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An Unauthorized Field Guide to the Hunt
On Mariket, the strongest competitors win...by losing.
Narone native and former heir of Class II shipbuilder Denbo-West Industries, Shane West surrendered his perilous birthright to compete in the Hunt and tried his luck with the lusty cats of Mariket. Shane’s mastery of survival craft in the untamed forest made him an early favorite among gamblers, fans, and arena officials. When he lured a cat into an arousing chase the first night, mating with Lore to become the season’s first victor seemed guaranteed.
Then news from Arena 4 slowed to a trickle. Rumors emerged about cats who’d gone feral as well as shocking breaches in security. Unconfirmed reports of assassins and rogue predators circulated before offworld communications screeched to a halt.
In this unprecedented glimpse inside the arena, Shane peels back the veil of secrecy. What does it take to tempt a sexy cat? How does being marked as prey by a feline lover feel? Experience the wanton pleasures of the heat with Shane and his mysterious mate—and discover which of last season’s scandalous rumors are true.
Run, pounce, fuck.
Mate?
Welcome to the Hunt.
Narone native and former heir of Class II shipbuilder Denbo-West Industries, Shane West surrendered his perilous birthright to compete in the Hunt and tried his luck with the lusty cats of Mariket. Shane’s mastery of survival craft in the untamed forest made him an early favorite among gamblers, fans, and arena officials. When he lured a cat into an arousing chase the first night, mating with Lore to become the season’s first victor seemed guaranteed.
Then news from Arena 4 slowed to a trickle. Rumors emerged about cats who’d gone feral as well as shocking breaches in security. Unconfirmed reports of assassins and rogue predators circulated before offworld communications screeched to a halt.
In this unprecedented glimpse inside the arena, Shane peels back the veil of secrecy. What does it take to tempt a sexy cat? How does being marked as prey by a feline lover feel? Experience the wanton pleasures of the heat with Shane and his mysterious mate—and discover which of last season’s scandalous rumors are true.
Run, pounce, fuck.
Mate?
Welcome to the Hunt.
106 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 12, 2013
16 people are currently reading
474 people want to read
About the author
Kari Gregg
30books672followersKari Gregg lives in the mountains of Wild and Wonderful West Virginia with her Wonderful husband and three very Wild children. When Kari’s not writing, she enjoys reading, coffee, zombie flicks, coffee, naked mud-wrestling (not really), and . . . coffee!
If you would like to catch up with Kari, caffeinate yourself and head to
If you would like to catch up with Kari, caffeinate yourself and head to
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
June 6, 2025
Hunger Games meets Tarzan, meets trashy survival TV.
Alien MM romance
Mating competition
Survival game
Chosen mate
Arena-style challenge
Human/alien pairing
Sci-fi erotica
Forced proximity (wilderness survival)
Public spectacle/reality show vibes
Fascinating, chaotic premise, humans competing to lose the Hunt so they can win a cat-man mate. These aren’t shifters, just full-on feline aliens, and the contestants are basically trying to prove they’re good breeding material? The world and characters felt underdeveloped, but it’s fun in a totally unhinged, pulpy way. Definitely not your average sci-fi gay romance.
Alien MM romance
Mating competition
Survival game
Chosen mate
Arena-style challenge
Human/alien pairing
Sci-fi erotica
Forced proximity (wilderness survival)
Public spectacle/reality show vibes
Fascinating, chaotic premise, humans competing to lose the Hunt so they can win a cat-man mate. These aren’t shifters, just full-on feline aliens, and the contestants are basically trying to prove they’re good breeding material? The world and characters felt underdeveloped, but it’s fun in a totally unhinged, pulpy way. Definitely not your average sci-fi gay romance.
January 14, 2015
That's right. You take it. You like getting captured and used like a little toy. You naughty, teasing boy. You take that big, furry...
Wait, what?
You all can hear my thoughts?
Oh boy...
So this book. First of all, DAMN, that is some hot inter-species dub-con! The whole running around in the arena and getting forced to bang some giant cat peen was bizarrely and completely hot.
But the plot... seriously. I mean, seriously. It was borderline nonsensical. Shane is involved in some strange cat and mouse (ha!) type game in order to lure a mate (I think) and he sort of wants to win, but sort of doesn't want to win, but then he really wants to win, but then he has to live in the tree tops? Maybe I'm just a little slow but I had NO idea what was happening most of the time.
I just wanted more pouncing.
RAWR.
Wait, what?
You all can hear my thoughts?
Oh boy...
So this book. First of all, DAMN, that is some hot inter-species dub-con! The whole running around in the arena and getting forced to bang some giant cat peen was bizarrely and completely hot.
But the plot... seriously. I mean, seriously. It was borderline nonsensical. Shane is involved in some strange cat and mouse (ha!) type game in order to lure a mate (I think) and he sort of wants to win, but sort of doesn't want to win, but then he really wants to win, but then he has to live in the tree tops? Maybe I'm just a little slow but I had NO idea what was happening most of the time.
I just wanted more pouncing.
RAWR.
November 12, 2013
A Review
Kari Gregg's "An Unauthorized Field Guide for the Hunt" is a sci-fi cat shifter/alien clusterfuck of primal mating and a Hunger Games-esque competition told from human competitor, Shane West's POV. Shane is being hunted by a murderous family and the Hunt on the shifter alien world Mariket is his only salvation. He plans on taking part in the Hunt and wants to lose...in order to win. To be a "victor" means to mate with a Mariket shifter...think large, primal, lusty cats. The Hunt are for competitors to try to either win the competition by not having succumbed to the mating cats or become a victor. The hunt takes place when the cats are in mating heat - the cats can force their pheromones on you at their will but to actually have one keep you is a prize.
