Book Review: Alpha Attacked (Big City Lycans, #1) by E.B. Black
Sometimes, a book draws you in with the promise of thrilling intrigue and deeply complex characters, only to leave you gasping—or perhaps recoiling—in shock at its twists and turns. Alpha Attacked certainly had that effect on me. From its gripping opening scene featuring Maeve, an ER doctor, tending to a bullet-riddled Griffin, a man harboring dark secrets, I felt an immediate hook that was hard to shake off. Little did I know, this urban fantasy would delve into depths that left me both fascinated and horrified.
At the heart of Alpha Attacked lies a chaotic mix of romance, werewolf lore, and an exploration of justice in a gritty world. Maeve’s journey begins with an emergency surgical intervention that sets the stage for a relationship riddled with troubling dynamics. Griffin, our alpha hero, oscillates between the charming mystique of a werewolf and a chilling vigilante whose moral compass, frankly, seems to have gone missing. Watching Maeve navigate this labyrinth of violence and temptation was both unsettling and oddly compelling.
The world-building felt uneven; while the idea of Griffin’s marijuana dispensary as a front for a werewolf pack was intriguing, the plotting often spiraled into disarray. Griffin’s vigilante justice—killing people he deems unworthy—was never adequately examined. No internal conflict, no moral dilemmas unfolded for either character, which left me wondering whether the author, E.B. Black, aimed for a profound commentary on justice or was simply playing to the gallery. The juxtaposition of Maeve’s compassionate profession against Griffin’s bloodthirsty tendencies felt jarring, especially as she accepted his dark methods without the confrontation you’d expect from someone in her position. I pictured a psychiatrist at a dinner party: "Oh, I want to butcher the mentally unwell, but hey, at least I save lives during the day!" It just felt… wrong.
The pacing was erratic, flitting like a moth to a flame, rushing through significant plot points while lingering on others that felt less necessary. Moments of high tension fizzled under the weight of contrived events. For instance, Griffin stalking Maeve adds a creepy layer, but it soon degrades into absurdity—like when he breaks into her house, only to hide under her bed! This invasion of privacy is brushed aside as a romantic gesture, which felt more unsettling than swoon-worthy.
Despite its structural issues, there were moments of real intrigue. Quotes that wrestled with the morality of Griffin’s actions sparked conversation in my mind, but these flashes of insight were overshadowed by the sheer horror of his actions—scenes that often left me contemplating whether I should be rooting for him or running in the opposite direction.
In terms of recommendations, Alpha Attacked might appeal to readers who relish stories that don’t shy away from dark themes—those drawn to morally gray characters and gritty settings. If you’re looking for something that challenges conventional notions of heroism and love, this might pique your interest. However, if you prefer protagonists who wrestle with their choices or narratives that provide a moral anchor, you might want to tread lightly.
In the end, Alpha Attacked left me grappling with my own responses. It compels you to question what kind of hero you root for—if indeed, he’s a hero at all—or whether love is enough to overlook the darkest shadows of a partner. E.B. Black has crafted a story that engages and disturbs, ensuring it’s one I won’t be forgetting anytime soon.
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