Hoo boy, I needed this. Not only has it been ages since I've enjoyed something but the fact that it was a YA? Mind boggled. I say that as if I didn't request this knowing I had really enjoyed some of the author's previous works but honestly that guarantees nothing. So here I am only a little surprised but very much pleased.

You don't have to have read, or even be vaguely familiar, with The Bone Houses or The Drowned Woods to enjoy this one. But if you're even remotely interested in Welsh mythology and fantasy, retold and reimagined and also not, you should definitely give this one a go.

And for those who might not be familiar, if you find the match-up of a huntress with a talent that is both gift and burden, the overlooked son in a powerfully magical family, and a prince stolen away and raised by a monster, banding together to win the Wild Hunt, each for their own reasons, to be at all compelling? Be prepared because there is plenty more about the premise, and these characters, to hook you. And surprises that are both unexpected and heartbreaking, too.

I loved the way each character and their backstory was introduced. There wasn't a traditional POV switch in each chapter or section but we did swing between perspectives in a subtle way and I really enjoyed how the author set that up. Each were flawed or struggling with something and the Hunt forced them to confront or challenge what they knew of themselves and their hopes for the future.. even as they fought for both their lives and their freedom. The friendship they forged in such a short time, after suspicions gave way to uneasy trust and blossomed further, was so wholesome and lovely and made the moreso because it was hardwon. But when there's the power of the Otherfolk and kingdoms on the line, not to mention prophecy, brace yourself for tragedy -- of various kinds.

This is a story I will absolutely revisit and I do hope there's more stories to come that will continue to colour in and flesh out this world. Because I'll definitely keep reading them.

** I received an ARC from the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **

This was just… impeccable.

I really enjoyed the bone houses by this author, but gave since been sleeping on the drowned woods, which is set in the same world. I quickly learned from reading this how much of a mistake that has been, because this gripped me from the very first moment and never let go.

If you like the folktales of old, about otherworldly creatures that live in the wood and try to steal your loved ones away, this captures that animal yet dangerous aura perfectly. It’ follows Branwen, a magic touched huntress who is supporting her ailing mother. She gets roped into the deadly wild hunt by a trickster royal who manages to get under her skin and win her trust quicker than she ever expected. They meet another unexpected friend from a rival kingdom, and strike up the most beautiful friendship in the most dangerous of circumstances. Everything from here is haunting, action filled, beautiful and visceral. The entire story went in a direction I never, ever could have imagined. It left me heartbroken and also hopeful, and set the scene perfectly for reading on a spooky, cold autumn night when magic feels a little bit possibly and a lot deadly.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a perfectly paced adventure with only a touch of romance, a ton of action and friendship, a hefty dose of unexpected twists, and a love for animal companions and dangerous hunts. This was awesome, and I can’t wait to see what this author brings us next. Thank you to Little, Brown and Netgalley for this eArc!

This was such a great read! I love this author and I really appreciate her take on YA fantasy. The characters are usually older, there’s adventure and amazing magic systems but the characters always deal with real issues. There is a tiny hint of romance and a pet companion. In this one, it’s a cat who might be a little bit more than a cat and I loved him so much. The story follows 3 different characters, our huntress being the main one and it feels like more of a classic fantasy. We have a fea realm, many creatures and beasts and a yearly competition where mortals and fea come together to participate in a wild hunt. I honestly enjoyed pretty much everything about this story and my only complaint is that it did feel a little long at times. I think if you enjoy T.Kingfisher’s fantasy novels, you might enjoy this author as well !

I really enjoyed this one. It was a great standalone story. Loved the fae and the hunt. The characters were great. Their interactions were great. It was a wild ride. The twist I did not see coming and made me pretty sad.

