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Killing Hares
These are my lands. These are my hills, my valleys, my grass and sky and moon. My hares. My people.
Cerys Steadman was born to protect the land. Bound by earthen magic and a bloodline rooted in tradition. As the village huder, she's expected to serve, to heal, to obey. But after her mother dies saving Mervale from the Iron Crow, Cerys refuses to follow in her footsteps. No husband. No child. No heir. She guards her gift, walking the line between duty and defiance until the omens begin...
A trail of dead hares. A mysterious stranger drifts into her world, corrupted by ironcraft and linked to the darkest part of Cerys's past. A body is found. Whispers spread. And the village is quick to turn. As enemies rise and betrayal spreads, Cerys must decide whether to remain the reluctant daughter of duty or become the huder on her own terms, and reclaim a power long denied.
A story of found family, sisterly love and ancestral legacy, Killing Hares brings to life shapeshifters, dragons and elemental bonds to explore resistance and the quiet magic of becoming your own legend.
'A sumptuous, intricate novel about the ties of family, land, and tradition. Richly imagined and beautifully written, it takes the usual tropes of fantasy fiction and skews them to create something fresh and powerful, filled with humanity'Carly Holmes, author of Crow Face, Doll Face
'A gorgeously wrought novel that has all the best elements of fantasy, rooted in folklore, where charmwives and magic are rife. Huders are the land incarnate, intrinsically bound to the land in all its beauty, power and danger. Killing Hares is both disturbingly familiar in its exploration of the expectation on women to shoulder the burdens of whole communities, and deliciously disruptive in its utter defiance of those expectations'Mari Ellis-Dunning, author of Witsh
Cerys Steadman was born to protect the land. Bound by earthen magic and a bloodline rooted in tradition. As the village huder, she's expected to serve, to heal, to obey. But after her mother dies saving Mervale from the Iron Crow, Cerys refuses to follow in her footsteps. No husband. No child. No heir. She guards her gift, walking the line between duty and defiance until the omens begin...
A trail of dead hares. A mysterious stranger drifts into her world, corrupted by ironcraft and linked to the darkest part of Cerys's past. A body is found. Whispers spread. And the village is quick to turn. As enemies rise and betrayal spreads, Cerys must decide whether to remain the reluctant daughter of duty or become the huder on her own terms, and reclaim a power long denied.
A story of found family, sisterly love and ancestral legacy, Killing Hares brings to life shapeshifters, dragons and elemental bonds to explore resistance and the quiet magic of becoming your own legend.
'A sumptuous, intricate novel about the ties of family, land, and tradition. Richly imagined and beautifully written, it takes the usual tropes of fantasy fiction and skews them to create something fresh and powerful, filled with humanity'Carly Holmes, author of Crow Face, Doll Face
'A gorgeously wrought novel that has all the best elements of fantasy, rooted in folklore, where charmwives and magic are rife. Huders are the land incarnate, intrinsically bound to the land in all its beauty, power and danger. Killing Hares is both disturbingly familiar in its exploration of the expectation on women to shoulder the burdens of whole communities, and deliciously disruptive in its utter defiance of those expectations'Mari Ellis-Dunning, author of Witsh
- GenresFantasy
288 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 22, 2026
14 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
3.5* I'd like to thank the author and publisher for providing me with an ARC copy of Killing Hares to review.
The story follows Cerys, the town's huder (pronounced 'heeder') who is responsible for magical charms heedings to protect, heal and help the town of Mervale's residents. Following some strange events, including hares turning up dead on doorsteps, we are led on a journey as a reader to wonder and discover what may be causing the strange events.
Now, Mervale from the off was giving impressions of 'The Village', if you have ever seen the film. It is a remote town where its inhabitants are all superstitious and old-fashioned. A prime example is the expectation that Cerys will have a daughter against her will in order to pass on the hud to her heir. The town is also ruled by eldermen, some whose only interests are selfish and self-serving.