The start of the story is jarring. We are thrown into the hunt with Shane, slowly learning the objective of the competition and what exactly Shane hopes to gain. He's human, weaker compared to the natives of Mariket. The Hunt's arena is all lush forests with wild beasts, cats looking to mate and arena wardens roaming loose. The world Gregg built is a beautiful one. The Hunt is brutal, competitors can't be trusted and the mating...the mating is animalistic. The cats are known to stalk and fuck their prey until resistance is but a thought. And Shane catches the eye of a solitary puma named Lore. When these two were together, whether the chase, the mating, the nonverbal communication...it was memorable.
And the sex?!
Oh. My. Stars! The sex was off the Richter scale. Dubious consent enthusiasts can definitely enjoy the primal fucking that Gregg delivers. And can I say Lore's puma anatomy--self lubricating cock and intoxicating semen...totally different. But made for one erotically intense read.
I enjoyed Lore's dominance and masterfulness over Shane. He did so with minimal effort but did not humiliate Shane. And compared to my favorite Kari Gregg, "I, Omega"- where there's a power struggle between Dom and sub-Shane fights the entire way while becoming a victor or pseudo-sub. Even when being given mating hormones to make him lust for his mate's touch all the time, Shane yields but grudgingly. I enjoyed his struggle until the very end. Just when I thought the hormones or the Lore pounding got the best of Shane...he would fight his feelings. And Lore trying to court his lover and chosen mate? Adored it for all of it's gruff awkwardness.
A few of my favorite Lore seducing Shane quotes:
Enjoyed it!
*squeals*
Kari Gregg's writing works for me because she does not tell everything at one shot. The full picture unfurls at its own pace. (So if you need to have all the facts from the beginning, I don't think this will work for you) And her sex scenes are so elemental- blood, semen, fucking, contact, skin, fur...it's delicious.
And the last 10-15% of the story took such an unexpected twist that even after finishing (don't worry, it's a HEA), I still can't believe that happened. Fucking awesome! Violent but thoroughly entertaining and no sugar coated easy way out. The reader is thrown into the hunt from the beginning. It gave a true sense of what Shane was experiencing. At the end of the story, all questions were answered.
For less than 100 pages, this novella was one hell of an action filled, erotically masterful ride. Kari Gregg has yet to let me down. Dig her writing. I hope there will be more stories from the Mariket world *coughs*Mareo*coughs* I think this has legs to make for an interesting series.
"Life. Fear. Sex. In the arena, everything is confusing and surreal. Whatever you think you know is wrong." ~ Shane West
Kari Gregg's "An Unauthorized Field Guide for the Hunt" is a sci-fi cat shifter/alien clusterfuck of primal mating and a Hunger Games-esque competition told from human competitor, Shane West's POV. Shane is being hunted by a murderous family and the Hunt on the shifter alien world Mariket is his only salvation. He plans on taking part in the Hunt and wants to lose...in order to win. To be a "victor" means to mate with a Mariket shifter...think large, primal, lusty cats. The Hunt are for competitors to try to either win the competition by not having succumbed to the mating cats or become a victor. The hunt takes place when the cats are in mating heat - the cats can force their pheromones on you at their will but to actually have one keep you is a prize.
The start of the story is jarring. We are thrown into the hunt with Shane, slowly learning the objective of the competition and what exactly Shane hopes to gain. He's human, weaker compared to the natives of Mariket. The Hunt's arena is all lush forests with wild beasts, cats looking to mate and arena wardens roaming loose. The world Gregg built is a beautiful one. The Hunt is brutal, competitors can't be trusted and the mating...the mating is animalistic. The cats are known to stalk and fuck their prey until resistance is but a thought. And Shane catches the eye of a solitary puma named Lore. When these two were together, whether the chase, the mating, the nonverbal communication...it was memorable.
And the sex?!
"Their sex was beautiful, consuming. And cruel."
Oh. My. Stars! The sex was off the Richter scale. Dubious consent enthusiasts can definitely enjoy the primal fucking that Gregg delivers. And can I say Lore's puma anatomy--self lubricating cock and intoxicating semen...totally different. But made for one erotically intense read.
I enjoyed Lore's dominance and masterfulness over Shane. He did so with minimal effort but did not humiliate Shane. And compared to my favorite Kari Gregg, "I, Omega"- where there's a power struggle between Dom and sub-Shane fights the entire way while becoming a victor or pseudo-sub. Even when being given mating hormones to make him lust for his mate's touch all the time, Shane yields but grudgingly. I enjoyed his struggle until the very end. Just when I thought the hormones or the Lore pounding got the best of Shane...he would fight his feelings. And Lore trying to court his lover and chosen mate? Adored it for all of it's gruff awkwardness.
A few of my favorite Lore seducing Shane quotes:
"Precious," the cat said and leaned forward, angling his head. Shane longed for the cat's kiss, but instead the cat bent to nip Shane's chin. "So mine. And so hungry."
Enjoyed it!
"Want my spend, Precious?" Shane shuddered, the pleasure from his ass streaking to his balls and then to his untouched cock.
"Please. Yes. I--"
"I would give you the world."
*squeals*
Kari Gregg's writing works for me because she does not tell everything at one shot. The full picture unfurls at its own pace. (So if you need to have all the facts from the beginning, I don't think this will work for you) And her sex scenes are so elemental- blood, semen, fucking, contact, skin, fur...it's delicious.
And the last 10-15% of the story took such an unexpected twist that even after finishing (don't worry, it's a HEA), I still can't believe that happened. Fucking awesome! Violent but thoroughly entertaining and no sugar coated easy way out. The reader is thrown into the hunt from the beginning. It gave a true sense of what Shane was experiencing. At the end of the story, all questions were answered.
For less than 100 pages, this novella was one hell of an action filled, erotically masterful ride. Kari Gregg has yet to let me down. Dig her writing. I hope there will be more stories from the Mariket world *coughs*Mareo*coughs* I think this has legs to make for an interesting series.
June 6, 2014
Okay, I finished it after all.
