Loved It, 4.5 stars (rounded to 5 on Goodreads)

I have been loving the world that Emily Lloyd-Jones has created in her Welsh folklore-inspired fantasies, and The Wild Huntress is no different. In The Wild Huntress, every five years, two kingdoms participate in the Wild Hunt where hundreds of participants gamble their lives to win the prize of a magical wish granted by the Otherking.

I absolutely adored the characters that we followed: Branwen, the huntress, Gwydion, the trickster, and Pryderi, the prince raised by monsters. Each character has their own reasons and motivations to join the hunt, and I loved seeing how they came together and how their personalities meshed. I loved each one of them individually and especially as the group.

The vibes of this book were also absolutely immaculate. It is set at the end of fall, transitioning into winter. It is a super atmospheric read with magic and monsters, and there's a certain amount of mystery and haunting-ness to the story itself.

I especially love the way that the author gives the backstory of the characters and wraps up these books. It makes it feel so much like a fairytale, and is something I really love about these books.

The reason that it was 4.5 stars instead of 5 was because the ending felt a bit rushed. I feel like I didn't have enough time to sit with the events to fully let the emotional ramifications set in. I still loved it though.

Couldn't be more excited about this newest release from one of my favorite authors! Loved the lush setting, sense of adventure, and strong female protagonist. A must-read for YA fantasy lovers, especially if you love mythology and fae stories.

The Wild Huntress follows a trickster, a huntress, and a prince as they enter a deadly tournament on magical land. I absolutely devoured this book and loved everything about it from the characters to the plot to the setting. This was definitely my favorite book by Emily Lloyd-Jones so far, and I am so excited for any future works (especially if there is any chance we ever get a short story or novella following the cat's past).

I received an ARC from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

thanks to netgalley for providing me an e-arc of this book in exchange for a review!

this was a fun, entertaining, and intriguing YA fantasy romance. branwen was the standout character for me, and at times i wished the entire story was told from her pov because i wanted to know more about what was going on in her head. the last third of this book really picks up in intensity and stakes, and the author does a great job of building a tense and satisfying climax to the story.

The Wild huntress is a fast paced and entrancing return to a world I already loved but following characters entirely new to readers.

What I adored
1 .Great pacing
2.Excellent dialogue use
3. Morally complex characters

who i would recommend this title for

This title is an excellent treat for existing fans of Emily Lloyd-Jones but also serves as a great stand alone entry point for newer fantasy readers.

This story surprised me in the best way. It is beautifully written, with compelling characters (3 POVs), witty banter, a very subtle romance, and a possibly man-eating cat.

I especially loved that this is a harder story - not everything is what it seems, and some of those scenes were a gut punch to the heart.

This is just a really beautifully told story. Perfect fantasy standalone.

Based on a few Welsh folktales, this third book in Emily Lloyd-Jones' loosely linked series is sadder than the previous entries, but still an excellent read. It might be worth looking up Gwydion and the Wild Hunt if you're not familiar with the tales, because I think the context helps, and my only real complaint is that there's no pronunciation guide and I had to keep reminding myself how to say the names. But if you liked the previous two books, you'll enjoy this one - and rest assured, as Lloyd-Jones says in her dedication, the kitty lives.

I actually was able to review a physical copy of this book. I have really enjoyed her past books but this one just didn't grab me. Maybe it was my mood I was reading wise. I still enjoyed it and would recommend it.

The Wild Huntress is everything my dark, fairytale, loving heart needed.
Flawed Characters ✅️
Loveable Characters ✅️
Magics ✅️
The Hunt (trials trope) ✅️
Heart Break ✅️
Found Family ✅️
Welsh Mythology ✅️
Bitter Sweet Symphony✅️
There's something sweetly dark and cozy about Emily Lloyd-Jones' writing that has me craving more from this world. I was charmed by all three MCs, Branwen, Gwydion, and Pryderi.
I loved both the friendships built and the unexpected heartache. TWH had the perfect balance of action/adventure and emotional damage, I mean, character focus.
Im glad there are other books set in this world (The Bone Houses -5 Stars and The Drowned Woods -tbr) because 1 is not enough.
My reread(s) will be soon and via audiobook bc Moira Quirk narrates!!! 🖤🖤🖤
Thanks to NetGalley and Little Brown Books for Young Readers for the eARC!

Wow. Just like wow. First book by this author and omg. Took me like 30% to get into it. But once all 3 characters got together, this hooked me so good. The reason, the hunt, the betrayals were so good and the ending so well done. This was a great read. Definitely recommending it

Hoo boy, I needed this. Not only has it been ages since I've enjoyed something but the fact that it was a YA? Mind boggled. I say that as if I didn't request this knowing I had really enjoyed some of the author's previous works but honestly that guarantees nothing. So here I am only a little surprised but very much pleased.

You don't have to have read, or even be vaguely familiar, with The Bone Houses or The Drowned Woods to enjoy this one. But if you're even remotely interested in Welsh mythology and fantasy, retold and reimagined and also not, you should definitely give this one a go.

And for those who might not be familiar, if you find the match-up of a huntress with a talent that is both gift and burden, the overlooked son in a powerfully magical family, and a prince stolen away and raised by a monster, banding together to win the Wild Hunt, each for their own reasons, to be at all compelling? Be prepared because there is plenty more about the premise, and these characters, to hook you. And surprises that are both unexpected and heartbreaking, too.

I loved the way each character and their backstory was introduced. There wasn't a traditional POV switch in each chapter or section but we did swing between perspectives in a subtle way and I really enjoyed how the author set that up. Each were flawed or struggling with something and the Hunt forced them to confront or challenge what they knew of themselves and their hopes for the future.. even as they fought for both their lives and their freedom. The friendship they forged in such a short time, after suspicions gave way to uneasy trust and blossomed further, was so wholesome and lovely and made the moreso because it was hardwon. But when there's the power of the Otherfolk and kingdoms on the line, not to mention prophecy, brace yourself for tragedy -- of various kinds.

This is a story I will absolutely revisit and I do hope there's more stories to come that will continue to colour in and flesh out this world. Because I'll definitely keep reading them.

** I received an ARC from the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **

This was just… impeccable.

I really enjoyed the bone houses by this author, but gave since been sleeping on the drowned woods, which is set in the same world. I quickly learned from reading this how much of a mistake that has been, because this gripped me from the very first moment and never let go.

If you like the folktales of old, about otherworldly creatures that live in the wood and try to steal your loved ones away, this captures that animal yet dangerous aura perfectly. It’ follows Branwen, a magic touched huntress who is supporting her ailing mother. She gets roped into the deadly wild hunt by a trickster royal who manages to get under her skin and win her trust quicker than she ever expected. They meet another unexpected friend from a rival kingdom, and strike up the most beautiful friendship in the most dangerous of circumstances. Everything from here is haunting, action filled, beautiful and visceral. The entire story went in a direction I never, ever could have imagined. It left me heartbroken and also hopeful, and set the scene perfectly for reading on a spooky, cold autumn night when magic feels a little bit possibly and a lot deadly.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a perfectly paced adventure with only a touch of romance, a ton of action and friendship, a hefty dose of unexpected twists, and a love for animal companions and dangerous hunts. This was awesome, and I can’t wait to see what this author brings us next. Thank you to Little, Brown and Netgalley for this eArc!

This was such a great read! I love this author and I really appreciate her take on YA fantasy. The characters are usually older, there’s adventure and amazing magic systems but the characters always deal with real issues. There is a tiny hint of romance and a pet companion. In this one, it’s a cat who might be a little bit more than a cat and I loved him so much. The story follows 3 different characters, our huntress being the main one and it feels like more of a classic fantasy. We have a fea realm, many creatures and beasts and a yearly competition where mortals and fea come together to participate in a wild hunt. I honestly enjoyed pretty much everything about this story and my only complaint is that it did feel a little long at times. I think if you enjoy T.Kingfisher’s fantasy novels, you might enjoy this author as well !

I really enjoyed this one. It was a great standalone story. Loved the fae and the hunt. The characters were great. Their interactions were great. It was a wild ride. The twist I did not see coming and made me pretty sad.

**Features:**

- Intriguing, Welsh-inspired fantasy world
- Found family and a little romance as the characters each try to find their place in the world
- “Last man standing” competition and political machinations
- Three different character perspectives

**Summary:**

With great risk comes great reward. Every five years, a Wild Hunt is held to celebrate the tentative peace between mortals and immortals. The only thing anyone aside from the mortal and immortal kings knows about the Wild Hunt is that participating is likely a death sentence. Yet for some, the prize is worth the risk. One hunter will have a wish granted by the magical Otherking. Branwen, Gwydion, and Pryderi all have their own reasons for joining the hunt, but it is quickly clear that they will need each other if they have any hope of survival. However, there can only be one true winner.

