Release Day Review - Fair Game by Patricia Briggs - 4 Qwills

Fair Game
Author:  Patricia Briggs
Series:  Alpha and Omega
Format:  Hardcover, 304 pages
Publisher:  Ace (March 6, 2012)
Price:  $26.95
Language:  English
Genre:  Urban Fantasy
ISBN:  9780441020034
Review Copy:  Hardcover provided by the Publisher

Patricia Briggs, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Mercy Thompson novels, "always enchants her readers." (Lynn Viehl, New York Times bestselling author) Now her Alpha and Omega series-set in a world of shifting shapes, loyalty, and passion- brings werewolves out of the darkness and into a society where fear and prejudice could make the hunters prey...

They say opposites attract. And in the case of werewolves Anna Latham and Charles Cornick, they mate. The son-and enforcer-of the leader of the North American werewolves, Charles is a dominant alpha. While Anna, an omega, has the rare ability to calm others of her kind.

Now that the werewolves have revealed themselves to humans, they can't afford any bad publicity. Infractions that could have been overlooked in the past must now be punished, and the strain of doing his father's dirty work is taking a toll on Charles.

Nevertheless, Charles and Anna are sent to Boston, when the FBI requests the pack's help on a local serial killer case. They quickly realize that not only the last two victims were werewolves-all of them were. Someone is targeting their kind. And now Anna and Charles have put themselves right in the killer's sights...

My thoughts:

Fair Game is the third novel in the Alpha and Omega series by Patricia Briggs. Charles and his wife Anna are sent to Boston to help in the investigation of a series of murders.

My favorite part of Fair Game, and all the Alpha and Omega novels, is Anna and Charles. I love reading about them. Charles is a very scary Alpha werewolf, who does not lead a pack, but is his father's enforcer. Anna is an Omega werewolf. She can exert a calming influence over other werewolves. Omegas are very highly valued and not very common.  Anna's not afraid to calmly push for what she wants. Make no mistake, Anna is a werewolf and will fight to protect when necessary. She doesn't back down from the challenge that Charles presents. Nor does she back down from discussing things with the Charles' father that he might find uncomfortable.

Charles needs her more than ever now that he's feeling guilt about what he does for his father. Charles blocks Anna from helping him because he worries that she will not want him anymore and also to protect her from what he is going through. Anna, however is very smart and very stubborn. Charles has certainly met his match. Neither Charles nor Anna are one dimensional and continue to surprise and delight.

I figured out part of the murder mystery, but only because the clues are there if you look. However, there was quite a bit I did not know so the mystery still kept me guessing. The killings are definitely grim and gruesome. Like many inter-jurisdictional serial killer cases there are people involved from different governmental agencies. The tensions between these agencies is not ignored and is well written.

There are some really terrific characters in Fair Game in addition to Anna and Charles. The head of the Boston pack is very likable.  There's also a fae that I find really fascinating. I don't know if we will see him again, but I hope so since he does create some problems for all the supernatural beings.

While Fair Game is a story about Anna and Charles and the serial murders it also includes themes concerning racism against and fear of the supernatural since the werewolves have made themselves known.  These are reactions that I would expect to see from some people should werewolves be announced to the world.

Fair Game is well written, fast-paced and sets up some interesting times to come. I am looking forward to what is next for the Alpha and Omega.

I give Fair Game 4 Qwills.

I strongly suggest that the Alpha and Omega series be read in order.

References are made in the Alpha and Omega novels to the Mercy Thompson series, but it is not necessary to read those novels in order to enjoy the Alpha and Omega series.

Prior books, novellas in the Alpha and Omega series:

On the Prowl

includes "Alpha and Omega" novella
Berkley, August 7, 2007
Mass Market Paperback, 352 pages

Note that this novella has been published alone as an ebook.*

These all-new paranormal romances from today's hottest authors feature a female werewolf who comes into her own; a Lord who crosses paths with a fiery mage; a mixed-blood Child of the Moon who faces an uncertain future; and a woman whose sixth sense proves to be a dangerous talent.

Cry Wolf

Alpha and Omega 1
Mass Market Paperback, 320 pages
Ace (July 29, 2008)

Now Briggs begins an extraordinary new series set in Mercy Thompson’s world—but with rules of its own.

INTRODUCING THE ALPHA AND OMEGA NOVELS...

Anna never knew werewolves existed until the night she survived a violent attack…and became one herself. After three years at the bottom of the pack, she’d learned to keep her head down and never, ever trust dominant males. But Anna is that rarest kind of werewolf: an Omega. And one of the most powerful werewolves in the country will recognize her value as a pack member—and as his mate.

*Alpha and Omega: A Companion Novella to Cry Wolf
Alpha and Omega
eBook, 86 pages
Berkley (October 20, 2008)

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.

Hunting Ground

Alpha and Omega2
Mass Market Paperback, 304 pages
Ace (August 25, 2009)

Anne Latham didn't know how complicated life could be until she became a werewolf. And until she was mated to Charles Cornick, the son--and enforcer--of Bran, the leader of the North American werewolves, she didn't know how dangerous it could be either...

Anna and Charles have just been enlisted to attend a summit to present Bran's controversial proposition: that the wolves should finally reveal themselves to humans. But the most feared Alpha in Europe is dead set against the plan--and it seems like someone else might be, too. When Anna is attacked by vampires using pack magic, the kind of power only werewolves should be able to draw on, Charles and Anna must combine their talents to hunt down whoever is behind it all--or risk losing everything...

The Giveaway

THE RULES

What:  One commenter will win a signed copy of On the Prowl from the publisher! US ONLY

How:  Leave a comment answering the following question:

Who is/are your favorite werewolf or werewolves in books or film?

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Who and When:  The contest is open to all humans on the planet earth with a US mailing address. Contest ends at 11:59pm US Eastern Time on Tuesday, March 13, 2012. Void where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 years old or older to enter.

*Giveaway rules are subject to change.*