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The Archanium Codex #1
The Hunter's Gambit
No one promised Aleksei Drago an easy life. Growing up amongst the Ri-Vhan of Seil Wood, losing his mother and just as suddenly being torn from the forest folk, Aleksei had no choice but to make the best of an unpredictable situation.
But what happens when the monsters and figures of fiction become horrifyingly real? How will Aleksei cope? When the stakes are at their highest, will he finally falter? Or will he rise to the occasion, reforging himself into the man Prophecy demands he become? In a world of magic and Magi, of Angels and Demons alike, how will a simple farm boy survive his own contorted destiny?
This is the story of a seemingly-simple world gone mad, and the reality that every action, no matter how apparently benign, can serve to unravel terrifying truths. This is the story of Aleksei Drago, farmer, Hunter, and so much more.
But what happens when the monsters and figures of fiction become horrifyingly real? How will Aleksei cope? When the stakes are at their highest, will he finally falter? Or will he rise to the occasion, reforging himself into the man Prophecy demands he become? In a world of magic and Magi, of Angels and Demons alike, how will a simple farm boy survive his own contorted destiny?
This is the story of a seemingly-simple world gone mad, and the reality that every action, no matter how apparently benign, can serve to unravel terrifying truths. This is the story of Aleksei Drago, farmer, Hunter, and so much more.
620 pages, Paperback
First published August 7, 2017
68 people are currently reading
605 people want to read
About the author
Nicholas McIntire
6 books28 followersNicholas McIntire has been writing fantasy since he was 8. The bones of the Archanium Codex were created when he was 16, and in the past 20 years he has taken that initially simple concept and crafted it into a fully realized, celebrated world,
Nicholas's debut novel, The Hunter's Gambit (Book One of the Archanium Codex) was released Sept. 20th, 2019 to critical acclaim. The novel was entered into the SPFBO 6 competition, where it was a Semi-Finalist.
McIntire's sequel, A Wicked Wind (Book Two of the Archanium Codex) is out now! The prequel novelette, The Gilded Prince, is free for download from nickmcintire.com, but can also be purchased for $0.99 on Amazon. He lives in Fort Worth and Fort Davis, Texas.
Nicholas's debut novel, The Hunter's Gambit (Book One of the Archanium Codex) was released Sept. 20th, 2019 to critical acclaim. The novel was entered into the SPFBO 6 competition, where it was a Semi-Finalist.
McIntire's sequel, A Wicked Wind (Book Two of the Archanium Codex) is out now! The prequel novelette, The Gilded Prince, is free for download from nickmcintire.com, but can also be purchased for $0.99 on Amazon. He lives in Fort Worth and Fort Davis, Texas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
October 6, 2019
It's apparent from page one of The Hunter's Gambit that the author has taken his time over developing the world-building side of this novel--a sadly rarefied method that can really establish a fantasy world as immersive and believable. I really appreciated that attention to detail overall, it may be one of the best and most thoughtful fantasy books I've read in a good few years. The intricacy of the Archanium makes the beginning of the book a little difficult - I can't say the book itself gets off to a slow start, but it certainly takes a while to get into it, without a clear exposition at the opening. It's well worth sticking with it though, because once those details start to fall into place it becomes a brilliantly structured fantasy.
It feels pedantic to even bring that up though, because it was such a great book to the end. The characters are almost as well crafted as the world itself, with complex relationships I've become genuinely invested in over the course of reading The Hunter's Gambit. I'll definitely be reading the sequel.
It feels pedantic to even bring that up though, because it was such a great book to the end. The characters are almost as well crafted as the world itself, with complex relationships I've become genuinely invested in over the course of reading The Hunter's Gambit. I'll definitely be reading the sequel.
August 27, 2020
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
So, this is an epic fantasy with an emphasis on the epic. At nearly 700 pages, this book should feel long. Somehow, though, it avoids that. The author packs a hell of a lot of plot in the story, while keeping the pacing moving along briskly — sometimes too briskly — so that there’s never a lull in the action or the emotion. A great deal of attention has been given to the magic system, and I enjoy not having it spoon fed, but being asked to learn as I go along, to have to tease out meanings and judge some things through context and character reaction. I will say that the start is a bit choppy, and the breadcrumbs leading up to a few revelations feel a little obvious, but all in all, I really enjoyed this book and read it one long sitting.
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
4.5 stars
So, this is an epic fantasy with an emphasis on the epic. At nearly 700 pages, this book should feel long. Somehow, though, it avoids that. The author packs a hell of a lot of plot in the story, while keeping the pacing moving along briskly — sometimes too briskly — so that there’s never a lull in the action or the emotion. A great deal of attention has been given to the magic system, and I enjoy not having it spoon fed, but being asked to learn as I go along, to have to tease out meanings and judge some things through context and character reaction. I will say that the start is a bit choppy, and the breadcrumbs leading up to a few revelations feel a little obvious, but all in all, I really enjoyed this book and read it one long sitting.
