Friday, September 4, 2015

Hunter Blog Tour: Review + Giveaway

HUNTER
Hunter #1
Mercedes Lackey
Young Adult/Fantasy/Dystopian
384 pages
Disney Hyperion
Available Now
Source: ARC from publisher for review

THE STORY (from Goodreads)
Centuries ago, the barriers between our world and the Otherworld were slashed open allowing hideous fantastical monsters to wreak havoc; destroying entire cities in their wake. Now, people must live in enclosed communities, behind walls that keep them safe from the evil creatures constantly trying to break in. Only the corps of teen Hunters with lightning reflexes and magical abilities can protect the populace from the daily attacks.

Joyeaux Charmand is a mountain girl from a close knit village who comes to the big city to join the Hunters. Joy thinks she is only there to perform her civic duty and protect the capitol Cits, or civilians, but as cameras follow her every move, she soon learns that the more successful she is in her hunts, the more famous she becomes.

With millions of fans watching her on reality TV, Joy begins to realize that Apex is not all it seems. She is forced to question everything she grew up believing about the legendary Hunters and the very world she lives in. Soon she finds that her fame may be part of a deep conspiracy that threatens to upend the protective structure built to keep dark magic out. The monsters are getting in and it is up to Joy to find out why.


MY THOUGHTS
Hunter drops us right into the thick of things, introducing us to this post-apocalyptic paranormal world and our heroine as she faces down one of the beautifully brutal fae on her way to a new life. From there we hit the ground running, learning the ins and outs of the various otherworldly creatures who make everyday life difficult as Joy runs into them on her Hunts, all the while slowly unraveling the politics behind the superstar quality to life as a Hunter.

Joy is a young woman we can't help but love the moment we meet her, the size of her ego inversely proportional to her abilities as a Hunter, ensuring she has us in her corner before she even steps foot off the train. She's quick to share her knowledge with her fellow Hunters instead of keeping it all to herself, and is equally open to learning what they have to teach her so that she can better protect those who cannot protect themselves. Despite being used to Hunting solo, she adapts easily and becomes a team player through and through, unfazed by the celebrity status of some her fellow Hunters and focusing on the job at hand.

The pacing does take a slower turn midway through, the Hunts Joy is sent on feeling a little like empty action as it's not entirely clear where her Hunting is heading in the grand scheme of things. The romance also leaves a little to be desired, emotionally quiet enough that the story would likely be equally successful without it, but it's possible the relationship will increase in importance as the series continues. Those two flaws aren't enough to detract from an altogether thoroughly entertaining story however, with the final one hundred pages flying by as politics and Hunting clash and try to bring Joy to her knees.

Overall, Hunter gives us a unique paranormal world full of little-known creatures who wreak all kinds of havoc, as well as a heroine who is gorgeously strong and quick-thinking; a true badass who doesn't even realize how badass she is. We're left in a satisfying place, a lot of questions as of yet unanswered but it's clear we'll figure things out together with Joy as we go, and I for one look forward to teaming back up with her and her ever-growing pack of hounds.

Rating: 4/5

Find Hunter:

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MERECEDES LACKEY


Mercedes Lackey is the acclaimed author of over fifty novels and many works of short fiction. In her "spare" time she is also a professional lyricist and a licensed wild bird rehabilitator. Mercedes lives in Oklahoma with her husband and frequent collaborator, artist Larry Dixon, and their flock of parrots.

Find Mercedes:

WebsiteTwitterFacebookGoodreads

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GIVEAWAY 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/2015/08/tour-schedule-hunter-by-mercedes-lackey.html

Be sure and check out all the previous stops for more reviews, interviews and guest posts!

WEEK ONE

8/24/2015- Fictitious DeliciousInterview  
8/25/2015- What the Cat ReadReview  
8/26/2015- Tales of the Ravenous ReaderGuest Post  
8/27/2015- The Book BratzReview  
8/28/2015- Bewitched Bookworms- Interview

WEEK TWO

8/31/2015- She Dreams in FictionReview
9/1/2015- Two Chicks on BooksGuest Post
9/2/2015-The Book CellarReview
9/3/2015- Mundie MomsInterview
9/4/2015- Supernatural SnarkReview

15 comments:

  1. I really like the books I've tried by the author but I haven't read this one. I tink I should one day, it sounds like a good one!

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  2. Glad to hear you liked this one even if there was a bit of apparently pointless meandering action in the middle there. And the whole adding a romance everywhere doesn't really sit all that well with me... but I glad you really enjoyed this one, Jenny!

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  3. I had to DNF this one, Jenny. I'm sad that happened because the book sounded amazing, but the writing style didn't work for me because of the info dumping style. I'm happy that you had much better luck with it even though you had issues with the pacing and the romance.
    Lovely review, Jenny!

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  4. I love the idea of unique paranormal creatures, you don't see that every day for sure.
    Wonderful review Jenny!

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  5. I am such a bad fantasy lover, I have never read her books

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  6. I am glad that you liked this one, so far the reviews have been rather mixed and I have been hesitant to try this one. Your review encourages me to give it a chance.

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  7. I agree, the last half really took off. My biggest niggle with Joy is that her brain was going at 100 mph and yet she was supposed to have a zen like mind? Other than that, I loved that she was a smart and capable heroine. Brilly review!

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  8. This sounds like a cool twist on paranormal! I've heard mixed thoughts on this. Great review!

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  9. I'm getting a major Hunger Games vibe from this one!

    I've seen this one around, I'll have to check it out.

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  10. I'm getting a major Hunger Games vibe from this one!

    I've seen this one around, I'll have to check it out.

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  11. I'm getting a major Hunger Games vibe from this one!

    I've seen this one around, I'll have to check it out.

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  12. From the moment I saw the cover and read the blurb, I knew I had to read this one. I'm so glad you enjoyed it overall, Jenny! I'm looking forward to meeting Joy and her hounds :)

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  13. I've (still) not read anything by Mercedes Lackey but she's been on my radar for a while. This book ^^ especially has me thinking I NEED to read it. I love the sound of the variety of paranormal creatures and the heroine sounds amazing! I can deal with slower pacing and lackluster romance if the story makes up for it, and it certainly sounds like it does so here :D Awesome review Jenny and good luck to everyone participating in the giveaway ♥

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  14. Hunter sounds like a fantastic story and I'm looking forward to reading it.

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  15. I've read a few of Lackey's books, and they seem to be hit or miss with me. Joy sounds like a great heroine, and that's really important to me.

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