In book #5 of the Alpha and Omega series, Charles acts as pack leader for the absent Bran while doing not only his regular job as enforcer, but also as caregiver for the wildings; a disparate group who are too damaged to live with even the Marrok’s Aspen Creek pack known for its collection of near crazy and difficult werewolves. The wildings live on the fringes of the pack so that Bran can still keep watch over them. Since apparently he has decided to take a vacation after helping with Mercy Thompson’s latest “adventure,” Charles and Anna are left to deal with the kidnapping of one of the strongest wildings and to protect the rest from the same fate. Because Bran is away, they also have to deal with his mate, Leah, who often causes more trouble rather than helping. Someone or some group that Bran and Charles have been tracking has targeted these wildings specifically to do harm to Bran’s pack and those he controls. Thus far, the identity of this enemy has been elusive. Readers will have the usual joy of adventure and excitement in this story, but what amps it up even more, something is revealed about Mercy Thompson that I did not see coming and left me stunned! Fans of the series will likely feel the same way and have much to say about this revelation. Adding to that, it seems there is a traitor from within the pack whose identify is another shocker.

Charles and Anna have several challenges once they, Leah, Asil, and Sage set out to check on and warn the other wildings about the danger. Not only do these damaged wolves live remotely in difficult to access mountain wilderness, but they are volatile and take werewolf crazy to a whole new level. Anna’s calming abilities as an Omega can be problematic as well as helpful. She is still finding her footing as the pack wolf whisperer while Charles has to reign in his and Brother Wolf’s natural protective nature with her. Since Leah plays a large role in this story, more about her relationship with Bran is revealed. Readers often have wondered why they are together and, this story-line offers more explanation.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book from cover to cover; it felt as if every page was riveting. I think this is my favorite Anna and Charles book which is saying something since this is one of my favorite series. Ms. Briggs's writing continues to bring much pleasure with her special talents to this urban fantasy world she has created. Fans will be well pleased with this story.

This is kind of a problem because I give this book 5 Stars but barely 5, it had action, romance, mystery and pretty much everything you want in any book and Patricia Briggs writing was great BUT the only reason I am not just gushing all over the place is so much was going on at times I had a problem keeping everyone/everything straight which may be more of a problem with me than the book since I loved it.

For those of you who read Silence Fallen (the ONLY book of hers I have EVER given less than 5 Stars) this was a MUCH better book (see my review here www.goodreads.com/review/show/1929165292 ) so considering the last book and her personal tragedy I see this as a great accomplishment and can say I did NOT scan any pages in this book and it had me hooked by the 5% mark.

There was a big "whodunnit" to this book and I had pretty much figured it out before the big reveal but there seems to be a few other things going on also like maybe a spin-off with a new character, an overarching plot with Bran and some "big bad thing"?

One thing I am still not sure how to feel about is Bran's mate Leah, seemed a bit inconsistent with things in past books but still enjoyable and again left a few questions open about that also in retrospect. Lot of questions still there.

One of the things I DID really like is that Anna is not that fragile thing she was for so long and it shows a lot more in this book, she is coming into her own finally.

Anyway not going to give out any spoilers but this is probably the best book in either of the series in the last 4 books or more so grab it and enjoy. This book is more like the ones that made us start loving her writing and stories. (I have loved her books since WAY back with The Hob's Bargain ) and still loving her stories.

Burn Bright is the fifth Alpha and Omega book and while it can be read as a stand-alone, it’s best to start at the beginning of the series for maximum enjoyment.
In this outing, werewolf Anna and her mate Charles are minding the Marrok’s pack in Aspen Creek, Montana while the uber-werewolf is traveling. After a call from one of Bran’s very special, very dangerous, nearly wild wolves, Charles and Anna rush off to investigate and find themselves in the middle of a perplexing mystery.
Danger, intrigue and betrayal run deep in this installment and there are some surprising twists. The novel reaches a satisfying conclusion and while I was left puzzled by a few threads left hanging, this story introduces a whole new conflict and exciting possibilities for future stories. A must read for fans of Patricia Briggs, the Alpha and Omega series and Urban Fantasy lovers. 4.5 stars.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

WOW!! I've waited two years for this book and I wasn't disappointed it was a slow start but eventually it picked up. As per usual with Patricia's books a lot of shock and twists I did not see coming. A lot of oh shit moments too. This book went from slow your dragging it out pace to No. Effing. Way. I honestly cannot wait to see what else Briggs has in store for Bran's pack.

