Raised by Wolves

By Jennifer Lynn Barnes

At the age of four, Bryn watched a rogue werewolf brutally murder her parents. Alone in the world, she was rescued and taken in by the mysterious Callum, the alpha of his werewolf pack. Now fifteen, Bryn’s been raised as a human among werewolves, adhering to pack rule (mostly). Little fazes her.
 
But the pack’s been keeping a secret, and when Bryn goes exploring against Callum’s direct orders, she finds Chase, a newly turned teen Were locked in a cage. Terrifying memories of the attack on her mom and dad come flooding back. Bryn needs answers, and she needs Chase to get them. Suddenly, all allegiances to the pack no longer matter.  It’s Bryn and Chase against the werewolf world, whatever the consequences.
 
An exciting new paranormal adventure, with a heroine that rivals Buffy, Raised by Wolves will leave you howling for more.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Release date: Sep 1, 1989
• ISBN: 9781606841815

Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Jennifer Lynn Barnes, author of the New York Times YA best seller and popular BookTok series The Inheritance Games has written more than a dozen critically acclaimed young adult novels, including the highly praised Raised by Wolves trilogy. A former competitive cheerleader, teen model, and comic book geek, she wrote her first book at the age of nineteen and has even written original pilot scripts for television networks like USA and MTV. She has a PhD in developmental psychology from Yale University and teaches at the University of Oklahoma. You can visit her online at www.jenniferlynnbarnes.com or follow her on Twitter @jenlynnbarnes.

Reviews for Raised by Wolves

[ftbooklover · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Raised by Wolves is the first book in a trilogy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes about Bryn who is a human that was raised in a "pack" of werewolves. Through the first part of the book, we learn that Bryn's family was killed by a "Rabid" werewolf, but she was saved by Callum and his pack. Bryn believed that the Rabid werewolf was killed by Callum's pack until Chase arrives. Chase has been "changed" into a werewolf by a Rabid who bit him. Bryn discovers that Chase's Rabid was the same one that killed her parents and decides to track him down and get rid of him once and for all.
I usually don't enjoy werewolf stories, but Barnes has a way of bringing her characters to life and making whatever story they are in extremely interesting and enjoyable to read. Bryn is a dynamic character who is much more than just a teenager raised by wolves. There is a background love story between Bryn and Chase that wasn't fully explored in this first book, but I'm hoping it will be more developed in the next story in the Raised by Wolves trilogy called Trial by Fire.

[sweet_serenity · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A really interesting book about werewolves. The story of a human girl raised by werewolves, questioning everything and finding her place in the world. The dynamics between the different characters are strong, and the plot has some good twists and turns to it. It also shows great promise for the sequels.

So why only a three? The main character's only 15, which gives a bit too much license for immaturity, which can prove a little annoying at times. Though she does learn from her mistakes and grow throughout the books, so not so bad. The writing itself is a little raw and unsophisticated, though still pleasant and readable. It does fall into some bad habits, like the word "mine" being used about a thousand times, and similar overuse of one-word-grunting.

Overall, a good read, but also a light one, where there are some minor annoyances to be overcome. I do have hopes that the writing will grow a little with the character in the sequels.

[whatsmacksaid · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I read this immediately after finishing Elizabeth C. Bunce's "A Curse as Dark as Gold," and even though the writing in "Raised by Wolves" is obviously for younger readers, I am totally ready to admit that I enjoyed it more than "A Curse as Dark as Gold."

The story drew me in, and the main character was definitely characteristic of a fifteen-year-old. I’d even go so far as to say that she seemed more like a teenager than many (and maybe even most) other fictional fifteen-year-olds.

I kept waiting for the romantic interest to endear himself in some way, but… well, at least it isn’t billed as a romance, because we never got anything more than how much she adored her dearly beloved werewolf boy. She loves him, she loves him, she loves him—I get it already! What bothered me was that we were never shown why we were supposed to love him as much as she did.

The alpha, though—Callum—her relationship with him was fantastic. It was deep and complicated and believable. Her reactions to his actions and decisions and their history together was totally realistic. I ended up liking Callum more than the love interest.

ETA: It's been eight years since I read this the first time, and while the writing itself hasn't improved, I think the emotional force behind the words was just fabulous. It was powerful, heartfelt, and moving. It's about growing up and finding your place in the world. (4/5/2018)

[theyodamom · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It is a YA were drama set in a world where Were's rule certain sections of the USA, with all the rules and laws that come with it. (One is that you don't attack humans) That rule is broken and a young girl is saved and 'raised by wolves', this is her story. She is a great character, strong, independent and sometimes stupidly fearless.
I will pass this on to my teen daughters. I can't wait for the next book.

[cynical_ames · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Wow, I never expected such a great YA book! The story was so intricately woven with enough action to entertain even with the world-building necessary for a first book.

My only real complaint was that there's so little interaction between Bryn and Chase. I was dying to know more about him and was desperate to see some "padding" in their relationship other than the basic connection they formed. The one-word sentences between them in animal-instinct-language weren't enough and to be honest became irritatingly repetitive after a while.

