Cry Wolf

I’ve read this novel 3 or 4 times over the years and it never disappoints. Recently I was trying to find another series about werewolves like this to read but came up empty. All the other series I found were poorly disguised trashy romance novels, sometimes bordering pornographic and with no respect for their female characters. I know some people like that and I’m not judging people for liking them, but it was really surprising and upsetting that I couldnt find any series that were in this same vein as this one. Her Mercy Thompson series is also great but I have already read through them all and was looking for another series.

If you are looking for a sweeter romance that is steeped in werewolf lore and well written this is a great series for you. There is a prequel novella called “Alpha and Omega: A Companion Novella” that was helpful to read first and I would recommend doing so (I initially read this book first without knowing) but she does do some recaps so its not 100% necessary. I did really enjoy seeing this early stage of Anna and Charles romance in the novella though.

This book felt like it was trying to do everything and yet nothing at the same time. Were dropped right in the middle of life changing events at the start of the story and at first I really liked how the author created this very complicated web of people and interactions by just forcing the reader in the middle of it. It was a very interesting and, I feel, effective way of characterization for the people at the forefront of the story. However, all of that strong characterization done at the beginning pretty much falls flat when the plot moved at a snails pace in some parts. It felt like a slog to get through at some parts and usually I can churn through books like this in under a day this one took me three. There are some parts where theres barely anything happening but the book changes POVs four times in one chapter. Its hard to even keep up with who were following, despite the fact that literally NOTHING is happening but our characters are cuddling in the cold.

That being said, I did really enjoy getting to know Charles and Anna. Their dynamic was really interesting to me. Annas story is particularly heartbreaking but reading her come into her own and realize her own talents kept me going. Im going to be honest, I wasnt really interested in the mystery plot (which didnt really develop until closer to the 60% mark) but I kept reading because the pack dynamics were interesting.

Another thing that I want to talk about is the use, or lack thereof, of Indigenous folklore. Cry Wolf builds a world with many creatures, not just werewolves, but the people of this world are incredibly diverse. The setting is in Montana, presumable on a Native reservation, or something resembling one. However, the book doesnt really talk about the Native people that actually live there (Crow, Blackfeet, Northern Cheyenne to name a few). Instead, it uses Native exoticism to describe pretty much everything about the main character, Charles. At one point, Im pretty sure Charles is singing something and Anna describes it as a native song. I just dont understand why an author is so willing to use a Native character as a prop but do almost none of the legwork of talking or drawing from ACTUAL native cultures that exist in that area. At times, it can feel exploitative. Like, they are native but only allowed to exist in this vaguely native space instead of putting a name to it.

Gritty and fantastic, this new book in the Mercy Thompson universe was a wild ride. If you like werewolves, mysteries, and good triumphing over evil, this book is for you. Anna is an Omega wolf who was attacked by a crazed werewolf in the Chicago pack. Abused and mistreated by her last pack, she finally gets out with the help of the Marrok’s son, Charles, whose wolf has claimed her as his mate. Moving to Montana to reside with the Marrok’s pack, Charles and Anna must overcome her past and learn what it is like to care for each other. And as an Omega, Anna has an integral role in the pack as someone who can calm their volatile wolves. When hikers begin disappearing in their territory and mysterious people are poking around, Anna and Charles must work together to eliminate the threat, or every wolf in North America will be at risk.

Set in the urban fantasy world of Mercy Thompson, this book focuses on the elusive Marrok and his pack. Charles is an old wolf, isolated because of his enforcer status and lonely. When his wolf chooses Anna, it is easy to see why and his acceptance and understanding of her was so sweet. Anna has been through a lot of loss and pain, but she endures and allows herself to open up to Charles. Their story is filled with moments of insecurity, passion, and understanding that gives a genuine and realistic view of navigating relationships…as werewolves.

The plot had dark moments, delving into dark witches and what it takes to become one. The villain was evil and there were moments that were a little hard to read because of how disturbing the individual was, but it all added to the stakes in a beautiful way. This first book sets up for more vibrant adventures starring Anna and Charles and the rest of Bran’s mysterious pack.

I loved this book – was hooked from the start. I actually borrowed the first book and decided to purchase all five after just to show my support for the author and so I could leave verified purchase reviews.

I love everything Ive read by Patricia Briggs. Her Mercy series was one of my favorite series and I think this will be right there with it. Set in the same time, we get to see the dynamic of Brams son Charles and his mate Anna, an Omega. Anna was turned by a pack out of Chicago and severely tortured in many ways for the last three years by the pack males, including the alpha.

This story starts after that, after Charles had killed those responsible and taken her back to his pack. I feel like that story is written somewhere, but Im not sure where since this was book one. I dont want to give any other details in this story away, to keep them all a surprise for the readers. Cant wait to read what happens next. If you havent read this yet, and you love supernatural books with romance and other creatures from nightmares, you better get a copy!!

Re reading it after i gave the paperback to a colleague..
And ao glad im re reading the Mercy world in chronological order… 🙂
Im guessing those that are reading the reviews already know of Mercy…
If not… i can recommend reading Alpha And Omega short story from On the Prowl anthology before… and rhen delve into the adventure that is Cry Wolf… and as the Aesop’s Fable says it took 3 times for the punishment to come… here it took 3 attacks for Charles to travel to the snow covered wilderness to find the monster…
Add his new – previously traumatized- mate Anna and a witch and you have a story to keep you company for many hours… 🙂

If you like this continue to the next book Hunting Ground and dont forget to check Mercy.. start with Moon Called 🙂

Enjoy tge chemistry that these wolves have and fall in love ans in jealousy with their characters, reactions, and looks…
Im sure a lot of the ladies reading here will be looking for their own Charles… though he probably will not be a native American and definently not a werewolf (if you do meet a werewolf please let me know)

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