fictionalkate's review against another edition
4.0
I feel I should start this review by saying that I love Patricia Briggs’ Mercy Thompson series and because of this, I was thrilled to learn that this series was a spin off and concentrated on the wolves from Bran’s Montana pack. I’d often wondered what he got up to when he wasn’t busy trying to fix up Mercy’s mistakes.
The start of this book picks up directly after the novella Alpha and Omega (from the anthology On the Prowl) but it’s not necessary to read the prequel. I enjoy Briggs’ writing and her characters. She’s not shy about putting them through the wringer. She tortures them and makes them relive their nightmares and this only makes me like her stories more. I’m not sadistic but I like how real it makes her characters to me. The bad parts of life aren’t glossed over but rather highlighted in a way that can make me feel very uncomfortable at the brutality. At the same time I appreciate that for all the supernatural elements of her novels, it’s a vivid representation of human nature. Bad things do happen and Briggs addresses that life isn’t all sunshine and rainbows.
Anna’s introduction to the supernatural world has not been an easy one. She was raped repeatedly by those in her pack who were supposed to be family and the ones to protect her from such a violent life. After three years of such treatment she meets Charles Cornick – the Marrok’s youngest son- and things change even further. She’s told that she’s his mate and that she needs to accompany him back to his pack. And as if that wasn’t enough, there’s a rogue wolf in pack territory that needs to be taken care of. Oh Anna… what have you gotten yourself into?
Throughout everything, Anna has a spirit that I greatly admired. She wasn’t without weakness but she persevered and when push came to shove, she did what she had to do to protect what was hers. Charles was just as likeable. I like that the characters in the novel weren’t two-dimensional. They all have flaws and problems but they’re dynamic in the sense that they’re willing to change for the ones they love. It was an interesting ride to see Charles have to cope with Anna’s past and trying to help her despite it being a completely unfamiliar situation for him that went slightly against his Alpha nature.
I like how consistent Briggs is with her world. The mating bond, the pack bonds and the way wolves behave is all consistent with that of the Mercy Thompson series which is set in the same universe as Alpha & Omega. I loved the way that all events that occur in this novel happen in a way that feel planned for. The new characters and supernatural happenings feel perfectly natural happening in this story. That’s not to say that there are no surprises – there are many surprising actions and plot points that occur. But they are not just thrown at the reader – they feel appropriate and logical and exciting.
The start of this book picks up directly after the novella Alpha and Omega (from the anthology On the Prowl) but it’s not necessary to read the prequel. I enjoy Briggs’ writing and her characters. She’s not shy about putting them through the wringer. She tortures them and makes them relive their nightmares and this only makes me like her stories more. I’m not sadistic but I like how real it makes her characters to me. The bad parts of life aren’t glossed over but rather highlighted in a way that can make me feel very uncomfortable at the brutality. At the same time I appreciate that for all the supernatural elements of her novels, it’s a vivid representation of human nature. Bad things do happen and Briggs addresses that life isn’t all sunshine and rainbows.
Anna’s introduction to the supernatural world has not been an easy one. She was raped repeatedly by those in her pack who were supposed to be family and the ones to protect her from such a violent life. After three years of such treatment she meets Charles Cornick – the Marrok’s youngest son- and things change even further. She’s told that she’s his mate and that she needs to accompany him back to his pack. And as if that wasn’t enough, there’s a rogue wolf in pack territory that needs to be taken care of. Oh Anna… what have you gotten yourself into?
Throughout everything, Anna has a spirit that I greatly admired. She wasn’t without weakness but she persevered and when push came to shove, she did what she had to do to protect what was hers. Charles was just as likeable. I like that the characters in the novel weren’t two-dimensional. They all have flaws and problems but they’re dynamic in the sense that they’re willing to change for the ones they love. It was an interesting ride to see Charles have to cope with Anna’s past and trying to help her despite it being a completely unfamiliar situation for him that went slightly against his Alpha nature.
