What do you think?
Hunt the Ever Wild
A new gothic standalone that combines the gaslamp fantasy of C. L. Polk’s Witchmark with the slow-burn rivals-to-lovers romance of Isa Agajanian’s Modern Divination and the whimsy of Howl’s Moving Castle.
When the king calls a hunt for the Lichtenwald forest’s elusive phoenix, wizard Sy jumps at the chance. Years ago, he indentured himself to the crown to pay for his magical education, and an unbreakable spell binds him to carry out the king’s every wicked whim, or face certain death. The prize is enough to pay off his debt, but he can’t survive the forest alone. Seeking help, he finds Anya, a skilled huntress living on the Lichtenwald’s edge, and lies about splitting the prize.
But Anya’s lying too. Cursed by a witch after killing her familiar, Anya must find the phoenix and bind it to the witch by the summer solstice, or else suffer a gruesome transformation. With the curse worsening and the Lichtenwald swarming with wizards, she needs Sy on her side – for now.
Neither of them can split the prize, nor win alone. And despite the growing attraction between them, betrayal remains their only option.
But anything is possible in the forest.
And the forest is hungry.
When the king calls a hunt for the Lichtenwald forest’s elusive phoenix, wizard Sy jumps at the chance. Years ago, he indentured himself to the crown to pay for his magical education, and an unbreakable spell binds him to carry out the king’s every wicked whim, or face certain death. The prize is enough to pay off his debt, but he can’t survive the forest alone. Seeking help, he finds Anya, a skilled huntress living on the Lichtenwald’s edge, and lies about splitting the prize.
But Anya’s lying too. Cursed by a witch after killing her familiar, Anya must find the phoenix and bind it to the witch by the summer solstice, or else suffer a gruesome transformation. With the curse worsening and the Lichtenwald swarming with wizards, she needs Sy on her side – for now.
Neither of them can split the prize, nor win alone. And despite the growing attraction between them, betrayal remains their only option.
But anything is possible in the forest.
And the forest is hungry.
336 pages, Paperback
First published June 23, 2026
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Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really liked the premise of Hunt the Ever Wild and the world where it takes place! I might be alone in this but for some reason it seemed to me a darker and more cruel version of the world of Howl's Moving Castle.
I loved both main characters, they were flawed and hurting in their own way, and I admit Anya's curse was gross but fascinating 😆
The magic system was really interesting, I love when a book sets its own rules for magic and then breaks them. That said, the explanation for the magic was a bit vague and I would’ve preferred more depth to it.
Some parts were a bit repetitive and the book almost lost me a couple of times, I would’ve preferred if the story had wrapped up sooner than it did. Also some aspects of the ending felt a bit too convenient.
All the same, I enjoyed this book and would be curious to read future works from this author!
Thanks to Angry Robot via NetGalley for providing an eARC
I loved both main characters, they were flawed and hurting in their own way, and I admit Anya's curse was gross but fascinating 😆
The magic system was really interesting, I love when a book sets its own rules for magic and then breaks them. That said, the explanation for the magic was a bit vague and I would’ve preferred more depth to it.
Some parts were a bit repetitive and the book almost lost me a couple of times, I would’ve preferred if the story had wrapped up sooner than it did. Also some aspects of the ending felt a bit too convenient.
All the same, I enjoyed this book and would be curious to read future works from this author!
Thanks to Angry Robot via NetGalley for providing an eARC
June 23, 2026
Today is #review day!🥰
From me, Hunt the Ever Wild by S.E.Kiser gets 3.5⭐! 🥳
First of all, I want to thank NetGalley and Angry Robot for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for a honest review!
General info: a gaslamp adult fantasy focused on a hunt for an immortal phoenix in a creepy magical forest with a romantic subplot; a queer normative world where magic is used by the rich for frivolous reasons and to exercise their cruel whims on the less fortunate; a gothic story with a slow burn rivals-to-lovers and a dash of gore; perfect if you enjoy your fantasy talking about the morality of power, enjoy lush descriptions and if you like your protagonists going through… changes 😅
CW: gore, mutilation, death, injury detail, blood and needles, a little bit of body horror
BOOK THOUGHTS
I was really intrigued by the premise when I first #read the synopsis…and I'm happy to report that, yes, I'm very pleased I got the chance to enjoy the story early!☺️
I think a lot of people will find this absolutely delightful if they are in need of a queer story focusing on how power is often used in a society rewarding indifference, fights for status, maintaining appearances and prestige. This also has a compelling romance when, slowly, the two learn about the other and move past first impressions and prejudice.
In the kingdom of Gescany ruled by King Edgard, Sylas Cassirer is a spellscribe. He's in the King's indenture, forced to do horrible things, and that, coupled with the jobs he needs to do to keep up appearances for his fellow wizards and the nobility, makes him seriously consider hunting a mythical beast at the King's order…despite it being a terrible idea…maybe a crazy one.👀
This #book very much revolves around the idea that most power come from privilege, and it automatically shields you from the horrible reality others face, and only when you yourself are confronted with the truth, can understand another's struggle. 🥲
I'll also say this is somewhat a witchy book as well…I mean…we have a creepy magical forest, wizards with powers based blood use AND something else vital for all of this.🤭 ( not gonna tell you what because spoilers 😼). We also have the atmosphere and the melancholy imbued into the text that also gives it another push to be more witchy than whimsy.
I really liked the soft magic system created here. We have some rules…some limitations and consequences…but nothing beyond playing another part into the world building. I think the concept of a spellscribe is fun ( the name gives you an idea what's about 🤭) and the process of using magic prepares you a little…or, at least, gives you a hint of what's to come later.😏
As I already mentioned world building…let's get to it.😤
We have a magical world with multiple kingdoms…each of them treating this power differently. The author did a good job for the most part, especially when the action moved to Lichtenwald… But I confess I cannot tell you where anything is in relation to anything else.🥲
We get some places, a little bit of orientation details, but the description of the forest puts it all to shame 🫣, making the lack of world details very obvious for anything else. I believe this book needed a map( not that it will solve the text's issue, but it'd be easier for the reader to orient themselves)…and I'm not sure the finished copy has one.😅
Sooo…if you love a giant world that tells you how everything works and where everything is…hold your horses!🙏…this isn't that type of story. As one such reader myself, I don't think this is a reason to avoid this book…just something to adjust expectations for.😇
The character work: I believe this is the book's forte.👀 You get a lot of details on the actions, thoughts and past of most important characters. It's a little bit more on the telling than showing for some of them, but I think it's done in just the right way not to tire the reader, keep them invested in the journey, but also leave space for growth due to plot progression.
You can say you follow something similar to a coming-of-age story if such a thing focused on people evolving from a way of seeing the world to another.
Sy is very much the focus of this story ( in my opinion 😅)…he's a dreamer…a very prideful one..but a dreamer. He's flighty on first glance, but really loyal and honest when things get serious; he's very much that seemingly indifferent cousin that loves showing their good taste, while secretly helping grandmas and volunteering at the orphanage.🤷♀️ As you can see…
he's a nice guy. I don't know why the author thought he comes out as anything else in the beginning…I mean, yes, he may speak with David in a certain way, or enjoy the company of some not so kind people, but…they know each other 🤔…I don't have the foggiest why David sees Sy as he does. The author also involved Anya…our 2nd protagonist in this farce…and again…I'm baffled 🫠
This, the world building and the fact that secondary characters aren't all that much developed, are the reasons why I only gave 3.5 to this book. 🧐
Back to Sy…his journey is the most complex one, as it involves a change of mentality and a call for action. He's very much the link between the world of wizards…with their rules and way of thinking…and the way of the forest, of untamed wildness and nonsensical happenings.
I think you linking this book will depend a lot if you like Sy as a person 😅…and of course, if you're open to a romance…
Another character I want to spotlight is Anya…our resident hunter. She's a reservef one👀🤭. She's full of trauma, trust issues and fears, but she's ambitious, determined and clever. She actually represents well her type of POV 😌, and it's very easy to like. She's very in her head, logical, quick on her feet and easy to empathize with. She's also someone through which we see the magical horrors of this world.👀
Sidenote : about that horror…it's a little bit gory, a little bit on the body horror side, but it's tastefully done🤔…idk how else to explain it…but If you know yourself to be squeamish…this is OK for you too☺️. The writing style, the involvement with the plot and the overall atmosphere, makes this kind of horror right at home, and not at all disgusting 😌( At least, for me 🤷♀️)
Anya is in some ways the voice of reason, the one in the back of your mind telling you things aren't that simple, or that life is cruel and doesn't have a reason for it…because life cannot be like that…it's just life😀.
She has her weaknesses, her naivety and hurt moments…but she's very much the driving force🧐…everyone else is just reacting.😤
Now…secondary characters…despite them being very much two-dimensional…I liked Perrine, what we saw of Johanna ( if you can call it that😅), I surprisingly grew fond of Sabina, and turned sides on David.😂
Before I forget…about Mira…I really wanted more from her…I liked the reveals about her, but I think she also deserved justice 🥲. All in all, I'm not completely satisfied with her arc…things were definitely too easy…
Plot: the plot is a little bit meandering, but fitting to the story 😉. The pace is slow to medium and we need a while for everything to be set in motion.The premise of the hunt does take a large part of the plot, but the additional mystery with the forest and what happens with some characters, will take up a portion of the narrative. I don't think many people will see the ending coming 😆( or better yet…not want it?🤔😅), but the level of enthusiasm with it will depend on the reader. I, for one, after a little bit of time since finishing the story…am satisfied. I agree with the author…based on these people…things will play out this way.🥹🫶
Overall, I think this one is very much worth your time if your expectations are correct.😇
I highly recommend it to readers of gaslamp fantasy, cozy or whimsical stories that veer a little dark, and those loving a creepy forest.
From me, Hunt the Ever Wild by S.E.Kiser gets 3.5⭐! 🥳
First of all, I want to thank NetGalley and Angry Robot for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for a honest review!
General info: a gaslamp adult fantasy focused on a hunt for an immortal phoenix in a creepy magical forest with a romantic subplot; a queer normative world where magic is used by the rich for frivolous reasons and to exercise their cruel whims on the less fortunate; a gothic story with a slow burn rivals-to-lovers and a dash of gore; perfect if you enjoy your fantasy talking about the morality of power, enjoy lush descriptions and if you like your protagonists going through… changes 😅
CW: gore, mutilation, death, injury detail, blood and needles, a little bit of body horror
BOOK THOUGHTS
I was really intrigued by the premise when I first #read the synopsis…and I'm happy to report that, yes, I'm very pleased I got the chance to enjoy the story early!☺️
I think a lot of people will find this absolutely delightful if they are in need of a queer story focusing on how power is often used in a society rewarding indifference, fights for status, maintaining appearances and prestige. This also has a compelling romance when, slowly, the two learn about the other and move past first impressions and prejudice.
In the kingdom of Gescany ruled by King Edgard, Sylas Cassirer is a spellscribe. He's in the King's indenture, forced to do horrible things, and that, coupled with the jobs he needs to do to keep up appearances for his fellow wizards and the nobility, makes him seriously consider hunting a mythical beast at the King's order…despite it being a terrible idea…maybe a crazy one.👀
This #book very much revolves around the idea that most power come from privilege, and it automatically shields you from the horrible reality others face, and only when you yourself are confronted with the truth, can understand another's struggle. 🥲
I'll also say this is somewhat a witchy book as well…I mean…we have a creepy magical forest, wizards with powers based blood use AND something else vital for all of this.🤭 ( not gonna tell you what because spoilers 😼). We also have the atmosphere and the melancholy imbued into the text that also gives it another push to be more witchy than whimsy.
