FAIR GAME by Patricia Briggs

Title: Fair Game
Series: Alpha & Omega #3
Author: Patricia Briggs

Summary

Anna is worried about Charles.  Since the unveiling of the werewolves, the Marrok's laws have become more strict, and that means harsher punishments.  And when some of the alphas refuse to kill a pack member for a crime that would have once received a warning, Charles is called in to take care of the situation.  Only Anna seems to notice that Charles' responsibilities are hurting him.

With Asil's help, the Marrok finally realizes the seriousness of Charles' condition, so when a serial killer seems to be targeting werewolves, he sends Anna to work as a consultant for the law enforcement investigating the situation.  Charles, unwilling to allow his mate to go unprotected, travels as her bodyguard.

But it isn't just the werewolves being targeted by this serial killer, and when a half-fae girl gets taken from her apartment, Anna and Charles have to hurry if they're going to save the girl and catch the serial killer before the next kill.

My Impression

I absolutely love Anna and Charles.  The two seem like such an unlikely pair just based on first glance, but they are great together.  My favorite thing about them together is that when people take one of them for granted or underestimate one of them, the other is perceptive enough to see the truth. This book proves that further, as Anna senses something is wrong with Charles and has to convince both the Marrok and Asil that she isn't imagining things.  As strong as both characters are, there are times when they need the other to save them, sometimes without even realizing it themselves.

Though there are a few wolves in this book, Charles and Anna are mostly interacting with humans.  My favorite books in this series (and in Briggs' Mercy Thompson series) are almost always the ones that focus on werewolves, so I was surprised that I liked this book as much as I did.  I think the main reason that I enjoyed this book so much (aside from Charles and Anna) is that the book had a clear mystery that needed to be solved; while Cry Wolf had a mystery plot to it, this was one where the wolves are the victims.  I also liked that I got to follow along as Anna and Charles worked to figure out who was kidnapping and killing magical creatures, and is strong enough to do so.  There was also a sense of urgency that caused me to be on the edge of my seat throughout most of the book.  This is also one of the first books where the readers are introduced to a lot of the public's reactions to the existence of werewolves, since most of the books in both series mainly involve interactions with other werewolves, fae, vampires, or witches.

The plot and result of this book (which I don't want to spoil) set some major events into motion, and I can't wait to see how it plays out in the next few books.

Why I Picked Up This Book

I absolutely love Anna and Charles, so I couldn't wait to read more.

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Romance
My Rating: Five Stars

Interested in other books by Patricia Briggs?  Check here to read my reviews of other books from this series.

HUNTING GROUND by Patricia Briggs

Title: Hunting Ground

Series: Alpha & Omega #2
Author: Patricia Briggs

Summary

The Marrok has decided that the time has come for the werewolves to reveal their existence to the rest of the world; it is only a matter of time before technology proves their existence, and some of the wrong people already know that werewolves are real.  But before this happens, Bran has arranged a meeting in Seattle for all of the European Alphas where they can express their concerns and receive assurance that the Marrok will aid all of the wolves in any way he can.

When Charles has the bad feeling that things will go horribly wrong if Bran attends the conference, Bran concedes by sending the newly mated (and married) Charles and Anna in his stead.  Though this eases Charles' feelings of dread, his and Anna's presence also causes more problems.  Not all of the werewolves are happy about the big reveal and Charles, for all that he is his father's hitman, is not the authority and many of the Alphas do not respect him as they would his father. Anna is still not comfortable around dominant, male werewolves, and a conference full of them is not the best place for her.  And though their mate bond has finally settled in, there are still many aspects of their relationship that both Anna and Charles are still learning to navigate.  Add in a group of vampires using pack magic to attack werewolves, and Charles and Anna have their work cut out for them.

My Impression

I loved this book.  I still love Anna and Charles, and though their relationship seems to be moving pretty fast (after all, they are now mated and married), their problems are far from over.  Their human sides are still learning how to navigate their relationship and how to read the other person.  Charles still has his need to close himself off and his fear that Anna will run any time she sees the killer in him, while Anna still has to call on her wolf during intimate moments and is still learning what it means to be an Omega.  And all of these problems are offset by their love and protectiveness of each other.

I also really enjoyed the expansion of Briggs' werewolf sociology. It's the first time we get to see werewolves from outside the United States and how their governing structure varies from the Marrok's rule.  There is also further development of the varying personalities of werewolves and what it means to be a good vs. bad dominant.  I also liked seeing another pack from the United States, as well as seeing Moira and Tom, the werewolves from "Seeing Eye".

Another thing I liked about this book is the use of Arthurian legend. I love mythology and folklore, so I really liked seeing how King Arthur is discussed in relation to werewolves and the fae.  However, the book keeps the reference simple and explains most of the relevant details, so you don't need to be an expert on King Arthur in order to appreciate or understand the reference.

Something I would have liked to see more of in this book is the Emerald City Pack.  I really liked Angus, the Alpha, and I want to know more about how his pack is run, as well as more about Tom, Moira, and Alan (the doctor and submissive of the pack).

Why I Picked Up This Book

I fell in love with Anna and Charles, and I wanted to see more of them.

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Romance
My Rating: Five Stars

Interested in other books by Patricia Briggs?  Check here to read my reviews of other books from this series.

CRY WOLF by Patricia Briggs

Title: Cry Wolf
Series: Alpha & Omega #1
Author: Patricia Briggs

Summary

With the death of Leo, the Alpha of her Chicago pack, Anna is finally free of the abuse that has come with her three years as a werewolf. Now she is heading back to Montana with Charles, and though her wolf has no problem trusting Charles, Anna's human half still carries the scars of her abuse and finds it hard to trust anyone who is male, dominant, and wolf.

Charles is protective of Anna, and as much as he (and his wolf) wants to claim Anna for his own, he is willing to given her as much time as she needs to be comfortable around him...even if that means giving her the option of finding another mate.

But their relationship is put on standby as reports come in about a rogue werewolf in The Cabinets, one that has been attacking and killing people.  Charles may still be injured from his recent visit to Chicago, but he is the only wolf besides his father that is dominant enough, and controlled enough, to face down a rogue.  Though he is initially reluctant to have Anna come with him, the rogue wolf is not what he expects, and he soon learns that having an Omega along can save his life.

My Impression

This book introduces a new pack of werewolves: the Marrok's Pack of Aspen Creek, Montana.  Though this pack appears briefly in Moon Called, Cry Wolf adds more depth to the characters we have already met (Bran and Leah), while also introducing many other members.  Since I had already seen the dynamics of Adam's pack (from the Mercy Thompson series) and Leo's pack (from "Alpha and Omega"), I liked seeing another pack and the varying personalities among werewolves.  I think Patricia Briggs does a great job of creating a variety of characters.

I also really liked how Charles and Anna try to navigate their relationship.  Both characters have some demons (metaphoric) that haunt them, and I like that they don't suddenly disappear simply because the two found each other.  Both characters have a hard time reading the other person, and they struggle to understand each other and avoid miscommunication. I also liked that there were moments when each character had to put aside their own insecurities in order to comfort the other.  Their relationship seems authentic and realistic, and as much as I want things to be great and perfect between them, I think their relationship becomes more valuable because of the work they put in to it.

Though the mystery plot of this book was complex and not something I could easily solve, and there were times when I was truly worried about the safety of Anna and Charles, I felt myself a bit uninterested in it.  My main interest in this series is seeing the relationship develop between Anna and Charles, and while there is progress in that area, I felt that the plot of the book didn't revolve around them enough.  The rogue wolf is a threat to the Marrok's pack, as well as to werewolves in general, but I just didn't care as much about the outcome.  That's not to say that it wasn't well written, but there were times when I just wanted to read about Anna and Charles' mate bond.

Why I Picked Up This Book

After reading "Alpha and Omega", I wanted to read more about Charles and Anna.

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Romance
My Rating: Four Stars

Interested in other books by Patricia Briggs?  Check here to read my reviews of other books from this series.

ALPHA AND OMEGA by Patricia Briggs

Title: "Alpha and Omega"
Anthology: On the Prowl

Series: Alpha & Omega #0.5
Author: Patricia Briggs

Summary

Anna Latham has been a werewolf for three years, and for three years she has been abused by her pack.  But when she sees a picture of a missing boy in the local newspaper, even the threat for abuse doesn't stop her from calling the Marrock, the head of all of the werewolves, and telling him that her pack is responsible for his disappearance.

When Charles Cornick, the Marrock's enforcer, arrives in Chicago to investigate the pack's involvement with the boy's disappearance, he is also charged from protecting Anna from her own pack.  Though at first glance she seems to just be submissive, he soon learns that she is an Omega, and his wolf is determined to do more than just protect her.

My Impression

I love this story. Though I typically find novella's lacking in plot, this one had a complete story arc, one that I felt was fully developed and left me wanting to read more.

I also love Anna and Charles.  While the main focus of this novella is discovering the problem with Anna's pack, the attraction between Anna and Charles is present from the beginning, and I loved seeing how they both attempt to navigate their interest.  Charles is not a werewolf who is comfortable being emotionally close to someone and Anna doesn't trust werewolves because of her abusive pack.  It's clear that there is still a lot to negotiate between the two, but I liked seeing the mutual interest between the characters.

Why I Picked Up This Book

One day I was browsing the "Teen" section of Barnes and Noble when my mom noticed this anthology on a display board in the store.  Knowing my love for books with magic and werewolves, she showed it to me.  I'll admit that "Alpha and Omega" was, and still is, the only story I read in the anthology.

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Romance
My Rating: Five Stars

**Note: This story was originally published in the anthology On the Prowl. It has now also been published in the hardcover edition of Cry Wolf, as well as in Alpha & Omega: Call of the Hunt, an omnibus containing this story and the first three novels of the Alpha & Omega series.

Interested in other books by Patricia Briggs?  Check here to read my reviews of other books from this series.

Patricia Briggs Book List

Patricia Briggs is the author of many series, duologies, short stories, and a stand-alone novel.  Her most well known works take place in "Mercy's World".

Mercy's World

An urban fantasy world where werewolves, shapeshifters, vampires, witches, fae, and other creatures all exist in our modern world.  This universe contains two series (Mercy Thompson and Alpha and Omega), as well as a couple short stories, and a prequel graphic novel. For a timeline of how all of these works fit together, click here. 

Mercy Thompson

In a world full of werewolves, Mercy Thompson stands out. Not only does she change into a coyote, but her change is the result of her heritage: she is a walker, born with the ability to sense and resist magic, communicate with ghosts, and transform into a coyote.  Though Mercy would like nothing more than to stick with her day job as a mechanic, her friendships with Adam (the alpha of the Columbia Basin Pack), Stefan (a vampire), Zee (a fae), and the other supernatural creatures of the Tri-Cities area make it hard for her to ignore the magic of the world; especially when it is often up to her to save the day.

• Moon Called
• Blood Bound
• Iron Kissed
• Bone Crossed
• Silver Borne
• River Marked
• Frost Burned
• #8
• #9

Alpha & Omega

Anna is an Omega wolf, one who stands outside the pack structure and brings peace to the wolves of her pack.  Originally brutalized by her Chicago pack, she escapes their abuse with the help of Charles, the Marrok's son and executioner.  Though her wolf has chosen Charles as her mate, and Charles' wolf has chosen her, the human-halves have trouble following along; both are used to separating themselves from the people around them in order to protect themselves.  But when it comes time to protect those around them, they learn that they make a pretty perfect team.  

• "Alpha and Omega"
• Cry Wolf
• Hunting Ground
• Fair Game

Short Stories

The short stories that focus on characters introduced in Mercy Thompson or Alpha & Omega.

• "Seeing Eye"
• "Star of David"
• "In Red, With Pearls"

**Update: As of now, Briggs is under contract for two more Mercy novels (#8 and #9), as well as another book from Mercy's World.  This mystery project might be another Alpha & Omega novel or it could follow another character.  Either way, Briggs has stated that should would like to write another Alpha & Omega novel, though she isn't currently under contract for another book in the series.  She also has plans for a Mercy's World anthology, which would include the currently published stories, as well as some stories following additional characters, including Samuel and Ben.

Other Works

Sianim

• Masques
• Wolfsbane
• Steal the Dragon
• When Demons Walk

Raven Duology

• Raven's Shadow
• Raven's Strike

Hurog Duology

• Dragon Bones
• Dragon Blood

Stand-alone Novels

• Hob's Bargain

Short Stories

• "Wishing Well"
• "The Price"
• "Fairy Gifts"
• "Gray"