My feelings about Callum swang in different directions throughout the book but by the end they'd done a complete 360 degree circle. His life is tough. Navigating through the endless decisions he has to make and the resulting outcomes is an impossible task, and takes an incredible strength to cope with such a responsibility. I couldn't help but respect him but being on the receiving end of his manipulations probably doesn't feel good so I could completely identify with Bryn on that.

After such a strong start, I can only hope the sequel is as great. 4.5 stars.

[camibrite · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book has stayed with me, and I keep wishing the sequel were out already! In a way, this reminds me of Patricia Briggs' Moon Called (a book near and dear to my heart) because the central character is surrounded by way stronger people who could easily eat her for lunch. Watching her navigate the pack hierarchy was half the fun.

[btweenlibshelf · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Raised by Wolves is a story about love, trust and survival. How a werewolf saved a little girl from a rabid werewolf and took her into his pack by marking her and giving her protection. It is a story about said young girl always resisting the control of the pack and wanting to have her own identity. And most of all it is about this young girl growing up and mentally being more fierce than any werewolf ever thought possible. Raised by Wolves is definitely an emotional and identity driven supernatural book with mystery lurking around corners through out it. Do not underestimate the girl raised by wolves, Bryn.

[anissaannalise-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I've let my YA reading become far & few between of late because I they were all beginning to read the same. In much the same way, I've spaced my reading of vampire, were & witch stories. So, since I treated myself to a vampire story recently, I decided it would be okay to give the werewolf a turn.

As YA stories go, this was pretty well done. The angst was sometimes a bit much but Bryn, the main character didn't have me wishing for her to just shut up already, so that's a great thing. Also, I found that I really enjoyed the adults in the story. Ali & Callum especially & Mitch & Keely to a lesser extent, were more than just tertiary existences to Bryn & the story. Ali & Callum were real & had deep influence on her daily life. I found it so refreshing that Bryn had to deal with them & the author hadn't simply made adults these people who exist but have no import in the lives of the characters. Perhaps this was easier to do, as much of the story revolves around Pack life & hierarchy. Bryn & other age-mates don't have autonomy to just do what they want & when and sometimes it's claustrophobic.

I was most interested in the pack politics & the mystery surrounding The Rabid. The introduction of Chase as the newly bitten changed were was fine. I mostly couldn't tell whether their bond was romantic or sibling (because they had both suffered & survived The Rabid) & that ultimately made me care less. His cryptic mention of having liked her before he was bitten though they had never met was never addressed so I wondered if he was a long lost sibling from when Bryn's family was slaughtered when she was four. That Bryn sort of extrapolates this bond thing into a kind of love thing hinted at romantic but I was never sure. By the time the kiss happens at the end, I don't think it mattered much as it wasn't really pivotal or relevant to anything going on. Chase is one of the least fleshed out characters in the story & often reverts to the monosyllabic (sometimes he gets two), so there's only so involved with his character one could get. He was ultimately needed to be the go to to get information for Bryn's mission & he serves his purpose to the plot well enough. Devon & Lake were much better characters but strangely stereotypical at times. They exist in different parts of the story as resident BFF to Bryn & near the end as part of her big plan.

The epic beat down on Bryn by Sora at the order of Callum was likely the boldest move of the story. The aftermath of Bryn internalizing that it was okay because it was a pack-thing was also a bold way to go. Ali is the saving grace to this part of the story because she does what most people would hope the adult would do should this happen to a 15 year-old girl. I wanted to know what Devon's perspective was for what happened & found it strange that even though Bryn had a laptop, he never sent her an email when she left town. I mean, really? He never once checked on how she was after she regained consciousness. Honestly, it felt like the author just dropped the Devon thread here & replaced him with Lake out at The Wayfarer.

The culmination of the story with Bryn, Chase, Devon, Lake the pack Senate & the Rabid was a bit pat for me. First, that Chase was even allowed to get away from his, up until then, severe lockdown by Callum & the Pack for his unpredictability being so new at being a were, to go & meet up with Bryn & Lake, made no sense & was never explained. I also didn't buy Callum sort of being granted absolution for all that he'd done (the beating) & allowed to happen by chalking it up to basically having done all that he had for Bryn's own good. It sort of tainted the whole father-daughter relationship coming full circle, for me.

I liked this well enough to want to read the rest of the series. I'm most interested in the pack politics and how Bryn's new pack will come into its own (though it's populated by children, so I don't expect they'll be going all warlike with the other packs in the subsequent books). Still, I am interested in seeing how Bryn comes into her own as a leader & how she finds her way.

[wyvernfriend · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Did enjoy this read, a girl raised by werewolves has to deal with meeting a werewolf not from her pack and the knock on effects this has on everyone around her.It's an interesting read, the werewolf community sounds like a pack, and it does seem to gel, there are some moments where it didn 't quite work for me but overall I found it an interesting read with some interesting characters and interesting situations with consequences being very important. Looking forward to reading more

[sleahey_3 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The reader of this audio did a fine job, and I enjoyed the dialog when it was snarky, but otherwise I almost gave up on this book in the middle when the main character, Bryn, kept making such stupid decisions for no apparent reason. Luckily, the action kept the pace pretty speedy, drawing to a satsifying resolution.

