Book Log 24/2009 - Cry Wolf

Patricia Briggs: Cry Wolf – Alpha & Omega #1

This takes a minor character from the Mercy Thompson books and turns him into the main character. When Charles, pack enforcer, executioner and son of the Maroc - the werewolf leader of North America – is sent to investigate a young wolf being bullied and abused by her pack in Chicago, he sorts out the pack, defends her and they become bonded, though he’s badly injured in the process (silver bullets). The actual Chicago episode takes place in a short story published elsewhere and this book picks up from the point that Anna is brought ‘home’ to the pack in Montana with Charles desperately ill from silver poisoning. She’s ignorant of pack ways and desperately scared, but  she’s also very special. Charles is a dominant wolf, used to being able to face down almost any other wolf except his father, but Anna is a Omega, one who – without being submissive – brings peace. It’s a special talent she has to employ when old trouble in the shape of a powerful witch catches up with the pack and Charles, despite being less than fully recovered, is sent out to deal with it.

I still enjoyed this enough to keep reading the Alpha and Omega series. (It would take a lot to stop me ordering every Briggs novel as it’s published), however I have to agree with other reviews I’ve seen. This is not as appealing as the Mercy Thompson books – mainly because Mercy is an extraordinary character and the focus (written in the first person) is very tight. This is written in third person with multiple viewpoint characters which gives you a wider range of insight, but a less personal investment in the main characters.

Book Log 24/2009 - Cry Wolf

Patricia Briggs: Cry Wolf – Alpha & Omega #1

This takes a minor character from the Mercy Thompson books and turns him into the main character. When Charles, pack enforcer, executioner and son of the Maroc - the werewolf leader of North America – is sent to investigate a young wolf being bullied and abused by her pack in Chicago, he sorts out the pack, defends her and they become bonded, though he’s badly injured in the process (silver bullets). The actual Chicago episode takes place in a short story published elsewhere and this book picks up from the point that Anna is brought ‘home’ to the pack in Montana with Charles desperately ill from silver poisoning. She’s ignorant of pack ways and desperately scared, but  she’s also very special. Charles is a dominant wolf, used to being able to face down almost any other wolf except his father, but Anna is a Omega, one who – without being submissive – brings peace. It’s a special talent she has to employ when old trouble in the shape of a powerful witch catches up with the pack and Charles, despite being less than fully recovered, is sent out to deal with it.

I still enjoyed this enough to keep reading the Alpha and Omega series. (It would take a lot to stop me ordering every Briggs novel as it’s published), however I have to agree with other reviews I’ve seen. This is not as appealing as the Mercy Thompson books – mainly because Mercy is an extraordinary character and the focus (written in the first person) is very tight. This is written in third person with multiple viewpoint characters which gives you a wider range of insight, but a less personal investment in the main characters.