4.5*

THE WILD HUNTRESS, by Emily Lloyd-Jones, is a standalone fantasy that takes place in the same world as her two other novels; however, it is not necessary to have read either of those to appreciate this one.

We have the woods of Annwvyn, where the immortal King Arawn of the Otherfolk rules. King Pwyll of Dyfed, is human and friend of the immortal King. On another branch is King Math, who rules with "Diviners", humans touched with a magical talent. It's from these three realms that the main characters come from. (It was a bit confusing for me to figure out King Math's purpose and who King Pywyll was in the first quarter of the book, and I had to keep checking back. Thus, my one deduction).

The Wild Hunt is a competition held every five years between King Arawn and King Pwyll (King Math and his family are never invited). While it's said to be a friendly competition between the two friends, nobody is allowed to enter more than once (except the Kings), and those that survive have their memories wiped of the event. Therefore, the actual happenings come as a complete surprise to those entering. The winner receives a boon--a magical gift of their choosing, from King Arawn.

Branwen is a human, who can see magic out of one of her eyes. Her world is her mother, who's fading memories are her incentive in this. Gwydion is the nephew of King Math, the weakest of all his siblings. Constantly referred to as a "trickster", his motives for entering the hunt (that he'll never bee invited to) are to begin a long-term change of rule to his kingdom--having his Uncle name the kind sister his heir, instead of the tyrannical older brother. Prince Pryderi, son of King Pwyll, was kidnapped and raised by a monster for years. Now back at the castle, he is struggling to find where he fits in the world. Is he more "king", or "monster"?

Once the hunt got underway, I had a good idea of everyone's backstory's and reasons for being there. The dynamics between these three was a delight to read--from their strengths, insecurities, and desires. The events of the hunt were more exciting than I had expected! Even knowing a little of the "other folk", I was still caught off guard by some of the revelations and magic. There were some major twists that I didn't anticipate, cheering, crying, and utter disbelief at various points.

Overall, I loved the world building here--it reminded me a bit of Holly Black's Folk of the Air series with humans, other folk, and humans with some magic blended together. The Hunt was more than I was expecting, and shocking in many ways. I love when an author can throw me off in predicting the end, and this one managed to do so.

Recommended.

**Thank you to the Publisher and NetGalley for an eARC of this book. All opinions expressed are uniquely my own.**

I really enjoyed The Wild Huntress by Emily Lloyd-Jones. I really liked the Drowned Woods by this author and gave that book 4 stars. This story is set in the same world, and it is even better than the Drowned Woods. Our FMC, Branwen, although that is not her real name because names have power, can see magic. Her mother, a midwife, was delivering a baby of the otherfolk, and the oil she was supposed to put on the newborn accidentally got into her baby's eye and that is what gives her the ability to see magic. She is able to hunt the beasts and monsters in the woods - they are hidden by magic and her one eye allows her to see them. She is contracted by a prince to enter the wild hunt with him - he wants to win to prevent his brother from becoming king. Branwen wants to win to help her mam. I love this story and this world. I might have to get the audiobook to go along with the hardcover I've preordered so I can learn how to pronounce some of the names in this story! The hunt is not what it seems at first blush, and that makes it all the more interesting. I gave this book 4.5 stars. Thank you to #netgalley and Little Brown for the advanced reader copy of #thewildhuntress

This was an incredible retelling of the tale of Pryderi and Gwydion as well as a reimagining of the Wild Hunt. Lloyd-Jones has done incredible work making Welsh folklore and mythology accessible to YA readers. If I wasn’t focused on Irish mythology and folklore for research, Wales would have taken that spot in my academic heart. 💚

The story follows three POVs: Branwen, the huntress of monsters with magical abilities; Gwydion, the trickster noble with a long game plan; and Pryderi, the prince who’s returned with monstrous training. I loved each and every one of these POVs. I loved Branwen’s no nonsense look on life, Gwydion’s love for his sister and nephews that he literally will move the earth for, and Pryderi who just wants to prove himself worthy. Their dynamic together for the hunt itself as they learn to be kinder to themselves. I really enjoyed the budding relationship between Branwen and Gwydion, and at one point did find myself hoping for a small happy throuple moment since Gwydion showed attraction to both parties. 🫶🏼

The ending of the book about ripped my heart out, and seeing the extent of Gwydion’s long game? Man, I both loved this character and wanted to throttle him. 🥹

I really love that this world has connections to Llyod’Jones’ other works, and the little sprinklings of Mererid and Gwaelod were what helped keep me figure out where in the world, history wise, this story was taking place. This has definitely made me interested in picking up The Bone Houses and seeing how that ties into these two. 💀

All in all, I had a fantastic time with these characters and really wish we could have had more time with them. The gore and hunting scenes that are depicted here would definitely be suited for an upper YA audience or those who don’t mind these kinds of depictions. BIG thank you goes to Little Brown Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for accepting my request to read this in exchange for an honest review, and to Goodreads and The Novl for hosting the giveaway that gave me a physical to enjoy this tale. And big thank you goes to the author, Lloyd-Jones, for writing the Welsh retelling I didn’t know I needed. Also, Illumicrate, this is my petition to get a special edition of this because I will happily spend my paycheck on one!🤞🏼

Publication date: October 1!