[beckymmoe_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This novel gives yet another slightly different slant to the YA werewolf genre. The most amazing thing for me about this book is that the author is so young--my children and I met her last fall at an author signing (before I'd had a chance to read this book, unfortunately). Her ideas are fresh and her characters are well-written--I am really looking forward to reading the sequel, which comes out later on this summer.

[dukiebri · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I have done it! I have finally found a werewolf book that trumps all others (at least thus far). There have been numerous series that I have enjoyed, such as The Wolves of Mercy Falls by Maggie Stiefvater or Nightshade by Andrea Cremer, but this book stands alone. The storyline and plot is complex, engaging, and addicting, and the writing is both simple and lush. This is a wonderful story that you should not miss out on! The thing that I liked the most about this book and really set it apart from others of its kind was how well the ‘personality’ of the wolf came to life. Barnes meshes the human and wolf personalities flawlessly, leaving no dichotomy between them. When I think of werewolves, I always imagined them as one entity, both human and wolf living symbiotically in one body, and Barnes portrays them exactly this way. She truly captured the essence of the wolf, at times bringing it to the forefront of the story. The main character, Bryn, is a human that has been raised by wolves, and while she cannot actually change into a wolf, she thinks and feels like one. During intense emotional moments or memories, her wolf’s voice would come forward. Pack, pack, pack. Blood, blood, blood. Alpha, protect, mine, survive. I know this way of thinking/writing irked many people, but I did not equate these simple, repetitive sentences with Bryn, but rather with her wolf. Wolves process things using emotions and smell: the smell of blood brings about thoughts of survival and protection, the smell of dominance brings about thoughts of alpha and pack. By using these simple thoughts and sentences, Barnes brought the wolf personality of the werewolf forward. Very few books do that, so it was an inventive, refreshing take on werewolf stories that I really appreciated. I loved the characters, as well. Bryn is strong, and even though she is one of only two humans living amongst werewolves, she stands up to the alpha and just lives for pushing people’s werewolves’ buttons. She is smart beyond her years, and with the discovery of her ‘ability’ (which I will not reveal), she definitely proves to be an interesting character. Devon is the perfect best friend, protective and loyal, and his metrosexual-self provided many humorous moments. And Ali is an awesome mother! She is a new age Sarah Conner (with werewolf relations), and I loved how she stood against everyone, even her alpha and husband, to do what she thought was right. Callum also proved to be intriguing. I did not like him much at first, and I thought some of his judgment calls left a lot to be desired, but I ended up really liking him after everything was explained. Chase, the newly turned werewolf, creates some turbulence with his presence and knowledge of a Rabid werewolf. The reader does not learn that much about him, so I am hoping more will be revealed about him and the rest of the characters in the next book! I think that Chase and Bryn’s relationship was also well crafted. It does suffer from ‘instalove,’ but I think this instant connection between them was brought on by their wolves, not their human counterparts. Wolves connect to their mates rather quickly, with things such as smell and physical contact being triggers. Callum warns Bryn not to touch Chase, but the moment she does, their wolves claim one another. With similar pasts, the same ‘ability,’ and the emotional pull between them, their wolves recognize each other as mates. The human side of Bryn remains unsure of how she feels about Chase throughout the book, but her wolf side has already claimed him as hers. Mine, mine. My Chase. I know that this ‘instalove’ and relationship between Chase and Bryn bothered many (especially one of my friends), but I did not mind it at all. This is just another way in which the wolf makes its presence known. While this book did start off a little slow, it quickly builds up. It drew me in and kept me captivated. The ending was nice, too. It ties almost everything up really well, while leaving a few things open for the sequel. Overall, this is definitely one of the better paranormal YA reads out there. The story is not tainted by a love triangle, a cliffhanger, or any (teenage) drama that does not pertain to the story/plot. The story is original and creative, and I enjoyed every page. I cannot wait to how things develop in the sequel, Trail by Fire. I will definitely be reading it!

[leannesf_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great start to a series! I thought that the story of a human girl raised in a werewolf pack and her navigating the events of her past entwined with the arrival of a Changed werewolf was well written by Barnes. A fast read with palpable dialogue and action. Recommended for those who like young adult werewolf romances, such as fans of Rachel Vincent's Shifter series.

