This final book in the trilogy was definitely a better read for me than #2, which had been a little confusing to read at times. The storyline was muchThis final book in the trilogy was definitely a better read for me than #2, which had been a little confusing to read at times. The storyline was much clearer to me in this third book, and the pace moved along well.
I liked the main couple, Winter and Sterling, although at times there was a little too much drama and angst. But it was a decent read, and an interesting take on shifter/werewolf novels. I've read a few and I liked the world created in this one. Occasionally there was a little too much violence for my taste (especially in Book 2) so I just skimmed through these sections. Overall, I liked the way the storyline was resolved and I enjoyed the read.
I would not recommend reading this book as a standalone. Bks 1 and 2 definitely need to be read first....more
3.5 stars. I have been enjoying this series, that's a quirky sci-fi/fantasy crossover, with wolf shifters and humans in space, trying to survive on ar3.5 stars. I have been enjoying this series, that's a quirky sci-fi/fantasy crossover, with wolf shifters and humans in space, trying to survive on ark ships. LOL. The first part of this third book did drag for me though. It felt a bit repetitive and took too long to get anywhere. So I put it down and took a break for a while.
I picked the book up again and have finished it this week. Fortunately, it did pick up the pace in the second half of the book, with some more interesting and dramatic events. It still felt a bit repetitive at times though, with Lachesis' health issues being emphasised a little too often, and overall a bit too much angst for my personal reading tastes. I feel as if the book/series could have done with a bit of judicious pruning/editing and come out of it a tighter and better read.
Still, I like the concept of the series, and in spite of the angst feeling a bit overdone, I like Lachesis and Rainer and their still-developing relationship. I'm committed now, and look forward to the fourth and final book in the series (to be released later in 2023, I believe). The story takes place on a grand scale, so I hope the final book can draw the threads together and come up with a satisfying conclusion.
I would recommend reading the other two books first rather than trying this one as a standalone....more
3.5 stars. Not sure whether to round up or down. I didn't mind the revelations about Sherwood Post, but then his story suddenly went nowhere. Maybe sa3.5 stars. Not sure whether to round up or down. I didn't mind the revelations about Sherwood Post, but then his story suddenly went nowhere. Maybe saving it for future book/s? Zee's involvement was a little confusing in this book, and his attitude towards the artefact was a bit too muddy and inconsistent for me. Gave some background about him, but parts of the storyline felt like they just came from nowhere. Hmmm. Maybe I'm getting a little tired of this series? (Sorry about the unpopular opinion....)...more
3.5 stars. Not sure whether to round up or down. Winter and Sterling are a compelling couple, but the first section of the book did drag a little for 3.5 stars. Not sure whether to round up or down. Winter and Sterling are a compelling couple, but the first section of the book did drag a little for me, and I took a long break before going back and finishing.
The storyline is interesting but a little too complex. It's not easy for this reader at least, to keep all of the characters, werewolf packs and political loyalties straight in my head. I've decided to just go along for the ride, and hopefully the story will sort itself out and become clearer in the third book.
There were a couple of sections with some violence along with the action. A bit too confronting for me, and I did a bit of skimming there. But overall, a gripping enough read that I will definitely continue on with the next book....more
A gripping and fast-moving adventure, full of magic and werewolves and some really bad fae. Charles and Anna make a wonderful lead couple. RecommendedA gripping and fast-moving adventure, full of magic and werewolves and some really bad fae. Charles and Anna make a wonderful lead couple. Recommended to read the series in order for full enjoyment. One of the best pnr/uf series around....more
4.5 stars. Another gripping read about Charles and Anna Cornick, wolf shifters, and their encounter with an ancient evil power. The storyline is fast-4.5 stars. Another gripping read about Charles and Anna Cornick, wolf shifters, and their encounter with an ancient evil power. The storyline is fast-moving and enthralling, although a bit scary in parts. Some beloved secondary characters also play a strong role in the book, and there is a little bit of crossover with Briggs' other related series, Mercy Thompson.
Briggs is at the top of her game in this book IMO. Well-plotted, and gives some lovely glimpses of Charles and Anna's beautiful relationship. Ties in to previous books, and links threads of previous storylines in together. Has a fantastic epilogue that is completely satisfying, while looking ahead to future possibilities in the very convincing world Briggs has created.
I can't wait for the next book in this series!
