Another great binge read from Patricia Briggs. Charles and Anna are taking care of the werewolves of Aspen Creek, when one of the wildest of the old wolves is killed. This starts a mystery that Charles and Anna must face alone, with out Bran, The Marrok, and it just might tear apart the Aspen Creek pack.

Charles and Anna often investigate strange goings on in their pack, but also act as liaison’s to the federal government, traveling across the US to do so. Burn Bright stays very close to home. Bran, the Marrok, is off in Europe having helped Mercy when she was kidnapped in the novel Silence Fallen. Charles, acting Alpha until Bran’s return has to investigate a call he gets from one of his fathers wildlings. Wolves who live in the wild because they are kind of crazy and can’t live among the pack. He and Anna travel into the wilderness and find themselves in a magical fight for their lives and the lives of their pack.

I have been eagerly anticipating the release of Burn Bright because Anna and Charles are two of my favorite characters and one of my favorite couples. Since being introduced to them we have seen Charles Cornick, son to the Marrok and his enforcer, take on some really tough enemies. To the werewolves of North America he is one truly scary guy, brought in when something needs to be cleaned up. When he meets Anna and realizes she is his mate you see a subtle shift in his intensity. To those who don’t know him, he’s still intimidating as hell, but to those who do know him there is a slight softening. Anna, an Omega wolf, has a calming effect that’s often called upon in difficult moments, but Charles’ need to protect his mate and soothe her in return makes a difference in how his family and close friends see him and you can see that difference evolve as each book progresses. I love this progression in not only their relationship but in them as a couple with each novel showing their growing love and closeness.

Each novel in the Alpha and Omega series can be read as a stand alone with the central story a mystery that has a beginning, middle, and conclusion in each novel. However, I do think you’ll miss the subtleties in these characters and that is a huge part of my enjoyment in reading them. This series is a spinoff of the Mercy Thompson series. The timelines in both series are connected and if you read both series I think you get a boost of enjoyment, but once again, if you haven’t read Mercy’s stories I don’t think it will take away from enjoying Charles and Anna’s and Burn Bright was a really engaging story on it’s own merit.

❤❤❤❤❤
I received an ARC of this novel for my honest review and it was honest

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Review:
Bran has left the pack to Charles while he heads to Europe to deal with an emergency with Mercy. Once that emergency is over Bran extends his absence from the pack by stating he is going to visit Samuel leaving Charles and his mate, Anna, to deal with an emergency call from a wilding’s fae mate.

You’ve gotta love the bond between Charles and Anna and in Burn Bright Briggs shows not only that bond but the wildings, extremely unstable shifters, and even Charles and his bitch mate (yes, she is a bitch, but still his mate). These mate bonds come into play like never before making for some swoon worthy reading.

Reading every book Briggs has published, I am still amazed, surprised and in awe of her imagination and unexpected machinations that she throughs our way and that is just a few factor why I love her writing. In the end, I flat out loved it! I don't think I can ever get enough of Briggs' storytelling! A re-read and a go to author for recommendations because I know everyone of those urban fantasy fans out there that picks up one of her works is going to enjoy it.

I received this ARC copy of Burn Bright from Berkley Publishing Group - Ace. This is my honest and voluntary review. Burn Bright is set for publication March 6, 2018.

My Rating: 5 stars
Written by: Patricia Briggs
Series: Alpha and Omega
Sequence in Series: Book 5
Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Ace
Publication Date: March 6, 2018
Genre: Urban Fantasy

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I always eagerly await the newest Patricia Briggs novel. No matter if it's an Anna/Charles book or a Mercy book in the larger world. It has never mattered, because I've always loved the world and loved the characters. Which isn't to say that I haven't had any concerns or issues with the books over the years; I have. They've remained a bright spot in my reading each year. Looking back, Sarah and I have re-read this entire series every single year for the past several years. We can never resist. Once we get a fresh book in our hands, it's time to re-read. To re-visit everyone we love and see the story thus-far, again.

This time is no different for me, I've finished Burn Bright and I'm immediately diving back into Moon Called. But I have some different motives this time, too. And this one - spoiler ridden - thought is overriding all other thoughts about this book. It's a small moment, no more than a background conversation while the story gets rolling. And yet, I can't stop thinking about the implications and what it means. Not for the series, or world, because I think it means little in the grand scheme of things. But for me? For me, it may mean the end of my enjoyment of this series.

You may think that's a bit dramatic. And perhaps it is. But this is a fairly big deal to me. And I'll get into it more below - and mark where I'm talking spoilers very clearly. Before I do, let me talk a little about the story that was told here. And, to be clear, if it wasn't for this conversation (that I quote below), this book would get a solid 4 stars from me. But this conversation could take it down to 2.

First, timeline-wise, this book takes place immediately following the events of Silence Fallen, and thus Bran is out of the country. Which leaves Charles in charge of the Pack for at least a little while. But Bran's absence extends, making me very suspect as to what's going on. I loved this twist. I loved the build-up to it, and the implications of it as well. And I will say that I didn't see the twist coming. I'm not entirely sure that I buy that someone could fool the Marrok, or Charles, for long, but ... it worked for me.

I think that it's fascinating that Patricia Briggs has found a way to expand the world, right in and around Aspen Creek. I love the addition of the Wildings, and hope that we get to see more of, at least some of, them in the future. They add a further depth that I wasn't expecting.

There are multiple POVs in this book. More than the normal of just Anna and Charles. We get a few secondary characters that have only short-term roles, and at least one from a character that I wasn't ever expecting: Leah. That POV, in particular, added a lot of depth to her for me. I never really expected to feel anything but hatred for her, and trust me I still can't forgive her treatment of Charles and Mercy, at the very least, but I think I could grow to understand her. Maybe. Probably not, but I do like at least being able to see why Bran's wolf picked Leah. I think it begins to show here, whereas before I never even had the slightest inkling or understanding why.

HERE BE SPOILERS...






You've been warned.
Speaking of Leah, the issue that I had early in the story ties directly back to her. I think, and this is only my assumption or guess, that we're supposed to start feeling somewhat sympathetic towards her. To start forgiving her. Maybe I could have - but I could have done it without this. I don't feel too badly sharing this since it occurs in the first chapter, and I'm going to quote it here. Charles and Anna are talking about having a musical night in Aspen Creek again. Charles is telling Anna about the history of it - with Mercy in particular - and how they came to be the center of a battle between Bran and Mercy. All bold emphasis are mine.

(Charles) "The musical evenings were the center of a battle between my da and Mercy -- and you know how Leah feels about anything that had to do with Mercy."

"I do," she said. "I even understand it, much as it pains me to say so. Bran is funny about Mercy. If you were that funny about Mercy, I would feel the same way Leah does -- no matter how likable I might find her."

"Bran's not funny about her," he told Anna, feeling uncomfortable. "He thinks of her as his daughter, and he doesn't have any other daughters still alive. There's nothing strange about it."

"Or so everyone is much happier believing," agreed Anna blandly. "Including Bran. We'll leave it at that. So the musical evenings were a thing between Bran and Mercy?"

"Not like that," Charle said, feeling defensive because Anna put her finger right on something that he'd been ignoring for a long time. He took a deep breath. "All right. All right. You may have a point about Da and Mercy."

She smiled, just a little.

He threw up his hands. "Okay. Yes. I saw it, of course I did. As did Leah. But my da would never have moved on Mercy. Say what you will about him -- but his wolf has accepted Leah as his mate, and he will not cheat on her. And Mercy has never seen him as anything except a father figure and her Alpha. That's what she needed, and that's what he gave her. I don't think Mercy has ever recognized that it could be more than that."

"Yes," Anna agreed, to his relief. "That's how I read their relationship, too."

Um. What? I've been reading and re-reading this series for years. This is the 15th book in the series (not counting short-stories). I've dissected, examined, and discussed this series with friends - both fans and non-fans - many times. I've never, not once, read anything more than fatherly love in Bran's actions towards Mercy. Yes, she had more leeway than anyone else would have. But she was a coyote in a pack of wolves. She was a child, brought under his protection when she was very young, basically abandoned by her mother. And she had a never-quit attitude that grew along with her. I always read Bran as charmed by Mercy, loving her spirit and ability to get herself out of trouble as much as she got herself into it. And the fact that she could pull one over on him, made him proud of her. But always in a fatherly way.

Keep in mind that she was 16 when he sent her away. And he didn't see her again for years. Leah acted this way towards Mercy from Mercy's earliest memories. Bran once said that he couldn't have brought Mercy into his house because he knew how Leah would treat one he cared for, so he gave her to her foster parents. SHE WAS A CHILD. Bran is thousands of years old. The idea that he harbored any feelings other than fatherly towards her...it squicks me out.

I have the feeling this was added to make us feel some sympathy towards Leah. I'll never say that I couldn't come to adore Leah - because honestly, I love Jamie Lannister who pushed a child out of a window - but I didn't need this. This doesn't affect how I feel about Leah. How she treated Charles and Mercy when they were young is inexcusable, to me. You don't take you frustrations out on a child. I don't care if you think your mate has some sort of creepy love for her. Rather than give me sympathy for Leah, it makes me question my love for Bran.

