This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Genres: YA Urban Fantasy
Published by Indie/Self Published
Released on October 24, 2018
Pages: 254
Format: eARC
Source: Author
The Delight
If you have been (im)patiently awaiting the next installment of the Weird Sisters series like I have, you will understand the extreme thrill that ran up my spine to discover this prequel that takes us back to Aric and Celia… as teenagers in heretofore never known first encounter. I think I didn’t stop grinning for the longest time to have this precious early story.
Review
Gone Hunting is a prequel and book #.3 in the Weird Girls series. It is written in a way that can be read by long time fans behind the others, by those who are mid-series in their reading, or by newcomers who want to get things chronologically.
The story opens with fifteen year old Aric Connor enjoying a family moment with his parents over the breakfast table. He watches his parents who have a deep and amazing love as true mates, he tries to wheedle his way on to his dad’s next mission to take out an evil witch in Africa, and he grumbles at their concerned interference when he let winds, that might carry evil intent, blow into his room. Breakfast ends with Aric and his bestfriends, Koda, Liam, and Gemini going hunting for elk in their werewolf form. Only, it isn’t elk Aric flushes, but a confused, shy, and very wary she-tigress called Celia Wird. Celia’s mysterious arrival brings bad omens and evil stirrings around the region. She needs to go home to her sisters and Aric knows it, but he can’t let her go. However, bad magic conjures up danger that they must all fight together to survive it.
I loved how the author cleverly placed this story into the already existing history of the Weird Girls series. I kept wondering how the author would get around certain established events in the first book, but she did it well and tugged hard on my emotions in the process. I loved a teenage gang of Aric and his friends and Celia. Getting all their early history. Those scenes with both his parents was beyond touching knowing what was to come after. But yes, an early meeting of Aric and Celia was the top of the cake.
The action was as gritty and exciting as ever and the humor had me giggling as usual. Oh Liam… you slay me, guy. I now have the strongest desire to go back and start this series from the beginning.
Gone Hunting is a delicious piece of dessert for fans and a wonderful way to introduce new readers. Those who love Urban Fantasy with a great group of characters, gritty action, intense emotion including humor, and most of all an endearing (and enduring) romance, look no further.
My thanks to the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Challenges
New Release #163
FraterfestRAT #5
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About Cecy Robson
Cecy (pronounced Sessy) Robson is the new adult and contemporary romance author of the Shattered Past series, the O’Brien Family novels, and the Carolina Beach series, as well as the award-winning author of the Weird Girls urban fantasy romance series. A 2016 double nominated RITA® finalist for Once Pure and Once Kissed, Cecy is a recovering Jersey girl living in the South who enjoys carbs way too much, and exercise way too little. Gifted and cursed with an overactive imagination, you can typically find her on her laptop silencing the yappy characters in her head by telling their stories.
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Thank you Sophia. I loved seeing Liam again. Wonderful review!
Yes, darling guy. I missed him all over again. And, it was neat meeting Arik’s dad. 🙂
Eeee I want to read thisssss
You really do, Carole! 🙂 So cute to see them as teens.
I’m excited to read the series now. I do think the story was more meaningful to people already knowing the characters and the series. Anne – Books of My Heart
I agree. I think getting to know them as adults and their situation made this a fun one.
This is the only book in this series that I’ve read so far but I really enjoyed it and will e reading more soon.
You are really in for a treat, Mary. I think you’ll love the vampires. 🙂
Prequel can be a lot of fun and that sounds nice how it takes you back to a scene in the past that isn’t the main books and nicely fits into the series with the way the author places the story within existing history. It sounds like it has some bittersweet scenes with how you hint some characters aren’t there in the rest of the series. Great review!
I had a good time with this one. I think it can be read first, but I also think I got a lot more out of it reading it after I’ve read several of the books b/c of those bittersweet scenes you caught on about. A nice fan present. 🙂
I am definitely going to have to give this series a try. Glad you enjoyed this one!
Yes!!! I think you’d love it, but my advice is to start with the books in release order rather than with this one. It had more meaning for me to get those other stories and then this one. 🙂
Wonderful review. I loved this one. It was so nice to see teenage Aric, Liam, Koda, Gemini, and Celia. ^_^
I agree! Seeing them as adults and then going back to the past was so poignant. 🙂
Ok. Between your review and that flirty cover ( I LOVE her looking over his shoulder like that,) I’m sold hard on this series! I really need to read it.
Great review!
Yep! But start with book one and read to book five before this one. I think it works best that way. I think you’ll get a kick out of Celia’s sister Taran. 🙂
This book is my introduction to the series. I defintely want to read more.
The rest of the series brings on all the feels, Nadene. 🙂 Hope you like them when you meet the rest of Celia’s family.
This sounds like it’s really well done, Sophia, and I’m happy it gave you enough to ease your discomfort in waiting for the next installment in the series. 😉 This is a series I keep intending to start but haven’t gotten there yet. I will though, eventually. 🙂
Yes, its been a great place holder for the next installment in the Taran stories. If you give it a go, start with book one rather than this one and go forward until maybe book five. I thought this was great as revisit better than even an intro. 🙂