Member Reviews
It was so good to get back into the world of Weird Girls and despite not having a glance at my favorite character, Misha, I loved every bit of this prequel.
Long before Aric and Celia start their adventure together as adults, there was a time that they had accidentally met. When Celia magically appears in Aric’s side of the country with evil set to get her, Aric and his gang of wolves take it to themselves to protecting her. And in this adventure, we not only get to see a sliver of Aric and Celia together, we see it through Aric’s POV. I have to tell you, if you’re not already in love will him, he’ll definitely catch your heart.
I love seeing Celia, Aric, and the crew as teens. Robson did a good job keeping them in their characters, especially Aric and his friends. They are seriously funny. But what I love most is seeing bits of Liam in his younger form. Seeing the pack’s upbringing, hopes, and dreams of the future was cool to see. Robson also did a great job tying this book to the main story line without any overlaps from previous books.
I’m rating this book at 4.5-5 stars, but FYI, this book shows just a small bit of how good the series is. The rest of the books are even funnier, sweeter, more exciting, and definitely sexier. If you haven’t tried any of Ms Robson’s work, this is a good place to start.
I absolutely adore this series. I have done re-reads every time a new book has come out. I so very wish that I could be the bestie of the sisters. So when Robson announced that there was a prequel for the series I was nervous. Then when the blurb stated that it takes place when Aric and Celia are much younger than the first book, Sealed with a Curse, I was confused. I vividly remember the scene in the first book of when Aric and Celia see each other for the first time. It is still one of my favorite scenes from book one. Then I got approved for an e-ARC of Gone Hunting, and I calmly- not really- excitedly sat down to read it. I read it in one night, and it was so good to be back in the Weird Girls world. More importantly, this prequel is amazing.
Aric as a teenager is just as confident as Aric as the alpha male. He is still surrounded by his best friends, who even when they were younger would sacrifice themselves for one another. They also are not afraid to voice their concerns to their future alpha. The insight that we get into all of their lives explains so much. I get why Koda is the way he is, I loved seeing Gemini-still my favorite. Liam is well, Liam and that is a good thing. It’s nice to see how their personalities as grown shifters are influenced by their childhood so much.
Younger Celia is more confident than older one. She hasn’t been polluted too much by the world and life has chipped away at the Weird Girls. Her sisters do not make an appearance in this one, although they are mentioned. Celia’s love for them is evident in her actions.
Speaking of action. The prequel is filled with a lot of it. There is something going on that involves dark forces. Very Dark forces. Aric’s parents are away and so it is up to him and his friends to deal with it. That on top of finding Celia in the woods (who is she and where did she come from)? More importantly on the boys’ minds…is she a threat to Aric? Aric cares nothing about that- he just wants to protect her. More than he cares about his own life. So much so that it is strange.
Aric’s parents are this one and they are perfect for each other. I love how much they protect each other and their son. They are raising Aric to be the right kind of alpha. Rare do you find in a book, a set of parents that care about their kid and worries for him. They put Aric and his happiness first in all things. Liam’s aunt is pretty
This one gave me all the feels- happiness, fear, love, sadness. That ending though- it gave me chills. So good that I started reading the first book again, then the second. I bet you can see where this is going. You need to one-click this one. If you haven’t started the series you need to, like yesterday.
My Rating 5 out of 5 stars
Favorite Quote The only thing I’m sure of is that a part of me left with here. And the way I feel this morning, it’s still missing.
Other People
Liam- Aric’s bestie
Gemini- Aric’s bestie
Koda- Aric’s bestie
Aric’s parents- alpha male and female
Mimi- witch, Liam’s aunt
The rest of the werewolf pack might consider Aric Connor to be omniscient and destined to save the world when evil returns to claim it. But for the most part, fifteen-year-old Aric ignores the confirmations of his powers, taking everything in stride until he meets her. Celia Wird wasn’t supposed to awaken naked in the mountains of Colorado, not when she was just stalking her prey in a filthy alley several states away. She especially wasn’t supposed to meet Aric, the handsome werewolf who comes to her aid.
When I saw the premise of this story by one of my favorite authors, I was a little sketchy. I’ve devoured the Weird Girl novels as soon as each of them came out and I couldn’t see how there could possibly be a pre-story between these two characters when they didn’t meet until they were a bit older in the first book of the series. I’m glad I trusted the author because she didn’t let me down at all. The book was as wonderful as all of her books and helped me to like Alric so much more (not exactly my favorite person in the books). I can’t wait to read her next book.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book
Four and a half stars: A must read if you are a fan of The Weird Girl Series!
Fifteen year old Aric Connor is exploring his werewolf powers. He is fearless, and he loves hunting with his pack mates. Things take a dramatic turn when Aric wakes one morning with an unsettling feeling that he lost someone important to him. Then in the woods, he crashes into a magical barrier. Behind the barrier is a scared and naked teenage girl, who turns into a tigress. Aric can’t explain the inexplicable pull he feels toward Celia, but he does know one thing, he must protect her at all costs. Will Aric and Celia survive an onslaught of evil?
What I Liked:
*If you are a fan of the Weird Girl Series you must read Gone Hunting. I loved that this book took us back to the beginning, to a teenage Aric and Celia. I liked how this story cleverly fit into the main story arc. It totally works!
*It was wonderful to see Aric and Celia connect as teenagers. The same pull and attraction is there, but it is more pure and innocent, and I loved that it was also shy and awkward. I loved seeing them at this vulnerable age.
*It was also fun to catch up with Koda, Liam, and Gemini and see them as goofy teenage boys. It made me nostalgic for the good old days before all the evil and death.
*I enjoyed getting to see Aric interacting with his parents. I loved the way they genuinely cared for one another and how his parents immediately accepted Celia. No prejudice towards her for not being pure.
*A Weird Sisters book wouldn’t work without action, danger, evil and dangerous magic. All of that is present in this one. Prepare for dark forces intent on destroying the world. Will they escape?
*The ending was bittersweet. It made me sad, and happy too. I wanted to immediately go back and read the series all over again.
And The Not So Much:
*I found myself wishing for more insight on the dark witches who cast the evil spell and the light witch who gave up everything to counteract it. That part of the story left too many questions.
*I was so sad at the final lines of the story in the past. I wanted things to be different for Aric. I also wanted more on Aric’s parents.
Gone Hunting is a clever installment in a favorite series. I enjoyed this prequel novel that takes the reader back before the Weird Girls started. See an innocent Aric and Celia connect for the first time, and before you wonder how this book can fit in with the already published story arc, don’t worry there is a clever twist that makes it all work. This one has all you love about this series: danger, action, romance, magic and more. Don’t miss this one!
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
How to resist each Cecy Robson novel in this series? It’s always a great pleasure to see the characters again!
We go back in time one more time and even very much backwards, discovering some of Celia’s and Aric’s adolescence. And what does happens when a young Aric meets a Celia naked in the woods? Sparks! It was also really funny to see Koda and all the others too! We can learn a little bit more about the past of the characters and see them all at a completely different time, which is always interesting.
This is not an essential story for the series, but fans will be happy to see our two heroes again! I had a good time.
When offered this book for review, I was skeptical, as I read none of the books in the series. However, when I learnt, it worked well as a stand-alone and, it was a prelude to the events in the other books; I took the plunge. I am so glad I did.
This story was so much fun. It had me laughing, and it kept on the edge of my seat. Chock full of surprises it pulled me in from the first line and never let go until the end. It left me wanting more of the characters and the unique world Cecy created. Told from Aric’s POV, the story gave me an insight into his feelings for his parents, friends and most of all Celia. His feelings for her was clear to everyone, but he took a while to see what was staring him in the face.
Spending time with the characters was a delightful experience. The interaction between Aric, Celia, and his friends was rife with humour, adventure, never ending action and danger. Liam was the life of the story. You cannot help but laugh at his antics even when he is annoying.
