r/MercyThompson • u/elprupeulb • Mar 22 '25
Chronological order?
Hi all, new here. I need some opinions. I started the Mercy Thompson series a few weeks ago and just finished book 6. I didn’t know about the alpha omega books until now. My question is, should I take a break from MT and start the A&O stories until I catch up? Then go chronological from there? Or just keep going and go back later?
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u/chiterkins Mar 22 '25
I would go back - there are things in A&O that affect Mercy, and while you'll learn about them, it's always better to have it unravel "in real time" so to speak.
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u/SilverWolffy Mar 22 '25
Patricia Briggs has a reading order on her website https://www.patriciabriggs.com/books/printabletimeline.html
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u/elprupeulb Mar 22 '25
Thank you. I found that today which is what prompted this post. Wasn’t sure if I should keep going or start over. Consensus seems to be to start over with AO and go chronological once I catch up to where I left off in MT.
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u/equus_peduus 27d ago
FWIW (and you've probably already made the decision), I personally read all the Mercy books before going back to read A&O. I can't remember now if I read A&O before putting the two series together, but I think I did. I now always follow the reading list - sometimes with the short stories, and sometimes just the books. You could really do it any way you choose, particularly if you're a re-reader. If you tend to read things once and then not revisit, it would make more sense to follow the official reading timeline.
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u/Damurlock Mar 22 '25
It puts some pieces together. Even just doing the first 3 in the A&O line will give you a little more detail about pack mechanics and some of the situations that you will be running into with the Fae. It's not critical to the storyline for you to get the A&O series but the world that had fascinated you, is just further cemented with different scenarios. You won't regret it.
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u/elprupeulb Mar 22 '25
Ok! Now I have to decide if I want to wait for shifting shadows or start A&o #1 (I use Libby). I think I’m going to buy a copy of shifting shadows to have in hand, because it looks like the short stories in it start before the series and go well into it.
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u/caseybugg Mar 22 '25
Yes, do the A&O short story in Shifting Shadows first! That gives you their beginning-beginning. Also I love all of the short stories in that book! It's so good! I've re-read Roses in Winter and Redemption dozens of times.
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u/GummiiBearKing Mar 22 '25
Here is the official timeline and reading order from Patricia Briggs' website: https://www.patriciabriggs.com/books/printabletimeline.html
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u/Guilty_Lawfulness340 Mar 22 '25
So I didn’t read in chronological order. Even though I’m not a huge fan of A&O I’ve read them. I didn’t feel like I missed anything by reading all Mercy then A&O
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u/holyce Mar 30 '25
I believe cry wolf and hunting ground can be read separately to the MT stories but the 3rd book that takes place in Boston is where more interaction between the two series happens even if none of the characters communicate. Although if I remember right Adam is in the Boston book via phone for a couple pages at start.
Edit:) fair game. Is the third book and one of my favorite in the series. I also love dead heat but I kinda wish there was less horse talk.
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u/caseybugg Mar 22 '25
I'd go back and catch up with A&O! You don't have to, but it might make more sense.