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Hunting Grounds by
Patricia Briggs
is a blend of paranormal romance and urban fantasy. This is
the second novel in her Alpha & Omega series( which is a
spin-off of her popular urban fantasy Mercy Thompson
series). The Alpha & OMega series is about the Marrok's
other son (and enforcer) Charles and Anna, the Omega wolf,
who became Charle's mate and the trials and tribulations
they face as they learn to be mates and take on various
"cases" that Charles has to deal with for the pack.
Book description:
"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 HIGHLY recommend reading the first short story prequel
"The Alpha and the Omega" in the ON THE PROWL anthology.It
is short, but satisfying. The first novel, CRY WOLF, is a
tad weaker, but still enjoyable and explains a lot of the
back story of various characters like the Marrok, Charles
and the pack itself which I found interesting. It also
expanded on the role of the Marrok and the roles the sons
play in the pack in ways that the Mercy Thompson series
doesn't have time for. All these stories in this series
happen right after the other one ends so it can be confusing
for a new person to the series to start any out of order.
This series is for those who really enjoy exploring the
world of the werewolves and how they interact in politics or
outside of their "packs" because that is where the main
focus is compared.
I will admit, I was looking forward to reading this novel as
I am a big fan of Brigg's Mercy Thompson series. However, I
have found this series weaker in comparison. The characters
aren't as fleshed out and the plot was weaker. Very weak.
The book is more about Charles and Anna still working ( in a
very vague manner) out the various factors in their
relationship from dealing with her past and now being his
lover and mate to her role as an Omega and what this means
for her as well as Charles or the Pack. Charles role as an
Alpha and an "enforcer" for his father also plays a factor
on how their relationship has some trials to face,
especially as Anna joins Charles on the trip.
Overall, there is a little bit of mystery, but the basic
story is Anna fighting and learning how to be a stronger
wolf and mate in various ways by the time of the summit.
Personally, I think it is a case of acceptance than
learning, but maybe I see things too simply. If you don't
mind a predictable mystery, some vague talk about working
out relationships in the couples' heads and lots of details
about the pack's inner politics, then you will enjoy the
book.
I was a tad disappointed with this book as there was never a
really good reason stated for Anna to go with Charles to
face a bunch of Alphas considering her past with Alphas. It
was just naturally assumed that she would go with him which
doesn't make sense considering that most of the Alphas they
were meeting were not friends and sometimes enemies.
Considering how Charles and Bran were going into a
politically sensitive situation, I was surprised that Anna
was allowed to go. There was no bringing up of using her
"omega" powers or anything like that. Especially with the
Beast being there it just didn't make sense that Charles
didn't slightly protest her coming or staying. *sigh*
Personally, I thought it was pretty dumb, but if she hadn't
have been there, then the story wouldn't be called Alpha and
Omega series, right? So moving on...
I have to admit I was surprised that there was a lot of
disjointed sentences and I found many word choices that were
awkward. I think the editor needed to make another run
through on this book before it was published. It was enough
to knock me out of the story a lot as it was that
disjointed. Especially in the first 50 some pages. It didn't
help that the story itself was slow and the plot so thin and
forced. I didn't really see anything that seemed to grow
organically in the plot.
And I have to admit I am getting a bit annoyed at the
dragging out of Charles and Anna's relationship as the
previous book seemed to be resolving a lot of the issues
that are addressed yet again in this book. I was also VERY
disappointed with the conclusion of the novel with the great
climax. The big confrontation of the "baddies" felt too
easily resolved. Especially after the big build up of how
certain characters were all so powerful. I won't say which
ones as there a lot done like that in this book, but I was
just disappointed with how easily the good guys one. When
the last confrontation happened, I remember thinking,
"that's it? WTH?" There was no real challenge I saw between
them except in a very "forced manner". Just my opinion of
course, but after reading Brigg's other books, it was a let
down as I am used to a bit more suspense and thrills.
There is a LOT of explaining of the pack relations dealing
with the international packs and how they deal with each
other. I also find out some about some other supernatural
creatures which is interesting, but wasn't built upon as
much as I would've liked. I got enough of a taste to get me
curious, but not be satisfied. The hunt was potentially
interesting and meeting some of the other pack leaders as
well though admittedly, none were layered enough than to be
labeled more than potential ally 1...potential
psychopath/baddie #1. I think this is where the weakness
lies as the characters were very one dimensional even for
supporting characters or token bad guys.
I find this sad as to begin with, I found this series so
full of potential and I really enjoyed the ideas that were
shown in this series. In the previous stories, I really
liked Charles and I liked learning about the pack structure
and more about the wolves in general and how they interact
with each other and the world. And I adored Bran, the Maddok
while finding Anna filled with interesting potential.
After reading HUNTING GROUNDS, I am indifferent to all but
the Maddock. If I continue reading this series, it will
probably be for any mention of Bran or the other werewolves
we were previously introduced to in CRY WOLF or anything to
do with the traditions or pack relations. Not the
relationship between the two lead characters who I now find
annoying. So to sum it up: if I read more in this series it
will be in spite of Anna and Charles and their
"relationship" which i hate admitting.
I might seem harsh, but I was very disappointed with this
book and I only know how to be blunt. I think this book
could've been a "contender" as the saying goes, but it all
boiled down to the relationship story angle not being strong
enough to catch my interest or even to care by the end and
the plot so thin and the writing so disjointed. I have
hopes that BONE CROSSED which is the latest Mercy Thompson
series is an improvement.
I definitely do not find this book a keeper, but recommend
for those who have to have their series complete, love
Brigg's work or adore werewolf politics/mythos. |
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