I enjoyed the budding romance between Aric and Celia. Heartfelt and innocent it will tug on your heartstrings and have rooting for them. His protective nature shined throughout the pages, especially with Celia’s safety.
As stated earlier the story is filled with surprises. The most shocking of all was the twist near to the end of the story. The events at this point were heartbreaking. The epilogue however provided hope.
I loved the brief introduction to this unique world. Intriguing, mysterious and magical. I cannot wait to delve further into this world.
Conclusion/Recommendation
Gone Hunting is a satisfying introduction to the world of the Weird Girls for new readers and fans of Urban Fantasy. If you are familiar with the series, you will enjoy this peek into the teenage years of your favourite characters.
Aric may be considered omniscient and destined to save the world, but for the most this 15 year old boy ignores the confirmation of his powers. Celia Wird was stalking her prey in a filthy alley and the next thing she knows, she’s awakening naked in the mountains of Colorado.
Readers having read The Weird Girls series finds this emotional and exciting first meet between Aric and Celia to be an insightful read into their beginnings, which adds depth to the strong, charming characters of the series but also to the overall plot of the series as well. The blush of first romance is sweet but this relationship has quite a few bumps to get over including a few years before they can even begin to think of a happily ever after. Readers just picking up this story, need to be prepared for a reading binge as this prequel ensures that they want to know more.
The plot is fast paced and full of adrenaline pumping action, thrilling suspense and explosive magic as the story keeps readers hanging on to the edge of their seats throughout the non-stop excitements. The characters and this fascinating world are well developed and easily capture readers’ attention and refuse to let go and there is no way once readers start reading “Gone Hunting” that they are able to put it down.
This was my first taste of this world from Cecy Robson, and I have to say I loved it! This really shouldn't surprise me since I have loved her other stuff before. I definitely want to read more of this series to see where this goes :)
Cecy Robson's Gone Hunting is the prequel to Sealed with a Curse the first installment in the author's Weird Girls series. This story takes place TEN years before Sealed. It actually features Aric Connor as a 15-year old who has been fated to do great things and is not yet Alpha. It also features Liam, Gemini, Koda, and Celia Wird, who finds herself transported from her home in New Jersey, to Colorado where she meets Aric and his friends.
The story also has Aric's parents in it who we, as readers of the first part of this series, never met due to circumstances for which I am not going to spoil. I am just going to say this. I adore Arden and Eliza and wished that there was more to their story. It's a true love story that is probably as strong as Celia and Aric's will one day be. I will say this, no, you do not have to have read the first part of the Weird Girls series to enjoy this prequel. You just have to enjoy the fact that Cecy has written a story exclusively from Aric's POV.
This story is a fun ride, with lots of scary moments when it appears that something has set its sights on Cecy, and Aric and friends feel the need to stand shoulder to shoulder with her in order to prevent her downfall. If you love action, suspense, and romance, read the story! I loved seeing the snark come from Liam. I always thought he was a smart-ass, but this story puts him in a new light. Of course, I adored Koda and Gemini as well.
I will challenge you to not only read this story, but to follow it up by reading Sealed by a Curse to see how the ending works out for Aric and Celia. It's fair to say I kept this review short because the synopsis does a good job of giving hints as to what is involved in the story, and who the characters are. After that, why would anyone want to write a long drawn out review?
Now I bet fans were not expecting another Aric and Celia novel.
Actually, I bet fans deep down expected another one. However, I do not think we were expecting a novel which reveals Aric and Celia met before Sealed with a Curse!
Gone Hunting is a prequel in the Weird Girls series that features the POV of a 15 year old Aric. Now teenage Aric Connor despite being told that he is destined to save the world, does not really care. Aric would rather hunt elk with his best friends, Koda, Liam, and Gemini in their werewolf form. However, instead of an elk, Aric encounters a tigress who’s actually a human named Celia Wird. All Celia cares about is returning to New Jersey to her sisters and her sick foster mother. Aric offers to help Celia but feels a strong connection to her and can’t seem to let her go. However, Celia’s presence brings an evil to the land and is after her.