*ETA after re-reading the entire series in preparation for posting this review: There is not one, single hint in the entire series that Bran feels anything more towards Mercy than fatherly love. I've always, always, felt the love and care that he had for Mercy, but it was ALWAYS parental. You canNOT tell me that Samuel wouldn't have noticed anything in Bran's feelings towards Mercy. He says, in one of the books, truthfully I might add (because Mercy can feel  the truth of it) that Mercy is "like a daughter" to Bran. I'm sorry, but this conversation - the more I think about it - makes me mad. It feels like manipulation, because....

I know that Patricia Briggs has previously shown that characters aren't always reliable at reading other characters motivations (as evidenced by the fact that Mercy thought Bran barely tolerated her for years - when we all knew better). But these two characters agreeing on something like this makes me unable to just dismiss it as a misunderstanding. Especially when coupled with some other more minor things I noticed that made me go 'Hmmm...'

These things all together make me wonder if Patricia Briggs is re-evaluating the truth of her world and rewriting the rules. A couple of quick examples:

Sage and Leah are presented as best friends in Burn Bright. But in Cry Wolf Sage nearly mocks Leah to her face to protect Anna from her first visit. Going so far as calling her their "queen bitch." It wasn't in the friendly, joking way that women can sometimes do, it was meant to mock. I find it hard that Leah, sometime over the last couple of years decided to become best friends with anyone, much less Sage. But it's plausible. I'm curious as to how it came about though.
Charles states that any of the wolves in Anna's old pack (in Chicago) could have, if they really wanted to, defied their alpha and contacted Bran. He goes on to say that they're human, too, and could have used that to override the instincts of the wolf. But, again in Cry Wolf, we're explicitly shown and told (many times) about how werewolves (in human or wolf ascendance) cannot disobey their alpha. Even Charles can't disobey when his alpha, Bran, tells him to stop. Asil, someone we know to be incredibly dominant and strong, is forced home, to stay there, and to rest (which makes his eyes sleepy), by Bran's simply statement. So much so that he can't put his hand on the doorknob to try to leave and go talk to Bran again. Charles ruminates on how much respect submissives deserve to put themselves under the total possible control of someone else. How on earth could any wolf in Leo's pack have disobeyed his order to not contact the Marrok and called the Marrok? And, on a related note, if they could have and just didn't...why the hell aren't all those wolves that abused Anna dead. Because that means that their brutalization of Anna was a choice, not an order they had no choice but to obey (and I honestly don't think Leo ORDERED them to abuse her, just encouraged it, anyway). If they truly had a choice....they don't deserve life. At all.
It makes me wonder if I can trust the rules of the world. It makes me worry. And it's going to continue to make me incredibly uncomfortable for the next couple of books that I read - until I'm sure that Adam and Mercy's HEA isn't in any danger.

So, now I'll re-read the entire series, and I won't be able to stop myself from looking for any evidence that these feelings were there on Bran's part. And, honestly? If I see them, I may never be able to enjoy this series again. (ETA: already did. saw nothing.)

If I don't see them...well, I might be able to put it down to Charles and Anna reading the situation wrong. Patricia Briggs has made clear throughout this series that characters misinterpret events, peoples' feelings, and emotions all the time. Hell, for the longest time Mercy thought that Bran thought of her as an obligation that he didn't really like at all.

I'm a huge fan of Patricia Briggs's Mercy Thompson series but I have not read all of the Alpha & Omega books. Despite Burn Bright being the fifth book in the Alpha & Omega series, I had no problems diving right in. That is the beauty and magic of Patricia Brigg's writing. Her stories have such compelling characters (and just the right amount of background exposition) to hook the reader. Every book explores another character that I want to know more about. The wild wolves are fascinating. And perhaps even more importantly, we learn more about the enigmatic Marrok even without him being present. Am I the only one who wants an entire series from Bran's viewpoint and/or about his past? Burn Bright gives you a wonderful story with love at its core. There is such strength in Anna and Charles, both separate and together which is demonstrated perfectly as they work to find a traitor and save one of the wild wolves. I loved Burn Bright so much that I want to finally go back and read the Alpha and Omega series from the beginning!

