The Great Hunt by Wendy Higgins

The Great Hunt ARC Review

Author: Wendy Higgins

Publisher: HarperTeen

Kill the beast. Win the girl.

A strange beast stirs fear in the kingdom of Lochlanach, terrorizing towns with its brutality and hunger. 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 understands her duty to the kingdom though it pains her to imagine marrying a stranger. It would be foolish to set her sights on any particular man in the great hunt, but when 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 keen on marriage. 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 and protecting his family—yet Princess Aerity continues to challenge his notions with her unpredictability and charm. But as past secrets collide with present desires, dire choices threaten everything Paxton holds dear.

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, outlawed magic, and a princess willing to risk all to save her people.~Goodreads

The Great Hunt was a fantastic read. The imagery was amazing, the plot was solid, and the characters were wonderful.

This story was just SO unmatched to anything I’ve read up to this point.  The idea of a great and terrible beast on a rampage, the concept of a society filled with these magical outcasts known as the Lashed, and a kingdom of Royalty? So brilliantly done. Wendy did an amazing job creating this world. The scenery was breathtaking—lush and vibrant, dark and damp and dangerous—she touched on it all. I can’t wait to see more of this world in the next book.

As for the characters. ♥♥♥ Aerity is so loyal, sweet, and strong. I really enjoyed reading about her. She has so much potential to change her kingdom and I BELIEVE in her. I can't wait to see how she handles things in the next book. I also really liked her cousin Wyneth, I wish I could’ve read more about her and Breckon—PREQUEL PLEASE?

Then there are the Seabolts. Two words: (1) Swoonworthy. (2) Brothers. Holy heartthrobs, Paxton and Tiern are to. Die. For. Tiern is happy-go-lucky, light hearted, smart, and talkative. Paxton is pessimistic, hardheaded, cunning and quiet. So completely opposite of one another yet both totally loveable.

Aerity and Paxton? I am all for a slow burning romance— and oh my seas— was the romance torturous in this book. Aerity and Paxton have the potential to literally light the page on fire from their hotness. I need more! They need at least sixteen chapters dedicated to them making out. With him shirtless. Yes, yes. That would be nice.

The ending of The Great Hunt has me CRAVING book two like a fiend.  I almost cried out of frustration when it was over. The Great Hunt is full of suspense, gore, romance and lore—it is a MUST READ!