Fair Game by Patricia Briggs (Alpha & Omega #3)
March 6, 2012
Urban Fantasy
Hardcover
Orbit
Reviewed by Mandi
I love this urban fantasy world Patricia Briggs has created. She has expanded it over two series, her Mercy Thompson series and this one, Alpha & Omega. In this series we explore the complex relationship of Charles and Anna. Charles is the only known born werewolf, and son of the Marrock (Alpha of ALL werewolves of North America, Bran). Anna is an Omega, a wolf that can calm the fiercest of tempers and is also strong enough to look the Marrock in the eye. Of course, her human appearance makes her look like a fragile woman, but don’t be fooled.
In Fair Game, book three, Patricia Briggs continues to explore the dynamics between this very alpha, serious and quiet wolf Charles and his stubborn wife. Charles is the Marrok’s punisher for lack of a better word. Recently, werewolves outted themselves to the public and it is all about keeping a positive spin with the public. Patricia Briggs writes her werewolves to be very carnal in nature. While they can assimilate with the general public, they have a very violent edge and it doesn’t take much for them to eat someone. Trying to keep the peace, Bran sends Charles out to kill those wolves who have stepped over their boundaries. Which means Charles is killing many and it is starting to weigh him down. I love how Briggs presents it to the readers as well. You flip-flop by wondering if Bran is using his son to do all his dirty work, or if he really has no one else to send out. Bran can’t send out other alphas, fearing they couldn’t handle it and the older wolves already carry around too much and they would go insane.
Charles has the ghosts of his previous kills lurking around him. They talk to him, scare him, and he is terrified if he acknowledges them too much, they will take control of him an eventually harm his wife. So he keeps this pain and torment hidden from her. Anna knows something is wrong with Charles and after she begs Bran to help, and he stubbornly says no, she is at a loss for what to do.
Brother Wolf, also has a big role in this book. Brother wolf is Charles’s wolf, who has his own personality. There are kind of two people living inside of Charles, Charles and Brother Wolf. They both love Anna, but sometimes they disagree with each other. It is fascinating how Briggs writes it.
Bran does come up with a somewhat temporary solution for him. There have been a string of murders in the Boston area involving werewolves. The FBI are desperate to catch this serial killer, and have given into the fact they might need a werewolf to give them some insight. With Adam Hauptmann home helping Mercy recover (awww!) Bran sends Anna and Charles to Boston. When a powerful Fae’s daughter becomes the next victim, Charles and Anna stick around until they can bring justice.
Fair Game gives us many great things. First we get a super creepy string of murders that must be solved. We are introduced to some new characters like Leslie with the FBI and Isaac, alpha of the Boston wolves, both who I really enjoyed meeting. I think the plot in this one regarding the murders is one of the more stronger ones I have read in this series and in Briggs’ Mercy books.
Besides that drama, we get lots of conflict between Charles and Anna. Charles is so stoic and quiet, and protective over his mate, that he has this huge internal struggle going on. He can’t let go of the ghosts that he has killed, and it is completely wrecking him. Being stubborn, he refuses to let Anna in on what is going on with him, although she knows something is up. They haven’t touched each other for weeks. Anna slowly works her magic but it is a long and serious struggle for Charles.
As I said above, I LOVE how Briggs writes her wolves. They are decent humans, but can be so violent at the snap of your fingers. They are killers first. And I love it. Their political maneuverings are so interesting to me as well. And with Bran in the background pulling the strings, I seriously can’t get enough of this world. So well built.
The end sets up something big. BIG. I’m so excited to read the next book to see where this all goes. Definitely a series that I think should be read in order. If I had to think of a complaint, it would be that I want more Bran. I’m a Bran hussy and I have no shame in it.
