While it was an interesting premise, the book was difficult to get into.

A war is about to start between two neighbouring countries – one that accepts magic and one that doesn’t. Britta Flannery has just come out of mourning for her murdered father who was a legendary bounty hunter for the King. He taught her everything she knows, he taught her to work with a dagger and a bow, and to survive in the forest. However, when he died she has no right to her father’s land because she is deemed illegitimate because her parent’s marriage were not accepted in her country. When she is caught poaching off the King’s land, she is offered a deal: her freedom for her father’s killer. A life for a life. However, the alleged killer is her former best friend and things are about to get really complicated and dangerous for Britta.

Ever the Hunted was not necessarily a bad book, but it was a predictable and unoriginal book. It was full of cliché and stereotypes with everything you expect to find in a typical high fantasy novel – warring kingdoms, a chosen one, a brooding handsome love interest, and magic. Britta was a ‘strong female character’ that apparently was an expert hunter but never really showed evidence of her skills, most of the time she actually missed tracks or just *guessed* where they would be. She wasn’t strong because she was intelligent or witty or compassionate or ambitious, she was simply a ‘strong female character’ because she could shoot an arrow and has magic running through her veins. The chosen one who has magic but doesn’t realise she’s got magic until over halfway through the book, even though she’s had an ability since she was a child.

Cohen, her love interest, lacked any real personality or character development. BUT he was super duper muscular and smelt great even though they’d been traveling rough for days with no bathing!! *eye-roll*.

There was a lot of potential in the story. Britta having to betray her friend in exchange for his life for hers was one that could have been done really well, but it ultimately fell flat. There was also some sexism, and there was a lack of female characters, which is weird considering powers only pass from female to female, so an opportunity was missed there.

Ultimately, there is nothing necessarily ‘bad’ about Ever the Hunted, but for big YA readers, especially those of fantasy, Ever the Hunted is just going to feel generic.

Although, I can't deny that the cover is heavenly.

★★☆☆☆

3.5-4 stars. I really like this book and the lower rating is because at some parts it was really slow or hard to get in to. I will definitely be continuing on with the series. Review will be up on my blog soon.

Erin Summerill’s debute novel, a YA romance fantasy thriller, Ever the Hunted earns its Publisher’s fawning blurb. The first installment in the Clash of Kingdoms series is an intriguing introduction to the kingdoms of Malam and Shairdan through the struggles of seventeen year old Britta Flannery an orphan, outcast, and highly skilled tracker. To save her own life and the little property left to her, Britta is forced to hunt down her father’s killer; his apprentice and her only true friend, Cohen Mackay.

weavingErin does a wonderful job of weaving her character introductions and plot development as she moves us through this new world. The story effortlessly pulls you in with its unique plot and hooks you with enough suspense and drama that you don’t want to put it down.

Her characters, especially Britta, are authentic and dynamic. I especially like the type of heroine Erin chose to make Britta. She is skilled, sharp-witted, and highly intelligent yet humble and insecure. She has no idea of the gift she possess or her true significance. Her quest is doubly important, it not only leads her to answers about her father but shows her who she is and what she is capable of.

The connection between Britta and Cohen, while important and a huge part of the story, develops and compliments the main story line and actions perfectly. Their history provides an easy trust and compatibility while their attraction provides a building tension. The blossoming of their feelings for each other and their acknowledgement never feels canned or forced. I loved the dynamics between them and can’t wait to see where this ends up.blossoming-amaryllis

Ever the Hunted is written to be appropriate for teen readers but is so well done adults will enjoy it too! Book two of the series Ever the Brave is scheduled for release December 5, 2017.

I was really intrigued by the concept for this book so I was glad to find it was available on Net Galley. The story is about Britta who is arrested by the kings guard for illegal poaching. Rather than being sentenced to death she is given the option to track a convict believed to have killed Britta's father. The only problem is that the killer is Britta's childhood friend and love interest, Cohen. Britta agrees believing that Cohen has betrayed her, however her journey leads her to discover this is not the case.

When Britta learns that Cohen is innocent she escapes with him and during her escape with Cohen she finds some secrets about herself and her family and the unknown magic within.

The story was really well written. It ends with a twist that left me anticipating the sequel. I would certainly recommend this to any fan of Young Adult Fantasy fiction.

I received a copy from Netgalley.

