laurenjodi's review against another edition
4.0
Dead Heat
4 Stars
Pack enforcer, Charles Cornick, and his mate, Anna, take a personal trip to Arizona and find themselves facing a dark and malicious foe. Charles and Anna learn that the fae have ratcheted up their cold war against the humans by releasing a monstrous creature that targets children and replaces them with simulacrums.
This is another series that has been on my hiatus shelf for a long period. While it is easy to get back into Briggs's Mercyverse, I did have to re-read the end of Fair Game to reacquaint myself with the reasons for the conflict between the fae and the humans.
The suspense plot revolving around the search for the fae and his latest victim is compelling, and the climax and resolution are intense and exciting. Nevertheless, a recurring issue remains from previous books, namely that. Briggs needs to find a better method for bolstering her heroine.
In terms of characterization, readers learn more about Charles's long-lived life and his friendship with Joshua Sani. The dynamics between the various members of the Sani family make for interesting reading and some of the scenes are both heartwarming and heartbreaking. The long sections dedicated to descriptions of horse breeds and training are interesting, but could have been shorter.
On a final note, the audiobook narrator, Holter Graham, is excellent. His gravelly voice works well for the male characters and takes on a huskiness for the female characters. The youth and cuteness of the child characters are also superbly conveyed. I will definitely be reading more books with his narration.
4 Stars
Pack enforcer, Charles Cornick, and his mate, Anna, take a personal trip to Arizona and find themselves facing a dark and malicious foe. Charles and Anna learn that the fae have ratcheted up their cold war against the humans by releasing a monstrous creature that targets children and replaces them with simulacrums.
This is another series that has been on my hiatus shelf for a long period. While it is easy to get back into Briggs's Mercyverse, I did have to re-read the end of Fair Game to reacquaint myself with the reasons for the conflict between the fae and the humans.
The suspense plot revolving around the search for the fae and his latest victim is compelling, and the climax and resolution are intense and exciting. Nevertheless, a recurring issue remains from previous books, namely that
Spoiler
Charles, the supposedly invincible alpha male, is once again easily overcome by magic, and Anna conveniently appears to save the dayIn terms of characterization, readers learn more about Charles's long-lived life and his friendship with Joshua Sani. The dynamics between the various members of the Sani family make for interesting reading and some of the scenes are both heartwarming and heartbreaking. The long sections dedicated to descriptions of horse breeds and training are interesting, but could have been shorter.
On a final note, the audiobook narrator, Holter Graham, is excellent. His gravelly voice works well for the male characters and takes on a huskiness for the female characters. The youth and cuteness of the child characters are also superbly conveyed. I will definitely be reading more books with his narration.
angie_stl's review against another edition
5.0
Worth the wait!!
I found Ms Briggs work after most people and have only had to wait for the last two books to be published I think, but I'd have waited a lot longer for Dead Heat if I'd had to. Because it has been a while since I read the last one, I can only give a comparison of what I remember of that one compared to this one. It seemed that the there was a bit more descriptive work in this book than in the previous one, but it worked with this book. And I believe this book took Charles and Anna's relationship further than all the other books combined. She learned the reasons behind some of the characteristics of Charles that were just there before, like why he only truly cares for a handful of people. She also gets to meet and interact with the first person she's ever heard Charles refer to as "my friend". Though the fae play a large part in this plot, there's not a lot of interaction with them, since most of them have retreated to the reservations. The children in this book play a big part in many ways, that I can't explain without giving away some spoilers, but you should definitely keep an eye on them.
This is not a stand alone book, by any means. If you grabbed this without reading the other Alpha and Omega books, you would probably be pretty lost. That being said, I would recommend this, and all of the A&O books, to any fan of shapeshifters or werewolves!! If you haven't read the first three and the short stories that go with them, stop what you're doing and read them, preferably in order with the Mercy Thompson series, RIGHT NOW!! It will be worth your time!
I found Ms Briggs work after most people and have only had to wait for the last two books to be published I think, but I'd have waited a lot longer for Dead Heat if I'd had to. Because it has been a while since I read the last one, I can only give a comparison of what I remember of that one compared to this one. It seemed that the there was a bit more descriptive work in this book than in the previous one, but it worked with this book. And I believe this book took Charles and Anna's relationship further than all the other books combined. She learned the reasons behind some of the characteristics of Charles that were just there before, like why he only truly cares for a handful of people. She also gets to meet and interact with the first person she's ever heard Charles refer to as "my friend". Though the fae play a large part in this plot, there's not a lot of interaction with them, since most of them have retreated to the reservations. The children in this book play a big part in many ways, that I can't explain without giving away some spoilers, but you should definitely keep an eye on them.
