Raised by Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Raised by Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

First in the Raised by Wolves series

2.5 stars

Bryn has been raised by wolves (obviously hence said title) by the Alpha of a werewolf pack. Callum rescued Bryn after her parents were brutually murdered and he saved her from a rogue wolf. Growing up with a rebellious streak (not my words, trust me) and thinking that the rogue that attacked her has been dead and gone she feels remotely safe with the pack. Bryn doesn’t listen when the pack tells her to stay out of a situation she stumbled upon. Bryn’s ‘rebelliousness’ gets the best of her and she finds a handsome boy locked in a cage named Chase, who is one of the only known humans to ever be turned into a werewolf. I had been expecting this book to be amazing. I read this book back in February and I’m still pissed off at how disappointing this was. I had been expecting to be blown away and spellbound (wolfbound, wolfentranced? What would you call it?) this book. I’m starting to think the only reason my expectations were so high was because the title is the same as one of my favorite songs. I I did like this book and didn’t completely loath or hate, but I wasn’t as pleased with as I thought I would be. I was constantly annoyed by the whole pack telepathy thing between Bryn and the other wolves. I felt like we got no insight as to why they were able to this and where the werewolves even came from. There was nothing about where they come from the just sort of, well, were. They were there and that’s all I can tell you about these weres.

The main female character is Bryn. Bryn is annoying. She tries to come off as badass but she’s just stupid and impulsive. Do I have to recount her meeting with Chase because I think it backs up my feelings to this statement and most people who’ve read the book will know what I’m talking about. Bryn could’ve been a great character, but she wasn’t. She lacked everything and when she did try to be cool or interesting she failed and only made me yawn. Bryn was a fail of a heroine.  
 

Barnes tried too hard to make her rebellious, relatable, and teenagerish. Also how was that ending possible? It confused me so much. The sequel better explain it better.


Kick-Butt Heroine Scale: 2 (I feel like that’s generous)

The main male character is Chase. Chase was more likeable than Bryn, but I didn’t really care for him. His relationship with Bryn didn’t work out well. I think Barnes tried too hard when trying to create a wolf+ chick= true love. The relationship also felt rushed and I could care less about it. I’m just not really feeling him.


Swoon Worthy Scale: 3

Villain Scale: 2.5

Character Scale: 3


I lost interest in talking about the characters. Even though I don’t feel like talking about the other characters, but I do want to address this. What the pack did to Bryn as punishment is wrong and not acceptable. I know she broke the law, but seriously she’s a human not a wolf there’s a difference. Also Bryn needs to be more respectful towards her elders because she’s downright rude to the people who love and care for her. This novel felt rushed and Barnes tries too hard. She tried too hard to make a great heroine, a swoon worthy male, a terrifying villain, and obstacles for Bryn. I disagree with the review on the front of the book that says this is one of the best or best werewolf book, I liked Nightshade by Andrea Cremer a lot more. I liked this book, but I wasn’t blown away by it and it lacked and fell short a lot.


Cover Thoughts: I really like the cover. Since I feel so bad about being cruel towards the book I think the cover is its best quality. The imagery and lighting and coloring is spectacular.