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Cry Wolf

Book 1 in the series:Alpha & Omega

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"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.

Characters:

The characters, particularly Anna and Charles, display a blend of vulnerability and strength, each dealing with personal trauma and their evolving relationship amidst a supernatural backdrop.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is immersive and descriptive, allowing readers to delve deeply into the emotional challenges faced by the characters, while switching perspectives to enhance the storytelling.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot explores the intricate dynamics of werewolf culture through the relationship of Anna and Charles, who face challenges from a rogue werewolf and Anna's past trauma.

Setting:

The setting is richly detailed with a Montana backdrop, providing an immersive werewolf culture that resonates throughout the story.

Pacing:

The pacing combines slow character development with moments of tension and urgency, leading to a well-balanced progression in the plot.
She hadn’t realized how much of her confidence had been tied to having Charles beside her. She’d only known him a day and a half, and he’d changed her world . . . at least while he was still next to h...

Notes:

Cry Wolf is the first novel in the Alpha and Omega series by Patricia Briggs, which is set in the same universe as her Mercy Thompson series.
The story follows Anna Latham, a werewolf who was turned against her will and has been abused by her pack.
Anna discovers that she is an Omega, a rare type of werewolf who can calm aggressive wolves and isn't compelled by pack dominance.
The novel begins shortly after the events of the prequel novella titled Alpha and Omega, where Anna and Charles first meet.
Anna and Charles' relationship develops throughout the book, navigating issues of trust, past trauma, and their roles within the pack.
Charles Cornick, Anna's mate, is the enforcer for his father's pack, the Marrok, and is characterized as a strong and protective figure.
The themes of healing from trauma, overcoming abusive pasts, and finding strength in love are central to the story.
The book introduces several other characters, including Bran, the Marrok, and Asil, who add depth to the werewolf society portrayed in the novel.
Cry Wolf blends elements of urban fantasy, romance, and supernatural mystery as Anna and Charles confront a rogue werewolf.
The story explores the complexities of werewolf culture and relationships, emphasizing the importance of communication and understanding in healing.

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 (240):

Read It (164)
Want To Read (40)
Did Not Finish (4)
Not Interested (32)

8 comment(s)

It Was OK
1 week

Even more handwoven than Moon-Called. Much more likeable characters.

 
Loved It
2 weeks

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]

 
Loved It
1 month

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.

 
Did Not Like
2 months

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.

 
Loved It
6 months

engrossing - more than it has any right to be. Charles is a cinnamon roll

 
Incredible
9 months

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

 
Incredible
10 months

Charles need someone

 
Liked It
1 year

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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