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Hunting Ground (Alpha & Omega #2)

by Patricia Briggs

4.16 · rating details · 10,976 ratings · 675 reviews

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: tha...more

Mass Market Paperbound, 286 pages

Published August 25th 2009 by Ace Books

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Apr 05, 2010

Mel rated it

Shelves: pnr, favorites

First I'd like to comment that the description on Goodreads is not a good description of the contents of the book (you'll see what I mean after you've read it) and does not match the description on the book jacket, which is a much better summary:
“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 ei...moreFirst I'd like to comment that the description on Goodreads is not a good description of the contents of the book (you'll see what I mean after you've read it) and does not match the description on the book jacket, which is a much better summary:
“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 read Cry Wolf (the first book in the Alpha & Omega series) a couple of days ago and rated it three stars (which still seems a bit too harsh but 3,5 isn’t available; I need to start a petition or something).
Cry Wolf was a decent read. Plotwise I wasn’t so in love with the action because it was too simple and too much based on a string of coincidences. But what I loved about the book was the romance, which pretty much centered around Anna and Charles getting to know each other and learning to trust each other, after their wolves had decided to mate.

In Hunting Ground we’re a month later in time. Charles and Anna are now married as also their human sides have accepted to be mated. Their mating bond though, still has to be developed and this depends on both Anna’s ability to fully trust Charles as well as Charles’ ability to open himself up to her.

The deepening of their relationship is an ongoing process in the book and is beautifully worked out. Like last time, we get to be in both Anna’s and Charles’ heads and experience their doubts, fears and deep need for one another.
I love Anna and Charles together and I especially like reading Charles’ point of view about it.
Being his father’s assassin has made Charles block out deep feelings and emotions and he’s often overwhelmed by Anna. She in her turn doesn’t always know how to deal with Charles, who she (rightfully I think) calls a force of nature. Their ability to see one another for what they truly are, is the strength in their relationship.

The way Briggs describes the mating bond -the intimacy of knowing and feeling what your mate is going through- is so great it almost makes you sad that us humans aren’t capable of such a thing on such a level. Which is a great accomplishment by Briggs considering the fact that she absolutely does not glorify the supernatural creatures she writes about. Quite the opposite: I sure wouldn’t want to be a werewolf. (Well... maybe if they add a Charles to the package I’d consider…)

Unlike Cry Wolf, I wasn’t put off by the action plot this time. There were a few minor things though I wasn’t too happy with.
First: Charles is supposed to be his father’s enforcer for over a 150 years and is supposedly ‘very very good at his job’ as it keeps getting mentioned. But suddenly it seems like Anna is the key figure in everything he does, and it makes you wonder how he was able to pull off the job all by himself so very smoothly the 149 years before.
Second: the villain to me was clear from the beginning. This is the third book of Briggs that I’ve read so far and till now she keeps using the same ways to introduce certain characters. It's soon clear which characters are ‘bad’ and which are there to distract the attention.
Still, the plot was very entertaining and nicely worked out.

So again, a very decent read by Patricia Briggs. Will round it up to a full 4 stars this time. I’m anxiously awaiting the third novel.
(less)

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Jan 03, 2012

Lady Danielle "The Book Huntress" rated it

Recommends it for: Urban fantasy readers

Shelves: part-of-a-series, urban-fantasy, werewolf, owned-copy, favorite-or-autobuy-author, married-couple-romance, favorites, supercouple, hero-to-die-for, heroine-i-adore, native-american, assassin, scary-sexy-cool-dangerous-hero, fated-to-be-mated, arthurian, faerie, desert-island-keepers, famous-literary-historical-characte, vampire, 2012-sky-s-the-limit-club, dangerous-hero-2012-general-reading, all-things-winter-challenge, yearly-reading-challenge, possessive-and-or-jealous-hero, uf-winter-challenge-2012

I am glad I took my time reading this. I think there are so many levels to this novel that I could miss if I breezed through. I like how simple Briggs writes. Not a lot of nonsense, extraneous prose that bogs down the story. Despite her concise narrative, she conveys so much, filling the novel with an emotional power. Her characters have a distinct feel to them from other writers. I like that she puts their flaws out there unashamedly, and it makes you love the characters even more.

...moreI am glad I took my time reading this. I think there are so many levels to this novel that I could miss if I breezed through. I like how simple Briggs writes. Not a lot of nonsense, extraneous prose that bogs down the story. Despite her concise narrative, she conveys so much, filling the novel with an emotional power. Her characters have a distinct feel to them from other writers. I like that she puts their flaws out there unashamedly, and it makes you love the characters even more.

I will freely admit I like the scary hero that everyone fears, but the one woman who looked into his heart and feels safe with him, and is not afraid to love him. I think that Anna and Charles have that sort of bond that is symbiotic. It doesn't really apply to call it yin and yang, but there are elements of softness and strength coming together. Truly though, their strengths complement each other. And they aren't trying to modify each other to make a more comfortable fit for the other. It's more a matter of growing in their knowledge of each other, and growing together. I find their relationship very fascinating and fulfilling, and that's another reason why I read this book slowly.

The storyline was very good as well. A lot of intrigue here, to see who was trying to destroy the Marrok's plan for an alliance when the werewolves reveal themselves to the world. The suspense was done cleverly, because you look at the key players, think someone looks likely, but look away to focus on someone else, and then you realize that things aren't the way they seem. I liked how she kept me guessing.

