Who is your LEAST favorite character and why?

[Margarita]

JoshsAngel wrote: "So, I just finished reading Dead Heat (awesome, as always of course) and I am even more puzzled by all the negative comments about Anna and how she's so one dimensional because her 'only interest i..."

I think it's because Sage isn't a main character. We don't really know much about her, so people don't mind her much. I think what people are getting at with Anna is that, as a main character, we know very little. What's her favorite TV show? Favorite candy? When Charles isn't around, what does she usually do? those types of little details that usually come together to make a well rounded character.

As for my least favorite.... Christy, Christy all the way. I could not stand the manipulative little creep. The fact that Adam still pays for a good part of her life got under my skin more than anything.

On a side note, does anyone know Sage's last name? I run the Mercyverseconfessions blog and I need it for a confession to make sure I'm spelling it right.

[Dawn]

Margarita wrote: "JoshsAngel wrote: "So, I just finished reading Dead Heat (awesome, as always of course) and I am even more puzzled by all the negative comments about Anna and how she's so one dimensional because h..."


Sage's last name is Carhardt.

Actually, it does tell you some of what she does, with her interests, including knitting. I've read all of the Mercy books, and other than 'I bake when I'm upset' and 'I'm a mechanic' you really don't know much about her likes and dislikes either.

[Margarita]

JoshsAngel wrote: "Margarita wrote: "JoshsAngel wrote: "So, I just finished reading Dead Heat (awesome, as always of course) and I am even more puzzled by all the negative comments about Anna and how she's so one dim..."

Thanks! I thought I was spelling it right, but since I don't have my books with me, I couldn't check. Perhaps your right. I like Mercy personally because of her personality and because I relate to her, skin tone and personality wise, so i'm clearly bias. The books do talk about how Mercy wanted to be a teacher and is into history but went to be a mechanic because she couldn't find a job teaching. We also know that she likes to make the authentic hot chocolate when she can and likes older cars more than newer ones. In the most recent book, we find out that she's a ATLA fan. Her books also go into greater detail on what she's doing to recover from her trauma. But like I said, I have a clear bias and don't really hide the fact that I just like her best as a general rule, so it's just my opinion and I understand your point of view.

[Gail]

I think my least favorite character is Asil, because the details feel like they don't have continuity. I feel like sometimes he's supposed to be right on the edge of losing his control, and sometimes he's pretending he's unstable to needle Bran. There were a few comments about if he kills, he might completely lose it, and yet there is a suggestion in the Shifting Shadows anthology that this is not the case. That inconsistency bugs me.

[Flecha]

I just read Dead Heat and I'm glad to see how Anna is evolving. Of corse her past is horrible and I don't think other type of wolf could survive it and be happy so early (thanks Charles).

SPOILES OF DEAD HEAT

I really enjoy how she used her super-omega-powes and how she decided to look for a fae (maybe dangerous) without waiting for Charles. And she is the one who kills the bad fae.
Seems that Patricia Briggs wants to give the last blow always to Anna. Maybe to show she is more strong that it looks like? Sorry if I'm wrong, but I think she is the one that kills Mariposa and Leo's mate (Isabelle?) in the last minute.

[Dawn]

Flecha wrote: "I just read Dead Heat and I'm glad to see how Anna is evolving. Of corse her past is horrible and I don't think other type of wolf could survive it and be happy so early (thanks Charles).

SPOILES..."


You are right on both accounts. Mariposa thinks that she can order Anna to stop, but because Anna is an Omega she is able to deny the compulsion and breaks Mariposa's neck. With Isabelle, when she shoots Charles, she tells Anna to stay put, but again because of what she is, she is able to ignore the compulsion, attacks her, and Isabelle's skull is caved in when it hits the edge of the fireplace mantle she was sitting on. I think that Patty writes Anna that way to show that she's been through hell, she's been damaged, but she's not broken, and it shows that she is a fitting mate for Charles because she can handle herself if she needs to and she can help him in a fight.