I really liked the soft magic system created here. We have some rules…some limitations and consequences…but nothing beyond playing another part into the world building. I think the concept of a spellscribe is fun ( the name gives you an idea what's about 🤭) and the process of using magic prepares you a little…or, at least, gives you a hint of what's to come later.😏
As I already mentioned world building…let's get to it.😤
We have a magical world with multiple kingdoms…each of them treating this power differently. The author did a good job for the most part, especially when the action moved to Lichtenwald… But I confess I cannot tell you where anything is in relation to anything else.🥲
We get some places, a little bit of orientation details, but the description of the forest puts it all to shame 🫣, making the lack of world details very obvious for anything else. I believe this book needed a map( not that it will solve the text's issue, but it'd be easier for the reader to orient themselves)…and I'm not sure the finished copy has one.😅
Sooo…if you love a giant world that tells you how everything works and where everything is…hold your horses!🙏…this isn't that type of story. As one such reader myself, I don't think this is a reason to avoid this book…just something to adjust expectations for.😇
The character work: I believe this is the book's forte.👀 You get a lot of details on the actions, thoughts and past of most important characters. It's a little bit more on the telling than showing for some of them, but I think it's done in just the right way not to tire the reader, keep them invested in the journey, but also leave space for growth due to plot progression.
You can say you follow something similar to a coming-of-age story if such a thing focused on people evolving from a way of seeing the world to another.
Sy is very much the focus of this story ( in my opinion 😅)…he's a dreamer…a very prideful one..but a dreamer. He's flighty on first glance, but really loyal and honest when things get serious; he's very much that seemingly indifferent cousin that loves showing their good taste, while secretly helping grandmas and volunteering at the orphanage.🤷♀️ As you can see…
he's a nice guy. I don't know why the author thought he comes out as anything else in the beginning…I mean, yes, he may speak with David in a certain way, or enjoy the company of some not so kind people, but…they know each other 🤔…I don't have the foggiest why David sees Sy as he does. The author also involved Anya…our 2nd protagonist in this farce…and again…I'm baffled 🫠
This, the world building and the fact that secondary characters aren't all that much developed, are the reasons why I only gave 3.5 to this book. 🧐
Back to Sy…his journey is the most complex one, as it involves a change of mentality and a call for action. He's very much the link between the world of wizards…with their rules and way of thinking…and the way of the forest, of untamed wildness and nonsensical happenings.
I think you linking this book will depend a lot if you like Sy as a person 😅…and of course, if you're open to a romance…
Another character I want to spotlight is Anya…our resident hunter. She's a reservef one👀🤭. She's full of trauma, trust issues and fears, but she's ambitious, determined and clever. She actually represents well her type of POV 😌, and it's very easy to like. She's very in her head, logical, quick on her feet and easy to empathize with. She's also someone through which we see the magical horrors of this world.👀
Sidenote : about that horror…it's a little bit gory, a little bit on the body horror side, but it's tastefully done🤔…idk how else to explain it…but If you know yourself to be squeamish…this is OK for you too☺️. The writing style, the involvement with the plot and the overall atmosphere, makes this kind of horror right at home, and not at all disgusting 😌( At least, for me 🤷♀️)
Anya is in some ways the voice of reason, the one in the back of your mind telling you things aren't that simple, or that life is cruel and doesn't have a reason for it…because life cannot be like that…it's just life😀.
She has her weaknesses, her naivety and hurt moments…but she's very much the driving force🧐…everyone else is just reacting.😤
Now…secondary characters…despite them being very much two-dimensional…I liked Perrine, what we saw of Johanna ( if you can call it that😅), I surprisingly grew fond of Sabina, and turned sides on David.😂
Before I forget…about Mira…I really wanted more from her…I liked the reveals about her, but I think she also deserved justice 🥲. All in all, I'm not completely satisfied with her arc…things were definitely too easy…
Plot: the plot is a little bit meandering, but fitting to the story 😉. The pace is slow to medium and we need a while for everything to be set in motion.The premise of the hunt does take a large part of the plot, but the additional mystery with the forest and what happens with some characters, will take up a portion of the narrative. I don't think many people will see the ending coming 😆( or better yet…not want it?🤔😅), but the level of enthusiasm with it will depend on the reader. I, for one, after a little bit of time since finishing the story…am satisfied. I agree with the author…based on these people…things will play out this way.🥹🫶
Overall, I think this one is very much worth your time if your expectations are correct.😇
I highly recommend it to readers of gaslamp fantasy, cozy or whimsical stories that veer a little dark, and those loving a creepy forest.
May 28, 2026
Hunt the Ever Wild is a gothic fantasy standalone from S.E. Kiser. Sylas is a spellscribe indentured to the king who paid for his magical education, unknowingly binding himself to a ruler with despicable tastes. When the king offers a vast reward to any spellscribe capable of turning him into a phoenix and granting him a form of immortality, Sy sees an opportunity to finally buy his freedom. In order to create the spell, he recruits a hunter to help him capture the mythical phoenix, promising half the reward he has no intention of sharing. Meanwhile, huntress Anya has been cursed by a witch who demands that she catch the phoenix before any magician can deliver it to the king. Knowing Sy’s true goal, she agrees to partner with him anyway, planning to steal the creature for herself. But as they journey through the dangerous Lichtenwald Forest, both using the other as a means to an end, they find themselves growing closer. Before long, they must learn to trust one another before a rival claims the phoenix or the forest claims them first.
I think it’s important to set expectations for this book. This is not a cozy fantasy. The story is far too dark, and the body horror elements alone feel disqualifying. I’d classify it more as a dark fantasy with a touch of fairytale atmosphere, something closer to T. Kingfisher’s Hemlock & Silver. It’s beautifully written, decidedly adult, and wonderfully eloquent, but knowing what you’re getting into is important. The comparison to Howl’s Moving Castle felt completely off to me, while I haven’t read Witchmark or Modern Divination and can’t comment on those comps.
I’d describe this as a quieter story that favors introspection over plot-driven momentum. The dual perspectives allow us to spend significant time with both Sy and Anya as they reflect on their choices and the desperation driving them toward betrayal. Neither character makes those decisions lightly, and the narrative does an excellent job of helping us understand their motivations. The romance worked for me, but I wouldn’t necessarily call this a romantic book. Their attraction felt less sweet and charming than reckless, desperate, and born of circumstance.
The novel also doesn’t shy away from the macabre. The forest itself, the witch’s actions, and Anya’s gradual transformation all lean heavily into horror, particularly body horror. The imagery is grotesque, evocative, and deeply atmospheric, and it’s here that the story’s gothic identity truly shines. The ending likewise refuses to tie everything up in a neat bow. Not everyone receives their deserved comeuppance, not everyone gets a perfect happily ever after, and not every thread is fully resolved.
Hunt the Ever Wild is an eloquently written gothic fantasy with eerie atmosphere, body horror, and morally complicated characters.
*Thank you to Angry Robot Books for the eARC via NetGalley
I think it’s important to set expectations for this book. This is not a cozy fantasy. The story is far too dark, and the body horror elements alone feel disqualifying. I’d classify it more as a dark fantasy with a touch of fairytale atmosphere, something closer to T. Kingfisher’s Hemlock & Silver. It’s beautifully written, decidedly adult, and wonderfully eloquent, but knowing what you’re getting into is important. The comparison to Howl’s Moving Castle felt completely off to me, while I haven’t read Witchmark or Modern Divination and can’t comment on those comps.
I’d describe this as a quieter story that favors introspection over plot-driven momentum. The dual perspectives allow us to spend significant time with both Sy and Anya as they reflect on their choices and the desperation driving them toward betrayal. Neither character makes those decisions lightly, and the narrative does an excellent job of helping us understand their motivations. The romance worked for me, but I wouldn’t necessarily call this a romantic book. Their attraction felt less sweet and charming than reckless, desperate, and born of circumstance.
The novel also doesn’t shy away from the macabre. The forest itself, the witch’s actions, and Anya’s gradual transformation all lean heavily into horror, particularly body horror. The imagery is grotesque, evocative, and deeply atmospheric, and it’s here that the story’s gothic identity truly shines. The ending likewise refuses to tie everything up in a neat bow. Not everyone receives their deserved comeuppance, not everyone gets a perfect happily ever after, and not every thread is fully resolved.
Hunt the Ever Wild is an eloquently written gothic fantasy with eerie atmosphere, body horror, and morally complicated characters.
*Thank you to Angry Robot Books for the eARC via NetGalley
September 20, 2026
Hunt the Ever Wild by S.E. Kiser is a gothic fantasy standalone packed with magic, a mysterious phoenix, curses, bargains, betrayal and a slow burn rivals to lovers romance that had me side eyeing pretty much everyone.
Sy is a wizard who has basically made a deal with the worst possible employer ….the king. Years ago, he indentured himself to the crown to pay for his magical education, and now he’s magically bound to obey the king’s every horrible little command.
Then the king announces a hunt for the elusive phoenix hiding in the Lichtenwald forest.
The prize?
Enough money for Sy to finally pay off his debt and get his freedom.
Simple.
Except Sy can’t survive the forest alone, so he recruits Anya, a skilled huntress living on its edge.
And tells her they’ll split the prize.
Except…
Sy is lying.
Because Anya is lying too.
She’s been cursed by a witch after killing the witch’s familiar, and now she has until the summer solstice to find the phoenix and bind it to the witch or suffer a rather horrifying transformation.
So basically, both of them are walking into this forest thinking they’re going to use the other person.
Healthy relationship foundation? Absolutely not.
The Lichtenwald itself was probably my favourite character because that place is CREEPY. The forest feels alive, dangerous and seriously unhappy about having a bunch of wizards running around hunting its phoenix.
And the further Sy and Anya go, the more obvious it becomes that neither of them can win alone.
Which is inconvenient when they’re both planning to betray each other.
I really enjoyed the tension between them. There’s that lovely “I don’t trust you, you don’t trust me, but unfortunately you’re ridiculously attractive” energy, and watching their relationship shift from reluctant alliance to something deeper was one of the highlights for me.
But obviously, because this is fantasy and happiness is apparently illegal, betrayal is still sitting there waiting for them.
The story has a lovely gothic atmosphere, plenty of magical intrigue and some really interesting ideas around curses, bargains and the things people are willing to do for freedom.
I did find I wanted a bit more depth, which is why I landed on 3.5★.
But overall, this was a fun, atmospheric fantasy read with a gorgeous dangerous forest setting, magical creatures, secrets and a romance that slowly sneaks up on you.
Sy is a wizard who has basically made a deal with the worst possible employer ….the king. Years ago, he indentured himself to the crown to pay for his magical education, and now he’s magically bound to obey the king’s every horrible little command.
Then the king announces a hunt for the elusive phoenix hiding in the Lichtenwald forest.
The prize?
Enough money for Sy to finally pay off his debt and get his freedom.
Simple.
Except Sy can’t survive the forest alone, so he recruits Anya, a skilled huntress living on its edge.
And tells her they’ll split the prize.
Except…
Sy is lying.
Because Anya is lying too.