Not for me. I made it ten percent and tried to go further but I just don't like this book at all. Premise is interesting enough, main character Britta is an outcast living on the edge of her community, mourning the death of her father, the kingdom tracker. Her only other friend ran off months ago and never returned. When she hunts on land belonging to the King which of course is strictly forbidden - she knows this - does it anyway - and then gets caught. She's offered the chance to track down her father's murderer to avoid being put to death for poaching by the royals. Her other friend may be involved.

Everything about this girl makes my eyes roll, plus there's made up words - floating around - she says Seeds! a lot - like an exclamation or a made up swear word which pisses me off to no end. And now other characters are starting to say this and I really just can't be bothered with this book. Plus Britta's very pale and very blonde and very very annoying.

Don't like this one at all. Don't care about the characters or the plot enough and too much is irritating for me to want to continue.

Thank you Netgalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children's Book Group for approving my request to view the title.

Thank you to HMH Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for review!

It took me a while to pick this one up for some reason, but I'm glad I finally did! This was a really fun book that felt like it would be a great first step into the world of YA fantasy for anyone who is hesitant to jump headfirst into the genre.

Britta spends her days in the woods with her dagger and bow, tracking criminals alongside the legendary bounty hunter for the King of Malam- her father. The woods are the only place she feels truly at home, so when her father is murdered, Britta seeks refuge in the Ever Woods, where she knows she'll be safe. But when she's caught poaching by the royal guard, she knows her life is at an end. That is, until she's offered a deal: her freedom for her father's killer. Unfortunately for Britta, it's not as simple as she thinks it will be. The alleged killer is her father's old apprentice, Cohen McKay. Cohen is the only friend Britta has ever known, and is also the boy who broke her heart. In a journey across warring kingdoms to find the real killer, Britta must embrace the power within her and will learn that the thing that has always made her different will be what makes her powerful.

Plot:
The concept of this book was definitely very eye-catching. I thought it would be really exciting to follow a female main character that could hunt/track and fight on her journey to find her father's killer. It was, don't get me wrong, but the sexism is very real throughout this book. I don't think I could get through a single chapter without someone making a remark about Britta being weak, or a bad tracker, or a plethora of other things simply because she's a girl. I get it, the concept of a female that cam fight and take care of herself is probably foreign in a world like this, but I really don't think that every male she encountered needed to point it out. There were also several times where one of the guards traveling with Britta was a bit too violent and handsy with her. It made me incredibly uncomfortable to read scenes that involved that character, and besides furthering her hatred and desire to get away from the guards, I couldn't see a reason that those scenes had to be included. I suppose it helped Britta show her independence and strength more, maybe, but that's stretching it. The fact that there was a female that was able to take care of herself independent of any male influence was great, but the creepy guard and constant criticism just felt unnecessary. Outside of all of that, the journey Britta goes on to find her father's killer is really action-packed. You get the underlying plot of kingdoms at war but no one can really figure out why it's happening, the story of Britta discovering things about both herself and her father that she never knew, a blossoming romance between Britta and Cohen, and a bit of magic thrown in there for good measure. I actually enjoyed the political aspect of this story more than I thought I would. The border between countries being closed and Channelers (females that can do magic) having to flee due to a Purge Proclamation put in place was a pretty solid side story that unraveled as Britta discovered more along her journey. Also, the magic system was very well developed and didn't feel like it took over the main story at all. It was woven very well into the initial plot and grew alongside Britta, never feeling out of place but rather right at home.

Characters:
Britta was fantastic. She was so strong and independent, as well as incredibly sassy. There were so many times I found myself laughing out loud at her responses to things that were said to her because they were just so quick and witty! I loved that she was more than capable of taking care of herself and pointed out several times that she didn't need to be taken care of by others. She could hunt and track, although the tracking didn't seem to be as big of a factor and felt more like an afterthought most of the time, and definitely had the ability to fight whenever she needed to protect herself. I did feel that the relationship between Britta and Cohen was a bit...much...at times. It drove me bonkers that she was basically playing a game of Pong when it came to Cohen. At first, she wants nothing to do with him because he broke her heart and left her, but then two seconds later she was gushing about how good he smelled and how she wanted to be close to him, and then she immediately goes back to hating him. I just found it hard to believe because she couldn't make up her mind and just settle on a decision. Also, the comment about him smelling good was something that came up way too often, and I found myself wanting to scream when it happened. You cannot convince me that a boy traveling in the woods, through different areas with varying weather patterns, for days on end with no breaks and no way to get clean smells good in any way! Sorry, but that was just too much for me. Cohen as a character, smelly as he probably was, frustrated me to no end. He also flip flopped when it came to showing his feelings for Britta, which drove me even more bonkers. On top of that, you eventually find out he knows more about Britta and her past than Britta does, but that he kept it hidden from her. I just didn't enjoy Cohen very much, unfortunately, and was actually quite happy at the endin and what it opened the door for. As for the side characters, they didn't exactly feel memorable. The guards were terrible, except for Lief, and I didn't really enjoy them. Although the captain redeems himself somewhat at the end, so that was nice. It just felt like the other characters kind of blended into the background throughout the story, with the exception of one. They were well-written, but none of them really stood out to me as a character I would like to see more of in the next book. If I had to pick a favorite, Britta would win hands down!