[Dawn]

Margarita wrote: "JoshsAngel wrote: "Margarita wrote: "JoshsAngel wrote: "So, I just finished reading Dead Heat (awesome, as always of course) and I am even more puzzled by all the negative comments about Anna and h..."

You'll have to forgive me for not knowing what an ATLA fan is. I read Night Broken too, and really, other than letting Adam help her, just like Anna is doing with Charles, Mercy really doesn't do that much to heal from the trauma. She still has a hard time even calling it what it was; rape. And her trauma was a single incident, Anna's was three years of rape and abuse. As a rape victim, I empathize with both of them (as well as Ben)on the healing process, because its different for everyone. It took me years to even tell my parents about being molested at 9 and raped at 11 so I get why Mercy still has a hard time with the incident.

The books also talk about how Anna was in college when she was attacked, majoring in music if I recall correctly, which she had to stop because of Leo.

I get what you're saying, Mercy is more developed, but I think that's the point. In the Mercy books, she is the main focus so she's more fleshed out, in the Alpha and Omega series its more dual focus with Charles being the most prominent character because each one revolves around HIM having to investigate a situation and be his father's enforcer. He becomes the more fleshed out character while quiet, unassuming Anna is in the background helping him in whatever way she can.

[Sara]

First off, I have to say I HATE Christy with a passion. She is such a manipulative, whiny brat! I hated how Adam acted around her, and Night Broken was my least favorite book of the series because I disliked Christy so much. Of course that just goes to show what an amazing writer PB is. Her character seemed so real to me that it just made me angry to read about her lol

Next, I also want to defend Anna. There are lots of different personality types out there. Anna is very introverted. I relate a lot to her because I am very happy spending most of my time with my husband, family, and a few close friends. I like to have alone time. I think that Patricia Briggs creates heroines to appeal to different people. Mercy is kickass, stubborn, outspoken, and very outgoing. Mercy gets sassy when she is scared, and she will fight for those she loves, and while I adore her... I don't relate to her on a personal level. She makes very different decisions than I would, and we do not see the world the same way. Anna is softer. She is shy, introverted, thoughtful, and protective. They are very different people, and they handle frightening circumstances very differently.

I really appreciate having a heroine I can identify with so much. Anna is sweet and caring, and while she may not have a ton of friends, it doesn't seem to bother her. I do hope she is able to warm up to more people. But remember, the last female werewolf that was her "friend" turned out to be completely bonkers. (Leo's mate) That would make anybody a little gunshy about befriending female werewolves. Plus a lot of female werewolves seem to be petty, jealous, and vindictive. IE Leah, Mary Jo, Aurielle (sometimes), Honey (sometimes). I do really like Sage, and hope they will build a friendship. Her abuse is also a major component. I am amazed she survived it at all, and I do think she is getting better. She is more playful and seems to be getting less frightened of dominant wolves.

Obviously, everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I really like Anna a lot.

[Dawn]

Sara wrote: "First off, I have to say I HATE Christy with a passion. She is such a manipulative, whiny brat! I hated how Adam acted around her, and Night Broken was my least favorite book of the series because ..."

Oh my god yes, the way Adam allowed Christy to walk all over Mercy, and even let her put both her makeup bag AND her shampoo and conditioner in their bathroom saying 'Mercy won;t mind'.. pissed me off so much. I agree, PB is an awesome writer because she definitely knows how to develop a character for the right kind of reaction.

I adore Anna for much of the reasons you mentioned. She is the perfect match for Charles. I mean, if people stopped and thought about his personality, he wouldn't mesh well with someone who was as brash as Mercy. I can't wait to read more of Charles and Anna's adventures.

[Brooke]

I really don't like Mary Jo she acts like a spoiled brat and I just want her to go away forever. For the others like Christy and Mariposa ect I love to hate them and that is how we were ment to feel about them :)

[Danielle The Book Huntress]

You made some very insightful observations, Sara.

