Book Review: Hunter by Mercedes Lackey

---

Hunter
Hunter #1
Author: Mercedes Lackey
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Released: September 1 2015
Review Source: Disney-Hyperion

Centuries ago, the barriers between our world and the Otherworld were slashed open allowing hideous fantastical monsters to wreak havoc; destroying entire cities in their wake. Now, people must live in enclosed communities, behind walls that keep them safe from the evil creatures constantly trying to break in. Only the corps of teen Hunters with lightning reflexes and magical abilities can protect the populace from the daily attacks.

Joyeaux Charmand is a mountain girl from a close knit village who comes to the big city to join the Hunters. Joy thinks she is only there to perform her civic duty and protect the capitol Cits, or civilians, but as cameras follow her every move, she soon learns that the more successful she is in her hunts, the more famous she becomes.

With millions of fans watching her on reality TV, Joy begins to realize that Apex is not all it seems. She is forced to question everything she grew up believing about the legendary Hunters and the very world she lives in. Soon she finds that her fame may be part of a deep conspiracy that threatens to upend the protective structure built to keep dark magic out. The monsters are getting in and it is up to Joy to find out why.

A fantasy story about Hunters who are there to protect Cits - aka citizens - from all the dangers that have entered the world from the Otherside. Joy learns that not everything is what it seems as she gets to the Apex, and she needs to find out what is going on.

This has the makings of being one of my favorite books. The fantasy aspect of it, the monsters and the story. It all could be good. But for some reason it just did not grip me. That could be because I have just finished a great book and had higher expectations, but I was having a hard time getting into the story.

I felt that the story dragged on. When I was getting into it there would be a lull in what was happening so that we could learn back story. I understand that back story is important but I feel like there could be a way to tell the back story that keeps you wrapped up in the adventure.

I love the Hunter aspect with the Hounds that can be summoned. I loved reading about the Hounds and pretty much everything that used Manna. I almost wish that there was more of this in the story.