The werewolf parts are fantastic as usual. Just utterly fascinating. Another thing to appreciate from all angles as I read. And throw some faerie and King Arthur stuff in there, and I start thinking this story is tailor made for me. This is my kind of urban fantasy. Naturalistic characters with identifiable motivations, enough grit to keep my heart beating fast, a heroine whose strength comes from within, and who grows right in front of my eyes, for Anna is a phoenix who rose from the ashes. A to-die-for hero who makes me sigh even as he makes others shudder with fear. But then you see his soft spot is his Anna. How can I resist that? Just the right dose of romance that fits into the story so well, it neither distracts or detracts from the fantasy elements. Everything my heart desires, except the book was over, and I still wanted more.

I love you, Patricia Briggs.(less)

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Dec 20, 2010

Zeek rated it

Shelves: favorites-all-time, favorites-pnr, pnr, alpha-hero, favorite-author, favorite-hero, favorite-heroine, urban-fantasy, shifters

omygosh what a great, oddly romantic book. Love how the author displayed Charles's strength- even in his vulnerability. Love how she empowered Anna. Love how their love empowered them both.

I know I'm all gushy right now, so let me get to my review:

The continuing story of Charles and Anna, newly mated werewolves tentatively learning to trust their feelings and the truemate bonding that holds them together. In Hunting Ground, Alpha of Alpha's Bran sends his son Char...moreomygosh what a great, oddly romantic book. Love how the author displayed Charles's strength- even in his vulnerability. Love how she empowered Anna. Love how their love empowered them both.

I know I'm all gushy right now, so let me get to my review:

The continuing story of Charles and Anna, newly mated werewolves tentatively learning to trust their feelings and the truemate bonding that holds them together. In Hunting Ground, Alpha of Alpha's Bran sends his son Charles and his new daughter-in-law to a convening of alphas- one which he was meant to go to himself. The gathering, meant to ease the pack leaders into the news that Bran will be formerly announcing their existence to the world turns into something more when someone attempts to use this time for their own means. The couple soon find themselves in the thick of it after a group of renegade Vampires attack Anna while Charles is tied up at the convention. Things are not what they seem though and Anna senses that the true person behind the attacks may be one of their very own. It will take overcoming fear- in Anna's case- and a combination of the two of them to suss out the true threat and overcome the ancient evil wanting desperately to bring down the Alpha and Omega.

Brigg's can do no wrong with this series as far as I'm concerned. I was hooked from the novella that brought these two together (On the Prowl (Alpha and Omega:Briggs) (Inhuman:Wilks) (Buying Trouble:Chance)) and its only gotten better with the following books. Charles is alpha but stands alone as his uberalpha father's enforcer. Anna abused by the very people who were meant to protect her is leery of alphas- hence their struggle. Charles a killer by nature but soulful mystic at heart, Anna an emotional healer in badly need of a healing herself- thrown together because of a mating bond that wont let each other go- and these two don't need any outside influence to create conflict. Yet that's what makes this series work, because though they struggle they always come back to love and both have courage that not many people have- not to kill evil when faced with it- although there is that- no, the courage to stand naked and vulnerable in front of each other (and I'm speaking metaphorically of course) and have the other love them... just as they are.

I love that. I love her exploration of "pack dynamics" as another reader put it, (something so psychological about it all which I cannot resist!). I love this series. Just know that Briggs is good at what she does and you should be reading this series too! :)

Cant wait for more! (And God please, let their be a true love for Bran- because wow he's just too intriguing for words!) (less)

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Nov 22, 2009

Summer rated it

Shelves: vampires, urban-fantasy, shifters-werewolves, paranormal, fairies

In Hunting Ground, it takes place shortly after the previous book in the series. Charles and Bran have been fighting for a while now over the big meeting of the werewolves. This meeting is about Bran's intention to out himself and the other werewolves to the public. Bran still intends to do so regardless of what the other Alpha's say, but it's an important show of diplomacy to have the meeting anyways. Charles has a bad feeling about this and doesn't want Bran to go. With some help from Anna, Br...more

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Dec 16, 2011

Lady Jaye rated it

Shelves: read-in-2011, stars-5, authors-patricia-briggs, awesome-heroes, awesome-heroines, pb-other, pb-vampires, pb-werewolves-or-shapeshifters, f-urban-fantasy, favorites, loved-it, magic, r-romance, series-alpha-and-omega, cute, whodunit

Anna Latham Cornick mate of Charles Cornick, Omega of the Aspen Creek Pack. Wolf. Sister. Daughter. Lover. Beloved

Anna: You are a remarkable man Charles Cornick.
Charles: I know. And often underappreciated by those who don't know any better.

You know, on an aside,if Bran, Charles, and Samuel were real, I'd be so jealous of their mates.

I loved this one even more than Cry Wolf. Patricia Briggs' storytelling works wonderfully well for me. I love the gentle st...more

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Sep 26, 2009

MelissaB rated it

Recommends it for: werewolf romance fans who like a little mystery in their books

Shelves: alpha-and-omega-series, 2009-reads, abused-heroine, paranormal-romance, werewolves

Hunting Ground is the third entry into the Alpha and Omega series. The first story was "Alpha and Omega" in the On the Prowl anthology and the second was a stand alone book, Cry Wolf. The series follows Anna and Charles after they meet in the first book and find out they are mates, then they must work their way through learning to accept the mating bond and work out their life together.

