Hunting Season (The Gathering Book 1)

Detailed sex scenes are nice. I picked up this book FOR the erotica... But the male lead is SO ANNOYING. He's so cocky and arrogant... Yeah, he loooves the female lead and is convinced she's perfect for him.... But he just treats her like 'enough sex, and she'll just have to see reason! She'll fall in love with me!'

It's really frustrating. I stopped at 40% of the book. He's a beefy idiot with a 'nerdy quirk' that felt thrown in to give him a cheap layer of 'depth'. I couldn't read this because of him.

And, of course, he's packing heat and has insane stamina. The plot felt like an afterthought, like the author thought, 'what kind of setting will allow for the most sex?'

The two star is only for the sex scenes, the only parts of this book that were written with any care.

I love the concept of the Crows, Ravens, Valkyries, Shifters, and Gods; but it was an underdeveloped storyline for me. The Gods didn't seem Godly rather just bigger juveniles. I expect Gods to possess wisdom and foresight having lived for so long. The backgrounds of the characters could have been expounded upon. The so called humor and comradely banter of the Crows and Ravens reminds of a failed attempt to recreate sentimentality from the Magnus Pack series. The subplot of the God testing Neecy in such a matter was ridiculous to me. The whole Karl Waldgrave thing felt anti-climatic for me. The erotic scenes were just okay. I think they should have been more mind blowing seeing how Neecy was such a resistant in charge type female. I do think this can be a great series if the author takes time to properly develop. There is room for so much conflict and subplots. The love story between Arri and Mike could very interesting. Come on Laurenston exhale and dig in. This series could expand to double digit books if you give a great foundation. Shifters falling in love with Crows and Ravens. Crows becoming friends with Valkyries and being betrayed as they seek the affection of a Raven. Gods falling in love with each other and upsetting other Gods who then cause chaos. Students learning too much. Mortals getting objects that cause drama. Someone erotic enough to capture Odin's heart. Skuld's sisters being jealous and causing unrest. Didi hating a retirement and coming back or her husband being killed and she is lead to believe that a _____ did it and she seeks to avenge his death. You get the idea.

I really love this author and have been rapidly reading all her books since my first in May. This is the first book I haven't enjoyed. I must have missed the alert that this was 90% sex and 10 maybe 5% story. Now don't get me wrong I love reading a good sex scene. Especially when the sex is used to further the plot or reveal a characters true nature, because inhibitions are down during sex--but this sex was just page filling irrelevant. I had hope it was getting better in the last third (during healing) but unfortunately it digressed back into only sex again.

NO SPOILERS or plot summaries. Recommendations included.

MY ADVICE: Avoid this and read something else. I have to wonder if everyone else here read the same book as I did. It seems as though most reviewers really liked it, so take my review with a grain of salt- but I couldn't stand this book. The ONLY reason I'm giving it two stars instead of one is for the creative ideas presented. I found this book to be alternately boring and annoying- not funny, not romantic, not interesting.

The GOOD was the set up- I thought there was a ton of potential here. Two supernatural mercenary forces who worked for their respective gods... though I'm STILL not sure what the heck they were actually supposed to be doing or why all these artifacts were running around loose in the world. The premise was fun. It was adequately intricate and had a lot of history. There could have been all kinds of interesting give and take between the Ravens and the Crows, unfortunately it ended up playing out as though they were just two Greek houses on a state university campus, except everyone had wings.

Let me give a few reasons I didn't like it while trying not to spoil it if you do want to read it:

1) CHARACTERS- while the premise of having a girls' club and boys' club was fun and the characters suited that set up, the main characters themselves were oddly flat. The male lead, Yager, especially seemed to completely lack personality. They both were given back grounds - jobs outside of kicking butt for the gods, but those backgrounds didn't seem to influence their actions. They were like cardboard cut outs- no depth at all. Halfway through the book I realized I STILL didn't care what happened to these two.

2) DIALOGUE- and this relates to the characters. It really felt like any character could have said any line. It's hard to explain, but the way a person speaks is directly related to who they are. Neecy and Yager's dialogue was basically interchangeable. Most of the supporting characters were also interchangeable. I started to skip over the names when I realized it made little difference who was actually involved in each conversation.