Writing:
The writing of this book was definitely very vivid and beautiful. It was easy to picture the landscape of the different areas that Britta and Cohen traveled through, and it really made me want to learn more about the different places surrounding Malam. I thought the use of "Seeds" as a curse word was a bit weird, but it was definitely something that stood out when I think of thr writing of this book. Britta was well-written, as was Cohen, despite me not liking him as much. As for the side characters, they had their own voices, and were written decently, but I didn't find myself connecting with them at all. I really enjoyed the overall tone of the book, with the mystery of who killed Britta's father and the magic system standing out the most, and it made for an engaging read that left me interested in the direction that book two will go in.

Overall, this was a very solid story that would be great for readers who are looking for a way to ease into the YA fantasy genre. With a strong main character, a plot that keeps you interested, and writing that's enjoyable and easy to follow, Ever the Hunted is a strong beginning to a fantastic new young adult fantasy series!

Really enjoyed this one. Good plot and characterization.

I had *such* a hard time getting into this book!

Britta lives in a small town, barely surviving now that her father is dead. When she is caught poaching, she's given a choice: Hunt down her father's killer or hang. Seems a simple choice, right? Except that the killer is her best friend. And it turns out that he's innocent.

I just didn't like Britta. I could not understand what anyone saw in her. And then she's so stupid when it comes to seeing that Cohen likes her. It seemed like this was going to build up into a pretty good book, eventually, but the love interest was so annoying that I just didn't care.

I was given this one free in exchange for an honest review. I think it could be a decent book for a different reader. But it didn't work for me.

When I first picked up Ever the Hunted, I was extra excited for the book. I was very much in the mood for a fantasy, and lately there have been some very interesting YA fantasy books that I thoroughly enjoyed. My expectations coming into this book were high, but not much of them have been met.

We meet Britta, a girl whose father has died and now she is in mourning. She is forced by the rules? Religion? Of the land to be secluded only in her house until an appropriate amount of time has passed. Well, apparently during the mourning period, Britta ran out of food and was forced to hunt for it. Hunting is also illegal on kings land and Britta is found and thrown in jail where she must await her sentence. I was a little confused why hunting is illegal and punishable by death if caught, which is what happens. I did not feel like this was ever explained. But very little was explained about the world, and world building in general is very limited in this book. Given that this is a fantasy novel, world building is especially important.

Britta is then given a choice, be executed or help them track the man who killed her father – which happens to be the boy she has been fawning over for what feels like most of her life. Britta has this ability, she can tell when people are lying – so she believes what the man is telling her is the truth because apparently he believes it as well. Shocked, she takes the bargain and decided she will risk Cohen (the boy killer) life over herself and track him down for the king’s man. She is sent on this journey with three very questionable guardsmen who make her life hell on the road. If she is someone who they must protect, they did sort of a poor job of it and their treatment of her was unsettling at times especially with Tomas.

The entire book had my head spinning. Britta was suppose to be this awesome tracker, but she either missed some clues or had stuff fall onto her lap. For someone that is suppose to be able to tell when people are lying, she is also a bit thick, whiny, and overall a useless character. I wanted to like her, I wanted Britta to be strong, independent, and maybe not dense? I didn’t get that out of her. She relied on other people to do the job for her, and she had a horrible time of following simple rules that kept putting her and Cohen in danger. Like don’t touch the fire cause it burns, okay Britta?

She also has magic – which she apparently did not realize even thought her mother is a Channeller and people hate her, and she can tell who is lying or not? And she also is pretty special and defies all the rules of magic because she is just so damn special – cue eye roll here – Like the moment I found out she has magic I had a moment of oh no, here we go again here!

The biggest problem I had, despite the weak and dense female lead was the world building. I didn’t understand what was going on and it felt like it was important? There are two kingdoms, and they are at war with each other. One kingdom has these women who are Channeller’s and the other doesn’t. Somewhere along the way they decided that all of these people are evil because they have magic, but the bases on WHY they think these people are evil is vague and not well explained. So the king decides he is going to go to war with this kingdom. Right… Got it.

