(Her covers are beautifully done)
Hunting Ground – Patricia Briggs
August 25, 2009
Alpha & Omega Book 2
Urban Fantasy
Paperback, 304 pages
Ace
Hunting Ground starts a few weeks after Cry Wolf ends and this is one series that I would definitely recommend you read in order.
Charles and Anna are still in an early point in there relationship. Anna was changed against her will into a werewolf in an act of physical abuse and she is still suffering the consequences. Her ex-Alpha was brutal and when she comes in contact with other Alphas or dominants, she becomes very frightened. Her mate Charles ironically, is a very dominant wolf. He is the son of Bran, the Marrok, in charge of all North American wolves. In fact, Charles is Bran’s enforcer and has been killing for centuries.
Bran wants to bring the werewolves out to the public. Certain government agencies and terrorist groups have found out about the shifters and blackmail has ensued. The only way to stop it is to be honest with the general population. The shifters of the other countries, predominately Europe because they have the next largest population, are wary of this decision and want in on the negotiations. Bran and Charles’ take on the matter is – the shifters are coming out no matter what, but they will help with the transition as much as possible.
Alphas and other representatives meet in Seattle to discuss how the announcement will proceed. Because of Charles’ ancestors he can sometimes speak to spirits and gets “feelings.” He has forbidden Bran to go to Seattle, knowing something would happen. He feels conflicted however. He always does what his Alpha, his father, tells him. Now he has Anna, and her safety and protection are pushing to the forefront. Unable to leave his unprotected female at home, Charles and Anna go to Seattle to oversee the meetings. Bran also puts Dana Shea, a very old and strong Fae, as mediator of the meetings to make sure the violence does not get out of control.
Although there are some tensions with Anna in the presence of so many dominants, Charles reigns in his wolf and the meetings proceed. Anna is in a unique situation being an Omega, she cowers near dominants so all of them immediately sense that and want to stop what is harming her, but it is them. Charles recognizes this and has her leave with a trusted werewolf and his witch mate. All does not go as planned though. The trio is ambushed, and Anna smells vampire. But all signs point to a strategic attack by werewolves. When others are attacked, Charles and Anna must sort out who the real villain is before Anna is harmed and Charles loses what little control he has left.
Hunting Ground continues to delve into Charles and Anna’s relationship. Anna is still not entirely confident in herself, although you do get to see her grow in this book. She finds the true meaning of an Omega wolf, in her words an “Alpha wolf who is extremely zen.” This is a big development for her. This gives her that little push to be in the presence of other dominants and know she doesn’t have to cower in their presence.
Anna also realizes she can call on “brother wolf,” Charles’ wolf counterpart for strength in times of need. Charles describes his brother wolf and him as one, two spirits, but one soul. The wolf inside of him recognizes Anna as his mate completely and becomes quite feral if she is the target of any sort of threat. Although they both love each other, Anna is reserved because of her past history with brutal dominants, and Charles holds back because his need for protecting her is so strong, that he is often on the verge of losing control and knowing if he does it will scare Anna more than anything. Charles knows that his father Bran and his mate Leah are perfect matches for their wolves, but almost despise each other otherwise, something Charles doesn’t want Anna to fall into. He loves her more than anything, yet is so unsure of it all:
And he worried that she might not ever be able to see who he was and love him – because he looked in the mirror and saw only the killer. It was the reason he kept the bond between them tightened down. He loved her beyond all reason and didn’t expect her to love him back. He was just waiting for her to wise up.
I am again impressed by Patricia Briggs and I find this series much more romantic than her Mercy Thompson series, which is also one of my absolute favorite series. There is action and a mystery, but the story is more about Charles and Anna. When Charles lets his guard down a bit and lightens up and Anna lets him in, I adore their relationship. They still have much ground to cover, but I cannot wait to keep reading about it.
I end with summing up Charles perfectly:
And now he wasn’t [alone]. He love it, he reveled in it – though he was sometimes halfway convinced that the bond between them would be his death. For her sake, he would destroy the world.Probably it wouldn’t come to that.
Rating: 4 Stars
This series includes:
“Alpha and Omega” in the On The Prowl Anthology
Patricia Briggs’ website.
Now I want to go read it all over again. I do love their love story. I love how she wants to be stronger and how he wants to be gentler and that they are so careful of each other and yet despite his wolf choosing first, Charles did fall in love with her — and not just her wolf.
Really enjoyed your review Mandy. I'm yet to read a Patricia Briggs' book but looks like I should pick one up really soon!!