(view spoiler)[Origin story for Leah, Bran's wife, and strong hints of some resolution for her and Bran. (hide spoiler)]
I would not recommend reading this book without having read at least some of the others. There would be so many gaps and little things you would miss. But this is one of the best ones yet IMO....more
3.5 stars. Another eventful book in this long series. This one was much better than the previous book, Storm Cursed, IMO. I found the identity of the 3.5 stars. Another eventful book in this long series. This one was much better than the previous book, Storm Cursed, IMO. I found the identity of the smoke demon to be an interesting twist. ...more
2.5 stars. Original review May 2019: Not my fav out of the series. It was pretty dark and violent, and not much romance to lighten things up. Lots of 2.5 stars. Original review May 2019: Not my fav out of the series. It was pretty dark and violent, and not much romance to lighten things up. Lots of secondary characters, who it wasn't easy to keep track of, for me. Lots of references to characters and events from previous books. Some of them I knew, but others I just couldn't recall. So, from that point of view it's not really a stand alone.
There were also zombies in this one. Yeah, they formed an integral part of the plot, but I'm not really that interested in reading about zombies. I did like the (view spoiler)[zombie baby dragon (hide spoiler)] though.
As always, Briggs keeps the plot moving, although the first half was a little slow for me till things really got going in the second half. There was just a bit too much evil black magic, blood and violence in this one for me. Maybe I'm ready to move on from Mercy Thompson. If there is another book to come in the series (and it feels as if there will be) I'll check it out, I guess, but I'm looking for something without so much darkness and violence these days. Yeah good triumphed over evil, but the journey there was a little too gruesome for me. NOTe: Reread three years later May 2022 - I still feel the same about this book. Probably my least fav in the series....more
Another excellent addition to the Alpha and Omega PNR/ UF series. This was a fast-moving and gripping adventure story. There was also a sweet splash oAnother excellent addition to the Alpha and Omega PNR/ UF series. This was a fast-moving and gripping adventure story. There was also a sweet splash of the continuing romance between the wonderful characters Charles and Anna. Ms Briggs is an excellent writer and her characters are interesting and well-fleshed out. Her stories are tightly plotted, and this one kept my interest all the way through. Very enjoyable read....more
A fast-moving episode of this excellent uf/pnr series. The story did shift between two parallel storylines in a slightly confusing manner, until they A fast-moving episode of this excellent uf/pnr series. The story did shift between two parallel storylines in a slightly confusing manner, until they eventually converged. Ms Briggs addressed this by including a little note from the heroine, Mercy, beginning each chapter, to orient the reader and clarify the timeline. But I found the notes a little intrusive actually, and I wonder whether the book might have been better without them. But that's a minor quibble really. Overall, an enjoyable read that kept my interest right through....more
This one was well-plotted, but pretty gruesome, which is not the type of thing I normally enjoy reading. Ugh. I did quickly skim over some short sectiThis one was well-plotted, but pretty gruesome, which is not the type of thing I normally enjoy reading. Ugh. I did quickly skim over some short sections. Otherwise, as always, Charles and Anna were wonderful. I loved the concept of the White Stag with silver-tipped antlers. Creeeeepy! *shudders* The ending where the bad guy gets their just desserts was powerful, too....more
[Review June 2022] A reread after a few years. My 4 stars still stand. An enjoyable paranormal romance with a focus mainly on wolf shifters/werewolves[Review June 2022] A reread after a few years. My 4 stars still stand. An enjoyable paranormal romance with a focus mainly on wolf shifters/werewolves. It takes place in Dark's 'Mageriverse' so there are some other kinds of magical creatures popping in and out now and then. It's also set in the 'real world' with interactions with humans as well.
I like Ms Dark's 'voice' in this series. Lexi is a likeable character, on one level a very 'ordinary' woman, but that's her appeal. She is completely no BS, and I had forgotten how funny she is too. Austin is an excellent character as well. An alpha, but not OTT, and in this book, just kind of finding his way as leader of his new pack, while still clearly an alpha. He and Lexi are well-suited. I remember enjoying this whole series when I first read it. A different take on werewolves/pnr/urban fantasy....more
It's a few years since I first read this one, and I had forgotten most of it. I enjoyed the reread. I love Charles and Anna and their adventures. But It's a few years since I first read this one, and I had forgotten most of it. I enjoyed the reread. I love Charles and Anna and their adventures. But be warned, there are some scenes of violence in this series. I tend to just skim through these sections. Otherwise, a gripping story. ...more
First full length novel in this gripping PNR/UF series. It follows directly on from the events of the prequel novella, Alpha & Omega, which is excelleFirst full length novel in this gripping PNR/UF series. It follows directly on from the events of the prequel novella, Alpha & Omega, which is excellent and well worth a read. Charles and Anna are wonderful together.
It's set in the same fantasy world as the Mercy Thompson series, although personally I prefer this series. ...more