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Fae Magic #1

The Dark Huntsman

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An evil queen, a dangerous man, and a witch, tangled together in a tale of Snow White...
Desperate to save the last of her family from the murderous Faery Queen, Trina Mac Elvy weaves a spell of entrapment. But instead of a common soldier, the queen has released the Dark Huntsman, a full blooded fae with lethal powers.
Caged for treason, Logan Ni Brennan, is ready to do anything to win free of the manipulative queen, even if it includes running a last errand for her…murdering a witch. The sight of Trina, ready to fight despite the odds, gives him another option: use the witch as a chess piece, put the queen’s son on the throne, and bring down the queen forever.
As the queen slides into insanity and her closest advisor makes plans to succeed to the throne, Logan secrets Trina away in the enchanted forest and makes a decisive move in his dangerous game of manipulation. But the gaming tables of fate turn on him, and when Trina’s life is threatened he discovers he risks more than his freedom…he risks his heart.
Dare to enter Jessica Aspen’s world of steamy, fantasy romance for adults in her new twisted fairy tale trilogy: Tales of the Black Court…

326 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2013

557 people are currently reading
1957 people want to read

About the author

Jessica Aspen

43 books426 followers
Jessica always wanted to be spirited away to a world inhabited by elves, were-wolves and dark dangerous men who walk on the sharp side of the knife. Luckily, she's able to explore her fantasy side and delve into new worlds by writing Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romantic Suspense.

Jessica loves indulging in dark chocolate, reading eclectic novels, and dreaming of exotic vacations. When she isn't crafting magical adventures she spends most of her time walking on the beach and hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Jessica Aspen writes dark witchy Urban Fantasy and fast-paced Paranormal Romantic Suspense.
As her alter-ego, J.B. Aspen, she writes the magical para-cozy mystry series MAGICAL MIDLIFE IN RETROGRADE. You can also find her fantasy romance series, HUNTED BY THE FAERIE QUEEN, under the pen-name, Jesica Ash.

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5 stars
212 (32%)
4 stars
197 (29%)
3 stars
156 (23%)
2 stars
67 (10%)
1 star
28 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
Profile Image for C.J. Burright.
Author 21 books383 followers
October 30, 2013
I love how The Dark Huntsman bends the tale of Snow White and embroiders it with threads of the fae, a good witch, and the legend of The Great Hunt. Logan, the reluctant hunter for the dark queen of the fae, disobeys his order to destroy Trina, an inexperienced witch of a tribe marked for death and instead secretly takes Trina hostage to be used as a pawn against the queen. But his quest to discover why the queen wants Trina and her family dead leads to trouble for Logan's newly reclaimed life--and his heart. Logan fluctuates between charming and scary, and his deepening relationship with Trina, his wary ward, was entertaining. I loved the modern, magical twist blended with fae lore, not to mention Solanum, the puca - simultaneously frightening and funny. I'd recommend TDH to anyone who loves fantasy romance...and I'd give it 4.5 stars if Goodreads would let me!
Profile Image for Nicky Peacock.
Author 39 books125 followers
January 26, 2014
Once upon a time there was a steamy faerie re-telling of Snow White…Playing with fairy tales has never been so popular – but can prove dangerous to an author. After all, taking a story that has been told to death, can be boring for readers. The Dark Huntsman is a fantastic example of a book that is just enough different to capture the reader, but just enough true to the original Snow White story to make you feel comfortable.

I really enjoyed this book. It puts the Faerie back into the fairy tales and gives us interesting characters that really push the boundaries of the traditional. It’s certainly not a YA or even a NA read and I’d recommend to over 18s only. It’s also part of a new series, which promises to take our childhood favourites and make them hot enough to inspire and entertain an adult audience.

From a writer’s perspective, the plot moved along nicely, and although I don’t tend to like third person narrative, it was very effective in this book. For once though, I actually preferred the male character over the female one. Trina got a bit annoying after a while, but Logan seemed to be more rounded out as a character. My only issue with the book is that fairy tales have been over-used of late, and a good piece of writing could get lost amongst the dross – although to be honest, it’s the chance all us authors take when we send our little literary soldiers out into the world.

The front cover is very pretty, but as Logan is equally involved in the story telling, I would have liked to see him on their too – after all it is a romance and it always feels right to have both protagonists on the cover.

Overall I’d give The Dark Huntsman 4 out 5 – definitely worth curling up by the fire with on a cold winter night
Profile Image for Dana Wright.
Author 15 books66 followers
January 13, 2014
From the first page, this book grabbed me by the hair and wouldn't let go. The fresh retelling of the Snow White-esque story was well done and I loved it. The voice was crisp and each and every character came through clearly. The huntsman was a figure that became Herne, the lord of the Great Hunt and the witch became his prey. The evil queen brought elements of Alice in Wonderland. The book is rife with familiar fairy tales and stories I loved as a child, now woken up for a more adult spin on things. Excellent read! In fact I can't wait to get back to it now to see just what happens to that wicked queen. I hope she gets a trip down the oubliette herself. I know just the huntsman who could put her there.

