A Hunter Called Night by Tim Waggoner was not for me, personally. I am still thankful that I got to read this! I don't think I will read any more from this author.

Received as an ARC from Netgalley:

The cover of this book undersells how utterly unhinged this book is. I was under the impression that this was an animal attack book and while it is in a way...it's also so so so much more.

A book featuring werewolves, giant magic panthers, ladies with scissors for hands, a vampire with needles for fingers, bird people, and SO MUCH MORE. When the carnage begins this book really just doesn't stop.

There are some nastier elements to the story (fatphobia) but those elements are actually expanded upon in a way that makes it more than just being like a Stephen King throwaway insult. Still be aware about things like body dysmorphia and eating disorders.

This is the rare book that I just couldn't put down, and needed to know how the gore filled insanity would end.

I did not finish this book about 25% of the way in. It didn't pull me in, the magical mystique could have felt a bit more, but it just felt a little boring. There was potential, but I just couldn't bring myself to read more than 2 pages at a time and I didn't feel anything for the main character on the run. I tried to read this for about a good six months - wondering as I am a mood reader, if given some time it might just flick on my enjoyment for the book.

I did not post a review on socials as I did not want to discourage anyone from this story. I just couldn't get into it.

Another mind-breaking, murderous story by Tim Waggoner.
If you've enjoyed Tim's past work, you're in for a treat.

It was nearly ten years ago when I first read a Tim Waggoner novel (Night Terrors) and I was impressed enough with the outrageousness and originality that I’ve been seeking Waggoner’s books ever since. He has really become a major force in the horror fiction world.

In A Hunter Called Night, a man known as Arron is on the run. He is keenly aware that he is likely to die at any moment, but he is unwilling to simply give up. He is running from the Hunter known as ‘Night’ and he has been running from her for many years now when he reaches the relative safety of a building in which Night cannot enter.

To ferret Arron out, Night creates Blight which slowly transforms the building where Arron is hiding, and all of the people inside of it, into something disturbing and otherworldly. Will Arron leave the relative security of the building, slowly transforming and its unknown dangers to face the known hunter, Night and her feline beasts, ‘harriers’?

Arron has been chased before and there have always been casualties in the hunt, but now, some of the survivors of previous hunts have banded together and are doing some hunting themselves … hunting the hunter, Night.

Waggoner isn’t shy in his horror writing. This will be dark, grotesque, and full of keenly described bodily horrors. If you don’t respond well to a high ‘ick’ factor, this isn’t for you. But unlike the splatter-punk genre of horror, Waggoner uses his descriptions to really provide the full horror of a situation, not to just try to gross the reader out with gore.

I did find the creativity of the concept to be highly engaging and the writing is smooth and enchanting. It’s almost as though Waggoner is the Hunter, lulling the reader in.

There were moments of cloudiness when I didn’t quite follow what was happening. Sometimes this added a level of unease but sometimes it just made me confused.

I don’t think I could read only Waggoner – it’s just a bit too intense – but when I’m in the mood for a good, solid, horror story, Tim Waggoner is definitely a go-to author.

Looking for a good book? A Hunter Called Night by Tim Waggoner is a powerful, sometimes gross, easy to read novel that ratchets up the horror to intense levels.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

A sinister being called Night and her panther-like Harriers stalk their quarry, a man known only as Arron. Arron seeks refuge within an office building, a place Night cannot go, for it’s part of the civilized world, and she’s a creature of the Wild. To flush Arron out, she creates Blight, a reality-warping field that slowly transforms the building and its occupants in horrible and deadly ways. But unknown to Night, while she waits for the Blight to do its work, a group of survivors from a previous attempt to capture Arron are coming for her. The hunter is now the hunted.

This was an unexpected hidden gem that I really really enjoyed. It was the perfect amalgamation between fantasy and thriller and I really enjoyed Waggoner’s characterisation. With a dual time line you unravel the mystery of Night and Arron’s ongoing battle and are sucked in to the storylines of those who unfortunately cross their path.

My only qualm for the novel is that I felt after the HUGE twist, that I did NOT see coming, the ending fell a little flat, but this is only a small issue with what was an overall great read!

So, initially the author and book synopsis was the draw for me!

I’ve read some of Waggoner’s other work and enjoyed it. This sounded like a grim, dark fantasy, horror mashup.

It fell more into the dark fantasy category when I was reading (albeit with some gruesome scenes), however it still fell a little flat for me.