Where to start - first and foremost, I prefer this series over Mercy Thompson. The plots and characters work well and it has good movement through out each book. Usually I get to about 2 chapters in and I'm hooked. I don't like to put it down after that if I can help it HAHA. Burn Bright was no exception. :)

The Alpha and Omega series follows Anna, an Omega Werewolf, and Charles, an Alpha werewolf. (THUS the series name... see what they did there....hahaha)
Their dynamic is interesting as Anna, with her Omega standing, does not have to follow dominant wolves orders, and Charles, although an Alpha, is not the head of a pack. They balance each other well and their banter is adorable.

Burn Bright gives us a story of 'What if the pack Alpha were away and all the drama hitteth the fan?" ......The answer is a lot of drama haha and I freaking ADORED it. *victory dance*

A majority of this series is stellar and I definitely re-read the first 4 books to get to this 5th one and give it a fair chance and review. Patricia Briggs met all my expectations in Burn Bright and I honestly have no real downers to state about it. The plot was excellent, I always love a good terrifying fae and werewolf story, and the writing is beautiful.

Briggs did a wonderful addition to the series with this book. Is it my favorite? I'd say book 4 still has my heart as I cried like a baby, but book 5 is right up there. haha

If you're iffy about paranormal romance type books, something to keep in mind with this one is the romance is a side note. These books ARE mainly plot driven. There is a touch of romance and it's very light in comparison to others in it's genre. I take this as a good thing and the author does a wonderful job balancing it.

Overall Rating: 4.0 Stars
Plot: 4 stars
Character Development: 4 Stars
Dialogue: 4 Stars
Writing: 4 Stars
Hmmmm who would I recommend this too? Anyone that enjoys fae lore and political intrigue.~ It has a good dose of a few different angles - paranormal, intrigue, romance, contemporary, etc... The books are easy to read and also quick to read.

Give it a chance if you're on the fence and Happy Reading!!
~Ash

Patricia Briggs is a consistently strong and engaging writer, and this latest instalment does not disappoint.

This book was amazingly good! I honestly loved every page of this story. It should probably come as no surprise to anyone who follows my reviews that I am a huge fan of Patricia Briggs. I was incredibly excited to get my hands on this book and went into it with really high expectations. This book exceeded every one of those expectations.

Charles and Anna are back at home with the Marrock's pack but this time Bran is away. Charles has taken on some additional responsibilities with Bran's absence and he is working hard to keep the peace with Leah. When a call comes in from the mate of a wolf that lives in the wilderness on the outskirts of the pack, they are pulled into a much deeper mystery.

I loved so many things about things about this book but the characters are really at the top of the list. Charles, Anna, and Brother Wolf are some of my favorite characters. I really liked getting to see the bond between Charles, Anna, and Brother Wolf. Yes, Brother Wolf is the wolf side of Charles but he really does see things differently at times and is a distinctly different character. I love how Briggs is able to define these parts of Charles so seamlessly.

The secondary characters were also great. Asil has been a character that I really enjoy and he played a very large role in this book. He was so strong in this book and I love the way that he watches over and protects Anna. Leah has always been a character that I loved to hate. She has always seemed more difficult than anything else in previous installments and she still has her moments in this book. I feel like I understand Leah a lot more after reading this book and now that I know why she acts as she does it is a bit more forgivable. I also thought that the wildlings that live on the outskirts of Bran's pack were very interesting and added a nice touch to the book.

The mystery in this book was very solid and kept me guessing. There were more than a few surprises along the way and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. There were quite few action scenes and there were a few moments that I was worried about how things would work out. It really was an exciting story filled with much loved characters. I did miss Bran at times but I do think that his absence let others take a turn in the spotlight.

I would highly recommend this series to others. This is the fifth book in the Alpha and Omega series and works best when read in order. This series takes place in the same world as the Mercy Thompson series with a lot of overlapping characters. This was a very solid installment in the series that I found to be incredibly entertaining. I cannot wait to read more from Patricia Briggs very soon.

I received an advanced reader edition of this book from Berkley Publishing Group via NetGalley.

This is book #5 in the Alpha and Omega series. I strongly recommend reading the books in order, this book will make a lot more sense if you know the characters' backgrounds.

I really enjoyed that we finally have a book back in Aspen Creek! I love seeing some of the day-to-day life that Charles and Anna share. Not much at home though, mostly at Bran's because of his absence or they're out visiting the pack.

There is a betrayal within the pack and Bran is out of touch. Leah is still around though, and yes, you see a lot of her in this book. Asil and Sage also make appearances and help with the wildlings' research. Charles and Anna must figure out what is happening when the wildlings begin to be attacked. Who would be interested in them and why? Are they targeting individuals for a reason or the wildlings as a whole? There is a lot of Anna's history in this book because the wildlings have no concept of barriers when it comes to her (the Omega) and it results in horrible (rape) flashbacks for her.

