Lord of the Hunt
Author: Shona Husk
Reviewer: Gikany and Una
Rating: A-
What We’re Talking About:
After reading the first novel, The Outcast Prince, we were not sure what to expect with the second novel in the Court of Annwyn series. We are delighted to say that Lord of the Hunt was an intriguing and different novel than what we expected and therefore we enjoyed it.
As the novel begins, we are introduced to Taryn, a fairy who was born in Annwyn but has lived her entire life as a mortal. Taryn was not brought up as a typical fairy, she went to human schools, and worked at human jobs. Due to her upbringing, she has been sheltered from the cunning and dangerous world of Annwyn. However, with the coming of Winter in the Court, her father’s banishment could be the death of her parents unless someone can bargain with the Fairy King to end her father’s exile. Taryn is sent by her family to secure the bargain, by any means necessary. Yet, Taryn is only given a down and dirty lesson by her mother in Fairy politics. A lesson that is too little and too late to prepare her for what she will face.
Verden is the Lord of the Hunt and is completely loyal to the King. However, he sees the writing on the walls and knows his position is coming to an end. The new Prince, although friendly with Verden, would never keep him as the Lord of the Hunt. Like any new leader, he would appoint someone whose loyalty is without question to him. Verden worked hard, bargaining and “dancing” to earn his position. He is not just loyal to the King but friends and nothing had ever tested that friendship and loyalty, until he meets Taryn. He finds himself in a position he never imagined, wanting something other than the job of Hunter, wanting only the love of a woman.
Gikany and Una really enjoyed the story of Taryn and Verden. Their journey is not straight forward, it is fraught with twists and turns due to the politics and scheming of those with their eyes on the King’s throne. Although the politics can be mind-numbingly burdensome, it is realistic. Fairies do not care for love or friendship (typically), but desire power above all else. They will do anything for power. Verden’s life is an excellent example of this. He slept, bargained, and clawed his way to the position of Lord of the Hunt. There was no emotion involved – only the desire for power and the accumulation of it. Taryn being a creature raised in the mortal realm values love and friendship. To Taryn loyalty is more than just trust, but friendship and love. Although we are given a HEA, it is not a complete one. They have a temporary HEA that holds the promise of more to come…depending on what happens in the next novel.
If you haven’t picked up the Court of Annwyn series yet, you may just want to. It is a fascinating series set within the world of Fairies with elements of fairy politics, human emotions, and the dawn of change. We enjoyed Lord of the Hunt and eagerly look forward to To Love a King coming in October 2014.
Rating: A- Enjoyed A Lot
About the Book:
She Wasn’t Cut Out for His World…
The realm of the fairies might be unbelievably beautiful, but its people are notoriously treacherous. Raised among mortals, Taryn hoped to avoid her fairy heritage her whole life. But now she must cross over to Annwyn and appeal to the King to pardon her exiled parents, or they’re sure to die. And to get to the King, she’ll first have to face the Lord of the Hunt…
He Can’t Imagine Life Without Her…
Verden, Lord of the Hunt, is sworn to serve to King. But the moment he sees Taryn, the attraction is instant and devastating. How can he not help the beautiful, brave young woman who refuses to bend to the will of the court? Yet the power in Annwyn is shifting, its magic failing. No matter how much he may love Taryn, the Hunter knows that abandoning his duty could bring down the mortal world forever…
Release Date: January 7, 2014
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Series: Court of Annwyn #2
ISBN: # 978-1402280191
Genre: Paranomral Romance, Fantasy
Format(s): Paperback (320 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
Purchase Info:
Lord of the Hunt (Court of Annwyn #2)
Reviews in the Series:
The Outcast Prince by Shona Husk (Court of Annwyn #1)