*Great sexual tension
*Believable characters
*Smooth pacing and vibrant action
*Fairy tale lovers will adore it!

5/5

Profile Image for Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon).
16.4k reviews217 followers
October 14, 2019
It Grabbed My attention and focus so strong I could not put it down. A word of advice when you get your copy. Grab a snack, a comfy seat, kick back and relax. You will not be moving until you finish this bad boy here. Remarkable job. Thanks for sharing.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Angela James.
1,411 reviews14 followers
February 12, 2019
Trina and Logan

Oh, I loved it. It's a twisted fairytale of Snow White and the Huntsman but with witches, gypsies, and fae!
Profile Image for Heart DeCoupeville.
286 reviews
September 13, 2021
Three stars because the writing was perfectly okay, but this just wasn't the story for me. A slightly over the top, sexy retelling of Snow White with a few embellishments and a this -isn't-really-the-end ending. My 2013 Kindle edition lacks a lot of formatting niceties, which may have contributed to my being pushed out of the story too many times and therefore losing contact. YMMV.
Profile Image for Tiffany.
26 reviews4 followers
January 7, 2014
This review and more can be seen at http://gothicmoms.blogspot.com/

In the past few years Snow White has been retold in several different ways; in books, television, cinema, you name it. And many times it falls flat. Not this time!

In this version of Snow White, the Evil Queen is the Queen from the Black Court in Underhill, desperate to keep her son off the throne and acquire his power, ready kill anyone who dares stand in her way. Snow White is a Gypsie girl, Catarina 'Trina' MacElvy, a green witch determined to save her family who has been hunted down to near extinction by the queen, though none of them know why. The Huntsman of the Great Wild Hunt, Logan Ni Brennan, who knows exactly where his loyalties lie, even if no-one else does. Instead of Seven Dwarfs, there are Logans' seven uncle's, the Fir Bolg, mighty warrior's, and womanizer's, who are the last of their kind.

Aspen takes readers into the heart of the Black Court in the land of the fae. Where though the fae cannot tell a lie, they are true masters of manipulation. Keeping to the original tale with a ton a dark, intriguing twists', and for once not letting the Prince be the one to get the girl. The Dark Huntsman is full of heat, suspense, humor, magic, sacrifice and a couple readers will be rooting for until the very end. Though there are a few spots that tend to drag along, there are not many. And you may want to smack Trina a time or two, keep in mind she is just doing what 'Snow White' originally did. Once readers get towards the end up this book, putting it down will not be such an easy task.

Lovers of dark romance will appreciate every aspect of this book. So if you're stuck in the snow, curl up with this read, it is sure to let off enough steam to warm your blood.
Profile Image for T.A. Moorman.
Author 25 books628 followers
January 8, 2014
This review and more can be seen at http://gothicmoms.blogspot.com/

In the past few years Snow White has been retold in several different ways; in books, television, cinema, you name it. And many times it falls flat. Not this time!

In this version of Snow White, the Evil Queen is the Queen from the Black Court in Underhill, desperate to keep her son off the throne and acquire his power, ready kill anyone who dares stand in her way. Snow White is a Gypsie girl, Catarina 'Trina' MacElvy, a green witch determined to save her family who has been hunted down to near extinction by the queen, though none of them know why. The Huntsman of the Great Wild Hunt, Logan Ni Brennan, who knows exactly where his loyalties lie, even if no-one else does. Instead of Seven Dwarfs, there are Logans' seven uncle's, the Fir Bolg, mighty warrior's, and womanizer's, who are the last of their kind.

Aspen takes readers into the heart of the Black Court in the land of the fae. Where though the fae cannot tell a lie, they are true masters of manipulation. Keeping to the original tale with a ton a dark, intriguing twists', and for once not letting the Prince be the one to get the girl. The Dark Huntsman is full of heat, suspense, humor, magic, sacrifice and a couple readers will be rooting for until the very end. Though there are a few spots that tend to drag along, there are not many. And you may want to smack Trina a time or two, keep in mind she is just doing what 'Snow White' originally did. Once readers get towards the end up this book, putting it down will not be such an easy task.

