Review: Trial by Fire by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Trial by Fire by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

June 14, 2011

EgmontUSA
 Received from RT Teen Day

From Goodreads: 
Bryn is now leader of the Cedar Ridge pack of werewolves and she's convinced that her pack is different - it's democratic and fair. Then Bryn finds a battered teenage Were, Lucas, bleeding on her front porch. He begs Bryn to protect him from an abusive leader; Bryn takes him into her pack.

But Bryn's Were partner Chase doesn't trust the new boy, and the more time she spends helping Lucas, the more aggressive Chase becomes. Bryn is not sure if it's jealousy, or Were possessiveness but for the first time she starts to feel suffocated by the bond she and Chase share.

Filled with action, unlikely allies, and deadly conspiracies, Trial by Fire will change Bryn forever. She is soon to realize that to lead a pack of werewolves, she must give in to her animal instincts and become a little less human. And as hard as it's going to be, Bryn is going to have to do it alone.

There can only be one alpha.

My Review:
I adored Raised by Wolves, the first novel in the series, so I was really glad that I had an ARC of this one waiting in the wings. There are so many novels about werewolves in YA right now but Barnes has a fun, new take to them in her novels, and I love how they are written. My favorite thing about this series is that the pack relationship is so strong. They are willing to go to any lengths to protect each other from things or people that they perceive as threats. Even though there are some heavy moments, there were times in the book where I couldn't stop smiling.

Bryn has to be one of my favorite heroines in YA. She is strong, loving, confident, and protective of her pack. While she isn't a wolf herself, she has this inner strength that pours out from her. You can tell that her pack feels safe and confident in her abilities to protect them, though they are still ready to act on her behalf if she needs it. Bryn tries to be strong for her pack, even in horrifying moments in the story when she feels terrified. Her pack means everything to her, and as the alpha, she needs to tough for them.

Bryn couldn't do anything without her friends in her pack by her side: Devon, Lake, Maddy, and Chase. When Lucas shows up on their doorstep, they are immediately wary of him and unwilling to let Bryn be alone with someone who could be a threat. Together they learn about new enemies from Lucas, and are shocked at what they find out about them.

I just love the oldest members of Bryn's pack! Devon has his moments where he is all about the dramatics but can do a complete 180 when Bryn is threatened, and be ready to attack. Lake is hilarious with her love of human weapons, especially guns. Maddy is somewhat new to me since she was introduced late in Raised by Wolves but I enjoyed getting to know who she was. And then there is Chase. He is so dreamy and I can tell that he loves Bryn so much.

Trial by Fire is a fantastic sequel to Raised by Wolves. Danger has found Bryn yet against and she must utilize the alpha skills that she learned in the presence of her former alpha, Callum. Do not miss out on this action-packed series full of wolves, well-developed characters, and danger that leaps out at every corner!

My Rating: