The Wild Hunt

The word that best describes The Wild Hunt is haunting. Its evocative atmosphere and compelling characters had me hooked from the first line. It is a story that will stay with me long after reading the final words.

In this story you will explore mist shrouded moors, attend Celtic festivals steeped in dark lore, and meet a cast of characters reeling from post WWII trauma. You'll primarily follow Leigh, who has been called back to the island after her fathers death and Ian who has lived there since his return from the war. When a young man goes missing, Leigh and Ian work together to unravel the truth about his disappearance and the otherworldly lore that could be entwined. The author also offers up small vignettes introducing us to other islanders making this a robust and curious cast of characters.

I am in awe that this is a debut! Seckel masterfully weaves magic into the mundane and captures the readers heart with a sorrowful and brutal look at the aftermath of war and the moments that never leave us. Fans of stunning prose, transcendental atmosphere, and raw human emotion will get lost and found within these pages!

Endless thanks to Netgalley and Tin House Publishing for the advanced readers copy.

Heady, atmospheric, and utterly absorbing, The Wild Hunt is a novel that I purposely kept putting down because I wanted it to last and last. I usually tear through books in huge gulps, but Seckel made me want to linger for days–for weeks, let me be honest–in her world.

Historical fiction combined with atmospheric creepiness, combined with an island setting, combined with slightly magical-no-one-quite-knows fantastical elements are all catnip to me. Add in the author's wonderful writing (though some might call it slow or ponderous, I quite enjoyed its thoughtful pacing), and The Wild Hunt is a winner for me.

I immediately added this to my "buy a physical copy of this when it publishes" list.

Thanks to Netgalley and W. W. Norton & Company for the ebook ARC. All opinions are mine alone.

Celtic lore and myth. Folk lore, folk horror, magical Realism, all favorites. This is a book about grief, loss, and an interesting myth involving my favorite bird. This author took one of my fever dreams and made it real. I loved this so much. This is the third book that I have loved enough to give 5 stars on Netgalley, in the 4 years I've been a member. That's a huge compliment. Will be buying a copy. For me, my son, and my dad. This is a book you must have in physical Form to cherish.