I've made no secret that I'm not a big fan of werewolves, but Patricia Briggs has gotten past my arguments with her amazing books. I absolutely love this series, and cannot wait to read HG, which I snapped up on release day. Awesome review Mandi :)
I love reading your take on Hunting Ground Mandi and it seems that my UF wishlist is rapidly growing thanks to reviews like this :)
Great review, Mandi. I loved the book also. Patrica Briggs is such a great author.
Great review.
I have been thinking about reading Briggs, well she is already in my Amazon shopping cart ;) or bookmooch if I am lucky. But that was another series
Lovely review Mandy!
I've got Patricia Briggs Mercy books in the stacks and have to read them soon… (I need more time).
Man the cover art for that book you are reading pictured at the top of your left sidebar is gorgeous..
Best
L
O…M….F…G… Starting this book tonight!!!! Yay!!! I can not wait to read it!!! My Charles fixs is putting in dire need of some pure Alpha that only Charles can give me!!!!!
I love your review honey!!!!
I hope you have a great day!
Charles and Anna are awesome together!! And yes Stacy, this series is so much more than just your typical werewolf story :)
Hope everyone is having a great day!
Fabulous review, girlie! :) I loved this book sooo much.
Wendy – Thanks!
This series really does have a sweetness to it that's so lovely. This one is sitting on my nightstand and I will be starting it very soon. Thanks for the lovely review!
I much prefer this series to the Mercy Thompson. I love Anna and Charles and how their relationship is developing :D I also find that we learn more about the werewolves world in this series than with Mercy…
I'm glad you liked it as well :)
I agree this series is more sweet and romantic than Mercy. I think I favor Mercy a little bit more though. I really enjoy her as a heroine.
Fantastic Review Mandi!
I too am in love with this series and whole heartily agree that its more romantic then the Mercy Thompson Series. But I still love them both.
I can't wait to read more about Charles and Anna! Your words have only made me more excited!
;) VFG
I love Anna and Charles and their romance! Great Review Mandi!
ARGH! You're killing me! My copy still hasn't arrived and I am feeling antsy.
It is comforting to know that you enjoyed it though – let's me know my waiting won't be in vain.
I'll probably post here again after I've read it, just to have some place to expel all my gushy fan-girl hysteria :)
Yay! I just got this one. Thanks for the review.
Danielle – yes come back and gush. There is one scene in particular I would love to gush about!
Thanks Nath, VFG and Sarah!!
Patricia and I must connect again. I haven't read her since her first book came out, I must correct this instantly based on your smashing review!
Happy to see you like Hunting Ground! Even though I've read the Mercy Thompson series, I still need to get on to Alpha & Omega series. I bought Hunting Ground so I'll have it when I finish the novella and Cry Wolf — no waiting. Thanks once again for the awesome review. :)
Hey smexanator, I have a couple of awards for you!
http://assistantpigkeeper.blogspot.com/2009/09/adventures-in-reading.html
I finished the book last night and I'm amazed that Patricia Briggs created Charles the way he is, so emotional inside and full of strength on the outside. I love her characters. And I'm happy that Anna is getting stronger.
You said exactly the things I thought while reading this book.
Great review!
Dammit! I can't keep up. I'm going to have to hire someone to read to me while I'm busy doing other things like sleeping. Adding yet another to my tbr. Thanks! :)
My copy arrived! I read it in about 4 hours, I could not put it down!
ARGH! I loved this so much. I especially loved Charles's "lie back and think of England" – it's nice to see his playful side.
You're right, this series is more romantic than Mercy Thompson – but I wonder if we'll be lucky enough to read some very sweet romantic moments between Mercy and Adam in 'Silverborne' now that they are mated.
My one small complaint is I wanted a bit more Bran. I especially wanted an exploration of Bran and Leah's tumultuous relationship – hopefully that will come in book #3.
Now I'm really looking forward to the Alpha & Omega graphic novel.
Danielle –
I loved when Charles loosened up a bit..sooooo sweet. But I also loved when he went ballistic in the van! Hot Alpha!!!
I was so excited for Bran and we didn't get much. I know this is Charles and Anna's series – but sigh. I need Bran!!!!!!!!
I don't know if we will get a lot of cuddly Mercy and Adam. I see them more at odds…I think Mercy will still want more independence etc…but I can't wait to read about it.
OH! The van scene was fantastic!
I loved that instead of firing the shotgun, he just rammed the barrel through the vampires heart. Now *that* is a wolf-mad Alpha male! Hot damn!
I was really thrown by the bad guys at the end too – I did not see it coming until the last possible moment and I was suitably gob-smacked. Also really loved Anna stepping up to the plate in the end, sure it's cool to be 'zen', but sometimes an ass-kicking is just what the doctor ordered.