3) ROMANCE: The romance was clumsy and stilted. The sex was abrupt and lacked eroticism. I found no reason at all for these two to fall in love- lust, certainly. Love? Absolutely not. And since the book STARTS with Yager already being inexplicably head over heels for Neecy, it made it very difficult to get into it. He was convinced they were perfect for each other, but there was no evidence of this at all. In fact, he knew nothing about her. They had no history together. He didn't love her for her brain. At no point did one save the life of the other in the past. No self-sacrifice, no deep personal understanding, NOTHING! It was pathetic. When they did first indulge their attraction, it felt forced and unrealistic and made Neecy appear to be an easy lay. It made the romance cheap, not sexy. And I could barely manage to force myself to keep reading once I realized the romance was going to continue along the lines of NO! YES! NO! YES! NO! YES! Dear Lord in heaven, save me from pointless conflict.

4) PLOT: There are many para-romances that use another conflict to bring the heroes together. There are also urban fantasies that happen to throw in a romance to spice things up. THIS BOOK was a romance that decided it needed another conflict to make it more interesting about halfway through the book. The non-romance subplot was awkward, creepy and seemingly a non-sequitor for most of the book. It felt like an afterthought. Not to mention the notion that the leader of an elite group of supernatural mercenaries chosen for their sacred duty by a GOD would somehow not put her best mercenary and second in command on the job of hunting down dangerous killers because she wants her to GET A LIFE AND HAVE A LITTLE FUN is beyond absurd. It's stupid.

BOTTOM LINE: Reading this book was a complete waste of my time. I noticed another reviewer saying that the author seems to have no interest in continuing the series. I'm not surprised since I lost interest halfway through reading it. As I said, though, a lot of people seemed to have liked it. I can't understand why, but maybe you will too.

RECOMMENDATIONS: here are some books that I actually enjoyed... if you like these, you won't be satisfied with this one.
1. Kresley Cole's adventurous and intricate magical romance series (never mind the ridiculous title): A Hunger Like No Other (Immortals After Dark, Book 1)
2. Alyssa Day's Atlantis Rising (Warriors of Poseidon, Book 1) - less dark, more humor, but still intense. The lonely protectors of the lost city begin to find their mates- not the best written of the "boy's club" style romance, but fun.
3. Jacquelyn Frank's Jacob (The Nightwalkers, Book 1) - demons, were, vamps and other fae finding their better halves in races that should be the enemy
4. Larissa Ione's Pleasure Unbound (Demonica, Book 1) - demon centric romance series that sets up a demon-run hospital under a human city. Not as well written as the others.
5. Sherrilyn Kenyon's Fantasy Lover - Dark Hunter series with shifters, vamps and Greek gods. The first book is not as good as the rest- it just gets better and better.
6. J.R. Ward's Dark Lover (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 1) - also darker, more violent and incredibly intense vampire romance series. Vampires protect the world from evil. Vivid glimpses into the evil perspective as well.
7. Lara Adrian's Kiss of Midnight (The Midnight Breed, Book 1) - also darker, more violent, but incredibly intense. Vampires protect the world from their evil brethren.
8. Gena Showalter's The Darkest Night (Hqn) - sexy, demon-possessed immortals looking for true love in a world of hidden magical creatures.
9. Nalini Singh's creative use of angels and vampires in Angels' Blood (Guild Hunter)
10. Nalini Singh's Slave to Sensation (Psy-Changelings, Book 1) - romance series which features weres and psychics, but also carries plotlines with some substance

I was really surprised in reading this one. I have read all of the books to date in the Call of Crows series but yet this book was not a fav of mine. It had some great characters that we've come to know and love but it just dragged on for me, not to mention the excessive sex that went on and on; don't get me wrong, I love a hawt book but all of that wasn't necessary for the storyline.

Look. This book... Lord!!! Smh... I honestly don't know what to say. It was so freaking GOOD!!! I laughed so much at everyone's antics, and ached so much for Yager, and wished the Crows and Ravens were friends of mine... Le sigh...