I love Kari Gregg's books. I love her PWP story about a human and a not-quite human who have rough sex that forces the human to crave forcible cock insertion, and then the MCs have to forge a relationship out of it. I love the magic soul-bonding fucking and the being-unable-to-think-clearly because of the lust and cum-needing. I love that shit. And I already read it in . So I did not need to read the exact same book here, but with a feline love interest instead of a lupine love interest. Same tree, different tinsel.
I was really, really, bored. Sorry. Still love Kari Gregg. Want more in the vein of or . Please don't write this same book a third time, Ms Gregg.
**
just wasn't working me me, maybe it was bad timing. Might come back to this another time.
I love Kari Gregg's books. I love her PWP story about a human and a not-quite human who have rough sex that forces the human to crave forcible cock insertion, and then the MCs have to forge a relationship out of it. I love the magic soul-bonding fucking and the being-unable-to-think-clearly because of the lust and cum-needing. I love that shit. And I already read it in . So I did not need to read the exact same book here, but with a feline love interest instead of a lupine love interest. Same tree, different tinsel.
I was really, really, bored. Sorry. Still love Kari Gregg. Want more in the vein of or . Please don't write this same book a third time, Ms Gregg.
**
just wasn't working me me, maybe it was bad timing. Might come back to this another time.
December 7, 2013
Kari Gregg writing dub con sci fi monster erotica? I'm in!
Okay, so this book filthy-hot (y'all know i like that), with the hunt/games angle for thrilling danger fun (like that too!) and a backstory involving scheming relatives set on killing our boy Shane so he feels his only alternative is to throw himself on the mercy of this Hunt and the sex-crazed monster cats.
Oh, yes, this was fun. And oddly sweet in places. And there were some very poignant moments.
I think Kari Gregg is writing her way into my favorite authors list, and I'm so very glad.
Okay, so this book filthy-hot (y'all know i like that), with the hunt/games angle for thrilling danger fun (like that too!) and a backstory involving scheming relatives set on killing our boy Shane so he feels his only alternative is to throw himself on the mercy of this Hunt and the sex-crazed monster cats.
Oh, yes, this was fun. And oddly sweet in places. And there were some very poignant moments.
I think Kari Gregg is writing her way into my favorite authors list, and I'm so very glad.
October 31, 2013
Out of the three Gregg works I’ve read (the other two being and ), this might be my favorite. It might be because I’m used to Gregg’s fast pace, hand-wavey world-building, and cramming everything, sexy times included, into a novella. It might be because I have a soft-spot for rifts on Battle Royale/Hunger Games/The Most Dangerous Game, where our MC is hunted and has to battle for survival in a strange local and against deadly enemies. (And this time, also gets to be ravished.)
It might be because unlike I, Omega and Collared, our lead (and huntee) Shane is way less submissive. He still ends up being ravished (many times) by his puma-man, but it was not on the same level of passivity and submission as the other two books. Towards the end, I still go that “caretaker� Top/submissive Bottom vibe, but still not on the same wavelength. (The other two, the MC is very subby.)
The three have in common one thing that I appreciate, and that is Gregg’s version of dub-con, which is that the characters are somehow chemically or biologically enhanced or changed so that even as they’re being dominated/ravished, they’re not unhappy about the whole process. In I, Omega, it had something to do with the whole alpha-claiming-whatever thing. In Collared, it had to do with the global changing of everyone’s body chemistry, so they either shifted to being more dominant or submissive, and in the Hunt, it’s�.PHEROMONES. Sexy cat pheromones that entice you into wanting to submit and be taken again…and again…and again.
As someone who hates non-con and rape, I can somehow wrap my mind around Gregg’s dubious chemical changes to get our MC to a point that he is being taken down…and doesn’t really mind it so much. That, and Shane himself is trying to play the game while he’s being hunted, even though he figures out eventually that all his scheming can’t fight…PHEROMONES.
My one issue is that again, it’s a pretty short work, around 100 pages, so the “relationship� that comes out is pretty insta, and even though our MCs feel very drawn to each other, it feels very lusty-cloud based, as opposed to, I dunno, real love. I might be asking for too much with that one though.
And there’s some explanation near the end that for me was kind of, “Huh? Okay....� and then it’s back to Sex Canopy with Puma Man.
But my recommendation is to not go in to this looking for in-depth world building or rationals. Go in for the fast pace jungle flight as our hero tries to evade his hunter, succumbs to PHEROMONES, has multiple not-really-dub-con sexy times, attempts to survive the Hunt, and loses his shoes a few times. I have stopped asking questions by this point, so it was a fun read.
Gregg’s penchant is to not write sequels, and compared to the other two, this one felt the most “complete� of an ending. (As opposed to I, Omega and Collared, that felt like the end was beginning of something, especially Collared.) So even though I wouldn’t have minded something akin to showing more love between the MCs beyond the lovemaking, the ending was still satisfying.
One thing I thought was funny:
It might be because unlike I, Omega and Collared, our lead (and huntee) Shane is way less submissive. He still ends up being ravished (many times) by his puma-man, but it was not on the same level of passivity and submission as the other two books. Towards the end, I still go that “caretaker� Top/submissive Bottom vibe, but still not on the same wavelength. (The other two, the MC is very subby.)
The three have in common one thing that I appreciate, and that is Gregg’s version of dub-con, which is that the characters are somehow chemically or biologically enhanced or changed so that even as they’re being dominated/ravished, they’re not unhappy about the whole process. In I, Omega, it had something to do with the whole alpha-claiming-whatever thing. In Collared, it had to do with the global changing of everyone’s body chemistry, so they either shifted to being more dominant or submissive, and in the Hunt, it’s�.PHEROMONES. Sexy cat pheromones that entice you into wanting to submit and be taken again…and again…and again.
As someone who hates non-con and rape, I can somehow wrap my mind around Gregg’s dubious chemical changes to get our MC to a point that he is being taken down…and doesn’t really mind it so much. That, and Shane himself is trying to play the game while he’s being hunted, even though he figures out eventually that all his scheming can’t fight…PHEROMONES.