Anna was abused by her first pack which features heavily in the story as she tries to ove...moreHunting Ground is the third entry into the Alpha and Omega series. The first story was "Alpha and Omega" in the On the Prowl anthology and the second was a stand alone book, Cry Wolf. The series follows Anna and Charles after they meet in the first book and find out they are mates, then they must work their way through learning to accept the mating bond and work out their life together.

Anna was abused by her first pack which features heavily in the story as she tries to overcome her emotional scars. She is an Omega wolf, which means that she makes the pack feel happy and is outside the typical pack structure. She struggles with figuring out exactly where she stands in the pack because she was told she was the most submissive in the pack by her abusive former pack, which is not true at all but she needs to refind her strength.

Charles is the son of Bran, The Marrok aka leader of all the wolves. By necessity, Charles has become his father's killer for wolves who break pack law. Charles keeps himself separate from all the wolves because he knows it will be easier to execute casual acquaintances than close friends. He doesn't quite know what to do with Anna because he loves her but has trouble opening himself up totally to the mating bond because he is afraid Anna will see him as a killer and not be able to love him. Charles knows that Anna is still afraid of him sometimes, especially in bed because of the abuse she suffered. He does everything he can to help her heal, he even allows her more freedom when she needs it because he knows she needs to stand on her own despite his wolf's need to keep her as safe as possible. They both love each other and are slowly opening up enough to show it.

In this story, Charles and Anna travel to Seattle to meet with wolves from all over the world to discuss terms for the unveiling of wolves to the human population. Bran was supposed to go but Charles argued with him until he let Charles go in his place. Charles's grandfather was a Native American shaman and his father is witch-born, so he sees things that most people don't and the spirits told him that his father could die if he went to Seattle. So Charles and Anna go in his place to relay The Marrok's terms to the wolf alphas.

Once in Seattle, Charles and Anna meet up with the local wolf pack and Dana, a Fae who is helping keep the peace with the wolves for a price. Soon after the negotiations begin, Anna is attacked and almost kidnapped by vampires. Before they have a chance to investigate, murders start to occur and more attacks come. Charles and Anna need to determine who is behind the attacks before they end up dead or the talks are ruined.

I really enjoyed this book, Anna and Charles are great main characters who grow and learn more about each other with each book. I love seeing Anna regain her strength and courage. Charles is a great hero who has a lot of compassion and love for Anna but sees himself as a cold-blooded killer. Poor guy! The mystery in Patricia Briggs books is always very interesting. Her mythology of wolves who are very complex, vampires who are pretty vicious and the Fae who can be downright scary make up a very interesting world. I am really enjoying this story and learning more about Bran and Charles who we originally meet in the Mercy Thompson series. I think Patricia Briggs is a very talented author, I recommend checking out this series and the Mercy Thompson series which I love because the heroine is wonderful. I think the Alpha and Omega series is a very good werewolf series that has a romance and mystery.(less)

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Feb 10, 2011

Bry rated it

Shelves: urban-fantasy, paranormal-romance, mystery, 2009, favorites, 2011, audiobook, series

Read August 2009:
First off: Just so you know the description goodreads gives of this book isn't all that accurate. It doesn't match whats on the back of the book either. Its way better than what the description makes it out to be.

The first Alpha and Omega book was pretty good but just didn't compare to the Mercy Thompson series, but this one was so much better!

This time around the characters got to be explored in more depth and the action was much more suspenseful w...more

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Oct 22, 2011

Alkyoni rated it

Shelves: urban-fantasy, the-howling, nobody-puts-baby-in-the-corner, pan-s-labyrinth, if-i-were-stuck-on-a-desert-island

Second book in the Alpha & Omega series, or rather third, since the novella that is part of the “On the Prowl” anthology is, if not essential, then enlightening to the better understanding of the characters.

In Hunting Ground, the Marrok has decided that it’s time to bring the wolves out of the closet to the world but the European Alphas object strongly. When a meeting with the European leaders is set in Seattle, Charles and Anna attend it as Bran’s representatives. The mated coup...more
Second book in the Alpha & Omega series, or rather third, since the novella that is part of the “On the Prowl” anthology is, if not essential, then enlightening to the better understanding of the characters.

In Hunting Ground, the Marrok has decided that it’s time to bring the wolves out of the closet to the world but the European Alphas object strongly. When a meeting with the European leaders is set in Seattle, Charles and Anna attend it as Bran’s representatives. The mated couple is still learning how to deal with their newly formed bond, Charles by trying to tone down his protectiveness and fear that something will happen to his mate when he’s not watching over her, understanding that it is essential to give her freedom if he is to keep her, and Anna by learning to manage the fear of being surrounded by dominant werewolves, and they don’t come more dominant than Charles.

Alpha & Omega is spin-off of the Mercy Thompson series and it is impossible not to compare these two. Charles and Anna are interesting characters but their world lacks the spark that defines Mercy’s books, her intelligence and wit and the amazing secondary characters that surround her. Charles is a very quiet person and Anna, while not broken from the mistreatment that she suffered in the hands of her old pack, is still recovering from her past.

While Adam and Mercy have known each other for years in the beginning of the first book, it takes four books for them to become a couple. Charles and Anna became a couple in the prequel, when Charles’s wolf declared her as his mate upon meeting her. There is obviously more romance in the Alpha & Omega series, the Briggs kind of romance, the one about building relationships rather than instant love stories.

There are similarities too, especially between Charles and Adam as the Uber-Alphas understanding the importance of backing down with the dominance and letting their mates be the women that they are. It is very similar to the sixth Mercy Thompson novel when Mercy and Adam’s relationship takes the front seat.

