The Wild Hunt

by Samara Dark

Congratulations, you have been chosen to participate in the Wild Hunt.

Ten years ago, the fae crossed into our world. They destroyed cities, ravaged farmlands, and stole our women. Then they disappeared… Or so we thought.
When the fae return, a plea deal is raised, and the governments of our world have promised to supply women to the fae every 5 years. The Chosen would be picked by a lottery draw.
With the lottery days away from being drawn, my friends and I have plans to disappear. But before we can, I am stolen away and sold to the fae.
Now, the other chosen and I must fight to survive in the hostile and unfamiliar world of the fae. We must battle with faerie beasts, escape the fae who chase at our tails, and overcome a dangerous game that could just cost us our lives.
And on top of all that? The High Lord of the Light Court desires me. And damn it all to hell, I think I want him too.

Genres: Fantasy, Fae, Fiction

152 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 31, 2025

Reviews

[Rochelle ♡]

˖⁺‧₊♡ pre-read review ⋙
i've been loving novellas at the moment, especially as we've travelling through bali and now vietnam.

a massive thank you to samara dark for the gifted e-arc.

follow me on: instagram

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

I normally read big books so reading a novella was new to me and honestly? I enjoyed only getting a small taste, which left me wanting more. The first half of the book I certainly struggled, as I wanted to get to the next part of the book. However, it was great to get a 'we are all in this together' kinda vibe as they banded together 'girl power'!!
Delta is a girl who doesn't give a shit and sticks up for her friends, no one is left behind and I love that! The High Lord? Absolutely cocky bastard, thinks he walks on water and she sure tells him where to stick it, so I'm looking forward to seeing their relationship form and to see where it takes them!

Once the 'Hunt' is underway I devoured the last half, the first half certainly set up the world and the premise of what is happening for future books, so I am keen to see what is going to happen next!

I want to thank Samara for the ARC and being a part of the cover reveal and blurb has been great fun!

[Scarlett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spicy "New Yorker" in a Captivating Event

The writing style is casual, but the story itself is anything but. The stakes are high in this dark novella about a society plagued by a regularly-scheduled mass abduction of thousands of women who are essentially sentenced to death (or worse) in a mysterious realm inhabited by ruthless fae and other unknown creatures. Parts of the system give Hunger Games vibes, but the book itself is pretty unique from that series.

The book is in first person from the POV of Delta, the headstrong, "feisty" main character who gets herself into trouble with her impulse control issues, but also does have a soft spot for certain characters in the book. I will say I was caught off-guard by her internal description of herself which almost reminded me of my childhood friend's old fanfics she'd have me read, but I'm certain there are plenty of readers out there who wouldn't bat an eye at the scene and many more who'd even get a kick out of it.

One writing quirk that I actually found so charming was the author's Aussie idioms slipping into the narrator voice of the self-proclaimed "New Yorker" main character. These characters come from all over the world, and Samara could have just made Delta Australian, or just have an American proof her internal monologue for non-American lingo. But had she done either of those things, I would not have had the pleasure of choking on my coffee when reading about this New Yorker flinging off her "knickers" in the "porta-loo." Absolute gem. There were so many instances in the book that reminded me an American was not writing this American girl's thoughts. I actually had to look up the word "lackey" because I have never in my life heard it in the context it was used. Turns out it's very uniquely Western-Australian (aka where the writer is from) slang for rubber bands/hair ties/etc. I don't know why I'm so tickled by the idea of the writer's hyper-niche local slang somehow made its way into the lexicon of this MC, but either way I'm here for it.

All silliness aside, the book does center some dark themes. The concept itself already gives away that there is an undercurrent of violence, trafficking, slavery, corruption, and more, even when it isn't explicitly described on the page. This is also book 1 of a duology, so don't expect the games to be over by the end of it. In fact, though there is sexual attraction alluded to in a few places in the book, you don't actually get a full payoff for that in this book. If the epilogue is anything to go off of, however, I think it's safe to say that anyone desperate for that full dark romance to kick in will have plenty to feast on. Personally I was reading more for the intrigue of wtf would happen on the other side of the portal, so I didn't mind the lack of romance.

