Hunting Ground by Patricia Briggs

February 13th, 2015 Kimberly Review 66 Comments

13th Feb
Hunting Ground by Patricia Briggs
Hunting Ground
by Patricia Briggs
Series: Alpha & Omega #2
Narrator: Holter Graham
Length: 8 hrs and 25 mins
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Source: Purchase
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarHalf a Star
Narration: 4 cups

Mated to werewolf Charles Cornick, the son—and enforcer—of the leader of the North American werewolves, Anna Latham now knows how dangerous being a werewolf is, especially when a werewolf who opposes Charles and his father is struck down. Charles’s reputation makes him the prime suspect, and the penalty for the crime is execution. Now Anna and Charles must combine their talents to hunt down the real killer—or Charles will take the fall.

Hunting Ground is the second novel in Patricia Brigg’s Alpha and Omega series. After the delightful narration from Holter Graham in Cry Wolf, I decided to continue this series on audio. Charles and his mate Anna travel for a liaison with the European Wolves as Bran moves closer to exposing their community. Engaging and suspenseful we see their relationship strengthen as they face danger.

“Women are the bloodthirsty sex,” said Ric sadly. “We get the reputation, but it is only because the women stand behind us, and say, ‘Kill it. Squish it.”

Hunting Ground had a little of everything from relationship growth to a crime in which Charles ends up the prime suspect. Witches, Fae, Vampires and plots abound. While Briggs’ gave us several suspects, I will admit to piecing things together before the reveal.

“Charles looked at her thoughtfully.” People talk to you,” he said. “That could be useful.”

Anna continues to grow even as she struggles around so many dominant alphas. Being Omega and its impact on the others wolves is always fascinating. Anna is dubbed the “rabbit” and rightly so, but we see her inner strength and she can be formidable.

The relationship between them continues to strength and we get moments of tension, humor and heat. Charles is not a hallmark kind of person, and his tenderness and patience had me swooning. It does not come naturally to him, but for Anna he tries and what more could a woman ask for. Anna has issues, but she knows it and tries to correct it unlike other female leads who take full advantage of the “woe is me card. “ I appreciated this, admire her and cannot friggin wait to see her reach her full potential as an Omega.

“She was his and he hers.”

I loved how Briggs’ weaved in the Fae, Vampires, witches and King Arthur’s story. Heck even Bran ends up involved. While the summit ends up in the background, it was interesting to see the different personalities and negotiations. As for the murders, and chaos I loved it all but I am not sure I wholly bought the perpetrators’ reasons. Perhaps because I am not cray-cray.

“My grandfather would have loved to have met you,” Charles told her huskily. “He would have called you ‘She Moves Trees Out of His Path.'”
She looked lost, but his da laughed. He’d know the old man, too. “He called me ‘He Who Must Run into Trees,'” Charles explained.”

While Cry Wolf held me captive more than Hunting Ground, I downloaded Fair Game and fully intend to continue this series on audio. Graham is brilliant for this series and does a wonderful job of giving voice to these characters.

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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

66 Responses to “Hunting Ground by Patricia Briggs”

  1. Bookworm Brandee

    Briggs seems to do heroines well. I like that Anna has an inner strength despite being dubbed ‘rabbit’. I’m glad you’ll continue the series even if this one didn’t grab you quite as much as the first one, Kimba. I’m really looking forward to starting this series myself. 🙂

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I can tell you this series just gets better, my review of the next two books will be up on Friday’s this month.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Next Friday Taylor and Dead Heat the next. I will tell you each book gets better 🙂

  2. Sharon

    I haven’t read anything from this author before but it does sound like a series I could become very interested in. Great review.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Thanks Sharon, she also writes the Mercy Thompson series and these two series have a little cross-over

  3. Mariana

    I loved this series too. The audio was perfect for me and I listened to the entire thing having lots of fun. Have you tried Mercy Thompson yet? I just started and it’s really good too.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I am on auto-buy for Mercy..just waiting for the next release..lol

  4. aurian

    You’ve already made me re-read Cry Wolf, but I have so many shiny new books, for now I won’t be tempted to continue.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      That happens to me too when I see reviews of books I enjoyed 🙂 but you are right so many books, so little time

  5. Lorna

    I can’t wait to start this series! I have the first one but have never read any of this authors books before. Glad you are enjoying this series.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Enjoy Lorna, I am all caught up on this series including the soon to be released Dead Heat and each book gets better 🙂

  6. Jeann

    Woah, King Arthur’s story is something I didn’t expect in this book! It sounds like the ideal werewolf book though, I love how it weaves in other paranormals. Great review Kimba!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      thanks Jeann, i love how she weaves in folk lore, legends and other paranormal elements as well

  7. Paij Slater

    I use to get through audio books really fast, but now I am finding a harder time listening to them, since I have so many other things that require my attention…But I do love them! So much! Great review

    • kimbacaffeinate

      It can be hard, I find listening while cleaning, cooking and late night in bed work best

  8. Lupdilup

    I do enjoy this series a lot, but Mercy is my girl, and my favorite of the two series. Graham is fabulous with everything I’ve listened from him. I’m glad you’re still planing to continue.

  9. Melissa (Books and Things)

    I hope to listen to this one soon. I was going to start with book 1 on audio (I had already read it) but my library only has THIS one. Like they knew I needed it. I requested more so hopefully they will get more in. So glad you still enjoyed this one and I love how you describe Anna’s character.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I listened to the first three, and read 4..audio is the way to go and each book gets better.

  10. Tanja

    Yet another UF series I need to tackle. If only they didn’t have so many sequels my life would be much easier. Anyhow I’m glad that it makes you weak at the knees 😉 we love that. Great review 🙂

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I have been on a bit of a UF/paranormal kick and enjoying the heck out of it

  11. Michelle

    I really liked the first two books in this series, and I need to catch up! I loved Charles and Anna’s dynamic.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I enjoy the way Briggs writes and weaves in the supernatural. Charles and Anna are unique and each book I adore them more

  12. Benish k

    I love the concept of werewolves more than vampires .. Thanks for putting this under my radar now – lovely review!

  13. Katherine

    Not being a very Hallmark-y person myself and definitely not married to one I always love when they show a character going out of his way to be tender or sweet. That’s swoon-worthy for me! This sounds interesting. I’m not sold on werewolves but it sounds like there’s enough going on that I’d be to caught up in it all to worry about it!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Right, Charles makes me swoon, because each act or attempt is so heart-felt 🙂

  14. Heidi

    I love the Mercy Thompson series, and I keep meaning to try this series. I am glad that it is going well for you so far.

  15. Ramona

    I love that you’re woman enough to admit when characters make you swoon! 🙂 I only hope you’re sitting and not in danger of getting a contusion when these episodes occur, lol!!! 😀 See, I’m not a stranger to the weak-in-the-knees situation either (due to fictional characters), so I know how dangerous it can be! Excellent review, Kimba, nice job…

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Ha…even my husband laughs at my swoons. As fast as I read, I am known for a swoon or two a day..hehe

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Some days Carol I feel like I have read nothing, and have so many series on my wishlist. We need that time machine..tell the hubby to start building it

  16. Jenny

    I’m starting Fair Game soon too Kim, I can’t wait to compare notes with you. It’s been a little while since I’ve spent time with Charles and Anna, so I can’t wait to get back to them. Here’s hoping book 3 is as engaging for you as Cry Wolf!!! Glad this was a solid installment for you though:)

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Fair Game and Dead Heat rocked Jenny, each book gets stronger 🙂

  17. Nick

    I like the sound of Charles and Anna’s relationship. It seems interesting. I’m not sure if I want to read this series yet, because it doesn’t sound that it’s the kind that I should be rushing to buy, but I’ll pick it up one of these days. My goal is to read more UF/PNR this year, so I might add this one to my TBR.
    Great review, Kim!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I finished the soon to be released Dead Heat and can tell you the books just get better 🙂

  18. kindlemom1

    I so need to post my review for this!

    I really do love this series. It isn’t a really stand out series by any means but it is a wonderful one at the same time. I am so glad you are reading it too Kim!
    Have a wonderful weekend!

  19. Jessica

    Yeah, Charles and Anna’s relationship is really something. Sometimes it’s a bit painful for me, b/c it’s so obvious that they care deeply for each other, but neither of them is comfortable yet, and even if they were, they don’t have a lot of experience with healthy relationships. I still love it though, and I hope you like Fair Game 😉 Great review!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I loved Fair Game and oh my Dead Heat rocked Jessica. I love the dynamics between them and each novel we see them grow both individually and as a couple

  20. Melanie Simmons

    I think each book in this series is better than the previous. I just relistened to Fair Game because I remembered that some big stuff happens in that book, but couldn’t remember the details. I wanted a refresher before Dead Heat. I’m really glad you’re enjoying.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I completely agree, my review of Fair Game posts next Friday and Dead Heat the week after..they were both fantastic.

  21. Red Iza

    I haven’t read her books yet, but I do want to. I love that quote about the bloodthirsty sex, it’s both funny and sad… Great review !

    • kimbacaffeinate

      The story is riddled with fantastic lines, I laughed aloud a lot 🙂

  22. Sarah

    “He Must Run Into Trees” That sounds completely insulting LOL. Still, I’m glad to hear the heroine actually works on her behavioral problems. I love that in a main character!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Ha..I loved it, and can picture his elder grandfather calling Charles that..he is stubborn

  23. Melliane

    I have this one… not read. I don’t remember if I tld you but I really prefer Mercy and it’s a little flat for me with Anna and Charles. One day.

  24. Jenny Schwartz

    I really like this book – the whole series, in fact. Charles and Anna are so wonderful together, even as they struggle with their histories.