It was a good read and we get more insight on Charles and Anna’s characters as well as the pack politics and laws. There is some mystery when Anna is attacked by a group of Vampires and it is obvious that someone is after her, to the frustration of both Charles and Brother Wolf. But I found myself missing the witty comments of a troublesome coyote, a vampire in a Scooby-Doo t-shirt, a fae that cusses in German and a werewolf that almost has a heart attack every time his mate gets into a new kind of trouble, that being every time she turns around a corner. Not fair, I know.

P.S. I was having a hard time picturing Charles in all his Native American glory, and then I remembered Uncas from the Last of the Mohicans. Not bad Charles, not bad at all.

(less)

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Oct 04, 2010

Sherri *SheLuvs2Read* rated it

Recommends it for: fans of werewolf genre romance

Shelves: best-of-2009, patricia-briggs, werewolves-shifters, hero-hall-of-fame, hero-to-die-for, heroine-i-loved, love-the-cover, re-read, 2010, best-of-2010, desert-island-keepers, made-me-cry, alpha-male

September 2010 .... re-read. I think this was even more fabulous the second time around. Charles is the man!

Originally read October 2009
Wow! Patricia Briggs has become my newest "auto buy" author with this 3rd installment of the story of Charles and Anna Cornick.

First of all, its imperative that you read the first two books: the intro short story in the On the Prowl anthology and the 1st full length story in Cry Wolf. There are several references t...more

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Sep 25, 2011

Lorri Wilson rated it

I absolutely LOVE Anna & Charles (i haven't liked a couple this much since Betsy & Sinclair Undead and Unwed ) This book took me less than a day to read (it isn't particularly long, less than 300 pages) but i couldn't bring myself to put it down.

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Aug 12, 2011

Jenn rated it

Shelves: urban-fantasy

I had promised myself to not buy this book this week. (counting my pennies) But I found myself wandering into the bookstore after my hair appointment and pocketed this one.

Oh man! This was awesome.

Witches, fairies and wolves...oh my! Hunting Grounds had it all...including crazy wolves, swords and new shoes.

I find I am enjoying this series more than Mercy's. Perhaps that's because I get to see through not only Anna's eyes but also Charles'. I love how he sees her.

I love that she is getting stro...more

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Dec 26, 2011

Books-treasureortrash rated it

Shelves: reviewed, contemporary-fantasy

Book Review: 2 Treasure Boxes

In this universe the Fae have already come out to the world at large and The Marrok feels it is time for the werewolves to come out as well. But what would happen if a supernatural group, that may or may not include the European werewolves, did not want the world to know? There would be lots of strife and bloodshed, but can Charles and Anna contain the damage?

This is the second of two released books in the Alpha and Omega series. There is al...more

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Sep 11, 2011

Grete rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: owned, favorites

Following on from Cry Wolf, Anna is still coming to terms with her past and being married and mated to Charles. She is now firmly established as Omega in the Pack and learning about her new status. Bran as Marrok continues his plans of bringing the American Werewolves out into the public world. He sends Charles and Anna to Seattle to meet with international Alphas to settle any concerns they might have and has the meeting arbitrated by one of the Fae. The French Alpha, after provoking a fig...more

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Sep 06, 2011

Kasey Shoemaker rated it

This is the second installment of the Alpha Omega series (third if you count the novella that started it off). Anna and Charles are married, so if you were looking for a long, suspenseful courtship, you’re out of luck. But, the love story doesn’t suffer for it. Their relationship isn’t perfect. Anna still has issues stemming from her time in a nightmare pack, her only experiences as a werewolf. Charles has shown her endless patience, love, and security, but like any recovering victim, Anna has a...more

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Aug 15, 2011

Julia rated it

Shelves: fantasy

The second novel in the Alpha and Omega series by Patricia Briggs deals heavily in the world of werewolves, as I expect most in this series will, but also delves a bit into the world of the Fae. For me, the book was over too soon - not because the plot wasn't wrapped up (it was, and beautifully done, as I've come to expect from Briggs), but because I just didn't want to stop reading about Anna and Charles in Seattle! Living in the NorthWest myself, Seattle is a fun place to visit, and it was fun...more

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Aug 01, 2011

Mlle. X rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: damaged-heroine, paranormal-urban-fantasy, satisfying-romantic-subplot

I adore Patricia Briggs, so it was a big bummer when I read the first book in the Alpha and Omega series - Cry Wolf - and didn't like it. I have enough faith in the author that I gave Hunting Ground a try - and boy am I glad I did! I thought the book got off to a slow start, but by the end I was really wrapped up in the characters and the story.

The first quarter of the book or so is slow - like Cry Wolf, it has a lot of telling instead of showing. Anna and Charles are endlessly discus...moreI adore Patricia Briggs, so it was a big bummer when I read the first book in the Alpha and Omega series - Cry Wolf - and didn't like it. I have enough faith in the author that I gave Hunting Ground a try - and boy am I glad I did! I thought the book got off to a slow start, but by the end I was really wrapped up in the characters and the story.

The first quarter of the book or so is slow - like Cry Wolf, it has a lot of telling instead of showing. Anna and Charles are endlessly discussing the status of their relationship, testing out the psychic bond they have as mates, and mooning over one another.