[krau0098 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really loved Every Other Day by Jennifer Lynn Barnes so I decided to go pick up an earlier book from her, I've heard mixed things about Raised by Wolves but decided to give it a read. In general I ended up having mixed feelings about the book. I loved the ending, I thought the rest of the book was kind of ho-hum and boring. I listened to this on audiobook and the audiobook was decent; nothing especially outstanding but it was well enough read.Bryn has literally been raised by wolves; she was marked and raised by a werewolf pack after her parents were brutally murdered by a rabid werewolf. Bryn likes to keep her own space and push the bounds in a society that is incredibly rigid and strict. This all comes to a head when Bryn finds that Calem, the pack alpha who helped raise her, is keeping a secret from her. Bryn finds out the secret is Chase, a boy who survived a werewolf attack just like Bryn. Then Bryn finds out the secret goes even deeper than she could imagine.There were a lot of things I didn't like about the beginning of this book. Bryn was obnoxious, she did a lot of things just to get on Calem's case. I guess typical teenage behavior but it was annoying to read about. Then there was all the times Bryn chants "obey, obey, obey" or "tests her will" against the pack bond. I just thought it was boring and was waiting for something to happen besides watching Bryn struggle between her own identity and the pack's identity.I also found Bryn's love at first sight thing with Chase to be incredibly annoying; I do understand it was for a reason and was explained later in the book. Early on though there was a lot of eye rolling going on; I hate it when two characters have an unexplained heated attraction to each other instantaneously. That and I didn't really like Chase all that much; he just wasn't there for Bryn early on in the book.There were some things I really did like. The idea of having a "normal" girl being raised by werewolves was unique and interesting. The last third of the book was also incredibly interesting. I am not going to talk about it much because I don't want to spoil it. But especially when Bryn's best girlfriend joins the story things get crazy and surprising. I ended up really liking how the story turned out and was impressed with how nicely everything came together at the end of the book.Overall, because of the spectacular ending, I think this ended up being an okay book. There wasn't much world building though and I didn't really click with any of the characters. I didn't like Bryn or Chase much and I thought their relationship was a bit, well, too love-at-first-sightish for me. The pacing was a bit off as well; the first half of the book moved slowly and all the good stuff happened way late in the story. I probably won't be reading anymore books in this series. Fans of werewolf urban fantasy might find something here to like, but I would recommend this strictly for the teen crowd...it didn't have much appeal to me as an older reader.

[mimi8vee · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

There are so many werewolf books out today that it's hard to decide which ones to read and which ones to pass, but Raised by Wolves is definitely one that you need to pick up!From the very first page, you get sucked into Bryn's life where she's just a regular human girl who was raised by wolves (I love that the title actually has something to do with the main idea of the book!). Bryn is an awesome character -- she's spunky, fun, and as tough as the werewolves that she grew up with.The whole cast in this novel is pure awesomeness. From Bryn's best friend Devon to her alpha/guardian Callum to the werewolf boy she finds locked up in the basement (Chase!), they each work extremely well together to make the plot of the novel pick up the pace!As fun to read as it is packed with awesome werewolf action, Raised by Wolves is a thrilling, well-written novel that's perfect for anyone who is remotely interested in werewolf hierarchy.BUY or BORROW?: Buy this book! It's definitely one that I would read again and again!

[djlibrarian · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

First and foremost... how could I have taken so long to read this amazing book? With Barnes' take on the werewolf pack mentality along with well-developed characters and a nail-biting plot, it's very easy to see why so many readers were as thrilled as I was with the first of the Raised by Wolves books. Bryn is a human girl that was Marked, basically claimed, by Callum, the alpha of a werewolf pack, at age four after a devastating attack upon her family. She has known no other life beyond the rules and ways of the pack even while attending a "normal" school. All that she's known to be truth is changed after meeting Chase, the victim of a werewolf attack that resulted in his being Changed into one.Right from the beginning, I knew I'd love Bryn as one of my favorite characters. Her voice is so very honest and real, and you can definitely tell from the change in her narration tone just how much she herself changes over the course of the story. She has been through many ordeals not only at the beginning of when her parents were taken from her but of also what she had to endure as one of the few humans part of a werewolf pack. That's definitely not an easy feat considering what was expected of her. Being made to believe a lie by one of the people she trusted most was another contributing factor in how Bryn was different from others. To see how she grew and developed as a person having discovered this truth was a gradual process, making it a believable process. It wasn't as if the change was overnight, and I give my compliments to Barnes in how she was able to make such transitions in Bryn. What really made me impressed and happy with Raised by Wolves was all of the characters. Callum was a leader doing what he thought was best for his pack and for Bryn, and I definitely liked him throughout the book. Sometimes I found myself questioning his motives, but perhaps that was partially due to Bryn's thought process and how she had been deceived. Devon was the support system that Bryn needed in a best friend as well as one of the more powerful werewolves of the pack. To have such an ally within a pack that wasn't always favorable towards a human had to mean something to the others. I really look forward to seeing him more. Lake was the most rambunctious, "let's get 'er done" girl, and as one of few female werewolves, I can see the motivations in her behavior... and I loved her as much as Bryn and Devon. I was a little sad she wasn't more present in the book, but here's hoping for the next book. I enjoyed getting to know those who were introduced, and I definitely look forward to seeing more of their development in the coming books, Trial by Fire and Taken by Storm. This is one of the best werewolf books I've read and also one of the most insightful of how this particular pack dynamic works. If you enjoy a paranormal mystery and female-empowering stories, I highly recommend Raised by Wolves. There is an inkling of romantic intentions, but I would definitely classify it more as Young Adult Paranormal. It's a lengthy story, but definitely worth the read.

[sarahzee_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I'm not a big fan of werewolves novels for one reason, the dom/sub.This novel wasn't horrible but it wasn't exactly good, in fact I thought it's more than a draft for the main novel, the characters were poorly developed, and they did't have any characteristics I could identify them with, I knew bit and pieces about the, but not enough to make me love them or hate them, I was 'meh' with all of them, even with Bryn. The jumble mumble going through Bryn' head, was boring sometimes, and the plot was weak and SO predictable. Chase was so plain, and I think he should had more voice.I didn't hate this book, but I wish I didn't waste time reading something this boring.