Overall: 5/5 ⭐️

I love myself a new Emily Lloyd-Jones book. She has built the most amazing worlds in The Bone Houses and The Drowned Woods, and we get to experience another aspect of this world/universe in The Wild Huntress. Also, her books are always a perfect read for the Fall season. This book is no exception.

I read an eARC so I don't have the typical map that are common to her books. I assume there will be a beautiful one in the final copy. There were many intriguing characters (a lot of names whose pronunciation I struggled with) and a lot of magical Otherfolk (whose names I struggled to prounce). Hoping the final copy will have a pronunciation guide. Not having one didn't take away from the story for me though. In addition to this amazing and complex world, interesting characters, and magical beings, we get multiple POVs. There's complex relationships, action, and a good ending that I won't spoil here.

This is rather different from Lloyd-Jones’s previous books. Sure, it still has an animal companion and folkloric influence, with characters who have abilities beyond the average human. However, it digs a little deeper; there aren’t as many humorous and lighthearted moments. The strands of friendship shone brighter, the betrayals cut deeper, and despite their inherent superhumanness, Branwen, Gwydion, and Pryderi all felt so very human.

I for one didn’t like what the ending implied, and I kept thinking that we’d leave space for a second book because there were consequences that weren’t explored. But there’s one decision I’m glad stayed solid (for YA authors often find ways to back out of the ones with major consequences).

I’m a little sad to have had an ARC and therefore missed the map (and maybe a pronunciation guide??) but I would definitely recommend reading a finished copy (or perhaps the audiobook? We love Moira Quirk) when it’s available.

Fun story! Loved the multiple POV and enjoyed the characters. Quick and easy read with a well written plot and excellent world building.

I really loved The Bone House, I liked the Drowned Woods, but not quite as much as her first. The Wild Huntress sits somewhere in the middle for me.

Review 9/10✨ I love myself a new Emily Lloyd-Jones book at the start of fall😚☕️🍂

This is the third book set in the enchanted world Emily created. I’m obsessed with The Bone Houses and have reread it for the fall vibes a few times. The Drowned Woods came out next and I adored the characters, especially the bi MC! This new book, The Wild Huntress, I feel is the most thrilling of the bunch.

This one had all the same lovely elements, the cozy world filled with magic that was both gift and curse, intriguing characters, and a forest filled with enchantment. It also had one of my favorite tropes, magical competition.

The book starts swapping between three POVs as we set the story. You don’t quite know how they will interact but the story moves the characters closer together until they merge and the action takes off. The ending of this one was wild, probably my favorite of the three! The characters were so lovely as always. I love the nature ability one of them had🌲✨

I will never stop recommending these books for autumn. They are the perfect amount of cozy, adventure, and mystery. And again I adore every character in all the books. They are all technically standalone books so you can start with any of them, but they do connect in a ways that fill the world out to the fullest.

Thanks to NetGalley and Little Brown Books for a copy of this read! It comes out October 1st, I already have my hard copy preorder😍🍂

Fun read I enjoyed it and didn't notice any errors or typos. It has been reviewed on Goodreads and Storygraph.

The story itself was good and I loved the three character story. I absolutely love Multi Pov so I have a third was a treat even if the author went there with one of them. I kept trying to figure out how it was going to end up until the end.

An interesting blend of mythology and originality, The Wild Huntress follows the journeys of three characters and how their lives (and deaths) become entangled.

Branwen's mother changed the path of their lives the night she opened the door to an otherfolk man. Her daughter uses what she was mistakenly given to help keep those around her safe even though it costs her dearly.

Pryderi is the lost prince, stolen from his family by a monster in the night. Even though he is meant to be king after his father, so much of him is still stuck on the person his unorthodox childhood created him.

Gwydion is the trickster of Gwynedd. He has spent years cultivating his connections along with his magic to prevent himself from ever being taken advantage of. When his uncle announced who his next heir is supposed to be, Gwydion strikes a bargain to change his mind.

All three of their paths cross during the Wild Hunt, a once-every-five-years event between the kings of Dyfed and the otherfolk kingdom of Annwvyn. During this time, alliances will be forged, secrets will be revealed, and futures will be shattered.

I'm now interested to reading Lloyd-Jones's other works. I have bought several of them, and I suspect that they will moving higher up on my TBR list now. It was definitely interesting to see how she twisted some elements of Welsh mythology while paying homage to the elements she modified.

“Kings and monsters are grown from the same soil.”

“The Wild Huntress,” by Emily Lloyd-Jones

This book was so amazing. I adored every single thing. I love trio adventure with friends (Trickster, Prince, and Huntress) with that sort of tension of a possible love triangle. The characters were completely lovable and entertaining with amazing back stories. I loved the wood Grimm style books so much and this one was mixed with the wild hunt and fae. I loved how the way two of the characters met in the beginning is how they saw each other when they met at the end. My heart was all over the place by the end of the book because I was so attached to the characters and story. I will be rereading this book plenty more times. I will be reading more books by this author for sure. 5 out of 5 stars, perfect!

-Fae
-Multi POV
-Wild Hunt
-Magic

Thank you for the ARC, Netgalley.

“Those who grew up surrounded by cruelty either took that cruelty into themselves- or they armored themselves against it.”

“Some hurts were so close to the soul that they demanded secrecy.”

“It seemed a cruel trick of fate to tell a person their future without giving them the tools to avert it.”

“Evenings were a time for magic and forgotten things.”

The perfect fall read! This book was fantastic! This is definitely my favorite of all her books. Her writing as usual was so atmospheric and enthralling.

This book in particular had a lot of things I enjoyed- first and foremost… THE CAT 🐈‍⬛

The pacing, the characters, the story - all great. Couldn’t put this one down and I highly recommend for anyone who enjoys Welsh/Celtic mythology!

What I loved: Excellent characters and enchanting world-building. I haven't read the other books in this world, but I didn't feel lost in the least so if you, also, haven't read any of Emily's other works I think you'll still find yourself fully engrossed by this homage to Welsh faerie stories. I love the Wild Hunt
What I didn't love: the story is SO well-plotted that the ending left me a smidge disappointed? It didn't feel like the pay off the story merited, BUT I still enjoyed it so I do recommend!

Content Warning: death, violence, illness

Emily Lloyd-Jones books are an auto-read for me so I couldn’t wait to read this one. Here are my thoughts:

Likes:

+ I was engrossed in this story right away. I love the storytelling and how we have three compelling characters with different backgrounds, talents and very different goals. Branwen wants to cure her mom’s illness, Gwydion wants to put his sister on the throne and Pryderi is heir to a throne but doesn’t want it. These three come together and join in the Wild Hunt so they can win and get any boon they want. Also, there is a very lovable and moody cat! I love how complex each character is.

+ The world-building is wonderful and magical. I was really immersed in the setting. It’s a world where humans and otherfolk live together so it’s filled with scary creatures, beasts and lots magic. There is political intrigue and drama as well.

+ The Wild Hunt section of the story was action packed. The three characters become a found family which was fun to see. But there are a few twists in this story that kept me on my toes. The story took me on an emotional rollercoaster.

Dislikes:

+ The romance isn’t the main part of this story but I was rooting for it until things fell apart. It resolves in the very end but for me, I did not agree with it. It really is heartbreaking what happens to these three characters on this quest.

My Thoughts:

I was definitely entertained by this story and it took me only two days to read. It has a group of characters that make a found family, a sprinkle of romance, lots of action and magic. I really love this world the author has created which is all part of her other books The Drowned World and The Bone Houses (I loved the Bone Houses a lot) – it would be fantastic to have more books set in this world. I hope to read more from this author!

This book really surprised me. I enjoyed the use of Irish fables and mythology. The characters were very easy to love and I saw the growth and development throughout the story.

The ending had me shocked, I wasn’t expecting the twists and turns it went through. I did enjoy the tied-up ending I feel like I don’t need anymore because what was given was perfect.

If you like The Cruel prince world meets the Witcher but its a badass FMC you will love this book✨

-Welsh Mythology
-Found family
-Trials
-Folk Magic

This is your perfect fall read! The Lore behind each character was so beautifully written its like reading from a fairy tale as a child but also getting a deeper look behind each character, myth and legend created 🥰

I was thoroughly obsessed with Branwens character she is exactly what the witcher was but a badass woman, saving her village from horrible monsters that only her left golden eye can see 💛 she has the best character ARC in my opinion

I think the synopsis some of the entire plot of the story very well the 3 band together to win each for there own gain and the hunt isn’t just any hunt…theres more betrayals than you can count

Overall thoughts, this was a 5 star read for me this is my first Emily Lloyd Jones book and i will be reading the first 2 stand alone in the same world. Because the writing is perfect for us girlies who love dark folklore with a lot of action packet moments

With likable leads, evocative prose, and sharp plotting, The Wild Huntress is sure to appeal to fans of YA fantasy, especially for its terrifying and beguiling depictions of Welsh mythological creatures. At the same time the novel sometimes feels overly familiar, with an ending that doesn’t feel entirely earned.

