On the Prowl is a collection of four urban fantasy novellas by Patricia Briggs, Eileen Wilks, Karen Chance, and Sunny. The novellas are set in the same or similar worlds as the authors’ other series, and feature paranormal romance, magic, shapeshifters, and werewolves.
The first novella, “Alpha and Omega” by Patricia Briggs, is a prequel to her Alpha and Omega series, which is a spin-off of her Mercy Thompson series. It introduces Anna, a young werewolf who has been abused by her pack, and Charles, the son and enforcer of the leader of all North American werewolves. When Anna calls for help, Charles comes to investigate and discovers that she is his mate. The novella has a strong voice and a well-developed world, but the romance is rushed and unrealistic, given Anna’s trauma.
The second novella, “Inhuman” by Eileen Wilks, is part of her World of the Lupi series, which follows Lily Yu, a human FBI agent, and Rule Turner, a werewolf prince. It tells the story of Kai, a woman with a unique magic, and Nathan, her mysterious neighbor, who are both targeted by a killer. The novella has a better romance than the first one, but the world building is confusing and the ending is abrupt.
The third novella, “Buying Trouble” by Karen Chance, is set in the same world as her Cassie Palmer and Dorina Basarab series, which involve time-traveling, vampires, and fey. It focuses on Claire, a rare and powerful witch, who is sold at an auction to a Lord of the Fey. The novella is fast-paced and action-packed, but the plot is thin and the characters are shallow.
The fourth and final novella, “Mona Lisa Betwining” by Sunny, is part of her Monère series, which is about a race of descendants of the moon goddess. It follows Mona Lisa, a mixed-blood queen, who meets another queen and a rogue warrior. The novella is erotic and sensual, but also disturbing and offensive, with themes of rape, incest, and violence.
Overall, On the Prowl is an anthology that might appeal to fans of the authors’ other works, but not to newcomers or casual readers. The quality and tone of the novellas vary widely, and none of them stand out as exceptional.
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On the Prowl (Alpha & Omega, #0.5) by Patricia Briggs | Goodreads