**Thoughts:**

This book draws heavily from Welsh folklore to create a world that contains both magical wonder and a constant sense of looming danger. The concept of ‘balance’ is truly what lies at the center of this story. From the very beginning, you can feel the tension between mortals and the ‘otherfolk’ which constantly threatens to upset a very delicate balance that has been established between the worlds. Though mortal, all three characters are connected to the immortal world in unique ways that sets them apart and gives them the power to either upset or strengthen this balance. They are all compelling in their journey to find their place, but I personally connected to Branwen the most. I definitely assumed at the start that she was either going to write off all of the otherfolk as dangerous or be made into their savior. However, neither is really the case as she tries to resolve problems caused when immortals and mortals clash. Gwydion and Pryderi bring their own charms as well, but it took until all three characters were together for me to really start feeling a connection with them.

One thing I definitely have to give this book props for is that even though it is YA, it does not feel like one. The content and themes explored are firmly in the YA category, but Lloyd-Jones manages to avoid a lot of the writing pitfalls that make many YA books feel oversimplified or unnaturally juvenile. Though the story’s pacing keeps me from rating it a perfect 5, it is still eloquently written and can be an enjoyable read even for adults who usually avoid YA books.

I loved this book! Its been a while since i read a standalone fantasy book and this was perfect. The storyline for the most part was very interesting and i loved the world building and the world itself. This was action packed and had me on the edge of my seat, not to mention the crazy plot twists!!

This was an enjoyable read. A lesson in assumptions for sure. SOOo many little things. I was very sad to see the almost unecessary death of the prince. FOR A 2nd Time?!??? And then a subsequent war.

I received the ebook as an Arc from NetGalley. Thank you NetGalley!!

This book is based on folklore and myth like many of the author’s books. Pacing wasn’t consistent with sections that drag and sections that fly by. There are 3 characters that each take on a different archetype - the huntress, the prince, and the trickster. They compete in The Hunt - your typical trial plot line with an amazing prize at the end. This isn’t a romance heavy plot line which is fine however the idea of a love triangle hangs in the air - not my favorite troupe. The ending was brutal, took me by surprise, and made me angry sad - I’m not sure that is the best way to end a story. I like to end on a higher note but that is a personal preference and I do pick my reads based on books that I think will end happier. What can I say? I don’t like to be sad at the end.

Overall, I’m giving the book 3.5 rounded up.

Fantasy perfection. Whatever Emily Lloyd-Jones is putting in her books, bottle it up and sell it to me to experience over and over again. Her characters are so real, so flawed, so utterly compelling and loveable. There are few authors I've read who can nail multi-POV so effortlessly but this has cemented me as a fan of hers forever. And that ending??? I was not expecting all the twists and the sheer devastation I was hit with and I don't know that I've recovered yet.

Thank you so much to Hachette Canada for the ARC!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Little Brown Books for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
One of the things I love most about Emily Lloyd-Jones’ novels is that I can never predict where her plots are going to go, and while that typically also means they’re more tragic than I would’ve predicted, her novels are so beautifully written that it leaves me yearning for more. The Wild Huntress is no exception to this. The novel tells the stories of Branwen, a huntress (with the best cat ever) who is struggling to survive on the outskirts of Annwyvn, a forest ruled by creatures of Welsh mythology, Gwydion, the trickster nephew to the king who struggles with chronic pain related to his magic and wishes to see his sister on the throne, and Pryderi, the monster raised prince of the rival neighboring kingdom, as they team up to take on the Wild Hunt, a competition where the winner is granted a magical wish.
While this book is told in three POVs, I thoroughly enjoyed all three, though Branwen’s was my favorite. Each time there was a shift in perspective I was never upset or annoyed, as each are equally as enticing and well written. The plot itself is also very well paced. I never found myself getting bored or thinking the pacing was too fast. It’s also so magical and interesting of a world that it really kept me engaged and wanting more. While I’ve read multiple stories of the Great Hunt now, I found this to be a wholly original telling and a great addition to the genre.
VAGUE BUT MAJOR SPOILERS BELOW!
I think my only true dislike of this book is the ending of Pryderi’s storyline. (Please note my usage of the word dislike, as I can’t even call a critique as it’s very realistically written, I just didn’t love it and it was upsetting to me (which I admit is likely the point, I just wasn’t expecting this book to go all Game of Thrones on me lol)). While the end of his character arc makes sense for the story and his character, I do wish we’d at least gotten a final word of parting from him. Which, like I said, makes the book more realistic as it’s written how it’d likely happen in real life, but the book is already full of fiction and fantasy and I think a little more closure for his character in that regard would’ve made me feel better about it and would’ve provided some closure before reaching the last arc of the book. It might even have been more powerful as Branwen could’ve been given more purpose, but like I said, this is just what I would’ve preferred. The ending of his character arc still works very well for the plot as is.
Overall, I’d highly recommend this novel and the other companions in this series. They’re all amazing in their own ways and highly worth the reads.