Teen Fiction Review & Giveaway: TRIAL BY FIRE by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Title: TRIAL BY FIRE

by: Jennifer Lynn Barnes

pub: June 14, 2011/Egmont

genre: Teen Fiction/Paranormal/Werewolves

Buy It/ Author Website

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.

Bryn, one of the strongest YA protagonists, becomes even tougher in this sequel to RAISED BY WOLVES. An abused werewolf collapses on her doorstep. She can't intervene without causing werewolf chaos/war, so she struggles for a solution using brains, brawn and her pack's help to overcome the lethal threat. 

Or so I like to think!

Barnes kept surprising me. I knew things weren't quite what they seemed. And then I figured out what was going on - and I was right - BUT I wasn't completely right. That's what's so fun. 

I get to say, "See, I knew it!" and pat myself on the back with a smug grin.

Then Barnes says, "Yes, you're so smart...but I'm smarter," because she throws in an added twist that I didn't see coming! At which point my smug grin disappears. I keep trying to one-up her, but never succeed - wench! Oh, well, maybe in the next book...but doubtful.

The secondary cast of characters - Devon, Lake, Ali - are back in terrific form. The psychics are a deviously delicious addition for their nasty mind tricks and unexpected depth. 

I'm still waiting for the romance to heat up between Bryn and Chase. Sure they care for each other but there're isn't time to act on it. Bryn's priority is the pack, so when they need her, she and Chase get put on the back burner, which is pretty much all the time. 

So while I like the 'girl power' message, and it's refreshing that Bryn isn't pining and whining for Chase, with all the crap Bryn has to deal with, a little more fulfillment in the romance department would be welcome.

This series has more of a gritty, bittersweet feel, and tends toward the darker side rather than happy fairy-tale-esque. With wonderful suspense, character development, action, mind-games, surprises, and a terrific unexpected twist at the end, werewolf lovers should be excited for this summer read!  

Contest Details: 

• Fill out the form
• Open to U.S./Canada mailing addresses only.
• Ends 7/19 at 11:59pm CST.