Shelly Laurenston. I'm calling you out!!! You can't give us such an awesome story and not give us Tye and Janelle's, and Mike and Arri's (at least). I NEED THEM IN MY LIFE!!! I really need to see Arri step into her own, and Mike get what's coming to him >:) (Sorry for the outburst, but I had to get that off my chest. It's pretty safe to say you've gained another fan.)

So... I think that about covers it (lol). Highly recommend getting lost in this book. It was totally worth losing sleep.

WARNING: Reading Hunting Season by Shelly Laurenston is guaranteed to 1.) Make you blush and/or fan yourself from all the sexy goodness and 2.) Make you cuss like a sailor after you read it.

Did that get your attention? I hope so because Hunting Season is in two words: Scorching. Hot. I'm not kidding, it's turn-you-into-a-puddle-of-hormones hot. But it's not even all about the sex, though there's plenty of that. Hunting Season has so many laugh out loud moments that you really don't want to read it in public, unless you're comfortable being stared at.

Crow warrior Denise "Neecy" Lawrence is my kind of bitch. I'm not kidding. She's such a viscious warrior, loyal friend, snarky bitch, and totally independent. There is not one once of weak on her and I loved it! She's an educated woman with a Ph.D who can also cut loose in a club with her Crow sisters. She's my definition of a "Man Eater" simply because lesser men get devoured by her. Until Willhem Yager. He's a threat to Neecy's ordered world and handling him like she would any other man just doesn't seem to work. Coincidently, part of the reason Neecy was so appealing to me was because she reminded me of (I'm showing my geekiness here) Shayera Hol, aka Hawkgirl in the animated series Justice League Unlimited.

Willhem Yager is the closest an author has ever gotten to MY idea of a perfect man. He's a total alpha to be sure, but he's not controlling with Neecy (not that she would allow it, she'd rip him to shreds). He finds Neecy's visciousness and independence sexy as hell which in turn made me find HIM deliciously sexy. He isn't one of those jerks that gets off on controlling every aspect of a woman's life and who only dates "innocent" push overs who are desperate for a man. No, Will likes his women tough and challenging. He doesn't want Neecy to change who she is at all, he just wants her to make peace with her past and make room for him in her life. He's definitely more stubborn than Neecy, which is an advantage, and if he wants Neecy in his life forever, he's going to need every advantage he can get! Did I mention he's a Raven? A winged warrior for the god Odin. *sighs* He's hot AND he's got wings. Oh and one more thing, he's a closet geek! Why do I say that? Well you'll have to read the book to find out.

While there are some action scenes as the Crows and the Ravens fight in the name of their respective gods Skuld and Odin, they don't overwhelm the book with blood bath after blood bath. There's also plenty of time to get to know all the characters involved.

Aside from the amazing sexual chemistry (and sex scenes) between Will and Neecy, there's an abundance of very likable second characters, my favorites being Crows Arri and Janelle and Ravens Tye and Mike. The snarking from those four would make a great ADULT comedy hour. The few non-Wll/Neecy scenes were just as entertaining as if Will and Neecy were in them. There truly isn't a boring moment in Hunting Season and that's what makes it so memorable in my mind. I can honestly say that those cranky, party loving Crow bitches are the kind of women I wish I could be friends with and those Raven warriors? Definitely the type I'd go for.

There are more than the usual amount of sex scenes in Hunting Season, all of them erotic and graphic. So if you're a little more on the conservative side, then this is not the book for you. Sadly author Shelly Laurenston has no current plans to continue this series.

So if independent, bitchy females, geeky, dirty talking alpha males and laugh out loud dialogue is your thing, you really need to get Hunting Season by Shelly Laurenston. I know I'm going to get more of her books as soon as I can.

First off, I love Will and Neecy's relationship. It was awesome. You had an Alpha, geeky male, with a dominate female. No simpering woman for Yager. Neecy is second in command to the Jersey Crows, while Yager is leader of his Ravens. Yager has wanted Neecy ever since he became a leader and saw her at his induction ceremony. He started heavily pursuing her within the last year of battling together. Neecy doesn't want to want Yager, but he is so different than anyone else she's been with. She doesn't make it easy for him to woo her. I liked the fact that I understood the conflict of her heart, but she was unable to to help herself. Neecy gave Yager grief (she was a b$&@h on wheels in combat as well as her love life), but he stuck it out with his Viking-like nature and conquered what he believed to be his.