[vivacie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I don't think any type of review can properly express my feelings forRaised by Wolves. In fact, I think you'd have to meet me face to faceto see just how exactly this book affected me. Jennifer wrote such anengaging book that literally put me on the edge of my seat. By thetime I realized how much I loved this book, I was already emotionallyinvested. I became apart of the pack. It was that good.Bryn could have been your typical Mary-Sue. She had all the factorsthat should have lead down that road. She was an outsider amongstWeres, an outsider at her school, picked on by the kids there, Devonwas her only friend, and she was special. The great thing about Brynis that she doesn't conform to any of that. It didn't define her,well, maybe being special did, but that's beside the point. I loveBryn and she was so well written that if I had been magically insertedinto Raised by Wolves, I would have wanted to protect her as well(not to mention be her best friend). I give it a five star rating because of how it's written and becauseof that you become tied to the story, to the characters. I've readbooks that made me love them, but never have a read one that made feellike a character myself. I did almost lower my rating to four starswhen it came toward the end. I was 92% in and the conflict really justseemed too easy. That was the only thing that disappointed me. To havesuch a build up where everything was about to be solved, only to havethat part fall short- really, I expected more of a confrontation.Though, by the end, it redeemed itself back to it's original rating. I'd also like to point out that it might say irresistible Chase (Brynslove interest) and romance (in the summary), but, in fact, there isvery little by the way of actual romance. Throughout the story Bryn has set their relationship at, "In a non-freaky, non-ownership,we-both-retain-our-independence kind of way." but that's not to saythere isn't any type of relationship, but just through 70 percent ofthe story it is mostly platonic (in a not really kind of way). The world that's been created is much like our own. You know, thosepeople you see that live off in the woods, seem sort of different...except these people are werewolves and in this world female wolves arevery rare and female humans are used as mates and they usually don'tsurvive pregnancy. The werewolf world seems very real and when Bryn isconnected to the pack it's magical. These are not warm and cuddlywerewolves. These wolves demand blood. These wolves you don't want tocross. Make them (and yourself) happy by reading Raised by Wolves- youwouldn't want to get on the Alphas bad side, would you?

[danijohns_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I brought this book out of curiosity yesterday for my Nook, thinking that it was going to be just another book about werewolves. Boy, was I mistaken. Raised by Wolves was much more than a typical werewolf novel, instead it delved into what it was like living in a Pack and the relationship and hierarchy inside a Pack from the perspective of a non-Were, with a unique story line that had mystery, action, suspense and romance. The main character, Bryn, was everything one could want in a female character. She is strong, independent, feisty and stubborn. Bryn's narrative immediately sucked me into the story from the first page were she is already getting into trouble from the Pack leader, Callum. Bryn felt like a real girl, one people could relate to. Sure, she is not like other girls, having seen her parents murdered in front of her and being Marked and accepted into a Pack full werewolves, but her attitude and narrative made her feel real. What I loved about Bryn was that in society based on dominance and male superiority, Bryn is able to hold onto her independence and fight for what she believes. Bryn is not afraid to take risks for something she believes is right, even if she can get punished for it, something I love to see in female characters. Besides Bryn, I loved the character of Chase. While we do not learn much about him, he is one of my favorite characters, besides Bryn, in the book. After being attacked by the Rabid and surviving to be turned into a Were, Bryn and the reader really become interested in him and feel for him. I loved unraveling the mystery behind Chase and his attack. And the chemistry between Chase and Bryn was great. I loved all the scenes when they were in each others head, making me eager for when they would be together. What really set Raised by Wolves apart from other typical Werewolf novels is that the story did not focused on the supernatural aspect of being a Werewolf, but the issue of the Pack and of family. Since the story is told from the perspective of Bryn, one who is Marked, part of the Pack but not a Were, it is easy to see the structure of Pack life and the difficulties faced in living in a Pack. The dynamics in the Pack and interactions between Packs was very interesting and I loved learning about them in this book. Not to sound like a nerd, but I was really fascinated to learn what it was like to live in a Pack and the feeling of having the Pack there to support in protect you. Jennifer Lynn Barnes did an excellent at creating a believable life for Bryn in the Pack and explaining the difficulties Bryn faced from being in the pack. While reading this book, I did not want to put it down for anything, but my sister kept interrupting me in the most intense scenes. This is definitely a book to read in one sitting. The plot is constantly moving forward until the conclusion of the story, leaving you wanting more after every event. This book also had some great action scenes in them that made it impossible to want to put down. The end of the book left me wanting more! I cannot wait to find out what happens next in Bryn's life, especially after what happened when Bryn took on the Rabid. Jennifer Lynn Barnes left the book at a perfect place for a sequel to pick up. While the plot was excellent and constantly kept me on the edge of my seat up until the end, what did bother me a little bit was that some of the characters felt under developed. While the relationship between Bryn and Callum, the Alpha of her Pack, felt genuine, some of Bryn's other relationship did not feel as well developed. I felt that Bryn and Callum had a well developed relationship; Callum was a well developed character, who as Alpha, had taken Bryn in and fulfilled the role as father. Callum really cared for Bryn, and took care with her safety. On the other hand, I felt that Bryn's relationships with other characters, particularly Ali, felt a little forced and undeveloped. Ali is supposed to fulfill the role of "mother" for Bryn, but their interactions were often brief and little was said or described to get the real feeling of love between the two, instead it felt a bit forced in my opinion. Some of the characters could have used a little more development in order to fully understand them and to make their actions, particularly their actions at the end, a little more believable. Overall, Raised by Wolves was a great read. I loved every minute of it. In a genre currently filled with all sort of paranormal books, Raised by Wolves really stand out in the crowd. It is a fresh new take on werewolves just when I thought I was getting bored with them. Raised by Wolves is a must read for anyone who likes paranormal YA.