Anna is also thinking about the future; in previous books there's been discussion of them eventually having children. She's also thinking of what she can do with the many potential years ahead of her, though I don't know why she discards music (too connected to what happened to her before? Avoidance of the spotlight?). I appreciate the careful steps that Briggs has shown in her character growth throughout the series. We have Charles learning how to be her significant other and changing his ways, and Anna growing into what being a werewolf means for her.

Ultimately, there's a lot more going on in Aspen Creek and surrounds than Bran thinks, and you'll enjoy trying to figure out who is behind it all. I had different theories throughout the book and one of them turned out to be right, but I had the reasons why all wrong. Thanks for keeping me on my toes, Ms. Briggs!

Burn Bright picks up immediately after the latest Mercy Thompson book, Silence Fallen. Bran has decided to extend his trip and visit Samuel, leaving Charles to run the Aspen Creek Pack for a little while longer than he expected. But the Marrok’s pack is unusual in that it includes the Wildlings, wolves who are too old or damaged to be part of a regular pack but live nearby under Bran’s supervision. It’s one of those ancient wolves whose mate reaches out to Charles for help when their home is attacked. On their mission to rescue Hester from commandos, Charles and Anna discover that they have a traitor in the pack who may be connected to a familiar enemy.

There are big action sequences at the beginning and end of the book, but most of it is made up of character-driven moments. And I love the characters in the Mercyverse, especially the old wolves. Fans of Asil (like me) will be happy to see that he plays a big role in the story. We also meet Tag, an Irish wolf who fought for Napoleon, who I hope to see more of. And I’m really looking forward to seeing what happens with a certain Wildling.

Another thing I love about Alpha and Omega is stories about Mercy from someone else’s perspective - Charles tells one to Anna at the beginning of the book. We also get to see Bran’s mate Leah, who Mercy hates, in a new light.

Since the beginning of the series, Anna has grown so much. It’s great to see her become a badass in her own right. It’s even better that she does it in such a low key way. Dealing with the Wildlings gives her opportunities to do new things with her Omega powers. Those scenes reminded me of the way Jane Yellowrock’s magic is depicted. But Anna is also still healing and some of their actions remind her of the abuse she suffered before Charles rescued her from her old pack.

And I love seeing Charles’s POV as well. He’s different from most of the werewolves because his human side and his wolf side are so well-balanced. His magic is also different, though it’s similar to Mercy’s in a lot of ways. His romance with Anna is so charming and it’s allowed him to grow as much as she has. When we first met Charles in the series he was kind of a lone wolf, isolated by his role as pack executioner. I like seeing him interact with the rest of the wolves more in this book.

Burn Bright actually feels more like a Mercy Thompson novel than it does the previous Alpha and Omegas. Instead of assisting the FBI on a magical case in the human world, Charles and Anna are staying home and working within the pack. I suspect that’s a conscious choice by Briggs because the timelines have finally merged. There are some loose ends in Burn Bright that may very well be picked up in the next Mercy book. I’m tempted to reread Alpha and Omega and revisit those “old enemies” before that happens.

4.5 stars

While Mercy Thompson is a huge favorite of mine, the Alpha and Omega series has a special place in my heart. I love how Anna and Charles have overcome difficulties to become a cohesive unit. They have come a long way from Anna’s first terrified days as Charles’ new bride. They have become a couple, they have learned to trust each other, and they will do anything to keep the other safe. I have enjoyed watching as their marriage has solidified, giving each of them strength, as well as helping to ground their wolves.

Burn Bright took a few chapters to really find its stride, but once it did, I couldn’t put it down. Charles has been left in charge of the Aspen Creek pack, while Bran is on vacation, visiting Samuel in Africa. When two of the wildings are attacked and killed, Charles is determined to protect the rest of the vulnerable outcasts of the pack. The wildings are just that – they have a tenuous hold on their wolves, and because they pose a danger to the world at large, they live in isolation near the rest of Bran’s pack. The wildings are so dangerous that only a handful of trusted wolves even know them. When Charles determines that there is a traitor in the pack, and that the wildings might be being hunted by their enemy, he decides that they need to be warned.

Most the action in the book takes place during one eventful day, when Anna helps to use her powers to break a curse, save Charles, and root the evil hunting the pack out into the open. While the action is exciting, I enjoy the interactions between the characters the best in this series. As werewolves a hairsbreadth away from violence, it’s always an iffy proposition to get a group of them together. Leah, Asil, and Charles are not the best of buds, and Anna and Leah just rub each other the wrong way. All four of them have to cooperate if they hope to save the wildings and keep the pack safe in Bran’s absence. When some of them go out of their way to annoy the living snot of each other, it’s always an unsure thing as to who is going to lose control and lash out at their antagonizer.

