I love the Mercyverse books but I really appreciate how the romance takes a front seat in Alpha and Omega, that’s what really keeps me coming back for more. I love the lore, and the world-building too, but Charles and Anna are such deep, compelling characters, and their emotional connection and history is at the core of every book.
I think we’ve really seen Anna grow more confident in Charles’ love for her and in their marriage in the last few books. Particularly in Wild Sign, we see their solid relationship translate into great teamwork. I think what’s really great about them as a couple is that the tension is entirely external to their marriage; all of the forces they face are enemies they tackle together. I also love how Charles is simultaneously protective of Anna and confident in her ability to take care of herself.
I also enjoyed spending more time with Leah, because she’s so unsympathetic normally and I love to see characters in multiple dimensions. I actually think I like Leah a lot more now, and find her more compelling as a character. I would really like to see more of her in the future, maybe even a whole book about her. As for Bran, he kind of has to be inscrutable because of his role in the stories, but I think I got enough from him to be satisfied.
I love witches as the bad guys, mostly because they’re so delightfully evil. They really can be relied upon to do the most horrible things, and I think the author did a great job in this book of showcasing their evil intentions. I think one of the great strengths of the universe Briggs’ has built is that a lot of evil simply must be allowed to exist, because our heroes can’t reasonably deal with all of it at once. I like that it’s not an idealized fantasy world, where all of the bad guys are banished and the heroes save everyone.
I might be biased because I’m such a huge Briggs fan, but for me it’s in the DIK range. With a lot of paranormal books, I feel no tension, no suspense, and I’m not ultimately all that curious. I am always surprised by Briggs’ books, but it’s never a twist out of nowhere – I just have to admire how intricately everything fits together. The story also benefits from the previous books in that there is that preexisting characterization, I already feel connected to these characters. And I did really love what this story did with Leah; it’s given her space to evolve in so many interesting ways. I guess I would have enjoyed a little more insight into her throughout the book, but hopefully we’ll get to see more of her in the future. I feel like in a series with so much already written, it can be hard to put characters in new situations, to give them new roles. I really look forward to seeing what’s next, and that’s a real achievement.

WILD SIGN will give readers the chance to be transported to another world through the vivid writing and descriptive skills of Patricia Briggs and will leave you sated, yet wanting more.

Reviewed by Annetta Sweetko, for Fresh Fiction

Complete review: https://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=73397

CW: Non-consensual sex, non-consensual pregnancy, death, mention of child trafficking

I've been a big fan of the Mercyverse for years and this was another great addition! Charles and Anna have really grown on me since Alpha and Omega and seeing their relationship grow while they become a supernatural crime fighting duo has been great. In this installment Charles and Anna are sent to Wild Sign, a small settlement where Bran's mate Leah once lived and was the only survivor. The current settlement has gone missing and since the land belongs to the pack, Charles, Anna and Tag have been charged with finding out what is going on. In the meantime, Leah has started singing, something she hasn't done since she first arrived in the Marrok's pack. The singing may seem harmless, but is it tied to whatever dangerous events are happening in Wild Sign?

So obviously I loved Charles and Anna in this story. Their interactions are always great so that was no surprise for me. I also really enjoyed seeing the two of them interact with Tag. He's quickly becoming a fave of mine. What I didn't expect was for so much backstory on Leah, but it turned out to be a pleasant surprise. Leah has been a bit of a thorn in Mercyverse fans since Moon Called and I've noticed that Briggs has made an attempt at having readings empathize with her the last few books. I think this is the one where she did it best. I understand a bit more about Leah than I did before and it ACTUALLY MAKES SENSE.

There seemed to be a lot of moving parts to this plot and while that's not uncommon for these books this time it seemed to be a little bit much. They all tied together in some way, I'm just not certain they were all necessary. Also, I'm really a fan of non-consensual sex/rape as a plot device so that was a bummer for me here. There's no onscreen incidents, but there are women getting pregnant without their consent and Anna at one point seems to be in danger of being drugged and assaulted (doesn't happen but the threat is there) so I could have done without those pieces of the story.

The epilogue threw me a bit, but I'm definitely looking forward to continuing the series to see where that little snippet leads. If you're a fan of the books, I definitely say give it a read.

Hidden in the mountains of Northern California lies an insidious evil. And when an entire town goes missing on land in that area that is owned by Charles’s family, the FBI calls on the Marrok’s pack for help. Charles, Anna, and Tag are determined to find out how the small town could simply vanish but when they arrive in Wild Sign they find more than they bargained for. A powerful evil is waiting for them and this time all the skills, power, strength, and magic our beloved werewolves possess may not be enough to defeat it.

Wild Sign is an interesting, eerie blend of supernatural mystery and horror. Anna and Charles have faced many evils before but this one, with the way it burrows into the mind, is something I found particularly creepy. This book is the kind that you cannot talk about the plot much without spoiling the story so forgive me for being vague. When you deal with a force that can mess with your mind, that means our heroes’ investigation is harder than one would expect. I loved watching them put the pieces together and Patricia Briggs definitely had me worried for our beloved protagonists at some points. For the most part the action in this story wasn’t explosive but that didn’t make it any less compelling because the stakes were so high. I stayed up way too late finishing Wild Sign because by the end I couldn’t put it down.