**Features:**

- Intriguing, Welsh-inspired fantasy world
- Found family and a little romance as the characters each try to find their place in the world
- “Last man standing” competition and political machinations
- Three different character perspectives

**Summary:**

With great risk comes great reward. Every five years, a Wild Hunt is held to celebrate the tentative peace between mortals and immortals. The only thing anyone aside from the mortal and immortal kings knows about the Wild Hunt is that participating is likely a death sentence. Yet for some, the prize is worth the risk. One hunter will have a wish granted by the magical Otherking. Branwen, Gwydion, and Pryderi all have their own reasons for joining the hunt, but it is quickly clear that they will need each other if they have any hope of survival. However, there can only be one true winner.

**Thoughts:**

This book draws heavily from Welsh folklore to create a world that contains both magical wonder and a constant sense of looming danger. The concept of ‘balance’ is truly what lies at the center of this story. From the very beginning, you can feel the tension between mortals and the ‘otherfolk’ which constantly threatens to upset a very delicate balance that has been established between the worlds. Though mortal, all three characters are connected to the immortal world in unique ways that sets them apart and gives them the power to either upset or strengthen this balance. They are all compelling in their journey to find their place, but I personally connected to Branwen the most. I definitely assumed at the start that she was either going to write off all of the otherfolk as dangerous or be made into their savior. However, neither is really the case as she tries to resolve problems caused when immortals and mortals clash. Gwydion and Pryderi bring their own charms as well, but it took until all three characters were together for me to really start feeling a connection with them.

One thing I definitely have to give this book props for is that even though it is YA, it does not feel like one. The content and themes explored are firmly in the YA category, but Lloyd-Jones manages to avoid a lot of the writing pitfalls that make many YA books feel oversimplified or unnaturally juvenile. Though the story’s pacing keeps me from rating it a perfect 5, it is still eloquently written and can be an enjoyable read even for adults who usually avoid YA books.

I loved this book! Its been a while since i read a standalone fantasy book and this was perfect. The storyline for the most part was very interesting and i loved the world building and the world itself. This was action packed and had me on the edge of my seat, not to mention the crazy plot twists!!

This was an enjoyable read. A lesson in assumptions for sure. SOOo many little things. I was very sad to see the almost unecessary death of the prince. FOR A 2nd Time?!??? And then a subsequent war.

I received the ebook as an Arc from NetGalley. Thank you NetGalley!!

This book is based on folklore and myth like many of the author’s books. Pacing wasn’t consistent with sections that drag and sections that fly by. There are 3 characters that each take on a different archetype - the huntress, the prince, and the trickster. They compete in The Hunt - your typical trial plot line with an amazing prize at the end. This isn’t a romance heavy plot line which is fine however the idea of a love triangle hangs in the air - not my favorite troupe. The ending was brutal, took me by surprise, and made me angry sad - I’m not sure that is the best way to end a story. I like to end on a higher note but that is a personal preference and I do pick my reads based on books that I think will end happier. What can I say? I don’t like to be sad at the end.

Overall, I’m giving the book 3.5 rounded up.

Fantasy perfection. Whatever Emily Lloyd-Jones is putting in her books, bottle it up and sell it to me to experience over and over again. Her characters are so real, so flawed, so utterly compelling and loveable. There are few authors I've read who can nail multi-POV so effortlessly but this has cemented me as a fan of hers forever. And that ending??? I was not expecting all the twists and the sheer devastation I was hit with and I don't know that I've recovered yet.