On the whole, I enjoyed this book. I especially liked the links to Welsh heritage, such as the use of Welsh names, the 'hud' (meaning magic in Welsh), and also a nearby place being named Devilbridge (which I strongly encourage you to look at the history of, and maybe even visit!). Personally, I typically choose fantasy books with a faster pace, and so this was quite different to my usual reads as it takes a more leisurely pace and there are no high stakes that I usually seek out. However, the magic system being drawn from the earth and feeling inspired by pagan or Celtic influence was very interesting and unique.
The story follows Cerys, the town's huder (pronounced 'heeder') who is responsible for magical charms heedings to protect, heal and help the town of Mervale's residents. Following some strange events, including hares turning up dead on doorsteps, we are led on a journey as a reader to wonder and discover what may be causing the strange events.
Now, Mervale from the off was giving impressions of 'The Village', if you have ever seen the film. It is a remote town where its inhabitants are all superstitious and old-fashioned. A prime example is the expectation that Cerys will have a daughter against her will in order to pass on the hud to her heir. The town is also ruled by eldermen, some whose only interests are selfish and self-serving.
On the whole, I enjoyed this book. I especially liked the links to Welsh heritage, such as the use of Welsh names, the 'hud' (meaning magic in Welsh), and also a nearby place being named Devilbridge (which I strongly encourage you to look at the history of, and maybe even visit!). Personally, I typically choose fantasy books with a faster pace, and so this was quite different to my usual reads as it takes a more leisurely pace and there are no high stakes that I usually seek out. However, the magic system being drawn from the earth and feeling inspired by pagan or Celtic influence was very interesting and unique.
January 26, 2026
It’s my fourth novel by this author and every one I read, I love more than the last.
Killing Hares is a stunning feminist fantasy about connecting with the natural world while society does its patriarchal bullshit. There is so much packed into this book from the gender commentary to how we treat foreigners/immigrants to how we stand alongside our loved ones. It’s hard to believe this book isn’t twice as long as it is; but it’s so well written that the political stuff doesn’t ever feel overwhelming or in your face. It’s there, lingering behind every thing, but first and foremost there is a rich plot and fantastic characters.
I love the way the main women create community. They’re not perfect and at times give into the less savoury feelings about each other, but then they find in each other something they need and want. The women are so beautiful complex – yes they’re strong badass ladies but at times they’re soft and have weaknesses and make stupid decisions or are quick to anger in unproductive ways.
ALSO DRAGONS.
I have one complaint and that is that there is a certain Edlerman I would’ve enjoyed having a slow painful death but alas. The fact that the this character has the ending they do is just another layer of the issues the book is raising.
Overall I genuinely loved it. It was hard to put down, and I can’t wait to see what the author does next!
Killing Hares is a stunning feminist fantasy about connecting with the natural world while society does its patriarchal bullshit. There is so much packed into this book from the gender commentary to how we treat foreigners/immigrants to how we stand alongside our loved ones. It’s hard to believe this book isn’t twice as long as it is; but it’s so well written that the political stuff doesn’t ever feel overwhelming or in your face. It’s there, lingering behind every thing, but first and foremost there is a rich plot and fantastic characters.
I love the way the main women create community. They’re not perfect and at times give into the less savoury feelings about each other, but then they find in each other something they need and want. The women are so beautiful complex – yes they’re strong badass ladies but at times they’re soft and have weaknesses and make stupid decisions or are quick to anger in unproductive ways.
ALSO DRAGONS.
I have one complaint and that is that there is a certain Edlerman I would’ve enjoyed having a slow painful death but alas. The fact that the this character has the ending they do is just another layer of the issues the book is raising.
Overall I genuinely loved it. It was hard to put down, and I can’t wait to see what the author does next!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.