Also, because of Britta’s looks and where her mother was from everyone automatically hated her except her best friend Cohan who is from the same time and everything.

I did like Cohen, despite him being painted the way he was.

I also had a problem with some of the gruesome violence in this. I felt like it was a bit off in a YA fantasy, or maybe I just didn’t care for it, but there has been a scene or two a bit too detailed and cringe worthy for my taste. I wasn’t actually expecting it, nor did I really have a care for such detail. It probably could have gone away with it, as much as other details in this book that didn’t exist.

The ending was too predictable and left potential for a very cringe worthy trope in the next book.

Can I just say that all the lies that were in place by her father for her ‘safety’ where just downright cruel? I mean…. if you read the book, the thing with Britta’s mother? Like, why would you do that to a kid? You know? I can’t talk much about it because of spoilers, but I knew something was wrong and when the truth was revealed I was a bit angry on that part.

Also, at the end there? If Britta was able to tell the truth, how the hell did the one major lie get by her? Readers of this book, you know what I mean? Especially if he didn’t know that she has this ability to begin with.

I actually did not come on here to write almost a fully negative review. I felt like the world had a lot of potential here, but it lacked in building. The romance was sub-par as best, but I liked Cohan anyway. I wanted Britta to grow as the story went on, but I didn’t feel there was any progression there. But seriously, can we tone down the level of special here? and maybe avoid the ugly love triangle?

This book did remind me a few other young adult books, but I also thought it was unique in itself. We meet the main character, 17 year old Britta Flannery, who really feels the most at ease out n the woods with her dagger and bow. She spends her days tracking criminals, alongside her father, the legendary bounty hunter for the King of Malam. When tragedy strikes and her father is murdered, Britta finds herself an outcast who has no rights to her father's land or inheritance, so she decided to seek refuge in the Ever Woods. Britta is then caught poaching by the royal guard and makes a deal, rather than being executed; her freedom in exchange for her father's killer. However, the alleged killer is Cohen McKay, her father's apprentice and the only friend she's ever know. A boy she once love who broke her heart. Britta then sets out on a dangerous journey into a world filled with kingdoms at war, mad kings, killers and dark magic.

I was a bit weary to read this book because it really does remind me a few other books I have read in this genre but I found that I really enjoyed it. I did feel that the beginning of the book did involve Britta wandering around the woods a lot but I still found the story line to be interesting. There was a lot less action then I expected and I lot of traveling. I did really enjoy the world building and just the description of the scenery was fairly interesting while they, Britta & Cohen, are traveling. I didn't find Cohen to be overly interesting, but we do learn a great deal about Britta's background, history and family during all of this wandering and traveling. I was a bit surprised by the ending and look forward to seeing what happens in the next book.

Oooooo!!! This is so so so good. I heard that it was like Rae Carson and it is and I. Dig. It. HARD!!! Seriously well-written characters, a magnificent setting and warm and real relationships. And surprises that actually surprise! Loved it!!!

Summerill, Erin Ever the Hunted (Clash of Kingdoms #1), pgs. 392. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2016. $17.99. Language: G (3 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G (threats, no action); Violence: PG (some warrior action).

Ever since her father was murdered, Britta has been in survival mode. Ostracized for her mother being from Shaerdan, Britta is forced to poach off the king’s land to survive. An offense punishable by hanging. When she gets caught, she is offered a choice, bring her father’s murderer in or be executed. Problem is the accused murderer is the only other person who cared about her, her friend, Cohen. Could her friend have really done it? If not, who did?

Action-packed from start to finish, the plot is well-developed, engaging and pulls the reader into Britta’s world. The world-building is masterfully crafter and the characters are complex and believable. Fantasy, mystery, adventure fans who like Sarah J Maas’ Throne of Glass series and Kristen Cashore’s Graceling series will enjoy reading this book.

I'd had my eye on EVER THE HUNTED after hearing great things on Twitter, and it did not disappoint!

EVER THE HUNTED is beautifully told and a gripping tale of secrecy, magic and bravery. The romance was heartfelt and swoon-inducing, but didn't take away from Britt's journey (if anything it enhanced it, making each loss all the more painful).

What struck me most about the book was Erin Sumerill's ability to bring setting's to life and that each character felt vividly drawn, with their own wants, needs and secrets.

