Hunting Ground

4.5-5 starsThis is a great book. Charles and Anna are getting better as a couple and the story was very interesting and had a some unexpected twists and turns as they try to discover the bad guy. This is a great addition to a great series.Anna has been a werewolf for 3 years and is married to Charles (who has been a werewolf for much longer). Charles is the enforcer for his father, Bran, who is the Marrok (the leader of all the werewolves in North America). Anna is an Omega wolf (a rare type of werewolf that calms other werewolves) and has been through a lot (rape and abuse for 3 years from her former pack). When the story starts, Charles and Anna have only been together for about a month but are starting to sync as a couple (and Anna's recovering from her past).As the story begins, there's a disagreement between Charles and Bran. Bran is planning to host a meeting in Seattle for a large amount of the alpha werewolves from Europe to discuss Bran's plans to bringing the werewolves public. Charles believes it's too dangerous for his father to go and with some help from Anna ends up getting Bran to let him go instead. Charles and Anna go to Seattle and find themselves immersed in issues almost as soon as they get there. Many alphas congregating in one area typically can cause issues and some show up quickly. While Charles is able to settle things down, it becomes apparent that one of the werewolves from France, known as the Beast, is going to be a problem. Unfortunately, the Beast doesn't end up being their only problem.Charles and Anna are quickly submerged in the trials and tribulations that come. Soon after arriving, Anna is attacked by Vampires and they don't know who sent them or why. The Beast starts causing problems where he can and a Fae that is the person that's supposed to keep the meetings under control seems to have some deeper motivations that may not be good for Charles and Anna. They're fighting against an unknown enemy and there are too many possibilities to isolate who it is without more info. As more attacks take place, they're able to get more info but the pattern of victims doesn't make sense so it's hard to piece things together. At the end, the villain is revealed and there's a bit of surprise when Charles discovers the truth. In an effort to hide their identity, one of the villains curses Charles and runs. Anna is forced to take action in order to save Charles from the curse that's slowly killing him. Anna once again proves that an Omega wolf is made of tougher stuff as she takes care of the threat to Charles. Once things are concluded, Charles and Anna are happy and safe together, back on their path for their HEA.This is a great book. I love to see how Charles and Anna are growing in their relationship and he's helping her overcome her past abuse. Charles is so great and so sweet and tender with Anna even when he has to be tough for everyone else. Anna is sweet but yet has a backbone she's learning to use more and more. I really like her. The action plot of the book (as usual) was interesting and engaging. Another great addition to the series...I will be reading the next book. I'd recommend this book. 2 thumbs up! :D* note - I listened to the audio version of this book. The narrator did a very good job.

This was an awesome book, and I could barely stand to put it down. This second installment in Patricia Brigg's Alpha and Omega series did not have as strong a plot as the first book. However, the book is still an engrossing read, mostly likely through the author's amazing character-development and strong storytelling skills.A summit has been set up in Seattle for the European werewolf leaders. Bran, the Marrok (leader of all the werewolves of North America), has already decided to bring the werewolves out of the supernatural closet. Whether or not the European wolves follow his example is up to their discretion, but the Marrok is willing to offer them generous aid should they decided to follow his lead.Enter Anna and Charles. Charles, the Marrok's son and enforcer, decides to take his father's place at the summit. This decision, however, creates a whole new set of problems as Charles is not an Alpha of any pack. This is insulting to some of the visiting werewolves, although Charles is more dominant than many of them. Anna, newly married and mated to Charles, comes with him to Seattle, but finds that old wounds don't heal so fast. The large number of Alpha wolves bring back memories that Anna thought she was done with. Both of them are still learning about each and what it means to be mated; Charles has centuries of ingrained habits that are hard to break, while Anna has three traumatizing years with her old pack to overcome.To add to their own problems, Anna is attacked in Seattle by vampires. Tensions are running high in the negotiations, and Charles is quickly coming to the end of his temper with the European wolves. However, even with all the problems they're facing there are a few bright spots in this book. Tom and Moira, a werewolf and his witch mate, are an interesting pair that I loved reading about; I would love to know more about them. The British werewolf leader, who thinks he is King Arthur reincarnated, was very funny. The appearance of another Omega wolf, an Austrian currently with the Italian wolves, was an unexpected, but pleasant, surprise.Throughout it all, Anna shines as the star of the show for me. She continues to grow into her powers as an Omega, and also as a person. The author continues to show that werewolves are real people; physical wounds may heal quickly, but the ones you can't see can are the ones whose effects can linger. Anna and Charles's relationship still isn't fairytale perfect, but it's getting better. I can't wait to see what's next for them.

I've been having trouble finding a book I feel is well written. This one qualifies! It's entertaining, riveting even. A good book and I'm looking forward to reading more in the series.

Just as good as the first time! Patricia Briggs is one of my foundation authors, and I LOVE her writing. She draws you into the stories and never lets go! Fantastic characters, that feel like friends at the end of their story! Then you are thankful to find there is still more books to continue reading!

I love Patricia Briggs books, irrespective of the series.I don't remember how many times I have read this series, but now I am retired, I enjoy rereading old favourite series. This book was fun, a great premise with echoes of King Arthur and Camelot. Excitement, a touch of horror, and a strong female protagonist, what a great read. Now it's time for book 3 in the series.

*spoilers within*This is my second time reading this book and just long enough between readings to have forgotten most of the details of who did what and only a gauge memory of what would happen. This one starts out a little slow but kicks into gear really quickly with a fair amount of suspense and mystery about who is doing what and such. Anna is such a complex character, she is sort of like this damaged wall flower but really a strong intense bada** woman who can take care of herself. I really enjoy this Omega element of being fragile and wanting protection yet not being a doormat and being able to take on anyone and save the day. What I really want is for them to have more relationship time together to build what they have in the visibility of the book. Also I wish we had a bit more of a epilogue like Mercy's books usually get but otherwise another enjoyable read. My only large negative for this book is the cover art where it looks like Anna is holding guns, yet she doesn't touch a single gun in this book, it just feels a little disingenuous but I understand the motive - she should be holding the fae knife.

Die Zeit der Geheimniskrämerei ist vorüber. Die Werwölfe sind in Regierungskreisen bereits bestens bekannt, also beschließen sie möglichen Erpressungsversuchen zuvorzukommen und wollen sich der Öffentlichkeit präsentieren. Bran hat bereits alles in die Wege geleitet, jetzt muss er nur noch die europäischen Werwölfen beschwichtigen und versuchen, ihnen den Übergang in dieses neue Zeitalter leichter zu machen. Zu diesem Zweck veranstaltet er einen großen Gipfel in Seattle, zu dem er allerdings nicht selbst reist, sondern Charles und Anna schickt. Die Beiden haben es jedoch nicht einfach. Neben Werwolf-Querulanten gibt es auch noch Schwierigkeiten mit den Vampiren, die Fae haben wieder ihre Finger im Spiel und zu allem Überfluss wird Anna auch noch beinahe entführt. Auf der Suche nach Antworten stoßen Charles und Anna auf eine Verschwörung und es scheint so, als wären auch Werwölfe daran beteiligt.In HUNTING GROUND kombiniert Patty Briggs gekonnt wie immer Charakterentwicklung mit spannender Action. Anna und Charles sind erst seit kurzem Mates, haben sich doch langsam aneinander gewöhnt. In HUNTING GROUND macht ihre Beziehung einen weiteren Sprung nach vorne, was nicht zuletzt daran liegt, dass Anna langsam bemerkt, dass sie im Grunde eine starke Frau ist, die nicht mehr vor jedem Schatten zurückschreckt. Sie erfährt mehr darüber, was es heißt, ein Omegawolf zu sein, und lernt auf dem Gipfel auch einen weiteren Omega kennen.Charles liegt immer öfter mit seinem Brother Wolf im Widerstreit, was an seiner Selbstkontrolle nagt. Anna berührt einen Teil von ihm, den er für immer begraben gewähnt hat und dies verunsichert ihn nun. Er muss lernen, Anna an sich heranzulassen und trotzdem nicht die Kontrolle zu verlieren.Neben diesen emotionalen Entwicklungen kommt die Spannung natürlich auch nicht zu kurz. Besonders Jean Chastel, der monströse Anführer der französischen Werwölfe, macht unserem Duo das Leben schwer. Daneben haben sie noch mit exzentrischen Alphas und großen Sprachbarrieren zu kämpfen. Als die Vampire auf den Plan treten haben Anna und Charles dann wirklich alle Hände voll zu tun und können endlich zeigen, dass sie das Zeug zu einem echten "Dream-Team" haben.Trotz der zahlreichen gut ausgearbeiteten Nebencharaktere liegt der Fokus von HUNTING GROUND eindeutig auf Anna und Charles, wobei Anna im Gegensatz zu CRY WOLF mehr Zeit im Scheinwerferlicht zugestanden wird.Der Einstieg in HUNTING GROUND ist zwar langsam, die Spannung steigert sich jedoch kontinuierlich und das Finale lässt den Leser atemlos zurück und macht eindeutig Lust auf mehr. Großartig.

Every thing Patricia writes is excellent, great characters, believable story lines and a smooth, exhilarating read. One of my favorite authors. Recommend all of her books!