She’s been cursed by a witch after killing the witch’s familiar, and now she has until the summer solstice to find the phoenix and bind it to the witch or suffer a rather horrifying transformation.
So basically, both of them are walking into this forest thinking they’re going to use the other person.
Healthy relationship foundation? Absolutely not.
The Lichtenwald itself was probably my favourite character because that place is CREEPY. The forest feels alive, dangerous and seriously unhappy about having a bunch of wizards running around hunting its phoenix.
And the further Sy and Anya go, the more obvious it becomes that neither of them can win alone.
Which is inconvenient when they’re both planning to betray each other.
I really enjoyed the tension between them. There’s that lovely “I don’t trust you, you don’t trust me, but unfortunately you’re ridiculously attractive” energy, and watching their relationship shift from reluctant alliance to something deeper was one of the highlights for me.
But obviously, because this is fantasy and happiness is apparently illegal, betrayal is still sitting there waiting for them.
The story has a lovely gothic atmosphere, plenty of magical intrigue and some really interesting ideas around curses, bargains and the things people are willing to do for freedom.
I did find I wanted a bit more depth, which is why I landed on 3.5★.
But overall, this was a fun, atmospheric fantasy read with a gorgeous dangerous forest setting, magical creatures, secrets and a romance that slowly sneaks up on you.
Did Not Finish
April 24, 2026—Thank you netgalley for the arc—
I hated doing this but DNF at 51%. I very rarely DNF a book so doing this pained me. I didn’t give up instantly, I took time away from the book and went back several times but I just kept struggling.
The basis of the book and storyline drew me in and I did like the premise. A strong independent FMC and a MMC who’s been given a hand into the life of the rich but is barely getting by. The kings wizards, their magic and how it’s drawn from the blood and then woven into script to form a spell was a great idea.
What I struggled with was the slow pacing and repetitive writing. Some things were over explained and then the same point was reworded and repeated but in a different way. I kept waiting for it to get to the point. The inner monologue would go off on such a tangent that I forgot where I was in the book and what was actually happening. Something that was already said paragraphs before would then be brought up again and rephrased, I felt like I was going round in circles.
The basis of the book still had some great ideas. It’s just the writing style wasn’t for me I’m afraid. I thought it was best to be honest with my review and I really hope I haven’t offended the author.
I hated doing this but DNF at 51%. I very rarely DNF a book so doing this pained me. I didn’t give up instantly, I took time away from the book and went back several times but I just kept struggling.
The basis of the book and storyline drew me in and I did like the premise. A strong independent FMC and a MMC who’s been given a hand into the life of the rich but is barely getting by. The kings wizards, their magic and how it’s drawn from the blood and then woven into script to form a spell was a great idea.
What I struggled with was the slow pacing and repetitive writing. Some things were over explained and then the same point was reworded and repeated but in a different way. I kept waiting for it to get to the point. The inner monologue would go off on such a tangent that I forgot where I was in the book and what was actually happening. Something that was already said paragraphs before would then be brought up again and rephrased, I felt like I was going round in circles.
The basis of the book still had some great ideas. It’s just the writing style wasn’t for me I’m afraid. I thought it was best to be honest with my review and I really hope I haven’t offended the author.
May 31, 2026
A fantasy must-read for your summer reading list!
S.E. Kiser's standalone debut, Hunt the Ever Wild, reminded me exactly why I fell in love with fantasy in the first place: in a truly magical world, anything is possible.
Welcome to the Lichtenwald Forest, a place steeped in ancestral magic and whispered legends. Hidden within its depths is the elusive Phoenix, a creature so valuable that capturing it on behalf of the king could change a person's life forever. But the forest is far from a passive backdrop. It is alive, sentient and utterly unforgiving to those who trespass without understanding its rules. Only those willing to listen to the forest stand a chance of surviving it.
This novel offers an incredible blend of dark fantasy elements: brutal witches, dark academia-inspired magic, huntresses, deadly traps, morally questionable relationships, and characters wrestling with self-loathing, grief and ambition. One of the most fascinating aspects of the magic system is the way wizards bind their power through written spells, using their own blood as ink. It's inventive, visceral and beautifully woven into the story's worldbuilding.
I was especially drawn to the two protagonists, Sy and Anya, both of whom felt refreshingly complex and easy to root for. Their struggles, flaws and determination gave the story real emotional weight. The magic system is clearly explained and thoughtfully limited. Rather than being an endless source of power, magic comes with consequences, physical costs and genuine risks, making every use of it feel meaningful.
Thank you so much to Angry Robot Books for the advance proof copy, complete with its beautiful character artwork. This is definitely a book I'll be reading again!
S.E. Kiser's standalone debut, Hunt the Ever Wild, reminded me exactly why I fell in love with fantasy in the first place: in a truly magical world, anything is possible.
Welcome to the Lichtenwald Forest, a place steeped in ancestral magic and whispered legends. Hidden within its depths is the elusive Phoenix, a creature so valuable that capturing it on behalf of the king could change a person's life forever. But the forest is far from a passive backdrop. It is alive, sentient and utterly unforgiving to those who trespass without understanding its rules. Only those willing to listen to the forest stand a chance of surviving it.
This novel offers an incredible blend of dark fantasy elements: brutal witches, dark academia-inspired magic, huntresses, deadly traps, morally questionable relationships, and characters wrestling with self-loathing, grief and ambition. One of the most fascinating aspects of the magic system is the way wizards bind their power through written spells, using their own blood as ink. It's inventive, visceral and beautifully woven into the story's worldbuilding.
I was especially drawn to the two protagonists, Sy and Anya, both of whom felt refreshingly complex and easy to root for. Their struggles, flaws and determination gave the story real emotional weight. The magic system is clearly explained and thoughtfully limited. Rather than being an endless source of power, magic comes with consequences, physical costs and genuine risks, making every use of it feel meaningful.
Thank you so much to Angry Robot Books for the advance proof copy, complete with its beautiful character artwork. This is definitely a book I'll be reading again!
June 23, 2026
Looking at other reviews, I'm feeling rather lucky that I left enough time in between requesting this book at NetGalley and actually reading it, that I'd forgotten that it theoretically promises whimsy at a Howl's Moving Castle level, and was instead able to enjoy it for itself. Because there is little to no whim here, just a character study of two people planning to use and betray each other, while exploring a darkly magical woodland.
I'm not quite sure where the gaslamp aspect comes in, either ... we do spend a little time in a city at the start, but the majority of the story is set in a marvellously atmospheric forest. The story leans into body horror, beautifully written but still grim in places; nothing that I, notable horror wuss, had problems with, but absolutely not cosy either.
What I would have given the fifth star for -- a clearer reason for Anya to be partnering with Sy in the first place. It's very clear why he needs her, but she considers abandoning him more than once, but doesn't have a particularly good motivation either way. (And no, it's not instalove in action, this is a slowburn, competence-admiration romance.)
Still, there's plenty of people who need a steady-paced gothic-forest standalone fantasy romance-ish in their life, come and get it!
Rating: 15/20
This review is based upon a complimentary advance reading copy provided by the publisher.
I'm not quite sure where the gaslamp aspect comes in, either ... we do spend a little time in a city at the start, but the majority of the story is set in a marvellously atmospheric forest. The story leans into body horror, beautifully written but still grim in places; nothing that I, notable horror wuss, had problems with, but absolutely not cosy either.
What I would have given the fifth star for -- a clearer reason for Anya to be partnering with Sy in the first place. It's very clear why he needs her, but she considers abandoning him more than once, but doesn't have a particularly good motivation either way. (And no, it's not instalove in action, this is a slowburn, competence-admiration romance.)
Still, there's plenty of people who need a steady-paced gothic-forest standalone fantasy romance-ish in their life, come and get it!
Rating: 15/20
This review is based upon a complimentary advance reading copy provided by the publisher.
Did Not Finish
September 11, 2026Much too slow for me and I wasn't connecting with any of the characters. I also signed up for gaslamp fantasy and I am not getting any gaslamp vibes at all... more medieval fantasy instead. After putting it on hold for a week while reading a much-awaited library loan, I am dnf'ing as I had no desire to rush back to this.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The beginning of Hunt the Ever Wild hooked me. It’s a world I love to love, luscious, fairy tale fantasy woven through with magic. Sy, our main character, lives in indentured servitude to the cruel king with a debt that, no matter how strict his budget or how high his wages, he will never pay off. Enter the quest: The king wishes to live forever and has offered a high price to any scribe (read: wizard) who can invent a spell to make him immortal. Sy believes that if he catches the phoenix, he can create the impossible spell, win the money and be free of the king. Unfortunately, the forest where the phoenix lives is dangerous and as a city-dweller, Sy will not survive alone, so he hires a hunter to help him.
Anya, our hunter, lives in poverty and poaches off the King’s land. She is the best at what she does, so much so that she kills the local (evil) witch’s familiar without knowing it. The witch then curses her: she will turn into a moth unless she can pierce the phoenix with a special arrow, thereby turning the phoenix into the witch’s new familiar.
The premise was beautifully set-up and Sy’s motivations were clear. He is deeply caring and wishes for a world where all have their basic needs met so they can enjoys the beauty of life. However, I couldn’t understand why Anya sought Sy. She speaks about trying to stop him, but I’m not sure why she would be bothered, nor of what use he is to her considering her deep knowledge of the forest. Nonetheless, they soon traipse the forest together under the guise of helping each other, while knowing they intend to betray each other.
After significant tension building, I expected the forest to be full of dangers and assumed this to be a classic quest story, but the forest was not always as dangerous as expected. The middle of the novel became vague in its focus and I didn’t understand what it was trying to achieve. It is a quest, a romance, and an exploration of the social dynamics between Sy’s upper class community all at once.
The forest unpeels everyone's mask to reveal their deeper layers- one who is arrogant and casually cruel is revealed to be generous and hold aspirations beyond her structured world. Another has money problems and sick family beneath their wealthy veneer. Of course, some are out for bloodlust and will do anything, even kill, to find the phoenix first. Everyone needs the money, though often not for the money itself, but for the freedom, security, and health it can buy.
The novel drives home this point and through Sy and Anya, explores how one might survive and push back in a harsh reality where only the wealthy and powerful win. Anya is free of the king but lives in a broken down house with no money to fix it. And, she makes a living illegal, as she poaches on “his” land (no one owns the forest). In her life of survival, she cannot see why art and beauty would be important.
Sy, while living among the wealthy, is ensnared by his debt. He cannot leave, he is magically bound to respond to the king’s beck and call. And yet, he prizes beautiful clothing, art and believes that life should be about more than survival. Sy and Anya debate their values throughout the novel and other characters are used to reveal the varying degrees to which they are also trapped. However, Sy’s “friends,” never choose to all contribute to pulling him out of debt, despite knowing of his predicament. For myself, this revealed their true nature no matter what else we learn of them. Those in power act as though they have no ability to help those around him. While in the city, we learn that Sy chooses to provide healing to those who can’t afford it at great cost to himself, and still his ex-lover insists on calling him selfish to the end.
Though I personally prefer more priotization of the story over the message, I appreciated the exploration of survival, wealth, power, and poverty, and believe it’s essential that we keep having these conversations and do not become complacent in the face of the wealthy elite who currently rule our very real world.
I struggled to buy into the romance as I did not feel chemistry between the two characters and their unwillingness to allow themselves to be attracted to each other made it hard to root for them. As for the quest- I expected the forest to be more full of dangers, though I did love the dangers it presented and the strangeness that arose the deeper they traveled.