I thoroughly enjoyed Burn Bright, and am now impatient for the next Mercy Thompson book. There is just enough overlap with the bad guys and their plot to take down the werewolves (and the vampires and the fae), to whet your appetite for the next book, but the series are different enough to stand on their own. I think that the Alpha and Omega books are more focused on Anna and Charles’ relationship, while the Mercy books are more about how the paranormal beings interact with the rest of society. Both are fun reads.

Grade: 4.25 stars

I forget how much I enjoy Patricia Briggs’ writing until I get another one of her books, and Burn Bright is no exception. Charles is left in charge of the pack when Bran leaves to help Mercy (Silence Fallen) and then decides to take a vacation in Africa. Everything is going fairly well until a team tries to abduct a werewolf and her fairy mate. The attempted abduction leaves few clues but plenty of questions, the biggest being the identity of the traitor.

Burn Bright gives us some insight into Bran character and more specifically Bran’s relationship with Mercy. Although I very much enjoyed the second hand stories I was slightly apprehensive about what exactly Briggs was setting up for the future. I loved learning more about the pack and always enjoy scenes with Ansil (of which there are many). It has been a few years since book 4 but luckily Burn Bright is more than worth the wait. I finished the book and immediately wanted to reread the entire series.

Burn Bright, by author Patricia Briggs, is the Fifth installment in the author's Alpha & Omega series. Even though it has been 3 years since the last Charles and Anna book, the stories never get old, nor does the romance between the couple. I dare say that I enjoy Anna and Charles a whole lot more than Mercy and Adam because neither has to deal with an ex-spouse who continues to show up at the most inopportune times.

Burn Bright is a curious story about a group of werewolves called wildlings, and a danger that comes to Aspen Creek, Montana. They are the wild and the broken. The werewolves too damaged to live safely among their own kind. For their own good, they have been exiled to the outskirts of Aspen Creek. Close enough to the Marrok’s pack to have its support; far enough away to not cause any harm.

With their Alpha (Bran) out of the country helping Mercy, Charles and Anna are on call when an SOS comes in from the fae mate of one such wildling. Heading into the mountainous wilderness, they interrupt the abduction of the wolf–but can’t stop blood from being shed. Now Charles and Anna must use their skills–his as enforcer, hers as peacemaker–to track down the attackers, reopening a painful chapter in the past that springs from the darkest magic of the witchborn.

They must deal with a brutal mystery and a shocking twist that will really blow readers minds. This is a story filled with some interesting background noise, but not in a bad way. There is some explanation as to why Bran's mate Leah hate's Charles so much, and gives Anna so much attitude. But, if you know anything about Anna, you know that she gives as good as she gets. There is always a questions about Anna's past and how she came to be with Charles thanks to things that happened in Chicago.

One could say that Anna is a much stronger character now than when we first met her. When things come up, she doesn't automatically look towards Charles for help in dealing with things. Although, Brother Wolf absolutely understands her emotions and really is amazing to have around. The story also contains a bit of background, via Charles, on Mercy's time spent with Bran's pack, which we knew by reading Mercy's series, and also the fact that Bran holds a special place in his life or Mercy which is the reason he isn't around until the end of the story.

I am glad that the two series are basically separate and there really isn't all that much need to have the characters continually crossing over. In fact, although we know the difficulties Mercy is dealing with, it doesn't affect what is happening in this book. I loved Asil, and Brother Wolf, and Wellesley who is one of the broken wolves that becomes part of the mystery as to what, or who is going after the wildlings. The ending IMHO saved the story for me. Then again, it leaves plenty of room for more stories. Pretty interesting secondary characters introduced in this book. We shall see if they are used again, or will fade away into the sunset. I also see a war on the horizon between Bran's pack and another villain that I will not spoil. You will have to read Wellesley's story to figure out what I am referring to.

4.5

I always love when Patricia Brigg's publishing schedule rolls around to an Alpha & Omega release. I hadn't realized that the last book in the series, Dead Heat, was released in 2015! I find myself taking better to Charles and Anna's story than Mercy's. Don't get me wrong, I love Mercy, but there's something that's just so satisfying in Charles and Anna's relationship.

