So a lot of times spin-off series fall somewhat flat for me. Either I'm so invested in those original characters that I have trouble shifting my loyalty as unswervingly to these previously side characters, or the story lines are just not as strong, or the genre shifts in a direction that just doesn't click for me as well, or what have you. But from the moment I picked up the introductory novella to Patricia Briggs' Alpha & Omega series, Anna and Charles were just in with me. And the three novels that followed only cemented that fact. It looked like we might not be getting another book for some time, which is why I was so thrilled to hear she'd gone ahead and written a fourth. Dead Heat is due out March 3rd of next year, and when I saw the cover all I could do was squee. Because Charles in human form. And because fourth book in a series I truly love.
This year really came through reading-wise. Initially, I didn't know what to expect. And I think I was a little surprised to find myself feeling a strong pull right from the beginning of the year to published books. I tried quite a few new-to-me authors with more abandon than I have in recent years—something I'm proud of and hope to continue. Not all of them worked in just an Angie-like way, but regret never entered the room. I passed them on. To the Little Free Libraries in my neighborhood, to the used bookstore down the street that I love, to my own public library in donations. Someone will love them. It didn't have to be me. And I loved giving them that little push along their way to the homes of the people who would soak up their words and hold them tight. What a gift books are. How much I need them and how grateful I am at the end of this year for the ones that came and continued on their way—but most especially for the ones that came to stay. And so, as has long bee...

You are so right! This is the first A&O cover with Charles in human form - didn't realise that before. I love the US covers so much for this series.
ReplyDeleteSo do I! I think this is my favorite one.
ReplyDeleteI love Charles and Anna! And we finally get to see Charles in human form!This is one of my favorite series; I actually love the two of them as much as Mercy and Adam and that's saying something.
ReplyDelete2015 is not nearly soon enough! This series is even better than the
ReplyDeleteMercy Thompson series. I ADORE Anna and Charles and I hope they go on to
have a 10+ book series. This is definitely my new favorite urban
fantasy series. The dynamics between Anna and Charles and then Anna and
the others she comes into contact with is just so cool!
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That really is saying something! And I understand completely. They had me from the first page.
ReplyDelete