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claygirley's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
acethenerdyone's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kmkilby's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
moonny's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kathydavie's review against another edition
4.0
Fifth (and a thriller) in the Alpha & Omega urban fantasy series (fifteenth in the overall Mercyverse) and revolving around a mated werewolf pair: Charles Cornick and Anna Latham.
My Take
The start yanked me right in, such a contrast of power as this powerful being flees at his mate’s behest. It's that third person multiple points-of-view, which allows for a number of characters to provide their perspective, including the first to show up in the story. A very handy device as we hear what they’re thinking, fearing, hoping…and planning, bwa-ha-ha. It also provides insight into Anna’s growth and understanding of her Omega powers, of the changing relationship between Charles and Brother Wolf, a softer perspective on Leah, a fearful look in at Bran and vulnerability(!), and Sage’s thoughts on the events in Burn Bright. Those are the primary characters whose voices we read along with a few other characters.
I love how Briggs uses these bits of humor to bring color to the characters and bring us up to speed on the dynamics of a werewolf pack. The interactions between Leah, Charles, Anna, and yes, Mercy, entertained me. As did more background on Mercy’s prankish childhood, lol. In every story, Briggs refers to some stunt Mercy pulled, and each time we get a bit more insight. Tricky plotting there, Briggs.
We do learn more about Bran and Leah’s relationship, and I suspect it undergoes a sea change in Burn Bright. I had always felt as though theirs was a recent mating, but not when Charles thinks back to his childhood! Of course, there is that complication Briggs introduces with Bran’s interest in Mercy! Holy cats. But going back to Leah. It’s sad, for Leah reveals how she feels and sees her mate. Good thing since it plays into whether she saves the day or not!
There’s more growth on Anna’s part in understanding more about her Omega power. It appears that Charles and Brother Wolf are also evolving with Brother Wolf speaking to Charles. As for Wellesley, his descent and then escape from slavery was a horror followed by a series of horrors!
More horror, but the good kind, I think was that “hello, hello” of Asil’s that got my imagination soaring, or should I say plunging?
I gotta say that I felt things dragged in Burn Bright, even though I loved the introduction of the wildings and the deeper back history on more of the characters, and still, it is a series of pivotal events, including the flash forward into the next series of events that will keep the Mercyverse on its toes.
The Story
Bran still isn’t back from helping to rescue Mercy, in hiding, but from what Charles can’t tell. A concern that fades when word of a sneak attack reaches Charles.
The mental state of the wildings is precarious, their power terrifying, and something or someone is killing them.
The Characters
Charles Cornick, a born werewolf, is his father’s youngest son, his intimidating and silent Enforcer, and a financial genius. Brother Wolf is his wolf side, and the two share their thoughts and instincts. Anna Latham is his Omega mate, looking for a purpose in life. Heylight is Anna’s new horse (Dead Heat, 4). Anna’s father is a high-profile lawyer who defends protestors.
The Aspen Creek Pack in Aspen Creek, Montana, is…
…led by Bran Cornick, the Marrok, who rules most of North America. He has a third aspect, the berserker, the stories of whom gave rise to the myth of Beowulf. The mean Leah is his unhappy mate. Colin “Tag” Taggart is a tracker and had fought for Napoleon. Sage Carhardt is a close friend to Anna, Charles, Leah, and is dating the very old Asil the Moor who grows roses and believes his wolf’s rage will lash out and destroy.
Juste emigrated from France, from Jean Chastel’s pack. Kara is the youngest werewolf (Bone Crossed, MT 4) and friendly with Asil. Peggy is a female werewolf, an artist, mated to Carrie, a long-distance truck driver.
Samuel Cornick is Bran’s oldest son, a doctor mated to a fae and usually living on the perimeters of Adam Hauptman’s pack in Washington state. It seems, though, that Samuel is in Africa right now. Christy is Adam’s pain-in-the-tush ex-wife. Mercy Thompson is a coyote skinwalker raised in Bran’s pack. Bryan and Evelyn were Mercy’s foster parents. The one-legged Sherwood Post has Asil’s respect.
Buffalo Singer had been Charles’ uncle. Bonarata is the vampire who rules Europe.
The wildings are…
…broken supernatural beings whom Bran watches over with the understanding that there is no killing, no using their power to harm. Hester is a werewolf mated to Jonesy, a fae with an earth magic, one of Lugh’s children. The scary Wellesley is a famous artist who cannot control his wolf. Chloe had been his wife, who died. Rhea Springs is where everything went wrong. A pair of Viking twins and their younger brother — Geir and Fenrir and Ofaeti — are lucky Bran didn’t kill them. Jericho is barely there. Devon is his friend and had once been close with Asil. Frank Bright is another wilding who knows about that collar spell.