I finished this book in twenty-four hours as I could not tear myself away from the world and characters that Erin has created. I eagerly look forward to seeing where the series goes next (the ending promises a sequel to rival the heart-stopping first installment)!!

This book was SO GOOD. I loved the way this book was told, Britta's journey throughout this book kept me flipping through pages, I felt like I was right beside her. However the last 25% of this book really sold it for me. I think it actually moved it from 3 to 4 stars, I need to know what's going to happen next!

Ever the Hunted started off pretty well - here's our protagonist, Britta, who is an excellent tracker/hunter, now being forced to hunt down her father's killer, who also happens to be her crush. She finds him but realizes he is innocent (obviously) and then the hunt for the real killer begins. Now, this premise had a lot of potential, you know, with her moral dilemma of his life for hers. He was a childhood friend and also one she loved, so it is difficult for her to do this, but she will because if she does, she has a chance at life. Unfortunately, the story takes a turn downhill when they meet. Let me start with the how and why.

Firstly, the overall plot/world-building can be summed up in one word - generic. Two kingdoms - one with magic users and the other without (and where it is illegal to be a magic user)? Hmm, I can think Poison Study off the top of my head; Throne of Glass comes a close second. Five elemental magic - Vampire Academy comes to mind, especially because of the Spiriter thing. Also, the pull she feels? So close to the shadowkissed bond in VA. Male love interest who for some reason goes away and breaks her heart? Nearly every angst-y novel ever! Special snowflake heroine who doesn't know about her powers/was hidden from her heritage? Confusing court politics? No clear demarcation between the two kingdoms yet they know each other on sight? *sigh* Do I need to go on? Basically, while there is nothing overall wrong with the book, the fact that, when you have read so many YA novels, and then you pick up a book that feels like all of them were put in a blender and served to you, it can get annoying really fast.

Britta's narration doesn't help either - she knows she has an ability but doesn't realize until mid-way in the novel that she is a *gasp* Channeller? Also, girl, I got tired of your sniffing Cohen like a bloodhound. If a man has gone days(!) without bathing, he is definitely not smelling good - no matter how much you love him! Also, I didn't get the bigotry when it came to Malam citizens' hatred towards the other kingdom - there is no difference mentioned between them (i.e., skin color, hair color, eye color, body shape, whatever) yet they somehow know she has dual heritage? How? Was it just to gain early sympathy for the heroine, or to give her unnecessary insecurity about the relationship with Cohen? And that bond thing - I think it is just setting up for book 2. There is now going to be a love triangle, isn't it?

Overall, I would say that since this novel is average, I have given it an average rating.

Another YA fantasy to add to your magical "to-be-read" list, this is a solid outing for this debut author. The lead character is a young woman named Britta, left alone by her father's death, shunned by her village for being an outside, and starving to death as the end of the two months of mourning are almost over. Caught poaching on the king's land, Britta must make a deal with the devil, or in this case, a rather unpleasant soldier. Mix in a love story with her father's old apprentice, Cohen, some rather nasty men hunting the two teens, a mysterious illness of the young king's, and a search for Britta's own magical talents in her native land, and it's a good story. I am, however, a bit critical and hope for some further depth in the second of the series, titled Ever the Brave, which is due to come out in December 2017. I want to know more about her father and his need for secrecy; I want to know more about the history between these two countries; I want more on the Channelers and the Spiriters and their influence in politics, etc; I want to know more about the political intrigue at the King's court in the land of Malam; and I want more development of the secondary characters. With that said, I still read this book in just two days, admiring the strength in the female lead and intrigued by the mystery surrounding the magical skills, seeing great potential in the furthering of this series.

This book and I sadly did not get along. Fantasy is the genre of my life and yet...this one felt cliche in every way, using old tired tropes and plotlines without any new exciting or sparkly twists. Then when the narrator started collapsing, fainting and crying all over the place...I felt 100% done with the situation.

The tracking/archery aspect was a BIG reason I was excited for the book. But it did not thrill me. Either Britta is pulling tracks out of thin air or she's missing such obvious ones that the prison guards are finding them instead. Plus she ended up crying over her hunts and waiting for men to do mostly everything for her. Her general lack of faith in women as a whole was disconcerting. She didn't think women could survive without men to take care of them. Um, no. How come we can have magic but not equality in fantasy?

While the writing had some great sarcastic lines from Britta and was easy to read, it lacked a tight and exciting plot to keep me riveted to the page.

I do think the cover is stunning and I'm glad there was magic, archery, and revenge happening in this book. But otherwise it was too predictable to hold my attention.