Lovers of dark romance will appreciate every aspect of this book. So if you're stuck in the snow, curl up with this read, it is sure to let off enough steam to warm your blood.
Profile Image for Ana.
1,247 reviews35 followers
December 8, 2016
I expected better honestly. My first glimpse of this book was an excerpt where Logan was about to kill Trina and she was naked with only a knife trying to save herself and her family. When I read that little tidbit I honestly thought I was going to read about a bad-ass witch with guts to stand up for herself no matter what.
I can say my hope of that was dashed about 10% into the book. I kept waiting for her to grow a pair but she never really did. She acquiesced to what Logan wanted when she shouldn't, got pissed at herself and him and then completely go against his wishes at the worst possible moment. She was also pretty weak in the magic department or, at least, her knowledge of what to with her powers was pretty small. The only time she actually surprised me in a good way was when she accessed magic to save them from the baby giant. Apart from that...she was unimpressive. Her actions were impulsive and always self-destroying.
Logan was a little better. He was more determined and strong. He did tend to think about sex in the most inopportune moments though. You'd be in the middle of his description of a landscape and suddenly he was reminding himself of how such landscape looked like Trina's curves or whatever.
And the supporting characters, you ask? Not many. Few and apart. They were rarely talked about and never with much depth. There's also not much of an ending. The Queen is still alive. Haddon is still plotting. The Prince is still missing and Trina's family is still being hunted. But hey Trina and Logan are all lovey dovey now so I guess that's what matters most.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Julie.
2 reviews
November 6, 2013
If you love fairy tales with a dark edge to them then The Dark Huntsman is for you.

This book was a very interesting retelling of the Snow White fairytale. It is set in the present day, although the majority of the book takes place in "Fairy" land. I found the characters very interesting and there emotions believable. The hero of this story was amazing, while he did a few stupid things it can be chalked up to the fact that he is hundreds of years old and still a little chauvinistic. I liked the heroine but she did get a little annoying in a few parts of the book, mostly because she wanted the hero to treat her like an equal partner and getting mad at him when he refused to take her with him for her own safety. The heroine had trouble with realizing that just because the hero wanted to keep her safe it did not mean that he thought of her as less than him, it meant that if anything happened to her he wouldn't be able to go handle it. By the end of the book however the heroine was able to see the hero's point of view, and was able to come up with a reasonable compromise.

I would definitely recommend this book to others, especially those who love fairy tales. It was a very interesting new take on a beloved classic. Jessica Aspen was able to take a fairytale that we all know and love and make it her own.
Profile Image for Symone.
299 reviews
July 11, 2017


Well this was a pleasant surprise.
I fell upon this author via kindle scout and in a lull awaiting several next in series to be released I started The Dark Huntsman really not expecting anything.

I got to about 20% and thought damn here is another Fae series that I am going to love.

1. i loved the mix of Fae/elves/human gypsy magic
2. don't we all love a dark mysterious man trying to redeem himself
3. there is a prophesy and an evil queen trying to avoid/destroy said outcome
4. gypsy witch meets out dark hero and well you know what happens next.

So much yes in this book. I loved the nod to the classic fairy tales. It was done with a lot of class and no cheesy throw away lines. I am interested to see if this continues because it felt so right - like these stories were apart of the Fae magic.
The ending did give us a small HEA but there is enough left unresolved that I do want to dive into book 2 - who is the mysterious Prince Kian? will Trina and Logan work out the prophesy in time? Will the MacElvy family line survive?

Very much looking forward to continuing with The Black Court.
Profile Image for Skye Turner.
Author 112 books823 followers
October 14, 2013
Holy moly!
If you love fairy tales, but like a little spice and steam... you WANT to read Jessica Aspen.
This is not Young Adult or suitable for anyone under 18. It's raw and sexy and dark and amazing.
Trina is a witch who lives in our world. She's from a long line of witches and the Faery Queen is threatened. She sends her Huntsman into the "real world" to find and eliminate the threat.
Logan (holy hotness Mr. Huntsman) is a fae and has to do the Queen's bidding.
Or does he?
Instead of killing Trina, he decides to use her for his own gain.
The tale unfolds and is smoldering, twisted, dark, and spellbinding.
Follow Trina and Logan as they jump realms and their passion overtakes them.
Are they comrades or enemies?
Can 2 people who should by all accounts hate each other, fall in love?
The Dark Huntsman will not disappoint!
I highly recommend it and have no issues at all with giving it 5 stars!
I cannot wait for book 2!
43 reviews1 follower
July 13, 2017
This book is a roller coaster ride that mixes The Huntsman, and some of Sleeping Beauty, with the Fae. The Black Queen wants a Clan of gypsies terminated because of a secret prophecy so she can take over the Gold Court. The Huntsman, Logan, was released from 15yrs of imprisonment for the task and will be put back in prison or killed for failure. Trina is a green witch who only wants to protect the remaining members of her family since they're being hunted to extinction. Can she trust the Fae Logan? There's nowhere safe to hide and they can't keep running. Death is a ticking clock for both of them. There is an array of creatures both good and bad, funny and scary, and lots of steamy action for Logan and Trina. Fascinating read!
Profile Image for Raina.
4,200 reviews34 followers
October 13, 2019
This story is like a all new fairytale mixed with some old fairytales, especially Snow White. It has everything a true fairytale needs with some hotness added on. This ain’t no child’s story. Expect action, adventure, betrayal, death, and plenty of romance. The witch in this story is the sweetheart and a half Fae may be her knight. But when the Knight is also the huntsmen that is bound to an evil queen out to kill the witch and you get plenty of drama. It is a series and is continued in the next book.
Profile Image for Mara.
12 reviews1 follower
November 16, 2013
this book is hands down amazing! it is twisted story of snow white story. I love it so much! it was well written and long enough for me to enjoy the book for few days longer than usual short book. I find myself wanting to read more when book ended. it looks like that the second book of this series is not out yet. I can't wait till it comes out! I think I will read one of Jessica aspen's another book about red riding Hood. :)
Profile Image for Susan Harrowa.
239 reviews
January 14, 2018
Excellent retelling of the Snow White tale

