Emily Lloyd-Jones never disappoints. The Wild Huntress is another poignant story set in the same universe as The Drowned woods and House of Bones. I adored The Drowned Woods and appreciated the few easter eggs that harken back to the events of that book, but this story is quite different, though equalling engaging. Here we follow a party of three who participate in a Wild Hunt, each with their own reasons. The character development of each of the characters is exquisite. The book explores themes of identity, loyalty, fate and choice. I loved it!

wildly evocative and beautiful. i have almost never been so emotional about a book/author/universe that's new to me—unless it's a reread of my old favorites, i usually forget everything the second i write the review. with this, i've been furious for the past six hours, and i'll probably be miserable thinking about this for the next six days. the plot, perhaps, isn't that special, but the characters settle in your heart from the minute they're introduced. i truly loved them all, and when [redacted] did what they did, it was like being physically shot. i'm surprised this is a standalone, since the ending felt somewhat unfinished, but there's two previous installments in this universe, so maybe there will be a fourth where we can get a glimpse of branwen. and that demon too, i suppose.

i think i loved this so much due to it having a similar atmosphere to many of my favorite ya books (the folk of air, a study in drowning, all of us villains even), but lloyd-jones's prose is stunning by itself as well. her other books are definitely moving up my tbr.

thank you to netgalley for the advanced copy.

Deep beneath the autumnal forests, a legendary hunt is underway with trickery, secrets, and deception lurking at every turn and monsters hiding in plain sight.

Emily Lloyd-Jones always writes such adventurous tales full of mythology, folklore, and nostalgia. The Wild Huntress focuses on the inspiration of The Wild Hunt, intertwining it with competition, magic, and otherworldly creatures and creating a high-stakes and fast-paced read that will have you second-guessing everything.

I loved the forestry vibes of this book. It reminded me a lot of Holly Black’s vivid settings and layered storytelling, making this book a great fantasy escape for fall!

3.5/5

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

Branwen has grown up living between two worlds. With one eye able to see all the magic touched creatures, she has become know as the huntress and protector to her village. Gwydion is the nephew of a king and the least magical of his gifted siblings. His magic comes at a cost but he is determined to keep his evil brother off the throne. Pryderi is nobel born, raised by the most wicked of monsters but also by a loving farm family that rescued him when he was seven. All three cross paths as it is time for the Wild Hunt and a chance to earn the boon, influence, and home that they all desperately desire.

This was a well written novel that balanced the story threads perfectly. Gwydion’s role as a trickster added a perfect dynamic to the storytelling. The novel was not too heavy on fae and fairies but rather more focused on the task of the Wild Hunt which of course has magical elements to it. A nice balance of both the mundane and magical. I really enjoyed this stand alone tale - - it was a perfect break from the many fantasy series of late. 5 stars.

Review based on a digital Advanced Reader’s Copy provided by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and NetGalley. Thank you!

The Wild Huntress is set in a world where two kingdoms take part in a deadly competition called the Wild Hunt, held every five years. Participants risk their lives for the chance to win a magical wish granted by the Otherking. The story follows three hunters, each with their own motivations, as they form an alliance to survive the monstrous creatures in the enchanted woods. In this dangerous and mysterious game, nothing is guaranteed.

This book is perfect for the fall season with its rich autumnal setting and eerie, enchanted forest backdrop. I was drawn in by the prologue. The characters are deeply complex, and their relationships are tested as they face challenges that push them to their limits. The blend of action, magic, and tension made it a captivating read, perfect for fans of dark fantasy and atmospheric adventures.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little Brown Books for this ARC

5 stars!! The Wild Huntress by Emily Lloyd-Jones is the third installment in her captivating Welsh fantasy/folklore interconnected standalone novel series. It was (unsurprisingly) a BIG HIT for me. If you love the twists and turns of Six of Crows, there's a lot in TWH that I think you'll enjoy!!

We follow Branwen, a young huntress who has a knack for tracking magical monsters because she can see the golden sparks of magic. Gwydion is able to divine plants and trees, a useful skill considering he is his kingdom's trickster. Pryderi is a prince of a differing kingdom, one who was raised by a monster and can't escape his lingering guilt. These unlikely characters band together to compete in the famed and mysterious Wild Hunt.