My one issue is that again, it’s a pretty short work, around 100 pages, so the “relationship� that comes out is pretty insta, and even though our MCs feel very drawn to each other, it feels very lusty-cloud based, as opposed to, I dunno, real love. I might be asking for too much with that one though.
And there’s some explanation near the end that for me was kind of, “Huh? Okay....� and then it’s back to Sex Canopy with Puma Man.
But my recommendation is to not go in to this looking for in-depth world building or rationals. Go in for the fast pace jungle flight as our hero tries to evade his hunter, succumbs to PHEROMONES, has multiple not-really-dub-con sexy times, attempts to survive the Hunt, and loses his shoes a few times. I have stopped asking questions by this point, so it was a fun read.
Gregg’s penchant is to not write sequels, and compared to the other two, this one felt the most “complete� of an ending. (As opposed to I, Omega and Collared, that felt like the end was beginning of something, especially Collared.) So even though I wouldn’t have minded something akin to showing more love between the MCs beyond the lovemaking, the ending was still satisfying.
One thing I thought was funny:
November 6, 2013
The reader is immediately dumped into this alternate universe, into a high-stakes arena game where human men are hunted as possible mates.
A kind of Hunger Games - meets - Tarzan -- meets -- (also by Gregg).
The going is a bit rough in the beginning as you try to figure out what the hell is going on, but this author knows just how to carefully lay the breadcrumbs to lure you on.
The characters:
Shane West -- a comely human, appointed heir to his family, is looking for a way out of a sticky situation back home. His brothers, jealous of his position, hunt him, putting contracts out on his life, for the head seat in the family.
Lore -- alien of the feline species, is a golden-furred puma and hunter supreme. He’s Tarzan to Shane’s� well, okay�
The set-up:
It’s a family tradition� survival of the fittest. Shane’s father killed his father to take over as head of the family, and now Shane’s brothers are set on offing him for that right, too. Shane feels that his best hope is to enter and win a wildly popular game called ‘the Hunt� on planet Mariket.
“He (Lore) and Shane would mate--or not--in privacy. As private as could be expected in an arena, anyway. Wardens and bookies collecting bets across the star systems still expected a show, to see him and Lore coming together.�
While the world watches and takes bets on the participants, on who can put on the best show, Shane is mostly interested in a hook-up of another kind. He wants to arrange a business partnership with the Mariket cat people and thus, gain himself some safety and independence from his family. If a mad cat-and-mouse chase through its forests involving lots of rutty animal sex and the search for a mate is a prerequisite, then� he could deal with that too.
Well, Shane is the star of the show and wouldn’t you know it but he catches the eye of the aggressive, horny, supremely fit and furry, Lore, who wants him at all cost. There are a lot of pheromones flung about and drippy, sweaty, animal sex. Lore learns some lessons too, like it’s about more than the chase and the dominance. Maybe even about getting to know your mate, as he is advised�
“You don’t know anything about him except how he looks twisting on the end of your dick. If you want to keep him, talk to him.�
If you liked Gregg’s I, Omega, where it’s all about a submissive falling under the total, out of control, dominating spell of his Mate, and for the lure of endless fucking, then this is for you.
The impressions:
As in I, Omega, this giving up self makes me wiggle and not always in the good way. The idea that Shane is so overcome with lust that he can’t think straight makes me want to slap him upside the head. But, the odds are set up against him, he’s been dumped full of smexin� drugs to up the horn factor� so� let’s just excuse him from all these uncontrollable passions.
In the end, it really is about sharing power as both Lore and Shane find. And, it is fantasy after all. What Gregg writes so well is that theme of all wet dreams: sensual abandonment and loss of inhibition, the heady giving up of control for the pure thrill of lust and hot, dizzying coitus. The trust this entails. And feeling safe in love�
What’s not to like?
This author is singular in her ability to pull me in (rolling eyes and all), totally sucking me into the story, rooting for the sub, hoping for the Dom, and waiting for the mating lock-down that will Make It All Better.
Lots of fun, this one! And some nice world building and plotting to elevate it from PWP (porn without plot) limbo.
For this review, give-aways, author interviews, and much more:
September 7, 2013
Who doesn't love a good M/M sci-fi romance?!? Similar to but with some of thrown in for shits and giggles, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. My one complaint is that it did take a while to figure out what the fuck the rules and the point of The Hunt were. That may have been purposeful, and I just resigned myself to enjoying the ride and figured all would reveal itself (which it did). Although it did take a bit for me to figure it out and I think the story would have been improved with some more clear world-building.
I think it would be interesting for the series to continue with some of the other characters
Received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, reviewed for
I think it would be interesting for the series to continue with some of the other characters
Received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, reviewed for
December 18, 2013
Totally sucked in by the blurb's hook:
I liked the premise and the merry if arduous chase Shane leads Lore on. I like how Lore toyed with Shane in his kitty-cat way. Didn't care one way or the other about the comparison to Hunger Games or reality TV survival shows. I found the pacing for the last third of story to be off. It dragged and then in the last 5% we have a HUGE new conflict and resolution that just left me feeling like coach asking you to do 20 wind sprints after a 3 hour practice--are you kidding me?
So the sizzling start nearly dies out then ends with an explosion.
Run, pounce, fuck
Mate?
I liked the premise and the merry if arduous chase Shane leads Lore on. I like how Lore toyed with Shane in his kitty-cat way. Didn't care one way or the other about the comparison to Hunger Games or reality TV survival shows. I found the pacing for the last third of story to be off. It dragged and then in the last 5% we have a HUGE new conflict and resolution that just left me feeling like coach asking you to do 20 wind sprints after a 3 hour practice--are you kidding me?
So the sizzling start nearly dies out then ends with an explosion.
March 2, 2016
Not exactly a shifter story, more like alien felines.
I was kinda hoping for a threesome with Fallon, but him being uber naughty worked too :D
I was kinda hoping for a threesome with Fallon, but him being uber naughty worked too :D
October 8, 2015
This was straight out Hot, Sex, Kink -- Fun. Do not go into this book thinking you are reading a cute book about a man with furry ears and his pet human.