This was a quick read that left me anxious for the sequel. I need to know what happens to the other characters, how well Delta holds up in the following events, and just generally more information about the fae realm's innerworkings and how the Wild Hunt came to be. I don't usually gravitate toward dark romance, but there's enough going on here to have sufficiently hooked me.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Miss Jordie Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️.25
🆃🅷🅴 🆆🅸🅻🅳 🅷🆄🅽🆃 By @samaradarkwrites

Tropes:
• Dark Fantasy
• Dark Dystopian type
• Enemies to ?
• Novella
• Fae, pixies and otherworldly creatures
• a ‘hunt’

Triggers:
• Violence
• Death
• Graphic details

Just finished The Wild Hunt by Samara Dark and I’m still spiraling…in the best way possible.

This book was everything I hoped a dark romantasy would be: brutal, beautiful, and utterly addictive. From the first page, you’re dropped into a world where the Fae rule with elegance and cruelty, and humanity has learned to survive by surrendering.

Delta, the fmc, is one of those characters who doesn’t scream or flail, she burns slowly, quietly, and then absolutely blazes. Her journey from resigned to resilient is honestly one of the most satisfying character arcs I’ve read in a while. And then there’s the High Lord of the Light Court. Cold, cruel, commanding, and dangerously magnetic. I hated how much I liked him, which is exactly the point.

The ‘romance’ simmers with that push-and-pull tension that fans of morally grey love interests live for, and the world-building is lush without ever dragging down the pace. It’s dark, but not gratuitous; more like a fairytale that’s had the gloss stripped off to show the bones underneath.

If you’re into stories that feel like stepping into a nightmare laced with desire, where attraction and power are constantly colliding, this one should be on your radar. I already know I’ll be counting down the days until the sequel.

I need more, and I need it now.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is for the fans of The Hunger Games and ACOTAR. It’s has a wonderful blend of both. It’s not the games and trials in the same sense. It’s being dropped into the wilderness with nothing and being hunted by the Fae that chose to hunt them. It has a great fast pace that keeps you entertained and wanting more.
The story fallows Delta. A strong female character that is trying to push back against the system. Every 5 years 5,000 women get selected and sent through a portal to the Far world. None have ever come back. But being selected isn’t the only way you might end up going through the portal. Delta’s farther sold her and she gets sent through the portal. From there everything goes crazy. We get to see what life is like for those “selected” and how they cope. Delta is a leader among them. But her spicy attitude attracts the wrong kind of attention in the Fae world. Now she finds herself using her brains and wits to escape from all the Fae males hunting her. Including Light High Lord, who has never chosen a selected to hunt.
The tension between these two characters is amazing. They have some sort of connection that no one seems to understand. But he is drawn to her. And she is trying her hardest to escape.
This story ends on a cliffhanger that will leave your jaw on the floor and wanting to throw the book across the room. I can’t wait for the next book to find out what happens to Delta and her friends now!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kreela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was so disappointed, which I guess is a good thing. The story was just starting when it ended on a cliffhanger. Don’t read this until book 2 comes out!

{Human in Fae World urban fantasy; M/F; clean romance so far; Chase theme}

I have always felt like the word fae has been muddied into something that lacks some of the original appeal, and The Wild Hunt is one of those cool elements that needs more attention. I love the romantic possibilities. It reminds me of The Wildflower by J.L. Beck .

In this story the female main character, Delta, is someone who is combative but caring, and she alternates between flicking men off just because they are interested in her, and protecting her friends. This short story is mostly from her point of view, which I liked very much. There is an epilogue from the Light King’s POV, and it was jarring. He stopped being mysterious.

The other girls in the story lacked depth. There was an attempt to include a multicultural mix of women, but it felt flat. I think a short story is going to have trouble with developing deep characters, anyways, and I wish this were a longer one. Plus, I would like to see some more scenes with mutual attraction (hint; the night visit was sexy). I can imagine civilized women actively giving up just to get out of the mud and storms. 😄

[Tysha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a thrilling start to the Sold to the Fae duet, and I'm so looking forward to reading book two!

Delta is a feisty young woman, whose mother was kidnapped the first time the Fae came into our world. Five years later they returned and demanded five thousand women between the ages of 15 and 35. If humanity didn't comply, they would enslave the human race, destroy the cities and farmlands. The leaders and governments of the world got together and agreed, after all 5 thousand women, every 5 years, was considered a small price to pay to protect the rest of the human race.

While a lottery was set up to choose the women who would be sacrificed, some, like Delta, found themselves being "sold off" by family members. They were used to repay debts, as if their lives could hold a monetary value to those who claimed to love them.

