On the Prowl is an anthology that was released way back in August of 2007, published by Berkley and features new and original stories by Patricia Briggs, Karen Chance, Eileen Wilks and Sunny. I may make some readers incredulous by sharing my opinion on one of the stories and dismissing the rest. Patricia Briggs has a new series coming out featuring Anna and Charles, titled Cry Wolf, due out soon (July 29), that I cannot wait to read. So, it would behoove me to read this book so that I can get past the introductions, so to speak.
Alpha and Omega by Patricia Briggs. First, I am not a fan of anthologies. I know, typical response from most readers. I am so unoriginal, forgive me. Anyway, Patricia Briggs is a solid writer so I was not surprised to find that her story was well written and that she has again, given us another set of interesting characters set in the Mercy Thompson universe where werewolves are one of two supernatural creatures known publicly to humankind, while more otherworldly creatures remain hidden.
The novella is told in third person with a perspective seen from both Anna and Charles (and I really appreciated the hero’s POV). Anna is a waitress working at an Italian restaurant in Chicago. Her life for the past three years has been somewhat of a challenge for her. She was Changed without consent 3 years ago and is apart of a werewolf pack that is having some problems. Anna is pretty much left in the dark when it comes to pack business. The rules, customs and rituals of this culture has not be explained to her, that is until Charles Cornick comes flying in from Montana to put some things in order.
Charles Cornick is an executioner, ranked second next to the Marrok. It is his job to take care of pack business big or small. His father Bran, who is the Marrok, is in charge of all the werewolves in North America. Troubled wolves who do not learn control or who find themselves unstable are handled discreetly by Charles. He does not mince words when it comes to doing his job. He has few friends and handles executions as well as business interests for the Marrok. Charles is a dominant, more so than most other dominant wolves. He is described as being very tall, with long hair and having Native American good looks. I am in love already.
There’s been a spike in murders and missing persons that has been getting some media attention of late. Charles is asked to investigate the local Alpha, Leo, and his pack and determine the problem. When Anna and Charles first meet, his attraction to her is explosive from the start. His brother wolf has already accepted Anna as his mate but Anna’s subservient attitude and low ranking in the pack has damaged much of her self-confidence. No worries though because I think she’ll recover. Towards the end of the story she gains some of her spunk back. Plus, Charles informs her that she is an Omega, a werewolf with the ability to calm and soothe those around her. It’s rare to find such a creature but with Anna’s Change we learn that her addition to the local Alpha pack was premeditated.
The story while complete ended abruptly, strict word count and all that. I understand. Also, did I miss Anna’s last name? I didn’t see where it was mentioned in the story but again, such details can be rectified in the full length novel. Anna and Charles’s relationship promises to be pretty hot. Like Mercy, the stories seem to focus on the kick ass heroine, only Anna has to get out of her shell. She promises to be someone to reckon with once she gains her footing. Anyway, this short story was great and it only amplifies my excitement for the first book in the Anna and Charles series. My grade, A and that is withstanding any flaws or loopholes that may have occurred in the story that I may have come across and dismissed or completely didn’t see.
As for the other three stories - tried Wilks but was bored. Karen Chance, I didn’t catch onto her with her first book so I didn’t even bother and Sunny - just wasn’t interested. Did I mention that I am not a fan of anthologies?
Technorati Tags: Patricia Briggs, Urban fantasy, Anna and Charles, werewolves
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Jill D. 04.15.08 at 8:38 am
Hi Keishon,
I recently started the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs due to a recommendation you gave over at AAR on their message boards. Thanks you very much because I just loved the first two books Moon Called and Blood Bound. I haven’t read Iron Kissed yet. Now, after reading your review of this short story involving Charles and Anna, it looks like I have another book to add to the stack. The only thing is I hate anthologies too. I don’t like short stories, I like mine nice and thick, the meatier the better. I also don’t like to pay the high price, because you never know if you will like the other stories and chances are rare that you will enjoy all of them. So what’s a thrifty reader to do? I seriously doubt my library will get this book. They don’t usually have anthologies. Just thinking out loud - I wonder if I could get an inter-library loan. Hmmm… anyway thanks for the recommendation!
Avid Reader 04.15.08 at 8:59 am
Hey Jill D, I know what you mean about the high price. The publisher’s use to release the novella’s separately and sell them for $2.99. I haven’t seen them do that in awhile. So glad you’re enjoying the Mercy Thompson series! You’re in for a treat for Iron Kissed.
Janine 04.15.08 at 9:57 am
Keishon, thanks so much for the review. Is “Alpha and Omega” the first appearance of Anna and Charles or do they also appear in the Mercy Thompson books? I have read Moon Called and don’t remember them being in there, but it’s been a while since I read the book.
I’m asking the question because I’m very interested in Cry Wolf but I want to start their story from the beginning.
Avid Reader 04.15.08 at 10:04 am
Hi Janine, Anna and Charles first appear in this anthology and no, they were never seen in the other Mercy Thompson books. I can’t recall if Charles was ever mentioned but neither has ever appeared in the Mercy Thompson universe. This is my first introduction to them both.
R. Thomas 04.15.08 at 11:29 am
Wow, did you miss out. Chance’s story was the best in the group.
Angie 04.15.08 at 12:10 pm
Lol. I did the same thing. Picked it up for the Briggs story. Blew through that one and put it back down. I can’t wait to get my hands on Cry Wolf. Anna and Charles are going to make quite the team. Btw, Charles makes a brief appearance in the first Mercy Thompson book, Moon Called, when Mercy drives Adam up to Bran’s place in Montana to be healed. We don’t really see him again but we do hear about him being dispatched to deal with the “situation” in Chicago. And “Alpha and Omega” is that trip.
Avid Reader 04.15.08 at 12:13 pm
Hey Angie, thanks for clarifying that. It’s ah been awhile. {g}
R. Thomas - different strokes and all that. I know Ms. Chance is popular.
Li 04.15.08 at 3:11 pm
The Briggs story was the best in this anthology IMO. Angie’s right, I’m pretty sure Charles was mentioned before in one of the Mercy books.
I liked the Karen Chance story too, but then, I’m a big fan of her books :-)
Jan 04.15.08 at 6:58 pm
I have this book in my TBR pile so thanks for reminding me to dig it out! I’ve been looking forward to the new series by Patricia Briggs and had forgotten this short story. I remember I bought the anthology just for that reason. (I don’t like them either!)
Janine 04.16.08 at 2:13 am
Thanks again, Keishon. I will have to get this book, then.
Janine 07.15.08 at 10:55 am
I read “Alpha and Omega” this weekend — three times back to back. Needless to say I loved it, even more so than Moon Called. I’m going to start Cry Wolf today, because I just can’t wait to read more about Charles and Anna. Thanks so much for recommending “Alpha and Omega.”
Avid Reader 07.16.08 at 8:45 pm
Glad you enjoyed it Janine! Can’t wait to read your review of Cry Wolf. I really like Anna and Charles as a couple and this series promises to be very, very good.
Janine 07.18.08 at 5:59 pm
Thanks! I just finished my review of Cry Wolf and I’m hoping it will run on Dear Author next week sometime. I don’t want to divulge too much before the review runs but if you like I can probably email you a sneak peek.