Burn Bright begins with Charles watching over the pack while Bran is away. Of course, this is going to be a time when things go wrong, and this "wrongness" manifests itself when two of Bran's "Wildlings" are attacked. Wildlings are those of the Marrok's pack who are unable, for various reasons, to function in society. They mostly live in the secluded areas of Aspen Creek dealing with only the most dominant wolves of the pack. It seems as though someone is searching for something specific to the Wildlings, and as Anna and Charles investigate, they discover there might be a traitor in their midst, and a darkness that's been brewing for centuries.

Right off the bat, I loved that this story was centralized to Aspen Creek. Most of Charles and Anna's stories in the past have involved them travelling somewhere or another, but I liked that this one remained close to home. The "close to home" idea also enhances the fact of the traitor and really brings to mind how deep of a blow this is to the Pack.

I love how Patricia Brigg's entwines the Alpha & Omega / Mercy storylines so the timeline is set up pretty nicely, we know generally where things have left off in the Mercyverse which is kind of important for understanding why Bran is away at the beginning of this book.

I wasn't expecting how much Burn Bright ruminates on the past, and how we still see Anna, not struggling, but contemplating her life as a werewolf. It seems like it's been a lot longer, but in bookworld, Anna has only been a werewolf for a few years. It was interesting, to say the least, to be reminded of this, and also to be reminded of how Anna still struggles with what was done to her by her former Pack. I feel like I lost sight of how bad that was for her. While not happy about the trauma Anna suffered, I liked putting these things back into perspective because the theme of the past popping up again runs throughout the story not just where Anna is concerned.

One of the only issues I had was that I wish I was able to go back and re-read the books again. I think Burn Bright stands well on its own, and three years after the previous book was released it's certainly not difficult to get into the story and understand it, but I feel like I missed some of the nuances due to the fact that I'd forgotten some of what I thought her minor details from the previous books. I look forward to doing a re-read of the series as soon as I can though!

Probably my favorite thing about Burn Bright is Leah. Specifically, getting a more in-depth look at her character. She's been a character I think a lot of readers love to hate. Knowing her history with Mercy and up to this point seeing how she's been portrayed it's been easy to dislike her. I loved that Patricia Briggs was able to show us another side. I didn't finish reading with a sudden love and / or sympathy for her character, but I liked that we get to see her act without Bran, we get to see her making the alpha decisions. Even though Charles is technically more dominant than her, she's still the second, and we get to see how effective her place in the Pack truly is. Plus, the glimpses we get of the relationship between Bran and Leah make me hope that one day we'll get a short story featuring them because they have an interesting dynamic / arrangement between them.

Overall, I really enjoyed this installment in the series. I wish we now didn't have to wait another 2-3 years for the next one. As is typical, the main storyline is tied up pretty well, but there are always threads left hanging waiting for Patricia Briggs to pick up in the next book.

This was a little tricky. I expected it to grab me from the start as most set in the world of Mercy and the Marrok do. It started slow. I kept waiting for the punch and was half way through before I even got into the story. Now, don't get me wrong, it was great but I didn't get emotionally involved as I usually do.

Hello, Hello!

Glad to be back in the Mercyverse with Charles and Anna again! It has been a while since Patricia Briggs gave us a new Alpha and Omega.... but better late than never, right?

Burn Bright's plot is an interesting one. For once, Charles and Anna are with the pack in Aspen Creek instead of having to go somewhere else to "fix" a problem. Charles is in charge of the pack while Bran is out of the country. Then, a distress call comes from the mate of one of the wildings. The couple is under attack and they're asking for the pack's help. Soon, the danger is closer to home and Charles and Anna are in a race to find the answer to the question of Who's behind the attacks on the pack?

So who are the wildings? The wildings are the more unstable and older werewolves who need/ have agreed to Bran's protection. They live in isolation from the rest of the pack. Some of them have a past full of pain and misery. There's a reason why Bran offers them sanctuary. However, if one becomes to too lost to his wolf then Bran won't hesitate to take care of the threat. Yet, this time, the threat comes from outsiders and since Bran is not available, Charles will have to deal with the mess.

Anna and Charles's relationship keeps on moving forward. Their mate bond is a strong one. They complement each other. Despite Charles being what he is, he's never overprotective. He doesn't overshadow her either. Anna is becoming a much stronger werewolf. She's becoming much more comfortable with her Omega side. She's not a victim and she doesn't want anyone to see her that way. Brother Wolf as always is just great. He can be quite scary but he also brings some needed levity at times.

Also, Patricia Briggs let us into a big revelation or at least it was to me. I'm pretty sure I was as clueless as Mercy was/is. Not sure if this information is going to affect the Mercy books. Why bring it up if there is no importance to it? Yet, I don't want Mercy to find out.

