Really Ravishing Review (Raised by Wolves)

Review of Raised by Wolves, by Jennifer Lynn Barnes.



Quickie: An excellent werewolf story. One of the best I've read.

Full: I had pretty high expectations going into Raised by Wolves. Every other blogger, reviewer, reader, and author I'd heard from loved it. I did too.

Bryn, or Bronwyn Alessia St. Vincent Clare, is a human girl who comes to be raised by wolves via an unfortunate past. One day she discovers a boy-turned-werewolf locked in a cage in her alpha's home. Instantly, Bryn feels drawn to the panicked, caged boy. She's caught snooping, and told she's not to see Chase - the boy- again. Bryn decides that she must see him, and decided to request permissions from the alpha in official pack style. Her alpha, Callum (love his name, by the way) grants her request and sets down conditions in order for her to meet mystery boy again. Conditions that test Bryn's physical and mental strength. Of course, that's only the very beginning, but I do try not to spoil. (much) :)

One of my favorite aspects of this book was the emphasis on the pack bond. The concept is present is most all werewolf stories, but few really delve into it. It truly was the core of the story, not just a detail or convenient plot thread. I loved seeing, feeling the bond right along with the characters and imagining what it would be like to be bonded like that.

Another part that won some serious points in my book, was the end. Of course I can't say too much, but it had me going, "Yes!". Choices = Awesome. Being who you want to be, being your own person = Freaking Awesome.

The ability to weave action and emotion together in equal, satisfying amounts is uncommon. Barnes did it though, and Raised by Wolves was fantastic because of it.

4 out of 5 stars.