Review: Trial by Fire by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Trial by Fire
Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Publication: EgmontUSA (June 14, 2011)


Description: There can only be one alpha. 

Bryn is finally settling into her position as alpha of the Cedar Ridge Pack—or at least, her own version of what it means to be alpha when you’re a human leading a band of werewolves. Then she finds a teenage boy bleeding on her front porch. Before collapsing, he tells her his name is Lucas, he’s a Were, and Bryn’s protection is his only hope.

But Lucas isn’t part of Bryn’s pack, and she has no right to claim another alpha’s Were.  With threats—old and new—looming, and danger closing in from all sides, Bryn will have to accept what her guardian Callum knew all along. To be alpha, she will have to give in to her own animal instincts and become less human. And, she’s going to have to do it alone.

Bryn faces both the costs, and the rewards, of love and loyalty, in this thrilling sequel to Raised by Wolves.



My Thoughts: I enjoyed this sequel to Raised by Wolves. I like the interaction between Bryn and her pack. Her relationship with Devon, Lake and Chase is a very close one. She is definitely a different kind of alpha. She knows it but doesn't let it stop her from doing what she knows is right. She and her new pack have a lot of challenges in this story. 


After they find Lucas on their front step beaten and abused, Bryn has to get involved in werewolf politics. She can't just rescue him and make him a part of her pack unless his alpha releases him. Since his alpha is Shay who already hates Bryn, this is very unlikely. And not only is Lucas a werewolf from Shay's pack he has also attracted the attention of human psychics. These psychics all hate werewolves and want to destroy them. They have a variety of psychic gifts. One visits Bryn in her dreams and can burn her. Another, this one a teen about their age, is a hunter who can't be sensed by werewolves and who never misses her shot. But the most threatening is the leader of the coven who can control the others' emotions. She tries to take over Bryn but doesn't succeed because she has the help of her packmates.


The new Cedar Ridge Pack is being besieged on two fronts -- Shay is playing werewolf politics and wants to steal some of Bryn's female packmembers to strengthen his own pack; the psychics are determined to destroy all the werewolves if they don't get Lucas back.


Lucas himself is a problem. He has taken abuse from Shay because he is a beta wolf. He was tortured by the psychics. But he doesn't share any information with Bryn and her pack until they force it out of him. They want to help but he doesn't make it easy. Complicating things is the Maddy who is one of Bryn's pack falls in love with him.


The story was exciting as Bryn solves these many problems and learns more about being an alpha. I liked the banter between Bryn and Lake and Devon. I also liked Bryn's relationship with Ali who is the human who raised her and who left her werewolf husband to join Bryn's new pack. We learn some of the secrets about her past in this story.


Readers who are looking for adventure and who like werewolves will enjoy this exciting story.


Favorite Quote:

"People are allowed to have secrets, Bryn." Ali's tone was mild, but the words felt like a reproach. "Even from you."

Ali looked like she was about to say something else, but instead, she killed the engine, and I realized we had made it to town.

Thank God.

I'd take a physical fight over Touchy-Feely Share Time, hands down.

I bought this one at Amazon because I enjoyed Raised by Wolves. You can get your copy here.