This is not a stand alone book, by any means. If you grabbed this without reading the other Alpha and Omega books, you would probably be pretty lost. That being said, I would recommend this, and all of the A&O books, to any fan of shapeshifters or werewolves!! If you haven't read the first three and the short stories that go with them, stop what you're doing and read them, preferably in order with the Mercy Thompson series, RIGHT NOW!! It will be worth your time!
avid_reader_sf_and_f's review against another edition
5.0
I pretty much love this world. It doesn't matter if the story is told from Mercy's POV or Charle's & Anna's, Patricia Briggs world of dark and scary creatures who walk in daylight is all too creepy and exciting to crawl into.
geldauran's review against another edition
2.0
My least favorite in the series, I think. A bit slow, despite the utterly gruesome premise. There just wasn't anything new to see here, in lore or relationships or characters. Still decently written, but just okay is exactly how I feel about it.
diaryofthebookdragon's review against another edition
4.0
Not my favorite in this series but not bad either.
sunnydee's review against another edition
3.0
Die Alpha & Omega Reihe ist und bleibt meine allerliebste Urban-Fantasy-Reihe. Charles und Anna (die Hauptcharaktere) sind für mich das interessanteste und perfekteste Paar aller Zeiten. Werwölfe sind für mich die interessantesten Fantasywesen und Charles ist ein ganz besonderer Werwolf. Er besteht fast aus zwei verschiedenen Wesen, die mit einander leben und kommunizieren. Das habe ich noch in keinem Buch so gelesen wie hier und ich habe schon etliche Werwolf- bzw. Shifterromane gelesen. Überhaupt ist seine ganze Art total anziehend. Er ist eher ruhig, sehr dominant aber nie in einer unterdrückenden Art Anna gegenüber. Einfach perfekt.
Anna ist ein Omega, was ebenfalls etwas ganz besonderes ist. Sie kann man nicht zum unterwerfen zwingen und trotzdem ist sie nicht dominant oder zu tough. Auch ihren Charakter mag ich unglaublich gern.
Trotzdem war dieser Teil der Reihe der schwächste für mich. Vor allem weil es unglaubliche Längen gab. Es wurde seitenweise über Unwichtiges berichtet, zu sehr ins Detail gegangen oder über Dinge geschrieben, die mich kaum interessieren. Vor allem das Thema Pferde war hier im Mittelpunkt und für mich eindeutig zu viel. Zum letzten Drittel hin war es dann wirklich wieder richtig gut. Actionreich, emotional und mitreißend. Ich hoffe der nächste Teil der Reihe wird dann wieder komplett so.
Wertung:
3,4 Sterne
Anna ist ein Omega, was ebenfalls etwas ganz besonderes ist. Sie kann man nicht zum unterwerfen zwingen und trotzdem ist sie nicht dominant oder zu tough. Auch ihren Charakter mag ich unglaublich gern.
Trotzdem war dieser Teil der Reihe der schwächste für mich. Vor allem weil es unglaubliche Längen gab. Es wurde seitenweise über Unwichtiges berichtet, zu sehr ins Detail gegangen oder über Dinge geschrieben, die mich kaum interessieren. Vor allem das Thema Pferde war hier im Mittelpunkt und für mich eindeutig zu viel. Zum letzten Drittel hin war es dann wirklich wieder richtig gut. Actionreich, emotional und mitreißend. Ich hoffe der nächste Teil der Reihe wird dann wieder komplett so.
Wertung:
3,4 Sterne
theaprilwitch's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
thegeekyblogger's review against another edition
4.0
Listened for Fun (Audible)
Overall Rating 4.50
Story Rating 4.25
Character Rating 4.75
Audio Rating 4.50
First Thought when Finished: Dead Heat by Paticia Briggs was another amazing entry in the Alpha & Omega Series.
Overall Thoughts: Charles and Anna are my favorite couple (yes they beat Mercy and Adam). I like the maturity and growth of their relationship over the series. Not to beat a drum but I like that it is a grown ass relationship with bumps, communication, and compromise. The story was strong too. I liked all the twists, turns, and continuation of the world. The only thing will be the wait!
Audio Thoughts:
Holter is one of my favorite narrators and he really nails this series. It does take a bit to warm up to Anna's voice but by book 4 I love it :)
Part of my Read It, Rate It, File It, DONE Review
Overall Rating 4.50
Story Rating 4.25
Character Rating 4.75
Audio Rating 4.50
First Thought when Finished: Dead Heat by Paticia Briggs was another amazing entry in the Alpha & Omega Series.
Overall Thoughts: Charles and Anna are my favorite couple (yes they beat Mercy and Adam). I like the maturity and growth of their relationship over the series. Not to beat a drum but I like that it is a grown ass relationship with bumps, communication, and compromise. The story was strong too. I liked all the twists, turns, and continuation of the world. The only thing will be the wait!
Audio Thoughts:
Narrated By Holter Graham / Length: 11 hrs and 25 mins
Holter is one of my favorite narrators and he really nails this series. It does take a bit to warm up to Anna's voice but by book 4 I love it :)
Part of my Read It, Rate It, File It, DONE Review
peacefulbookwyrm's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
seannakate's review against another edition
5.0
I listened to this one and found myself completely transported. It was in my dreams and subconscious. I often found myself having to shake myself out of the book and into reality. Briggs wove such an amazing tale with the perfect villain that made me rejoice with its death. Must read!!