I loved following Delta's story, she is thrown challenges and trials, but has a fantastic inner strength which helps her to cope with everything thrown at her. Despite being in such a dire situation, she makes a few friends, and some unexpected allies, on both sides of the portal.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and I'm voluntarily leaving this review.

[Jess · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book because the concept had so much potential. The atmosphere and premise initially pulled me in, but I ultimately had to pause (possibly DNF) because several moments completely broke my immersion.

The way the FMC’s appearance was described felt oddly superficial and overly deliberate, which made it difficult to naturally build her in my head as a reader. Instead of grounding me in the story, it kept pulling me out of it.

But the moment that fully stopped me was this line:

“Pimple face stops suddenly, and I quickly make my own feet stop before I walk straight into him and get pimple juice all over me.”

I understand the FMC is uncomfortable in the situation, but this came across as unnecessarily juvenile and mean-spirited. It felt more like a middle-school bully comment than authentic internal narration, especially in a story trying to establish a darker fantasy atmosphere. I actually had to stop and reread the line because it felt so tonally out of place.

The premise is strong, which makes this more disappointing than anything else.

[Crissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Wild Hunt is a short and funny story. I enjoyed this story from beginning to end and I feel as if this is just a taste of what's to come in the next book because there wasn't much that really happened in this story. However, it was funny and kept me entertained from beginning to end and left me wanting more. Delta was a strong and fantastic character that had you rooting for her success from beginning to end. I enjoyed her friendships with Akari, Jasmin and Jabira even though some of them was cut short. I am looking forward to what will happen between Delta and High Lord Draekoh because the ending of this book seems like just the beginning for the two of them. This story has betrayal, sacrifices, action, friendships, trials, magic, deaths, creatures and more. I'm looking forward to reading the next book and would recommend this to anyone that enjoys a paranormal story. There isn't much romance in this book but I'm hoping the next book will have more.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Wild Hunt by Samara Dark is an enchanting yet disturbing romantasy, as it tells of Delta being sold by her father to the Fae. Part dystopia, part fantasy, part dark romance, it brings the genres together fantastically. The world building is immense and the characters are described perfectly. The story pulls you in and you don't want to put it down. I did find it to be too short. It seemed like it was just getting to the good stuff when it ends, leaving you wanting more. It also has some blunt ways of describing human body parts and actions, instead of flowery ways of other romantasy books so that might turn off some people. I loved the Fae world and want more of it. I have been captured by the story and need to see how it all turns out for Delta and the rest of the human women who have been sold to the Fae.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Bridget Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

The world-building in this new fantasy release is captivating from the outset, establishing a chilling tradition where the Fae demand a tithe of 5000 human women every five years. This year, the unlucky draw fell to Delta, a woman whose name would soon become synonymous with defiance. But 'unlucky' doesn't even begin to cover it for the Fae, who clearly had no idea what kind of firebrand they were acquiring. Delta's fiery temperament, a force that knows nothing of self-preservation, erupted almost immediately upon her arrival, culminating in a jaw-dropping moment where she audaciously flipped off one of the Fae kings. This raw act of rebellion instantly set the tone for a narrative far removed from passive servitude, promising a chaotic and thrilling journey against impossible odds. My only complaint? The story flew by far too quickly; I was so engrossed, I barely registered the page count until I hit the abrupt end. Now, the wait for the next installment feels utterly interminable!

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Take a cup of Hunger Games and a handful of ACOTAR and mix thoroughly with a lot of Alice in Wonderland and you’ve got the base recipe for The Wild Hunt.

Every five years, the fae take five thousand women through a portal back to their own world. Ten years ago, Delta’s mother was taken. This year, it’s her turn.

We follow Delta as she prepares to cross over to the fae realm, finding allies in unexpected places and showing her determination to survive.

This is the first book in a new series and it really does the heavy lifting of setting up the world of the fae. It does a great job of portraying how dangerous pretty much *everything* is. There’s a lot of hooks for future plot points sprinkled through the story too.

This book has no romance in it. I highly expect future stories will be open door and very spicy (because fae). The book deals with betrayal, homophobia and slavery. If you’re after a new high stakes fantasy read, this book is what you’re looking for.

[Jennifer D · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a new author for me and the intricacy of the world building was great.

The plight of the human women that have been Chosen (sold, lotteried, etc) so far seems pretty harsh and bleak.

