Eurona Duology #1 The Great Hunt

Presenting Eurona Duology #1 The Great Hunt by Wendy Higgins.

Here is the summary of the book:

“Aerity…” Her father paused as if the words he was forming pained him. “I must ask you to sacrifice the promise of love for the sake of our kingdom.”

She could only stare back, frozen.

When a strange beast terrorizes the kingdom of Lochlanach, fear stirs revolt. In an act of desperation, a proclamation is sent to all of Eurona—kill the creature and win the ultimate prize: the daughter of King Lochson’s hand in marriage.

Princess Aerity knows her duty to the kingdom but cannot bear the idea of marrying a stranger…until a brooding local hunter, Paxton Seabolt, catches her attention. There’s no denying the unspoken lure between them…or his mysterious resentment.

Paxton is not the marrying type. Nor does he care much for spoiled royals and their arcane laws. He’s determined to keep his focus on the task at hand—ridding the kingdom of the beast—but the princess continues to surprise him, and the perilous secrets he’s buried begin to surface.

Inspired by the Grimm Brothers’ tale “The Singing Bone,” New York Times bestselling author Wendy Higgins delivers a dark fantasy filled with rugged hunters, romantic tension, and a princess willing to risk all to save her kingdom.

'Kill the Beast. Win the Girl'. Simple enough task it may seem but what happens when the beast is a monster of magic and lore. The Great Hunt by Wendy Higgins is not only my first book from the author but it is also the re-imaging of the fariytale 'The Singing Bone'. And she does a marvelous job of not only reconstructing the elements from the 'old' but producing an equally adventurous 'new' story. I haven't had the chance of reading her Sweet series or her self-published works yet but The Great Hunt proved a spitfire find.

With a splendid eye to details, the author brings Lochlanach to life. In every way a peaceful country, if not without the attacking monsters to account for. Laying waste to innocent lives, shrouding them all in a constant panic of a vicious beast that only attacks at night. Desperate times call for desperate measures. A hunt is organized, inviting hunters to take a shot at killing the beast. The winner receiving the hand of the Princess Aerity in marriage. Where the royal family has no strict reservations against marriage for love but the safety of their subjects taking precedence. Princess Aerity proved a great protagonist like that.

Aerity was a great heroine. She maybe royalty but she didn't seem high-handed like they all think royals are. Selfless, kind, loyal, and an all round spitfire. She wants to marry for love, like her parents but knows her duty well. Somehow strong, silent, broody hunter Paxton Seabolt attracts her attention. He entered the hunt with his brother Tiern and they are in it to destroy the monster, not for the Princess. There exists a bit of a mysterious aura around Paxton. He maybe perpetually grumpy but is a competent hunter and really not all that he seems.

Aerity and Paxton lead the charge over a very subtle and sweet romance. Its slow and its excruciating. Gradually developing, kicking and screaming as we proceed into the story. Something about Paxton attracts Aerity from the first glance. Paxton thinks her proud and conceited but attractive too. He just can't help teasing her and she just can't help singling him out. Thank God for no triangles.

Its been sometime since I have read 'The Singing Bone' but I remember what it was about and definitely loved all the twists and the turns she (author) employs here. Family and relations played a huge part in this tale. The royal family is pretty big and siblings and cousins all playing their roles help further the story Of note is Aerity's cousin Lady Wyneth. It is with her the story begins when the beast kills her betrothed. Thus establishing what was at stake.

Well paced and nicely proportioned. The Great Hunt is the first part of the Eurona Duology and I loved every part of it. Especially after that shocker ending ... the sequel better come soon. I am so excited to see what happens.

"Spellbinding & Enthralling. This is a fantasy to be savored"

Genre :     Young Adult, High Fantasy, Romance

Publisher: Harper Teen

Release Date: 8th March, 2016

My Copy: publisher & edelweiss

Rate:             4/5 (Really Liked It)

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