I love Mercy and Anna. I think they are realistic for the lives they have led.

[Geli]

Next, I also want to defend Anna.

You made some great points there, Sara. :)

I agree that she is introverted, but I disagree that she is shy. Beaten in the beginning, yes, but not shy. But that isn't the reason I don't like her. The reason is that for example she is written as an awesome character because she stands up to Bran or always gets the kill, even though Charles did most of the work.

Ultimately, she feels like a cheater character to me. Everyone in this worlds works with the submission / dominance rules, only she doesn't.
"super-omega-powers" I don't know where I have read that (might have been this threat), but that is exactly it. She didn't work for those. Whenever I read about Anna, I look at her character and wonder - would Charles love her if she were a submissive or just another dominant? Does she have any other strenghts besides being an Omega?

Truthfully, I think my main problem is how Charles and Anna met. He fell in love instantly, and she too and that was it. There was no basic for me to understand their dynamic, or why they together might be better than staying apart.

I just want to point out that Charles literally took her from a horrifically abusive situation, barely gave her time and then took her home to an isolated village ruled by his own more or less tyrannical father, whose executioner he is.
It does not feel as if she decided to live and love him, as so much it feels like he was her only option to run. Which is a completely realistic response. Even more realistic is that she is kind of happy in her new world. Because it is better. But it still feels as if she had few to none options.

That having said, I do like the third Alpha and Omega book a LOT, and the fourth one is also good.

I would really love to read a book (or short story, really) about Anna, with barely any Charles. I need that to see her as her own independent, strong person I can admire.

~
About Leah... I like her as a book character. :D She is an unapologetic bitch and knows it. But the side story with Kara and Asil gave that wonderful moment when Asil said she can come to him with problems with Leah - and Kara defended Leah that she has always been kind.

[Flecha]

Geli, I think that Anna run with Charles not just because she didn't had another place to go, but she wanted. Their wolfs mated. Both wolf parts fall in love inmediatly, and then they see that their human halfes also click.
But I also wonder if they could have something if she was not omega. I don't get their dynamics completly. That's what bugs me.
Does Anna need Charles to protect her all the time? Does Charles need Anna to have any emotion or joy?

[Elena]

Anna is not my least favorite, but her development frustrates me. It is very much tied to Charles and what’s happened to her after she was rescued.

I’m reading Dead Heat right now. Anna has more personality, confidence & authority in this one. There is a snippet where she remembers her family saying things about her character (stubbornness, etc.) which intrigued me.

I’d like to read a novella where Anna goes back to her home and family. So we can understand who she was before her Change, how much she lost after, and what parts she’s finding again versus how she’s growing now.

That’s the disconnect for me. She seems like a lovely person, but she needs a truly individual story so I can really “get-to-know” her.

[Ann aka Iftcan]

have to agree about the need for a story to show Anna as she used to be. But the short story that began it all--and the first few pages of Cry Wolf show that she's STILL very stubborn (remember her mumbling Latin?)

I have a friend who was raped. I didn't know her before that happened, but her family all said that she was very different afterwards. And she did get the help she needed, so she wasn't having to deal with it "alone" as it seems that Anna is having to do. So there will be many differences between the 2 Annas, I think.

[Dawn]

Flecha wrote: "Geli, I think that Anna run with Charles not just because she didn't had another place to go, but she wanted. Their wolfs mated. Both wolf parts fall in love inmediatly, and then they see that thei..."

Wanted to make a little correction here. Usually, the human halves fall in love first and the wolves follow, but with Anna and Charles it happened in the reverse.

Anna is tough in her own way, but she's a lot smaller, and even though she's strong, as she shows in Hunting Ground when she kills the vampire, because of her size there are supernatural things that are stronger and that's where Charles comes in.

