The Secret Keeper's Daughter

Legacy of the Hunter #1

by Stacy Claflin

I always thought the worst thing about my life was shoveling manure. Turns out, I was wrong.

My mother's dying words reveal a devastating I'm half-fae. Before I can even process this, my stepfather announces he’s sold me off to a cruel stranger.

So I run.

Into the woods, where fae lurk in the shadows, waiting. The only person I trust is Harek, my best friend. Yet even he has been keeping secrets. Can I trust anyone at all?

Each step deeper into fae territory brings me closer to the truth about my father, the mysterious fae who abandoned me. He’s the key to understanding the strange power awakening inside me—power that sets my palm ablaze with an eerie orange light. But finding him means stepping into a world where halflings like me are hunted and despised, where ancient magic stirs in the darkness, and where every choice could be my last.

As the line between friend and foe blurs, and my feelings for Harek turn into something I’m not ready to face, I begin to What if the truth about who I am is the very thing that destroys me?

250 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 11, 2025

About the author

Stacy Claflin writes about complex women overcoming incredible odds. Whether it's her Gone trilogy of psychological thrillers, her ongoing Transformed paranormal saga, or her Seaside Hunters sweet romance series, Stacy's three-dimensional heroines shine through.

Decades after she wrote her first stories on construction paper and years after typing on an inherited green screen computer that weighed half a ton, Stacy realized her dream of becoming a full-time author.

When she's not busy writing or educating her kids from home, Stacy enjoys watching TV shows like Supernatural, Pretty Little Liars, and Once Upon a Time.

Join Stacy's newsletter to get free books: http://stacyclaflin.com/newsletter/

Reviews

[The Swoony Awards]

This book has been nominated for a 2025 Swoony Award, to vote for it click here: Swoony Awards.

[Marylin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve had books by Stacy Claflin on my to-be-read pile, but this is the first one I’ve read, and now I don’t want to put her books down! I want to keep reading more and more!
This story is the first in the Legacy of the Hunter series, and WOW is it interesting!
It pulled me in from the very first page and wouldn’t let me go!
I loved the way this author writes. She brings so many images and actions to her scenes. Her word choices and dialogue help move the story along seamlessly.
It had so much vibrant color, and all I wanted to do was keep finding out what would happen next.
Stacy Claflin has now become an author I will watch for and pick up her books. Her writing style is refreshing and easy to read.
A good book ignites deep emotions and feelings in you; so much so that when you finish the book, you can’t think about anything but the book and what you experienced.
Some of the most treasured classic books that have this ability are J.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings Series and CS Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia Series. These books bring about questions and lessons that we can apply to our lives today while painting a captivating and compelling story. This book by Stacy Claflin is just like one of those books.
I highly recommend you pick this book up and let it take you on an adventure you’ll never believe!
Now I'm off to read the next book in this series! I can't wait for the adventure to continue!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

An all-excitement and action-ready heroine!😍

I loved the imaginative world building and the thrilling storyline of this start to a new paranormal Stacy Claflin series. Eira, the young adult heroine, is hit with so many revelations throughout the plot; she barely gets used to one when the next hits her. The writing is crisp, to the point and helps the story maintain its exciting pace as Eira and her friend Harek journey into a dark, dangerous landscape in search of her father and answers that her mother never got around to providing before she died.

Claflin has them meeting numerous characters along the way but, I think wisely, limits the named characters to a handful. It made it easy to follow the tale and zero in on the important stuff. Werewolves, fae folk, halflings and dragons share the stage with the humans that Eira lived amongst until her mother's death forces out on her quest. Riveting stuff. Nothing graphic, suitable for a teen or adult readership, and a pretty quick read thanks to the writing and suspenseful plot.

Definitely recommended.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Secret Keeper's Daughter is book #1 in the Legacy of the Hunter series by Stacey Claflin.

Saying Eira’s had a rough day is an understatement. Her mother’s last words are telling her that her father is fae and she has to find him. Then her stepfather tells her he’s sold her to a horrible man so she takes off. Her best friend, Harek, is there for her, though he has been keeping secrets. Can she trust him? This book was so good. I couldn’t put it down. Their travels through the woods looking for the Fae city were harrowing as Eira was dealing with the truth of her new life. Then, once they got to the city, that was only the start of even more surprises that she had to deal with. I can’t really say too much because I don’t want to spoil it, but there are dragons! The world that the author created is amazing. I cannot wait for the next book to see how things play out.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gets Better
To me the first few chapters were repetitive, especially concerning Gunnar and Eira's father who we come to know as Einar.
I'm glad I continued with the story as it got better once Eira, and her best friend Harek were on their journey. We learned more about the fae, more about Eira's mother Tyra and even things about Harek himself, his parents and things they knew that no one else in the village did.
I had 2nd, 3rd and 4th thoughts on Vivvi and her agenda and am looking forward to the part she plays in the future. As well as what comes next for Eira, Einar, and Harek, not to mention Eira's siblings still loving at home, especially her sisters!

[Tonya Bryant Gillon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a great first read of this series!! I loved this book so much! It kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the entire book. I couldn’t put this down. Eira and Harek are such great characters, their friendship is so strong and what I wouldn’t give to have someone like Harek as my best friend.

Their journey was so wild, the twists and turns just keep coming. I really enjoyed every word of this book. I can’t wait to read the next one to learn more of Eira’s life and her adventures.

I felt breathless while reading there was so much adventure and learning that I felt literally exhilarated.

Plus 5 stars for this book!!

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eira loses her mother, her home she's known her entire life, and her normal reality all in the same day.
Her mom's last words to her is to find her father.
Shortly afterwards, she's on the run from her stepfather, and the man he sold her to for the dowry he'll receive to be his wife.