Once the conference in Seattle gets started, however, things pick up and the book really hits its stride. A team of vampires is out hunting in Seattle, and after they use werewolf magic to ambush Anna while she's out shopping, it's clear there's some very scary inter-species cooperation going on. Anna makes a lot of progress in Hunting Ground - she's more courageous after the events of the first book, and ready to flex her muscles a bit. It's great to see her standing up for herself more, and exploring what it means to be an Omega. And Charles does his bit, too - he's exactly the kind of caring, supportive partner Anna needs, and I really enjoyed reading about how they faced down challenges together. Their developing trust is one of the sweetest and most satisfying plotlines in the book.

I figured out who the villain was just one or two pages before the big reveal. That was very satisfying! It kept me guessing for a long time, then all the clues came together and I had a big aha! moment, and only a couple of pages later my suspicions were confirmed. That's a sign of good pacing to me, so kudos.

I'm glad to be on board with the series now, and I'm excited about the next installment. I'm worried that Anna might be a little too similar to Mercy at this point - they're both outside the pack structure yet part of a pack, both need good sense to compensate for certain natural weaknesses - but no need to borrow trouble.(less)

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Feb 28, 2011

Laura rated it

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Jan 31, 2011

Kaleigha rated it

I wasn't expecting to like this series as much as I do. In fact, I was hoping to not enjoy it much, because I really didn't want another series to follow. But this one grabbed me and won't let go. I think what hooked me is that it is just a little bit different, dare I even say more real, than most of the other books I read.

This is the continuing story of Anna and Charles, both werewolves. But that is about where their similarity ends. Charles is solid, strong, centuries old. Fea...moreI wasn't expecting to like this series as much as I do. In fact, I was hoping to not enjoy it much, because I really didn't want another series to follow. But this one grabbed me and won't let go. I think what hooked me is that it is just a little bit different, dare I even say more real, than most of the other books I read.

This is the continuing story of Anna and Charles, both werewolves. But that is about where their similarity ends. Charles is solid, strong, centuries old. Feared. He is the threat that keeps his pack in line. Bluntly put, he is an assassin. It is a job he takes no joy in, and the necessary isolation that his job both demands and causes has never bothered him overmuch. Until Anna.

Anna, on the other hand, is young. Her life as a werewolf has been brutal from the start. Raped, tortured, and abused, she was a victim both of circumstance and her own pack. Beaten down, but not completely broken, she is shocked when the most frightening man she has ever seen turns out to be her salvation. In Charles, she finds the one being that will never hurt or betray her. Now, she just has to learn to leave the past behind...but that is easier said than done.

This time around, Anna and Charles have been mated about a month when issues arise that demand Charles' attention in Seattle. But the already risky prospect of bringing the existence of werewolves public is made even more tense by the arrival of the powerful Alpha wolves from the world over. As Charles and Anna try to navigate this dicey situation of politics, long-held grudges, fae magic and revenge, they learn to rely on the strength of not only each other, but of their bond.

Both Anna and Charles are marked by their pasts. Charles, and the wolf he shares his body with, know Anna is theirs. He has come in the very brief time they have been together to love her completely and without hesitation. There is nothing he wouldn't do, no one he wouldn't sacrifice, to keep her safe and happy. But Charles does not feel worthy of the same from Anna. He sees himself as the world sees him...nothing more than a killer. But Anna knows the man inside the stoic facade, and she has come to love him as well. But hers is a love marked by a brutal past she is finding it hard to escape. Even though she knows, and her wolf knows, that Charles will never, ever hurt her, her fear keeps getting in her way. She is not weak, not by any stretch, but there just hasn't been enough time yet for her wounds to heal.

I think that is what I liked so much about this series, what made it so real. The scars from Anna's past don't miraculously disappear after a few days with her mate. She fights against it, does her best to work around it, but her fear rears its' ugly head when the pressure gets to be too much. And Charles understands. He does whatever he has to make life easier for her, and I loved him for it. There is no anger at what she cannot give him, just joy at what she can. And every day, they grow a little bit closer. They now are coming to know each other, and falling in love with each other more as they do.

At no time is this a pity party, even though both Charles and Anna have reason to feel sorry for themselves. Both of them are strong, but in very different ways, and fighting to be what their mate needs. Anna is slowing finding both the strength and the faith in Charles to become his partner, and Charles is learning slowly to see himself as Anna sees him. There are still issues and confusion along the way, but that only makes them stronger in the end. I look forward to the day that the past no longer has a hold on them, but seeing these two fight their way to each other makes for great reading. I am, as I have said, hooked. (less)

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Jan 23, 2011

Annie rated it

The thing I liked about the first Alpha & Omega novel is that it doesn't start with love at first sight, or even building up to that moment. It begins at the "happily ever after" point when the prince sweeps Cinderella back home to his palace, and they have to face the fact that while they might be soul mates, they don't know anything about each other. And the prince has a kingdom to run and Cinderella has to get over her traumatic past of abuse at the hands of her evil step-family.
...more

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Nov 11, 2010

Tracy rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: urban-fantasy

I'm probably going to sound like a total nut job when I admit this, but when I started reading Hunting Ground, I had this moment of...sublime contentment, I guess. I'd love to say that it was an utterly unfamiliar feeling when reading, because at least then my insanity would be localized and recent in origin, but alas, it's a feeling I'm quite familiar with. Happens every time I pick up a Briggs book and start reading. There's an intangible...something...in her her books that I've always found u...moreI'm probably going to sound like a total nut job when I admit this, but when I started reading Hunting Ground, I had this moment of...sublime contentment, I guess. I'd love to say that it was an utterly unfamiliar feeling when reading, because at least then my insanity would be localized and recent in origin, but alas, it's a feeling I'm quite familiar with. Happens every time I pick up a Briggs book and start reading. There's an intangible...something...in her her books that I've always found uniquely satisfying. The Mercy Thompson series is still my favorite, but with the second in the Alpha & Omega series, I'm warming to Anna and Charles Cornick.

