Well, it has been quite a while since we got a new release in this series, hasn’t it? It feels like I have been counting down to the release of Fair Game forever. I reread the last book, Hunting Ground, to get back into the swing of things, and it was just as awesome as I remembered. Perhaps the change in tone in the series wouldn’t have been so glaring if I hadn’t reread the second book, but I did, so it stuck out. It’s not that the new tone was bad, it was just…different.
In the previous books we have seen Anna struggle to get over the abuse she was subjected to by her first pack. Charles has always been a rock for her, despite struggling with the worry that he wasn’t doing everything exactly right to help her recover. So flipping things around and making Charles the one to struggle this time around perked my interest. I found it a bit surprising that Anna seemed to be so completely over her past issues (even up til the last book), but I suppose she had to step into the role of the rock while Charles struggled.
I find it amusing that I mentioned in my review of Hunting Ground that I thought this series was more PNR than UF, because it wouldn’t feel the same or be quite as good without the romance, and I got to turn around and test my theory with this book. The change in tone in the series stems from one simple reason: the romance was pushed into the background. Charles’s personal demons led him to close himself off from Anna. A lot of this book featured them interacting like acquaintances, not a married couple. I understood why Charles was acting that way, but I have to be honest and say that it gave the book a very subdued feel. Anna spent a lot of time upset about the distance between them and Charles spent a lot of time worried about his issues bleeding off onto her. But there wasn’t much quality interaction together. As the romance is one of the main draws of the series for me, that wasn’t a good thing.
Other than that, the mystery and world details were just as wonderful as you would expect to find from Briggs. We’re taken out of our normal comfort zone when Bran sends Anna and Charles to Boston to help the human authorities track down a serial killer. I liked seeing a more capable Anna, working on werewolf PR and smoothing the waters with the police, and I liked that we got such a strong focus on Anna and Charles only. I missed the usual werewolf dynamics and the uniquely animalistic characteristics we’re usually treated to, but I liked getting to see a whole new cast of characters and getting a glimpse of the human side of things. The crimes were quite disturbing, and some of the people they called in to consult on the case gave me the willies. Witches certainly can be a creepy bunch. o_O
Although most of the book felt subdued, the last quarter of it really kicked it in gear. That’s when the action started to get thick and Charles and Anna started to work things out. My enjoyment, as well as the book’s final grade, was bumped up considerably during this time. And when the very end came… Well, I have to hand it to Briggs. I did NOT expect that. AT ALL. I gaped at the book a bit and frantically tried to figure out where she was planning on taking on the series. I don’t know. All I know for sure is that I plan on sticking around to find out. Based on that end, I bet it’s going to be a hell of a ride.
Favorite Quote:
His brother maintained that what sent people backing away way neither his size nor his mother’s blood, but solely the expression on his face. To test Samuel’s theory, Charles had tried smiling–and then solemnly reported to Samuel that he had been mistaken. When Charles smiled, he told Samuel, people just ran faster.
Rating: B-
Fair Game by Patricia Briggs
March 6th 2012 by Ace
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Giveaway
We’re able to give away one hardcover copy of Fair Game by Patricia Briggs today. To enter, simply comment on Catherine’s review.
Open to: US residents only please. You have until end day, March 2 to enter, winner will be announced soon after.
Giveaway sponsored by: Penguin (Ace)
[box style="rounded"]No purchase necessary to win. You must be 18 or over to enter, void where prohibited. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. FVBR is not being compensated for this giveaway. If the winner declines to accept or fails to claim their prize within one week of the announcement, a new winner will be randomly chosen. Prize distribution is the sole responsibility of the giveaway sponsor. Fiction Vixen Book Reviews will not be held responsible for lost or misdirected prizes or for circumstances beyond our control. More information here.[/box]
About Catherine
The end literally made my mouth drop open.
I loved the romance in this one – For me, with Briggs – I always have low expectations of actual romance – and for whatever reason Charles’s struggle with his personal demons -and the way Anna really tried to rally him and Charles tried to protect her – worked great for me.
I really liked the outside conflict in this one too – in recent Mercy Thompson books, I have felt them plot has been very meh – but this one brought it back for me.
I just wish there was more Bran. *sob*
I wanted more Bran too. If only she would finally give in and write a book about him…
I want Bran to get a new mate. I understand why he chose Leah, but she is such a witch.
Thanks for the review.
pick me!
Ugh, me too. I know some people like her and want to see her redeemed, but I think she’s flat out hateful.
She is hateful but I’m all about second chances. I want to know what makes her tick and see her redeemed. *ducks*
I knew there was someone pro-Leah lurking out there somewhere.
Sounds like a great book…love surprise endings!!! Thanks for the giveaway!!!!
Good luck!
Samuel!!! Charles!!! Bran!! Oh yeah, and Anna!!! Want!
LOL!
I really enjoy this series, though I like Mercy Thompson better. Can’t wait to read this.
That’s a great series, too.
it has been a while since there has been a book in this series, looking forward to reading the new one
The long wait killed me.
I love this series. I love Anna and Charles’ story. They are so great together. Great review.
Agreed! I love them together.
I have been waiting for this book forever!!! I have been rereading the previous books and novella over and over. Pick me! Pick me!!!!!
You sound like me. I do that with series I love too.
I’m excited for this book! Charles and Anna’s story has always kept me interested and on my toes. I hope this book is as good as the last two!
I hope you enjoy it.
I’m SO excited for this book because this is one of my favorite series!! I only read the first half of your review to avoid any possible spoilers, lol. But, thanks for the review!
I hope you enjoy the book when you read it!
I got book 2 for my bday, so I am a book behind
Book two was really good. I hope you enjoy it!
I love the quote at the end of the review. Who knows where the storyline will go now? somewhere different, that’s for sure.
I can’t wait to find out. Briggs certainly surprised me with that development.
Have not read this series.
Thanks for the review!
I hope you enjoy it when you try it out.
I’ve been doing a re-read on the series to get ready for this one. I love Charles & Anna!!
Did you enjoy them just as much this time around?
This book sounds very intriguing!!! I never read Patricia’s work yet, but I’ve heard a lot of great things about it!! Adding it to my TBR list!!!
I hope you end up enjoying her work.
Great review! I haven’t read anything by this author and after reading your review it just makes me want to read something by her that much more:) Thanks for keeping it spoiler free:)
yadkny@hotmail.com
No problem.
I really enjoy this series and can not wait to read it . Thank you very much for making me crazy with anticipation to find out about the ending! I need a Patricia Briggs fix now!!!
LOL. Happy to oblige.
I can’t wait for this book to come out. I wish that her books weren’t a year apart. And a surprise endings. And I hope that it is what I think it is.
Me too. But I guess it’s better than having none. I’m intrigued by what you could think the ending was. It came out of left field for me. I hope you’re right, though, and you enjoy the ending.
Now I really want this book! Thank you for the chance to win a copy =D
Good luck.
I liked that this series was more PNR. Not sure how I feel about Charles being all standoffish and keeping Anna out.
Thanks for the giveaway.
I really liked that it was, too. I like the other series, but I click with this one more.
Great Review… I have had this series on my list for awhile. Guess I better get a move on and read faster.
♥
Kelly
Yes, do. It’s great!
Love Mercy and this series, they are some of my favs. I so want to read this and after the review, I can ‘t wait!! Thanks for the giveway!
Glad you enjoyed the review.
I really like the romance between Charles and Anna so I’m not sure how I feel about their relationship taking a kick back on this one. I still plan on reading this book but now I’m not so anxious hearing about their subdued relationship.
I like Bran too, and really hope he gets his own story…provided that his current mate is gone. I do not care for the woman much.
I don’t like Leah either. I’ve heard that the author says that she won’t ever write a book/series about Bran. She likes keeping him mysterious. Such a shame.
The book was still good, but the subdued relationship pushed my grade down. It was a bit disappointing for me. I hope you end up enjoying it anyway.
I really enjoyed the last Alpha & Omega book so I can’t wait to read this one. Your review made me look forward to whatever happens in the last part of the book.
I hope you are as surprised (in a good way) as I was.
Thanks so much for the giveaway! I’d love to win this one…..
Good luck.
Great review Catherine. I’ve read the 1st book in this series…now I’m excited to get on with the rest of it.
Cindy
I hope you enjoy the rest just as much as you did the first!
Like others, did a recent re-read of this series….CANNOT WAIT for this book. I have always liked the development of Anna, she hasn’t shaken what happened to her but she hasn’t let her define her (I haven’t read Fair Game, so this is based on A&O, CW and HG). I cannot wait for March 6, especially with hints that the ending is surprising!!!!
I really love Anna’s character. We’ve been through some difficult times with her, but, as you said, her core self has remained solid.
I like surprise endings, but hope this isn’t a cliffhanger! Looking forward to finding out where things go at least to the surprise.
Don’t worry, it’s not a cliffhanger. I am not a cliffhanger fan, so you would have heard a rant or two in my review if that had been the case.
Great review. Cant wait to read the book. Love it when I find new authors.
I’m glad you enjoyed the review.
Ooooh, some thing new to read. The little bits I’ve read sound good.
If you decide to read the series, don’t forget to read the prequel novella. It’s very important. It should have been a part of the first book since it sets up the whole relationship and explains Anna’s issues.
I liked your review about the plot and characters. The book sounds very good.
