Published by EgmontUSA
Released June 14, 2011
357 pages
Where I got it: Copy received courtesy publisher at BEA
Rating: 3 stars

Bryn has finally found some sort of stability as the human alpha of the Cedar Ridge Pack of werewolves.  Nothing ever remains easy, though, and trouble begins when an injured strange wolf shows up at her front door requesting protection from his pack.  However, he’s carrying many secrets, and Bryn needs to dig deep to find out how much of a threat this new wolf actually poses to the safety of her pack.

Trial by Fire is a nice sequel to Raised by Wolves.  It continues the story of the Cedar Ridge Pack right where it left off at the end of the last book.  The threat this time isn’t just werewolves, although there’s plenty of that, but another outside group that is even more adept at harming werewolves.  As the story develops, the political motivations surrounding circumstances is stripped away.  I really didn’t see the ending coming, so congrats to Barnes for catching me by surprise with the final development.

I really appreciated Bryn’s willingness to let others help, and to lean on her pack members when she needs them most, rather than playing the heroine.  It speaks to the true meaning of teamwork and leadership.  I’m also relieved that Barnes hasn’t fallen into the stereotypical love triangle trope in this book.  The plot moves forward due to much more mature and complex tensions.

Trial by Fire will certainly satisfy fans of Raised by Wolves, and will leave you waiting for the next book.