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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
Here's the thing. What I didn't know going into this story, is that there was a novella that you had to read in order to not be completely confused at the beginning of this book. I wish the audiobook I listened to had alerted me to that fact, or just you know INCLUDED IT WITH THIS BOOK. I eventually tracked it down and read it before continuing, but it was definitely not helpful for it to be separate. When a story is this dependent on a novella, they should be together. IMO.
Still, the rest of the story was great, and I actually have some compassion toward Leah now.
Still, the rest of the story was great, and I actually have some compassion toward Leah now.
slow-paced
So I finished this and got 50 pages into the second book when I admitted to myself that this wasn't worth it. The extra lore Alpha and Omega might provide the Mercy Thompson series is not worth the effort it would take to read these. Big interconnected series are only exciting when they offer consistency.
This series feels like a step down from Mercy in multiple ways, and that wasn't a high bar to begin with. From the start, it struggles to find its footing, relying on the reader having read the opening prequel novella and at least the first Mercy novel. I take issue with that when this is labeled as the first book.
Then it bounces the reader around with inconsistent multi-POV chapters. The story clearly revolves around and centers on the girl. I feel like the additional perspectives are only there to observe her and advance the plot. Because why would a woman in love be able to drive her own plot? And I don't even want to get into the fact she told him she didn't like sex and he was like "I'll prove to her that she will".
The most annoying quirk was when the girl would be wondering about something she (and the reader) didn't know, and she would think, "I'll just ask him later." Then it would be forgotten. It would never come to fruition, promising answers and conversations that never materialized.
Look, it wasn't all sloppy trash if I'm being fair. However, if I'm being honest, I hated it.
This series feels like a step down from Mercy in multiple ways, and that wasn't a high bar to begin with. From the start, it struggles to find its footing, relying on the reader having read the opening prequel novella and at least the first Mercy novel. I take issue with that when this is labeled as the first book.
Then it bounces the reader around with inconsistent multi-POV chapters. The story clearly revolves around and centers on the girl. I feel like the additional perspectives are only there to observe her and advance the plot. Because why would a woman in love be able to drive her own plot? And I don't even want to get into the fact she told him she didn't like sex and he was like "I'll prove to her that she will".
The most annoying quirk was when the girl would be wondering about something she (and the reader) didn't know, and she would think, "I'll just ask him later." Then it would be forgotten. It would never come to fruition, promising answers and conversations that never materialized.
Look, it wasn't all sloppy trash if I'm being fair. However, if I'm being honest, I hated it.
This book fleshes out an earlier short story called "Alpha and Omega" from an anthology called On the Prowl. The Omega concept was one I wasn't familiar with, and I think that Briggs takes some poetic license with the concept. But still a nice little story about a couple coming together despite misunderstanding and external adversity. I enjoyed the secondary character of Asil, and hope that she writes more about him. What I like about Briggs books is that they never quite follow a stereotypical storyline. There's a twist to the characters' relationships, something that makes you think. There aren't the juvenile misunderstandings that carry the plots of most romance novels.
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Another book that has been on my TBR for way too long. With the new one getting ready to come out next week, I decided to finally give this series a try. I loved it! The characters are great. Charles, Anna, and I love Asil. Great start to the series. I will definitely continue on.
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
medium-paced
Not bad, but nothing that blew me away. I thought there was good character development and their motivations were well done. I don’t think I’ll continue the series.
I almost didnt get into this series vecause I don't like the Mercy Thompson books, but I'm glad I gave it a chance.
As others have said, it is advised that you read the novella first. I would say it's not absolutely necessary but it is the intro to the relationship.
That said, I did find parts of the story a bit frustrating/irritating. There's a lot of emphasis put on Charles' power, without much show. Other than eye contact. That dude can eye contact you to death.
As others have said, it is advised that you read the novella first. I would say it's not absolutely necessary but it is the intro to the relationship.
That said, I did find parts of the story a bit frustrating/irritating. There's a lot of emphasis put on Charles' power, without much show. Other than eye contact. That dude can eye contact you to death.