Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Hunter and Fox by Philippa Ballantine

In a world that is in constant shifting, where mountains can change to plainsand then to lakes, Talyn is the Hunter for the Caisah, and a wreck of a once-proud person. She has lost her people, the Vaerli, and her soul working for the man who destroyed her people. All unknowing, she carries within her a Kindred, a chaos creature from the center of the earth that wants to help bring the Vaerli back to power. However, she has lost the ability to communicate with it. 
She must also deal with the machinations of Kelanim, the mistress of Caisah, who out of fear will do anything to bring Talyn down. 
Little does the Hunter know that salvation is looking for her, and it wears the face of gentleness and strength. Finn is a teller of tales who carries his own dreadful secret. He sets out to find answers to his path but ends up in the city of Perilous and Fair where he meets Talyn. He knows the danger and yet is drawn to her. Their fates are bound together.
Meanwhile, the Hunter's lost brother Byre is searching for his own solution to the terrible curse placed on the Vaerli. He sets forth on a treacherous journey of his own, which will intersect in the most unlikely place with that of Talyn and Finn.
 
The ramifications of this encounter will be felt by all the people in Conhaero, from the lost Vaerli to the Caisah on his throne.
Looking for a good fantasy read? Well... I found one for you, or rather it found me.

This book is filled with a wonderful and interesting world from the imaginative mind of Philippa Ballantine. It is a book filled with lots of curious and magical creatures and people and it will keep you enthralled throughout. Oh yes, I really loved the descriptions of the characters, their past, their torments, abilities, and adventures. The beasts within also hold a great intrest in me as well. All with a personality of their own. Yes, this book had me captivated from the beginning to the end.

I'd have to say that my favorite characters were the hunter and the fox, aka Talyn and Finn. When they shared the adventure in the book, I was entranced. When the book switched from their story to another simultaneous adventure, I felt a bit bereft and didn't want to move on. However, in the end I didn't mind since I became involved in the adventure put before me. Still, every time I left the Hunter and the Fox, I just didn't want to go.

I give this fantasy adventure 4 1/2 stars. My biggest complaint was the end. You get a bit of a cliffie and I was upset I didn't have the next book in my hot little hands. I recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy.
I received this book from the publisher, Pyr, and no compensation for my review was given.

16 comments:

  1. Ooo, I've been feeling the fantasy vibe a lot recently and need some good reads - this sounds like it could be it! I like when you get that attached to characters you miss them when the narrative changes! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sounds like a wonderfully descriptive book peopled with characters I'd really enjoy, thanks for the recommendation.

    By the way is it just me or does the cover have a somewhat Western as in cowboys and indians look to it?

    ReplyDelete
  3. You animal lover you!!! Lol

    I gotta say though, I'm TOTALLY loving the horse on the cover!! Wicked creepy looking!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love you--you animal lover--don't ever change!

    What? A cliffie? Why do they have to do that to us poor readers. That is cruel and unusual punishment!

    ReplyDelete
  5. It's always so nice to have a good fantasy book mainly when the description are so great. Now I'm seriously intrigued!!! thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'd read it :D But cliffie...I haaaaate cliffies, they make me die inside

    ReplyDelete
  7. Like with zombies, I have trouble reading fantasy novels, but I love watching movies or TV shows based on them. It's a weirdness of mine. I know. Though I do have to say I agree with you that the switch in story would have bothered me too. Hope you have the next book in your hands soon. :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh yay! I just got this one and hadn't heard anything about it, so I'm super excited to know you enjoyed it. I feel like I might get a bit frustrated when the story veers from hunter and the fox to something else as I always like to stay with characters I'm really invested in, but at least you were able to get into the other story as well. Fabulous review!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Why do I recognize that author's name...Need to go google her. The Hunter and the Fox interesting. This sounds like a fun action packed read but dang that cliffie!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh she writes The Books of the Order series and The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences series as well. I love both of those series.

      Her GoodReads Page

      Delete
  10. Oh yes! This is a WONDERFUL fantasy! :D So glad to see you enjoyed it as well. I am curious about Byre as well. He caught my eye early one along with Talyn and Finn. :D

    ReplyDelete
  11. I haven't ventured into the fantasy realm for adults. It just seems a bit daunting, but I really like the sound of "The Hunter and the Fox". I think I'll give this one a whirl despite the cliffie at the end.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I LOVE fantasy but tend to not read as many that are adult just because of the length. But I've read her Steampunk series (well, the first one) and know she's brilliant so I'll definitely have to watch for this one but will be sure to have the second one on hand as well! Thanks for the review!

    ReplyDelete
  13. This book looks fun. Love the cover and the synopsis. Nice review.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love the idea of a land where the topography is constantly changing - so unique and must have posed quite a challenge to the characters! Well, it would with me since I can hardly find my way where the topography remains the same...even with a map :(

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hmm this sounds really good! Some nice fantasy to get really lost in a new world.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for commenting! I ❤ comments!