I hope you enjoy it if you get a chance to read it.
Omg I would live to win this!!! I’ve loved everything I’ve ever read by Patricia Briggs
thank you for the awesome review, it only makes me want to read this book more!
Good luck!!
LOVE Patricia Briggs. Her world building and story telling are so great that I don’t mind missing the romance. Would love to win a copy!!!
I completely agree. She tells an awesome tale.
Thanks for a great review!
OMG, OMG, OMG…. I’s *want* this book. I love this series and the Mercy Thompson series and I’d read the phone book if Patricia wrote it. Counting down!!!!!
LOL! Luckily you get some Charles and Anna instead of being stuck with said phone book.
I love this series! I’m glad to hear Anna’s more capable in this book, but I’m kinda bummed there’s less romance. I also hope the ending everyone is talking about isn’t a cliffhanger, b/c I can’t stand those. Gah, I need this book soon!
Don’t worry, no cliffhanger. I can’t stand them either.
I am a Briggs fan, so I read this series even though it is the Mercy Thompson series that I love. Since some of the characters cross over I can’t miss one, and yes it feels like it has been forever. I liked your review, and I am with you on needing the romance in this series. Since it hasn’t hooked me as deep as Mercy I like to have the romance front and center, I wonder if i will miss it too much.
I hope it doesn’t impact your enjoyment too much. There wasn’t much crossover in this one, but I know that the book events as a whole will be pretty important to both series.
I would love to read this book. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com
I love love love Patricia Briggs–Mercy and Adam are my favorite!! I have not read this series yet–and I am asking myself why I have not. lol
Would love a chance to win.
thanks
Mariann
This is a great spin-off. Plus, there’s more Bran.
What a great review thanks for sharing This sounds like a great book can’t wait to read this book! Thank you so much for the great giveaway!
Enjoy!
Great review! I can’t wait to read this to see what happens in the end!
Thanks for the giveaway!
The end seems to have sparked everyone’s interest.
ahhh is it that time already?! I can’t wait till I get my hands on this!
It seems to have crept up on us, huh?
I enjoyed the review and I’m looking forward to reading Fair Game. I especially liked the quote at the end of the review, that was great!
Barbed1951 at aol dot com
Glad you liked the quote! I like Charles’s subtle sense of humor.
Hm. I’m really interested to see how this one goes. I love the romance between Anna and Charles. And I, too, would pay a lot of money to read a Bran book. I’m actually really intrigued by his relationship with Leah and would love to read more from their POVs.
Sophia likes her too. I think I could get over my Leah dislike if Briggs would finally agree to write a Bran book.
Oh man-I LOVE Charles Cornick and I think that a reduced focus on their relationship just might kill me-lol! That being said, Patricia still writes killer fiction, so this new installment still has my interest. This review was fabulous-thank you so much for writing it!
lol. I hope you enjoy this one.
I love following the romance of Anna and Charles and just her overall writings. The review was great!
Thanks!
This is one of my favorite series, and after that great review, I can’t wait to read Charles and Anna’s story. Would love a Bran story too.
It seems like everyone wants a Bran story.
I’ve really enjoyed this series, in some ways even more than the Mercy Thompson books. Although Briggs is such a good writer, I’m a little bummed that it sounds like she’s dropping some of the romance elements. Thanks for the opportunity!
I was a bit bummed too.
I’d love to win this one! It’s been too long since we’ve had a release in this series.
Agreed!
I am so excited for this book to come out! I’m actually driving 12 hours round-trip to get my hardcover signed by Patricia on 3/9.
I’m a little nervous that I’ll have my expectations too high since we’ve been waiting so long for a new book in the series. I love all of her books but the A&O are my favorite. Thanks for the review!
That’s awesome. I hope the line isn’t too long when you go to get it signed.
oh yes after that review I cannot wait for March to come any faster after that awesome review. Thank you for making me pine more!
Haha. Happy to oblige.
I think we should always reread the previous book of a series before the new installment comes out … when most are a year apart, it sometimes is so hard to remember what’s what. Thank you for doing that for this review!
Me too. I like to feel fresh and fully in the know whenever I read a new entry in a series.
I prefer PNR elements over straight UF, because I cherish the developing relationship between H/h– UF elements like plots, conspiracies, gunbattles, villains and victims are just gravy on the mash potatoes for me.
Me too. The relationship development is really important to me.
I’m so excited for this book to come out! I love Charles and Anna!!
Almost time!
OMG I can’t wait to read this book!
I hope you enjoy it when you get your hands on it!
Ack, I’ve been waiting and waiting for the next installment of Charles and Anna’s story. So glad it’s finally here!
Oh I just love this series. I hope I win this one.
Thanks for the giveaway.
This is one of my favorite series. Thanks for the giveaway.