Rating: A-
Recent Reviews:
Dark Faerie Tales – 5/5
Under The Covers – 4/5
Fiction Vixen – B-
Happily Ever After – 4.5/5
Goodreads
Author’s Website l Series Listing
**Today, I have a brand new, signed copy of the anthology, On the Prowl to giveaway. Patricia Brigg’s novella in this one introduces you to this wonderful world. To enter, just leave a comment. Open to US/Canada through March 4th.
I haven’t read this series in a while, had borrowed from a friend before. However I do remember really liking it so am looking forward to reading the next book. Thanks for the contest I would love to win that book looks like fun!! Lizbthk@yahoo.com
I haven’t read any of Patricia Briggs books yet. I’m going to have to change that based on the amount of praise I’ve read for her books. Starting with this anthology would be awesome!
Love Patricia Briggs’ books. Rereading A & O books to get ready for Fair Game (4 more days!!).
I’m obsessed with Mrs. Briggs! Love Love Love all her books but am a huge Mercedes Thompson fan!
I NEED this book!! :)
Not reading your review, I want to read the book myself first :)
I have not read any of her books yet, I would love to be introduced!
Oh,I can’t wait… I love her wolves. too. Actually, I love them so much that I named my two siberian huskies Adam and Bran. Can’t wait to have my copy of Fair Game in my hands… Great review, Mandi!
I have not read this series yet – but I love Patricia Briggs. Mercy and Adam are my favorite!!!!
Thanks for the review! I can’t wait to get my hands on Fair Game. :D
I haven’t started this series yet so I didn’t peek at the review but thank you for the giveaway.
I can’t wait to read Fair Game. I love Patricia Briggs take on werewolves.
Thanks for the review :D I’ve been so excited for this book! I haven’t gotten to it yet but is there’s a cliffhanger at the end?
can’t wait to read fair game!!!
I haven’t read any of Patricia’s books yet but anthology is a great was to start. Gives me an idea if I’ll enjoy them or not. Thank you for the giveaway.
This is a fabulous sounding anthology to tide us readers over intil Fair Game, thank you for the giveaway!
terilhack at yahoo dot com
OH yes this looks fabulous! Fair Game is so soon! I know I cannot wait.
kasuranna at yahoo dot com
I WANT! I WANT!!!
Can’t wait for Fair Game! I’m jealous you got to read it early.
Thanks for the chance to win this!
Count me in! I love Patty (and Mercy and Adam and Sam and Anna and Charles and Bran………) :-)
Oops, my email had a typo.
I enjoyed the review. The book sounds very good.
Great review! So hanging out for this as I’ve been a fan of Anna since I met her in Alpha & Omega. And I so need me some more Bran!
I know you know not to include me in the giveaway, as I live outside North America :) I also own On The Prowl *grin*
Oh I ADORE Bran, mmmm Bran *drools a bit and forgets what she was supposed to say*
I cant wait for this book!
^Appreciate giveaway! Helps those like me on fixed income/SSI {perm/multi disabled: wheelchair/home-bound} who need & enjoy to read, attain books can’t normally afford <3
^Have several Mercy Thompson Books! Hope to win this Book, as makes me wanna *Howl in Anticipation* at losing myself in following along twisting adventures, romance & magick in journey thru paranormal world have created!
)0( Warmest Blessings )0(
*Paranormal Romantic Adventures are Magickal*
Patricia Briggs is on my TBR list. Would love to win this one!
I love to read anthologies to discover new authors – this looks like a good one!
This is one of my favorite series. I have been waiting for this book. I would love to win this book.
Thanks for the giveaway.
Can’t wait for Fair Game! I love the Mercy Thompson and Alpha and Omega series’! Thanks for the great review and giveaway.
I love Patricia Briggs! I’ve read some of her Mercy series and love it! Would love to read this anthology.
mljfoland AT hotmail DOT com
I’m so jealous. The new Patricia Briggs before it hits stores! And the first of the Alpha and Omega series to be hard back.
What a great giveaway! I can’t wait to read Fair Game, and a signed Briggs book would be a great addition to my collection.