Anna and Charles are at the heart of this story and I always love spending time with them. Their love for each other is so strong and beautifully displayed. I enjoyed seeing more of Charles’s magical abilities in this story but really what keeps me sucked into this series is his and Anna’s relationship. They complement one another perfectly and their dynamic is one that makes me fall into their stories each time. I was also thrilled that Wild Sign delves deeper into the character of Leah, Charles’s stepmother. After Charles and Anna, Leah has always been the most intriguing character to me in the Alpha & Omega series and what we learn about her surpassed all my expectations. Again, I can’t say much without spoiling it but I will say I really hope Briggs continues to dive into Leah’s character and her relationship with Bran because it’s fascinating and I definitely wanted more by the time I was done.

Wild Sign is the sixth book in the Alpha & Omega series and I recommend being familiar with the world before diving into this story. The Alpha & Omega books are set in the same world as the Mercy Thompson series with overlapping characters. Having not yet read Mercy’s stories I can safely say you won’t be lost reading this book if you skipped the other series. That being said, the plots of Alpha & Omega are becoming increasingly entwined with those of the Mercy Thompson series so I think before Charles and Anna’s next outing I should catch up. The epilogue felt rushed and unexpected but I believe (though I cannot say for certain) if I had read the Mercy Thompson books I wouldn’t feel that way. Still, even with that I really enjoyed Wild Sign. Any outing with Charles and Anna is time well spent and I loved the eerie mystery that lurked in the woods.

What I Loved:

Tag the Berserker Werewolf. Tag has been introduced to us in prior Alpha and Omega books, but this is the first time he has been upgraded to a “main wolf” in Wild Sign. And man, is he delightful! Tag has a wicked sense of humor, is fiercely loyal, and has a strong bond with Anna because she is only one who can prevent him from going berserker. AND he brings in some of the most intriguing characters (no spoilers here, but Tag has the most fun friends). The old wolves are some of my favorites because they have the best stories.

The “Atmosphere.” Wild Sign is undeniably spooky. The missing town, an ancient spirit, music that lulls the listener’s senses – it all puts a reader on edge. I loved every minute of it. The Mercyverse books tend to be a little more “action packed” from start to finish, and I liked the slower pace here because it really emphasized how spooky it is for an entire village of people to go missing with almost no trace. I love the little clues that slowly build up – the witch’s grimoires musical instruments, and carved runes, slowly building to the big reveal at the end as to who the ancient baddie is. It felt more like the murder mysteries I read than a classic UA, and it was so much fun.
The “Americana.” Without giving too much away, we finally get to learn about Leah’s backstory. Her father was a preacher and a leader of a group of people that went out west, as people tended to do for a long period of time. There is sasquatches and even Coyote makes an appearance (one of my favorite characters of any series, to be honest). While a lot of the other Mercyverse books tend to be more “Euro-centric” with the history of the Fae, vampires, and werewolves coming to the USA from the mother countries, here we have some good old USA mythologies.

What Didn’t Work For Me:

The Triggers. Normally, triggers don’t bother me. I am not saying that in a coldhearted way, but I do often read dark fantasy (see my reviews for The Queen’s Weapons and The Queen’s Bargain for some delicious darkness), and reading about various triggering events or scenes do not, well, trigger me. However, the rape scene in Silver Bourne really affected me since I did not expect it from the Mercyverse, and the events in Wild Sign similarly left me unsettled and unhappy. It also felt a little gratuitous and more than a little reminiscent of Bishop’s other graphic scene in Silver Bourne. So not only was it triggering, it didn’t feel all that original.

The Cliffhanger. I can’t say much on this for obvious reasons. But I will say that, while it will advance the story in a lot of great ways, it left a whole bunch of characters in positions “out of character” for them, and felt like a gimme. It won’t put me off reading the next book, but I am not really happy with this.

Pandora's Box
Wild Sign
Patricia Briggs


Buy This Book
In Wild Sign, the sixth book in the Alpha and Omega series about mated werewolves Charles and Anna Cornick and eighteenth novel in the general Mercyverse, Patricia Briggs delivers a story about witches, wolves, and gods that is pure devotee-centric entertainment. Because this series is deeply interconnected you won’t want to read this book (or this review) without at least reading the first five novels in the Alpha and Omega set.

When the FBI shows up on their doorstep offering a deal, Charles and Anna are simultaneously upset and intrigued. Upset because while the two people at their dining room table happen to be folks they are friendly with, having the Feds knock on your door when your address is meant to be a highly guarded secret is never good. However, Charles and Anna are intrigued by what Leslie and Goldstein have come to tell them: A group of squatters built a town on private property owned by Charles’ stepmom Leah. And then they vanished – the buildings are still there but the residents are all gone, and they left behind all their possessions. A local forest ranger reported the event to law enforcement, but the FBI and local police don’t have jurisdiction on private property. Since these two agents have worked with Anna and Charles before and know them to be talented sleuths, they’ve decided to dump the problem in their laps. It’s a win-win situation – Anna and Charles are known to be tenacious investigators who will close the case, and by probing the problem themselves, the wolves will keep any magical mayhem safely away from the governments prying, overly curious eyes. Yes, of course, there will be magical mayhem – this is a Mercyverse novel!