I wish there was a little more backdrop as far as the sub-plot went as far as Skuld and explaining her actions and the actions of the antagonists in the book. For example, there was the enemy Waldgrave and he was fighting for another goddess, but I thought that he was part of the trial from Skuld that Neecy had to face. Also, I wish that Yager was in his element as a computer geek. I think it would have endeared him to me even more. It would have rounded out his character more. I liked all of the sub characters and the direction of the story, I just wish that it had that something to make it fantastic.

Will Yager & Neecy Lawrence relationship? 5 stars
The plot of the story? Just 3 stars

Overall, I'll round it out to 4 stars. :)

I loved Neecy and Yager. I loved reading the lengths that this man went through to get his woman. Yager was a great hero to read. He was humorous. He totally rocked the hunky dork image. Neecy knows she's one tough kick ass chick. She can handle anything life throws her way. Neecy thinks she can handle a sex with no strings attached relationship with Yager. He is willing to get her into his life by any means possible. Yager knows once he gets to her once he can just keep up his persistence and burrow even further into her life.

My favorite reason for reading Laurenston books has to be the female characters. She writes obnoxiously humorous females. The lady Crows are all uniquely different, but they all share a wonderful bond that allows them to torture each other in a way that only the best of friends could allow. They are fiercely strong and overly independent. This is why they were chosen to be given the gift that makes them Crows. Throw the Ravens into the mix and it is a free for all party with the makings of a barroom brawl. The two teams put together are highly entertaining. The antics that they come up with to torment each other with keep the pages turning.

I enjoyed the mythology behind Hunting Season. Laurenston has woven her tale with Norse mythology. I thought the Crows and the Ravens and how they came to be and the cause they are fighting for to be very unique. I like to find something different in my paranormal books.

As one of Odin's famed Raven warriors, Will Yager has taken down his share of scum. He never imagined it would take all of his fighting skills to win the woman he loves.

Neecy Lawrence is still trying to escape a past that she would rather forget. Every decision she makes is based on atonement and there's no way she deserves a nice guy like Will.

When a mutual enemy begins hunting down her kind, Neecy finds herself under Will's tender care. She thought spending a day with him would get it out of her system, but that's anything but true. What will it take for Will to convince Neecy to take a chance on forever?

The mythology behind this story was very interesting and different. The Ravens, a group of male warriors, belong to the god Odin. They carry out his will and serve justice in his name. The Crows, a group of female warriors, belong to the goddess Skuld. Chosen at the moment of their death, they are offered the chance to fight against evil. This book is smoking hot! Make sure you have a nice fan to sit in front of when you read this book. ;) I loved the depths of Will's character. He is a fierce warrior, a fair leader, a gaming nerd, super nice, and sarcastic to boot. The attraction between Will and Neecy is explosive but it's the tenderness and love that really blows you away. Will knows he and Neecy are perfect for one another and there is nothing that will stop him from convincing her. To be relentlessly pursued like that? <sigh> There were some incredibly funny laugh-out-loud scenes when the Ravens & Crows get together that are not to be missed.

I look forward to reading another book about these unique supernaturals.

~Review by: Book Addict from When Pen Met Paper [...]

Neecy Lawrence is a winged warrior for a Viking Goddess and the second in command of the Crow. While making up for her past that she hasn't forgotten, she is rarely in a nice mood. And when it comes to guys, Neecy doesn't know what to do with a nice guy. But Raven leader and loyal Odin warrior, Will Yager, isn't just nice. Yager has wanted Neecy for a long time, and being the Viking that he is, he will stop at nothing to get her. Not just for the moment but forever. But Yager knows in order to keep Neecy, he's going to have to be creative, not matter how difficult she may be.

I loved this book! Out of all the Shelly Laurenston's books I've read, I have loved every single one of them. This book was a fun, light read. I enjoyed it so much much. I loved the plot and the characters, even all the side characters.

