Hunter

July 13, 2015
Lackey (the Shadow Grail series) successfully mixes dystopia and fantasy in this series opener. Sixteen-year-old Joy Charmand, endowed with strong magic and skilled in a variety of weapons, is an accomplished monster hunter in her mountain village, and her deadly pack of magical Hounds is one of the largest ever. Now she has been ordered to Apex City to join the corps of Hunters who protect the capital from increasing attacks by goblins, vampires, and other dangerous creatures. Joy’s hunting techniques are up to the task, but she discovers that Apex City’s internal politics are complex and dangerous. Additionally, her every move and word will be monitored, and because “Hunters are as much entertainment as protectors,” these recordings will be manipulated by the government to provide amusement and a sense of security for the residents of the city. Although not Lackey’s best work (the plot is predictable, and Joy’s quick rise from rookie to star too quick and easy), the novel is exciting, entirely entertaining, and sure to please her fans. Ages 12–up. Agent: Russell Galen, Scovil Galen Ghosh Literary Agency.

Amy Landon brings a measured intensity to her narration of this high-stakes adventure. She guides listeners through Joyeux Charmand's richly detailed world, in which civilization struggles to survive after the barrier to the mythical Otherworld was destroyed. Landon clearly conveys the fierce hunter Joyeux's fascination and unease with Apex City, where she has been called to defend some prominent citizens. Her growing determination to save her world from a twisted conspiracy brings her closer to the monsters she fears than she ever imagined. Landon ensures that each character, particularly Joyeaux's comrades, is distinct, and that the relationships she develops in the course of her mission are vividly portrayed. The result is a tense, engrossing tale that will keep listeners rapt. B.E.K. © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine