Patricia BriggsCry Wolf

4.5-5 starsThis is a great book. I really love Anna and Charles. They're such a great couple that balance each other really well. I will note that this book picks up immediately where the original short story Alpha & Omega leaves off. Since Alpha & Omega contains the story of how Anna and Charles met, I believe it would be best to read that before moving on to this book.Anna is a werewolf from Chicago. She was a member of a pack that had gone bad, brutalizing her for 3 years before the Marrack (the leader of all werewolves in North America) sent his son, Charles, to investigate issues with the pack. Their wolves mated almost as soon as they met (very unusual as it's usually the human side that mates first) and left Charles and Anna to work things out. Once the prolbem with the Chicago pack is settled, Anna agrees to move home with Charles so they can work on a relationship together.Charles is the Marrack's enforcer. He has always had to be tough and show nothing to others, never getting close or making many friends because he may end up having to go against them in the future. When he meets Anna in Chicago, he's very surprised that his wolf decides on her as a mate immediately but he likes Anna and how she makes him feel so he has no objections. For the first time he can laugh and smile and not have to hold back. His main worry is that she'll decide she can deal with what he does for his father.The story begins as Anna and Charles (and the Marrack) head from Chicago back to Charle's home in Aspin Creek (the town of shifters and shifter friendly people that the Marrack runs). Charles is still recovering from wounds he received in Chicago when they get home and they don't even get settled in when trouble shows up. There are indications of a rogue werewolf in the mountains nearby and it's been attacking humans. The Marrack asks Charles to go take care of the problem. He's still injured but it has to be taken care of sooner rather than later. It's decided that Anna will go along to help Charles. Since she's an Omega wolf (a werewolf that calms other werewolves) there's hope she might enable them to bring the rogue in alive if it's not completely mad. Charles and Anna head out on their quest and also try to work things out between them. At this point they've still known each other for less than a week and with Anna recovering from a long time of abuse things aren't smooth. Charles tries to understand Anna and how he can make things better for her but, since he hasn't really done relationships before, he's a bit clueless. They both make an effort though and as they start hiking through the mountains, trying to attract the rogue, they start to get closer and more comfortable wit each other.Charles and Anna search for the rogue and find that they have more trouble than they expected. There's actually a rogue but the main issue ends up being a witch that has come to try to find a werewolf that lives in Aspen Creek and also try to use her power to control the Marrack and all the wolves beneath him. Charles and Anna have to try to fight her as she uses her powers to attempt (and sometimes succeed) to take control of the werewolves she encounters. Things escalate and things almost go very, very badly. Fortunately, Anna is able to utilize her Omega powers to "sooth the savage beast" and saves the day. During the conflict and all they went through together, Charles and Anna's connection grew and the story ends with their very sweet HEA.This is a great story. I love Anna and Charles and was so happy to see them solidify their relationship in this story. They're perfect for each other and I can't wait to read more of their story. I'd recommend this book. 2 thumbs up! :D* note - I listened to the audio version of this book. The narrator did a really good job.

Though it is not absolutely necessary, readers should definitely start with Briggs' short story in the  On the Prowl  anthology. She introduces Anna and Charles, and the events in "Cry Wolf" begin immediately following that story. Patricia Briggs really hit her stride with the Mercy Thompson series. Great urban fantasy with a smart, resilient heroine. So, I was surprised to find I enjoy her new "Alpha and Omega" series just as much. It is set in the same world as Mercy; she is mentioned and characters from her books make an appearance. Mercy is a great heroine, but she is somewhat an outsider looking in on (and getting dragged into) paranormal affairs. Anna is a were, and knee deep in werewolf society.In the short story, Anna was changed against her will and has been beaten down and brutalized by her pack ever since. When a local young man turns up dead, Anna recognizes him as one killed by her pack. She drums up the courage to call Bran, the Marrok and leader of all alpha werewolves. I was intrigued by this character when he was introduced in the Mercy books and was happy to see more of him. Bran sends his son and enforcer, Charles. When Charles meets Anna, he recognizes what she is - a rare and precious Omega wolf with the ability to calm wolves and keep their violence in check. Anna returns to Montana with Charles to join The Marrock's pack. Charles is needed almost immediately to investigate a possible rogue were killing people in the mountains. But, the problem is much more than a rogue - dark magic is targeting the pack. And only Anna and Charles stand in the way.I think I enjoyed this book so much because we got a deeper look into how Briggs' has formed her werewolf society. Every paranormal series has its own "rules" for weres and vampires, and this is no different. Here the author expands on pack hierarchy, the role of the Marrock, Anna's Omega status and more. Yet, this book also leans far more toward paranormal romance than urban fantasy. Though Mercy has some great sexual tension with Adam and Samuel, she doesn't have a romantic relationship with either. So, the opportunity for witty repartee with someone she loves is missing (though the first chapter of book 4 included here indicates this will change). Anna and Charles make a great couple. Briggs' takes time to build the relationship, while simultaneously weaving her plot around them. Obviously, Anna's abilities as Omega will make her vital to the story's resolution, but the author makes it more than a plot device. Though they are mates, Anna was raped by members of her old pack and is uncertain of herself and Charles. Charles has never let himself have a long term relationship because a human mate would grow old and die. They have issues to overcome. Another big bonus for me was the direct inclusion of Bran in the story. Though he has a history with Mercy, his role in those books is very minor and in the background. Here, he takes center stage for a time and we learn more about him and his family. Though this is more romance than Mercy's series, I think that will change in subsequent books. Now that Anna and Charles are committed, and resolved many of their issues, a more straightforward adventure/mystery is possible without losing their closeness.The book is well-paced, with great dialog and likeable characters. I could not put it down. The ending was so good, I re-read it twice after I actually finished! Highly recommended.

The first few chapters were hard to follow and I almost stopped reading. But keep going, it’s a very good read!

A great introduction to the series. Good characters and story. Sad yet hopeful. Poignant. Over the years I have read the series a few times and expect I will again in some years.

I loved Mercedes Thompson and Anna proves equal. What I like of these series is that the women always stand up to all the very-alpha-males.

This is the follow on from the Alpha and Omega short story.Bran, Charles and Anna return to Aspen Springs to discover dead hikers a rogue werewolf and a black witch.This is well written, interesting and will hold your attention.

I found the first chapter a little confusing, as this was my first ever Patricia Briggs book, but soon I was enthralled. I found it extremely hard to put down, and found myself thinking about it during the day. I couldn't wait to pick it up again. Recommended read.