Character breakdown;

Charles; how do I describe Charles to you? It's hard because his so complex yet his not. I love the strength he carries the way he carries himself and how all he needs is to just stand there and everyone is shitting bricks lol. I love the native side of him, the magical side that lets him be more of the aware of where he is. On a personal level I love how he cares and loves Anna. From the prequel to this book I've loved the romance between the two of them. And the way he can understand a situation but not underestimate it.

Anna; I always liked Anna the way she overcame so much and fought so hard for not just the one's she loved but those who needed defending. Despite her reborn beginnings she managed to find her strength and her courage. She's a bad ass in her own right. With that said it did kinda bothered me that in this book she was somewhat having those panic attacks, then again I've never suffered anything like she had. Despite that Anna was awesome here too, facing her fears and doing her best to keep strong. I've never admired a book character like I do Anna. And with her power growing I'm looking forward towards seeing how far she will go.

This book had so many truths and turns and twists it literally refreshed the series because honestly? The last book was good but not great not like the ones before dead heat. I thank you Patricia for this book and please don't make us wait another two years for another one especially with how great you ended this one. I honestly did not want it to end and I'm reeling from that ending. Awesome book will not disappoint guarantee!

While Bran, the Marrok and packleader of the Aspen Creek werewolves, is absent, son Charles and his mate Anna are in charge, including responsibility for those werewolves who are too broken to live safely among others, even of their own kind. When one of the wildings is killed, it becomes apparent that there is a conspiracy to track down some type of information from one or more of the wildings, and that there must be a traitor among the pack.
As Charles, Anna, and a few other select pack members begin tracking down and contacting the wildlings, they continue to run into evidence of witch magic, one of the few forms of magic that can possibly affect werewolves negatively. It also become more obvious that the reason Bran has excluded himself at this time is because the traitor is someone at the very highest level of the pack – and someone the Marrok cannot bring himself to kill.
This is Briggs’ fifth novel starring Charles and Anna, the pack’s enforcer and its Omega. While Briggs has brought up witch magic tangentially in her other novels, this is the first one where it stands front and center. Although the traitor is found and handled, the primary group that attacked the pack has not yet been addressed, and so I expect to see that in her next novel or I will be greatly disappointed.
Otherwise, Briggs writes a tight novel, with small conversations and actions occurring in the beginning of the book becoming critically important later in the story. Her characters, Charles and Anna, are more fully formed now, after five novels, and the readers understand why Anna is so sensitive to being touched or grabbed unexpectedly and how Charles and his Brother Wolf become distracted by Anna’s comments or a slight touch. Other characters such as Asil and especially Leah are more fully fleshed out, with the reader becoming more understanding of the odd relationship between Bran and his mate, Leah.
Overall, this was a quick read, well-written and fast-paced. Again, I look forward to seeing how the protagonists deal with the entity behind the attacks that occurred in this story.

With every newly published story in the Alpha and Omega series I fall more in love with Charles and Anna's love. It would be hard to find a literary couple with more respect and devotion in their relationship. These two could have been a warning of what not to do in a relationship with a vulnerable woman, but instead it is like a guide for what TO do. With every new book Anna has grown in strength and confidence and Charles has encouraged her, helped her, and then also stayed out of her way when needed. I utterly adore them.
That there is a nice little mystery to solve in every book just adds to my delight with this series.
So well done!

Patricia Briggs does it again! Her Alpha and Omega titles keep getting better. Charles is stuck with running the pack while his father, Bran - the Alpha of all North American werewolves, is supposedly in Africa visiting his other son, Samuel. Suddenly, a frantic phone call from the mate of an exiled wolf starts Charles and Anna on the path to finding a traitor in their pack - and solve the mystery of who is behind both the traitor and the conspiracy to destroy the pack. There are many twists and turns as Charles and Anna try to get to the core of the mystery and there are also a significant "detour" in the form of a story. This left me wondering where Briggs was headed. However, as in all of her books, she ties this "detour" neatly into the resolution of the story. As always, Patricia Briggs stories are exciting, full of detail and very good reading. Burn Bright does not disappoint!