Delta, the MFC is totally fierce though and determined to escape.

This is the first part of a Duet so it does end in a cliffhanger. This first part of the book has no intimate scenes, just a little bit of innuendo. I realized after reading my ARC copy and looking at the Amazon pg that the intended reader audience says ages 16-18, so I’m thinking the rest won’t be as steamy as I anticipated based on the description and title of “Wild Hunt” But we will see.

Certainly the writing was great. Delta’s gallow’s humor and sass are amazing.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nicole Deanne Veracruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. My one big problem is I wish I would have waited until the second book was out since there is no known release date yet. Delta was sold by her father to be one of the chosen that would be taken by the Fae. While being held by the Army, she made friends with three girls: Akari, Jabira, and Jasmin. They were about to stick together and try and protect each other, but that plan falls through when they're separated. Delta is able to link back up with Akari, but circumstances have them parting again. Because of Delta's inability to keep her mouth shut—she always has to speak her mind—there are quite a few Fae that are interested in hunting her. And one of them has never accepted a human before, that being the High Lord Draekon.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lynda Malone · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Wild Hunt

Wow, this book was really good. The premise was unique. And it grabbed me right away.

The Fae have invaded earth, but only so they can steal women. Every 5 years they return but a deal was struck. Now our FMC, Delta, must face off against the fae who have taken her and her friends. This story is more about the hows and whys of the fae and it sets up a lot of the backstory. It builds to end on a, small cliffhanger.

Delta, grabbed me right from the beginning with her sharp tongue, razor wit and her loyalty to her fellow "sisters". We don't get to see much of the MMC, High Lord Draekoh, but what we do get is riveting. Already, their attraction is jumping off the page.

I'm looking forward to the next book to see what happens and who survives 'The Wild Hunt'

[Kristie M Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grabbed this book on a bit of a whim and the fact that I am 100% a cover shopper. I normally don't read novellas (no idea why) but I can honestly say I absolutely lovedddd this book. I really enjoyed the fast pace and it was such a cruisey read. Delta is super relatable and I love how her reactions are genuine.

There were moments when I openly laughed out loud while reading, and also cringed as well. I loved how much detail was in the story in such few words. It didn't feel like there were parts missing or extra info needed like I normally would get reading fantasy novels.

I am absolutely hanging for book 2 to be released now!

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Wild Hunt is an entertaining fantasy romance that is a nicely written story of how when the Fae arrived in our world devastation and chaos reigned, women where kidnapped and it only ended when they left through their portal.
A wildly entertaining story follows with plenty of drama, romance, danger, intrigue, action, adventure, and spice, well developed characters and an energized storyline that keeps the momentum up until the final scene has played out.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Priscilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was pretty much a set up for the next book, so be prepared that it does end on a cliffhanger. The concept is pretty good and Delta is a strong character. With all that had happened, I have high hopes for the continuation and look forward to reading it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tara Cicora · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book has some interesting ideas, settings, and characters. The main character is likable. The only downside is that the story really starts getting going at the end. But, thankfully, this is meant to be a series, so I am looking forward to the rest of the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sissy Satterfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an entertaining novella about a Delta, she is drooped right in to the middle of one wild adventure, that kept my attention. It is part of a duet and I am looking forward to book two. I Liked It! No Spoilers!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[May · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read The Wild Hunt as a ARC and it honestly had me captivated ! Kept turning the last page to make sure I hadn’t missed anything as I wasn’t quite ready for it to end.
Was a bit of a Hunger Games vibe with the choosing of the female contestants. Absolutely loved the FMC she was fiery yet caring and I can’t wait to read what happens next

[Brandie Hendricks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great start to the series. It is a very dark version of the Hunger Games. I could not put it down. The world building and the character growth was written very well and was captivating. Absolutely great start!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[YourBookB1tch · Rating 5 out of 5]

really enjoyed this. such a dark take on the classic story. very very well written, scary and just a touch Aussie haha

would read again, but reallllly want to read the next one!!! cliffhanger, much??

[Kimberly Rahr · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this. Don’t get me wrong I enjoyed it but I felt there was something missing from it.

[Chante Heaven · Rating 5 out of 5]

No! Why did that end? I need to know who wins. I'm far too emotionally invested now! It's a short, fast-paced read with plenty of drama, and chases through dangerous forests.