Raised by Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Some people joke that people with bad manners must’ve been raised by wolves. Well, Bryn literally way, by werewolves to be exact. After a rogue werewolf brutally killed her parents, four-year-old Bryn was adopted by Callum, the pack alpha. Now fifteen, she figures there’s not much she hasn’t seen. Nothing prepares her, though, for when she stumbles upon a caged werewolf named Chase. Case was bitten and turned into a werewolf, and his very existence tears apart the relatively safe world she knew. Shuddering from newly dug up memories of her parents’ attack and chafing from the increasingly restrictive protections placed on her, Bryn doesn’t quite know what to do. There’s one thing for sure: Bryn needs answers—and she won’t stop until she gets them.

Raised by Wolves is yet another novel catering to the rising werewolf craze. Barnes does not disappoint, serving up plenty of paranormal dangers and wolfy action to keep most readers on the edge of their seat. I was quite pleased, for the most part, with this novel. The characters are interesting and generally realistic, the plot in undoubtedly engaging, and Barnes’s handling of the nature and politics of werewolves was superb. There was only one thing that bothered me about this book. It wasn’t so big that I can’t get over it; however, it made a good chunk of the story really awkward. Raised by Wolves can be divided into three parts. The first and last parts are fine. The middle part is where things go a bit awry. Barnes does not do a good job of connection the first part, a basic introduction, to the last part, where the drama of Bryn and Chase against basically everyone else unfolds. Overlooking that awkward part though, Raised by Wolves is an enjoyable read and a welcome addition to the growing group of werewolf-themed novels.

Raised by Wolves will be enjoyed by werewolf fans, particularly those who enjoyed The Dark Divine by Bree Despain, Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater, Stray by Rachel Vincent, and Twilight by Stephenie Meyer.

Rating: 4.25

Review copy from publisher EgmontUSA