Burn Bright by Patricia Briggs is the 5th book in her Alpha & Omega series. The Alpha & Omega series is another fascinating werewolf storyline that takes place in the world of Mercy Thompson. Only this series revolves around Charles Cornick, who is the enforcer for his Alpha father ( Bran), and his wife Anna, who is an Omega wolf.

This story begins shortly after the last Mercy Thompson story ended, and Bran (The Marrok), is away on a secret trip. In his absence, Charles is in on call for problems, and when he receives a call for help from a fae mate to a wilding wolf; he and Anna take the 20 minute ride to the mountains. The wildings are somewhat broken, damaged and unstable wolves, who live separately from the pack in the wilderness.

When Charles and Anna arrive at their destination, only the fae mate can explain what has happened. His wolf mate has been kidnapped, and is being held in a cage; due a promise made to his mate, the fae cannot go help his mate, as has no control over his dangerous powers, if he sees her being harmed. Charles and Anna will find Hester (the mate) and help her escape, and in so doing, will kill those who threatened her. But before they can get her back home, another group attacks, unfortunately Hester is killed, as well as the attackers. When they come back to the house, the fae mate has killed himself, and has left a clue that there is a traitor among Bran’s pack.

When Charles, Anna, Leah (Bran’s mate) and the rest of the pack devise a plan to send three teams to visit all the wildings, to warn them and try to find the traitor. What follows is an intense exciting adventure, where multiple times Anna will find herself very much in danger. Being an Omega wolf brings her right in the middle of the unstable wolves. The first wolf, felt the draw of an Omega (they can calm them and bring peace), and takes Anna into his mind to try to fight off a curse set by a witch. It takes Charles help to allow Anna to break the curse and save herself. In the midst of all of this action, Charles comes to realize why Bran is away, technically in hiding, and is determined to prove his theory with Anna’s help. But most importantly, they must stop the traitor before more wildings are killed. This is monstrous task, as the evil villain is much stronger than any of them realize.

I love Charles and Anna together; the chemistry between these two is electric and the way they balance one another out is amazing, especially in his role as enforcer.
I love Brother Wolf’s talking to Charles, and his love of Anna. Asil and Wellesy were very good, and surprisingly so was Leah, whom most of us do not like. We also get to learn more information our Mercy’s early years as a member of Bran’s pack, as well as learning more about Anna’s powers and Charles’s witchborn powers.

As we race to a wild climatic finish, we find ourselves holding our breaths as there are some surprises that shock us as to who the traitor is, and how powerful and evil the villain is
But most of all, it is the love of Anna that keeps Charles sane, and her ability as an Omega to be able to calm wolves. They make such a great couple, working together to solve any crimes within the pack range, not to mention their chemistry is very hot. Burn Bright was an exciting, pulse pounding, fast paced, captivating read, with some surprising revelations and a wonderful couple.

Oh how I have missed Charles and Anna!

I love this series and the very fact that it coincides with my beloved Mercy Thompson series just makes it all the better.

I loved being immersed back into this world and more importantly getting to see Charles and Anna together again. The bond and relationship they have it amazing and the love and understanding between them even more so. I love that they make each other stronger and while they want to protect each other, they also don't smother or hold the other one back from being the best they can be. It truly is one of my most favorite relationships in the genre and I adore them.

The mystery in this was intriguing and again, I loved that it kind of went hand in hand with what is happening in her Mercy Thompson series without it feeling like it is the same story or the same exact drama. It's a separate situation with a mystery that is all tied together and I love it. It was so fascinating and so much fun.

Getting to learn more about the wildings and their purpose and place in the pack was even more entertaining than I imagined it would be. I loved seeing Asil step up and help out so much. He really is one of my favorite misfit characters.

Truly a wonderful story full of rich history, not only about the werewolves but about magic and Charles people, and just so much more. I truly loved it all, right up to the satisfying and thrilling end and was not ready for it to be over. I can't wait for the next book, I'm so ready for it!

The Mercy Thompson and Alpha and Omega series are some of my favorite paranormal romance/adventure/mysteries...it checks all the boxes, really. I was so happy to be approved on Netgalley for Burn Bright and I devoured it in one day (I went to bed very late).