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
October 3, 2019
I walked into The Hunter’s Gambit with low expectations. That’s perhaps unfair of me, but I’ve learned to start fantasy novels with a grain of salt. However, this novel defied expectations, scratching the epic fantasy itch I’d forgotten I had. It conjured up nostalgia for the first time I read Eragon, a book which has become a guilty pleasure classic of mine.
I won’t say Hunter’s Gambit was a perfect book. It could have used another pass for proofing and had its share of speed bumps and trope-y moments. But I can say that I enjoyed it immensely regardless, and looked forward to each chance I got to read. The prose was beautiful and sharp once it got its footing. The story moved at a steady pace, expanding and twisting in just the right ways. I always had enough to chew on without losing the joy of discovery. The world felt believable and tangible, the magic a fascinating puzzle which resulted in an adventure that felt immersive, believable, touchable.
More importantly I felt attached to the people who lived within this world. While Aleksei suffered a little from “chosen one syndrome,” (meaning he seemed unbeatable, instantly beloved, and always the recipient of any magical gift) I still found him likable. The dialogue could be a bit cheesy, and the emotion perhaps a bit forced, but still, it won me over. I believed in Aleksei’s relationships. If anything, I wanted to see more of those relationships in the midst of all the action.
If I could change one thing about this book it would be the start. We are launched straight into action but we aren’t given any grounding details. I couldn’t figure out who the main character of the book was meant to be because he wasn’t really introduced until chapter three. The first two chapters were bombs of information which did ultimately prove necessary, but left me more frustrated than intrigued. I almost wanted these scenes to be included as either a prologue or else as interrupting flashbacks after we’d gotten into the meat of the story.
Some other minor quibbles: About a third of the way through, hero and villain both undergo a sudden character change. These felt realistic, but they came too fast as to feel continuous leaving me disoriented. Additionally there was an over-use of italics which took away their impact (something I’ve always been warned of in writing classes).
I also just happened to be studying Russo-Slavic mythology at the same time as picking up Hunter’s Gambit and I couldn’t decide if I was pleased or not to see the mythos in this book. It’s great, of course, that this underutilized lore is getting some use, but it bothers me that they’re presented as the deities and creatures of a fantasy world when they could be (and are) still revered in the real one.
To wrap up, Hunter’s Gambit has earned what I consider the ultimate honor for a book—enough of my investment in the world, story, and characters to keep an eye out for the sequel.
I won’t say Hunter’s Gambit was a perfect book. It could have used another pass for proofing and had its share of speed bumps and trope-y moments. But I can say that I enjoyed it immensely regardless, and looked forward to each chance I got to read. The prose was beautiful and sharp once it got its footing. The story moved at a steady pace, expanding and twisting in just the right ways. I always had enough to chew on without losing the joy of discovery. The world felt believable and tangible, the magic a fascinating puzzle which resulted in an adventure that felt immersive, believable, touchable.
More importantly I felt attached to the people who lived within this world. While Aleksei suffered a little from “chosen one syndrome,” (meaning he seemed unbeatable, instantly beloved, and always the recipient of any magical gift) I still found him likable. The dialogue could be a bit cheesy, and the emotion perhaps a bit forced, but still, it won me over. I believed in Aleksei’s relationships. If anything, I wanted to see more of those relationships in the midst of all the action.
If I could change one thing about this book it would be the start. We are launched straight into action but we aren’t given any grounding details. I couldn’t figure out who the main character of the book was meant to be because he wasn’t really introduced until chapter three. The first two chapters were bombs of information which did ultimately prove necessary, but left me more frustrated than intrigued. I almost wanted these scenes to be included as either a prologue or else as interrupting flashbacks after we’d gotten into the meat of the story.
Some other minor quibbles: About a third of the way through, hero and villain both undergo a sudden character change. These felt realistic, but they came too fast as to feel continuous leaving me disoriented. Additionally there was an over-use of italics which took away their impact (something I’ve always been warned of in writing classes).
I also just happened to be studying Russo-Slavic mythology at the same time as picking up Hunter’s Gambit and I couldn’t decide if I was pleased or not to see the mythos in this book. It’s great, of course, that this underutilized lore is getting some use, but it bothers me that they’re presented as the deities and creatures of a fantasy world when they could be (and are) still revered in the real one.
To wrap up, Hunter’s Gambit has earned what I consider the ultimate honor for a book—enough of my investment in the world, story, and characters to keep an eye out for the sequel.
November 26, 2020
I've read The Hunter's Gambit as part of SPFBO6, in which it was a semi-finalist.
You can find all of the reviews of the team on RockStarlit BookAsylum!
Unlike others, I’m not one for big books. Or epic fantasy for that matter. So I approached The Hunter’s Gambit warily. For a while, it seemed like me and the book won’t be on the same page (pun totally intended). The long prologue did nothing for me except making me annoyed – personally, I don’t like being thrown in the middle of something and not understanding half of the words used. I know this prologue set the mood for many, but I could have done without it. Though I admit, it makes sense by the end of the book, but it still takes too much time to get there in my opinion.
