Review - Hunting Ground by Patricia Briggs

Series: Alpha and Omega #2

Genre: Urban Fantasy 

Age Group: Adult

Mass Market Paperback: 286 pgs

Source: Purchased

Published - September 2009

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Rating: 3.5/5

TW (for this series): Physical and sexual abuse, self harm and attempted suicide. Many of these things happened in the past and are not on page, but they are referred to quite often.

Anna Latham didn’t know how complicated life could be until she became a werewolf. And until she was mated to Charles Cornick, the son — and enforcer — of Bran, the leader of the North American werewolves, she didn’t know how dangerous it could be either...

Anna and Charles have just been enlisted to attend a summit to present Bran’s controversial proposition: that the wolves should finally reveal themselves to humans. But the most feared Alpha in Europe is dead set against the plan — and it seems like someone else might be too. When Anna is attacked by vampires using pack magic, the kind of power only werewolves should be able to draw on, Charles and Anna must combine their talents to hunt down whoever is behind it all — or risk losing everything...

I'll be honest. Patricia Brigg's books are addicting and fun to read, but they don't stick with me. I read this last summer and I've forgotten nearly all the details of this book.

What I do remember about this book is appreciating the look at werewolf politics and how Briggs expanded the world. She takes a different angle with these books than with the Mercy Thompson Series. This series is much more focused on the larger picture than Mercy Thompson. While this sometimes puts the romantic elements in the background, it is well balanced and fun to read. Through out the book, and this series so far, I enjoy how Charles and Anna discuss their relationship even when it is awkward or difficult. Their relationship feels genuine because they act like adults especially as their relationship is so new.

I'm anxious to see Anna grow into her abilities as an Omega even more in future books. Throughout this series I've enjoyed how Anna rises to the occasion and surpasses everyone's expectations of her.

Recent Review---> Darius by Grace Burrows

Review - Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs

Series: Alpha and Omega #1

Genre: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal

Age Group: Adult

Mass Market Paperback - 295
Source: Purchased 

Published: 2008 by Ace Books

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Rating: 4/5

TW: Mention of Rape, physical abuse, self harm, suicide attempt.

*I highly recommend reading Alpha and Omega before reading Cry Wolf. The introduction is essential to understanding this book*

Anna never knew werewolves existed, until the night she survived a violent attack... and became one herself. After three years at the bottom of the pack, she'd learned to keep her head down and never, ever trust dominant males. Then Charles Cornick, the enforcer—and son—of the leader of the North American werewolves, came into her life.


Charles insists that not only is Anna his mate, but she is also a rare and valued Omega wolf. And it is Anna's inner strength and calming presence that will prove invaluable as she and Charles go on the hunt in search of a rogue werewolf—a creature bound in magic so dark that it could threaten all of the pack.

As a confirmed Urban Fantasy junkie I had to check out Patricia Briggs second series set in the Mercy Thompson universe. After reading the first short story about Anna and Charles (Alpha and Omega), I immediately needed more story about these two. Their chemistry was fantastic and I loved the introduction to Anna's life and character in that short story. Overall the romance took me by surprise in the novella and in this book. I'm shipping these two really hard.

Anna is a fantastic character who is struggling to overcome a bad situation and adjust to a new life.  She had been through a lot of trauma and abuse before the events of this book. Those events are referenced quite often so if you are sensitive to the topics of sexual assault, physical abuse, self harm or attempted suicide you may want to consider this series carefully. Overall, Anna is written as a strong character who slowly comes out of her shell throughout the book and I loved her just as much as I love Mercy. Obviously the story also focused on Charles, but I was more invested in Anna's story and her growth. Charles is fairly secure in his place and life except for Anna. Their relationship comes across as an evolving partnership and they are still trying to find their balance.

Stepping into the pack atmosphere in Montana was really interesting. Since we hear so much about these characters in Mercy's series, I was excited to learn more about the infamous Bran and his family. The book focuses heavily on Anna and Charles, but there is a lot of broader world building mixed in and more back story on Bran. 

It shows that Briggs has been writing this world for a while and she knows the rules. It makes this first book stronger than the first book in the Mercy Thompson series. I really enjoyed it and plan to read this alongside the other series.

My Last Review ---> His Second Chance by Stephanie Lake