There were some epic moments, and interesting characters, but I kept having to restart this story because it wouldn’t keep me interested.

It’s long, and some parts felt unnecessary. If it was trimmed down and more focused on the immediate characters and problems then I think I would’ve been more captivated.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Flame Tree Press for a copy.

A book that kept me reading even if I had to keep the light on. Tense, well plotted, great world building.
A gripping story that I would not recommend to the faint of heart
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I liked the setting and the multi-perspective accounts of the same day is a fun framework, however I didn't feel that either was played to its full strengths. The story overall felt a little thin but the end was fun if you don't ask too many questions.

Hands down one of the best horror writers out there. I loved this book. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. It sucked you in and kept you there until the end.

A bearded man runs out of the forest and across a parking lot. A moment later, four black panthers and a blonde woman follow him across the asphalt. They are hot in pursuit, but although he runs they do not. They walk slowly, leaning against some unseen force. The bearded man makes it into the office building. The woman lowers her hand to the asphalt, and cracks begin to form. A slow rot creeps along the cars, moss and mold and the stench of the Wild. The Blight has been cast. The game is on.

Tim Waggoner's "A Hunter Called Night" is a riveting book. Fast-paced and action-packed, it holds the reader at the edge of their seat until the game is through. Each chapter focuses upon a different person affected by the hunt, so the true crux of the story is unveiled in small pieces that will keep the reader guessing. I found myself engrossed with it from start to finish, cheering for my favorites and loving each second as the characters asked the questions on my own mind from the start.

The tension between the Wild and the civilized is often a well-worn trope, but it is done well in Waggoner's story. The logic of the rules is attractive, and the characters all felt unique, fully-formed, and believable. The world he created, close to our own but infused with a bizarre mythology that tantalizes with how close it is to being a logical extension of our own beliefs, was likewise easy to sink into and believe.

I was reluctant to leave this book behind once I finished it, but incredibly happy there are so many more things by Waggoner that I could pick up next.

I've enjoyed some of Waggoner's short fiction before but this was the first novel of his that I've read. Waggoner developed a very unique idea here, but in some ways I felt like this was more of a novella that got stretched out. A large portion of the book is there to show creative monsters and scary kills----that's all fine, because he's quite good at that. But it sometimes got in the way of the story for me. That won't be for every reader, so those who really enjoy the creative rush will likely love this book. Thanks for making it available----I have several library patrons I can suggest this to.

I just couldn't get into it and didn't feel anything for the characters. I think the author is talented and others will love it, maybe YA

Very bizarre and tense. This author can do no wrong. I highly recommend grabbing this one for your horror collection.

Mixed bag of dark fantasy, horror and comedy brings you to Tim's new novel "A Hunter Called Night". It begins with the scene of a man being chased by a hunter called Night, bringer of destruction and catastrophe to the world. Then as the first part of story progresses that certain man (which I will say a prick) leads to a certain key in connection to Night's agenda.

Tim Waggoner has written more novels, short stories and movie tie-ins and I've found out that his writing was a gem. This story will be one of my favorite book for this year I love the world building, tropes and flow of the story it never let me down till the end.

Thanks also to Tim, Flame Tree Press and Netgalley for giving me an e-ARC of this copy.

I'm a fan of a huge swing, and Waggoner's newest dark horror fantasy is certainly that. A world of fierce hunters and bizarre reality manipulations, the author has created a fascinating world and inhabited with creatures from the darkest parts of the human imagination. It is too gory for my tastes in fits and starts, but that'll be a personal issue. Waggoner is able to grip your attention from page one, though the ending does feel a tad rushed. I'm looking forward to jumping into more Waggoner going forward, as he's made an impressive first impression on me here.

Summary:

A wild looking man named Aaron is being hunted by an otherworldly woman named Night. Aaron's only hope of escape lies in civilization, because Night can only stand on wild land. When Aaron stumbles across an office park he seeks refuge within its confines. The only problem for the people of the office park is, that his presence has a way of.... altering them. Changing them into oddball warriors to help fight his battle against Night. And time is short, because Night has started the process of reclaiming the office building for the wild. Will Arron and his new band of misfits be able to stave Night off? Or will Night and her harriers end this game of cat an mouse once and for all?

Thoughts:

In the words of The Grateful Dead: "What a long strange trip it's been."

But that doesn't mean it was a bad trip!