I like how consistent Briggs is with her world. The mating bond, the pack bonds and the way wolves behave is all consistent with that of the Mercy Thompson series which is set in the same universe as Alpha & Omega. I loved the way that all events that occur in this novel happen in a way that feel planned for. The new characters and supernatural happenings feel perfectly natural happening in this story. That’s not to say that there are no surprises – there are many surprising actions and plot points that occur. But they are not just thrown at the reader – they feel appropriate and logical and exciting.
marineb09's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
I still enjoyed the writing of P. Briggs but I prefer Mercy's story than this one right now.
It's still early I might change my mind ;) will see what book 2 brings
I still enjoyed the writing of P. Briggs but I prefer Mercy's story than this one right now.
It's still early I might change my mind ;) will see what book 2 brings
echokitsune's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted cheesy fantasy and this cover said it would deliver. It was definitely that but the authors use of the terms Indian, and exotic to describe the Native American love interest was super unnecessary. It’s a shame because her pack structure concept was interesting.
schnoebs13's review against another edition
4.0
4.5⭐️
Though she knows she’s supposed to be happy, Anna can’t get over the feelings of her not being good enough or this not being true. She knows Charles is her mate and that the life she lived back in Chicago is no longer her reality but it’s easier to say than believe. When she’s supposed to be getting comfortable with her new life, a possible rogue wolf is terrorizing a near by trail and it requires Charles knowledge and strength to get it handled. This might end up being harder than anyone thought but luckily an omega might just be what they need.
I forgot how much I loved Anna and Charles’s relationship. See them try and figure things out while also living with the past trauma Anna result through seemed very realistic since even though they were mated, nothing was for certain and things weren’t rushed which I appreciated. I really enjoyed learning more about Omegas and Asil as a character. Can’t wait to see more of Marrock’s pack with the alpha and omega spin offs.
Though she knows she’s supposed to be happy, Anna can’t get over the feelings of her not being good enough or this not being true. She knows Charles is her mate and that the life she lived back in Chicago is no longer her reality but it’s easier to say than believe. When she’s supposed to be getting comfortable with her new life, a possible rogue wolf is terrorizing a near by trail and it requires Charles knowledge and strength to get it handled. This might end up being harder than anyone thought but luckily an omega might just be what they need.
I forgot how much I loved Anna and Charles’s relationship. See them try and figure things out while also living with the past trauma Anna result through seemed very realistic since even though they were mated, nothing was for certain and things weren’t rushed which I appreciated. I really enjoyed learning more about Omegas and Asil as a character. Can’t wait to see more of Marrock’s pack with the alpha and omega spin offs.
madipeppell's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
sarcastic_cat's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
maevebillings's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
vikcs's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
feelingferal's review against another edition
5.0
This is what I wanted the Mercy Thompson series to be but it wasn't!! Where as Mercy's series is enjoyable enough but nothing too spectacular, and it lends itself to unfavorable comparisons to the Kate Daniels' series....this series captures the potential of this world. It has flavors of Anne Bishop's The Others series, but in decidedly positive manner. Some similarities that capture some of what I really enjoyed in The Others series, but different and unique enough to stand solidly on its own.
The characters are more interesting....the relationship dynamics are more interesting...the setting is more interesting....
I really really enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to the other ones of the series!
As a side note, one thing I have consistently found with Patricia Briggs' books is that she makes me want to visit the places the books are set in! I'm not entirely sure how she does it....It isn't flowery purple prose or anything of that sort...I just find myself wanting to plan road trips to the places in the stories. And if nothing else, the ability to make me set a book down and think "Man! I really want to go see The Dalles" is a pretty impressive skill.
The characters are more interesting....the relationship dynamics are more interesting...the setting is more interesting....
I really really enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to the other ones of the series!
As a side note, one thing I have consistently found with Patricia Briggs' books is that she makes me want to visit the places the books are set in! I'm not entirely sure how she does it....It isn't flowery purple prose or anything of that sort...I just find myself wanting to plan road trips to the places in the stories. And if nothing else, the ability to make me set a book down and think "Man! I really want to go see The Dalles" is a pretty impressive skill.
yissel's review against another edition
I'm not sure I could explain what I read....