CRY WOLF by Patricia Briggs
Title: Cry Wolf
Author: Patricia Briggs
Series: Alpha and Omega Book 1 (Prequel novella in ON THE PROWL)
Publication Info: Ace Books, July 2008
Genre: Urban Fantasy? Paranormal Romance? Not sure.
Rating: <3 <3 <3 <3
Patricia Briggs started her new series off with a bang in the novella “Alpha and Omega” from the anthology On the Prowl. (Read the novella first!) The first full length book, CRY WOLF, continues the story of Anna and Charles in a dynamic, action-packed, and thought-provoking way. Both main characters have the depth and complexity, vulnerabilities and strengths, and layered character arc that Ms. Briggs is famous for. Indeed, her characters, so real I feel I know them personally, are the reason I’m a squeeing fan girl. I just can’t get enough of her books.
Cry Wolf is set in the world of the Mercy Thompson series, where werewolves and fey and vampires are our next door neighbors, even if their existence is partially hidden from humans. Werewolf culture is center stage. While Mercy is an outsider (as a walker), Anna and Charles are both werewolves, allowing the reader greater access to the mysterious world ruled by the Marrok and the intricate pack politics. Bran, the Marrok, is a much larger character in this series, which I loved.
Anna was changed into a werewolf against her will three years ago by a Chicago Alpha bent on saving his psychotic mate. She was emotionally and physically abused in order to keep her under his thumb. She is a rare Omega, one who can bring peace and calm to the pack. Charles, the Marrok’s son, is an even rarer comodity: a natural born werewolf. He uses magic inherited from his Indian mother and his natural dominance to act as his father’s hitman. When he travels to Chicago to investigate the bad Alpha and met Anna, his wolf immediately recognized her as his mate. Cry Wolf begins immediately after the events of “Alpha and Omega.” Bran is transporting an injured Charles and his terrified PTSD mate back to headquarters in Montana. In Montana a rogue wolf is on the loose, killing hikers and bringing the authorities down on the pack. Charles and Anna brave the frozen wilderness to hunt down the killer. They must learn to trust each other, and themselves, to overcome the black magic that threatens their world.
Charles and Anna’s relationship is an unfolding story of healing and trust. Usually in werewolves, the humans will bond first and their inner-wolves will follow later. But for Anna and Charles, their wolves bonded first, and their humans have a harder time. Ms. Briggs treats Anna’s history of sexual abuse with the serious psychologic consequences it deserves. She is not “cured” through great sex or a moment of intuition, thank goodness. Her growth is natural, her struggles real. Anna’s character arc is truly beautiful to behold. Charles is a wonderful hero, patient, protective, sexy. Watching the two of them bloom is a treasure.
Action, action, action for you Urban Fantasy fans. Violence, death. Whatnot. My favorite part was following Anna’s healing process and her growing self awareness. I can’t wait for the next book in the series!
PS: Thank you Book Smugglers!!!
Tags: Alpha and Omega, Book lovers & reviewers, Cry Wolf, Paranormal Romance, Patricia Briggs, Urban Fantasy, werewolves
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July 27, 2008 at 8:14 am
This sounds amazing! I haven’t anticipated a book as strongly as I am this one in a while. I was utterly blown away by the character development and emotional impact Briggs was able to convey in the short story prequel “Alpha and Omega.” In fact, I’m seriously thinking of looking for it at Borders today. I can’t wait for a full length story between Charles and Anna. Just one question: why not five hearts?
July 27, 2008 at 9:42 am
Sounds good, I’ve been looking forward to this one, but why only four hearts? What made it fall short of the five mark? Inquiring minds want to know.
July 27, 2008 at 12:14 pm
I loved Cry Wolf yet I might have to read it again because when I first got it, I was so excite, I read it so quickly, I don’t think I got the whole effect, another reading is definitely in order!
And I also wonder – why not five <3s?
July 27, 2008 at 3:46 pm
I looked for this at Powell’s today and didn’t find it. Grr.
July 27, 2008 at 3:54 pm
I may have to pick this one up. Saw it at B&N on Friday and said, “why there is the wolf book everyone wants!”
July 27, 2008 at 6:42 pm
In Ciaraland, four hearts means “Great! I really liked it!” and five hearts means “OMG my heart beat out of my chest, this is the BEST BOOK EVER!!!” ie four hearts is a really good review and five is a rare occurrence. CRY WOLF had a rather simple story line. I was emotionally invested in the characters mainly because I’ve read about them in Alpha and Omega and some in Mercy’s series. I really liked it, but I don’t know that anything blew me away.
Wendy – ditto. I need to reread it, but I had to send it back to the book smugglers.
Meljean – but I thought Powell’s was heaven – How can they not have the book yet??? :(
Katiebabs – you should start with Mercy’s series and read MOON CALLED.
July 27, 2008 at 9:37 pm
That makes sense, Ciara. Thanks for the review!
July 28, 2008 at 5:16 am
Ahh… thanks for the explanation of grades in Ciaraland! :)
I was dead tired last night but forced myself to Barnes & Noble at 9:30 pm in search of CRY WOLF, but I didn’t get it. It showed In Stock, and the girl even went back to search for it for me (she was gone like 15 minutes, too) even though she said it might not be shelved until Tuesday, but SHE COULDN’T FIND IT! *sob*
July 28, 2008 at 8:49 am
Bon voyage!!
July 28, 2008 at 10:21 am
Christine – Oh NOOOooooos! I didn’t see it today at Fred Meyer either. Good luck!
Patricia Briggs is spending the upcoming weekend in Spokane at SpoCon. Why is she coming to Washington when I’m flying to California??? :(
July 28, 2008 at 10:51 am
I loved this book! Charles is just delicious, all still, deep waters. Meljean, I didn’t find the book in the Romance section, I pulled it out of sci-fi/fantasy. You probably looked there, but it took me a while to figure out that’s where it would be since On the Prowl was shelved in romance.
July 28, 2008 at 2:22 pm
You’re very welcome Ciara :) What can I say? Completely agree with your review. And BONE CROSSED cannot come fast enough!!!!!
July 29, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Great review, Ciara. So….I assume you read the excerpt from Bone Crossed?!? What did you think?
July 29, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Angie – um, not that I remember. it isn’t on her website. where did you see a BONE CROSSED excerpt???
July 29, 2008 at 1:24 pm
Hm, it was in the back of my copy of Cry Wolf.
July 29, 2008 at 1:29 pm
If it was in the back of my ARC, I forgot. My memory is full of holes. :(
I’m sure if I read it I liked it, but I could probably read Patricia Briggs’ grocery list and be happy!
July 29, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Hear, hear. And sorry you’re missing her when she’s in WA. So lame.
July 31, 2008 at 6:12 pm
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