I'll admit, Cry Wolf (Alpha and Omega, Book 1) wasn't my favorite Briggs book. I had just as much appreciation for her writing style and that nebulous sense of comfort reading it, but I was wary of Anna and the whole Omega concept. I also have a personal preference for linear story telling and Anna and Charles' series starts earlier in the Mercy Thompson series timeline than the last book I'd read in that.

In Hunting Ground, however, something really started to click for me. Probably right around the time Anna realized that Omega didn't equal ubersubmissive and started to acknowledge some of her own power in the pack hierarchy and in her personal relationship with Charles. The Omega role was explained a bit more and I liked that explanation. On top of that, I enjoyed the deepening relationship between Anna and Charles, and thoroughly enjoyed seeing their understanding of each other grow and expand as well. I'm heartened by Anna starting to heal a bit from her tragic past...or if not heal exactly, at least...start to triumph over the residual effects. She's got a long way to go, but I totally appreciate Briggs giving her a very natural-feeling evolution instead of rushing the process for the sake of story.

The Alpha & Omega series still seems slightly lacking in the layers and depth of the Mercy Thompson series. Hunting Ground less so than Cry Wolf, though, with the threads of were politics, the Beast, and a vampire goon squad - and ANY time you toss a Fae into the mix, you get all sorts of complexity. So I have every confidence that this series will continue to get better with each installment. I just wish we didn't have to wait so darn long between each of them!

~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another. (less)

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Sep 18, 2010

Maria rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: finish

Tenìa unas ganas locas de leer
la segunda parte de "Cry Wolf" puès
me habìa dejado un montòn de incognitasy preguntas
sin resolver.
En esta segunda parte,Patricia nos adentra un poco
màs en la psicologia de Charles y Anna, los describe
mucho màs, cosa que se agradece, pues de Charles
no sabiamos apenàs como era.
La relaciòn entre Anna y Charles es màs
fluida y como tal que es, y gracias a los demàs
personajes del libro, entendemos mejor
a los...more

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Aug 02, 2010

Kate rated it

First off - the Goodreads description does NOT in ANY way describe the plot of this book, beyond providing character names. Please, ignore it.

Here's a better description: When The Marrok decides it's time to reveal the existence of werewolves to the world, Charles and Anna go to negotiate with the European wolves - but when vampires attempt to kidnap Anna, it's clear that more is afoot than meets the eye.

That isn't 100%, but it's better.

A part of me feel...more

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Jul 19, 2010

Beanbag Love rated it

I liked this one so much more than the first in the series. The story was more cohesive and the leads were much more likable.

These stories belong to both Charles and Anna, but I see a lot more focus on Anna. She's the one evolving the most in the shortest amount of time. Charles's evolution is more subtle and the need is not as apparent. In this, the second installment of Briggs's "Alpha and Omega" series, the balance of the two characters is just right.

I d...moreI liked this one so much more than the first in the series. The story was more cohesive and the leads were much more likable.

These stories belong to both Charles and Anna, but I see a lot more focus on Anna. She's the one evolving the most in the shortest amount of time. Charles's evolution is more subtle and the need is not as apparent. In this, the second installment of Briggs's "Alpha and Omega" series, the balance of the two characters is just right.

I did figure out who one of the main villains was early on, but that didn't hamper the suspense at all since I still couldn't put all the pieces together. Briggs is very clever that way.

I didn't love Anna so much in the last book. I tried not to compare her to Mercy (of Briggs's "Mercy Thompson" series), and I think I did okay, I just think she was at a point in her recovery (and acceptance of her new situation) where she was difficult to connect with. But in this book her personality comes to the fore and she's much more enjoyable. Making jokes, taking risks, and kicking a** when necessary. I really liked her. More like Mercy, but not at all like Mercy. Which is why Briggs is one of my new favorite authors.

Charles is a great character. He's having a hard time adjusting as well, but he's learning. That Anna can calm him and soothe him when his life is so darkened by his duty to his father is very romantic and plays out well.

I put off reading this book (I bought it at a UBS over a month ago) for a long time because 1) there won't be a new one for at least a few months, and 2) Briggs is published by Penguin who I'm currently boycotting. But I'm glad I finally broke. I neglected everything I could and read most of yesterday and part of this morning (between kiddo interruptions of course) and enjoyed it immensely.

For those who demand romance with their urban fantasy, this might be the Briggs you're looking for, although I think it's best when paired with the Mercy Thompson series, I think it might be able to stand on its own.(less)

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Apr 03, 2010

Casse NaRome rated it

I must say I do love Patricia Briggs’ mind. And though Mercy Thompson is one of my favorite series ever, Alpha and Omega isn’t too bad either. Anna is a little bit too weak for my liking and skittish, which gets kind of annoying. Also it still isn’t clear what Charles sees in her because you would think he would find her annoying. It is just not believable for me yet. But if it were I would love their romance, because they do it so well. Besides what I just mentioned.

The plot i...moreI must say I do love Patricia Briggs’ mind. And though Mercy Thompson is one of my favorite series ever, Alpha and Omega isn’t too bad either. Anna is a little bit too weak for my liking and skittish, which gets kind of annoying. Also it still isn’t clear what Charles sees in her because you would think he would find her annoying. It is just not believable for me yet. But if it were I would love their romance, because they do it so well. Besides what I just mentioned.

