Book 17, 2019

[chez_jae]

Burn Bright by Patricia Briggs

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



With the benefit of a three-day weekend, I was able to read Burn Bright, by Patricia Briggs, between yesterday and today. It's the fifth installment in her "Alpha and Omega" verse, featuring tough werewolf Charles and his mate Anna.

Charles' father, Bran, the Marrok, leader of all werewolves, has long accepted damaged and dangerous wolves into his pack. The worst of these, known as the wildlings, live on the fringe of the pack. Close enough to be part of the pack, yet far enough away not to cause trouble. When the fae mate of one such wildling calls the Marrok for help, it is Charles who must respond. His father is out of the country and unable to help.

What Charles and Anna discover is that someone is trying to abduct the wildling wolf. They are able to rescue her, but not without cost. Now on a quest to warn the other wildlings, Charles and Anna come to the realization that there is a traitor in their midst--one who may be far too close to Bran for comfort. They also learn that witchcraft is involved, dark magic, blood magic, born of revenge. This time, it will take more than Charles' strength and cunning, and Anna's determination and intuitiveness. They will need the help of the pack.

The story was engrossing; I knocked it back in 24 hours. It was not my favorite of this series, however. While the main focus was on Charles and Anna, the narrative followed several other characters as well. It was almost more of a character study and a history lesson than a plotted story. I was able to figure out who the traitor was, which pleased me. The author did an excellent job of dropping just enough hints. I like it when a book goes like that. Too many mysteries I read nowadays don't do that at all, but that's what makes reading mysteries fun.

Favorite line: There is a certain sort of evil that cannot abide happiness...

A couple things about this story did bug me:


- Via a discussion between Charles and Anna, the author revealed that Bran might see Mercy as more than simply a foster daughter. Ew. There was no real point to that, and it disturbed me. Thanks a lot, Briggs.
- If Jericho was a skinwalker and not a true werewolf, why did he respond to Anna's Omega wolf?

I wish we'd see more of this series than a book about every two years. In fact, I'd love to see a crossover with Mercy & Adam and Charles & Anna! In spite of my love of these books, this one only gets four stars instead of five.