Alpha & Omega: A Companion Novella to Cry Wolf [Kindle Edition]

Patricia Briggs (Author)

Book Description

In Cry Wolf, New York Times bestselling author Patricia Briggs started a new urban fantasy series set in the world of Mercy Thompson but with rules of it’s own. Now, read the eSpecial, Alpha and Omega, the novella that inspired the new series, and see how it all began.

Anna Latham never knew werewolves existed, until the night she survived a violent attack and became one herself. After three years at the bottom of the Chicago pack, she's learned to keep her head down and never, ever trust dominant males. But when she discovers wrongdoing in her pack, she has to go above her Alpha's head to ask for help.

Charles Cornick is the son and enforcer of the leader of the North American werewolves. Now his father has sent him to Chicago to clean up a problem there. Charles never expected to find Anna, a rare Omega wolf and he certainly never expected to recognize her as his mate

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This terrific little story, originally published in a 2007 anthology, is the first in Patricia Briggs's Alpha and Omega series. Changed against her will three years earlier, frightened, beaten-down Anna Latham doesn't know she is an omega werewolf, revered for the ability to soothe alpha inclinations at opportune moments. Powerful alpha Charles Cornick, son of the North American werewolf leader, heads to Chicago after the patriarch receives a phone call from Anna, informing him of an unsanctioned murder of a young werewolf. Anna's pack leader feared her abilities, approved her degradation and kept her ignorant of pack lore, which allows readers to learn alongside Anna as Charles teaches her what she needs to know. Spare writing and strong descriptions will entice readers to continue following Anna and Charles in two forthcoming novels. (Dec.)
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Product Details

• File Size: 160 KB
• Print Length: 352 pages
• Publisher: Berkley (October 20, 2008)
• Sold by: Penguin Publishing
• Language: English
• ASIN: B001IZC3LU
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Not Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,259 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
  • #6 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy > Anthologies
  • #7 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Fantasy > Anthologies & Short Stories
  • #12 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Anthologies & Literary Collections > Short Stories

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 58 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars The alpha and his omega October 31, 2009

By E. A Solinas HALL OF FAMETOP 100 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

A lot of urban fantasy makes a big deal about alpha werewolves, often on the assumption that "alpha" means big, strong and sexy among wolves.

But Patricia Briggs explores the opposite end of the spectrum in the novella "Alpha and Omega," which also serves as a springboard for her new series (a sort of spinoff in the same universe as the Mercy Thompson series). It's a tightly written, open-ended little story about an abused Omega werewolf and the unexpected love between her and a very powerful alpha.

When a boy is kidnapped by her abusive pack, a terrified Anna finally dares to call the Marrok, the leader of all werewolves. He ends up sending his son Charles Cornick to deal with the troublemakers, and Charles is shocked when he realizes that Anna isn't a super-submissive wolf -- she's a rare Omega wolf, and the disgusting Leo and savage Justin have been abusing and molesting her all over the place.

And now Charles is determined to change all that, especially by showing Anna the way a werewolf's life is REALLY supposed to be, about her status as an Omega, and the connection between them. But there are some truly nasty secrets at the heart of the Chicago pack and the strange absence of female werewolves -- and now that Anna knows who she is, she isn't going to take it lying down.

"Alpha and Omega" is set in the same world as several of Patricia Briggs' other urban fantasy stories (most notably the ongoing Mercy Thompson series) -- for example, the ancient werewolf lord known as the Marrok seems to hang over this novella like a thundercloud. But the opening novella of the Alpha and Omega series works quite nicely as a story on its own, with new characters and problems.

Briggs brings a lush, atmospheric feel to this particular story ("Though he smelled of anger, he also smelled like spring rain, wolf, and man"), as well as some unexpected plot twists and an ending that paves the way for future stories about Anna and Charles. And she does a good job dealing with the concept of "omega wolves" -- sort of a lupine "class clown" of very low rank -- and their importance to werewolves.

Personally I'm sick and tired of "forced" relationships wherein magical forces MAKE the characters have a relationship. It's usually a sign of a writer's laziness in writing about love, or worse. But Briggs actually pulls it off -- despite the mystical wolf-mating between Charles and Anna's lupine sides, their budding relationship is a genuinely touching one, full of protectiveness, respect and growing trust.

"Alpha and Omega" was a solid start to a new urban fantasy series, and it leaves you wanting to know what will happen next for Charles and Anna. A pleasant little read, but have "Cry Wolf" close at hand.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars alpha & omega January 2, 2009

By Sarah Banks VINE™ VOICE

Format:Kindle Edition

"Alpha & Omega" is a short story by Patricia Briggs set in the world of her Mercy Thompson series. While it is certainly not necessary to read Briggs' Mercy series, "Alpha & Omega" will be richer if you do. The two main characters are Charles Cornick (Samuel's brother & Bran's son) & a new werewolf, Anna Latham. Charles instantly recognizes Anna as his mate & an Omega wolf. The Omega wolf was a new concept to me & is a wolf who is outside of the pack structure & provides a calming influence to, among other things, wolves who have trouble with the change.

"Alpha & Omega" mainly serves to set up Briggs' new series involving Anna & Charles, but it is a great little story in its own right. I have read "Cry Wolf," the first book in the Anna & Charles series, & I definitely think that you should read "Alpha & Omega" first.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great start of a werewolf series October 24, 2008

By deborakaye

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

This novella was previously included in the anthology, On the Prowl.

It is the beginning of a spin-off series from Ms. Briggs' popular Mercy Thompson series.

If you liked Blood Bound, Iron Kissed, or Moon Called, you will really enjoy this new series.

More About the Author

Patricia Briggs is the author of the New York Times bestselling Mercy Thompson urban fantasy series. She lives in Washington state with her husband, children, and a small herd of horses.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#14 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Fantasy

#14 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy

#21 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy

#14 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Fantasy

#14 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy

#21 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy