by Patricia Briggs
Series: Alpha & Omega #4
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
For once, mated werewolves Charles and Anna are not traveling because of Charles’s role as his father’s enforcer. This time, their trip to Arizona is purely personal, as Charles plans to buy Anna a horse for her birthday. Or at least it starts out that way... Charles and Anna soon discover that a dangerous Fae being is on the loose, replacing human children with simulacrums. The Fae’s cold war with humanity is about to heat up—and Charles and Anna are in the cross fire.
Dead Heat is the fourth book in the Alpha & Omega series by Patricia Briggs. I listened to the previous books but was offered an advanced print copy of Dead Heat. Ironically, I could still hear the narrator in my head as I read. For those who are curious, I fully intend to continue the series in audio format. Dead Heat was intense and brought us closer to Charles and Anna.
Time has passed since Fair Game and we meet a stronger Anna. Charles has decided he wants to purchase a horse for her birthday and together they take a trip to Arizona to visit a dying friend whose family breeds horses. What began, as a vacation quickly gets complicated when a dangerous Fae, whose been replacing humans with simulacrums (kind of like golems who mimic the child that was replaced) threatens one of the packs wives.
Briggs fleshed out Charles and Anna’s relationship and I adored seeing them interact. Anna is strong, and beginning to understand her role as Omega. She is no longer meek, and I loved seeing her stand her ground. She really sees Charles and is so in tune with him. She understands him even if he does not. Charles himself sees growth and there is a new calmness to him. Briggs shows us the darker side of being immortal and an enforcer. These glimpses into Charles delighted me. Secondary characters developed the tale from jealousy to trust. adding interest from a jealous woman to pack trust and beliefs.
“Love,” he said, “Is always a risk, isn’t it? I’ve always thought that there were no certainties in life, but I was wrong. Love is a certainty. And love always gives more than it takes.”
Briggs did not spare us the details from show horses to the darker aspects of the Fae. Leslie Fisher, the FBI agent they worked with in Fair Game is called in and we see the relationship between the three strengthen. The Fae fascinate and freak the heck of out me. I would rather spend time with a vampire or Were. The Fae are nasty, deceitful and have no human attributes. Briggs brought all those fears to the surface and her imagery and dark imagination rocked. The thread involving Charles’ friend Joseph tugged at my heartstrings. Briggs’ weaved in magic, pack knowledge, Charles’ past and the spirits to keep me flipping the pages.
Dead Heat held me captive as once again, Briggs provides an intriguing, heart-tugging case and brings us closer to her characters.
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. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Olivia
I am glad that you were able to enjoy the continuation of the series! It sounds like this one is even better than the third. I love it when authors aren’t afraid to get nitty and gritty and show us the darker side and themes as well.
kimbacaffeinate
I completely agree Olivia
Bookworm Brandee
I’m glad you enjoyed this one even if it wasn’t in audio. It’s funny that you still heard the narrator’s voice in your head. 🙂 I like how Briggs’ seems to be continuing to flesh out Charles and Anna’s relationship and that Anna is stronger. I’m really looking forward to starting this series!
kimbacaffeinate
I will listen to the audio even though I read it, it really does add an extra element particularly with the characters emotions.
Mandy
Great Review!!! I’m not a audio book kind of girl but ugh I can’t wait till I have my copy. Love this series one of my favorites. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Thank you so much for the tease only a few more days. Happy reading!
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy it Mandy..I love Charles and Anna
Terri
Love Charles and Anna, so excited to see that the next book is out already! Glad to hear that Anna keeps getting stronger, as I hated the situation she was in originally. Thanks for a great review!
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, I love seeing her strengthen and heal
Benish
Love your thoughts on this one, I always find new reads from your wonderful blog 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Benish that makes me smile
blodeuedd
I do want this one so much
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy it when you do Linda 🙂
Melissa (Books and Things)
I. Need. All. of. Them! 😀 I totally relate to hearing the narrator if you’ve done several books on audio and then read them. I so do that too! I am going to rent the next audio in this series that I need very soon. 😀
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy Melissa, I ordered the audio 🙂
Kim { Book Swoon }
So many great thoughts posted about this series – I think I should/need to meet Anna and Charles. Would you go with narration or print if you had to start from the beginning? I’m trying to add more audio and this sounds like it continues to be well worth it.
Lovely review!!
kimbacaffeinate
For me Kim, it is audio all the way, I think this would have scored higher with it. Holter just adds another layer for me:)
Cyn
I’ve been meaning to check out Patricia Briggs! This sounds like a pretty cool series. I love a couple that’s well developed! Happy to hear you enjoyed it. Thanks for the review!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Cyn I am really glad I started it 🙂
Lanie
I love this series, I can’t wait to get a copy of this! So jealous you got an ARC!!Great review 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy, yeah when it was offered I squee-d a little 🙂
Heidi
This book is everywhere this week and everyone is loving it. This series is all of a sudden on fire and it has climbed its way up on my list.
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you try them, I really prefer the audio and in fact ordered it.
Melliane
You know it’s quite complicated for me and this series but I should try again, maybe it would be better…
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you do 🙂
Ramona
I love it when a writer creates a character that is both scary and fascinating! And I think that’s a true portrayal (or what a true portrayal should be) of the faeries. I have to read this series… With each new review from you, it seems as though it’s getting better and better. It’s very satisfying to watch the relationships between characters developing across several volumes, isn’t it! Another splendid review 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I shall make a Briggs junkie of you yet 🙂
Sophia Rose
Got this one up for this weekend. So glad it was satisfying. I love how Patricia writes a good maturing relationship that makes an HEA only the beginning. Look forward to it!
kimbacaffeinate
I love Anna and Charlies..enjoy!
kindlemom1
Yay! We are review twins today. 😛
I really do love this series and while I might have liked this just a bit more than you did this time, I can still tell that you are loving this series and that makes me so happy! 🙂
Wonderful review Kim, I really hope you have a fabulous weekend and stay warm where you are!!
kimbacaffeinate
I think it was because I prefer the audio.
Sarah
I finally picked up a copy of Moon Called by Briggs from the public library. Have yet to read it but I’m super stoked! I can’t believe he’s buying her a horse . . . one day I will meet my SO and he will want to by me a horse. And maybe a pet pig LOL
kimbacaffeinate
Yes..I adore the Mercy Thompson series..and Adam, and Sam and Adam 🙂 LOL, you sound like my daughter..she wants all kinds of animals.
Debbie Haupt
Love the review Kim, it’s on my list 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Debbie, Briggs rocks 🙂
Diana Leigh
Is that Charles on the cover? Yummy. =)
kimbacaffeinate
Yes..yum indeed!
Red Iza
As always, this series is on my to-read list, and I hope to reach it someday (I will !)
kimbacaffeinate
LOL, I have a list like that..it took me a while but I finally read Kate Daniels, and these 🙂
Jennifer Bielman
I have to buy book 3. I am missing out on so much. So happy Anna is getting stronger
kimbacaffeinate
Oh Fair Game rocked Jennifer 🙂
Teddyree
Decided to get on the bandwagon with this series thanks to your reviews and was bummed I couldn’t get Cry Wolf on Audible Aust. Fingers crossed our library has it, I’ve had great success with audios on Borrow Box 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Oh man..not fair..the audios rock. I hope you can get them. I wish it was Audible of the World and not limited to certain markets. It bugs me.
Christy
Nice! I’m planning to start the Mercy Thompson series in March, so hopefully I’ll eventually make my way to this.
kimbacaffeinate
What? Shut the Front Door…you haven’t read Mercy? Oh lord,. First The Others then Mercy, then these.
Alreem
you really are in love with this series Kim, you are making me want to read it as well, I will buy the first book and see what happen from there 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Yes..each book gets better, although I prefer audio
Lupdilup
We’re gonna be review twins 😉 Well, on the blog. I just scheduled Melanie’s review of the audiobook. I’ll be listening to as as soon as I get a chance. These is one of those series where I just love being back in their world, and I have always enjoy my visits.
Sounds like a good one 🙂 I think the narration notched it higher a 1/2 star for Melanie.
Thanks Kimba, I’m glad the series continues strong.
kimbacaffeinate
I cannot wait for the audio, it is most definitely my preferred format for this series