HOLIDAY HAPPINESS: Book Review: Raised by Wolves by Jennifer Lynne Barnes

Title: Raised by Wolves (Raised by Wolves #1)

Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Publisher: EgmontUSA

Release Date: June 8, 2010

Format Read: Hardback

Description from Goodreads: Adopted by the Alpha of a werewolf pack after a rogue wolf brutally killed her parents right before her eyes, fifteen-year-old Bryn knows only pack life, and the rigid hierarchy that controls it. That doesn't mean that she's averse to breaking a rule or two.

But when her curiosity gets the better of her and she discovers Chase, a new teen locked in a cage in her guardian's basement, and witnesses him turn into a wolf before her eyes, the horrific memories of her parents' murders returns. Bryn becomes obsessed with getting her questions answered, and Chase is the only one who can provide the information she needs.

But in her drive to find the truth, will Bryn push too far beyond the constraints of the pack, forcing her to leave behind her friends, her family, and the identity that she's shaped?

Earlier this year, when I went to NTTBF, I met Jennifer Lynn Barnes and got to tell her how much I enjoyed RAISED BY WOLVES. As I write this review, I'm seeing the comments of other readers on Goodreads, and I'm noticing that a good few of them are negative. Um, why?

Sure, there are elements to RAISED BY WOLVES that have been used before-- a girl being adopted by a wolf pack, for example-- but Barnes crafted this world in such a unique way, that I didn't mind it. This book gives you more of an insight to the meaning of "pack mentality", which I loved, as well as providing a fresh new way to look at werewolves. It showed the functionality of a pack, and what it means to be part of one, and how each member plays a significant role in keeping things running. 

And then there's the storyline, which was incredibly intriguing. Bryn's obsession with finding her parents' killer, and her fascination with the boy in the basement combine and twist into something that makes for a fantastic read. 

I give RAISED BY WOLVES four stars, and recommend it to lovers of paranormal romance, as well as those who enjoy a good, non-cliche werewolf story. I can't wait to start the rest of the series.

Happily,

Stephanie