In many ways, The Wild Huntress feels like the Hunger Games transported to a fantasy setting where the games are held by the Fae-like tylwyth teg in The Wild Hunt. It’s not exact, The Wild Huntress is drawing on a mythology that is hundreds of years old, but I do think it helps to capture the type of YA structure the novel works within and largely excels at.

The novel’s three POV are all likable and suitably complex, with clear, substantive character arcs. Branwen, a fiercely independent and caring huntress, feels a bit overly familiar, and so I especially liked Gwydion, a trickster trying to protect his kingdom, and Pryderi, trying to outrun his monstrous upbringing. The romance that develops is also compelling. The plot hits some familiar, predictable beats, but also pleasantly swerves at times, not afraid to take big swings. The action sequences, especially those with monsters, deserve special mention. They are visceral, often genuinely scary and suspenseful because of their clear stakes. Quick-moving prose, creating beautiful and chilling environments, ties everything together nicely.

A minor, but persistent issue (and I recognize that this is especially subjective), is that the world felt very similar to other fantasy worlds. The diviners’ magic (controlling plants or fire, but with a physical cost), the generically European setting when not at the Wild Hunt, and even the Fae-like tylwyth teg don’t have enough new details or directions to make them stand out from a crowded field. The world-building never detracts from the story, but I wasn’t especially grabbed by it.

More majorly (and less subjectively), is that the ending, while shocking and moving, doesn’t feel like it has a fully earned conclusion. There’s an admirable amount of messy complexity and joy and heartbreak in the conclusion, and it’s all smoothed out in a way that feels too pat. Still, The Wild Huntress is engaging from beginning to end and well-worth reading.

My word I was not expecting that. This book is divine, the storytelling is absolutely masterful and the world building is so enthralling. We follow Branwen the huntress, whose magic touched eye allows her to hunt monsters, Gwydion the trickster prince- who has an affinity to nature and Pryderi the lost son of a king, raised by a monster. This unlikely trio bands together to win the famed Wild Hunt. If you are a fan of Holly Black and that whimsical fae storytelling this is perfect. I adored that it was a standalone, we don’t see many of those much these days. If you enjoy:
—fae
-adorable feline sidekicks
-a deadly hunt
This book is for you. I cannot recommend it highly enough

3.75/5 ⭐️
This was another book that made me sad & frustrated because I could see it’s potentially, see it was on the cusp of greatness, if only the editor or someone pushed a little harder.
I really liked the idea and the world and little moments in this book. The prologues to each part were my favorites. However, there was some foundational aspects I think should’ve been flagged. For example I think Gwyndion’s POV could’ve be scrapped. It was not needed, adding more confusion for me as the reader, and he would’ve been more intriguing if we only viewed him through the others’ eyes. Sometimes I even thought his entire existence could’ve been cut and focused solely on the other two. I also think the narration was a little tough. I think it was trying to straddle this line between omnipotent, which is common in classic folk tales, and third person limited, but didn’t quite land it. I think it was trying to do a similar style of narration to The Bear and the Nightingale (though it is a style that makes or breaks for readers), but in Katherine Arden’s series, she does a good job at showing us things instead of telling. Here it felt like every description about the characters and their personalities and feelings were straight up told to us instead of shown and inferred, allowing the readers to puzzle it out. On top of that, there was a repetitiveness to phrases and entire scenes that could’ve been cut or trimmed and the dialogue felt unnatural, given a sense of amateur even though I know this author is not.
I think I this story could still be enjoyed, despite all that. It’s an intriguing tale in an intriguing world. However, I think there is a stronger version of this story that could’ve existed. Unfortunately it felt like we were given an early draft that hadn’t been prodded and streamlined by someone like a developmental editor. I would still recommend this book to people. But probably wouldn’t be the first book I’ll think of recommending.
Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for providing an advance reader copy of this book for my honest review.

Emily Lloyd-Jones is making her way onto my "favorite authors" list. I greatly enjoyed The Bone Houses, which was one of the main reasons why I was so excited to read this ARC. I absolutely adored the lore, and I greatly enjoyed the FMC. I can't wait to have a copy for my shelves!