[jrlibrary · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Loved the chemistry between Bryn and Chase...loved the strong female characters who don't depend on men to make things happen... found the ending a bit too convenient and tidy since I thought Callum would have solved the problem another way. I like Barnes' writing though and I have a soft spot for werewolf stories. Would only recommend it to strong readers - not for weaker, werewolf loving readers.

[allureofbooks · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book exceeded my expectations. When I first started it, I had some doubts. The first few scenes didn't feel natural: one of the opening conversations between Bryn and Devon (her best friend) felt very formal. I'm still not sure what the deal was with the first few pages, but as I got into the story I quickly left behind all my fears about the book not living up to my expectations.I think its one of the most intricate plots I've read in a young adult novel in a long time. There are several twists and turns and layers that aren't peeled back until the end. As the plot starts unfolding, believe me, you won't be wanting to put this book down. It isn't just the plot that keeps the book moving, either. The characters are wonderful. One of my favorite characters was Callum, the Alpha of the pack. He was fascinating to try and figure out. He is one of the main reasons the story has so many layers. Bryn, the main character, was also a lot of fun to read about. Her situation: being a human and so involved in a werewolf pack, was so original. And of course, as the book unfolds her place among the werewolves becomes a main focus and the way things turn out is pretty surprising I think.Bryn and Chase's relationship was a little confusing at first. Normally I can't stand when characters come together virtually out of nowhere and are all of a sudden part of an intense relationship. However, the way things happen between Bryn and Chase just work for some reason. Basically everything about this book just works. I definitely recommend it! I'm looking forward to the next in the series, Trial By Fire, which will hopefully come out sometime in 2011.

[abigatewood · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved it!! I am a huge werewolf fan. Can't get enough of them. The world Barnes created in this book is unique and something I would like to see a lot more of. The characters have great depth and are easy to fall in love with. Keep them coming!!!

[stephy5g_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book has you guessing until the end. You know where it is heading but are completely surprised by how the ending comes to pass. You start off wandering what secrets await our hero to only be shocked by the conclusion. This book will have you drooling for the next installment to come out!

[sithereandread · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

RAISED BY WOLVES, by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, was a thrilling and suspenseful tale of a human living amongst werewolves. Barnes created a brand new werewolf tale that separates itself from the Pack.I don't even know where to begin in explaining how much I adored this book. I loved exploring this world that Barnes created. I enjoyed learning about the Pack and the rules laid down by the Alpha, Callum. I liked Bryn's spunk and general teenage rebellion towards Callum and the fact that she wanted to remain as human as she could be. Right from the get-go I knew this girl was special but I could not fathom what Barnes had up her sleeve.I was captivated by the types bonds that were formed. The bonds between the Pack and the Alpha, between the few humans and Callum, and especially the bond between Bryn and Chase. The bonding was very primal, just like any wild animal. Thoughts were simple, direct, and resulted in mostly instinctual reactions. With Bryn's bonds, we were able to take a look into the mind of a werewolf. I really enjoyed taking a closer look into the imaginative minds of Barnes' more supernatural characters.All of the characters were really wonderful. Devon and Lake as Bryn's buddies, were really excellent friends. They came when she called and were willing to protect her with their lives no questions asked. Chase and Bryn's relationship was spectacular. It was so unlike anything I have read within this genre. The bond they had was purely mental and the connection between the two was electrifying.While reading this book, I thought of one of my favorite adult book authors in the paranormal genre, Kelley Armstrong. Armstrong, in her Women of the Otherworld series, dedicated a few books to werewolves and life in the Pack. These two authors expanded and weaved the intricacies of their characters and their relationships as werewolves. They are not afraid to take a leap into the unknown and create unique characters in their fantasy world.If you are looking for a fresh take and attitude on werewolves, look no further.

