Pack (or maybe not) decided to arrange a series of dates for Asil and they gave him set of conditions which if fulfilled will make those dates successful. Asil is skeptical but decides to accept the adventure, because he was bored.
Of course some of those dates were not quite what they seemed to be. And what was the intent besides setting Asil up for this adventure? You will find out if you decide to read it.
I really, really liked how the author made this reader, who was not previously familiar with Asil *at all* (surely my friend’s summary does not count ) fall in love with the character.
I previously mentioned that I felt his darkness on the pages, but I also felt and saw his kindness, his bravery and willingness to help others who may need it, his loneliness, his sense of humor (I giggled many times when I read this book). Apparently he is *really beautiful* which probably should not come as a surprise since leads in fantasy books often are, but I loved how Asil not only accepts that as a matter of fact about himself, but also shamelessly used his looks to achieve his goals when he needed to. I thought it was very funny.
Will Asil get his happy, romantic ending? I will leave you to find out for yourselves but I will say that much. I really liked that one of Asil’s dates got his happy for now ending too in the epilogue. It made me sigh very happily.
Grade: A
What a great read this was. I’m delighted that limited experience with the series didn’t detract from your enjoyment.
The Alpha and Omega series is a big favorite, so I’d already enjoyed a couple of the Asil stories before this collection was published. I enjoyed revisiting them and reading the rest. Glad to learn that you enjoyed the book, too, Sirius!
I don’t think I’ve ever read any Briggs books but this review and Kaetrin’s make me want to try this one.
The first Mercy Thompson book was the first book I bought when I got my first kindle. I read the sample chapter and liked it so much I downloaded the book right then and there. It was such a cool feeling to be able to do that. LOL.
I enjoyed this book. I had no idea what to expect. I liked the structure of it. And it was nice to get a deeper dive into Asil who only ever seemed to show up in the Alpha and Omega series as a bit of a sinister, enigmatic presence. The third date was my favorite of them. It went off the rails in such an unexpected way.
That is right. ;-)
Ohhhh, this definitely sounds like something I would like! Thanks for putting it on my radar. I hope you’re having a wonderful reading week. :)
@Darlynne: I am sure that have I read the series, I would have enjoyed it even more, however since I am not planning to invest in the series any time soon, this would have to be enough and it was a lot :).@Kareni: Thank you :)@Jayne: It is always a risk to try a part of a long running series as a stand- alone in my opinion, but for me it worked.@MaryK: :).@Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear?: I hope it works for you if you decide to try it.@TinaNoir: It did, didn’t it? I liked them all, but I liked first and fourth the best and fifth too of course.
I only follow one of her two series at this point — I haven’t read past the middle of book four in the Mercy books, but I devour the Alpha and Omega books — and I have always found them easy to follow even though the two series are intertwined. I’m sure there are things i miss because I don’t read Mercy’s books, but the Anna and Charles books are always easy to follow anyhow. I think this author has a gift for that.
I’m a fan of the Anna & Charles books, but I never really got into the Mercy books. I think I’ll have to read them now though because of Sherwood Post.
I read both series religiously. I really respect how she does things in both series. They have a very different vibe from each other and also intertwine but not in a frustrating way where you feel you have to read both.
Mercy feels like it is all action and is bit relentless in pace
Whereas the A&O series has an easier pace, has a somewhat ‘folksy’ story-teller voice.
Mercy and Adam always seen like they are racing along whereas Anna and Charles always feel as if they are ambling along.
The other thing I like how she handles between series is if a major things happens in one series it does have ripple effects in the other series, but if you don’t read the other one it doesn’t affect your understanding of what happens. You’ll find out the fullness of those effects in the natural course of reading the one series you’re following.
@MaryK: I love Charles and Anna but Mercy and Adam are a lot less interesting IMO. And Mercy makes ridiculous choices.
Book four was the kicker for me. It takes place just ONE WEEK after Mercy was raped, and yet she heads to Spokane with Stefan, a vampire she knows she may not be safe with, and when she encounters more danger there, she doesn’t tell Adam even though (if memory serves) she promised that she would. I’m also not wild about the dynamic between Mercy and Adam. In the books I’ve read it’s been one drama after another.
Charles and Anna seem much more mature. There’s a tenderness to their interactions that, in the context of Charles’s enforcer role in the pack and the trauma that Anna endured, is just magic.
I am tempted to read the Mercy books now because of Sherwood, and also Coyote, but I’m not sure I will.
@TinaNoir: I’m fine with the action and pacing, there’s just as much in Ilona Andrews’ books and I really enjoy those. It’s the personal dramas in the Mercy books that tire me.
@Janine:
Oh yeah, I figured. I know you read Ilona Andrews. I was just appreciating how Briggs manages to make two series that are connected feel so very distinct from each other.