Despite finding myself as lost in the forest as the characters were, I gave the book four stars because I felt the ending was successful. I had no idea what would happen- everyone was desperate for that phoenix and everyone had powerful reasons to be, but who wants to support a tyrannical King? The finale was tense, unexpected and creative and I was hooked the way I had been in the beginning.
If you loved the fairy tale wonder and darkness in the world of Nettle and Bone, you will enjoy Hunt the Ever Wild.
Thank you to Angry Robot for this e-ARC!
Anya, our hunter, lives in poverty and poaches off the King’s land. She is the best at what she does, so much so that she kills the local (evil) witch’s familiar without knowing it. The witch then curses her: she will turn into a moth unless she can pierce the phoenix with a special arrow, thereby turning the phoenix into the witch’s new familiar.
The premise was beautifully set-up and Sy’s motivations were clear. He is deeply caring and wishes for a world where all have their basic needs met so they can enjoys the beauty of life. However, I couldn’t understand why Anya sought Sy. She speaks about trying to stop him, but I’m not sure why she would be bothered, nor of what use he is to her considering her deep knowledge of the forest. Nonetheless, they soon traipse the forest together under the guise of helping each other, while knowing they intend to betray each other.
After significant tension building, I expected the forest to be full of dangers and assumed this to be a classic quest story, but the forest was not always as dangerous as expected. The middle of the novel became vague in its focus and I didn’t understand what it was trying to achieve. It is a quest, a romance, and an exploration of the social dynamics between Sy’s upper class community all at once.
The forest unpeels everyone's mask to reveal their deeper layers- one who is arrogant and casually cruel is revealed to be generous and hold aspirations beyond her structured world. Another has money problems and sick family beneath their wealthy veneer. Of course, some are out for bloodlust and will do anything, even kill, to find the phoenix first. Everyone needs the money, though often not for the money itself, but for the freedom, security, and health it can buy.
The novel drives home this point and through Sy and Anya, explores how one might survive and push back in a harsh reality where only the wealthy and powerful win. Anya is free of the king but lives in a broken down house with no money to fix it. And, she makes a living illegal, as she poaches on “his” land (no one owns the forest). In her life of survival, she cannot see why art and beauty would be important.
Sy, while living among the wealthy, is ensnared by his debt. He cannot leave, he is magically bound to respond to the king’s beck and call. And yet, he prizes beautiful clothing, art and believes that life should be about more than survival. Sy and Anya debate their values throughout the novel and other characters are used to reveal the varying degrees to which they are also trapped. However, Sy’s “friends,” never choose to all contribute to pulling him out of debt, despite knowing of his predicament. For myself, this revealed their true nature no matter what else we learn of them. Those in power act as though they have no ability to help those around him. While in the city, we learn that Sy chooses to provide healing to those who can’t afford it at great cost to himself, and still his ex-lover insists on calling him selfish to the end.
Though I personally prefer more priotization of the story over the message, I appreciated the exploration of survival, wealth, power, and poverty, and believe it’s essential that we keep having these conversations and do not become complacent in the face of the wealthy elite who currently rule our very real world.
I struggled to buy into the romance as I did not feel chemistry between the two characters and their unwillingness to allow themselves to be attracted to each other made it hard to root for them. As for the quest- I expected the forest to be more full of dangers, though I did love the dangers it presented and the strangeness that arose the deeper they traveled.
Despite finding myself as lost in the forest as the characters were, I gave the book four stars because I felt the ending was successful. I had no idea what would happen- everyone was desperate for that phoenix and everyone had powerful reasons to be, but who wants to support a tyrannical King? The finale was tense, unexpected and creative and I was hooked the way I had been in the beginning.
If you loved the fairy tale wonder and darkness in the world of Nettle and Bone, you will enjoy Hunt the Ever Wild.
Thank you to Angry Robot for this e-ARC!
July 12, 2026
King Edgard is offering a great prize to anyone who can catch the elusive phoenix and turn him into a bird, that is, someone who can find the spell to give him eternal life in order to extend his glorious reign over Gescany. Sylas (Sy) Cassirer, spellscribe to the King, jumps at this one chance to pay off his indenture and escape the King's whims. Anya Degen, a skilled huntress, needs to bind the phoenix to the witch in order to escape a curse. Both need the other to navigate Lichtenwald forest, evade other magicians, and capture the phoenix, but neither can actually split the prize, even though they agreed to. At least they're strangers, working together with the knowledge that they will eventually betray each other. Right?
Hunt the Ever Wild is a richly layered dark fairy tale (they use the term gaslamp fantasy, but idk, I'm giving up on genre terms and it does very much read like a fairy tale). Magic is powered by blood and words. The Forest has a will of its own. It feels very much like a story against Empire; not so much post-colonialism, but more of an angry Eat-the-Rich vibe.
Sy is the scholarship student who makes it, but finds himself in an untenable position - with an indenture (student debt) that hardly ever reduces no matter how hard he saves. He makes money from serving the nobility, but also performs "charity" (an act highly looked down on by his peers) by healing the ailments of the poor in the district (slum?) he grew up in. He's made it, but he will never fit in. His relationship with David is confusing at first - self-serving and selfish, amidst genuine care. It isn't until you learn that David, whilst secure in his own social class, is battling bankruptcy that you realise why the two of them, with Bernard (the failed spellscribe) and Sabina (the woman), end up pulling together, even if half the time they need to fight each other to stay afloat in society. Half-friends are better than no friends in a cut-throat society.
Kiser showcases in stark relief the attitudes of the rich nobility towards the poor and unfortunate, especially those who have managed to make something of themselves ("Oh, the poor indenture!"). Much of Sy's posturing is to hide his vulnerability from those who are supposed to be his peers, yet Anya sees them as an affectation put on to mock her. Funnily enough, Anya's secret origins may actually provide the acceptance in high society that Sy can never hope to gain.
The Forest itself is an active character in the book. It doesn't speak, of course, but it acts in subtle ways, changing every person who enters its domain - revealing the darkest secrets of those who came to hunt the phoenix, manipulating the actions of others to achieve its own goals. Even Anya, who has grown up in its shadow and knows how to navigate its whims, gets drawn into its plans without quite realising it. To be fair, she has other concerns on her mind - not just the curse that's transforming her, but her growing affection for and attraction to Sy, whom she knows she must eventually betray.
The slow burn romance between Sy and Anya works for me - a push and pull, a romantic tension that ebbs and flows. How much of it is the influence of the forest? And how much of it is the understanding that grows between two outcasts fighting for their lives? We'll never know, but it doesn't quite matter. What really nailed it for me, in the end, was Sy's intrinsic dignity and honour, the fact that his love was underscored with sacrifice - he accomplished what he meant to do, then he gave it away for her.
Note: I received a digital ARC of this book from Angry Robot via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Hunt the Ever Wild is a richly layered dark fairy tale (they use the term gaslamp fantasy, but idk, I'm giving up on genre terms and it does very much read like a fairy tale). Magic is powered by blood and words. The Forest has a will of its own. It feels very much like a story against Empire; not so much post-colonialism, but more of an angry Eat-the-Rich vibe.
Sy is the scholarship student who makes it, but finds himself in an untenable position - with an indenture (student debt) that hardly ever reduces no matter how hard he saves. He makes money from serving the nobility, but also performs "charity" (an act highly looked down on by his peers) by healing the ailments of the poor in the district (slum?) he grew up in. He's made it, but he will never fit in. His relationship with David is confusing at first - self-serving and selfish, amidst genuine care. It isn't until you learn that David, whilst secure in his own social class, is battling bankruptcy that you realise why the two of them, with Bernard (the failed spellscribe) and Sabina (the woman), end up pulling together, even if half the time they need to fight each other to stay afloat in society. Half-friends are better than no friends in a cut-throat society.
Kiser showcases in stark relief the attitudes of the rich nobility towards the poor and unfortunate, especially those who have managed to make something of themselves ("Oh, the poor indenture!"). Much of Sy's posturing is to hide his vulnerability from those who are supposed to be his peers, yet Anya sees them as an affectation put on to mock her. Funnily enough, Anya's secret origins may actually provide the acceptance in high society that Sy can never hope to gain.
The Forest itself is an active character in the book. It doesn't speak, of course, but it acts in subtle ways, changing every person who enters its domain - revealing the darkest secrets of those who came to hunt the phoenix, manipulating the actions of others to achieve its own goals. Even Anya, who has grown up in its shadow and knows how to navigate its whims, gets drawn into its plans without quite realising it. To be fair, she has other concerns on her mind - not just the curse that's transforming her, but her growing affection for and attraction to Sy, whom she knows she must eventually betray.
The slow burn romance between Sy and Anya works for me - a push and pull, a romantic tension that ebbs and flows. How much of it is the influence of the forest? And how much of it is the understanding that grows between two outcasts fighting for their lives? We'll never know, but it doesn't quite matter. What really nailed it for me, in the end, was Sy's intrinsic dignity and honour, the fact that his love was underscored with sacrifice - he accomplished what he meant to do, then he gave it away for her.
Note: I received a digital ARC of this book from Angry Robot via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
June 30, 2026
I was surprised by this debut novel. It is magical; the forest is untamed, dangerous, alive, and full of whimsy. The description made it seem like a real magical living thing. I love this kind of fantasy world. The kind that makes you want to visit.
The main characters are Sy and Anya. Sy is a Wizard. He is the male main character. He is indentured to the crown. The king is not a good man, but Sy? He's so good. He does what good he can, and he still sees the beauty around him. To free him from the king's service, he has to find the phoenix. Anya is the FMC who is capable, smart, and strong. She has survived on her own in the Lichtenwald forest. She is cursed by a witch; there is only one way to break the curse. The witch wants the phoenix. Both Anya and Sy have good reason to hunt the phoenix. Neither can stand to lose.
It was such an adventure getting through the forest. I loved these two characters; it was hard to side with one or the other since they both so badly needed a win. I was also sad for the phoenix who was being hunted. A must-read for fantasy fans.
HUNT THE EVER WILD, a gothic journey into the heart of an untamed forest
❤️ slow burn rivals-to-lovers ❤️
🌲 wizards, witches, and mystical creatures 🌲
🏹 a competition where everything is at stake 🏹
Description
A gothic standalone combining the gaslamp fantasy of C. L. Polk’s Witchmark with the slow-burn rivals-to-lovers romance of Isa Agajanian's Modern Divination and the whimsy of Howl's Moving Castle.
When the king calls a hunt for the Lichtenwald forest’s elusive phoenix, wizard Sy jumps at the chance. Years ago, he indentured himself to the crown to pay for his magical education, and an unbreakable spell binds him to carry out the king’s every wicked whim, or face certain death. The prize is enough to pay off his debt, but he can’t survive the forest alone. Seeking help, he finds Anya, a skilled huntress living on the Lichtenwald’s edge, and lies about splitting the prize.
But Anya’s lying too. Cursed by a witch after killing her familiar, Anya must find the phoenix and bind it to the witch by the summer solstice, or else suffer a gruesome transformation. With the curse worsening and the Lichtenwald swarming with wizards, she needs Sy on her side – for now.
Neither of them can split the prize, nor win alone. And despite the growing attraction between them, betrayal remains their only option.
But anything is possible in the forest.