If you are a fan of the fairy tale retellings, especially those with shades of darkness woven in, then you are going to love this one! As an added bonus, its setting is centered around the fae realm. It's a perfect backdrop to to frame the Snow White legend in.
Profile Image for Jessica Aspen.
Author 43 books426 followers
Read
September 11, 2013
This is NOT YA people. I don't write that. What it IS: Dark grown up fairytale romance. Dare to enter Jessica Aspen’s world of spicy, fantasy romance in her new twisted fairy tale trilogy: Tales of the Black Court…
12.7k reviews189 followers
November 28, 2016
A great new version of Snow White, a must read. An insane queen, a dangerous man and more to keep you interested until the end. A total grown up version that you don't want to miss Complete action I appreciate being able to read it
Profile Image for Jessica Aspen.
Author 43 books426 followers
Read
September 25, 2013
Dark, grown-up, fairytale romance. Dare to enter Jessica Aspen’s world of spicy, fantasy romance in her new twisted fairy tale trilogy: Tales of the Black Court…
Profile Image for Brenda S..
22 reviews
November 11, 2013
Can't wait to get started on this one I have always loved the fairy tales so this should be a good one
Profile Image for Keridak Silk.
Author 3 books2 followers
November 28, 2019
I enjoyed this fantasy. It had twists and new ways at creating a fantasy world where Fae dominate. The teaser parts of fairy tales are a lot of fun. Looking forward to all of the Tales!
Profile Image for Michelle.
701 reviews
April 2, 2020
loved the twist of this all but goody fairy tail. cant wait to get the next book and read others.
Profile Image for Andrea.
106 reviews5 followers
December 28, 2013
Gosh. Lyrical, evocative, spell-binding. This was a ripper of a book. And it was free!
Trawl through a hundred crap freebies for a gem like this. Go get it now.
Profile Image for  Bella Marie.
661 reviews14 followers
July 21, 2016
I really wanted it to be as excellent as Twilight and sweep me of but it didnt. Though I can say that this is the best book of the year so far.
Profile Image for Syn Kennedy.
2 reviews1 follower
January 30, 2015
I actually really enjoyed this book, it gave New life to old stories.
Profile Image for Jill Miclean.
853 reviews
August 25, 2019
I like the idea of retelling fairy tales and had high hopes for this one. However, it falls short for me on several levels. First, the language. Way too many unnecessary F-bombs for me. I don't mind a few if it fits the character but when it's used crassly, such as "f$#% her already" it just is out of place for me in a romance story. I also don't like overly horny male leads who just want to "f$#%" his leading lady but after one hook up, is suddenly so in love he can't think straight. He is also always off on some wild goose chase and is never around to protect his leading lady but always around to have sex. Ok, we get it, their horny but where is the story?

This book had a lot of promise but there was no depth when there should have been. The magic is the most uninteresting I've read in a fantasy book - Trina is a witch who can't really do magic? huh? And she is dumbed down to the point of just a pretty girl who is naked and ready to have sex at will - you'd think a man wrote this! And the sex is boring and described more as a quick hook-up so it's hard to equate this as anything romantic. And the evil queen, who is supposed to be all powerful, just runs around having temper tantrums.

The book ends on a cliff hanger to get you to read the next book which is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty but I have no interest in continuing this series.
Profile Image for Laura.
2,157 reviews19 followers
December 6, 2016
This seems like it could have been a good story but the characters just didn't work for me. Well, mostly Trina. Her family is being hunted by the evil faerie queen and she agrees to a deal with the huntsman to stay with him a year. I don't know what it was but she really bothered me, she was so worried about her family but she was obviously not capable of helping them alone. So instead of trying to gather more information, she was constantly worried about having sex. Oh, and when he rightly stated that going to the gypsy gathering would put her in the sights of the queen she insisted on going anyway because she wanted to feel useful or something. Because you would be a great help to your family if you're dead.
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