She learns she is not just a normal human, but a half breed fae as her powers surface for the first time in her twenty-three years.

It winds up that she is not just a fae after all.
But a very rare and powerful one.

Pro's:
Developed characters, a solid plotline, and lots of adventure.

Con's:
There's a pretty big cliff-hanger which I'm not a fan of.

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Secret Keeper's Daughter - a review by Rosemary Kenny.


Legacy Of The Hunter, Book 1 by Stacy Claflin,The Secret Keeper's Daughter begins with the eponymous daughter, Eira, discovering there are long-hidden secrets her dying mother hid from her.

Rejected by her cruel stepfather and half-siblings, how will she find her birth father and who unexpectedly goes with her? 

A world of change is about to engulf Eira, as she leaves the home where she was so unhappy. 

To learn what's in store in this Cinderella-meets-Twilight fantasy tale, get your copy of The Secret Keeper's Daughter...you'll be bewitched!

[Debbie Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this! A fantastically well written fantasy read where we meet Eira who discovers that all of her life she has been lied to about who and what she is. On her mother’s deathbed she discovers the truth that she is part fae and her father is alive and embarks on a journey of discovery and truth. It’s a captivating and gripping read with incredible world building that pulls you into the story as though we were travelling with Eira and her best friend Harek. It’s a suspenseful read, magical and enjoyable as we journey deep into fae territory to get to the truth and discover who Eira actually is. I am super excited for book two.

[Annemarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed every one of Stacy's books that I have read, and this is no exception.

An ailing mother with secrets......................
A very nasty stepfather.................................
Shape shifting Werewolves..............................
All types of Fae............ AND Dragons...................
What more could you possibly want?

There are so many twists in this that I feel a lot of what the Fae hold as true, is going to be turned on its head. I am really looking forward to Book 2 or maybe a prequel providing the backstory of Eira's parents?

I received a free Advance Reader Copy of The Secret Keeper's Daughter through BookFunnel and have chosen to leave a review.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderfully written fantasy story. Eira has been lied to all her life living as a human. Even her best friend, Harek is keeping secrets. All she has to go by is her mother's cryptic deathbed message to Eira to find her father. She and Marek head off into dangerous territory trying to find the fae village. She finds out one of Marek's secrets and will find out more about herself as magical things begin to happen. Maybe her father can explain. Who are friends and who are enemies? This is the first book in this series. Looking forward to the next one.

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy. I usually don't read this type of genre but since Stacy had written it and I like her books I decided to give it a read. I am glad I did. The story is well written with several twists added as the story progresses. I don't want to give away the things that keep you reading just let me say that once you start you want to keep going just to see what the next plot twist will be.

As this is a first in a series, I am looking forward to what the characters have to face next.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! I haven't read Fantasy in a while but this new series got me hooked right from the start.

Eira lives on a farm. Her mother is sick and her stepfather gives her the worst tasks to do. Just a few minutes before her mother dies she gives Eira little information about her father, letting her know he's fae. Once her mother passes, her stepfather tells her a mean man is coming to marry her. That's when she decides to flee and go looking for her real father.

It's a long and adventurous hike but thankfully she's not alone. She learns something new on a daily basis and it only gets better once they reach their destination. I loved all the magic parts and can't wait for the next book.

Will she find her father? And what happens next?

[Anne G. Kasaba · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book much to my surprise. I generally don’t care for fantasy but I enjoy all the authors books in other genres so I gave it a try. I am so glad I did! I quickly became engaged with the story and the characters. I was actually disappointed when I finished the book. I wanted more. Looking forward to more of this type book from this author.

I received an arc of this book and voluntarily provided a review.

[Michelle Graves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damn!! It's about x I got 2 read a good book from her again like this!! It was awesome!! I loved it!! It was a little confusing in a few spots 4 me but overall it was awesome!! I'm not happy about her mom keeping so many secrets though with no understanding of anything... But hopefully she will find out answers along with her best friend. Can they get answers b4 anything more crazy happens 2 them?

[Denise Gilbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't normally read this genre of books, but I received an ARC copy, and I honestly enjoyed it! I love the characters and found myself rooting for them through the whole story! It was such a sweet story, and I'm glad I read it!

[Rick Molitor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing tale

This is a very good story. Eira thinks she has lost everything except her best friend. As she starts her journey, she comes to learn that there is so much more to her than she knows. It's a really good story.

[Cyndi Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent beginning to a new series by my favorite author... Eira and Harek both have secrets and regrets in life, and their lives are suddenly turned upside down overnight, especially for Eira. Can't wait to read the next book and see what happens next!

[Kay Bratt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brand new series by Stacy Claflin that will have you missing all your appointments! Clear your calendar and grab this book!

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having your mother die and finding out you’re a half fae is not a good thing. How much worse can things get. This is just the beginning. Impossible to put the book down. Don’t miss out.

[Kirstie Ibrahim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This totally grabbed me right from the start and kept me hooked until the end. Loved the characters and the mystical fantasy storyline and I can't wait to see where it goes from here.

[S.campbell8655yahoo.com · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm going to recommend this book because I know there are many people who will love it. Lots of action,edge of your seat situations and love.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining…

[Stacy Clearman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had no idea what to expect when I picked up this book on KU, but I always try to read books from people who are mutuals on Tiktok and I'm glad I did. So much was revealed very naturally over the course of about 250 pages, including lore and world building that all started in a familiar environment that quickly turned magical. I enjoyed the two main characters, though the FMC did spend a lot of time repeating the same thoughts over and over in her head, but realistically, I've done the same when discovering something new about the world around me. However, the end of the book did not feel like an ending at all, simply an introduction to a new world which I still have more to learn about, so I have to read the sequel now.