The plot is fantastic! It is not your typical werewolf plot and it is fast passed and I never had a dragging moment. I stayed up all night just to finish it. Once I started I just couldn’t stop until I found out what was going on. I love it! Each character feels so real and I liked them or hated them like I would real people.

One thought I had when finishing this book was “Mercy and Anna are in the same world but they are totally different girls.” I like that fact and this book was a little weaker than the first but a solid installment in this series.

Bran was fantastic as always he is so consistent. But in both series they talk about how scary he is and badass but I just find myself wanting to make out with him…wait forget I said that because that just say more about who I am and what my issues are than anything else. What I am trying to say is Bran is, charismatic. Yes, that’s it. The same with Charles he seems a little rough and he is described as having almost animal magnetism and freaking beautiful hot but as I said I still find myself wanting to suck face with HIS FATHER and not him! Okay, now that my crush on Bran-Bran is embarrassingly evident, I will move on. Anna is also described as being Omega but not weak, but I disagree the only time she gets badass is when she “borrows” from her bad ass mate. Alright at the end she did go all bad ass and I was hoping in my sit all giddy because she was like freaking cool as hell! Then she fizzled and punked up again and shriveled again. Bummer. Maybe she could hang out with Mercy and get a backbone.

Either way I really loved this book and I want to be Bran’s bitch. (Did I just say that? Jeesh, Casse! Have some dignity please, you are embarrassing!)

Keep reading,
Bran's Bitch! (less)

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Feb 21, 2010

Sue rated it

I feel that Briggs has redeemed this series with Hunting Ground. After reading Cry Wolf I decided that I wouldn't be following this series. However, after reading several reviews that said this was far better than Cry Wolf I decided to give it a try. And absolutely glad that I did. Hunting Ground is exactly what I would expect from the author of the Mercy Thompson series.
I am absolutely enraptured with the pack dynamics that Briggs has created. In Cry Wolf, I didn't really think that I car...more

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Jan 26, 2010

Karen rated it

Shelves: vampire

One of the biggest complaints I have with the James Patterson books is that all of the chapters are so short that it feels like you're reading a "bathroom" book (you know.. the ones that are long enough for one sitting at a time). Unfortunately for this book the point of view switching seems to follow the same pattern and it got annoying to me. It got to the point that I was distracted from the story line enough to just want to be done with it.

I liked the presentation of th...more

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Jan 03, 2010

Lorraine rated it

Shelves: fiction

I like this a lot more than I thought I would and if I could, I would rate this 3.5 stars. I'm familiar with the world this spin-off is set in and enjoyed the novella,Alpha & Omega, but wasn't that fond of the first novel, Cry Wolf, which didn't draw me in like her previous works had or make me care about the characters. I'm glad that boredom got the best of me because I couldn't put this down once I started.

The plot unfolds at a steady pace balancing Charles & Anna's recently met/...more

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Nov 08, 2009

Leeanna rated it

Shelves: i-own

Book 9: Alpha and Omega #2: Hunting Ground, by Patricia Briggs

After finishing "Cry Wolf," the first book in the Alpha and Omega series, I was quite eager to read "Hunting Ground." The book doesn't disappoint; I was actually trying to read slowly so I could make it last longer.

"Hunting Ground" starts by jumping right into werewolf politics. Bran, the Marrok (leader) of all American packs is planning on bringing the werewolves out to the publi...moreBook 9: Alpha and Omega #2: Hunting Ground, by Patricia Briggs

After finishing "Cry Wolf," the first book in the Alpha and Omega series, I was quite eager to read "Hunting Ground." The book doesn't disappoint; I was actually trying to read slowly so I could make it last longer.

"Hunting Ground" starts by jumping right into werewolf politics. Bran, the Marrok (leader) of all American packs is planning on bringing the werewolves out to the public, like the fae did 30 years ago. Naturally, many packs, especially ones located in Europe, are not very happy about this - the fae are still facing discrimination despite being out for 3 decades. The werewolves are holding a summit in Seattle to discuss the Marrok's proposition, with packs from all over America and Europe attending.

Charles and Anna, the main protagonists of the Alpha and Omega series, are sent to the conference in the Marrok's place. Charles is the Marrok's right hand man, and many other dominant wolves fear him. Anna is Charles' new mate, a wolf who's still becoming acquainted to her new husband and life as a werewolf. The two plan it as a trip to spend time together, but when Anna is attacked by vampires, it's clear that more than just the werewolves are against Bran's plan. Anna and Charles must figure out who hired the vampires, before the summit goes to hell and even more bad things happen...

I read on Patricia Briggs' site that she spent a few days in Seattle to soak up the city in preparation for writing this novel. It definitely shows; one of the things I like most about the author's writing is her descriptions and setting locations. To me, because the places are described so well, it just adds to the feeling that werewolves and vampires and all other supernatural creates that populate Briggs' world could be real.

Anna and Charles are real people - with a habit of going furry and four-legged - struggling through a new relationship and Anna's intimacy issues (due to previous abuse). They grow throughout the novel, and have grown from the first book, as well. Also important to me, their romance isn't the main focus of the book; it's part of the story yes, but not the whole thing. The two aren't lovers who get everything magically right - they are *real.* The supporting characters are similar, each has a story, a purpose. You want to know more about each one you meet. And there are some very unique characters - a werewolf Alpha who thinks he's King Arthur reincarnated, for example.