Filled with familiar characters, fascinating new background information and loads of adventure, Wild Sign is everything fans of the long running series expect from this author.

AAR staffers Maggie and Rachel sat down to share their thoughts on this intriguing, enchanting novel.

Maggie: I’m a big fan of the Mercyverse and Charles and Anna are two of my very favorite characters in it. I know I’ve read every book and I’m pretty sure I’ve read all the short stories, too. These are definitely character driven narratives, which I love, but they are also outstanding paranormal novels with incredible world building. What drew/continues to draw you to the series?

Rachel: I love the Mercyverse books but I really appreciate how the romance takes a front seat in Alpha and Omega, that’s what really keeps me coming back for more. I love the lore, and the world-building too, but Charles and Anna are such deep, compelling characters, and their emotional connection and history is at the core of every book.

Maggie: I agree; the Alpha and Omega books really do have a strong emotional core. By the time this book takes place, their relationship has already been built up over numerous volumes, which means we don’t get to see Charles and Anna fall in love but we do watch as they continue to navigate their way through a loving marriage. What did you think of their connection in this book?

Rachel: I think we’ve really seen Anna grow more confident in Charles’ love for her and in their marriage in the last few books. Particularly in Wild Sign, we see their solid relationship translate into great teamwork. I think what’s really great about them as a couple is that the tension is entirely external to their marriage; all of the forces they face are enemies they tackle together. I also love how Charles is simultaneously protective of Anna and confident in her ability to take care of herself.

Maggie: I agree, it’s nice to see them not only be a couple but a team. Our secondary characters this time around are Leah, Bran and Tag. While I thought it was fun to spend additional time with the volatile Tag I didn’t feel I really got to know him any better. In a similar vein, we learn a few things about Leah and Bran’s past but I’m not sure I understand either of them more as a result either. What are your feelings about the secondary characters and their story lines?

Rachel: I agree on Tag, I enjoy him as a character but I don’t feel we saw any significant growth from him. He makes a great companion and definitely is a wildcard, but I don’t think he lived up to his full potential. I also enjoyed spending more time with Leah, because she’s so unsympathetic normally and I love to see characters in multiple dimensions. I actually think I like Leah a lot more now, and find her more compelling as a character. I would really like to see more of her in the future, maybe even a whole book about her. As for Bran, he kind of has to be inscrutable because of his role in the stories, but I think I got enough from him to be satisfied.

Maggie: We are introduced to some new villains as well as meeting one new group of magical beings and a new branch of our ongoing enemy, the Hardesty witches. As always, Briggs’ world-building is phenomenal and the universe she has created is detailed, original and complex. She’s done a fabulous job of constructing a believable environment where modern technology and magical beings exist side by side. What are your thoughts on the world building and on the baddies in Wild Sign?

Rachel: I love witches as the bad guys, mostly because they’re so delightfully evil. They really can be relied upon to do the most horrible things, and I think the author did a great job in this book of showcasing their evil intentions. I think one of the great strengths of the universe Briggs’ has built is that a lot of evil simply must be allowed to exist, because our heroes can’t reasonably deal with all of it at once. I like that it’s not an idealized fantasy world, where all of the bad guys are banished and the heroes save everyone.

Maggie: That’s such a good point – if they managed to defeat all the evil it would become a Disney film. Speaking of evil – for some readers this tale might need a trigger warning: the villain is a rapist who can erase memories and use magic to seduce women, subjugating their will to his own, which would, as one of the characters points out, negate consent. I didn’t find that aspect of the story graphic and felt it was handled fairly well.

Rachel: I definitely think that for some people it might be triggering; this particular story does play into the mythos of beings that require humans to reproduce and subvert their will to do so. I think it’s told well and doesn’t go too far; I was satisfied with how it played out.

Maggie: My overall grade for the novel is a B. As always, the prose was excellent and the plotting fast-paced and original. It’s a good story overall – but I felt the action overshadowed the character building. For example, I would have liked to have gotten greater insight into Leah and her past since the story revolved around that, but I felt that while we know more facts about her, we don’t really know her thoughts and motivations more deeply in spite of having access to that data. What about you?

Rachel: I might be biased because I’m such a huge Briggs fan, but for me it’s in the DIK range. With a lot of paranormal books, I feel no tension, no suspense, and I’m not ultimately all that curious. I am always surprised by Briggs’ books, but it’s never a twist out of nowhere – I just have to admire how intricately everything fits together. The story also benefits from the previous books in that there is that preexisting characterization, I already feel connected to these characters. And I did really love what this story did with Leah; it’s given her space to evolve in so many interesting ways. I guess I would have enjoyed a little more insight into her throughout the book, but hopefully we’ll get to see more of her in the future. I feel like in a series with so much already written, it can be hard to put characters in new situations, to give them new roles. I really look forward to seeing what’s next, and that’s a real achievement.

The Alpha and Omega series is one of my all-time favorites! It’s one of those series you just know you’ll re-read over and over, and relish! This is a series that is best read in order, and if you haven’t started it, go now, and get the novella prequel! You’re in for a treat!

Bran sends Charles, Anna and Tag off to investigate when a whole off-the-grid sort of community disappears from Northern California and there are hints that supernatural forces were at work.

