The Great Hunt

January 4, 2016
This tale of romance and duty, first in a planned duology from Higgins (the Sweet Evil series), suffers from an excess of repetition, marring an otherwise elegant landscape of imagination and wonder. Princess Aerity lives in a home surrounded by love in the magic-phobic kingdom of Lochlanach, protected as the king’s eldest daughter. Yet that tranquility is shattered when a mysterious beast rages across the land, killing indiscriminately. In an effort to save his kingdom, her father convenes a great Hunt, with Aerity’s hand in marriage the prize for killing the beast, a sacrifice Higgins emphasizes repeatedly. Paxton is a simple man who enters the hunt with a hatred of royalty and a desire to rid the land of the beast. He has no interest in Aerity until her enigmatic charm and unexpected compassion catch him unawares. The Hunt is complicated by the sheer number of hunters competing and their discordant viewpoints on magic. The overt object-lesson nature of the story is reminiscent of Grimm’s tales, though the magic-related subplot offers added complexity. Ages 13–up. Agent: Jill Corcoran, Jill Corcoran Agency.

January 1, 2016

Gr 9 Up-The peaceful land of Lochlanach is being terrorized by an unstoppable bloodthirsty beast. When the king's army is unsuccessful in ridding the land of this monster, the king is forced to seek help from the other four kingdoms of Eurona. Rumors of the beast's unnatural strength and impenetrable hide have people running for their lives. King Lochson sees no alternative but to offer his most prized possession as a worthy reward for slaying the beast-his eldest daughter's hand in marriage. As fighters from all over the kingdoms arrive, Princess Aerity accepts her fate and is willing to sacrifice her happiness for her people and her kingdom. However, a young warrior named Paxton Seabolt catches the princess's attention. An extremely skilled hunter, Paxton and his younger brother join the hunt not for glory but for the monetary reward to support their family. While his honor and integrity are apparent, he is cold and distant, trusting no one. Paxton harbors a secret that forces him to push everyone away, including Aerity. Higgins weaves a powerful tale that includes magic, mystery, suspense, sacrifice, and love. The action-packed plot is driven by the diverse and complex characters, whose perspectives allow readers to understand what is truly at stake. Inspired by the Grimm Brothers' tale "The Singing Bone," this captivating and intriguing read leaves fans on the edge as something dark and sinister is looming on the horizon. VERDICT Highly recommended for fantasy fans.-Donna Rosenblum, Floral Park Memorial High School, NY

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 15, 2015
When a vicious beast threatens the land, the royal family must make sacrifices to defeat the menace and save the people. Something is rotten in the kingdom of Lachlanach. Tension simmers between commoners and the Lashed, who are barred by law from performing their magic. Birth rates around the kingdom are down. And, worst of all, a savage beast is making the rounds every night, killing all the men it encounters. In desperation, the king invites hunters from all neighboring lands to enter a contest--whoever slays the beast wins the hand of his eldest daughter, Princess Aerity, in marriage. But this hopeful solution grows complicated when Aerity grows fond of a specific hunter. The beast, too, is a surprise, as it turns out to be a different sort of creature than first assumed. Higgins has written a familiar yet compelling damsels-in-distress novel. A group of talented female hunters who are able to attract the respect of the men and the admiration of the women adds a welcome twist. The princess and her female relatives manage to exhibit a flare for coming through in emergencies, though they are perfectly willing to let the men do the heavy lifting when danger gets too close. As this book is the first in a duology, it fittingly ends with a cliffhanger. An enjoyable-enough fantasy with a healthy sprinkling of romance. (Fantasy. 13-17)

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January 1, 2016
Grades 9-12 Tension runs through the kingdom of Lochlanach: people known as the Lashed possess magical abilities and are subject to suspicion and, sometimes, violence. Despite this, Crown Princess Aerity lives something of a charmed life until a mysterious, seemingly unkillable beast begins a murderous spree up and down the coast. With resources stretched to the max, the desperate king sends out a proclamation: whoever kills the beast wins Aerity's hand in marriage. For Aerity, always told she could marry for love, such a fate seems almost unbearable. But among the hunters who flock to their gates are two brothersone of whom, the brooding, determined Paxton Seabolt, attracts her attention. This first in a planned duet is a high-stakes adventure twist on the Brothers Grimm story The Singing Bone, and it is as much about familial love as it is about romance. Detailed world building, a well-developed cast, and undertones of prejudice and intolerance propel the narrative forward and help make this a standout in the realm of fairy-tale retellings.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)