Favorite Lines: “Her wolf didn’t like seeing his unhappiness, wanted to bind him to her, to them, with chains of love until he could never think of leaving them again.” (p. 114)
Anna has survived being changed into a werewolf, losing her family and three years of abuse. Not expecting to survive after she calls the leader of North American werewolves, she is surprised when his enforcer, Charles Cornick, arrives and begins teaching instead of killing her. He tells her the many things her pack should have done long ago: she’s an Omega and therefore, exempt from regular pack structure.
She is not passive and has a calming effect on other werewolves. She is meant to be revered and cared for, but her former pack abused that privilege. The two discover that they’re wolves have chosen one another to mate shortly after they meet and Charles asks her to travel with him to his home in Montana. He is determined to show her that there is good in being a werewolf.
Not long after arriving in Montana, Charles and Anna are sent to investigate a rogue attacking humans. The couple is still getting to know one another, but their trust and belief in each other will lead them into a dangerous wilderness and an enemy they’ve never faced before.
I’ve been waiting for a year for Charles and Anna’s story to be published. When I met them in the On the Prowl anthology, I loved them. I loved Anna’s resolve to overcome the physical, sexual and emotional abuse her pack piled on her. Charles was different. I loved his strength, desire to protect and sensitivity. That didn’t change in Cry Wolf, which takes place within days of their meeting in Alpha and Omega.
The characters are complex and emotional, and despite their wolves agreeing to mate, have a long road ahead of them in terms of the humans relationship. They have inner turmoil and a killer stalking the wilderness to cope with. A grieving town, a jealous woman, a man begging for death and a sinister murderer, all converge on Anna and Charles in different manners. They add plot and depth to the main story (Charles and Anna).
My biggest issue with Cry Wolf is the introduction. I knew exactly what was going on, but those who haven’t read Alpha and Omega might be lost. Lost in the relationship, the extent of abuse, and the world of Brigg’s werewolves. It’s a world that began with the Mercy Thomas series, but has been extended to Anna.
If I had to limit myself to 10 authors, Patricia Briggs would definitely make the list. This will be a must follow series for me.
Scooper Speaks 
Great review, Scooper! I really enjoyed reading Cry Wolf too.
Thanks Wendy.
I absolutely love both Patricia Briggs’ Mercy Thompson series and her new Alpha and Omega series. I recently caught up on all of these books, including Cry Wolf and cannot wait for more. Fantastic world building and incredibly complex, yet totally relatable characters. I think these are currently my most favorite urban fantasy books.
Christine: She’s the bomb. I’m amazed at how often I’ve re-read her work. I’m an occasional re-reader, but she has me doing it more often than everyone, including one of my favorites, Michelle Sagara.