Title: Wolfsbane
Author: Patricia Briggs
First published November 2, 2010
291 pages, Mass Market Paperback
ISBN: 9780441019540 (ISBN10: 0441019544)
Rating: 4.1
Overview
The Burning God is the thrilling conclusion to R.F. Kuang’s epic fantasy series, The Poppy War. In this highly anticipated finale, Fang Runin, the fearless warrior who saved her nation of Nikan from foreign invaders, finds herself betrayed by allies and left for dead.
Despite the odds stacked against her, Rin remains determined to fight for those she has sacrificed so much for, especially Tikany, the village she calls home.
Returning to her roots, Rin faces difficult challenges and unexpected opportunities. While her new allies in the Southern Coalition leadership are sly and untrustworthy, Rin quickly realizes that the real power in Nikan lies with the millions of common people who thirst for vengeance and revere her as a goddess of salvation.
Backed by the masses and her Southern Army, Rin will use every weapon at her disposal to defeat the colonizing Hesperians, the Dragon Republic, and all who threaten the shamanic arts and their practitioners.
As Rin’s power and influence grow, she must confront the Phoenix’s intoxicating voice that urges her to burn the world and everything in it. The stakes have never been higher, and the fate of Nikan hangs in the balance.
The Burning God is a breathtaking and enthralling tale of gods and monsters, betrayal and sacrifice, that will leave readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.
About the Author
Meet Patricia Briggs, a renowned author who inherited her love of books from her mother, a children’s librarian. Born in Butte, Montana, she grew up reading fairy tales and horse books, and later developed a fascination for folklore and history.
After completing her studies in history and German at Montana State University, she briefly worked as a substitute teacher before becoming a full-time writer. Naturally, she chose to write a fantasy book as her debut.
Today, Patricia resides in Montana with her husband, children, and six horses, delighting her fans with her enchanting stories.
Editoral Review
Wolfsbane by Patricia Briggs, published in 2010, is a thrilling addition to the urban fantasy genre. Briggs is an American author known for her masterful storytelling and intricate world-building, and this book is no exception.
Set in the fictional town of Aspen Creek, Montana, the story follows the adventures of protagonist Anna Latham, a werewolf who is struggling to come to terms with her past and her new life in the pack. As Anna and her mate, Charles, an enforcer for the pack, investigate a dangerous threat to their community, they must navigate political alliances, family secrets, and personal demons.
Briggs’s writing is engaging and vivid, transporting readers into the fantastical world she has created. Her descriptions of the pack dynamics, supernatural abilities, and tense action scenes are all highly detailed and immersive.
The characters are complex and well-developed, with fully realized backstories and compelling motivations. Briggs does an excellent job of showing the emotional toll that living as a werewolf takes on each character, as well as the difficult choices they must make to protect their loved ones.
One of the strengths of Wolfsbane is the way that it addresses themes of loyalty, family, and identity. The characters face tough decisions about where their loyalties lie, and must grapple with the consequences of their actions.
The story raises questions about what it means to be part of a family or a community, and the sacrifices that must be made for the greater good. However, despite these strengths, the book does have some weaknesses.
The plot can be convoluted at times, with multiple subplots and characters to keep track of. Additionally, some of the dialogue can feel stiff or overly expository.
Compared to other books in the urban fantasy genre, Wolfsbane stands out for its rich world-building and nuanced character development. Fans of Briggs’s other works, such as the Mercy Thompson series, will find much to enjoy here.
Readers who are new to the genre may find some of the supernatural elements overwhelming, but the strong emotional core of the story makes it accessible to a wide audience. Overall, Wolfsbane is a thrilling and captivating addition to the urban fantasy canon.
Briggs’s skillful writing and compelling characters make for a highly enjoyable read. I would highly recommend this book to fans of the genre, or anyone looking for a thought-provoking and action-packed story.
I give this book a rating of four out of five stars.