Thank you so much to Hachette Canada for the ARC!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Little Brown Books for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
One of the things I love most about Emily Lloyd-Jones’ novels is that I can never predict where her plots are going to go, and while that typically also means they’re more tragic than I would’ve predicted, her novels are so beautifully written that it leaves me yearning for more. The Wild Huntress is no exception to this. The novel tells the stories of Branwen, a huntress (with the best cat ever) who is struggling to survive on the outskirts of Annwyvn, a forest ruled by creatures of Welsh mythology, Gwydion, the trickster nephew to the king who struggles with chronic pain related to his magic and wishes to see his sister on the throne, and Pryderi, the monster raised prince of the rival neighboring kingdom, as they team up to take on the Wild Hunt, a competition where the winner is granted a magical wish.
While this book is told in three POVs, I thoroughly enjoyed all three, though Branwen’s was my favorite. Each time there was a shift in perspective I was never upset or annoyed, as each are equally as enticing and well written. The plot itself is also very well paced. I never found myself getting bored or thinking the pacing was too fast. It’s also so magical and interesting of a world that it really kept me engaged and wanting more. While I’ve read multiple stories of the Great Hunt now, I found this to be a wholly original telling and a great addition to the genre.
VAGUE BUT MAJOR SPOILERS BELOW!
I think my only true dislike of this book is the ending of Pryderi’s storyline. (Please note my usage of the word dislike, as I can’t even call a critique as it’s very realistically written, I just didn’t love it and it was upsetting to me (which I admit is likely the point, I just wasn’t expecting this book to go all Game of Thrones on me lol)). While the end of his character arc makes sense for the story and his character, I do wish we’d at least gotten a final word of parting from him. Which, like I said, makes the book more realistic as it’s written how it’d likely happen in real life, but the book is already full of fiction and fantasy and I think a little more closure for his character in that regard would’ve made me feel better about it and would’ve provided some closure before reaching the last arc of the book. It might even have been more powerful as Branwen could’ve been given more purpose, but like I said, this is just what I would’ve preferred. The ending of his character arc still works very well for the plot as is.
Overall, I’d highly recommend this novel and the other companions in this series. They’re all amazing in their own ways and highly worth the reads.

The Wild Huntress is another stunning entry in Emily Lloyd-Jones' fantasy world inspired by Welsh mythology. I was instantly enthralled by the characters and the world. This is my favorite installment in the world so far, I absolutely adored it.

Every five years, two kingdoms come together to participate in a very magical, and very deadly, Wild Hunt. This book follows three characters—a huntress, a monstrous prince, and a trickster—as they participate in this hunt in order to win a magical boon that will change their lives.

The three main characters immediately captured my attention and I loved them so much. They had such depth to them and the relationships they formed in this short amount of time were so raw and genuine. I loved their dynamic. We get fun banter, heart-wrenching scenes, flirting, and sacrifice. And of course, The Wild Huntress also has a mysterious animal companion to accompany the main characters.

The Wild Huntress really captures the otherworldly brutality of the magic and the magical creatures in this land. This deadly Wild Hunt is all fun and games until it's not; until the characters realize that the cost of winning might be more than they are willing to pay. Emily Lloyd-Jones excels at writing these folkloric, fairytale-esque stories that have claws, darkness, and grit but also hope, friendship, and love. That perfect balance made for an unexpectedly raw and bittersweet story that immediately became a favorite.

I highly recommend all of Emily Lloyd-Jones' works but The Wild Huntress is particularly incredible.

This is the first book by Emily Lloyd-Jones that I’ve read. I used to own at least one of her other books, but I haven’t gotten to it yet. I think it came in an OwlCrate box several years ago. Anyway. The writing and the lush, dangerous forest with its otherworldly creatures drew me into the story. There are monsters and other dangers. There’s a cat who is not a cat– my second-favorite character!

As I read, I knew I was heavily invested in the story. When I had about 100 pages left, I hoped it was a duology because I really didn’t want to be coming to the end of the story and the really imaginative world. As I got closer to the end, I dreaded learning it was going to be a duology because I didn’t want to have to wait a year or more to find out what happens to the characters who make it to the last page. (It’s a standalone, so no worries there.)

Even though my favorite character met with disaster, I wasn’t unhappy to follow the rest of the cast to the end of the book. It definitely takes you on an emotional ride. It’s one of those books that draws you close and quietly slips a knife between your ribs. It was really great, though? I feel like I’ll be thinking of those one for a long time, and may even have to go back and reread it.

If you liked The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert or Deep is the Fen by Lili Wilkinson, definitely check out The Wild Huntress.