I really like the Alpha and Omega series because of the vastly different voice compared to the Mercy Thompson series. Don't get me wrong, I love Mercy, but the calmness and the narrative of this series is a nice break. That being said, this book is jam packed with action and mystery and killer plants. No really. Everything becomes potentially killer in this book and you can't trust anyone since there is a traitor in the pack and skinwalkers and all sorts of dangers. I think that the lore in this series is fantastic, and I love the touches of Native American legend that is tied in with the touches of Welsh lore with Bran and werewolves and witches. Patricia Briggs is a queen when it comes to having well developed worlds, even within the one we know.

As always, Charles and Anna are adorable and wonderful. I like that the conflict in the book had nothing to do with their relationship - in fact, it's their respect and trust that usually seems to get them out of tough situations. I really appreciate a female main character whose strength is her kindness and quietness, for lack of a better term. I really enjoy seeing Anna and how her personality works within a story with so many strong characters. They are both much more calculation and internal than the other characters in the series, and it's always fun to see how they will solve the problems that arise in each book.

Personally, I kind of miss the days when the plot could be a little more focused because there were less moving parts. There is now so much moving around in multiple series that I long for the book that was just a tad more...simple, I suppose. I understand the need to keep the story forward with so many books, but I kind of miss watching the development of Charles and Anna's relationship and their own characters. While the plot is a magical romp forward, sometimes I found Charles and Anna's interactions a little stagnant.

In Burn Bright, the werewolves are thrown into the fire when it comes to other fantastical creatures that had previously existed semi-peacefully alongside the pack. Now everything is in chaos all across the supernatural world and as usual, it seems to always gravitate towards Charles, Anna, and Bran and Company. Fans of the Mercy Thompson series might miss some of the snark but fans of Charles and Anna will find this latest installment a wonderful fit and will be left excited about what's to come.

Oh, man. I really love this stuff. Patricia Briggs always brings her A game. This book was more of a murder mystery than I think her other books have been. I really enjoyed following the characters as they rule out suspects and track down the murderer. On top of all that, you get the paranormal aspect that we love from Briggs.

I gave this book a solid four stars for a fantastic story line and colorful characters.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

Burn Bright is a thrilling tale of magic, betrayal, deception and loss. It has parts that break your heart and other parts that have you perched on the edge of your seat with your breath held. The excitement of battle, the devastation of loss and the pain of betrayal are all tangled within an intriguing mystery. In this book we see the depth of the mate bonds and discover the old, less stable wolves in the pack. The relationship between Anna and Charles warms your heart with its beauty and leaves you wanting more. This is an intriguing, complex story that adds depth to both the characters and the world as a whole and you just know that there is more trouble brewing on the horizon. I received an early copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way influenced my review and all opinions expressed are solely my own.

I generally enjoyed the book, but I did have a few issues with it. One the start. I have read all the books in this series, but it has been a while since I read the last one. The book began right where the last one left off. So it felt like I missed a few pages. It wasn’t confusing, but it was off putting. There was also very little backstory, so if you have never read a Alpha and Omega book do not start here, it is not a stand alone novel. My second issue us with Anna. She always comes across as a damsel in distress. Omega’s are not weak, they are as strong as Alpha’s just in a different way. I realize she has been through seriously traumatizing events. So instead of whispering about “what happened in Chicago” they either need to get her some help to work through what happened to her or magically get over it. Because touch is a major part of her being an Omega, her rational mind knows she is not being assaulted. Not only does she need to constantly be physically rescued, but she needs to be mentally rescued too. At this point she should have the tools to center herself and get to work without evey wolf around her panicking.

What I really enjoyed was the other wolves. As always I love Brother Wolf and Charles, and I love when we are given a glimpse into his interactions with his grandfather. Asail is also a fav, and I love how he shifts from comic relief to cold blooded killer effortlessly. Leah was also finally given some character growth, and it was nice to see that she is not so much an insufferable bitch as she is a fearful and frustrated mate.zIt makes me wonder what kind of woman she may have become if Bran had allowed her to raise Mercy. Loving someone and having them love her back would’ve done wonders for her. Wellesley was a interesting addition, and I hope we see more of him. The wildings in general are a group I would like to see more of. They are an interesting bunch.