It is a Wild primitive hunt by a predator cat
who can talk and walk and use it's hands but it is not human.
I was reading it and all my social mores were clanging big ole' warnings...."they make fun of people on the news for doing this stuff" and yet, (whispering) I kept reading.
Hey and before you get all judgying mcjudgerson on me. That is a great story when you ignore conventions and can buy the plot 100% even if in real life you would be revolted.
There was also a great adventure and action for those who want more than sex..
Highly, Highly recommend to everyone but J.
It is a Wild primitive hunt by a predator cat
who can talk and walk and use it's hands but it is not human.
I was reading it and all my social mores were clanging big ole' warnings...."they make fun of people on the news for doing this stuff" and yet, (whispering) I kept reading.
Hey and before you get all judgying mcjudgerson on me. That is a great story when you ignore conventions and can buy the plot 100% even if in real life you would be revolted.
There was also a great adventure and action for those who want more than sex..
Highly, Highly recommend to everyone but J.
November 19, 2013
As quite a few other people have said, this book is like The Hunger Games but with big cats who are trying to claim a mate for themselves. However, there is far more to it than that. The world building was well thought out, it had a great fast paced story with a bit of a shock towards the end and some of the dirtiest shifter sex scenes I've ever come across! I only wish it was part of a series, I would really like to know more about Shane and Lore and how adapt to their new lives together.
September 6, 2013
Let me get my whinging out of the way first. This story is frustratingly slow to get going and it ends far too abruptly and neatly for my tastes. But, but, the middle bit, when Kari gets into her creative groove, well that is something else. Then we're talking lusciously kinky feline smut that is as well written as it is confronting. So if you've ever dreamt of being ravaged by your cat this is the story for you. If the graphic on page sex in furry form is likely to give you a hairball .... you've been warned.
January 24, 2014
Happy Mating Games! And may the cocks be ever in your favor.
(Bitch, them shits is barbed. Okaaay).
Seriously, this reminded me (albeit, vaguely) of the Hunger Games. Except, most of the violence has been replaced by fucking. And all the plot has been replaced by…well, fucking.
I’ll admit, sometimes the writing got on my nerves. Because, pet peeves. But…Sex. Hunger. Games.
Hot my friends. So very, strangely hot.
3 Stars
(Bitch, them shits is barbed. Okaaay).
Seriously, this reminded me (albeit, vaguely) of the Hunger Games. Except, most of the violence has been replaced by fucking. And all the plot has been replaced by…well, fucking.
I’ll admit, sometimes the writing got on my nerves. Because, pet peeves. But…Sex. Hunger. Games.
Hot my friends. So very, strangely hot.
3 Stars
August 24, 2013
4.25 stars
Ignore the blurb. In my estimation it doesn’t properly describe the story.
I was looking for something a little bit different than regular wolf shifters and found it in Kari Gregg’s An Unauthorized Field Guide to the Hunt. Part Hunger Games, part shifters in space, the premise is wonderful. Shane, trying to escape a murderous family back on his home planet goes to Mariket to compete in the Hunt. His goal? Not to win, but to lose just enough to make him irreplaceable to his family so they won’t kill him. What he doesn’t expect comes in the form of Lore, his own personal alien protector (and lover) during the Hunt.
Ms. Gregg has all the typical shifter tropes: cats in heat, mating and bonding, but puts a very unique twist on those tropes which I thought was lovely. Plus, who can argue with blistering hot sex scenes throughout the book? Not me! Did I mention Lore the shifter-cat has a barbed penis? Fans self.
I really enjoyed Shane’s characterization which to me was a cross between Vin Diesel’s Riddick, dark and mysterious with a hidden agenda, and Ripley in Alien, fierce and strong. While the first chapter does have a Hunger Games-ish feel, the rest is all sci-fi paranormal world building. I think fans of both genres will really like this book. My only regret and why I didn’t give it a higher rating was I wanted just a little more back-story on Shane’s past. The reader got to see a lot of Lore’s history since the story was told from his home planet of Mariket, but Shane’s background wasn’t as forthcoming. Perhaps the author is waiting for a sequel?
In the end, An Unauthorized Field Guide to the Hunt was a welcome change to the typical shifter fare I read. With strong characterizations, excellent world building and sex scenes so hot it might melt your Kindle, I’m recommending this different take to the paranormal genre.
Reviews by Jessewave
Ignore the blurb. In my estimation it doesn’t properly describe the story.
I was looking for something a little bit different than regular wolf shifters and found it in Kari Gregg’s An Unauthorized Field Guide to the Hunt. Part Hunger Games, part shifters in space, the premise is wonderful. Shane, trying to escape a murderous family back on his home planet goes to Mariket to compete in the Hunt. His goal? Not to win, but to lose just enough to make him irreplaceable to his family so they won’t kill him. What he doesn’t expect comes in the form of Lore, his own personal alien protector (and lover) during the Hunt.
Ms. Gregg has all the typical shifter tropes: cats in heat, mating and bonding, but puts a very unique twist on those tropes which I thought was lovely. Plus, who can argue with blistering hot sex scenes throughout the book? Not me! Did I mention Lore the shifter-cat has a barbed penis? Fans self.
I really enjoyed Shane’s characterization which to me was a cross between Vin Diesel’s Riddick, dark and mysterious with a hidden agenda, and Ripley in Alien, fierce and strong. While the first chapter does have a Hunger Games-ish feel, the rest is all sci-fi paranormal world building. I think fans of both genres will really like this book. My only regret and why I didn’t give it a higher rating was I wanted just a little more back-story on Shane’s past. The reader got to see a lot of Lore’s history since the story was told from his home planet of Mariket, but Shane’s background wasn’t as forthcoming. Perhaps the author is waiting for a sequel?
In the end, An Unauthorized Field Guide to the Hunt was a welcome change to the typical shifter fare I read. With strong characterizations, excellent world building and sex scenes so hot it might melt your Kindle, I’m recommending this different take to the paranormal genre.