[shelleyraec · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I wasn't really all that eager to read Raised By Wolves mainly because of it's YA tag, but it was chosen at the BOM for a group and I hate to miss out:) I really should know better by now, after avoiding YA books for a number of years I have lately read some that have been suprisingly enjoyable and Raised By Wolves was just that. Bryn is human but her life as the werewolf pack Alpha's adopted daughter is anything but normal. Essentially she has had only one goal since surviving the murder of her parents, to survive and to be safe. Fiercly independent and self protective, Bryn has never fully accepted the Pack as her family, and her unique status has meant she has always been both protected and at risk for her entire life. When she finds Chase caged in Callum's basement she recognises a fellow survivor in a way that breaches her defenses. The bond that forms between them is unexpected and reveals Bryn's weakness and strengths.Despite Bryn being a teenager she has the attitude that is familar for female characters (she puts me in mind of a mix of Mercy Thompson and Rose Hathaway) in this genre, perhaps a little more naive but it's easy to dismiss her age as a defining factor. I liked her, she has a smart mouth, plenty of attitude and her motivations are clearly developed. The other main characters, particularly Devon, Lake and Allie are equally likeable. The Pack is an interesting community and I like Barnes's take on it.The Rabid makes for an interesting storyline, I don't think the plot really held any suprises but overall the pacing was good which made Raised By Wolves quick to read. I think the potential is there for an entertaining series so I will most likely pick up the second when its released later this year. Not a stunner, but certainly enjoyable.

[smashattack_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A human in a werewolf’s world, Bryn is a very unlikely heroine. However, that is exactly why she is so amazing! While she has been taught how to fight by the Alpha, Callum, she doesn’t need a set of canine teeth and claws to win her battles. Bryn is one witty, sarcastic and intelligent young lady and she uses her brains to bring home the win! Throughout the story, Bryn discovers just how unique she is and the reader begins to realize that Bryn is fantastic just the way she is. Bryn is sarcastic, independent and doesn’t like to be told what to do, even by Callum. And if you know anything about pack life, disobeying the Alpha leads to a severe can of whoop ass…The supporting characters, Bryn’s friends, allies and superiors, were all fantastic! I love them all. Bryn’s BFF, Devon was quirky, humorous, gorgeous and completely loyal to Bryn. His penchant for talking in Shakespeare-like speak had me in stitches. Who ever heard of a werewolf drama geek? Love this guy! Lake, one of only 2 female purebred weres in Bryn’s pack, is also Bryn’s close companion. She is fierce, loyal, passionate and funny as hell. She also has an affinity for guns and delivers one of my favorite lines in the book (see below). Callum - Alpha, Bryn’s savior and resident bad-ass - was also very likeable. He is very strict with Bryn but you can just feel the compassion and love he has for her. When the shit hits the fan about halfway through the story, Bryn discovers things about him that tears her world apart. However, I personally never lost faith in Callum. :) Ali, the other human female in the pack, is Bryn’s adoptive mother and has been raising her since she came to the pack at age 4. Ali is very protective of Bryn and makes a drastic move to protect her when the the storyline explodes into chaos. The fights between these 2 are very realistic, and the love they feel for each other is something to be cherished. Oh, and I can’t forget the twins! I don’t think I’ve ever read anything as cute as baby Katie in wolf form! And then there’s Chase. The connection between Bryn and Chase was, literally, electric. I felt like I was transported into their intense, emotional bond and I almost felt embarrassed for prying on what was a very personal union. The scenes where Jennifer describes these two becoming one, feeling each other’s emotions, reading each other’s thoughts, entering each other’s dreams and seeing through each other’s eyes, was nothing short of brilliance, in my opinion. Their relationship transcends this world, seriously.I’ve read two of Jennifer’s previous books, Tattoo and Fate, which are cute, fun YA books about 4 girls who get temporary tattoos and are suddenly part of this magical, mythological world. However, Raised by Wolves is light years apart from those books, in terms of maturity and writing skill. Jennifer has really grown as a writer and it really shows in this novel. It is eloquent, fierce, humorous and touching as hell. This book, in essence, is excellent. You have an unlikely heroine with a seemingly impossible goal who takes dramatic action to obtain it. She is faced with dreadful opposition yet she still emerges from the fight an improbable winner. It definitely surprised me with the storyline, and I was hooked when certain events began to unravel.

[haleyeliseread · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book was overall a very nice read, I absoulty love books on wolves(wolverines) and what not to this was great. It has everything in it, some comedy, action and a little bit of love. The main thing i liked in this book were the characters, not just the main girl bryn, but callum the alpha and the wolf that found bryn and took her in, chase the boy locked in the cage in callums basement, dev her best guy friend who is very protective of her and lake her best girl friend thats hilarous, all totally won my heart in this book. If your more into paranormal ROMANCE I wouldn.t recommend this book, it has hardly any at all even though the description may give you the idea there is some.