Overall, Gone Hunting was a wonderful addition to the series! New readers should definitely start with Gone Hunting instead of Sealed with a Curse since it’ll have a greater impact than reading it after Of Flame and Fate. Though as a person who started with Sealed with a Curse, this novel was an interesting twist by Cecy Robson. I would never would have imagined that she already had planned that Aric and Celia had already met as teens. It makes their meeting in Sealed with a Curse a lot more meaningful. So if you thought Cecy Robson could not play with emotions and pull heartstrings again, you better be ready for Gone Hunting.
*I received Gone Hunting from the author via Netgalley in return for an honest review.*
SO, SO, So good! The Weird Girls have been a favorite of mine for quite a while and this one takes us back to to the beginning to before and brings everything full circle. Aric is a true leader and when Celia is dropped naked into Colorado when she was hunting hundreds of miles and states away all $@!#% breaks out. These two are perfect for each other! Bringing us full circle and back to the present we are caught up with Gemini and the other Weird Girls and I could hardly contain myself or put my kindle down. It is surprising it didn't burn up as fast as I was reading this one!
I highly recommend this one and all the rest!
**Received this ARC from the publisher via NetGalley**
I will be honest-when I first read the description, I was a little (maybe more than a little) dubious of how the story was going to turn out. But after finishing it in less than a day, I can safely say that I stand corrected because it really did work for me. The story was so well-written that it made me realize again how much I love these characters, and it was such a treat to see Liam again!
This novel is set in Colorado, which is where Aric and the other wolves we know and love were raised. We get to meet Aric's father Aidan, who had passed away prior to the events of the first of the WG novels, and see a small glimpse of the loving family that Aric grew up in. One day he goes out hunting with the boys and stumbles across a naked girl who he immediately knows is other...weird. Longtime fans know that Celia's powers are the result of a curse placed on her family when her parents are murdered, but this view of a younger Celia really cements how traumatic the whole experience was for her and her sisters. Now she has somehow been transported to Colorado from New Jersey, and thrown into close contact with a shifter for the first time. She is frightened of Aric at first, but it doesn't last long before he wins her over which allows their mutual attraction to take hold.
Of course since this is a novel in the WG universe, there is danger and darkness ahead for them and the other wolves. But there is also humor, mostly from Liam or at his expense! This was one of my favorites:
"She's not a tiger, Liam," Gem tells him.
Liam frowns. "Sure, she is. She's got stripes and everything."
Gemini pinches the bridge of his nose. It's something we do a lot around Liam. "That's not what I mean."
Who can resist Liam?? (Sigh...) And I won't even go into the member of his family we meet later in the story, but the touches of humor are a delightful reprieve from the heavy storyline. I am really refraining from saying a lot about the storyline, because it was such a surprise and you really need to read it without any spoilers. I guarantee though that existing WG fans will LOVE it as much as I did, but new readers will as well. (Um, but WHY haven't you read the books yet???) Cecy is at the top of her game with Gone Hunting and once again gives us a story full of heart and wonderful characters you won't soon forget!
Thank you to Netgalley and Cecy for the chance to read this early; the content of this review is my own.
I'm a huge fan of the Weird Girls series, Celia and Aric have long been my favourite couple so I was really excited to find that they were going to be the stars of this new story. I'll admit I was a little confused when I realised we were going to see them both as teenagers though, them meeting at that age has never been mentioned in the rest of the series so I was a bit unsure how Gone Hunting would fit into the existing timeline, happily Cecy Robson handled that brilliantly and this story was made all the more bittersweet because I know how much they still have to go through before they'll eventually get their happily ever after.
I loved getting the chance to see these two as fairly innocent fifteen year olds, it was fantastic to see Aric with his parents and I loved seeing Gemini, Koda and Liam as teenagers too. The four boys have had a tight bond throughout the entire series but this really shows that they had a strong bond even throughout childhood and went through a lot together even before Aric had the responsibility of being Alpha on his shoulders. They were all just how you'd imagine them to be, all teenage cockiness but with a lot of heart and determination. Celia was shyer and more wary but that was completely understandable considering the circumstances she found herself in. Unfortunately we don't get to see younger versions of her sisters but I actually quite liked the fact that Celia was front and centre in this story and enjoyed seeing how much she has always taken care of her younger siblings.