I enjoyed this book. It started slowly, but it picked up in the middle. The story follows three characters: a huntress, a trickster, and a prince. They all enter the Wild Hunt for their own reasons but band together to win. There were various twists and turns that I did not expect, which made the story richer. Everything is not as it seems. I loved that the author explored the theme of the monstrous. There are actual monsters in this book and monstrous people. Seeing the characters grapple with the monsters within was fascinating. Emily Lloyd Jones creates an atmospheric setting that draws you into the world of the book. I could feel like I was in those woods with them sometimes. The characters are distinct and dynamic throughout the story. Emily's writing was exquisite and crafted a perfect balance between descriptive and allowing the reader to imagine themselves in the world. I am excited to read Emily's backlist.

Books like these are my favorite kind to fall into. The twists and turns of a fairytale like story follow our FMC on a quest to save her mother by adventuring into the Wild Hunt of the Otherking. This book gave me all the dark fae vibes that I was looking for while showing how much a person will go through to help and protect their family.

If you haven’t read an Emily Lloyd-Jones book yet, I would highly recommend this one as her stories just know how to capture your attention and win your heart.

Thanks to Little, Brown Books for Young Readers & NetGalley for an E-ARC copy of this story.

Emily Lloyd-Jones knows how to deliver a mythology-inspired eerie and atmospheric novel. Fans of fantasy and myth stories will love this!

✨Summary✨
Three people enter the Wild Hunt, each for different reasons. One to save her mother from ‘memory sickness’ (aka dementia), one to save his kingdom from a future tyrant king, and the other to try to make his father proud. Will any of them succeed, or will the cost of the hunt prove to be too high?

✅Pros
* a unique take on the “trials” trope.
* a unique take on magic.
* interesting twists and turns that will keep you guessing from beginning to end.
* Welsh inspired

❌Cons
* many references to hunting and killing animals.
* slower beginning.
* references to people being hunted and killed (not too many on the page killings though).

👩🏻My Recommendation👩🏻
Overall, I enjoyed this YA novel. It almost lost me with the slower beginning and a bit towards the end, but I’m glad I kept with it. It was a refreshing take on a “trial” or hunt and there are enough twists at the end to make me rate this a 4 star overall rating. Just be warned about the numerous mentions of hunting and killing animals if you’re an animal lover like myself. There were a couple of times I had to skim over those particular points. But if that doesn’t bother you, I think you’ll enjoy this book immensely.


Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing the gifted copy and the opportunity to review this book.

Emily Lloyd-Jones can do no wrong. Her books are written so beautifully and her stories just flow. The Wild Huntress was another 5 star read for me. It drew me in right away and just kept me turning pages - loved it!

Once again, Emily Lloyd Jones as written an incredible book. Her stories feel like the best kind of folklore, and come close to perfect.

Quick cozy autumn read. I liked the welsh mythology and folklore. I wish it was not a YA novel and more adult themes.

Betrayal, a contest for loyalty, and unlikely relationships all come together in this story about a girl who is desperate to find a cure for her mother's sickness, a trickster who will do anything to stop his brother from getting the throne, and a prince who was raised by monsters all participating in a contest to achieve their goals... but at a great cost. Branwen has a special ability, she is able to see monsters and has made it her life's duty to hunt and kill them. All Branwen wants to do is to find a cure for her mother's sickness and the only cure can be found in the Wild Hunt. Gwydion is the least magically gifted of his siblings, having the ability to control plants and use sleight of hand... however he has made it his duty to lie and trick people in order to achieve his goals... and his only goal is to save his people from his tyrant brother and if that means entering into the Wild Hunt by any means possible, he'll do it. Pryderi is a prince who was raised by monsters, he isn't interested in the throne... rather he just wants to find a place where he belongs. All three of these people want the prize from the Wild Hunt but they'll have to work together to get it.... but nothing is fair when there is only one prize. Alliances will be forged and broken, and the path to victory will cost them everything. This was such a fun story, I loved the relationship between the three characters and the soft friendship and romances. The three characters were very distinct and the story itself had a nice pace and flow. I actually loved the ending so much, it wrapped up perfectly and definitely made this book feel like one of those must read fairytales. If you like magic hunts, fairytale-esque stories, and a bit of romance, I would absolutely recommend this book!

Release Date: October 1,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*