Reviews by Jessewave
April 16, 2015
Well written alien, dub-con love. What's not to like!
EDIT:
Inspired by Elizabetta's review, I feel the need to expand this.
The first read through of this book is... confusing. I think the only reason more readers haven't complained about the cryptic plot, is because the "chase and catch" events are so distracting, most readers just figure they've accidentally missed the important plot points. Certainly, that was my experience. ;-P
I read this three times before the background, sci-fi plot really sank in. And yes, take out all the erotica, and you'll find a short, sweet sci-fi story loaded with aliens. Cat aliens, but also future-human-culture-dystopia type "alien" thinking (that would be Shane's birth culture which takes Darwinian survival-of-the-fittest to an extreme).
This is the type of story that, if you enjoyed it the first time, definitely re-read it a few more times - because you'll discover something new and clever with every read.
EDIT:
Inspired by Elizabetta's review, I feel the need to expand this.
The first read through of this book is... confusing. I think the only reason more readers haven't complained about the cryptic plot, is because the "chase and catch" events are so distracting, most readers just figure they've accidentally missed the important plot points. Certainly, that was my experience. ;-P
I read this three times before the background, sci-fi plot really sank in. And yes, take out all the erotica, and you'll find a short, sweet sci-fi story loaded with aliens. Cat aliens, but also future-human-culture-dystopia type "alien" thinking (that would be Shane's birth culture which takes Darwinian survival-of-the-fittest to an extreme).
This is the type of story that, if you enjoyed it the first time, definitely re-read it a few more times - because you'll discover something new and clever with every read.
August 17, 2013
4 Stars
Shane West has the brilliant idea that joining the Hunt will save him from his own murderous family. Being named successor to the family business put a big target on his back. If he can avoid finding a mate, a permanent mate, for the whole of the hunt he’ll be famous and his family won’t be able to kill him. He’ll be valuable. That’s the plan. Shane does really well by attracting a cat the first night of the hunt. He’s smart enough to know he needs to make the cat want him. Shane had no idea how much he would want the cat in return. A lot of it is the mating hormones. Pretty quickly Shane has been marked up as belonging to a cat. A cat he doesn’t see til the next morning. A cat whose name he doesn’t know. Shane tries to make a possible alliance with a human, Fallon. Shane’s cat doesn’t really like that. While walking away from Fallon Shane finally sees his cat face to face for the first time. Shane has not only increased his chances of becoming a “victor� early in the hunt, he’s managed to get a rare Puma interested in him. Fallon makes a horrible screaming noise and it’s clear something is attacking him. Shane’s Puma tells him to run while he checks out what the problem is. Shane obeys but gets taken down by a big cat despite being marked by his Puma. Shane gets hurt.
The Puma rescues Shane and takes him to a den up in the trees. Shane is tended to by medics despite the fact he only wants his cat. One of the wardens comes to talk to Shane’s cat. Even if he declares they’re mated and Shane is his victor it’s not really true. They know nothing about each other. They have to do more than have sex to really be mates. Shane’s cat has to woo Shane. As it turns out the Puma’s name is Lore. Lore keeps Shane up in the trees for the duration of the hunt as Shane heals from his hunt induced injuries. It’s safer in the trees. The wardens of the hunt are attempting to figure out why a cat ignored the mating mark on Shane and how the creature that attacked Fallon was able to enter Arena 4. Lore’s friend, Maero, is trying to mate with Fallon. The attack seems to have left Fallon crazy. He’s convinced Shane was killed by Lore and won’t trust Maero until he sees Shane for himself. Shane wants one more visit to the ground before he lives his life with Lore up in the trees. Lore agrees to it for Shane’s sake. Shane learns there was a lot more to Fallon, the threats to his life, and the irregularities in the arena than he ever imagined.
There was a whole lot of relationship thrown into this novella amongst the intrigue and hostile environment. It was thrown in there but not necessarily well. It was to some extent a classic paranormal tale of two people coming together because of forces beyond their control, be it a mating bond, or supernatural hormones. I do tend to enjoy those stories when I read them, but I am always left with a feeling I actually want to see the characters fall in love. There is, however, a fantastic moment of Shane’s realization they love each other. He comes to the conclusion winning the hunt is actually finding a permanent mate and settling down forever, as opposed to his previous plan of almost finding a mate.
This book was a good example of world building by immersion. There were no lengthy info dumps or obviously staged conversations designed to dump info on us. To some extent that made the beginning a little bit confusing which was appropriate. Shane was rather confused as to what was going on as well. We gain knowledge as he does. The knowledge we gain isn’t necessarily the same as what he gains, but as his confusion ebbs so does ours culminating in a very satisfying ending.
Shane West has the brilliant idea that joining the Hunt will save him from his own murderous family. Being named successor to the family business put a big target on his back. If he can avoid finding a mate, a permanent mate, for the whole of the hunt he’ll be famous and his family won’t be able to kill him. He’ll be valuable. That’s the plan. Shane does really well by attracting a cat the first night of the hunt. He’s smart enough to know he needs to make the cat want him. Shane had no idea how much he would want the cat in return. A lot of it is the mating hormones. Pretty quickly Shane has been marked up as belonging to a cat. A cat he doesn’t see til the next morning. A cat whose name he doesn’t know. Shane tries to make a possible alliance with a human, Fallon. Shane’s cat doesn’t really like that. While walking away from Fallon Shane finally sees his cat face to face for the first time. Shane has not only increased his chances of becoming a “victor� early in the hunt, he’s managed to get a rare Puma interested in him. Fallon makes a horrible screaming noise and it’s clear something is attacking him. Shane’s Puma tells him to run while he checks out what the problem is. Shane obeys but gets taken down by a big cat despite being marked by his Puma. Shane gets hurt.
