Review: Lord of the Hunt by Shona Husk

Title: Lord of the Hunt {Court of Annwyn #2}

Published: Sourcebooks January 2014

Status: Read from January 11 to 12, 2014 — I own a copy

My Thoughts:

The second book in the Court of Annwyn trilogy, Shona Husk’s ‘Lord of the Hunt’ invites us into fairyland where winter is approaching as the reign of King Gwyn nears its end. With the acrimony between the King and Queen accelerating the death of Annwyn, and no clear successor to the throne, the court is in flux and it’s not a good time to be seeking the favour of the King, but Taryn has no choice. Any fae on the mortal side of the veil at the moment of the crowns transfer will die and Taryn must ask the King to revoke her father’s exile and allow her parents to return to Annwyn so they may survive. Having been raised in the mortal world, Taryn is naive about the ways of the court but is determined to successfully negotiate its perils to save her parents.

Taryn finds an unlikely ally in Verden, The Lord of the Hunt and the King’s most loyal subject. Verden is drawn to Taryn’s innocence and beauty, risking the displeasure of the King and his own position when he falls in love with her. The forbidden romance between Taryn and Verden is at the heart of the story and while the relationship develops quickly it doesn’t seem forced. I enjoyed reading of their stolen moments of passion, their secretive forays into the mortal world and their struggle to be both loyal and true.

The world building is intricate and convincing. The politics and intrigue of court play out in the background of this novel as the fairies maneuver for the power of the throne. Prince Felan, the King and Queen’s son is the obvious heir but the Queen, bitter and hateful, opposes his succession in favour of an unknown threat. Taryn needs the favour of the King but putting the Queen offside is dangerous and she unwittingly becomes a pawn in their feud. The power struggle and the manipulations of court adds plenty of interest to the novel and is a rational obstacle to Taryn and Verden’s romance.

Though this is the second novel in the trilogy, it reads well as a stand alone. Creative and entertaining, The Lord of the Hunt is an engaging paranormal romance.

Click here to read a guest post by Shona Husk posted earlier today at Book’d Out