This was SUCH a good book. I loved the lyrical, folktale-style prose that flowed effortlessly. The way she structures the story so the (folk)lore behind the characters and the plot is equally fascinating and captivating.

The mention of (view spoiler)from The Drowned Woods was such a fun cameo for fans of Lloyd-Jones. She always divides her books into three parts and each section end ripped me open emotionally. I had so many highlighted sections because each sentence had a purpose and read as if I was reading a folklore tale of old, instead of a new YA fantasy that is sure to be beloved by so many for years to come.

But perhaps the best way to recognize an Emily Lloyd-Jones novel is that it will ALWAYS have an amazing pet sidekick featured in each book. The Bone Houses = the bone goat! The Drowned Woods = Trefor, the magical corgi! And The Wild Huntress = Palug, adventure cat extraordinaire! I loved how Palug was supposed to be scary but was actually just a big, judgemental floof with lots of character to give out.

Just a big sampling of quotes that I loved from this book:
"'The monsters' she said, 'will fear me.'"

"The kingdom of Gwynedd had no spymaster--and it did not need one. It had a trickster instead."

"Kings and monsters are grown from the same soil."

"But do not make the mistake of thinking it is easier to change the world than it is to change yourself."

The Wild Huntress is out in the world TODAY! With that cover and this story, it is sure to be a tale you'll remember and a perfect read for fall.

Thank you to the publisher Little Brown and Netgalley for the digital advanced readers copy. This did not affect my review in any way.

It's difficult to accurately summarize my feelings about The Wild Huntress. Parts of this were absolutely brilliant, but I still walk away feeling largely dissatisfied with it.

The good: All three of the leads are amazing in their own ways. Palug the cat (or something) was hands down the best thing to happen in this book. And the overall plot of the wild hunt was a fun storyline to follow.

The bad: There were a lot of origin stories that were left unanswered or under-explained, including the fae that tie into Branwen's magical beginnings, and the story of Palug and what he is. The ending itself felt rushed and too easily wrapped up given the... everything... that happens to these characters, and it feels like it's begging for a sequel - or a longer epilogue -without any space being left for one.

Firstly I want to say thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Emily Lloyd-Jones is the queen of books centered around Welsh mythology and folklore, and I bow at her feet! I absolutely loved The Bone Houses and The Drowned Woods, and The Wild Huntress was no different. I devoured this book! The Wild Huntress is set in the same world as the two previously mentioned books, and follows Branwen, Pryderi, and Gwydion, three strangers who band together to try to win the famed Wild Hunt. The Wild Hunt is held every five years and is surrounded in secrecy and rumor. Anyone who has previously taken part in a Wild Hunt is bound to silence and cannot divulge any details of the hunt. But one thing is known; the person who wins the Wild Hunt will be granted a boon from the Otherking. Branwen, Pryderi and Gwydion all have their own reasons for wanting to win. But they form an alliance to try to survive the hunt together and win the ultimate prize.

I loved so much about this story. First, the vibes. It was set in autumn, around Halloween, in an enchanted forest. Seconds, the characters. All three POVs were fantastic. These characters were complex, each with their own struggles and secrets. But they played well off each other, and I loved seeing the connection and friendships form between them. Branwen is fierce and protective, Pryderi is kind and haunted by his post, and Gwydion is scheming and tricksy. They all brought something unique to the story. Third, the magic. Not only is there magic from the otherfolk, but there are also diviners that have different kinds of magic, who can control things like fire, metal, and plants. The way the magic is used was really interesting. And last but certainly not least is Palug, the maybe-magical cat companion, who steals the story. I loved him. I would give my life for him.

My only criticism, and it’s minor, is the Welsh words that I had to google to know how to pronounce. A pronunciation guide would benefit this book, I think. But overall, this was a fast paced, thrilling, sometimes terrifying and sometimes sweet, story that I absolutely loved! Emily Lloyd-Jones remains an autobuy author for me!

4.5/5 Stars 🌟

The Wild Huntress by @em was one of my most anticipated books this year and Im so lucky to have gotten an early copy! Set in the same world as Emily’s previous books The Drowned Woods and The Bone Houses, The Wild Huntress is a standalone fantasy inspired by Welsh Mythology and Folklore, and is centered around a Halloween celebration 🙌.
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Every five years, two kingdoms take part in a Wild Hunt, the prize being a magical wish granted by the Otherking. The hunt is dangerous and deadly, but yet hundreds gamble their lives to participate, not even really knowing what’s at stake. Banding together for the hunt, Branwen, Gwydion and Pryderi each have their reasons for wanting to claim the magical prize. Branwen is desperate to cure her mother’s illness, Gwydion is desperate to prevent his cruel older brother from being crowned, and Pryderi just longs to know where he belongs.