I love how we get more details in regards to Mercy's upbringing. She was a force to be reckoned with and I'm glad Charles helped her in whatever way he could.

Now to the whodunit part....I was with Charles with his suspicion but I was glad I was wrong. Nevertheless, it hurt to see the pack hurting with their losses.

Another surprise was Leah, someone who I thought (and might still think) is not the best choice of mate for Bran. Yet, in this installment, she was much more tolerable and even useful. If you don't think so, ask Charles.

Asil was one of my favorite secondary characters in Burn Bright. He can be funny but don't underestimate him. He can also be quite scary when he wants to be. He enjoys teasing Charles by using Anna but he loves Anna and would be there to protect her in a heartbeat.

One last thing, the cover of Burn Bright is amazing. Certainly a winner.

I do hope we don't have to wait three years for the next one and long live the Mercyverse.

Cliffhanger: No

4/5 Fangs

A complimentary copy was provided by Ace Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

First of all, thank you very much for the ARC. It is appreciated. I cannot make this review public because I'll get trolls hating on me, as I seem to be in the minority of other readers. I have read/listened to all of Ms. Brigg's books. I have recommended her titles to hundreds of people. I have bought my kids her books. She's a great writer, can pull you in with her world building and characters. Of course, she can have her characters behave however she wants and determine what direction her series should go. I completely understand that. However, this title did not work for me and I am still pissed. The only characters I may even like now in the two series are Adam, Charles and Anna.

POSSIBLE SPOILERS BELOW


1) Mercy was not seen but, per usual, was still in the picture. Mercy the brave, funny, clever. stubborn, smart coyote, who bakes great brownies is loved by all, including: Adam, Stefan, Samuel (well, he mainly wanted to breed with her) and now Bran was "funny" about her? WTH. Mercy is becoming one of those characters that is too fabulous and amazing and I am starting to actively dislike her.

2) Leah is hundreds of years old. She married Bran and KNEW he was heartbroken over his mate dying in childbirth, as we hear again and again. And again. She became his mate anyway. However, Leah was cruel to two children - Charles, the son of the guy she supposedly loves, and loathed Mercy and even tried to have her killed as a child- accidentally on purpose. So Leah, the adult, was jealous of the affection Bran gave two kids. One, his child, and the other Bran may have been eyeballing for a future mate (like Samuel)?? Ick. Be pissed at Bran for all of this! Like a jerk, Bran didn't intervene, so Leah looks like the bad gal. She is, and trying to make her seem devoted to the pack and loving Bran doesn't change the fact that she's a B. If she was so crushed Bran didn't love her, then leave. But she did not, as she enjoys the power/status she gets from being his mate. No sympathy for her, she chose her path.

3) Bran. *sob* I know Bran can be cold, and he's ancient, and makes difficult choices for the entire pack. I had hopes Leah would be killed off and Bran would meet someone else. Now? Anna said Bran's feelings for Mercy was kind of creepy, what, like Humbert Humbert?! Another Team Mercy guy. Seriously. Why tell us this? Bran was one of my favorite characters EVER. Bran let his son and adopted "daughter" be treated like crap by his wife, and then he treated his wife like crap. I became sick of hearing about the dead former mate thing for the last few books, but now it's not really true and he DOES care for Leah? Ugh. Apparently they DO deserve each other. None of the things that came to light made me think of any of these werewolves as more "other" or supernatural behavior. It doesn't make them easier to understand, or more complex. It made me think of them as more human and crappier ones at that. If I want to read about shitty people making stupid and/or horrific choices I can pick out any article when I read the newspaper. Definitely not what I expected, or hoped for.

A good addition to the series! Being able to explore more of the pack dynamics around Charles and Anna was great.

I received this as an advanced copy from Netgalley.com for an honest review.

When I first started reading this novel I felt pretty strongly that the story could have stood a trim and be better served as a novella. The plot felt too small and specific to carry an entire novel. This may be because I haven't read books 2, 3, and 4 of the series and I am not as familiar with the characters as some. However, Patricia Briggs is, in general, a fantastic writer. I am a rabid fan of the Mercy books and pretty much anything she writes in that world. I didn't think it would be a problem coming into the novel a little out of sequence, and it wasn't. This is how I felt for the first 100 pages or so. It slogged a bit and the characters and setup just didn't gel. Why is this plot important? Why do I care? What is the mystery that is trying to be solved? None of these questions came to much of a head till about 250 pages into the story. It is worth the wait. The climax of the story is absolutely worth the wait. But, I just don't think this is one of her best books. It is heads above most writers out there, but all in all, it felt to slow for her normal pacing.