The Puma rescues Shane and takes him to a den up in the trees. Shane is tended to by medics despite the fact he only wants his cat. One of the wardens comes to talk to Shane’s cat. Even if he declares they’re mated and Shane is his victor it’s not really true. They know nothing about each other. They have to do more than have sex to really be mates. Shane’s cat has to woo Shane. As it turns out the Puma’s name is Lore. Lore keeps Shane up in the trees for the duration of the hunt as Shane heals from his hunt induced injuries. It’s safer in the trees. The wardens of the hunt are attempting to figure out why a cat ignored the mating mark on Shane and how the creature that attacked Fallon was able to enter Arena 4. Lore’s friend, Maero, is trying to mate with Fallon. The attack seems to have left Fallon crazy. He’s convinced Shane was killed by Lore and won’t trust Maero until he sees Shane for himself. Shane wants one more visit to the ground before he lives his life with Lore up in the trees. Lore agrees to it for Shane’s sake. Shane learns there was a lot more to Fallon, the threats to his life, and the irregularities in the arena than he ever imagined.
There was a whole lot of relationship thrown into this novella amongst the intrigue and hostile environment. It was thrown in there but not necessarily well. It was to some extent a classic paranormal tale of two people coming together because of forces beyond their control, be it a mating bond, or supernatural hormones. I do tend to enjoy those stories when I read them, but I am always left with a feeling I actually want to see the characters fall in love. There is, however, a fantastic moment of Shane’s realization they love each other. He comes to the conclusion winning the hunt is actually finding a permanent mate and settling down forever, as opposed to his previous plan of almost finding a mate.
This book was a good example of world building by immersion. There were no lengthy info dumps or obviously staged conversations designed to dump info on us. To some extent that made the beginning a little bit confusing which was appropriate. Shane was rather confused as to what was going on as well. We gain knowledge as he does. The knowledge we gain isn’t necessarily the same as what he gains, but as his confusion ebbs so does ours culminating in a very satisfying ending.
March 5, 2021
Oh Kari Gregg, I love you for your ideas I just wish you were bolder sometimes. This is only the second or third book I've read by Gregg but it seems that each of them suffer from the same incompleteness. Maybe the story needed to be longer, maybe the world building could have been expanded or the hunt elongated in this case. But whatever it is, it needs to be done because I love the idea of this book, just the execution wasn't there for me.
That isn't to say it is a bad or unsatisfying read. On the contrary I actually really liked it but I wanted more. Shawn and Lore are great for each other but the chase - hunt - just wasn't there, I didn't understand it. On the other hand no one ever explained the rules of the hunt or really why it took place. You get little snippets of those answers but they aren't actually explained.
Either way, it was an interesting read I suggest anyone who is into giant cats with spikes on their "sword" give it a go.
That isn't to say it is a bad or unsatisfying read. On the contrary I actually really liked it but I wanted more. Shawn and Lore are great for each other but the chase - hunt - just wasn't there, I didn't understand it. On the other hand no one ever explained the rules of the hunt or really why it took place. You get little snippets of those answers but they aren't actually explained.
Either way, it was an interesting read I suggest anyone who is into giant cats with spikes on their "sword" give it a go.
August 24, 2013
An interesting Scify futuristic light which could have been amazing with a a bit more world building and story development. This one needed to be longer or better explained. That doesn't mean that I didn't like it. I did, but I wanted more.
Want to read
December 28, 2013love the retro cover.
December 29, 2013
3.5
Interesting world-building and lots of kinky alien sexy times. Win, win. :D
Interesting world-building and lots of kinky alien sexy times. Win, win. :D
September 21, 2013
What to say about AUFGTTH by Kari Gregg? For one thing, I love the title. It’s just so big.
I’ll admit, my interest was piqued the moment I saw the cover. Sci-fi male/male with what appeared to be a Hunger Games-esque beat?
I wanted it.
But I couldn’t quite wrap my head around the plot via the blurb. What the hell was going on, exactly? I waited for some reviews to pop up and read those. Still, I didn’t really “get it� based on what others were saying either.
So I bought it.
Admittedly, I think I have a better grasp for the whole hunting/off-world system, but during my read I was still fuzzy on some of the rules of the hunt. What was the purpose, precisely? Some guys wanted to get laid. Some cats wanted to get laid. Some species wanted to improve trade relations with a planet whose inhabitants are either f@c#ing people/aliens or killing them. Or maybe f@c#ing them to death? Anyway, now that I’m done, I still don’t have all the answers—as in, I couldn’t possibly write a coherent book report on this without some CliffsNotes and a fair amount of smoke for blowing up people’s @sses.
That being said, I still liked it.
Unauthorized Field Guide is brutal and dark. There is a fair amount of bloodshed and broken bones—and I thoroughly enjoyed that. I love gritty.
The sex scenes are both hot and cringe-worthy. Biting, scratching, and barbed penises are the order of the day. They gave me pause and wet panties all at once. Fine and dandy.
Some reviews I’ve read stated that the ending wasn’t satisfactory. I was concerned that the book I had pegged for four stars was going to slip as I hit 80%.
No such thing. The ending was action-packed—savage as the rest of the book, with the “bad guy� behind it all being the person no one expected. There could have been just a smidgen more foreshadowing in that department IMO, but, again, I was a-okay with the grand finale.
Overall, Guide was a fast-paced f!c%-fest that tries for a bit of lovey HEA at the end without shoving the rainbow sprinkles down your throat, thankfully.
I liked it, and would recommend to anyone looking for a quick thrill ride that delivers in all the dark and dirty places.
Original review posted at
I’ll admit, my interest was piqued the moment I saw the cover. Sci-fi male/male with what appeared to be a Hunger Games-esque beat?
I wanted it.
But I couldn’t quite wrap my head around the plot via the blurb. What the hell was going on, exactly? I waited for some reviews to pop up and read those. Still, I didn’t really “get it� based on what others were saying either.
So I bought it.