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First of all, I can tell you that I absolutely loved this story! The characters, the Magic systems, the setting…
Without revealing too much, I’ll dive in to the Magic systems a bit. There is a kingdom of mortals and a kingdom of the folk. Although most mortals are not magical, there are a select few who are considered diviners that can manipulate certain types of objects. Gwydion, nephew of the king, is one of these, able to call to trees and plants, just like his mother could.
The folk are able to sense untruths and although they have no sense of cruelty, they do not understand mercy. Their lands are filled with other magical creatures, many of which are dangerous, causing mortals to avoid their lands unless absolutely necessary. The exception to this is Branwen, who when young, accidentally acquired the ability to see Magic thru one eye. She uses this advantage to see and slay monsters.

There are three POVs to see thru the eyes of, each character so well done and each having their own strengths and weaknesses. The book is fast paced with a little bit of romance woven in, and by the end I was sad it was over. And for you animal lovers, there is a cat campanion named Palug! There is so much mystery and intrigue surrounding this little guy 😳.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little Brown Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was really on the fence about The Wild Huntress - there were things I liked, and other things I didn’t. I mostly enjoyed The Wild Hunt competition, a couple of the characters, and the ✨vibes✨. It’s a good book for autumn based on the setting and the mythology. But here are some of the things I wasn’t a fan of (no spoilers):

- I noticed early on that the author was mentioning lots of Welsh mythological creatures that are not always explained/described. I wish there was a guide for these animals in the book so that I didn’t have to keep switching to my phone to look things up.
- This isn’t necessarily about the content of the story, but I was sad to find that the NetGalley ARC didn’t have the map yet (it just said “TK”), which made it a bit harder for me to visualize/imagine the setting.
- In my opinion, the betrays/twists were quite obvious and predictable. I kept telling my boyfriend what I thought was going to happen and it was pretty much spot on (which is not very normal for me).
- This is a small thing, but the line “he/she/they would have been disappointed” was used like five times in this book, enough times to make me wonder why the author felt the need to repeat it so much.
- There’s an animal companion in this book - a cat named Palug (who was probably my favorite character). And while we got a tiny bit of his backstory, I would have liked to get more information on him (I don’t want to spoil anything, but iykyk). I was just confused by the end when I realized his “origins” were still up in the air.
- The small amount of romance and the ending felt rushed; I thought the standalone story was going to be left unresolved, but it was tied up in the last few pages or so.
- Lastly, I saw another reviewer mention that the book is named after our main character Branwen the huntress, and yet the main focus switches to a another character at some point and pretty much remains there… so why name the book after her? It’s a great question that I was also wondering at the end of the story.

Funny enough, even with the things mentioned above, I still had a fairly enjoyable time reading The Wild Huntress. It was predictable and had some issues, yes, but I think a lot of readers will enjoy the high-stakes competition, the magical woods setting, and the mythology of the story.

4.25 starsgo to this gorgeous (I mean the writing, the COVER, the mythology!) standalone Welsh story!!

Every five yeras the mortal and immortal kings host a wild hunt, and the prize is priceless but the cost is everything. This tale follows three entrants: The Huntress (Branwen, a mortal who can see magic), The Monster/The Prince (Pryderi, a human prince stolen and raised by a monster), and The Trickster (Gwydion, a human royal descendant with a bit of magic and a large network of spies). All three have their reasons for entering- Branwen to save her mother, Pryderi to prove himself not a monster to his father, and Gwydion to protect his kingdom from his sociopathic brother. The three come together to survive and it really is about the friends we make along the way (or maybe is it about the enemies??)

This was my first foray into Welsh mythology, and I have to absolutely shout out the Kindle quick wikipedia search that helped me learn a little bit more about the backgrounds of these stories mid-reading when I realized these might not be original characters!! I absolutely adore learning about any kind of mythology, and I will absolutely now be spending time with the Mabinogi to get more of our lil trio (maybe not as a trio??) and the adventures across Western Great Britain. This was so well told, and I loved the twists and turns, the character development, and the atmospheric vibes of the woods!