Something that frustrates me about the Wolves in general is that because they are so long lived, have witchborn among them, and have pack mind and magic, they seem closed off to new and/or different ways of thinking. It’s why the traitor was able to work so well for so long. I found it interesting that Anna’s interactions with the wildings she got to meet met for very interesting outcomes. Everyone assumes that wolves just get old and crazy, but I wonder if that is as often the case as everyone believes. This book proved that magic can be hidden and lies can be told to wolves even as strong as the Marrok. So maybe Anna should be taken on a tour, and the wildlings should be given “check ups” to see what is really going on. I also been wondering for a while why the wolves don’t do like the Vampires when it comes to changing humans? It seems like giving their blood to a human over a period of time before attempting the change may have similar outcomes. It would be cool to watch old wolves learn new tricks.

Overall I really enjoyed the book, and I am looking forward to the next in the series.

Trouble comes to Aspen Creek in the form of a traitor, and it is up to Anna and Charles to sniff them out—while protecting the pack in the Marrock's absence. It is a non-stop mystery, filled with action, intrigue and insights, that I couldn't put down.

I love the Alpha and Omega series. Sure, I love Mercy's series just as much, but sometimes it's good to get out of Mercy's head and see this fascinating world from another view—and gain insights into Mercy herself. And Anna, Brother Wolf, Charles and Asil are wonderful characters that continue to develop and grow as much as centuries old near-immortals can (except, of course, Anna, who is a newcomer to this ancient group). Like Silence Fallen, this installment continues to hammer home how old, different and resistant to change immortals become, particularly when change happens at a rapid rate.

I am eagerly awaiting the next installment!

I receive this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.

These are the broken and wild. The werewolves who can't live safely with their own kind. They've been exiled to Aspen Creek, Montana. Close enough to receive support from Marrocks pack but far enough away to not cause problems.

With the alpha out of the country, Charles and Anna are on call when they receive an SOS from a fae-mate of one of the wildlings. Heading to the mountain they prevent the abduction of the werewolf but can't stop the bloodshed.

Now they must use their skills as enforcer and peacemaker to track down the attackers, opening a chapter from the past.

As always, this authors writing is phenomenal. She always manages to put a new spin on all things paranormal. If you're a fan of Patricia Briggs other books, don't hesitate to pick this one up!

I love Patricia Brigg’s Alpha & Omega series even more than her Mercy Thompson series. I just love the dynamic of Charles and Anna. That’s why I was a bit disappointed in Burn Bright since I felt I didn’t get enough of Charles-and-Anna-time as a chunk of the story splits up their time together. I had to do an immediate re-read to that I could appreciate the rest of the story.

In Burn Bright, Bran is away after helping to free Mercy (see Silence Fallen). While he is away from the pack, he decides he is going to visit his son Samuel in Africa, leaving Charles in charge of the Aspen Creek pack. Charles gets an emergency call from help from Jonesy, a dangerous fae and mate to one of Bran’s werewolf wildings. Bran’s pack are mostly the oldest and more unstable werewolves, and the wildings are the worst of them, not able to be in a pack environment. The wildings live in the more uninhabitable areas of the Montana mountains and Bran, Charles, Leah and Asil keep an eye on them since they are so antisocial.

Jonesy indicates that his mate has been captured and to let Bran know there is a traitor in their midst giving out information about the wildings. Charles and Anna go to investigate and help rescue Hester, and come across more than they wanted in the trained merceneries (both human and werewolves) attacking the wildings.

They need to warn all Bran’s wildings that there is danger prowling the mountain. Breaking into teams to try and reach all these wolves in their remote locations is their only choice but it also leaves them more vulnerable to attack, and not just from the merceneries. These individuals are secluded because they are dangerous and any stranger can set them off. These damaged wolves also seem to have a very odd reaction to Anna’s Omega nature.

The plot twists and turns and we learn there might be more to Bran’s disappearance than just an ill-timed vacation, such that could bring an end to the peace at Aspen Creek.

I was very happy to find this series in the Mercy Thompson world. Anna was an abused woman, forced to become a werewolf. Charles helped rescue her and although he is more then able and willing to protect Anna, he forces himself to step back and allow Anna to find her own way, ready to catch her if she falls, but knowing that she needs to develop her own sense of worth after the physical and sexual abuse she suffered.