She also proves herself in Dead Heat, if you haven't read it yet you should. As for Charles feeling emotion without her, he trained himself to not feel things so he could do his job, so in a sense he does need her to feel them, because she lets him be himself instead of just Bran's enforcer.

[T.]

Mercys Mom
Recently I have been rereading the series and a thought popped into my head why did her mom leave her in Aspen Creek. She just abandoned he child to a pack of wolves literally. And from reading the other book there were humans in Aspen Creek so why could she not stay?

[Dawn]

T. wrote: "Mercys Mom
Recently I have been rereading the series and a thought popped into my head why did her mom leave her in Aspen Creek. She just abandoned he child to a pack of wolves literally. And from ..."

Her mother was a sixteen year old girl who was, quite frankly, flaky and immature. She could barely take care of herself much less an infant that turned into a coyote pup at random moments. The best thing she did for Mercy was give her to someone who could raise her and love her. I wonder, do you have children? I ask that because, as a mother, I can understand what led her to give her infant to someone else to raise. She knew she couldn't provide for her and instead of just abandoning her, she found someone who could.

[Gail]

I got more the impression that Margie was supporting herself already with rodeo winnings, which seems maybe not the stablest form of employment but at the same time responsible. I always had the impression that Margie spent as much time as she could with Mercy but that 1- Bran made it clear she wasn't welcome and 2- Margie needed to keep supporting herself so she couldn't stay. Possibly there are plenty of jobs in Aspen Creek, but it sounds like a fairly small town, and I can't imagine it's easy living in Bran's town when he wants you out. (Not sure where I read any of those bits, that's just the impression I had.)

[Angela]

I absolutely adore Anna, however I can understand the complaints that some here have mentioned.

Her experiences have affected her, and one of the reasons that I appreciate her storyline so much is that she isn't magically healed from those experiences. It's not a quick process, it's not easy, and there are always set-backs. Making friends, for me, after an experience that was much less brutal, was ... hard, to put it lightly. I didn't trust much of anyone. I didn't really want to put myself in a position of letting anyone too close again.

Pack is supposed to protect. But Anna's didn't. KNOWING that the Pack she's in now is better and does what it's supposed to doesn't make it any easier to discard those hard-learned lessons from her first Pack. They damaged her, and it'll take time for her to bond and develop with people. Her Omega-instincts sometimes override her afraid-instincts, but it's still a hard battle that Anna has to fight. I love that she's fighting it.

All that being said, I get it. Most of the storyline that we've experienced with Anna has been tied with Charles. It's the nature of the story - Anna and Charles are a team. It's one of the rare instances where the insta-love worked for me (and I can't even really articulate why). Maybe because they spend several books figuring out how to make it work, and caring for each other's feelings. I don't know. Anyway, Anna and Charles work together to figure something out. Patricia Briggs' books have always been pretty tight to me (to the point where I often think there could be a bit more denoument at the end), so there's not a lot of extraneous places to include unnecessary scenes to the plot.

I definitely wouldn't be opposed to a short story or novella dealing with expanding Anna's social aspects and interests.

To be fair, though, Charles main interests are: Anna, Pack, Finances, Horses. It's just kind of the nature of how the books are structured, I think. I don't really ever notice a lack, because when it mentions, in passing, that they enjoy doing something or go to do something, I just fill in the blanks and assume that it's a hobby or interest of theirs.

Character I hate: Christy. She's self-centered, obnoxious, rude, and conniving. I can't stand any of those things.

[Brooke]

Angela wrote: "I absolutely adore Anna, however I can understand the complaints that some here have mentioned.

Her experiences have affected her, and one of the reasons that I appreciate her storyline so much i..."

I agree with everything you said about Charles and Anna :)

While I hate Christy, I really hate MaryJo she is so rude to Mercy for no real reason, also she likes Christy so....

[Dawn]

Brooke wrote: "Angela wrote: "I absolutely adore Anna, however I can understand the complaints that some here have mentioned.