The romance between Celia and Aric was innocent but totally heartfelt, they go through so much as an adult couple that it was kind of heartbreaking to realise how much easier things could have been for them if only fate (and the pack elders!) hadn't been so determined to interfere. I also loved that this story was told from Aric's point of view, it was great to see inside his head and get to know him just a little bit better. Although this works brilliantly as an introduction to the series it actually left me really wanting to reread the rest so I could follow Celia and Aric's relationship full circle.
I feel in love with the Weird Girls series when it first came out and I await each new installment with anticipation and fandom.
Gone Hunting is a prequel in the Weird Girls series. It’s written so long time fans can enjoy or newcomers to the series who want/like to get things read in order can.
Gone Hunting is an extraordinary emotional magical journey. This novella features Aric, Celia, and the gang of wolves (Koda, Liam, and Gemini) when they are teenagers/young adults. It takes us back to that very first every encounter between; Aric and Celia. Fans might be wonder, I know I was, how this novella will end; especially if you know how Sealed with a Curse starts. All I’ll going to say is the author cleverly got around those events and elements in the first book and tugged at my emotions and heartstrings, again.
I love that we get to see all the early history for this gang. It’s touching, especially getting to meet Aric’s parents. The action is gritty and exciting and the humor had me smiling as usual. The author has left me with a strong desire to go back and reread this series all over.
Gone Hunting was an incredible adventure for this fan and a splendid way to introduce the series to new readers.
Rated: 5 Stars
*Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy provided by Cecy Robson, LLC via NetGalley with the sole purpose of an honest review. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.
The Weird Girls series is one of my all time favorites in the genre. From the very first book I was hooked with it's quirky humor, action packed scenes, swoon worthy romance and male characters, and the uniqueness that truly sets it apart from other urban fantasy series out there.
It is one of a kind and one that all fans of the genre really need to try.
When I saw that not only were we going to get a book from 15 year old Aric before he became Alpha of the pack but also a chance encounter meeting with a teenage Celia, I was so all over it.
Aric and Celia are by far two of my most favorite characters. Their story is one that hasn't been easy. They have fought tooth and nail to get where they are and are two of the most loyal and caring characters I think I have ever encountered in a series. They truly are just amazing. To get a little bit more of then, regardless of when it is, was a no brainer.
And this story, it both made me happy and broke my heart how it all had to happen. I just...so many feels.
I love that Cecy gave us this story, it reminded me all over again why I love her writing and why I adore this series.
Well I now have to have a little mini marathon of Friends to recoup from this little heartbreaker!! Gosh - Cecy knows how to torture poor Celia and Aric! Turns out she's been doing it for years and we didn't even know about it! But I did enjoy getting to meet young Aric with his friends and family. I love when you get a all the background info in detail!
' “Be careful,” Mom says.
I grin. “I’m going hunting, Mom. What could happen?” '
Gone Hunting is a young adult paranormal romance novel by Cecy Robson. While it is the prequel to Robson’s Weird Girls series, it can be read as a stand-alone novel.
The rest of the werewolf pack might consider Aric Connor to be omniscient and destined to save the world, but for the most part, fifteen-year-old Aric ignores the confirmations of his powers and takes everything I stride… until he meets her.
Celia Ward wasn’t supposed to awaken naked in the mountains of Colorado. She especially wasn’t supposed to meet Aric, the handsome wolf who comes to her aid.
Dark forces stir in Celia’s presence, resolute on killing her. Aric and his inner beast are adamant about keeping Celia safe and with them.
But there’s a time and place for love, and Aric and Celia might not survive long enough to find it.
I have read and loved a few of Cecy Robson’s books, mostly her new adult contemporary novels, so I was excited to read one of her YA paranormal books so jumped at the chance to review Gone Hunting. Unfortunately, I just couldn’t get into this book.
