Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Wild Sign by Patricia Briggs Narrator: Holter Graham
Series: Alpha and Omega #6, Mercy Thompson #16
Published by Ace on March 16, 2021
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 336
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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In the wilds of the Northern California mountains, all the inhabitants of a small town have gone missing. Fearing something supernatural might be going on, the FBI taps a source they've consulted in the past: the werewolves Charles and Anna Cornick. But Charles and Anna soon find a deserted town is the least of the mysteries they face.
Death sings in the forest, and when it calls, Charles and Anna must answer. Something has awakened in the heart of the California mountains, something old and dangerous — and it has met werewolves before.
I love this world with the Alpha & Omega series and connected Mercy series which we read for the Read-along in 2020. Shockingly, it has been three years since Burn Bright and I was excited for a new book. I reread the series on audio starting Christmas Day so I was all up to date when I began reading Wild Sign.
The world building in these books is stellar. The rich depth on so many things is detailed without being boring or dragging down the story. It’s natural storytelling and fascinating to read. Our main characters, Charles and Anna, continue to grow personally and in their relationship. There is also a lot we learn about Tag, Bran and Leah, Bigfoot, and Sherwood Post, too.
The plot was equally incredible with many layers of character developments plus the current supernatural threat with the government hovering on the sidelines. A key line was Leah’s history, and her history with Bran. Anna shows us a bit of her musical side. There’s an update on Samuel and Arianna who have been away for quite awhile.
The complexity of the situation and character growth is better supported by reading the series in order. Every book in the series is excellent so it shouldn’t be a problem. I enjoyed this so much; Wild Sign will easily be in my top reads for 2021. I hope there is more soon since so much is in play but maybe we will get some answers on the Mercy side.
Narration:
I confess I would love to have Patricia Briggs narrate her books, except it is more important to have her write them. I am collecting (buying) this series on audio, so obviously I like Holter Graham. He makes listening easy and comfortable, to stay in the story. I feel he does a good job with the different voices for characters and even some accents where appropriate. For some reason Bran felt a little off from the previous audios but his speaking/presence is limited in Wild Sign. There are so many rich details and action in the story, I slowed a bit to 1.25x speed.
Listen to a clip:
About Patricia Briggs
Patricia Briggs was born in Butte, Montana to a children’s librarian who passed on to her kids a love of reading and books. Patricia grew up reading fairy tales and books about horses, and later developed an interest in folklore and history. When she decided to write a book of her own, a fantasy book seemed a natural choice. Patricia graduated from Montana State University with degrees in history and German and she worked for a while as a substitute teacher. Currently, she lives in Montana with her children and six horses and writes full-time, much to the delight of her fans.
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- C21-Spring
- C21-Winter
I just finished the 4th book of this series. I’m really loving Anna, Charles and their adventures.
This one is exquisite in its detail and multiple story lines. I didn’t get into many things because I felt it would be spoilery. And confusing to people who haven’t read any of the series.
I love this series and Holter Graham. Really trying to get back to it. Great review, Anne?
Than you Jonetta. Wild Sign is a masterpiece in its complexity and storytelling. It’s definitely a favorite.
Love this 5 star review! Good to know this series is so strong?
It’s absolutely amazing. I would blend it with the Mercy series and read them all. Luckily I did the Mercy Read-along last year which was a reread for me and then reread this series in the last 2 months.
Loved this one so much, too, but now I need more answers! Was pleased about Bran and Leah. She deserved that from him in the end. Never thought I’d feel anything but dislike for Leah, but I was happy that changed.
Agree 100% Rachel but didn’t go into any of that because spoilers for people. I need more answers and hope the next book is sooner than 3 years from now.
i saw this one earlier on another blog. guess i need to check netgalley alittle closer, but then i’m afraid of having too many books to read. LOL
Too many books to read is not a thing. LOL Well I try not to take ARCs unless I can commit to reading and reviewing so I get what you mean. But I can never have too many. This series is one of my favorite series ever.
I agree 100% This may be my favorite A/O book yet. It was so intense and so good. I loved learning about Leah and the other “bad guys” (avoiding spoilers). The ending… I hope Ms. Briggs doesn’t make us wait three more years for the next book!
Exactly! It was very hard to write too much while avoiding spoilers. The complexity and layers of storylines was incredible. I LOVED this.
While I loved the novella that started this series, I’ve never been that fond of the books or the main characters. Still, as a Mercy world fan, I still read this series for the bits and pieces of info. it adds about characters found in both series. Your review makes me hopeful that I’ll like this one more.
I hope you do enjoy it. I’ve always loved them and this is one of the best books in the series / world.
Reading now so I’m not peeking at your thoughts. 🙂
Good plan! It gets all the hearts.
I love this series, perhaps a little more than the Mercy Thompson series, and I love that. LOL I own this series on audio as well.
Yes I felt I preferred it to the Mercy series but maybe it’s similar now that I have reread Mercy because I love them both.
One day I’ll have to try again this series
It’s incredible but it intermixes a lot with the Mercy Thompson series so it will be better if you read both. And they are worth the time.
Yay for the 5 star review! I’m not familiar with this series but it’s nice to see such a high rating this many books in. It sounds really good and I love that the worldbuilding is so rich.
The two series are in the same world and somewhat inter-related. Both series are excellent, some of the best I have ever read and in my preferred genre of UF.
Wasn’t this fantastic! I haven’t listened to this series yet but I do own the audios for the earlier books in the series. I will probably have to start a re-read of the series soon. And that ending! I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book!
Exactly! I was glad I reread the series from Christmas to reading this one. It was a reread on audio and really helped me with all the details because some of the books were spread out over the years.
I really love Anna and Charles’ adventures, arguably more than Mercy’s despite how much I love her character. I really like the premise of this book that gets into some surprisingly dark subject matter. I am especially interested in how the relationship between the government and wees is about to judge.
yes the were/government relationship is another aspect in the many, many layers of plot lines in this story. It was so intricate and complex and yet easily read and enjoyed. It’s a masterpiece. I have about 10 zillion things I want to know what happens next.