And the forest is hungry.
Thank you Angry Robot Books for this galley. I was under no obligation to leave a review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Hunt the Ever Wild is an excellent cozy fantasy following a magician and a hunter in search of a phoenix. Sylas is a magical scribe, conscripted to serve the king until a fortune has been repaid for his education, when the king issues a summons: he wants to be transformed into a phoenix and live forever. Sylas recruits Anya, a hunter with her own motivations: a wicked witch has placed a curse on her, and unless she can capture the mythical bird herself, she will become a moth. The two stumble through the forest, evading others on the hunt, becoming friends and then something more.
The story felt very cozy, but was still more serious than some of the cozy fantasy stories on the market. The book leaned into the descriptions of walking through the woods and the taste of a fresh berry plucked off the vine, but also had multiple corpses show up on-page, in addition to violence against humans and animals. The magic system is somewhat gruesome, focused on writing glyphs using the scriber’s own blood.
The magical system was interesting and well developed; the author thought through the consequences of using magic too little or too much, the physiological implications and the power dynamics. The world building integrated the complexities of the magic system with the distinctions around social class. It created a system that felt very hands-on and authentic, rather than abstract.
The character development in this story was excellent and compelling. Both of our main characters grow and change throughout the story. This change is ushered in both by the larger plot and by their relationship with one another. It was compelling to follow two characters who are so set on betraying the other yet can’t help themselves but work together.
The pacing of this book started a little slow, but the story really picked up at about the 30% mark. The romance was well developed, though I do wish the characters had spent a little more time together in the second act.
The story features one explicit scene. The scene has descriptions of kissing and heavy implications of more, but nothing explicit is described on-page.
Thank you to the publisher for this advanced reader copy!
The story felt very cozy, but was still more serious than some of the cozy fantasy stories on the market. The book leaned into the descriptions of walking through the woods and the taste of a fresh berry plucked off the vine, but also had multiple corpses show up on-page, in addition to violence against humans and animals. The magic system is somewhat gruesome, focused on writing glyphs using the scriber’s own blood.
The magical system was interesting and well developed; the author thought through the consequences of using magic too little or too much, the physiological implications and the power dynamics. The world building integrated the complexities of the magic system with the distinctions around social class. It created a system that felt very hands-on and authentic, rather than abstract.
The character development in this story was excellent and compelling. Both of our main characters grow and change throughout the story. This change is ushered in both by the larger plot and by their relationship with one another. It was compelling to follow two characters who are so set on betraying the other yet can’t help themselves but work together.
The pacing of this book started a little slow, but the story really picked up at about the 30% mark. The romance was well developed, though I do wish the characters had spent a little more time together in the second act.
The story features one explicit scene. The scene has descriptions of kissing and heavy implications of more, but nothing explicit is described on-page.
Thank you to the publisher for this advanced reader copy!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is one of those dark, gothic fantasies that never fails to remind me why I love this genre so much. The Lichtenwald Forest feels alive, and it’s beyond beautiful, eerie, unpredictable, and hungry. From blood-written magic to cursed bargains and an elusive phoenix, S.E. Kiser creates a world with an atmosphere that feels visceral. The gothic tone is immersive, and the body horror elements add an unsettling edge that keeps the story from ever feeling safe. I completely forgot I had wished for this on NetGalley, but I am so glad Angry Robot decided to grant it.
What I enjoyed most was the way Sy and Anya’s journeys mirrored one another. Both are trapped by forces beyond their control and willing to make questionable choices in pursuit of freedom. Their partnership is built on secrets and the constant threat of betrayal, which made their interactions compelling even when I wasn’t completely sold on the romance itself. The story spends a lot of time exploring survival, class divides, power, and the cost of ambition, and I appreciated how thoughtfully those themes were woven into the narrative.
To be completely honest, and I don’t say this often, but I think this book would’ve worked so much better if it didn’t have a romance plot line. I was 10x more interested in the things that had nothing to do with the romance. The middle section occasionally lost momentum for me, and while the strange magic and unsettling encounters were fascinating, the story sometimes felt more interested in introspection than forward movement. Still, the rich atmosphere, inventive magic system, and morally complicated cast kept me invested despite it all.
What ultimately earned this a solid four stars was the ending. By the final act, I genuinely had no idea how things would unfold or who, if anyone, would walk away with what they wanted. The climax was tense, imaginative, and full of difficult choices, delivering the kind of unpredictable payoff I always hope for in standalone fantasies. This was dark, whimsical, and hauntingly beautiful, and it definitely stands to be an unforgettable standalone in my book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Angry Robot for this eARC!
What I enjoyed most was the way Sy and Anya’s journeys mirrored one another. Both are trapped by forces beyond their control and willing to make questionable choices in pursuit of freedom. Their partnership is built on secrets and the constant threat of betrayal, which made their interactions compelling even when I wasn’t completely sold on the romance itself. The story spends a lot of time exploring survival, class divides, power, and the cost of ambition, and I appreciated how thoughtfully those themes were woven into the narrative.
To be completely honest, and I don’t say this often, but I think this book would’ve worked so much better if it didn’t have a romance plot line. I was 10x more interested in the things that had nothing to do with the romance. The middle section occasionally lost momentum for me, and while the strange magic and unsettling encounters were fascinating, the story sometimes felt more interested in introspection than forward movement. Still, the rich atmosphere, inventive magic system, and morally complicated cast kept me invested despite it all.
What ultimately earned this a solid four stars was the ending. By the final act, I genuinely had no idea how things would unfold or who, if anyone, would walk away with what they wanted. The climax was tense, imaginative, and full of difficult choices, delivering the kind of unpredictable payoff I always hope for in standalone fantasies. This was dark, whimsical, and hauntingly beautiful, and it definitely stands to be an unforgettable standalone in my book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Angry Robot for this eARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 stars!
First of all, I really enjoyed this! The beginning sucked me in right away. The world was so interesting, and the magic system was incredibly unique. I loved how naturally we were introduced to both the characters and the magic. Sy especially gave me Howl vibes while still feeling completely like his own character, which I really loved!
The curse aspect of the story, with Anya slowly turning into a moon moth throughout the book, was such a unique idea, and I loved seeing it explored. Some parts were wonderfully gruesome, but that really fit the vibes of this book perfectly! The myths, creatures, and magic were easily some of my favorite parts, and I honestly could have read even more about them.
The middle did slow down for me a bit, though. There was so much build up surrounding how dangerous Lichtenwald was that I expected a little more from the forest itself and its creatures. It definitely was not easy for the characters, but it did not fully live up to the tension that had been built around it. I also wanted a bit more from the romance. I liked Anya and Sy together, but sometimes their reasons for working together did not fully click for me, and emotionally they still felt a little distant, especially Anya. Some of the lighter and funnier moments with her were actually my favorites because those were the moments where I felt the most connected to her.
By the end, though, the story really picked back up again, and I really enjoyed the direction it went in! The ending felt fitting and emotional, even if it was a little bittersweet for one particular character. Some of the side characters really stood out to me by the end and added so much charm to the story.
Overall, I definitely wanted a bit more from certain parts of the story, but I still really enjoyed what was given. The atmosphere, magic system, creatures, and overall creativity made this such a fun and memorable read for me!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
First of all, I really enjoyed this! The beginning sucked me in right away. The world was so interesting, and the magic system was incredibly unique. I loved how naturally we were introduced to both the characters and the magic. Sy especially gave me Howl vibes while still feeling completely like his own character, which I really loved!
The curse aspect of the story, with Anya slowly turning into a moon moth throughout the book, was such a unique idea, and I loved seeing it explored. Some parts were wonderfully gruesome, but that really fit the vibes of this book perfectly! The myths, creatures, and magic were easily some of my favorite parts, and I honestly could have read even more about them.
The middle did slow down for me a bit, though. There was so much build up surrounding how dangerous Lichtenwald was that I expected a little more from the forest itself and its creatures. It definitely was not easy for the characters, but it did not fully live up to the tension that had been built around it. I also wanted a bit more from the romance. I liked Anya and Sy together, but sometimes their reasons for working together did not fully click for me, and emotionally they still felt a little distant, especially Anya. Some of the lighter and funnier moments with her were actually my favorites because those were the moments where I felt the most connected to her.
By the end, though, the story really picked back up again, and I really enjoyed the direction it went in! The ending felt fitting and emotional, even if it was a little bittersweet for one particular character. Some of the side characters really stood out to me by the end and added so much charm to the story.
Overall, I definitely wanted a bit more from certain parts of the story, but I still really enjoyed what was given. The atmosphere, magic system, creatures, and overall creativity made this such a fun and memorable read for me!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
August 8, 2026
Sylas is a scribe bound forever to the King's demands. Anya is a huntress recently cursed by a witch for killing her familiar. They need each other to free themselves by catching a phoenix—in which its existence is questionable still—but when their feelings got in the way and they have to do the inevitable, which way would they choose?
Hunt the Ever Wild enticed me with its cover and premise. I am always in for team up-based romance and lush fantasy setting, and although it's not completely cozy (especially in the beginning), it does have a comforting factor, and the mystery of phoenix kept my interest until the end. Sylas is an interesting character as he has balanced flaws and privileges plus enough motivation to go on the prized hunt. However, I liked Anya's part more. Her stake is higher and her lore contributes to most of the enchanting vibes that this book offers. Even so, both of them are a delight to watch, especially when they interact. I squealed whenever Sylas goes soft only by seeing her and does anything to protect her, even when he knows she can protect herself.
The plot is genuinely enjoyable. I let myself be surprised by the twists and turns, and the romance is progressing realistically and satisfyingly.
My main issue with this book is the writing style. It's jumbled, often feeling like missing a word of two, or arranged illogically so some actions are hard to follow. The lack of clarity frustrated me and it halted my reading progress for longer than I planned. I get what the author is trying to say and that's why it confuses me, because there obviously is a better way to explain it yet this is what the author chose. I'm sure the author is talented, and some sentences do flow beautifully. Maybe more time of editing and proofreading would help polish it even more and make the story shinier.
3.5 stars. Thank you to Angry Robot and NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
***
I looove Anya and Sy's interaction and dynamics, the setting, and the plot overall. However, I find the writing style difficult to follow and understand sometimes, and it's not really getting better as the story progresses.
Hunt the Ever Wild enticed me with its cover and premise. I am always in for team up-based romance and lush fantasy setting, and although it's not completely cozy (especially in the beginning), it does have a comforting factor, and the mystery of phoenix kept my interest until the end. Sylas is an interesting character as he has balanced flaws and privileges plus enough motivation to go on the prized hunt. However, I liked Anya's part more. Her stake is higher and her lore contributes to most of the enchanting vibes that this book offers. Even so, both of them are a delight to watch, especially when they interact. I squealed whenever Sylas goes soft only by seeing her and does anything to protect her, even when he knows she can protect herself.
The plot is genuinely enjoyable. I let myself be surprised by the twists and turns, and the romance is progressing realistically and satisfyingly.
My main issue with this book is the writing style. It's jumbled, often feeling like missing a word of two, or arranged illogically so some actions are hard to follow. The lack of clarity frustrated me and it halted my reading progress for longer than I planned. I get what the author is trying to say and that's why it confuses me, because there obviously is a better way to explain it yet this is what the author chose. I'm sure the author is talented, and some sentences do flow beautifully. Maybe more time of editing and proofreading would help polish it even more and make the story shinier.