Killing hares is a light, low-stakes fantasy that takes place in a vaguely medieval, vaguely Welsh setting. Despite using Welsh throughout, it seemed like this book didn't really know what it was doing at times. The main character's magic was named using Welsh but used English to make the magic happen (rhyming the Welsh word 'hud' with English 'heed' and making people 'heed' their words). It blurred Anglo-Saxon place named and positions of power (e.g. Elderman) with a vaguely Welsh/Brythonic setting that appeared to be sometime during the Roman occupation of Britain. Unfortunately, this combination being so anachronistic meant that the book failed to deliver on its promise. I would have preferred if the author had stuck to a clear place and time period OR set it in an entirely fantasy world; this mixture of both made immersion difficult.
That being said, I enjoyed this book and it was a light, fun, read but, ultimately, not for me.
Killing hares is a light, low-stakes fantasy that takes place in a vaguely medieval, vaguely Welsh setting. Despite using Welsh throughout, it seemed like this book didn't really know what it was doing at times. The main character's magic was named using Welsh but used English to make the magic happen (rhyming the Welsh word 'hud' with English 'heed' and making people 'heed' their words). It blurred Anglo-Saxon place named and positions of power (e.g. Elderman) with a vaguely Welsh/Brythonic setting that appeared to be sometime during the Roman occupation of Britain. Unfortunately, this combination being so anachronistic meant that the book failed to deliver on its promise. I would have preferred if the author had stuck to a clear place and time period OR set it in an entirely fantasy world; this mixture of both made immersion difficult.
That being said, I enjoyed this book and it was a light, fun, read but, ultimately, not for me.
February 19, 2026
I first looked at this book because of the cover. Then found the author is local to Aberystwyth, where I live. All I knew going in, was it was a fantasy, something I am fussy with reading, especially at the moment where romance sometimes feels like a core component of the genre.
This was the perfect kind of fantasy for me. I love the Welsh influences, both in the culture and the setting. Mervale feels like somewhere local to Aberystwyth and that really helped me feel it.
The characters are well written and I love Cerys, the main character. I feel I can imagine her clearly and she had me on her side immediately.
The fantasy elements are well done. I like that between chapters is a little facts about charms or other elements that have been mentioned but not directly explained. I did not feel overwhelmed with terms or a magic system that was complex. The Hud is well described and easy to grasp.
I look forwards to attending an event with the author at the end of February this year.
This was the perfect kind of fantasy for me. I love the Welsh influences, both in the culture and the setting. Mervale feels like somewhere local to Aberystwyth and that really helped me feel it.
The characters are well written and I love Cerys, the main character. I feel I can imagine her clearly and she had me on her side immediately.
The fantasy elements are well done. I like that between chapters is a little facts about charms or other elements that have been mentioned but not directly explained. I did not feel overwhelmed with terms or a magic system that was complex. The Hud is well described and easy to grasp.
I look forwards to attending an event with the author at the end of February this year.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you to the publisher for the e-ARC. All opinions are my own.
Killing Hares is a story filled with ancient magic, female rage and the intricacies of making a stand against the established social norms. Cerys bears the weight of being the village of Mervale's ‘huder’, a position that binds her to the land she lives upon.Though this title grants her age-old magic, it also means that Cerys has to contend with the expectations placed upon her by the village ‘eldermen’ to bear a child and raise the next ‘huder’. Especially as scouts for the ‘Iron Crow’ have, once again, been spotted within the village borders.
The village of Mervale brings an early medievalesque setting of longhouses, blacksmiths and eldermen, but with the added twist of landmagic. Despite darker themes, Killing Hares also has a cosier quality to it mixed with a historical fantasy feel that draws heavily upon Celtic influence. The book really explores the inner workings of Mervale through the eyes of the FMC Cerys, as she carries out her magical duties and sees the wellbeing of its people. Relationships are a central theme throughout, from family to village politics, with the story not shying away from the grittiness that relationships can bring. The pace of the story allows for readers to really soak in the atmosphere and smaller details of the book. There is a shift in the book from third person to first person at times which I did find a little jarring when reading.
