Cry Wolf (Alpha and Omega, Book 1)
by Patricia Briggs
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Book Summary Information
Author: Patricia BriggsEdition: Mass Market Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2008-07-29
ISBN: 0441016154
Number of pages: 320
Publisher: Ace
Book Reviews of Cry Wolf (Alpha and Omega, Book 1)
Book Review: Solid series start
Summary: 4 Stars
This book actually brought home the fact that the Mercy Thompsonverse skillfully balances on a *very* fine line, with me, which I hadn't realized. Currently, Briggs' werewolves are just about the only ones I can put up with, and that's because Mercy herself is such a genuinely unique creature -- she doesn't have the bestest of all magics, she doesn't heal or overpower or bend people to her will, she isn't the prettiest or the most powerful -- she is simply unique, the only one of her kind, and she is pretty darn good at turning her uniqueness to her advantage (in an action-packed way) even where it might be a disadvantage -- and more, pretty darn good at using her mundane, everyday human smarts and resilience.
In contrast, Anna of "Cry Wolf" is a bit sparkly for me; her uniqueness is slightly pretty-pretty princess for my taste (not to mention the old chestnut where she is abused because she is so special, until she is rescued because she is so special), and it's a testament to Briggs' *excellent* writing chops that Anna does not cross the Sue line but remains interesting and sympathetic. I do wish, though, that the original short story had been reprinted here -- it's a powerful start to Anna's tale (GO, find it and read it if you haven't already; it's a heart-racer), and I was more attached to Anna in it. She was more concrete.
Plus, including that as a first chapter might have mitigated some of the excessive mellowness in pacing; as it stands, the plot of "Cry Wolf" only gets suspenseful and really picks up more than halfway through the book, when the danger is defined and trouble mounts. Before this, there's a lot of "are we really together or aren't we?" gumming up the works, which I thought had already been settled (in light of the short story, it's hard to take Asil's play for Anna very seriously at all, even for a moment -- which depletes the tension).
(There is a LOT of POV-bouncing in this one. Briggs has written in 3rd-person before, but I've never before had to go back to make sure whose head I was supposed to be in.)
This is a romance (which I wasn't expecting, and which isn't really my genre), and as such it doesn't quite succeed on the action-packed fantasy level that Briggs' other novels do. As a romance, though, I'd say it succeeds quite well. I do like the lovers and really want them to make it as a couple. I liked the extra stuff too -- the exploration of what makes a dominant, what makes a submissive -- and particularly enjoyed the revelation that a dominant's instinct is to protect, and that a submissive lacks not strength, but the will to fight much. And an Omega is a REALLY great thing to have around!! I love Briggs' concepts, here. Werewolf pack dynamics in other recent fiction tend to annoy me or outright offend me with misogyny (I guess I would be a lone wolf? Not bossy, but also really bad at taking BEING bossed :-D), so kudos to Briggs for making it all more interesting and palatable.
And I did like the ending. Quite a lot. Special-snowflake powers and all. *g*
Once again, where Briggs shines her brightest is in characterization. She doesn't skimp, not even on the bit players. Walter is a moving, complex new addition; Asil is amazing and touching; and I feel I really got to know Bran, the Marrok (aka, leader of all North American werewolves), much better here. Not to mention the lovebirds -- lovewolves? -- really do have nice, believable chemistry. (I do get that Charles is a hottie without being told fifty times, though.) Even the people you don't see much of at all seem real and multidimensional: angry daughter Shawna, conflicted and flawed Marrok's wife Leah, calm and reasonable (yet maybe a little mischievous?) Sage, and others -- even Shawna's father, who does not appear in this book alive.
Bran in particular has become a much more textured character. (His and Asil's points of view were absolutely the most compelling portions, for me. So much cool history to explore.) The personal decisions he has made are harsh, to him and to others -- but in *all* but the luckiest lives, there are these small, private compromises and sacrifices. It's clear that "perfect" relationships are a luxury that someone in a position of so much power simply cannot afford -- no different than a thousand arranged royal marriages throughout history, both fictional and non. It's tragic, bittersweet.
More than anything, this book makes me miss Briggs' "Dragon Bones/Dragon Blood" universe, for that rich characterization. Really, she does so much with just the right amount of words, neither too flat nor overkill. In terms of my own personal enjoyment, this would be about a 3-star read. However, in terms of Briggs achieving the story SHE set out to tell with craft, style, and good prose, definitely a 4 to 4.5 star effort. (And including the short story -- because you gotta! -- easily zooms it all up to 4.9.)
So in short... more please!
(Extra props for the inclusion of the first chapter of "Bone Crossed" which reminds us just how strong, complex, and human Mercy T is.)
Summary of Cry Wolf (Alpha and Omega, Book 1)
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.
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.
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