The Chicago pack was…
…Anna's original pack (Shifting Shadows: "Alpha & Omega", 0.5 (Mercyverse, 1.1)). Boyd Hamilton is the current alpha; the unstable Leo had been the previous. Ryan Cable and several others were human soldiers who volunteered to be Changed.
The Hardesty family is…
…led by Grandma Daisy Hardesty and is the first powerful witch family in 300 years, that they know of.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a dark scene from the story, a slathering wolf behind Anna, both trapped by thorny, yellow flowering vines. The info blurb at the top, the embossed title at the bottom, and the series information below a ragged orange line are all in white. The author’s name is at the top in an embossed orange.
The title is cleansing as well as evil’s goal, to Burn Bright, and what evil does.
My Take
The start yanked me right in, such a contrast of power as this powerful being flees at his mate’s behest. It's that third person multiple points-of-view, which allows for a number of characters to provide their perspective, including the first to show up in the story. A very handy device as we hear what they’re thinking, fearing, hoping…and planning, bwa-ha-ha. It also provides insight into Anna’s growth and understanding of her Omega powers, of the changing relationship between Charles and Brother Wolf, a softer perspective on Leah, a fearful look in at Bran and vulnerability(!), and Sage’s thoughts on the events in Burn Bright. Those are the primary characters whose voices we read along with a few other characters.
I love how Briggs uses these bits of humor to bring color to the characters and bring us up to speed on the dynamics of a werewolf pack. The interactions between Leah, Charles, Anna, and yes, Mercy, entertained me. As did more background on Mercy’s prankish childhood, lol. In every story, Briggs refers to some stunt Mercy pulled, and each time we get a bit more insight. Tricky plotting there, Briggs.
We do learn more about Bran and Leah’s relationship, and I suspect it undergoes a sea change in Burn Bright. I had always felt as though theirs was a recent mating, but not when Charles thinks back to his childhood! Of course, there is that complication Briggs introduces with Bran’s interest in Mercy! Holy cats. But going back to Leah. It’s sad, for Leah reveals how she feels and sees her mate. Good thing since it plays into whether she saves the day or not!
There’s more growth on Anna’s part in understanding more about her Omega power. It appears that Charles and Brother Wolf are also evolving with Brother Wolf speaking to Charles. As for Wellesley, his descent and then escape from slavery was a horror followed by a series of horrors!
More horror, but the good kind, I think was that “hello, hello” of Asil’s that got my imagination soaring, or should I say plunging?
I gotta say that I felt things dragged in Burn Bright, even though I loved the introduction of the wildings and the deeper back history on more of the characters, and still, it is a series of pivotal events, including the flash forward into the next series of events that will keep the Mercyverse on its toes.
The Story
Bran still isn’t back from helping to rescue Mercy, in hiding, but from what Charles can’t tell. A concern that fades when word of a sneak attack reaches Charles.
The mental state of the wildings is precarious, their power terrifying, and something or someone is killing them.
The Characters
Charles Cornick, a born werewolf, is his father’s youngest son, his intimidating and silent Enforcer, and a financial genius. Brother Wolf is his wolf side, and the two share their thoughts and instincts. Anna Latham is his Omega mate, looking for a purpose in life. Heylight is Anna’s new horse (Dead Heat, 4). Anna’s father is a high-profile lawyer who defends protestors.
The Aspen Creek Pack in Aspen Creek, Montana, is…
…led by Bran Cornick, the Marrok, who rules most of North America. He has a third aspect, the berserker, the stories of whom gave rise to the myth of Beowulf. The mean Leah is his unhappy mate. Colin “Tag” Taggart is a tracker and had fought for Napoleon. Sage Carhardt is a close friend to Anna, Charles, Leah, and is dating the very old Asil the Moor who grows roses and believes his wolf’s rage will lash out and destroy.
Juste emigrated from France, from Jean Chastel’s pack. Kara is the youngest werewolf (Bone Crossed, MT 4) and friendly with Asil. Peggy is a female werewolf, an artist, mated to Carrie, a long-distance truck driver.
