Series Spotlight with Jen D.: Alpha and Omega by Patricia Briggs

‘Ello lovelies. I hear some of you may have a thing for werewolves. Well I’ve got quite a treat for you. Just so happens my first post here at my new part-time stomping grounds is about one of my favorites werewolves series OF ALL TIME.

Alpha and Omega, Short Story

The werewolf Anna finds a new sense of self when the son of the werewolf king comes to town to quell unrest in the Chicago pack – and inspires a power in Anna that she’s never felt before.

Cry Wolf, Book 1

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.  Then Charles Cornick, the enforcer – and son – of the leader of the North American werewolves, came into her life.

Charles insists that not only is Anna his mate, but she is also a rare and valued Omega wolf. And it is Anna’s inner strength and calming presence that will prove invaluable as she and Charles go on the hunt in search of a rogue werewolf – a creature bound in magic so dark that it could threaten all of the pack…

Hunting Ground, Book 2

Anna Latham didn’t know how complicated life could be until she became a werewolf.  And until she was mated to Charles Cornick, the son — and enforcer — of Bran, the leader of the North American werewolves, she didn’t know how dangerous it could be, either…

Anna and Charles have just been enlisted to attend a summit to present Bran’s controversial proposition:  that the wolves should finally reveal themselves to humans.  But the most feared Alpha in Europe is dead set against the plan — and it seems like someone else might be, too.  When Anna is attacked by vampires using pack magic, the kind of power only werewolves should be able to draw on, Charles and Anna must combine their talents to hunt down whoever is behind it all — or risk losing everything…

Fair Game, Book 3

It is said that opposites attract.  And in the case of werewolves Anna Latham and Charles Cornick, they mate.  The son – and enforcer – of the leader of the North American werewolves, Charles is a dominant Alpha.  While Anna, an Omega, has the rare ability to calm others of her kind.

Now that the werewolves have revealed themselves to humans, they can’t afford any bad publicity.  Infractions that could have been overlooked in the past must now be punished, and the strain of doing his father’s dirty work is taking a toll on Charles.

Nevertheless, Charles and Anna are sent to Boston when the FBI requests the pack’s help on a local serial killer case.  They quickly realize that the last two victims were werewolves, and identify others originally though human as fae.  Someone is targeting the preternatural.  And now Anna and Charles have put themselves right in the killer’s sights…

MY THOUGHTS

WARNING:  Fangirling is about to ensue.  A LOT…of FANGIRLING.

Okay so check it. I lurve me some werewolves. Yes, even more than vampires or witches or demons or whatever. There’s just something about them that does it for me. Perhaps it’s the whole alpha thing or the fact that they’re crazy protective of their packs (and mates *waggles eyebrows*) or that they have (depending on the mythology the author uses) the ability to change in and out of werewolf form at will or maybe it’s because of Joe Manganielloooo, er, sorry I totally got off track. One thing I can say with certainty is one of the reason I love werewolves is because of the way Patricia Briggs writes them. I know. Crazy, right? Loving a supernatural being just because of the way one author writes them but, it’s true. Patricia (if I may) has this amazing way of bringing these beings (and their human counterparts) to life. Her characters and side characters (and their respective wolves) each have their own very distinct personalities, quirks and flaws. No one in her world is perfect and that’s what makes it, dare I say it, perfect.

These books are partly about the main characters relationship develops and partly about the challenges their pack faces. It’s a relationship that develops at a very realistic pace which is a huge selling point for me. No, ‘Hey, how are ya let’s do it’ from this author. These characters are two people who are dealing with their own personal issues that have to learn to let someone else in. The journey is sometimes painful but always beautiful to watch. The issues they face throughout the books for the most part deal with werewolf politics which I found to be quite interesting.

So we know Patricia can write the hell out of the werewolves, characters and background different storylines. How about world-building? Can the woman bust out some really good world-building?! Folks, I’m happy to say she’s got that talent as part of her arsenal as well. It doesn’t matter where the book is set. You feel like you’re dead in the center of it. Chicago? Check. Seattle? Check. Boston? Check. Montana. I felt the damn chill people. Whatever location she picks she fleshes it out as much as she does her characters. And it’s that details that always brings me back for more.

Do yourselves a favor and pick up this series if you haven’t already. You’ll be glad you did. I’ll go so far as to guaran-damn-tee it.

© 2013, JenD. All rights reserved.

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• Tags: alpha and omega, Patricia Briggs, urban fantasy, werewolves•