"Hunting Ground" is a fun read, one that will keep you turning the pages until the early hours of the morning. At times the plot felt a little bogged down with some unnecessary twists, but everything does finish up nicely in the end. As always with Briggs, there is a nice balance between humor and violence - we go from Charles sending Anna out shopping to a wolf filleted into steaks. It's an enjoyable read; give it a try if you enjoyed the first, or if you like paranormal fiction. Briggs is one to watch in this genre.

5/5.(less)

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Oct 26, 2009

drey rated it

Shelves: 2009-reads, urban-fantasy

Hunting Ground is Patricia Briggs' follow up to Cry Wolf, where Anna finds out that instead of being a worthless submissive in the pack, she's actually a rarity--an Omega. The one that all pack members strive to protect, and not because she's weak. But because she's outside of the pack's hierarchy.

In this sequel, Anna and Charles head to Seattle to attend a summit with the Alphas from the other continents, to discuss the "outing" of the werewolves. While there, they run into ...more

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Oct 04, 2009

Lexie rated it

Shelves: genre-romance-paranormal, review-blog, genre-romance, series-alpha-and-omega, books-owned

Let me continue the 'I Love Anna' fest, because I love the girl more and more. She spends a lot of this book kicking butt, ordering folks around and making everyone reorganize themselves to please her. It wasn't that she was completely past the traumas of her history, but she learned throughout the book that the fear was there and she could control it.

The book picks up only a month or so after Cry Wolf, so Charles and Anna are still learning a lot about each other. Sometimes its a li...moreLet me continue the 'I Love Anna' fest, because I love the girl more and more. She spends a lot of this book kicking butt, ordering folks around and making everyone reorganize themselves to please her. It wasn't that she was completely past the traumas of her history, but she learned throughout the book that the fear was there and she could control it.

The book picks up only a month or so after Cry Wolf, so Charles and Anna are still learning a lot about each other. Sometimes its a little annoying, because they are both incredibly insecure about how the other feels, but when they come to each other's aide its so touching. They do obviously know each other better then either consciously acknowledges, but that is sometimes lost in the new wonder of being so bonded so strongly I think.

Most of the story takes place in Seattle, at the meeting mentioned several times throughout the first book. Bran sent Charles and Anna to act as his proxies when talking to the European werewolves, though as Charles points out, they are there to listen to concerns not take a vote. Bran plans on revealing the werewolves no matter what, but he wants to make it understood that he will help anyone who needs it in countries where it could be more dangerous.

There are several threats throughout he course of the novel, though some are more obvious then others. However, even though you have the vampires, you have Chastel and a shadowy threat that Anna guesses at, but can't define, there is one person who is really pulling the strings.

Is it bad that I kind of guessed who was behind it pretty quickly--but for no other reason then I saw the name and it coincides with a character from another fandom of mine so immediately I thought 'oh it must be that person. positive coincidences don't exist between my fandoms'. I mean I spent the rest of the book arguing internally with myself because my brain kept saying 'BAD PERSON' when the character came on and my heart kept saying 'Bu-but look how NICE and funny and charming! Look! Look!' My brain always retaliated with 'And this little domestic scene didn't creep you out at all?'

None of that paragraph is meant as a bad thing by the by.

I missed Aisil, though we did meet his son Hussan (who seemed a jovial sort at least) and he was mentioned quite often. Bran shows up on and off again, though he sticks to Montana for the most part. There was none of Leah and I rejoiced.

I mentioned in the first book review that I wanted to know more about Anna and what the evil done to her did to her mentally, emotionally and wolf-wise. Its brought up that Charles and Brother Wolf are unique--one character goes so far as to say that Charles' wolf was mad as a hatter and should have made Charles a serial killer of brutal proportions. He isn't however, and Anna begins to piece together what Charles has told her (we learn more about his mother and his birth) and what she was concluded herself. As for what it means with her wolf...Anna realizes a lot of things about herself and what her Wolf side means to her. Some of this brings her pain, other times it makes her feel better. Most importantly--she begins to stand on her own two feet without relying on the Wolf to keep her from being scared.

I really really do love Charles and Anna together. Even when they are obviously doing things wrong--and this is a new new new relationship for them both, in so many ways--there is no doubt in my mind that they will solve things and grow. They won't make the same mistakes over and over again.

Briggs' website has a third Alpha and Omega book mentioned--it hasn't been updated since before she finished Hunting Ground--and it won't be out for...at least a year. I'm mourning sadly into my cup as I type this.(less)

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About Patricia Briggs

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

Patricia Briggs was born in Butte, Montana to a children’s librarian who passed on to her kids a love of reading and books. Patricia grew up reading fairy tales and books about horses, and later developed an interest in folklore and history. When she decided to write a book of her own, a fantasy book...more

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Quotes from Hunting Ground

“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.” — 231 people liked it

“My grandfather would have loved to have met you," he told her huskily. "He would have called you 'She Moves Trees Out of His Path.' "

She looked lost, but his da laughed. He'd known the old man, too.

"He called me 'He Who Must Run into Trees,'" Charles explained, and in a spirit of honesty, a need for his mate to know who he was, he continued, "or sometimes 'Running Eagle.' "

" 'Running Eagle'?" Anna puzzled it over, frowning at him. "What's wrong with that?"

"Too stupid to fly," murmured his father with a little smile.” — 136 people liked it

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Hunting Ground (Alpha & Omega #2)

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