Her experiences have affected her, and one of the reasons that I appreciate her stor..."

Mary Jo is insanely jealous of the fact Mercy has Adam. She is crazy about him herself but feels he 'deserves' someone soft and feminine, which is why she liked Christy, because she fits the ideal she has in her head for what Adam's mate/partner should be like.

That said, I dislike Mary Jo myself, just not the one I dislike the most. My reason for disliking her is the fact she allowed Adam to run into a burning trailer when he believed Mercy was trapped inside it. SHE allowed their alpha to damn near burn to death out of jealousy... and the only one who got sent away was Henry? Like, WTF?

[Ann aka Iftcan]

Bran threatened Mary Jo too. He just felt that Henry was more to blame, since he was playing on the rest of the pack's dislike of Mercy. But yeah, Mary Jo better watch it. Bran seems to view Mercy as his grandchild or child, and we all know what parents are like when their kid/grandkid is threatened, right?

[Dawn]

Ann aka Iftcan wrote: "Bran threatened Mary Jo too. He just felt that Henry was more to blame, since he was playing on the rest of the pack's dislike of Mercy. But yeah, Mary Jo better watch it. Bran seems to view Mercy ..."

Oh yeah, I forgot about that. I need to read the books again once I get moved and can unpack things. Since I have to wait for Fire Touched to be out in paperback (I don't want to just read it from the library, I prefer to own it and I don't like e-books, which is why I am no longer buying books from an author I adore, since she has gone to strictly e-book versions), I may as well read all of the Mercy Thompson and Alpha and Omega books again!

[Brooke]

JoshsAngel wrote: "Brooke wrote: "Angela wrote: "I absolutely adore Anna, however I can understand the complaints that some here have mentioned.

Her experiences have affected her, and one of the reasons that I appr..."

For me her jealousy is what makes me dislike her so much, she acts like a spoiled child! And her letting Adam get burned for what, if she can't have him no one can? She just makes me so mad I wish Bran had banished her with Henry.

[KritikaB]

Christy and Mary Jo irk me the most. They are like a disaster duo for other people's relationships. Their jealousy and attitude feed each other. Honestly, when I was reading Night Broken, I wanted to jump in and strangle them (though I kind of want to eat BLT after Christy made it hahaha).

[Kat]

I have to speak up in defense of Leah. She's no angel, but it would SUCK big time having your mate essentially use you as convenient source of sex when he needed it to keep his "beast" caged, and treat you distantly the rest of the time. Bran is a manipulator, so he doesn't get tagged for his bad behavior when he kisses Mercy or Samuel on the forehead or sings like an angel at a funeral, but it's plain cold when he leaves in the night without telling Leah where he's going, and then can be Mr. Cuddles and make deer-shaped pancakes for Charles and Anna. He shows his nice face to his sons and is purposefully distant with Leah, keeping her far enough away that she's constantly being hurt. I understand and sympathize with his reasoning for doing it, incidentally... it's a far better option than killing everyone in Montana, but it's interesting that if his reasoning is that he can't get close to her without risking being hurt, he isn't afraid to get close to Charles, Samuel, Mercy, or Anna, who he could just as easily lose.

Yes, Leah has some awful behavior at times. Yes, Leah may have "known" she wasn't getting a love-match, but if you think of the time they married (200 years ago) was that all that uncommon? We don't know everything about Leah's background (or at least I don't, at the point I am in the series.) Perhaps like Anna, she was running away from something terrible. I just have a hard time faulting Leah and seeing Bran as a good guy who deserves better, and is "stuck" with her when in truth it seems like they're both shades of gray, and Bran is just a far better liar.

[Dawn]

Katwiththehat wrote: "I would say least favorite is Tim. Of characters that regularly appear, Paul and Darryl aren't faves. I'm not all the way through the series, so it sounds like I will soon hate Christy, LOL.

I ha..."