3.5 stars. Thank you to Angry Robot and NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
***
I looove Anya and Sy's interaction and dynamics, the setting, and the plot overall. However, I find the writing style difficult to follow and understand sometimes, and it's not really getting better as the story progresses.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Angry Robot for providing me with a copy of this novel in return for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
There is no better way to start this review than to say that this book is absolutely amazing. From this point on, know that I will tell you everything that I love and nothing that I hate, because the only thing I hate is that I don’t own the physical copy of this book already. So, I guess I technically lied because I just told you something I hate. Moving on…
This book was such a surprise. One moment, I’m reading about queer magic boys, and then the next I’m learning about the nobles and how awful the king is. Suddenly, it’s a hunting adventure, then a straight romance, and then horror, and then a rescue mission? This seems like a lot, but this book is stitched together in such a way that it doesn’t ever pull from the experience.
The magic in this novel is part blood magic and part wild magic, with the blood magic being the only “acceptable” form of magic and really only done by nobles (because they can afford it, of course). The wild magic is the magic of the forest (the best setting in this book). Nobody controls the wild magic but the forest, and I love magical things: houses, plants, entire forests, even simple objects. I’ve been seeing them more and more in the books I’m reading, and it brings me so much joy.
This is one book where I couldn’t tell you what the progression of my rating. I had no clue what I was going to rate this book until I finished it. Then I had to think about it. Then I decided. It has to be a 5-star rating. It was so good. I loved the characters and the magic. I loved the setting of the forest, and I loved that one moment it was horror and the next it was just fantasy. This is one that I will probably recommend most fantasy lovers give a try. It’s not super long, and worst comes to worst, you don’t finish it. I hope that you’ll love it as much as I do, though.
There is no better way to start this review than to say that this book is absolutely amazing. From this point on, know that I will tell you everything that I love and nothing that I hate, because the only thing I hate is that I don’t own the physical copy of this book already. So, I guess I technically lied because I just told you something I hate. Moving on…
This book was such a surprise. One moment, I’m reading about queer magic boys, and then the next I’m learning about the nobles and how awful the king is. Suddenly, it’s a hunting adventure, then a straight romance, and then horror, and then a rescue mission? This seems like a lot, but this book is stitched together in such a way that it doesn’t ever pull from the experience.
The magic in this novel is part blood magic and part wild magic, with the blood magic being the only “acceptable” form of magic and really only done by nobles (because they can afford it, of course). The wild magic is the magic of the forest (the best setting in this book). Nobody controls the wild magic but the forest, and I love magical things: houses, plants, entire forests, even simple objects. I’ve been seeing them more and more in the books I’m reading, and it brings me so much joy.
This is one book where I couldn’t tell you what the progression of my rating. I had no clue what I was going to rate this book until I finished it. Then I had to think about it. Then I decided. It has to be a 5-star rating. It was so good. I loved the characters and the magic. I loved the setting of the forest, and I loved that one moment it was horror and the next it was just fantasy. This is one that I will probably recommend most fantasy lovers give a try. It’s not super long, and worst comes to worst, you don’t finish it. I hope that you’ll love it as much as I do, though.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
I'm giving Hunt the Ever Wild 5 stars for a story that was well grounded while also being evocative, and left me feeling like I'd just been told a fantastic tale after I finished.
The setup for the conflict was well-done, and I enjoyed both Anya and Sy as we got to know them, both through what they did in the present, but also as we got into their histories individually as well. They conflict in a way where it's more a product of how they've had to survive, while still letting them mesh together well when the romance part of the book kicks off.
The world was intriguing and yet well grounded, with the spellscribe magic requiring blood and the spellscribes having the pay the consequences of that (needing to eat food specifically to help replenish their blood, needing to spend time recovering, etc.). The forest was also delightfully dangerous and wild, almost feywild in a lot of ways, with the consequences that naturally flow from that kind of environment.
I definitely enjoyed that the queer relationships were normalized and just no big deal to the characters, while still having the class-based issues of nobility/wealth vs those with less. Not every book has to tackle every theme, and this one stuck to what was key for this book - class and wealth and power and magic, and that's perfect, in my mind.
While the last few chapters were my favorite overall, they absolutely would not have been nearly as exciting without the rest of the book to lead into them, and while sometimes things felt maybe slower than other books, it was a steady pace - like a hunter stalking its prey until the final, exciting pounce.
I definitely recommend Hunt the Ever Wild for anyone looking for a fantastical adventure, character growth and romance, and an ever wild world of magic.
I'm giving Hunt the Ever Wild 5 stars for a story that was well grounded while also being evocative, and left me feeling like I'd just been told a fantastic tale after I finished.
The setup for the conflict was well-done, and I enjoyed both Anya and Sy as we got to know them, both through what they did in the present, but also as we got into their histories individually as well. They conflict in a way where it's more a product of how they've had to survive, while still letting them mesh together well when the romance part of the book kicks off.
The world was intriguing and yet well grounded, with the spellscribe magic requiring blood and the spellscribes having the pay the consequences of that (needing to eat food specifically to help replenish their blood, needing to spend time recovering, etc.). The forest was also delightfully dangerous and wild, almost feywild in a lot of ways, with the consequences that naturally flow from that kind of environment.
I definitely enjoyed that the queer relationships were normalized and just no big deal to the characters, while still having the class-based issues of nobility/wealth vs those with less. Not every book has to tackle every theme, and this one stuck to what was key for this book - class and wealth and power and magic, and that's perfect, in my mind.
While the last few chapters were my favorite overall, they absolutely would not have been nearly as exciting without the rest of the book to lead into them, and while sometimes things felt maybe slower than other books, it was a steady pace - like a hunter stalking its prey until the final, exciting pounce.
I definitely recommend Hunt the Ever Wild for anyone looking for a fantastical adventure, character growth and romance, and an ever wild world of magic.
June 25, 2026
Hunt the Ever Wild by S. E. Kiser brings court/class dynamics and woodland adventure together for a high-stakes, magical adventure.
When the king of Gescany offers a huge reward to whoever can turn him into a phoenix, a hunt is called to track the bird down. At the forefront of this search are Sy (an indentured magician who writes spells with his blood) and Anya (a cursed huntress from the Lichtenwald). They are each desperate to win the prize. They’ll backstab their way to it if they have to. As they reluctantly band together to hunt the phoenix down, sparks fly between them and they start to reconsider. Will either of them risk winning the gold, and losing themselves entirely in the process?
Firstly, I adore how this story starts. By the end of the first three (relatively short) chapters, you know who the characters are and what they want enough to risk their way of life. You know why the stakes are so high for them, and what it will cost them if they fail. You also get a glimpse of their personalities, which are an interesting mix of soft and brutal.
Something I love about the entire book is how the author uses beautiful, lyrical prose to paint pictures of the characters, settings and atmosphere. Their way with words is incredible. Parts of the story are as romantic and rich as fireside yarns, but don’t let that fool you - other scenes slap you in the face with horror, unexpected violence, or creeping dread.
I did think the final portion of the story could have been expanded on a little (and I’d have gladly read a longer book for this) as it felt less languid and rich than the rest. But overall the tale is unique and bold and I very much enjoyed it. If you like a tale with bite, you will too.
Thank you to @angryrobotbooks and the author for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
When the king of Gescany offers a huge reward to whoever can turn him into a phoenix, a hunt is called to track the bird down. At the forefront of this search are Sy (an indentured magician who writes spells with his blood) and Anya (a cursed huntress from the Lichtenwald). They are each desperate to win the prize. They’ll backstab their way to it if they have to. As they reluctantly band together to hunt the phoenix down, sparks fly between them and they start to reconsider. Will either of them risk winning the gold, and losing themselves entirely in the process?
Firstly, I adore how this story starts. By the end of the first three (relatively short) chapters, you know who the characters are and what they want enough to risk their way of life. You know why the stakes are so high for them, and what it will cost them if they fail. You also get a glimpse of their personalities, which are an interesting mix of soft and brutal.
Something I love about the entire book is how the author uses beautiful, lyrical prose to paint pictures of the characters, settings and atmosphere. Their way with words is incredible. Parts of the story are as romantic and rich as fireside yarns, but don’t let that fool you - other scenes slap you in the face with horror, unexpected violence, or creeping dread.
I did think the final portion of the story could have been expanded on a little (and I’d have gladly read a longer book for this) as it felt less languid and rich than the rest. But overall the tale is unique and bold and I very much enjoyed it. If you like a tale with bite, you will too.
Thank you to @angryrobotbooks and the author for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
• Review of advance copy received from publisher • Hunt the Ever Wild has a whimsical and atmospheric vibe that drew me in immediately.
Our MC’s are Anya and Sy, complete opposites of each other. Their journey to capture a mythical phoenix is one of necessity and destiny as they confront friends, foes and their own internal truths.
I loved Anya from the start, she’s a practical, sharp witted, brave huntress who is struggling to survive on the fringes of society. Sy is an artist turned royal scribe (more like a wizard) who’s trapped by debt and bound to serve a cruel king. Both of them however, resist the pressures of society and its expectations for them. They push back in their own way and refuse to compromise til the very end.
A real highlight for me is the creativity in this novel. The magic system, folklore, strange creatures and Anya's curse (with a transformation taking place as time ticks away) all add depth originality and a sense of urgency to the story.
I found the writing gorgeously descriptive, bringing both the world and its characters vividly to life. There is rich detail woven throughout the narrative which creates a really strong sense of place. You can imagine everything from the enchanting city to the eerie depths of Lichtenwald easily. Equally, we the readers spend a great deal of time in Anya and Sy's heads and gain a deep understanding of their fears, hopes, frustrations and desires.
This emotional depth makes their individual journeys feel authentic and allows the novel's themes of survival, freedom, beauty, and power to resonate more strongly.
While I did find the middle section occasionally lost focus and the romance lacks a bit of emotional chemistry, the story regains momentum with a suuuuper tense and totally unpredictable finale.
Overall, this story is a wildly imaginative and very thought provoking read that showcases Kiser's promise as a fantasy author, I had such a fun time on this journey and look forward to picking up their next book.
Our MC’s are Anya and Sy, complete opposites of each other. Their journey to capture a mythical phoenix is one of necessity and destiny as they confront friends, foes and their own internal truths.
I loved Anya from the start, she’s a practical, sharp witted, brave huntress who is struggling to survive on the fringes of society. Sy is an artist turned royal scribe (more like a wizard) who’s trapped by debt and bound to serve a cruel king. Both of them however, resist the pressures of society and its expectations for them. They push back in their own way and refuse to compromise til the very end.
A real highlight for me is the creativity in this novel. The magic system, folklore, strange creatures and Anya's curse (with a transformation taking place as time ticks away) all add depth originality and a sense of urgency to the story.
I found the writing gorgeously descriptive, bringing both the world and its characters vividly to life. There is rich detail woven throughout the narrative which creates a really strong sense of place. You can imagine everything from the enchanting city to the eerie depths of Lichtenwald easily. Equally, we the readers spend a great deal of time in Anya and Sy's heads and gain a deep understanding of their fears, hopes, frustrations and desires.
This emotional depth makes their individual journeys feel authentic and allows the novel's themes of survival, freedom, beauty, and power to resonate more strongly.
While I did find the middle section occasionally lost focus and the romance lacks a bit of emotional chemistry, the story regains momentum with a suuuuper tense and totally unpredictable finale.