While I do still enjoy YA novels, I found that Gone Hunting seemed to be targeted at the younger end of the YA spectrum – which isn’t a bad thing, it’s just not something I’m into reading at the moment- and I just couldn’t enjoy it the way I wanted to.
I have no doubt I would have enjoyed this book – in fact I probably would have loved it – when I was younger, but my taste and interest in books has changed over time and Gone Hunting just wasn’t my cup of tea.
Gone Hunting is due for release on October 24th and even though I didn't enjoy it I do still recommend it for people who like reading 'younger' Young Adult paranormal books.
This is one of my absolute favorite series and it kills me to admit that I hated this. I've never hated any of Cecy's work but this one did it for me.
I have followed Celia's story from beginning to end. I have read and re read those books. I loved them. Celia has so much heartache and everything that she ended with (in her part of the series) she earned. And this book? It undoes a LOT of it.
I absolutely cannot accept that Celia and Aric met before the time they did in the series. Why? Because this book comes out years after Celia's story has come to an end. I feel like this is a cop out. Us readers wanted more of Aric and Celia; I'm guilty of wanting it and voicing it. So when I found out that Cecy wrote something from Aric's point of view I was SO excited. Then I saw a picture she posted on Facebook about them in their teens and I was immediately wary of this.
Once I started reading I had a hard time with it. While I absolutely appreciate a little bit of Liam back, some back story on Koda, and an explanation to Gemini's twin wolf, I don't accept the romance between Celia and Aric. I also didn't like Celia mentioning her sisters names to Koda and Gemini as if she'd already knew that they would click. It pained me to see how easy it is for Celia and Aric in this when in the series it's so hard. Had this come out before the series even began maybe I'd feel better about this. This just seems like a way to make a little more cash on a series that is still continuing through Taran. We've been promised a story for the other sisters as well that this story is just absolutely unnecessary. So no, just no! I cringe at this...
I loved this book! It was interesting to learn how Gemini has two wolves and fun to see that Liam was ALWAYS Liam with no filter whatsoever. I also adored getting to see Aric's dad and how close a family they were.
It shows that Aric and Celia were always meant to be which I've always believed. I didn't expect the little twist in the last chapter before the epilogue but in retrospect it makes sense for the series! I also loved the foreshadowing of future matches between Aric's friends and Celia's sisters!
Can't wait for more in the weird girls series!
This book should definitely come with a warning sign at least a mile high - DON'T READ IN PUBLIC! I realized that too late though, I couldn't stop reading... I was sitting at a doctor's for some hours while waiting for a friend who had surgery and I giggled and snorted and chuckled my way through the book only to start crying because ...something...was so sweet and I became sentimental and then...I cried because I was upset and when everything seemed right, when just a teeny tiny wariness was left because that was wayyyy too easy wasn't it...I was devastated. Absolutely and completely. I haven't recovered yet.
Seriously??? Things were alright, everything seemed fine and I still tried to work out how that was possible after everything else that happened and the things that had been revealed and - boom. That sentence.
At least, those around me in that waiting room will remember me. Probably forever... *oops*
Celia and Aric were amazing together! I loved Celia's toughness and that those two never played games. They didn't start singing love ballads at first sight but you simply know that they are meant for each other. Aric's parents are wonderful as well, I really loved the way they cared for her and for their son and his friends. You can always feel that they are alphas, that they are those who lead the pack but love and their son's happiness means everything to them and they are willing to sacrifice everything for him. They are open and welcoming and definitely someone you want to have in your corner because you just know that no matter what happens, they will keep you safe.
Aric's friends are very unique as well. Liam made me laugh so hard sometimes with his inappropriate questions and his innocent and even less appropriate remarks and Gemini and his twin wolf had me worried for a while (longer) and of course, Koda - those guys are really great!
I also loved the story even though it left me rather frustrated at the end. I'm still trying to figure out because of the things that happened at the end or simply "because". No matter what, I'm really looking forward to reading the other books in this series! (I'm still trying to figure out the order in which to read them though)