Reviewer: Holly & Rowena Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs
Series: Alpha & Omega
Also in this series: Burn Bright, Burn Bright, Alpha & Omega, Cry Wolf, Burn Bright, Dead Heat, Hunting Ground, Fair Game, Wild Sign
Publisher: Penguin
Publication Date: 2008
Point-of-View: Third
Genres: Paranormal Romance
Pages: 310
Add It: Goodreads
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Now Briggs begins an extraordinary new series set in Mercy Thompson's world--but with rules of its own.
INTRODUCING THE ALPHA AND OMEGA NOVELS...Anna never knew werewolves existed until the night she survived a violent attack...and became one herself. After three years at the bottom of the pack, she'd learned to keep her head down and never, ever trust dominant males. But Anna is that rarest kind of werewolf: an Omega. And one of the most powerful werewolves in the country will recognize her value as a pack member--and as his mate.
Rowena: Cry Wolf is the first full length book in the Alpha & Omega and it introduces us to the world of Charles Cornick and Anna Latham. Charles is a dominant werewolf who works as the enforcer for the Marrok and Anna is a newly turned werewolf who was abused and mistreated until Charles shows up and saves her from her old pack.
Over the course of Cry Wolf, there are many things at play. There’s a rogue wolf taking out humans, there is the whole mating thing between Charles and Anna and the list goes on and on but one thing that I found interesting was how well Briggs was able to juggle all of those different story-lines and still deliver a fantastic book. I thought she set up the rest of the series incredibly well and am really looking forward to digging into this series.
Holly: Briggs is a master at keeping things together. You haven’t read her Mercy Thompson series, but the way she weaves the threads from that series and this one together is nothing short of awe-inspiring.
I really love Charles and Anna, but it was the world itself I was invested in. The secondary characters, the strange dreams Asil was having, the Marrok and his pack, the politics, etc. All of it was fascinating.
Rowena: Yes. I found it interesting that as much as I loved the bits with Charles and Anna figuring things out between them, I was just as interested in everything else that was going on. From Walter and the rogue wolf to the Marrok and his mate to just…everything. I wanted to know all of it.
I will say that things started off a bit slow for me. I think I was much more anxious for things to get rolling that I slogged through the beginning but after I finished the entire book, I went back and read the first part of the book and was taken aback and how thorough Briggs is with just everything.
After finishing, I wanted to know everything. I want to know what happens now. Are there any lingering affects with the Marrok? What happens now with Charles and Anna? What about Samuel? There’s a lot to dig into and I’m looking forward to all of that.
Holly: I thought the beginning was a bit slow as well. When they started looking for the Rogue is when it picked up, I think.
I love that though Anna and Charles are fated mates, it wasn’t a quick fall into love and comfort for them. They barely knew each other, and I think Briggs handled that well.
Do you think you’ll read the Mercy Thompson series?
Rowena: Oh, definitely. I’ll be all over that Mercy Thompson series for sure.
Man, that whole thing surrounding the Marrok and what happens to him when the Black Witch gets her claws into him? Do they dig into that whole thing in the coming books? I’m really interesting in reading more about that.
I really liked that Charles wanted Anna to be sure, that he gave her a choice in the matter of becoming his mate. I liked seeing them both battle their feelings along with everything else that was going on. When she introduces herself as Anna Cornick? I cheered like a crazy person!
Holly: We learn more about the Marrok in both series, though there isn’t a book dedicated solely to him…yet. Shifting Shadows is a collection of novellas set in that world and one of the shorts, written about Samuel, explains a lot more about the Marrok.
What did you think of the suspense portion of the story? The witch and all her shenanigans?
Rowena: Good, I’m glad to hear that cause I found myself more curious about him as I read through this book.
That woman was crazy and for her to be crazy for those many years? I also thought she was pretty crafty too. I don’t think I’ve seen anyone do what she did in any other paranormal series that I’ve read. At least I can’t remember so her whole deal and her obsession with the Moor was mind boggling good.
What about that rogue wolf? I thought Walter was a fantastic character and even though we don’t really dig deep into her character, we got enough that I was completely in love with him.
Seriously, I want more.
Holly: I thought Walter was pretty great. His back story made me sad,but I liked the person he was.
The world is fresh and imaginative. I love Charles and Anna, too, as well as all the secondary characters. I’m giving this a 4.25 out of 5.
Now we just need to get you to read the Mercy Thompson series. 😉
Rowena: Overall, this book was an entertaining read. I’m really enjoying getting to know not just Charles and Anna but the other people in their world as well. Bran, Samuel, Asil and so many others. I like that the Alpha & Omega novella tied right into the beginning of this book and I can’t wait for more.
Oh, I’m definitely reading Mercy Thompson…especially since I read Fair Game and have already met her mate, Adam. I want to know more about him.
Grade: 4.25 out of 5
Alpha & Omega
I love it when you guys do joint reviews!
Ok, so stupid question…is this an urban fantasy series, or a romance series? I know there’s romance in there, but I never quite knew how much and I’ve always been curious.
It’s UF. The series follows Anna and Charles as they come to know one another and solve problems for his father, the head of all the North American wolves. Their relationship develops over time (currently 4 books and a few novellas), but they’re married almost right away (this is a fated mates themed series).
Unlike the Mercy Thompson series (which is set in the same world), this one is told in the third person, so we get Charles’s point-of-view, too.
Good to know. One thing that often makes me hesitate with UF is that it’s so often in first person, and I really struggle to get into that. Happy to hear this one is at least in third person–might make a good intro to me for the world!
I started with this series for the same reason. I only at started the Mercy Thompson series because this world is so immersive I wasn’t ready to leave it. Then I got addicted to that one, too.
If you’re looking for a taste I highly recommend the Alpha and Omega novella. It’s short and gives a taste of the world and characters. Cry Wolf begins right where the novella leaves off (literally 5 minutes later).
Nice!
If you liked the world building in A/O, you’ve got to read the Mercy Thompson series. I love them both. Plus, it took her a few books to do so, but Patty Briggs has synched the timeline between the two series so there is starting to be some cross-over of characters beyond Samuel. It’s also really interesting to see how Mercy views Bran and the Aspen Creek pack, vs. the characters that you get to know in A/O. Patty has said that she never meant for A/O to become a series, but I’m really glad that she extended it. I re-read them all the time.
Patty Briggs is amazing, isn’t she? I’ve been nudging Rowena toward the MT books and I think she’s hooked enough on this series to pick them up. I know she’ll love them.
I’m definitely going to read the Mercy Thompson books this year. I’m excited!