Samuel Cornick is Bran’s oldest son, a doctor mated to a fae and usually living on the perimeters of Adam Hauptman’s pack in Washington state. It seems, though, that Samuel is in Africa right now. Christy is Adam’s pain-in-the-tush ex-wife. Mercy Thompson is a coyote skinwalker raised in Bran’s pack. Bryan and Evelyn were Mercy’s foster parents. The one-legged Sherwood Post has Asil’s respect.
Buffalo Singer had been Charles’ uncle. Bonarata is the vampire who rules Europe.
The wildings are…
…broken supernatural beings whom Bran watches over with the understanding that there is no killing, no using their power to harm. Hester is a werewolf mated to Jonesy, a fae with an earth magic, one of Lugh’s children. The scary Wellesley is a famous artist who cannot control his wolf. Chloe had been his wife, who died. Rhea Springs is where everything went wrong. A pair of Viking twins and their younger brother — Geir and Fenrir and Ofaeti — are lucky Bran didn’t kill them. Jericho is barely there. Devon is his friend and had once been close with Asil. Frank Bright is another wilding who knows about that collar spell.
The Chicago pack was…
…Anna's original pack (Shifting Shadows: "Alpha & Omega", 0.5 (Mercyverse, 1.1)). Boyd Hamilton is the current alpha; the unstable Leo had been the previous. Ryan Cable and several others were human soldiers who volunteered to be Changed.
The Hardesty family is…
…led by Grandma Daisy Hardesty and is the first powerful witch family in 300 years, that they know of.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a dark scene from the story, a slathering wolf behind Anna, both trapped by thorny, yellow flowering vines. The info blurb at the top, the embossed title at the bottom, and the series information below a ragged orange line are all in white. The author’s name is at the top in an embossed orange.
The title is cleansing as well as evil’s goal, to Burn Bright, and what evil does.
yodamom's review against another edition
4.0
Charles and Anna are left as heads of the pack while Bran is off on a vacation to Africa, without this mate. Yeh it something is weird, but I'll not tell you what. So Charles if left with his mate and Leah. with all their issues and snipping at each other. Talk about a rock and a hard place, ouch. I know you're thinking poor Charles, hah ! those were the easy times. There are some wolves who live on the edge, the windings, bare sane if at all, there are under the pack protection, aka his. One very old and very powerful wolf is captured, her mate who holds enormous power asks for help. This is were you should start feeling sorry for Charles and Anna because things go really bad and have many strings attached. Somebody has betrayed them, perhaps somebody close. But they are not alone, they have the pack, and my favorite big bad wolf is prominent, Asil, the Moor.
Oh my, what a twisted knot. Charles and Anna , aww what a cute mated couple , blah blah blah. Asil, dark quiet mysterious and powerful is finally explored more in this book. His history, the glimpse allowed left me thirsty for more. He is such a tease. I want an Asil book, no I need one. The rest of the pack was interesting, and played well together.
I enjoyed it all, except Bran and... Bran went AWOL and acted out of character from what we've seen of him in the past. Something revealed about his possible motives for something way off base was sort of weird, I hope it doesn't lead anywhere. The mystery of who was pretty easy to figure out, the why wasn't. I was scratching my head going "Hey Wolf ?!?!? Didn't you get that ??? Hello ?" But they didn't hear me or Captain Obvious when he spoke to them.
Oh my, what a twisted knot. Charles and Anna , aww what a cute mated couple , blah blah blah. Asil, dark quiet mysterious and powerful is finally explored more in this book. His history, the glimpse allowed left me thirsty for more. He is such a tease. I want an Asil book, no I need one. The rest of the pack was interesting, and played well together.
I enjoyed it all, except Bran and... Bran went AWOL and acted out of character from what we've seen of him in the past. Something revealed about his possible motives for something way off base was sort of weird, I hope it doesn't lead anywhere. The mystery of who was pretty easy to figure out, the why wasn't. I was scratching my head going "Hey Wolf ?!?!? Didn't you get that ??? Hello ?" But they didn't hear me or Captain Obvious when he spoke to them.
laura_corsi's review against another edition
4.0
I love Anna and Charles and this story was really great after reading Silence Fallen. We got to hear more about what is going on in Bran’s head. Plus, the looming threat of the witches comes more into focus. I also really liked learning about the wildings and what happens when a werewolf gets old. The revelations about Leah and Bran were very enlightening as well.
jerefi's review against another edition
fast-paced
2.0
So there is a lot I loved about this book (adding more color and characters to Aspen Creek area), but there is some revisionist history here that really pissed me off. One conversation in particular literally took this book from↩️ 4-4.5 ⭐️ to 2⭐️
karenreader's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0