Overall, this story is a wildly imaginative and very thought provoking read that showcases Kiser's promise as a fantasy author, I had such a fun time on this journey and look forward to picking up their next book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Netgalley and Angry Robot for an early copy of this book to review.
Initially I was sold this book as a 'cosy fantasy' but I REALLY think it doesn't fall into that category. I saw a DNF 1 star review saying this was because the main character was implied to be having sex with another man at the start... but that just seemed like an excuse for homophobia. Personally, this book seemed to me to be much more along the lines of 'gothic fantasy' with a good dollop of 'body horror' thrown in. Trigger warning for blood, death, torture, etc. if that's an issue for you.
Initially, before the characters went to the forest to hunt the Phoenix, I was worried I wouldn't like this book: the text was too prosey, I didn't understand what was happening all the time because of the flowery language, and I didn't really like any of the characters.
But once they all went on the hunt, I got hooked. The forest was like a character all on its own, kind of like a chaotic fey being that liked to mess with people and test them with deadly consequences.
It got more scary, but also much more interesting.
The other Spellscribes were all written in a nice array of 'rich asshole', with differing but similar takes on this personality type. I even ended up liking Sabina more than I thought I would which was nice.
Anya and Sy were great main characters with conflicting goals. At times they did feel oddly similar when inside either head, but I liked them both so I let that slide. They were just both analytical and serious, which made sense given their backgrounds.
Overall the ending felt a smidge rushed, but I liked the vibe and generally enjoyed being in this world for as long as this book lasted. It's a decent debut!
Initially I was sold this book as a 'cosy fantasy' but I REALLY think it doesn't fall into that category. I saw a DNF 1 star review saying this was because the main character was implied to be having sex with another man at the start... but that just seemed like an excuse for homophobia. Personally, this book seemed to me to be much more along the lines of 'gothic fantasy' with a good dollop of 'body horror' thrown in. Trigger warning for blood, death, torture, etc. if that's an issue for you.
Initially, before the characters went to the forest to hunt the Phoenix, I was worried I wouldn't like this book: the text was too prosey, I didn't understand what was happening all the time because of the flowery language, and I didn't really like any of the characters.
But once they all went on the hunt, I got hooked. The forest was like a character all on its own, kind of like a chaotic fey being that liked to mess with people and test them with deadly consequences.
It got more scary, but also much more interesting.
The other Spellscribes were all written in a nice array of 'rich asshole', with differing but similar takes on this personality type. I even ended up liking Sabina more than I thought I would which was nice.
Anya and Sy were great main characters with conflicting goals. At times they did feel oddly similar when inside either head, but I liked them both so I let that slide. They were just both analytical and serious, which made sense given their backgrounds.
Overall the ending felt a smidge rushed, but I liked the vibe and generally enjoyed being in this world for as long as this book lasted. It's a decent debut!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Update: I was immediately hooked by Hunt the Ever Wild because of its interesting and diverse main characters and world that was in equal parts gritty and cosy in its exploration of how we suffer under late-stage capitalism in a fantasy setting. I am incredibly partial to a fop-with-hidden-depth MMC and stabby-muscled-FMC-hiding-a-soft-heart, as am I partial to gothic woodland settings, so I felt pretty confident that I was going to adore this book.
I did like it, but I didn't end up loving it. I think the first 20% were incredibly promising in the way they set up Sy and his frenemies, and Anya and her loneliness and curse. I really liked their early discussions as they felt each other out, trying to understand just who they had agreed to work with and ultimately planned to betray.
The Howl's Moving Castle comparisons are correct in my opinion, but may not be in the way that the reader initially expects. The elements that I found similar were there being a mage MMC who is contracted to gentry/royalty somehow reluctantly, but who is in need of money from their humble beginnings, and uses their focus on their outside appearance to distract from their feelings. And having a recently-cursed, practical FMC who has been forced to rely only upon herself.
The middle 70% of the book loses its way somewhat, as the characters seeking the phoenix in the forest do. I did like the romance subplot but I found that there was too much 'tell' and not enough 'do'. If the author had focused more showing, the forest and political commentary could have been far eerier.
Overall I did enjoy this book, some parts I absolutely adored, but it didn't meet my (admittedly high) expectations. I hope that the author keeps writing this type of book as there are AMAZING bones to Hunt the Ever Wild that were unfortunately not done full justice by their execution.
Thank you so much to Angry Robot Books for granting my Netgalley wish for this eARC!
Original: 3.5 stars rounded up. Review to come.
I did like it, but I didn't end up loving it. I think the first 20% were incredibly promising in the way they set up Sy and his frenemies, and Anya and her loneliness and curse. I really liked their early discussions as they felt each other out, trying to understand just who they had agreed to work with and ultimately planned to betray.
The Howl's Moving Castle comparisons are correct in my opinion, but may not be in the way that the reader initially expects. The elements that I found similar were there being a mage MMC who is contracted to gentry/royalty somehow reluctantly, but who is in need of money from their humble beginnings, and uses their focus on their outside appearance to distract from their feelings. And having a recently-cursed, practical FMC who has been forced to rely only upon herself.
The middle 70% of the book loses its way somewhat, as the characters seeking the phoenix in the forest do. I did like the romance subplot but I found that there was too much 'tell' and not enough 'do'. If the author had focused more showing, the forest and political commentary could have been far eerier.
Overall I did enjoy this book, some parts I absolutely adored, but it didn't meet my (admittedly high) expectations. I hope that the author keeps writing this type of book as there are AMAZING bones to Hunt the Ever Wild that were unfortunately not done full justice by their execution.
Thank you so much to Angry Robot Books for granting my Netgalley wish for this eARC!
Original: 3.5 stars rounded up. Review to come.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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Thank you to Netgalley and Angry Robot for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review! 💖
A gothic standalone fantasy about Sylas, a spellscribe indentured to a corrupt king, and Anya, a huntress cursed by a witch—and the prize that the two of them partner up to hunt, despite their conflicting intentions.
The body horror elements of this novel were unexpected but not unwelcome. I enjoy fantasies that treat nature as an autonomous entity—especially one that is capable or retaliation. So, I liked the characters’ growing awareness of the forest’s power and of how it figures into their relationships with one another and the land itself. That said, the Howl’s Moving Castle comparison did not seem to fit with this macabre atmosphere. Similar themes, such as breaking self-imposed curses and learning to love others despite their flaws, did emerge, but I would recommend Hunt the Ever Wild on that basis alone.
I did appreciate the clarity with which the transactional nature of the magic system was delineated. Magic use comes with a physiological toll, though it is capable of healing, transformation, and destruction equally. I remained curious about the system of magical education, though, since it was only briefly explained, and many applications of magic were left unexplored. I also think the book would’ve benefitted from lacking a romance storyline; it just didn’t strike me as essential, and I was much more interested in other elements.
A slow, introspective journey that delivered a climactic payoff, despite some confusion along the way.
Thank you to Netgalley and Angry Robot for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review! 💖
A gothic standalone fantasy about Sylas, a spellscribe indentured to a corrupt king, and Anya, a huntress cursed by a witch—and the prize that the two of them partner up to hunt, despite their conflicting intentions.
The body horror elements of this novel were unexpected but not unwelcome. I enjoy fantasies that treat nature as an autonomous entity—especially one that is capable or retaliation. So, I liked the characters’ growing awareness of the forest’s power and of how it figures into their relationships with one another and the land itself. That said, the Howl’s Moving Castle comparison did not seem to fit with this macabre atmosphere. Similar themes, such as breaking self-imposed curses and learning to love others despite their flaws, did emerge, but I would recommend Hunt the Ever Wild on that basis alone.
I did appreciate the clarity with which the transactional nature of the magic system was delineated. Magic use comes with a physiological toll, though it is capable of healing, transformation, and destruction equally. I remained curious about the system of magical education, though, since it was only briefly explained, and many applications of magic were left unexplored. I also think the book would’ve benefitted from lacking a romance storyline; it just didn’t strike me as essential, and I was much more interested in other elements.
A slow, introspective journey that delivered a climactic payoff, despite some confusion along the way.
June 20, 2026
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Trigger warnings: moderate sexual abuse, blood, gore
In Hunt the Ever Wild, we follow two POVs: Sylas’, a scribe of the crown, and Anya’s, an experienced huntress. Their paths cross when the king declares a hunt for the elusive phoenix of the magical forest Lichtenwald. Each needs the other if they are to beat other scribes and hunters in this dangerous challenge, but must conceal that in order to get what they need, they will eventually have to betray each other. As they grow closer, it becomes increasingly harder to pursue their own goals, especially once it becomes clear that the forest itself might be their biggest adversary.
What I liked the most in this story was the unique magic system, in which scribes must draw their own blood to then write intricate inscriptions and blow on them to make a spell. The gradual magical transformation one of the characters undergoes was also very interestingly explored. I also appreciated the intricacy of each character’s background, including the side-characters, and the LGBTQ+ representation (Sylas is into men and women).
Unfortunately, the writing style wasn’t for me. I don’t usually dislike flourished writing, but this one felt truncated and often confusing. The dialogues didn’t feel natural and kept me from connecting with the characters and believing the romance. The plot kept me from DNFing it, but the writing made reading often feel like a chore.
Trigger warnings: moderate sexual abuse, blood, gore
In Hunt the Ever Wild, we follow two POVs: Sylas’, a scribe of the crown, and Anya’s, an experienced huntress. Their paths cross when the king declares a hunt for the elusive phoenix of the magical forest Lichtenwald. Each needs the other if they are to beat other scribes and hunters in this dangerous challenge, but must conceal that in order to get what they need, they will eventually have to betray each other. As they grow closer, it becomes increasingly harder to pursue their own goals, especially once it becomes clear that the forest itself might be their biggest adversary.
What I liked the most in this story was the unique magic system, in which scribes must draw their own blood to then write intricate inscriptions and blow on them to make a spell. The gradual magical transformation one of the characters undergoes was also very interestingly explored. I also appreciated the intricacy of each character’s background, including the side-characters, and the LGBTQ+ representation (Sylas is into men and women).
Unfortunately, the writing style wasn’t for me. I don’t usually dislike flourished writing, but this one felt truncated and often confusing. The dialogues didn’t feel natural and kept me from connecting with the characters and believing the romance. The plot kept me from DNFing it, but the writing made reading often feel like a chore.
June 18, 2026
Magic can do beautiful things, but it comes at a rather unsavory cost. Spells are drawn with the blood of the caster, making them a precious resource. The king has no qualms with utilizing this resource as needed, similar to the upper classes. But Sylas, our protagonist, feels the weight of their demands with each drop of his blood as he changes their facial features and extends their lives. The king's fantastical wish to become a phoenix may be Sylas' only way out of his indenture to the crown, but it will not be an easy path as every other wizard and witch has their eyes set on the same prize.
This story was really inventive, with a unique magical mechanism by incorporating blood and a dangerous forest where much of the book takes place. I do think the worldbuilding was a bit lacking, which made this take on less depth than I think it could have. I also really would have loved more buildup of the characters and world before diving into the main section of the plot to feel more connected to what was happening. The start felt a bit rushed which didn't bode well for beginning the tale but actually worked out well for keeping the momentum up for the rest of the book. I think this was a nice story and I definitely think many people would enjoy it, especially anyone who likes a bit of a closer look at journeys/adventures in a gothic, magical world!