Admittedly, I think I have a better grasp for the whole hunting/off-world system, but during my read I was still fuzzy on some of the rules of the hunt. What was the purpose, precisely? Some guys wanted to get laid. Some cats wanted to get laid. Some species wanted to improve trade relations with a planet whose inhabitants are either f@c#ing people/aliens or killing them. Or maybe f@c#ing them to death? Anyway, now that I’m done, I still don’t have all the answers—as in, I couldn’t possibly write a coherent book report on this without some CliffsNotes and a fair amount of smoke for blowing up people’s @sses.
That being said, I still liked it.
Unauthorized Field Guide is brutal and dark. There is a fair amount of bloodshed and broken bones—and I thoroughly enjoyed that. I love gritty.
The sex scenes are both hot and cringe-worthy. Biting, scratching, and barbed penises are the order of the day. They gave me pause and wet panties all at once. Fine and dandy.
Some reviews I’ve read stated that the ending wasn’t satisfactory. I was concerned that the book I had pegged for four stars was going to slip as I hit 80%.
No such thing. The ending was action-packed—savage as the rest of the book, with the “bad guy� behind it all being the person no one expected. There could have been just a smidgen more foreshadowing in that department IMO, but, again, I was a-okay with the grand finale.
Overall, Guide was a fast-paced f!c%-fest that tries for a bit of lovey HEA at the end without shoving the rainbow sprinkles down your throat, thankfully.
I liked it, and would recommend to anyone looking for a quick thrill ride that delivers in all the dark and dirty places.
Original review posted at
August 21, 2013
3.5 stars bumped up to 4 because I enjoy this author's writing. Did love Lore and Shane together and the plot was great but I did feel like the book should of been a bit longer (I had a ton of unanswered questions about the hunt itself).
September 14, 2013
Very like a m/m version of but with aliens, sex, and mate-claiming instead of killing.
The beginning is rather jarring, as we're dropped into the arena with Shane, who immediately starts talking about all of these species of aliens and things he learned during training, but we still don't know why he's there or what it's for. And the Hunger Games comparison only gets you so far... as soon as Shane tells us that the melee at the start is an orgy instead of a bloodbath the similarities become fewer and fewer.
Once Shane has a chance to explain a little more about why he's there, and we get to meet a few of the fascinating felines the hunt is for, the story became thoroughly engrossing and was very fun to read. The setting is beautifully described, and fits the idea of what a planet inhabited by sentient humanoid feline aliens should be like.
I honestly finished this wishing it were part of a series. I'd love to spend more time on that planet, either with new characters in the hunt or with Shane in his new home.
The beginning is rather jarring, as we're dropped into the arena with Shane, who immediately starts talking about all of these species of aliens and things he learned during training, but we still don't know why he's there or what it's for. And the Hunger Games comparison only gets you so far... as soon as Shane tells us that the melee at the start is an orgy instead of a bloodbath the similarities become fewer and fewer.
Once Shane has a chance to explain a little more about why he's there, and we get to meet a few of the fascinating felines the hunt is for, the story became thoroughly engrossing and was very fun to read. The setting is beautifully described, and fits the idea of what a planet inhabited by sentient humanoid feline aliens should be like.
I honestly finished this wishing it were part of a series. I'd love to spend more time on that planet, either with new characters in the hunt or with Shane in his new home.
October 4, 2013
I enjoyed the prior Kari Gregg books that I read quite a lot, but this one felt a bit flat. The first half was more enjoyable, both for the twist of it being Hunger Games-like but with cats/men ... and there was quite a lot of cat-human intercourse passages that somehow never felt bestial. But for me, there was not enough ideas to sustain my interest for the whole book. Not a bad book, just ... ...
April 22, 2015
Thundercats are loose!!!!!!
This book is good for anyone who thinks fucking a Thundercat, one with full body hair and a furry, oily cock, would be hot. Not so much my thing so I couldn't get too into it.
Note: I mean no judgment if this is your thing. We all like what we like. This is just a humorous warning and my opinion on the book itself. :-)
This book is good for anyone who thinks fucking a Thundercat, one with full body hair and a furry, oily cock, would be hot. Not so much my thing so I couldn't get too into it.
Note: I mean no judgment if this is your thing. We all like what we like. This is just a humorous warning and my opinion on the book itself. :-)
March 4, 2016
Дублирую с ОС:
Cтранноватая история, но мне нравится.
Секс, ксенофилия, преследование, кровь, укусы, хищные котики, секс, интриги, покушения, драки... ммм... Я уже упоминала секс?
Хотя я удивлена, что Шейн после всего этого все еще на ногах. :)
Cтранноватая история, но мне нравится.
Секс, ксенофилия, преследование, кровь, укусы, хищные котики, секс, интриги, покушения, драки... ммм... Я уже упоминала секс?
Хотя я удивлена, что Шейн после всего этого все еще на ногах. :)
October 23, 2014
Бууууу!!!
*швыряюсь попкорном в экран*
Секса мало! Еще животной страсти мне! Больше разврата!:D
Короче, я поняла: это голодные игры, дюймовочка и сказ про Иванушку дурачка в одном флаконе :)))
Оригинально, не поспоришь :)
И обложка красивая!
*швыряюсь попкорном в экран*
Секса мало! Еще животной страсти мне! Больше разврата!:D
Короче, я поняла: это голодные игры, дюймовочка и сказ про Иванушку дурачка в одном флаконе :)))
Оригинально, не поспоришь :)
И обложка красивая!
January 5, 2014
This is full of WTFery hotness. There were so many things that should have squicked me, and I liked it all. The author convinced me to enjoy some bi-species loving, fur and all.
August 19, 2020
this book is probably less exciting than it read to me because I kept waiting for someone to jump out of the bushes wielding a chainsaw or something...
...It took me way too long to figure out that the goal of the Hunt is NOT to murder everyone else Battle Royal style.
yes, I was very confused for most of the book lmao.
...It took me way too long to figure out that the goal of the Hunt is NOT to murder everyone else Battle Royal style.
yes, I was very confused for most of the book lmao.
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