Thank you so much to Emily Lloyd-Jones and NetGalley for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review!

4.5*

THE WILD HUNTRESS, by Emily Lloyd-Jones, is a standalone fantasy that takes place in the same world as her two other novels; however, it is not necessary to have read either of those to appreciate this one.

We have the woods of Annwvyn, where the immortal King Arawn of the Otherfolk rules. King Pwyll of Dyfed, is human and friend of the immortal King. On another branch is King Math, who rules with "Diviners", humans touched with a magical talent. It's from these three realms that the main characters come from. (It was a bit confusing for me to figure out King Math's purpose and who King Pywyll was in the first quarter of the book, and I had to keep checking back. Thus, my one deduction).

The Wild Hunt is a competition held every five years between King Arawn and King Pwyll (King Math and his family are never invited). While it's said to be a friendly competition between the two friends, nobody is allowed to enter more than once (except the Kings), and those that survive have their memories wiped of the event. Therefore, the actual happenings come as a complete surprise to those entering. The winner receives a boon--a magical gift of their choosing, from King Arawn.

Branwen is a human, who can see magic out of one of her eyes. Her world is her mother, who's fading memories are her incentive in this. Gwydion is the nephew of King Math, the weakest of all his siblings. Constantly referred to as a "trickster", his motives for entering the hunt (that he'll never bee invited to) are to begin a long-term change of rule to his kingdom--having his Uncle name the kind sister his heir, instead of the tyrannical older brother. Prince Pryderi, son of King Pwyll, was kidnapped and raised by a monster for years. Now back at the castle, he is struggling to find where he fits in the world. Is he more "king", or "monster"?

Once the hunt got underway, I had a good idea of everyone's backstory's and reasons for being there. The dynamics between these three was a delight to read--from their strengths, insecurities, and desires. The events of the hunt were more exciting than I had expected! Even knowing a little of the "other folk", I was still caught off guard by some of the revelations and magic. There were some major twists that I didn't anticipate, cheering, crying, and utter disbelief at various points.

Overall, I loved the world building here--it reminded me a bit of Holly Black's Folk of the Air series with humans, other folk, and humans with some magic blended together. The Hunt was more than I was expecting, and shocking in many ways. I love when an author can throw me off in predicting the end, and this one managed to do so.

Recommended.

**Thank you to the Publisher and NetGalley for an eARC of this book. All opinions expressed are uniquely my own.**

I really enjoyed The Wild Huntress by Emily Lloyd-Jones. I really liked the Drowned Woods by this author and gave that book 4 stars. This story is set in the same world, and it is even better than the Drowned Woods. Our FMC, Branwen, although that is not her real name because names have power, can see magic. Her mother, a midwife, was delivering a baby of the otherfolk, and the oil she was supposed to put on the newborn accidentally got into her baby's eye and that is what gives her the ability to see magic. She is able to hunt the beasts and monsters in the woods - they are hidden by magic and her one eye allows her to see them. She is contracted by a prince to enter the wild hunt with him - he wants to win to prevent his brother from becoming king. Branwen wants to win to help her mam. I love this story and this world. I might have to get the audiobook to go along with the hardcover I've preordered so I can learn how to pronounce some of the names in this story! The hunt is not what it seems at first blush, and that makes it all the more interesting. I gave this book 4.5 stars. Thank you to #netgalley and Little Brown for the advanced reader copy of #thewildhuntress

This was an incredible retelling of the tale of Pryderi and Gwydion as well as a reimagining of the Wild Hunt. Lloyd-Jones has done incredible work making Welsh folklore and mythology accessible to YA readers. If I wasn’t focused on Irish mythology and folklore for research, Wales would have taken that spot in my academic heart. 💚

The story follows three POVs: Branwen, the huntress of monsters with magical abilities; Gwydion, the trickster noble with a long game plan; and Pryderi, the prince who’s returned with monstrous training. I loved each and every one of these POVs. I loved Branwen’s no nonsense look on life, Gwydion’s love for his sister and nephews that he literally will move the earth for, and Pryderi who just wants to prove himself worthy. Their dynamic together for the hunt itself as they learn to be kinder to themselves. I really enjoyed the budding relationship between Branwen and Gwydion, and at one point did find myself hoping for a small happy throuple moment since Gwydion showed attraction to both parties. 🫶🏼

The ending of the book about ripped my heart out, and seeing the extent of Gwydion’s long game? Man, I both loved this character and wanted to throttle him. 🥹

I really love that this world has connections to Llyod’Jones’ other works, and the little sprinklings of Mererid and Gwaelod were what helped keep me figure out where in the world, history wise, this story was taking place. This has definitely made me interested in picking up The Bone Houses and seeing how that ties into these two. 💀

All in all, I had a fantastic time with these characters and really wish we could have had more time with them. The gore and hunting scenes that are depicted here would definitely be suited for an upper YA audience or those who don’t mind these kinds of depictions. BIG thank you goes to Little Brown Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for accepting my request to read this in exchange for an honest review, and to Goodreads and The Novl for hosting the giveaway that gave me a physical to enjoy this tale. And big thank you goes to the author, Lloyd-Jones, for writing the Welsh retelling I didn’t know I needed. Also, Illumicrate, this is my petition to get a special edition of this because I will happily spend my paycheck on one!🤞🏼

Publication date: October 1!

Overall: 5/5 ⭐️

I love myself a new Emily Lloyd-Jones book. She has built the most amazing worlds in The Bone Houses and The Drowned Woods, and we get to experience another aspect of this world/universe in The Wild Huntress. Also, her books are always a perfect read for the Fall season. This book is no exception.

I read an eARC so I don't have the typical map that are common to her books. I assume there will be a beautiful one in the final copy. There were many intriguing characters (a lot of names whose pronunciation I struggled with) and a lot of magical Otherfolk (whose names I struggled to prounce). Hoping the final copy will have a pronunciation guide. Not having one didn't take away from the story for me though. In addition to this amazing and complex world, interesting characters, and magical beings, we get multiple POVs. There's complex relationships, action, and a good ending that I won't spoil here.

This is rather different from Lloyd-Jones’s previous books. Sure, it still has an animal companion and folkloric influence, with characters who have abilities beyond the average human. However, it digs a little deeper; there aren’t as many humorous and lighthearted moments. The strands of friendship shone brighter, the betrayals cut deeper, and despite their inherent superhumanness, Branwen, Gwydion, and Pryderi all felt so very human.

I for one didn’t like what the ending implied, and I kept thinking that we’d leave space for a second book because there were consequences that weren’t explored. But there’s one decision I’m glad stayed solid (for YA authors often find ways to back out of the ones with major consequences).

I’m a little sad to have had an ARC and therefore missed the map (and maybe a pronunciation guide??) but I would definitely recommend reading a finished copy (or perhaps the audiobook? We love Moira Quirk) when it’s available.

Fun story! Loved the multiple POV and enjoyed the characters. Quick and easy read with a well written plot and excellent world building.

I really loved The Bone House, I liked the Drowned Woods, but not quite as much as her first. The Wild Huntress sits somewhere in the middle for me.

Review 9/10✨ I love myself a new Emily Lloyd-Jones book at the start of fall😚☕️🍂

This is the third book set in the enchanted world Emily created. I’m obsessed with The Bone Houses and have reread it for the fall vibes a few times. The Drowned Woods came out next and I adored the characters, especially the bi MC! This new book, The Wild Huntress, I feel is the most thrilling of the bunch.

This one had all the same lovely elements, the cozy world filled with magic that was both gift and curse, intriguing characters, and a forest filled with enchantment. It also had one of my favorite tropes, magical competition.

The book starts swapping between three POVs as we set the story. You don’t quite know how they will interact but the story moves the characters closer together until they merge and the action takes off. The ending of this one was wild, probably my favorite of the three! The characters were so lovely as always. I love the nature ability one of them had🌲✨

I will never stop recommending these books for autumn. They are the perfect amount of cozy, adventure, and mystery. And again I adore every character in all the books. They are all technically standalone books so you can start with any of them, but they do connect in a ways that fill the world out to the fullest.

Thanks to NetGalley and Little Brown Books for a copy of this read! It comes out October 1st, I already have my hard copy preorder😍🍂

Fun read I enjoyed it and didn't notice any errors or typos. It has been reviewed on Goodreads and Storygraph.

The story itself was good and I loved the three character story. I absolutely love Multi Pov so I have a third was a treat even if the author went there with one of them. I kept trying to figure out how it was going to end up until the end.