[booksforcompany · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I am unsure about this book, not in a bad way, l just don’t know how to rate it. Right at the beginning l got really into this book, l absolutely loved the plot in this book and how unique it is. Towards the end of the book, which was when the books pace got very fast, l found l wasn’t as ‘into’ the book. I don’t know if it was myself, maybe l felt a bit distracted, but l just felt a bit 'distant' from the characters which l had grown a 'bond' with!Either way, this book is amazing.Everything l read in this book was so unique, l haven’t come across a book like this before which l always really love in a book. One thing l found unique about this book is how much depth Jennifer goes into with how the werewolves think and feel, it’s quite amazing but also strange in the way it is probably quite real.The characters in Raised By Wolves are all very strong ones, even the ones which don’t play a huge role were very well developed. The main character, Bryn, is a very strong person who doesn’t mind testing the limits and boundaries set for her. This is a great characteristic for a main character as it makes their actions unpredictable and therefore the book is never predictable. The people around Bryn all stand out for their own reasons, so much so that they could also be main characters because of the amount you know about them.I never predicted any part of this book (apart from what the blurb 'hints' towards) and in no way did l see what was going to happen towards the end, for some reason, like l mentioned, l wasn’t totally gripped for the first bit but then by the last 30 pages l was engrossed. The action was never ending!I think probably the only thing l didn’t connect with in this book is the sudden connection between Bryn and the ‘male’ (depending on if you read the blurb or not, l don’t want to ruin anything for you). I understand there is kind of an explanation behind the sudden feelings but in another way l also found it hard to connect with any interactions between the two characters. It all felt a bit, fake, in some ways. It just happened too quickly!Saying that, this book isn’t just about romance between two people in any way, this book focuses strongly on a ‘pack bond’ between the wolves. This may seem strange as humans can never totally understand the pack bond between animals but when l was reading this book l found it easy to believe what Jennifer wrote because it felt very real and like she had seen into an animal’s mind. This book surprised me in some parts and l felt Jennifer included things which other authors may miss out as it's a YA book but l am glad she did include these parts. In particular there is one scene which shocked me but also showed how strong the pack bond and rules are. I liked this because Jennifer, right from the start, makes the reader see how important it all is and then she shows this by following through with it by the wolves actions.Overall this is a great, intriguing read which you will not regret picking up! Jennifer has created a new world within this book which lets you see inside the minds of. P.S Sorry this review is quite bad! I struggled to write this and not give away spoilers.

[xtastethesky · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Title: Raised by WolvesAuthor: Jennifer Lynn BarnesPublisher: EgmontUSAFormat: HardbackLength: 432pgsRating: 3/5From 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 social 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 return. 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?I really enjoyed reading this novel. It was refreshing to read something about werewolves when I had recently binged on vampire fiction. The idea of a human living with a pack was really interesting for me. I hadn't heard much about this novel when I went in - honestly I picked it up because I knew I was going to be meeting Jennifer on the smart chicks tour (I have this thing where I want to have read something by an author if I'm going to meet them). So, while I didn't know much about it, once I got into the thick of things the novel was great.As you may know, I'm a huge supporter of strong female characters. While I wouldn't label Bryn as the strongest female character I've ever read (that award would probably go to Katniss from The Hunger Games or Rose from Vampire Academy) she certainly is up there. She lost her parents due to a rogue werewolf, and was adopted and raised by other werewolves. I'd imagine you'd have to be strong to grow up in a society like that. I liked that she would stand up for herself, and also that she didn't just weaken at the knees for Chase. They had a connection, sure, but she was also cautious, which (for me) is really refreshing.Then, of course, I liked Chase. I wasn't immediately attracted to him though - for some reason he was mildly lackluster for me. It wasn't really until the end of the novel that I really, really liked him. Perhaps I'll have to go back and reread to really figure out as to why I felt that way about him. I really liked Devon though - probably because I always have a thing for the best friends. He was just fantastic. I felt the same way about Lake - she was great. I always find it odd when I end up liking the secondary characters more, but it definitely happened this time around.Overall I enjoyed this book. It was pretty good, and I enjoyed most of the characters. If you're looking for a good werewolf story, this should be at the top of your list. There's a sequel coming out the summer of 2011.

[storiesandsweeties · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Jennifer Lynn Barnes says in her Acknowledgments in the back of Raised by Wolves that before the book was titled, she referred to is as the "love book" because she wrote it for the sheer love of storytelling. I believe this one hundred percent! This was a very full, complicated story, full of twists and turns, highs and lows, layer upon layer. Very well written, and despite a small section somewhere in the middle where I felt a little bit of a drag in the story, it was a story that I really enjoyed.The main character Bryn was very courageous, confident, and spirited. She is like a daughter to the Alpha of the werewolves, the man who saved her from a rabid werewolf that killed her family, Callum. He marked her as his own, which kept her protected as a human among the pack and gave her the power to mentally "connect" with the pack, a power which she resisted for most of her life. Her whole attitude toward the pack and boys in general can be summed up in this quote from the book:"I spent enough time resisting testosterone-driven dominance maneuvers in my day-to-day life. The last thing I needed was a human boyfriend who wanted me to play the simpering miss."Needless to say, the girl can hold her own, and was trained by Callum to do just that.I loved her two best friends in this book! Devon is a riot, but a steadfast trustworthy friend to Bryn. When he kind of drops out of the story for awhile, I was so glad to see him thrown back into the mix toward the end! Lake, a werewolf that doesn't live with the pack, has a lot of the same spunk as Bryn, but magnified by about ten! She was tough and funny, loved her weapons, didn't take crap from anyone! I hope to see more of her in the sequel.At the heart of the book is not a plot based on werewolves or even the intermingled love story (which was just okay for me, it happened a little too fast and conveniently, and the reason for their immediate bond to each other was not explained until the very end)---these two things were more like catapults for the real story here. It was more about Bryn finding her way..figuring out if she wanted to be part of the strict hierarchy of the pack because it was the only "family" she had ever known or if she wanted something else for herself. It definitely went a little deeper than most werewolf stories. I loved the ending, it was fantastic!! A good, entertaining read!