This book is only my second read from Tim, the first being the novelization of Halloween Kills, which means this is my first original content book. One thing I can definitively say is that between these two reads it is abundantly clear that Tim is a good writer.

He paints colorful word pictures, sets tone and knows pacing.

And the creativity of this book... WOW! The imaginative effort here is fantastic. The storyline is wildly complex but presented clearly. The characters and their abilities range from fun and quirky to downright terrifying.

My one complaint is that there wasn't a fully threshed out character lead. There are a few characters who could qualify, and one that seems to be more in focus, but overall it's more of a collection of characters. In general, I tend to like stories that have characters you can sink your teeth into and root for.

Conclusion:

If you're looking for a light, quicker, fun read, this one could be for you. I found it enjoyable and a whole lot of fun. I found myself reading it in spurts between other books and then all of the sudden this one took over and took my full attention.

Perhaps the biggest compliment I can give any author is that because I've read their book I've already gotten another one of their books. That's happened with Tim as I've recently acquired We Will Rise!

This tale was engaging, well told and a juggernaut of creativity!

A Horrifying and Entertaining Trip Into the Seriously Demented Mind Of Tim Waggoner!

Arron is running as if his life depended on not stopping because that is what he continues to tell himself. He might very well die today! He must get out of the wild before she catches him but he must first reach civilized society first. He has been running from her for five years and now she almost has him unless be can find some people who are willing to help him stay alive.

The day begins like any other as the usual customers flock into the coffee house for their morning kick-start of caffeine to get them through the first half of their workday. Most of the patrons work in the same building so it makes life easier getting their coffee here. Suddenly many of the customers wrinkle their noses in disgust at a pungent, earthy, animal smell belonging to a strange man in unusual clothing who just ran through the doors of the cafe and he seemed to be uncomfortable and nervous while he got in line for his beverage because he reallly didn't seem to need an adrenaline boost.

Within a short time Arron locks eyes with several people that he thinks will help him but as the minutes fly by, do any of these people have a choice in their new destiny? If they knew what the day held for all of them could they have done things differently?

Where did Aaron come from? Who is the woman that is after him and what are those monstrous feline pets she keeps at her side willing to maim and kill anyone who tries to hurt their mistress. Many people will die today just as they did five years ago when the woman called Night almost captured Arron but he was able to hide and elude Night up until today!

This was quite an imaginative and shocking, gore-fest of a horror book. There were quite a few main characters that carried the story and I'm surprised that I didn't get lost with all the different bylines, but the book was written so well that it was easy to keep track of everyone and their different situations. The story was a lot of fun with many ghastly surprises (no ghosts) although there were monsters and creatures that were so repulsive but wonderfully creative that sometimes made my stomach a little queasy.

Please be forewarned this is not an innocent or cutesy horror book. The violence and bloodshed is downright nasty at times but for the readers who like blood, gore and horrific violence then this book is for you. The enjoyable perks of humor thrown in with the nasties made this a vicious, unique and tantalizing story that was also the perfect length and not long and drawn out.

Read at your own risk! Highly recommend to horror lovers only!

I want to thank the publisher "Flame Tree Press" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this digital copy and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!

I have given this book a rating of 4 VIOLENT AND GORE-FILLED 🌟🌟🌟🌟 STARS!!

Just reading the description for A Hunter Called Night, I could tell this would be something different. The beginning and certain other parts, especially when the Blight was taking over the office building and doing weird things to the people inside, were really interesting. The end did come a bit fast, and in the end I felt like I wanted a little something more. Overall though, this was a wild and crazy ride that readers who are looking for the unusual could may want to check out.

Note: arc provided by the publisher via netgalley in exchange for honest review

A Hunter Called Night was an interesting fantasy horror.
Night, a dark and deadly creature, and her fierce Harriers chase a man called Arron. He escapes into an office building, where Night can't follow. She belongs to the Wild, not the civilized world. She unleashes Blight, a power that twists the building and its people into horrors. But she doesn't know that some survivors from her past are coming for her. They want to stop her and save Arron. She is no longer the hunter, but the prey.
The author has a vivid imagination and creates some creepy and surreal scenes in the world he created. However, I felt that the characters were not very well-developed and the plot was predictable. The writing style was also too simple for my taste, in some ways it had the feeling of a YA novel.
I would recommend this book to fans of urban fantasy and horror but don't expect anything too deep or hugely original.