Taken by Storm by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Bryn is young. Female. Human. But she was raised by wolves.

Now alpha of the Cedar Ridge Pack, she's a lone girl in a world where animal instincts rule. Physically weaker than any werewolf, she could never survive a battle with another alpha, the strongest and fiercest of the pack.

But Bryn knows the other wolves want what she has. Her territory. Her females. Her pack.

They want her dead.

The latest book in Barnes' fantastic Raised by Wolves series. I love this series and they're such a nice, quick read.

Bryn is still trying to cope with her actions in Trial by Fire, when she had to kill an infiltrator from Shay's pack that he sent to challenge her when Shay calls a senate meeting about a rabid on the loose, turns out the rabid is a female and Bryn suspects it to be Maddy. Either she or Callum must find Maddy first or she's up for grabs to all the other alphas - a terrible fate for any female werewolf. She takes Chase and Lake, leaving Devon behind to protect the pack in her absence. They track Maddy down but it turns out to be a lot harder to handle than her being rabid.

I loved getting insight into how Bryn is coping as alpha and how her friends and packmates are there to help her. She's feeling guilt over Lucas and Maddy, and thinks it's her fault that Maddy may be rabid. There are 2 major events in this book that are going to mean a HUGE change for the next book - there is going to be a next book, right? RIGHT? There better be because I love, love, love these books.


Book Depository: Taken By Storm
Amazon UK: Taken by Storm

Trial by Fire by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Bryn faces the danger and joys of love and loyalty in this thrilling sequel to Raised by Wolves.
Bryn is now alpha of the Cedar Ridge Pack - although it's not simple when you're a human leading a band of werewolves. Then she finds a teenage boy bleeding on her front porch. Before collapsing, he tells her his name is Lucas, he's a Were, and Bryn's protection is his only hope.
But Lucas is part of another pack and Bryn has no right to claim him. As danger closes in, Bryn will have to accept that to be alpha, she will have to give into her animal instincts and become less human. And she's going to have to do it alone.

Click here for my review of Raised by Wolves, the first in this series.

My first thoughts on this book were that this line ("Before collapsing, he tells her his name is Lucas, he's a Were, and Bryn's protection is his only hope.") is completely false. Why do some blurbs have things like this? This isn't the way it happens in the book at all, it's all just a big lie.

My second thought was how much I love the author's writing style and her characters. I really like Bryn and Chase and Dev and Lake ..... and pretty much everyone in the book (even Caroline, you'll need to read the book to find out who she is).

This book really brings Bryn out as an alpha. This is her first big problem since taking control of the Cedar Ridge pack and it is a doozy!!! We get to learn a lot about Shay in this book as well as Ali, there's some background on them which is enjoyable. But the main part is getting to see Bryn grow as an alpha and realise exactly what being an alpha entails.

I love this series, it's YA but it's not too YA so it's still an enjoyable read for an adult. Can't wait for the sequel, and sort of annoyed that it'll probably be a loooooooooooong wait!


Book Depository: Trial By Fire
Amazon UK: Trial by Fire

Raised by Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

At the age of four, Bryn watched a rabid werewolf brutally murder her parents. She was rescued and taken in by the mysterious Callum, the alpha of his pack. Now fifteen, Bryn's been a human among werewolves, adhering to pack rule.

But the pack's been keeping a secret, and when Bryn goes exploring against Callum's orders, she finds Chase, a newly turned teen Were locked in a cage. Bryn needs answers, and she needs Chase to get them. Suddenly, it's Bryn and Chase against the werewolf world, whatever the consequences.

This is the first book I've read by Jennifer Lynn Barnes and the first I've actually heard of her. I picked it up on a whim because it was on a deal with another book I wanted to read, and I wasn't disappointed.

This was a different take on werewolf packs and with the added difference of a human in the mix. I instantly liked Bryn 'cos she can kick ass and stands up for herself against the pack alpha, who I also liked straight away.

The attraction between Chase and Bryn is instantaneous and inexplicable. Bryn's friendships are believable as are her relationships with her 'family'. The pacing is very good and keeps you in the story.

A must read and the sequel is on my wishlist already.

Rating
5/5


Book Depository: Raised By Wolves
Amazon UK: Raised by Wolves