I’ve loved Anna and Charles together from the beginning since they mated on sight and had to sort out the rest as they went along. It just so happens they ended up being perfectly matched, complimenting each other and bringing out each other’s strengths in the very best way!

Leah, Bran’s mate, has been a pretty unlikable character thus far. Even with her appearances in the Mercy Thompson series, she was mostly hateful, but the last two books, this one especially, has shed some light on her history and motivations, which has changed my views on her greatly!

There’s also a lot of Sherwood Post’s history connected to this story which I found very interesting. Tag was a fun addition, getting to know him better was a treat.

As usual, from the first page I was addicted! Mystery, danger, and characters I’ve grown to love had me fully invested all the way through. And OMG, that ending! I can’t wait for the next Alpha and Omega! Also, the next Mercy Thompson because I bet Sherwood Post’s revelations will be a part of the next installment!

Wild Sign by Patricia Briggs is the next book in the Alpha & Omega series which revolves around Charles and Anna. Charles, Anna and Tag are on the mystery to discover what happened to an encampment that had been set up on some land they owned. The reason may be tied to the history of some pack members. Will these three be able to solve the mystery and maybe help heal some members.

I devoured this in one day. I had a hard time putting the book down even though I had a migraine, and it was an electronic copy. To be fair I love this world and Briggs would have to do a lot to get me to hate a book from this world. If you have not read any of the books from Alpha & Omega or from Mercy Thompson, I would NOT recommend this book. For those that have read previous books and enjoyed it I think this is a solid addition to the world. I think overall it was an easy read but to get the true impact of what Anna goes through you would need that backstory from the other books. And it dark and scary. Also, the ending of this book is going make an impact on the next Mercy Thompson book. I am rambling because Briggs left me wanting more. Back to review mode. For those who are avid reads of this world you should enjoy this fast pace book that is delving into some different characters. I really am glad we are starting to dig into Leah.

4 Stars for a solid addition the series and world. It was fast pace. I am knocking it down a star because that ending has left me waiting for both series to continue. ARGH. Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group and Patricia Briggs for this ARC. This was an honest review.

We get a couple of preludes in this book. The first is when the daughter of the founder of Wild Sign follows the trails to the town the other a girls day that takes place before 'Burn Bright' with Rachel a newcomer to Aspen Creek, Anna, Leah and Sage. A bonding of sorts with the pack females, but it's also a series of conversations I won't soon forget. With Leah humming a song, one that has some significance and is familiar to Anna, yet not.

The FBI showing up in Aspen Creek is gutsy to say the least, thinking that Anna is the Marrok had me giggling. Their reasons for being there are twofold and suspicious. I loved that Bran had Charles change to greet them. The things they were offering in exchange for some sort of alliance wasn't anything the Bran and Charles wouldn't know about the wolves, but the second reason they were there was disturbing.

A town had come to be on land bordering federal lands but not on it. That land it appears is owned by Aspen Creek, more specifically Leah. There weren't many residents only about forty but everyone has disappeared. There are no traces and they need someone to figure out what happened to them. There was only one missing person report and that was from one Dr. Connor, her father was one of those residents.

We learn a good part of Leah's story in the beginning of this book and her mating to Bran had me bristling a bit. We also learn a lot about Sherwood Post who is now in Adam's pack. He's someone important to Bran and now we know he's powerful as well.

Bran can't leave since he sent Asil to deal with something so he's sending Anna, Charles and Tag. The clues are slow in coming, but we learn from the start witches are involved. White witches, some with powerful protections. There's also something much more powerful and scary too.

I laughed, cried, screamed at my kindle and this has one of the best OMG endings EVER!

I really can't wait for Patricia's next book, it has me wondering how the consequences of this one will affect Mercy and Adam.

This review was originally posted on <a href="https://booksofmyheart.net/2021/03/16/wild-sign-by-patricia-briggs/" target="_blank"> Books of My Heart</a>
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<i>Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.</i>

I love this world with the <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/45135-alpha-omega" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em><strong>Alpha & Omega</strong></em></a> series and connected Mercy series which we read for the Read-along in 2020.  Shockingly, it has been three years since <strong>Burn Bright</strong> 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 <strong>Wild Sign</strong>.

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; <strong>Wild Sign</strong> 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.

4.5 STARS
A small group of people wanting to live off the grid have found such a place in their town, Wild Sign, located in a very remote, difficult to reach, Northern Californian mountain area. After they mysteriously vanished, the FBI shows up on Anna and Charles’ door because the property is owned by the Aspen Creek pack. Anna and Charles get to play detective once again; their job is to find out what happened, but more importantly once they arrive, to figure out what kind of supernatural entity has brought death and a kind of strange possession over people to this isolated location.

Once they discover that the lost colony are mostly white witches, Anna and Charles realize more than magic has come into play as well as the dark powers of their enemies in the black witch communities which are always an issue for the Pack. Also very involved in this story is Leah whom many readers love to hate. At this point, Leah has few friends in the literary world because of the way she treats others and her less than loving, complicated relationship with Bran: The Wolf Who Rules as he is named by Mercy. Leah’s backstory comes to the forefront as well as her connection to the old and dangerous adversary Anna, Charles, and Tag are battling with from the moment they enter Wild Sign. For some folks, just seeing Leah’s name will get them riled up because Leah has been firmly in the column of unlikable characters for some time. Ms. Brigg’s seems to have a propensity for turning characters’ stories on their heads revealing facts that often stun readers and create quite of bit of heated discussions for both this series and Mercy Thompson.

Besides the BIG BAD to be fought, there is another interesting mythic supernatural creature in the area whom Tag has encountered before lending extra some fun to the story. Charles may be an old wolf with magic of his own; however, even he is not immune to this particular ancient foe. Music, which is important to Anna and Charles both, plays heavily in the powers used to overcome and chain people under the influence of the ancient being which has spelled the surrounding land. The enemy has the ability to affect its victims’ memories sending them into the dark night of the soul as well as causing amnesia. The enigmatic Sherwood Post has a part to play in the story too where some of his history is also exposed which will delight fans of the series since little has been known about “Sherwood” so far, including his real name.

Because this story contains painful memories for several characters, readers will be taken on quite an emotional ride; old hurts never really go away no matter how long a person or wolf lives. Fair warning for anybody sensitive to the abuse Anna suffered in the first book. Charles’s memories of his childhood with Bran as a less than loving father are also part of the plot. Readers will also have to ponder how they now feel about the Marrok’s mate after learning how Leah came to be the person she is, and what complicity Bran may have in that thorny issue. Some of the elements in this story are creeptastic veering into the horror genre. Ms. Briggs likes to set big things in motion at the end of stories, and this one is no exception for the wow factor of what may be coming next in the series.

This is the further adventures of Charles Cornick and his mate Anna Latham. In this volume, the FBI comes to Anna and Charles to consult on a small off-grid town in Northern California that has gone entirely missing. It turns out that this tiny little town is on some land that is owned by someone in Bran's pack, and there might be history there. So Anna and Charles (on Bran's orders, of course) go to investigate the town and they find all kinds of shenanigans out there. Very old and dangerous shenanigans.

As this is the sixth book in the Alpha and Omega series, I'll try and limit spoilers for the whole shebang. This series runs parallel to the Mercy Thompson series, and while it's not necessary to read both series to get all the information needed, I'll say that it's very helpful to have read some of Mercy's series at the least. 

I thought this was a great addition to the series, though I have to admit that I found it harder to get into at first than some of the previous entries. Once I was a couple of chapters in though, it really captured me. This one was a lot darker than some of the other books in this world, and I was here for it. We get to see a lot of Leah's past, and I'll admit that just like Burn Bright, this one had me hating Leah less than normal. I mean I still don't like her, but I see reasons for her being the way she is. 

I really like the relationship between Charles and Anna, and that includes Charles' very unique wolf spirit, a being called Brother Wolf. Anna is an Omega, who other wolves generally try and protect, and Charles is very much the Alpha to her Omega. If his father wasn't who he was, Charles would 100% be running the show. I find Brother Wolf an interesting being, because no other werewolf has anything like him.

There were twists and turns, and parts that made me legitimately scared for the characters. There is also a really solid musical theme in this one, featuring references ranging from 90s alternative to Mongolian Folk Metal. Anna does have a vast musical education, and Charles is from a very musical family, and so music wasn't unexpected, but I'll admit I wasn't really expecting The Hu to make an appearance. Or Toad the Wet Sprocket for that matter. I am here for it. :D

This one left me wanting the next book in the series very badly. That epilogue tho... I can't wait for more!!!

It was wonderful to be back with Charles and Anna in Wild Sign by Patricia Briggs, the sixth Alpha & Omega novel. Whether you read or listen to the narration by Holter Graham, you’ll find Briggs delivered a suspenseful five star tale.

I love this series, so much so that I read the ARC first and then listened to the audio narration. Brilliant both times. Charles and Anna go back to the place Bran found his second wife, Leah, in this nail-biting, suspenseful tale.

When the FBI shows up at Charles and Anna’s door asking for help about a town’s disappearance, Bran sends Tag, Anna and Charles to northern California to investigate.

Think Roanoke. Just the thought gives me the chills. We learn about Leah, mythical creature(s) and more. What they find up there and what happens was intense. It messed with their mating bond but also showed the strength of it.

Tag is a hoot, and damn it if he didn’t make me cry. Clear your calendar before starting this. Even on my second go through, I found myself completely drawn in…. and I knew what was going to happen!

It was interesting learning more about Leah, Bran and their beginnings. Leah is a strong character, and the knowing was good for her. It also explains another key character.

The ending of Wild Sign had me giddy as I sat there with my jaw on the floor and cursing Briggs for making me wait on the next book. It wasn’t a cliffhanger, the mystery of the town wrapped up, but it is something that will bring change. Eep!

If you pick up the audiobook, you’ll love the narration provided by Holter Graham. He’s narrated all the Alpha & Omega books. Even when I am reading it is his voice, I hear in my head. Brilliant. He sets the tone, enhances the characters, and adds another layer of depth to the stories.

Charles and Anna are one of my favorite fictional couples. Charles is the low key, slow to anger, but watch out when he is unhappy half of the couple. Anna is the one who empathizes with everyone and has an unthreatening manner that keeps people off guard. Together they make a great team, solving a creepy paranormal mystery in Wild Sign.

Because Charles and Anna have been a couple for a while (all six books in the series) the story has developed to a point where it is less about the couple and more about the overall mystery to be solved. I kind of miss that relationship aspect of the story, but maybe it is not as necessary any more.

In Wild Sign, we do get to learn a bit more about Charles’ stepmother Leah. In previous books, she has been a thorn in everyone’s side and one wondered what the Marrock saw in her. In this adventure, Leah’s past becomes part of the story, so the reader gets to understand her a bit better. So good for Leah, but unless she is to become a more important character in the future, I’m not sure if it added to the appeal of the story. Like I said, she has been a thorn. Maybe the story needs that thorn to keep things interesting.

Pack brother Tag is along for the adventure. His sense of humor lightens the mood while his strength adds to the weapons in the team’s arsenal.

Music is evil in Wild Sign. Okay, it’s not really the music that is evil, but how it was used. Because Anna and Charles are both musically inclined, this magical weapon is especially distressing. But because they are musically inclined, perhaps they also know best how to fight it.

For me, it seemed to be too long since the last book(s), as several events and characters were mentioned, but I had a hard time remembering the pertinent details. If you are the re-reading type, you might want to go back and read the last couple of books to refresh your memory. However, Wild Sign can be enjoyed as a standalone.

And just for fun, in the Northern California mountains, the avid reader/cryptobiologist might encounter something intriguing…..

Through Netgalley, the publisher provided a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I have waited a while (3 years!) for another Alpha and Omega novel as Charles and Anna are one of my favorite paranormal couples. Each novel in this series reveals more about this pair that intrigues me and keeps me wanting to find out more. Burn Bright, the last novel in the series, centered around its own mystery but as they were investigating that mystery Anna became more determined to find a way to have a child. As a female werewolf carrying a baby to term wasn’t possible and at the beginning of Wild Sign we find out that Anna and Charles are exploring adoption and Anna is frustrated at the length of the waiting list. This storyline has me looking differently at Anna and Charles individually, or more aptly, as a couple. Anna, as an Omega has a nurturing personality unless she’s backed into a corner, but mostly she’s a peacekeeper and it’s easy to see her as a mother. It’s Charles evolution that is the most interesting to me. As the pack’s enforcer Charles must wade in where others fear to go, often being called upon to kill wolves who may cause danger to their packs or society in general. This conflicts with the thought of Charles as a father, however, through Anna we see Charles the nurturer. Through their relationship he’s had to be very calm and patient with his mate creating a sense of safety for her after her abuse at the hands of her previous pack. As time has passed, now into book #6, we see Charles in a different manner. He’s still the enforcer and is called upon to do the difficult things that need carrying out, but he is also a man who wants to be loved, who wants to nurture, who wants his own family. I love this contrast in his character because it creates so much more meaning when he does react to situations, laying aside that man and giving over to his wolf who is the darker side of himself. Why do I bring all of this up? This theme continues in Wild Sign and becomes a defining factor in the mystery they are trying to solve.

OK, let’s talk about the mystery. Yes, there is a big bad magical being in the woods. One that has been there for eons capturing and captivating the people who happen upon it. Without giving away the details of the book I think I can say that this being is part of the legends of that area and as with most legends you don’t truly believe, the locals also make sure to stay away. So, why did the people of this missing town set up right in the midst of it’s territory? As with any story of this nature, it was hubris.

I like the balance of puzzling out the investigation with the powerful moments of outsmarting the baddies with smarts and brute strength. As with any story involving werewolves, there is a lot of action in this novel, but sometimes the more meaningful moments are when the story is quiet and they are deliberating through the facts. Those quiet moments of reflection often more their characters forward in their own story. As we are in book six if they aren’t moving forward in their relationship I think I would be let down and that’s something Patricia Briggs has not done so far in this series.

Wild Sign was as good as the cover makes it look. Seriously, what a fabulous cover! We find out a lot about some characters who have been a bit of a mystery which was fun, and that ending? Wow, Ms. Briggs, please don’t wait another three years for the next installment in this series. I don’t think I can wait that long!

I received a copy of this book from through NetGalley and the publisher for my honest review and it was honest!

Oh, how I loved this book! I feel almost giddy when I get the chance to read a new Patricia Briggs book because I know that it is going to be something special. This book was as good as I had hoped it would be and my expectations were extremely high. I was completely entertained from the very first page and the excitement never lessened. I had a fantastic time with this story.

All of the residents of a small town in the California mountains go missing and the FBI brings the issue to the Marrok since the land is owned by the pack. Charles and Anna, along with Tag head out to investigate. They find the town of Wild Sign empty and it appears the residents had magic but something in the woods has even more. Things get very complicated quickly as the trio tries to discover what has happened.

I love these characters! Charles and Brother Wolf are the perfect mate for Anna. I love the two distinct personalities that makeup Charles and his wolf and how they are always watching out for Anna. Anna had some challenges in this book but she never quit fighting and I loved how resilient she is time and time again. Tag was a great addition to the team and I loved the bond that he had with Anna. Leah played a larger role in this story and I was thrilled to get to learn a bit more about her history and see a different side of her character.

There was plenty of action and excitement in this story to keep things moving along. There were a few times that I was worried about how things might work out so I was glued to the pages. The mystery behind the lost residents of Wild Sign kept me guessing until the very end. It was great to see Charles, Anna, and the rest of the characters in action. I would highly recommend this series to others and cannot wait to read more from this talented author in the future.

I received a digital review copy of this book from Berkley Publishing Group via NetGalley.

This book was a very interesting read that provides some much needed insight into characters that prior to this installment in the series, were little more than background flavor text.

I do not recommend reading this book without first reading the previous Alpha and Omega book. However, I do not think you need to read the entirety of the Mercy Thompson series to enjoy this book.

This novel focuses on a subset of characters and follows them as they uncover a mysterious and seemingly sinister plot, one involving the mate of their esteemed leader, and has them facing off against what is arguably their most terrifying foe yet.

We learn more about Charles and Anna, the two protagonists of the Alpha and Omega series, and about their respective histories and their relationships supporting characters. Interestingly enough, though they are the protagonists for this book, they are not the main characters. That honor goes to Leah Cornick, mate of Bran Cornick.

I’ve always held such hopes that Leah might get more time in the novels, and that her story might be shared with us.

What I have loved most about these last two A&O books, and most certainly Wild Sign, is realizing that as we learn more about Leah, we are also witnessing Bran learn more about her, and about himself. About the fact that great loves aren’t meant to be replication of one another— love is unique to the individuals involved.

It’s a rare story, and an even more rare author, that can weave together a tale about a couple (in the background and over multiple series and books, no less), that makes it feel truly believable, as if these were real people with real traumas. Wild Sign is a wonderful reminder that the scars we carry as people do not define us, and that even those who carry the most scars are capable, and worthy, of love. That they deserve love.

This novel has such a wonderful contrast of the different types of characters that may come to find love: Anna and Charles on one end of the spectrum, then Bran and Leah on the other. Both couples recognize how much they need their counterpart, and while each couple’s journey to opening up to and loving one another has been different, the destination is the same. I loved seeing Leah and Bran in contrast to Anna and Charles, without feeling like Lean and Bran’s relationship was at all less valuable, or of less quality. Theirs might not have been a love match at the beginning, but that doesn’t mean it was a barren wasteland where none could grow. And witnessing as the characters in the book themselves realized this— wow. It was invigorating.

All that said, there is a chunk of the novel that seems to drag, and that’s essentially the entire middle of the book. There is a subplot dealing with a common villain in the series, the witches, which honestly feels somewhat out of place. I do believe that had the entirety of the witches plot been removed, the novel would be stronger for it. It felt more filler than substance.

All in all, an interesting read, particularly as relates to the actual mystery of the novel, and relating to the main and leading characters.

In Wild Sign, the sixth book in the Alpha and Omega series about mated werewolves Charles and Anna Cornick and eighteenth novel in the general Mercyverse, Patricia Briggs delivers a story about witches, wolves, and gods that is pure devotee-centric entertainment. Because this series is deeply interconnected you won’t want to read this book (or this review) without at least reading the first five novels in the Alpha and Omega set.

When the FBI shows up on their doorstep offering a deal, Charles and Anna are simultaneously upset and intrigued. Upset because while the two people at their dining room table happen to be folks they are friendly with, having the Feds knock on your door when your address is meant to be a highly guarded secret is never good. However, Charles and Anna are intrigued by what Leslie and Goldstein have come to tell them: A group of squatters built a town on private property owned by Charles' stepmom Leah. And then they vanished - the buildings are still there but the residents are all gone, and they left behind all their possessions. A local forest ranger reported the event to law enforcement, but the FBI and local police don’t have jurisdiction on private property. Since these two agents have worked with Anna and Charles before and know them to be talented sleuths, they’ve decided to dump the problem in their laps. It’s a win-win situation - Anna and Charles are known to be tenacious investigators who will close the case, and by probing the problem themselves, the wolves will keep any magical mayhem safely away from the governments prying, overly curious eyes. Yes, of course, there will be magical mayhem - this is a Mercyverse novel!

Filled with familiar characters, fascinating new background information and loads of adventure, Wild Sign is everything fans of the long running series expect from this author.

AAR staffers Maggie and Rachel sat down to share their thoughts on this intriguing, enchanting novel.

Maggie: I’m a big fan of the Mercyverse and Charles and Anna are two of my very favorite characters in it. I know I’ve read every book and I’m pretty sure I’ve read all the short stories, too. These are definitely character driven narratives, which I love, but they are also outstanding paranormal novels with incredible world building. What drew/continues to draw you to the series?

Rachel: I love the Mercyverse books but I really appreciate how the romance takes a front seat in Alpha and Omega, that’s what really keeps me coming back for more. I love the lore, and the world-building too, but Charles and Anna are such deep, compelling characters, and their emotional connection and history is at the core of every book.

Maggie: I agree; the Alpha and Omega books really do have a strong emotional core. By the time this book takes place, their relationship has already been built up over numerous volumes, which means we don’t get to see Charles and Anna fall in love but we do watch as they continue to navigate their way through a loving marriage. What did you think of their connection in this book?

Rachel: I think we’ve really seen Anna grow more confident in Charles’ love for her and in their marriage in the last few books. Particularly in Wild Sign, we see their solid relationship translate into great teamwork. I think what’s really great about them as a couple is that the tension is entirely external to their marriage; all of the forces they face are enemies they tackle together. I also love how Charles is simultaneously protective of Anna and confident in her ability to take care of herself.

Maggie: I agree, it's nice to see them not only be a couple but a team. Our secondary characters this time around are Leah, Bran and Tag. While I thought it was fun to spend additional time with the volatile Tag  I didn’t feel I really got to know him any better. In a similar vein, we learn a few things about Leah and Bran’s past but I’m not sure I understand either of them more as a result either. What are your feelings about the secondary characters and their story lines?

Rachel: I agree on Tag, I enjoy him as a character but I don’t feel we saw any significant growth from him. He makes a great companion and definitely is a wildcard, but I don’t think he lived up to his full potential. I also enjoyed spending more time with Leah, because she’s so unsympathetic normally and I love to see characters in multiple dimensions. I actually think I like Leah a lot more now, and find her more compelling as a character. I would really like to see more of her in the future, maybe even a whole book about her. As for Bran, he kind of has to be inscrutable because of his role in the stories, but I think I got enough from him to be satisfied.

Maggie: We are introduced to some new villains as well as meeting one new group of magical beings and a new branch of our ongoing enemy, the Hardesty witches. As always, Briggs’ world-building is phenomenal and the universe she has created is detailed, original and complex. She’s done a fabulous job of constructing a believable environment where modern technology and magical beings exist side by side. What are your thoughts on the world building and on the baddies in Wild Sign?

Rachel: I love witches as the bad guys, mostly because they’re so delightfully evil. They really can be relied upon to do the most horrible things, and I think the author did a great job in this book of showcasing their evil intentions. I think one of the great strengths of the universe Briggs’ has built is that a lot of evil simply must be allowed to exist, because our heroes can’t reasonably deal with all of it at once. I like that it’s not an idealized fantasy world, where all of the bad guys are banished and the heroes save everyone.

Maggie: That’s such a good point - if they managed to defeat all the evil it would become a Disney film. Speaking of evil - for some readers this tale might need a trigger warning: the villain is a rapist who can erase memories and use magic to seduce women, subjugating their will to his own, which would, as one of the characters points out, negate consent. I didn’t find that aspect of the story graphic and felt it was handled fairly well.

Rachel: I definitely think that for some people it might be triggering; this particular story does play into the mythos of beings that require humans to reproduce and subvert their will to do so. I think it’s told well and doesn’t go too far; I was satisfied with how it played out.

Maggie: My overall grade for the novel is a B.  As always, the prose was excellent and the plotting fast-paced and original. It’s a good story overall - but I felt the action overshadowed the character building. For example, I would have liked to have gotten greater insight into Leah and her past since the story revolved around that, but I felt that while we know more facts about her, we don’t really know her thoughts and motivations more deeply in spite of having access to that data. What about you?

Rachel: I might be biased because I’m such a huge Briggs fan, but for me it’s in the DIK range. With a lot of paranormal books, I feel no tension, no suspense, and I’m not ultimately all that curious. I am always surprised by Briggs’ books, but it’s never a twist out of nowhere - I just have to admire how intricately everything fits together. The story also benefits from the previous books in that there is that preexisting characterization, I already feel connected to these characters. And I did really love what this story did with Leah; it’s given her space to evolve in so many interesting ways. I guess I would have enjoyed a little more insight into her throughout the book, but hopefully we’ll get to see more of her in the future. I feel like in a series with so much already written, it can be hard to put characters in new situations, to give them new roles. I really look forward to seeing what’s next, and that’s a real achievement.

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Briggs is a phenomenal writer. The characters in this series remain compelling as does the mystery narrative.

Charles and Anna have dealt with a lot of supernatural and natural beings in their time together but this thrilling and chilling story will take readers to a completely new dimension.  The two will be challenged at a level they have never been before. I can't wait to see where and how this series will evolve. 
An entire community living off the grid in a community deep on the Marrok's lands disappears. The FBI has no clue how to handle this and turn it over the owner who happens to the Marrok who in turn dispatches Charles and Anna to solve this mystery.  We finally get to Leah's backstory and it's definitely a doozy.
Tag is deputized to go along with Charles and Anna and it's fun to see how much Anna has grown in her mating with Charles to see the easy relationship between the three wolves. The first attack takes them surprise and they don't even realize that its an attack. Suddenly Anna is ensnared in the sticky fingers of her past and cannot free herself from the nightmare she finds herself in.  What manner of creature are they facing and the fact that music, one of the deep connections between Charles and Anna is being used in some fashion is disconcerting. 
It appears as though the people at the camp had deliberately stepped off the grid to hide who and what they were. Papers and drawings left in the camp seem to indicate that the town invited someone or something in that they couldn't eventually manage who might have either taken them prisoner or killed them without leaving any evidence. The plot thickens towards an inevitable confrontation that is going to challenge even a powerful werewolf like Charles but help comes in an unexpected way.
I have read all of the books in the Mercy Thompson series and in the Alpha and Omega series but this book is at a completely new level of  dark and will keep readers on the edge of their seat with bated breath waiting for the next shoe to drop.