Leah made her own bed though. She is deliberately cruel and cold to everyone. She deliberately eggs Charles on until he snaps JUST to get Bran to jump on him for it. The reason Bran chose her was for her personality. He knew she was a spiteful person and he needed that to distance himself because the danger isn't JUST to Aspen Creek. It's to every single city across the country that has a werewolf pack in it. EVERY wolf tied to Bran would go insane and by the time they were stopped hundreds of thousands would have been slaughtered. Every single wolf that is in a pack in North America is tied to Bran via their Alphas.

Bran shows that he has feelings for those he genuinely cares for, like his sons, but he keeps many others at bay because of the risk of what would happen if he ever lost his hold on his beast. Anna slipped under his barrier only because she's an Omega and that's kinda what they do.

[Brooke]

KritikaB wrote: "Christy and Mary Jo irk me the most. They are like a disaster duo for other people's relationships. Their jealousy and attitude feed each other. Honestly, when I was reading Night Broken, I wanted ..."

Im so glad that im not the only one who doesn't like Mary Jo!! I have known a lot of people like her and they just make me soooo mad!

But hopefully (SPOILER FOR FIRE TOUCHED) (view spoiler)[ now that Adam has told everyone that he will not let them keep being horrible to Mercy things will be better and I will dislike less people (hide spoiler)]

[Kat]

To me though, if the argument is that Bran has to keep her at arm's length, i.e. be cold to her and be Mr. Sunshine who walks Mercy down the aisle and makes deer pancakes for Anna for others he chooses, Leah deserves sympathy for being the one who's making this huge sacrifice to keep all these people safe, too. I completely understand his argument about "I'll go beserk if I lose a mate I love" and no, that's not an acceptable option either. But I can't really hate Leah when she has to witness Bran being so warm to others of his choosing, and effectively shutting her out. It's just a really sad situation, and I see Leah as more of a victim than anything. A victim who's a poster child for the great way she's handling it? No. But Bran sure doesn't deserve any awards for treating her like the only thing she's good for is to serve as a convenient source of sex when his wolf needs to calm down.

[binter]

Katwiththehat, I'm with you on your great breakdown of the least likable character of Leah. While she has to take her share of responsibility in the situation, so does Bran (and perhaps to a greater degree).

[Dawn]

Katwiththehat wrote: "To me though, if the argument is that Bran has to keep her at arm's length, i.e. be cold to her and be Mr. Sunshine who walks Mercy down the aisle and makes deer pancakes for Anna for others he cho..."

I get where you're coming from but it seems like you're missing the point. Leah was like that before Bran took her to be his mate. That was t he single reason he chose her and she went into it knowing full well he would never develop feelings for her. I cannot like or empathize with someone who is deliberately ugly to everyone around them. *shrugs* I could just be biased too because of a fanfic I wrote where I killed her off and got him a new mate LOL

[Dawn]

Katwiththehat wrote: "JoshsAngel wrote: get where you're coming from but it seems like you're missing the point. Leah was like that before Bran took her to be his mate. That was t he single reason he chose her and she w..."

I can see your point when you put it that way. Still don't like her but I can empathize a little more with the character now.

[Flecha]

I don't remember if I already comment on this one, but... I've been reading all you saying, but I'm gonna agree with you

Katwiththehat wrote: "I would say least favorite is Tim. Of characters that regularly appear, Paul and Darryl aren't faves. I'm not all the way through the series, so it sounds like I will soon hate Christy, LOL.

I ha..."

Tim is a RAPPIST. And a murdered. He kills his (only?) friend and then when a girl is nice to him but just want to be friends he drugs and rapes. That's mess up. Just because you are nice to someone, they don't owe you anything
Forget assholes and selfish people

[Kathrynn]

I'm only up to River Marked (#6) in the Mercy Thompson series, and so far, my least favorite character would be Paul. I think he's an ass for challenging people/werewoves when they are injured. For someone that is strong and capable, he can only fight when the opponent is weak.