Review: Raised by Wolves

Raised by Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Published by EgmontUSA on June 8, 2010
Genres: Young Adult-Paranormal
Pages: 448
Source: Bought
Goodreads

Adopted by the Alpha of a werewolf pack after a rogue wolf brutally killed her parents right before her eyes, fifteen-year-old Bryn knows only pack life, and the rigid social hierarchy that controls it. That doesn't mean that she's averse to breaking a rule or two.
But when her curiosity gets the better of her and she discovers Chase, a new teen locked in a cage in her guardian's basement, and witnesses him turn into a wolf before her eyes, the horrific memories of her parents' murders return. Bryn becomes obsessed with getting her questions answered, and Chase is the only one who can provide the information she needs.
But in her drive to find the truth, will Bryn push too far beyond the constraints of the pack, forcing her to leave behind her friends, her family, and the identity that she's shaped?

This book was intense from beginning to the very end. We meet Bryn who has the knack of getting into trouble. A lot. She a feisty teenager and does not like to be dominated. After the tragic murder of her parents Bryn was given to Ali who is her adoptive mom. Callum the alpha, putting bodyguards on Bryn and gave her a new curfew. Bryn new something was up and no one was telling her anything. Bryn tries to get Ali to tell her, but Ali uses her cards as well. Ali is currently very pregnant and very stressed. Since werewolf pregnancies sometimes lead to death, Bryn promises to leave it alone until after the babies are born. Bryn does not want to put anymore stress on Ali. Bryn keeps her promise until Ali goes into labor. Bryn could not handle it anymore and leaves. She runs to Callum’s house where she meets Chase. Chase is a newly turned werewolf and is found in the basement screaming for help. Bryn of course was discovered and punished. But she couldn’t help the pull she felt toward Chase. She knew there was something about him.

She then makes a deal with Callum and he agrees to allow her to see him under certain conditions. Bryn follows all conditions and meeting with well. Except the last meeting. Bryn discovers a secret that Chase had and somehow re-arranged the bonds between the pack, Bryn and Chase. From here things just gets worse. The pack comes running in demanding to know what happen. In all honesty, I don’t think Bryn was aware of what she was doing. After arranging the bonds, Chase was first to her and vice-versa then the pack second. Bryn now only did the impossible but she also broke many pack laws, including the agreement she made with the alpha. That meant she was to be punished. That meant blood.

The next part made me cry when I read it. I was feeling exactly what Bryn felt. Hurt, betrayal, sadness. How could the pack do this to them? How could Callum, whom she seen as a father figure all her life, keep such a secret from her? Well Ali wasn’t haven’t it. She immediately pack their stuff and decidedly to leave. Soon Ali, her new born twins, and Bryn where off to a new town. From here lots of action/drama comes in.

Just because Bryn left doesn’t mean she ended the pursuit. Bryn new the rogue wolf who killed her parents was out there alive, hurting others. Bryn gathers her closes friends and defeats the rogue, making Bryn the new alpha!

Jennifer Barnes had me seating at the edge of my seat. At times I had to set the book down just to get a hold of myself. Yet I couldn’t. I had to know what would happen next. Jennifer delivered a good well-rounded not typical werewolf story. All I know is, Jennifer could write one hell of a book.

Happy Reading!