Overall I enjoyed Killing Hares and escaping to the world of Mervale. The stakes in the book are lower than my usual fantasy read, but the story was impactful and truly thought provoking. Killing Hares is perfect for readers who love a historical feel to their fantasy, with a focus on community and a good dose of female rage.
Killing Hares is a story filled with ancient magic, female rage and the intricacies of making a stand against the established social norms. Cerys bears the weight of being the village of Mervale's ‘huder’, a position that binds her to the land she lives upon.Though this title grants her age-old magic, it also means that Cerys has to contend with the expectations placed upon her by the village ‘eldermen’ to bear a child and raise the next ‘huder’. Especially as scouts for the ‘Iron Crow’ have, once again, been spotted within the village borders.
The village of Mervale brings an early medievalesque setting of longhouses, blacksmiths and eldermen, but with the added twist of landmagic. Despite darker themes, Killing Hares also has a cosier quality to it mixed with a historical fantasy feel that draws heavily upon Celtic influence. The book really explores the inner workings of Mervale through the eyes of the FMC Cerys, as she carries out her magical duties and sees the wellbeing of its people. Relationships are a central theme throughout, from family to village politics, with the story not shying away from the grittiness that relationships can bring. The pace of the story allows for readers to really soak in the atmosphere and smaller details of the book. There is a shift in the book from third person to first person at times which I did find a little jarring when reading.
Overall I enjoyed Killing Hares and escaping to the world of Mervale. The stakes in the book are lower than my usual fantasy read, but the story was impactful and truly thought provoking. Killing Hares is perfect for readers who love a historical feel to their fantasy, with a focus on community and a good dose of female rage.
January 25, 2026
A low stakes fantasy with found family, non-romantic love between too lost soul's and familial relationship development. Refreshing to have a book about love that isn't romantic - Zero smut here!
This is a slower paced fantasy. The world building isn't overwhelming. A perfect introduction to fantasy.
Cerys is a strong FMC who feels trapped by her "duty" which was thrust upon her at a young age. She, quite rightly, is annoyed and frustrated. But the books allows her to grow and develop and find a way to make her fate work for her and her family. The author successfully captures her loathing of her role and her sense of doom and hatred of her "duty".
This book made me feel cozy and empathetic with the FMC as well as keeping me wanting to know what was going to happen.
Personally (being welsh 😻) the Welsh references made me feel warm and fuzzy, loved it 🏴
This is a slower paced fantasy. The world building isn't overwhelming. A perfect introduction to fantasy.
Cerys is a strong FMC who feels trapped by her "duty" which was thrust upon her at a young age. She, quite rightly, is annoyed and frustrated. But the books allows her to grow and develop and find a way to make her fate work for her and her family. The author successfully captures her loathing of her role and her sense of doom and hatred of her "duty".
This book made me feel cozy and empathetic with the FMC as well as keeping me wanting to know what was going to happen.
Personally (being welsh 😻) the Welsh references made me feel warm and fuzzy, loved it 🏴
February 26, 2026
This was beautifully written. Full of feminine rage yet so delicate, a breath of fresh air.
February 2, 2026
Firstly, thank you to the author and publishers for the ARC book in exchange for my fair review.
Killing Hares is set in an Welsh village and has a lovely light and soft pace too it
If you are looking for a low stakes book, with magic and rolling hills then this one is for you! I really enjoy Historical fiction so it ticked that box for me and I really warmed to the FMC, her personality and the mystery aspects to the story. I read a lot of fantasy and it was nice to not be giving myself a headache from holding my breath on every other page!
Overall an enjoyable fantasy read and i would definitely recommend to friends.
Killing Hares is set in an Welsh village and has a lovely light and soft pace too it
If you are looking for a low stakes book, with magic and rolling hills then this one is for you! I really enjoy Historical fiction so it ticked that box for me and I really warmed to the FMC, her personality and the mystery aspects to the story. I read a lot of fantasy and it was nice to not be giving myself a headache from holding my breath on every other page!
Overall an enjoyable fantasy read and i would definitely recommend to friends.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews