
"Cry Wolf" in the series "Alpha & Omega" by Patricia Briggs follows the story of Anna, an Omega werewolf who was abused in her previous pack and Charles, an Alpha werewolf who rescues her. delves into their evolving relationship as they navigate the dynamics of the werewolf world. Set in the same universe as the Mercy Thompson series, the book explores themes of strength, vulnerability, and pack politics, providing a fresh perspective on werewolf lore. The writing style offers a mix of character development, intriguing plotlines, and a touch of romance, creating a captivating urban fantasy tale.
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Notes:
Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include themes of abuse, trauma, violence, and discussion of sexual assault.
Has Romance?
The book contains a high level of romance, focusing on the developing relationship between the main characters, Anna and Charles.
From The Publisher:
#1 New York Times bestselling author Patricia Briggs presents the first Alpha and Omega novel-the start of an extraordinary series set in Mercy Thompson's world, but with rules of its own…
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 is about to recognize her value as a pack member-and as his mate.
Ratings (158)
Incredible (36) | |
Loved It (73) | |
Liked It (34) | |
It Was OK (8) | |
Did Not Like (5) | |
Hated It (2) |
Reader Stats (242):
Read It (164) | |
Want To Read (42) | |
Did Not Finish (4) | |
Not Interested (32) |
8 comment(s)
Even more handwoven than Moon-Called. Much more likeable characters.
Re-Read Review
First Read: 30 Jul 2008
Rating: ✮✮✮✮☆
Re-Read: 26 June 2012
Rating: ✮✮✮✮☆
Cry Wolf is the first full-length novel in Briggs'
Alpha & Omega series. In order to get the full back story, I recommend starting with the prequel, [book:Alpha & Omega: A Companion Novella to Cry Wolf|5393637], which was originally published in the anthology [book:On the Prowl|285212]. CRY WOLF picks up where ALPHA & OMEGA left off with Anna leaving Chicago and heading to Montana with Charles. While there, Bran has Charles and Anna investigate a murder. During that time, these two begin to build a relationship
only to realize later that their wolves already consider them mated
.
The best part of this series, for me, is the character building. Briggs' does a great job with showing readers not only the human side of her characters, but their shifter side as well. Similarly, how those two sides create a balance within each character then meld so nicely with their mates.
Fans of Briggs'
Mercy Thompson series will enjoy this series as it takes place in the same world and has some small overlap of characters. It is not necessary, however, that fans read one series before starting the other.
Series Reading Order:
[bookcover:On the Prowl|285212] OR [bookcover:Alpha & Omega: A Companion Novella to Cry Wolf|5393637] [bookcover:Cry Wolf|2355575] [bookcover:Hunting Ground|5292853] [bookcover:Fair Game|11480917]
Re-read #1, 3/2011
Just plowed through a re-read, because after Mercy #6, I admit I was craving some Bran. I really do like this book. This first in the series makes a great companion to the Mercy series, because it gives you so much more information about some of the dominant (no pun intended) people in Mercy's world. Tons of Bran info in the book, as well as stuff about Samuel and Charles (obviously, with Charles being the hero). But there is also MUCH more info about pack hierarchy and overall structure.
It is funny because the least compelling character in this book, to me, is Anna. It was fabulous getting to know Charles though - he is very withdrawn in the Mercy series, the depths of his character only hinted at, because he's an intensely private man. He's a great hero, and the book is a sweet romantic story... while still having an exciting arc with the witch and Bran.
Strangely, this re-read left me feeling some sympathy for Leah. I mean, no doubt she is a bitch, but... I can't help but feel that she's that way because of Bran. I suspect she loves him, and has settled for as much of him as he is willing to give her... which is almost nothing beyond the physical. It has left her bitter and intensely jealous of any attention he gives to anyone else. I understand why he felt he had to do that - he was deliberately seeking a mate he could never love - but still, what a shitty position for her to be in. And in this book, it says Bran sought her out a few years after his beloved wife died... so she's been this taken-for-granted second-choice of a mate for nearly 200 years. I can't even imagine it. Pretty sure I would also be a total raging bitch by then.
Re-read #2, April 2017
It's funny, I still have no interest in Anna. I think she's ... too perfectly stereotypical a heroine. Vulnerable, damaged, survivor with some super rare power... who is pulled out of her shell by an intense need to help/protect people. I don't know. I just don't find her to be compelling. Compared to Mercy ... who is equally compassionate (she's never met a stray that she didn't take in) but also flawed, strong, funny, doesn't take shit... just so much more 3-dimensional than Anna... Anna falls a bit flat. She feels more like wish-fulfillment for Charles than a fully realized character of her own.
But the other thing Anna is is an excuse to dig into the story of the Cornicks, and the structure of the pack, how pack magic works, etc. This book has more Bran than you get anywhere else in the Mercy series, and for that alone, I've re-read it repeatedly. But even if you aren't a raging Bran addict like I am, it is worth a read because you get so much more information on the pack and their magic. And the bit of Samuel perspective, prior to him heading to Mercy to move in, is nice too. :)
Re-read March 2020
Years later, re-reading my review above, I don't feel even a smidge different. Anna is the least compelling thing about this book (and this series as a whole). I read it because it is the best look we get at Bran, and the Cornicks, their history, and general werewolf rules.
I hated the most recent A & O book, though, and it has sort of killed this Mercy-verse series for me. I liked the overall plot, but the retconning of
Bran, Leah, Mercy
just splashed against the series as a whole, and the only way I can deal is by basically erasing that from my memory. I'm wasn't sure I'd enjoy this re-read of book 1, but because I've been doing a re-read of the Mercy books, there were scenes and conversations I missed from these books and so I decided to dip in again. I enjoyed this one on the re-read, probably because it cemented for me what bullcrap the retcon was. But I don't think I'll be able to read past book 4, because I just can't even with book 5. Oh well. It is nice revisiting the Marrok I know in the early books.
Even though I only gave this two stars, I find Patricia Briggs' writing compulsively readable. The heroine in this series draws her strength from her ability to subvert the potentially dangerous dynamic between dominant and submissive personalities. The way mysteries play out in Briggs' novels is sometimes oddly anticlimatic, and I felt this book could have been fleshed out a bit more to support the twists. I think I mostly like her writing for the way it contrasts with other urban fantasy novels. All the same, this didn't blow me away.
engrossing - more than it has any right to be. Charles is a cinnamon roll
Improvement from previous experience with author's work
No love triangle
Compelling relationship between Anna and Charles
Absorbing and well-developed characters
Sensitive handling of sensitive topics like abuse
Charles's handling of responsibilities
Intriguing secondary characters like Asil
Interest in continuing the series
Willingness to revisit author's other works
Charles need someone
Anna has always thought she was weak, but Charles insists she isn't; that she is strong and calming; an omega. A rare and special kind of wolf.
There is no doubt about the love between these two characters. The relationship between them is sweet and nuanced. Anna is still discovering herself, and Charles is lonely. During their search for a rogue, they discover how deeply they care.
There was an ease to their relationship that stuck with me, even when they had moments of doubt. It was as if they had known each other forever.
About the Author:
Patricia Briggs is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Mercy Thompson urban fantasy series and the Alpha and Omega novels.
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