It is this dynamic and the great differences in their personalities which I enjoy so much and seeing how their relationhip changes both of them. Anna is a survivor and learning to trust and open up to people again and Charles, who as the enforcer of the werewolf laws keeps to himself most of the time, now he has Anna and he needs to learn to share himself with her and how much he has changed to have someone besides his father and brother who he is close to.

Saying all that, my first read of the story left me disappointed with Burn Bright after waiting almost three years for a new Alpha & Omega story. Mostly because a chunk of the story requires Charles and Anna to split up and overall, I didn’t get enough Charles and Anna time. Leah who likes to cause trouble with Bran’s sons out of jealousy, made sure to send Anna with Asil to do some investigating and sent Charles with Sage. She did this knowing it would bother Charles, but it mostly just bothered me. It was a necessary plot point to change up the dynimics.

Upon my second read of the story, I could focus on all the great story points and those twist and turns that I mentioned before that would have made the story so engrossing the first time if I could have punched Leah out and kept Charles and Anna together.

Happenings in this story also cause Anna some flashbacks to her time of abuse and I don’t think that was addressed enough.

There was a lot of plot points to cover in the story and because of that it was a little too convenient that they tripped over all the necessary information they needed without spending days searching. I would have simply been happy with a “of course, it was the last place they looked…” or “after spending half a day knocking on doors, they finally…” We didn’t have to waste too much page time, but we also didn’t need to find what we were looking for in the first place we stopped.

Where Mercy Thompson is told mostly in the first person perspective. Alpha & Omega bounces between Charles and Anna. I really like the dynamic of these two characters and how they are so different but make a perfect compliment to one another. I also love Bran, who is noticably absent from this story.

OMG(!!!) Book Lovers, this was so good!
As we know Charles and Anna, are a power couple. I think if Bran and Leah were not the "alpha team" that Charles and Anna would be perfect to be in charge of it all.

This story had me shook, I was literally on the edge of my seat half the time I was reading this, I couldn't believe the twist and turns and the plot twist, the magic and the characters that set everything into play.

I love the mystery, suspense feel of this continuation in the Alpha and Omega series, the only thing it was lacking was a little more romance, but hey that just me!

I think if you are like me, and are a loyal Patty reader and you love this world like we do, YOU are going to LOVE this one. Now that I am finished I cant wait to see what happens next with this story and to get another Mercy book at some point this year too!

Overall I gave this one 4.5 out of 5

**4.5 stars**

So I went into this book relatively blind...yes I've been waiting what seems like forever for it but I also decided against reading the synopsis and I avoided excerpts because I didn't want to spoil anything. I'm glad I did because it made catching up with Anna and Charles so much better. This was definitely a solid installment in the series but not the best which I feel wrong saying but the entire time I was reading I felt there was something slightly missing. The story was intriguing and it definitely kept me turning the pages but it felt disconnected from the last book somehow. I honestly thought the story would be going in a certain direction and it went a completely different way. That being said it's still an amazing read and a must for any fan of the series. You get all the things that make these novels great action, intrigue, and of course romance. Also there was more interconnection with Mercy which I really enjoyed. My favorite part will always be Anna and Charles though, those guys just make me smile. Now I was confused about whether this was to be the last book ,which I'm still not positive on, but the way this book went makes me feel like we'll be seeing more in the future which I have my fingers crossed for!

As usual Patricia Briggs writes a winner! Charles and Anna's relationship is not over the top for their reality. I love that she is adding more background to some of the older werewolves and adding in some other history of the paranormal world. It was a fast-paced mystery and I had no idea where it was going until it got there.

While I really enjoy the Anna and Charles books, I found myself a little disappointed in this one. I love visiting with the characters and seeing them grow; however, not all the characters are as developed as they need to be to make the twist ending work. My reaction to the twist was very disappointing since I not only didn't see it coming (which is good) but it also didn't make me feel anything. I just didn't know enough about the character to really care. The books are usually so focused on Anna, Charles and Asil (who is one of my favorites and I hope he gets a book one day), that other characters are usually left with one or two line descriptions of personality that you don't get to know them. So the feelings of betray just weren't there. That being said, I love Brigg's world building and her introduction to the newest shaman, was nicely detailed. Hopefully there will be more of him in the next stories.