Neecy and Yager, of course, were my favorite. Those two together had me laughing every single time. I really loved that fact, that this book had me laughing throughout it the entire time I was reading it. Especially with Neecy and her attitude towards Yager. I also loved there chemistry with each other. They could burn a house down with all that chemistry! Yager was a sweetheart, but I loved that dominant attitude. I loved how the roles were kind of reversed. Neecy was the one with the internal issues towards the relationship with her past, instead of Yager. It's usually the guys with the problems. So I liked that fact.

The side characters: Mike, Arri, Janelle and Didi had me laughing tears. Arri, when she the Crows finally accepted and she became comfortable around everyone, had me laughing. Especially at that last party!

The action was great. Neecy is a bad ass character which I really like. All the crows were. Oh, and speaking of crows, I have never read a book about crows! I was kind of freaked out about that in the beginning! Lol
And the ending tripped me out. I was sitting there trying to turn to the next page but I realized it was the end! Typical Neecy. I want the sequel to be released badly! I want to know what Yager does.

Overall the book was a quick read. It was light and very entertaining. Definitely for people 18 and older. If you want a good laugh, I seriously recommend this book to you!

I have always enjoyed reading Shelly Laurenston, her sense of humor in the Pride Series was definitely to my liking so I was excited to read this book. It absolutely didn't disappoint. Neecy is a bad-ass warrior who definitely doesn't want a man especially not the leader of the Ravens Yager. Yager was a love-able geek who is completely in love with Neecy and he's going to have her whether she likes it or not. Their relationship was the biggest part of the book, but I loved each respective characters relationship with their own groups like the Crows and Ravens. But romance wasn't the only part of this book, something or someone is hunting these mortal warriors and their starting with the Crows. It was a back-story throughout this book that their was a unknown threat that was after these characters and it definitely got the back moving along. I loved every part of this book it continuously had me laughing and couldn't wait to hear what would happen next.

Although, "nice," is not the right word to describe the characters in this novel. I wasn't sure if I would like the book when I first started reading it, but I found a lot of elements in it that I enjoy in other Laurenston books. Like the dry, violent, humor of the characters. I don't understand why I find reading about the characters getting slapped down is so hilarious. Neecy, heroine, is a likable female character who is tough, but relatable. Yager, is hero of Viking descent that is lovable, but deadly. Both very common in a Laurenston book. The storyline is based around a group of Crow women known an the gathering and their Raven counterparts. There is a lot of Viking mythology mixed in, as well as, the fact that the gods and goddesses seem to enjoy using their "people" as pawns in their own wicked games and power plays. I look forward to the next in the series, but am very sore at having to wait on her dragon series (my fav) under her other name, Aiken. What's up with that?

I loved this book. I adored the relationship that Yager and Neecy had from start to finish. As a matter of fact there was nothing about this book I didn't like. Yager was the perfect warrior lover and Neecy was the perfect warrior lover that is a bit confused: "gee do I love him or hate him". I, too, thought her bantering was a hoot! Fiercely loyal to her warriors, it was a relaxing enjoyable read for me. I thought the secondary characters were interesting and worthy of their own stories as well; they each would make another great book. The "Gods" were a strange brew, but what Gods aren't? I think if you like G. A. Aiken's Dragon Kin series you'll like this book as well. (FYI: if you weren't aware, SHELLY LAURENSTON also writes under the name of "G. A. Aiken".) I hope this does indeed become a series and already I eagerly await the next one. This is definitely on my list of buy and keep books! HAPPY READING. . .

Honestly the book is that atleast for now the author has no desire to continue with the series. I absolutely loved both the main character and all her quirkiness and the hero and his persistence. I will allow that it did not feel realistic in that women who are so strong and stoic and have all their walls up don't break after really good sex as quickly as this heroine did. Also, no man is that persistent without the female atleast bending a little bit, especially since he was falling in love with her all the while she was running the opposite direction. I did love the side characters and I really want to see the other characters get there own stories. In fact, i think that these characters, and the world building in this book is far superior to that of the shifter series. I especially like this because shifters are becoming more and more played out. As usual, Ms. laurenston entertains with her strong female leads and humor- I just want more!

This story has fighting, gore, and the most heart melting commitment. The girl fights the guy but only because of her insecurities. He is beyond good to her. Be prepared for graphic loving.
I'm looking forward to Janelle and Tye.