𝘨𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘤 𝘧𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘴𝘺 • 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This story was really inventive, with a unique magical mechanism by incorporating blood and a dangerous forest where much of the book takes place. I do think the worldbuilding was a bit lacking, which made this take on less depth than I think it could have. I also really would have loved more buildup of the characters and world before diving into the main section of the plot to feel more connected to what was happening. The start felt a bit rushed which didn't bode well for beginning the tale but actually worked out well for keeping the momentum up for the rest of the book. I think this was a nice story and I definitely think many people would enjoy it, especially anyone who likes a bit of a closer look at journeys/adventures in a gothic, magical world!
𝘨𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘤 𝘧𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘴𝘺 • 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 23, 2026
I read an eARC of this book on NetGalley so thank you to the author and the publisher.
I saw this book compared to Howl’s Moving Castle which was a big draw for me and there is a specific plot point that is very similar. This is a fantasy novel with a pretty nice romantic subplot. But the core of the novel is about the search for a phoenix. That’s where our two main characters come into it. They are both seeking the phoenix, not for themselves, but for different, powerful people who through nefarious means have put them in a position where they have no choice. One is a hunter, who lives in the woods, the other a magic user, from the city and tethered to the king.
This book started off well, lost me a little in the middle and then I really liked the ending. The last quarter of the book was really engaging as things took an unexpected turn.
There’s a fair amount of cruelty in this book, both from the people in power, but even from the supporting cast. The hunter, Anya is othered, and she’s suffering from a devastating curse. All the more awful when we see people’s ignorant and callous behaviour towards her. Her storyline is pretty hard to read at times, there’s a looming deadline, a loss of control and a seemingly impossible task.
Some nice fantasy elements, likeable characters (the two main ones at least), some pretty gnarly scenes and a little bit surprising towards the end.
I saw this book compared to Howl’s Moving Castle which was a big draw for me and there is a specific plot point that is very similar. This is a fantasy novel with a pretty nice romantic subplot. But the core of the novel is about the search for a phoenix. That’s where our two main characters come into it. They are both seeking the phoenix, not for themselves, but for different, powerful people who through nefarious means have put them in a position where they have no choice. One is a hunter, who lives in the woods, the other a magic user, from the city and tethered to the king.
This book started off well, lost me a little in the middle and then I really liked the ending. The last quarter of the book was really engaging as things took an unexpected turn.
There’s a fair amount of cruelty in this book, both from the people in power, but even from the supporting cast. The hunter, Anya is othered, and she’s suffering from a devastating curse. All the more awful when we see people’s ignorant and callous behaviour towards her. Her storyline is pretty hard to read at times, there’s a looming deadline, a loss of control and a seemingly impossible task.
Some nice fantasy elements, likeable characters (the two main ones at least), some pretty gnarly scenes and a little bit surprising towards the end.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Huge thanks to NetGalley & the publishers for a chance to review this arc!
I was very excited when I saw my wish got granted with this one. I had high expectations because it was described as whimsy and anyone who knows me knows I LIVE for whimsy.
Sadly, this is a DNF for me at 36%. Hunt the Ever Wild is about a King who wants to be turned into a phoenix, in exchange for a great reward. Two characters set on this quest for different reasons.
I think the first chapter of a book really sets off the tone and one thing really stuck out to me about the first chapter and it was that this wasn’t whimsy at all. I also couldn’t seem to bring myself to care for the characters which is another telling sign that this wasn’t for me. I sincerely did not like the writing as it relied heavily on repetitive sequences & the sheer amount inner monologues took me right out of the story. (The inner monologues were also very random and not important to the storyline).
I debated forcing myself through this read as I try not to DNF too much but I saw in the other reviews that the later half of this book was heavy on miscommunication and I cannot with that trope.
Overall, this sadly wasn’t for me. One thing I will say though and that I always repeat it’s that reading is subjective and you have to read it to know if it’s for you or not.
I was very excited when I saw my wish got granted with this one. I had high expectations because it was described as whimsy and anyone who knows me knows I LIVE for whimsy.
Sadly, this is a DNF for me at 36%. Hunt the Ever Wild is about a King who wants to be turned into a phoenix, in exchange for a great reward. Two characters set on this quest for different reasons.
I think the first chapter of a book really sets off the tone and one thing really stuck out to me about the first chapter and it was that this wasn’t whimsy at all. I also couldn’t seem to bring myself to care for the characters which is another telling sign that this wasn’t for me. I sincerely did not like the writing as it relied heavily on repetitive sequences & the sheer amount inner monologues took me right out of the story. (The inner monologues were also very random and not important to the storyline).
I debated forcing myself through this read as I try not to DNF too much but I saw in the other reviews that the later half of this book was heavy on miscommunication and I cannot with that trope.
Overall, this sadly wasn’t for me. One thing I will say though and that I always repeat it’s that reading is subjective and you have to read it to know if it’s for you or not.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Read as an arc from Netgalley. 4 stars.
A fun fantasy story. I knew I was going to like this within the first page or two with the words, "The king wants to be turned into a bird." and so the story goes. The king wants to be immortal, and to do this he thinks being turned into a phoenix will do the trick. So he creates a little competition, a challenge, whoever can do it first will get $50,000 (or the kingdoms equivalent of $). And so the hunt for the phoenix begins, in a magical forest that is anything but friendly.
We get a nice mix of humour (but not too much), adventure, snarkiness, dark moments, a touch of romance, friendship, betrayals, and there's a girl slowly turning into a moth.
I had a lot of fun reading this. My only real issue is that sometimes it seemed like there was sentences missing, and sentences put in out of nowhere that didn't belong. I'm not really sure how to explain it. Maybe like during edits certain paragraphs and sections didn't fully fix the flow when removing or adding sentences. Or maybe it's just the author's writing style. I don't know, but it was a bit jarring at times.
Still overall a good book and fun to read. I look forward to seeing what the author writes next.
A fun fantasy story. I knew I was going to like this within the first page or two with the words, "The king wants to be turned into a bird." and so the story goes. The king wants to be immortal, and to do this he thinks being turned into a phoenix will do the trick. So he creates a little competition, a challenge, whoever can do it first will get $50,000 (or the kingdoms equivalent of $). And so the hunt for the phoenix begins, in a magical forest that is anything but friendly.
We get a nice mix of humour (but not too much), adventure, snarkiness, dark moments, a touch of romance, friendship, betrayals, and there's a girl slowly turning into a moth.
I had a lot of fun reading this. My only real issue is that sometimes it seemed like there was sentences missing, and sentences put in out of nowhere that didn't belong. I'm not really sure how to explain it. Maybe like during edits certain paragraphs and sections didn't fully fix the flow when removing or adding sentences. Or maybe it's just the author's writing style. I don't know, but it was a bit jarring at times.
Still overall a good book and fun to read. I look forward to seeing what the author writes next.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5
Would you still love me if I was a worm? Lol
The cover and title and premise are screaming cozy fantasy but it mostly is not. It gets pretty dark in parts.
2 people team up in search of a magical bird in order to free themselves from their tyrannical requestors for very different and selfish reasons.
I definitely liked Anya’s POV much better. The beginning was not really the strongest in my opinion. The portrayal of Sy in this kind of sleazy way as our first impression put me off a little bit but as his side of the story comes out I did sympathize with him then. Very cool magic system in my opinion. We spend a large portion of the story in the woods hunting the phoenix. That’s the book. The romance is pretty minimal and is just there for a little fluff.
I just don’t think there was enough story line for it to be the length that it was. I definitely enjoyed it but the plot was a little repetitive and thin in parts. I did find myself skimming a bit in the middle. Would still recommend if you dig lighter fantasies with some darker moments because I still enjoyed the writing style and the characters a lot.
Thank you to Netgalley and Angry Robot for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Would you still love me if I was a worm? Lol
The cover and title and premise are screaming cozy fantasy but it mostly is not. It gets pretty dark in parts.
2 people team up in search of a magical bird in order to free themselves from their tyrannical requestors for very different and selfish reasons.
I definitely liked Anya’s POV much better. The beginning was not really the strongest in my opinion. The portrayal of Sy in this kind of sleazy way as our first impression put me off a little bit but as his side of the story comes out I did sympathize with him then. Very cool magic system in my opinion. We spend a large portion of the story in the woods hunting the phoenix. That’s the book. The romance is pretty minimal and is just there for a little fluff.
I just don’t think there was enough story line for it to be the length that it was. I definitely enjoyed it but the plot was a little repetitive and thin in parts. I did find myself skimming a bit in the middle. Would still recommend if you dig lighter fantasies with some darker moments because I still enjoyed the writing style and the characters a lot.
Thank you to Netgalley and Angry Robot for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 27, 2026
This was a surprisingly wonderful read that grabbed my attention quite quickly. The darker elements to the magic as well as the setting were intriguing. The way magic works with using blood in a fountain pen to scribe spells is such an interesting system. I also quite enjoyed the wild magic of the forest compared to the strict way spells need to typically be created. Overall the story landed well with me though that isn't to say there weren't things that could have been done better. The romance felt more lust than true romance, especially for someone that is so enamored with appreciating the beauty in the world. The geography was really hard to picture in my mind as well, in relation to the different kingdoms specifically. The forest being a more chaotic area makes sense, with it being the main setting I didn't mind so much the kingdoms being vaguely somewhere on a map. The characters are what really stood out for me for this read, while the plot is interesting and the world is engaging enough to keep my glued to a page the characters and how they handle everything is was really drew me in. They are complex and nothing is perfectly right or wrong.
Overall this is a fantastic story for anyone who likes fantasy with a dark twist.
Overall this is a fantastic story for anyone who likes fantasy with a dark twist.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an e-ARC of this book.
It has to be said straight up that the blurb's comparisons with Howl's Moving Castle aren't entirely fair to this book, and anyone who comes to it expecting a whimiscal, cosy story is going to get a surprise. It's a dark tale with elements of body horror, pretty twisted servitude and many (maybe too many and too long) introspective moments from our morally grey characters. The interactions and narrative are quite vague at times, but this is a debut novel and it shows an enormous amount of promise in the author.
What I liked a lot: the atmospheric setting. The forest is an intriguing character in its own right. The magic system was interesting and unique and I loved the originality of the curse placed on Anya. I'm not a big romance fan but this not the sweet and fluffy variety so worked for me. The cover is lovely and very apt.
Not so successful: There was a fair amount of repetition and rambling which would have benefited from some tightening up, but again - this is a debut author.
Summary: I enjoyed this a lot, and I would pick up the author's next work.
It has to be said straight up that the blurb's comparisons with Howl's Moving Castle aren't entirely fair to this book, and anyone who comes to it expecting a whimiscal, cosy story is going to get a surprise. It's a dark tale with elements of body horror, pretty twisted servitude and many (maybe too many and too long) introspective moments from our morally grey characters. The interactions and narrative are quite vague at times, but this is a debut novel and it shows an enormous amount of promise in the author.
What I liked a lot: the atmospheric setting. The forest is an intriguing character in its own right. The magic system was interesting and unique and I loved the originality of the curse placed on Anya. I'm not a big romance fan but this not the sweet and fluffy variety so worked for me. The cover is lovely and very apt.
Not so successful: There was a fair amount of repetition and rambling which would have benefited from some tightening up, but again - this is a debut author.
Summary: I enjoyed this a lot, and I would pick up the author's next work.
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