Alpha & Omega

I really like Patricia Briggs' Mercy Thompson books, so it is no wonder that I enjoy the intro to the spin-off Alpha & Omega series. It is short but shows a new aspect of this world. Charles and Anna are a fun, new couple with a different dynamic. As always, Patricia does not shy away from the aftermath of trauma. Anna is beaten down but blossoms once she knows that she has someone in her corner.

I look forward to reading more from this spin-off series.

Anna was never given a choice. Violently attacked by a member of the Chicago werewolf pack, Anna has had to learn quickly to survive as a female werewolf. Abused by her own pack and beaten into submission. But when she discovers her pack involved with murder, she must make a hard decision. Going above the Alpha of her pack, she calls on the Marrok, leader of all the North American wolves. In response, the Marrok sends his son and enforcer Charles to find out what the Chicago pack has been doing. What Charles doesn't expect is for Anna to be so severely mistreated by her pack. A family that is supposed to look out for one another. Together the two will discover the evils the Chicago pack has taken part in, and that Anna isn't just any werewolf.

Alpha and Omega does a good job setting the stage for a new urban fantasy series. Patricia Briggs tactfully inserts all the rules of werewolves within just a few short chapters. And while it's not necessary to read this before the series, it certainly gives the reader a better overview of the world.

This was a second time read for me, and I enjoyed just as much as the first time. While Anna seems like she would be a weak female character given what she has experienced, she is quite the opposite. She knows how to avoid trouble, but at the same time isn't afraid to confront it head on if necessary. Charles is still a bit too Alpha for me, but given he is a werewolf I let it pass without too much fuss. He does have a softer side, as evident from his interactions with Anna, but it takes a lot of effort for it to show.

The two characters complement each other well and the plot is pretty straight forward. That's not to say it isn't still interesting. It has plenty of action and of course, there's budding romance hanging in the background. Fans of The Mercy Thompson series will enjoy this new story.

Anna was changed against her will a few years ago. She believes that she is a submissive wolf and belongs at the bottom of the pack. That all changes when the Marrok's son shows up to find out what is going on in her pack. This series has been on my TBR list for way too long. This was a great place to start and I loved it!