Mature content

I was pleasantly surprised by how well thought out this book was. The characters are varied and deep. The romance is real. It develops; it's not cheesy, insta- love with growling "my woman" crap. The Nordic gods theme was such a great backdrop without stupid melodrama. And I actually laughed out loud from witty, clever writing. Bravo, bravo.

Neecy Lawrence is a Crow in her "second chance life", which means she is a winged warrior for a Viking goddess and is not to be messed with. She is the second-in-command of a fierce group of Crows and most of the time this is enough to keep her hands full. So why is the only guy she seems to think about these days not only a `nice guy' but a Raven, could it get any worse? She just can't deal with the distractions in her life and definitely has no need for a `nice guy' no matter how smokin' hot he is.

Will Yager was born a Raven and knows what his destiny entails. He also knows that he will have Neecy one way or another; she just hasn't come around to his way of thinking yet. No matter that the Ravens and Crows have been working for rival Viking Gods forever, and even fought each other from time to time, some things are just meant to be. So as any self respecting Viking would do he will stop at nothing to get what he wants, Neecy had better brace herself for what is coming her way, and I don't mean the buildup in paranormal happenings around her city.

While Hunting Season was previously published this was my first venture into "The Gathering Series" and it won't be my last. I was pulled in by both the tie to mythology and how each group (ravens, crows) comes to be and how they interact. I loved how Ms. Laurenston makes a scene come alive to the point where I can picture what is happening around me, much to my husband's annoyance/amusement as I become lost to the world while reading. The Hunting Season reminds me why I love Ms. Laurenston's writings and also what a recommended read should be. I "Joyfully Recommend" Hunting Season as I cannot give it a higher rating.

Tanya
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

I really enjoyed this book. I like the Norse mythology aspect. I was very disappointed to find that it was the only book that the author has written in this world. I've read her other books, and I feel like this world she's created has the opportunity to be much better than the other books she's written. There were some rocky bits that made me roll my eyes a little, but overall I enjoyed it thoroughly!

I love that this book had Norse gods and goddesses instead of the typical Greek mythology. I recently watched a show about Norse mythology so it was nice for me to read about that. Small complaint is that it's not too much of a mystery who the hunters are really after. But I would definitely recommend this book and look forward to book two of the series.

Good basic story, sex is same scenes in different rooms, several logistical bloopers, and if I had to hear Niece's rejecting Yager one more time, the book and the tablet its on would have been throne out the windo

Really enjoyed this book.Just the right length,and more than the main two characters were interesting. I love how the two groups were when they came together and the loyalty to Neecy was really great. If there's another book about the Crows and Ravens you bet I'm gonna read it and I recommend this one , it's great!!

First off - as usual, it's filled with sex, humor, banter and fighting. All the things necessary for a good romp through some world that's far from the one we're stuck with. Thank you.

Whoever was brainless enough to say the author showed no signs of continuing the series evidently doesn't know how to read. We're being nicely set up for Tye and Janelle and I think even Mike and Arai in the suture. I can only hope!

Great job and thank you for having an imagination.

I love everything about this author...I love the way she writes, I laugh so hard when I read her books, that I have to cover my mouth. I love her Alpha males, I love her female leads...I love how color is never a factor in her books and every female lead is mixed with something. I love how the men love thier women.
Just mad that I just recently gotten into her and now I have offical read everything that she has written. And disappointed that this book just came out and finished it in two days and was looking for book #2 already...damn....I can not stand the wait...I LOVE SHELLY....:)

I love everything about this author...I love the way she writes, I laugh so hard when I read her books, that I have to cover my mouth. I love her Alpha males, I love her female leads...I love how color is never a factor in her books and every female lead is mixed with something. I love how the men love thier women.
Just mad that I just recently gotten into her and now I have offical read everything that she has written. And disappointed that this book just came out and finished it in two days and was looking for book #2 already...damn....I can not stand the wait...I LOVE SHELLY....:)

I needed something new to read and bought this due to a suggestion. I started off by feeling unsure but I was quickly won over.

I was completely entranced by the quirky characters and loved every moment of this book. It was funny, a little graphic but oh so human. It was unembarrassed and totally relatable. I can't wait to read more. My new favourite series for sure.