As I neared the 25% mark, I contemplated DNF-ing The Hunter’s Gambit as I failed to connect with any of the characters or even make myself care about any of them. But then as the book found its footing I started to enjoy it – I think this was around the time when Aleksei and Jonas met each other and events really started to get into motion. Up to that point, we were following 3 characters: Bael, Aleksei and Jonas whose lives are waving together in mysterious ways. But among the three the real MC is clearly Aleksei, the farm boy who discovers he has powers and finds his place in the world.
The Hunter’s Gambit works with the usual tropes and there isn’t anything new in its approach to make it stand out from the genre. Except maybe the LMBTQ+ rep. But I admit the world is interesting and there is plenty of action to keep up one’s interest. One thing that needs to be praised is the relationship between Aleksei and Jonas – even though that happened a bit too fast and out of the blue, I would have liked to see it develop more slowly – and the role of supernatural beings in the grand scheme of things. I liked the forest’s presence and the way it connected with its chosen ones. That was fun.
Ultimately though, The Hunter’s Gambit suffers from wanting to pack too much into one book. It probably would have worked better if it was split into two books and got a bit more polishing. The writing is engaging and easy to read, but there were just way too many italicized words seemingly without any reason. By the end, the presence of at least one word written in italic on each page became jarring and ruined the reading experience for me. Although it probably didn’t help that despite having an interesting plotline I still failed to care about any of the characters, who remained a bit one-dimensional, except maybe Aleksei whose journey made his character arc stand out. That still didn’t stop me skimming the last 10% though.
Overall, I’m a bit on the fence with The Hunter’s Gambit. On one hand, I think I see why it was picked as a semi-finalist and anyone who is into epic fantasy and the from-farm-boy-to-hero trope will enjoy this book very much. Especially since it has magic and LGBTQ+ representation. But on the other, I just did not enjoy it as much as others seem to do. I think it mostly comes down to personal preferences, so I urge you to make your own opinion about it.
You can find all of the reviews of the team on RockStarlit BookAsylum!
Unlike others, I’m not one for big books. Or epic fantasy for that matter. So I approached The Hunter’s Gambit warily. For a while, it seemed like me and the book won’t be on the same page (pun totally intended). The long prologue did nothing for me except making me annoyed – personally, I don’t like being thrown in the middle of something and not understanding half of the words used. I know this prologue set the mood for many, but I could have done without it. Though I admit, it makes sense by the end of the book, but it still takes too much time to get there in my opinion.
As I neared the 25% mark, I contemplated DNF-ing The Hunter’s Gambit as I failed to connect with any of the characters or even make myself care about any of them. But then as the book found its footing I started to enjoy it – I think this was around the time when Aleksei and Jonas met each other and events really started to get into motion. Up to that point, we were following 3 characters: Bael, Aleksei and Jonas whose lives are waving together in mysterious ways. But among the three the real MC is clearly Aleksei, the farm boy who discovers he has powers and finds his place in the world.
The Hunter’s Gambit works with the usual tropes and there isn’t anything new in its approach to make it stand out from the genre. Except maybe the LMBTQ+ rep. But I admit the world is interesting and there is plenty of action to keep up one’s interest. One thing that needs to be praised is the relationship between Aleksei and Jonas – even though that happened a bit too fast and out of the blue, I would have liked to see it develop more slowly – and the role of supernatural beings in the grand scheme of things. I liked the forest’s presence and the way it connected with its chosen ones. That was fun.
Ultimately though, The Hunter’s Gambit suffers from wanting to pack too much into one book. It probably would have worked better if it was split into two books and got a bit more polishing. The writing is engaging and easy to read, but there were just way too many italicized words seemingly without any reason. By the end, the presence of at least one word written in italic on each page became jarring and ruined the reading experience for me. Although it probably didn’t help that despite having an interesting plotline I still failed to care about any of the characters, who remained a bit one-dimensional, except maybe Aleksei whose journey made his character arc stand out. That still didn’t stop me skimming the last 10% though.
Overall, I’m a bit on the fence with The Hunter’s Gambit. On one hand, I think I see why it was picked as a semi-finalist and anyone who is into epic fantasy and the from-farm-boy-to-hero trope will enjoy this book very much. Especially since it has magic and LGBTQ+ representation. But on the other, I just did not enjoy it as much as others seem to do. I think it mostly comes down to personal preferences, so I urge you to make your own opinion about it.
February 29, 2020
4.0 of 5 – Intelligent, Exciting High Fantasy Setting Up Series Well.
[Thanks to the author and Goodreads' MMRG Don't Buy My Love program for a free copy in exchange for an honest review]
This was an intelligent, exciting high fantasy, with imaginative world building, strong character development, a nice m/m romance, and a plot that propels you along nicely.
Nicholas McIntire's style was very readable with good pacing and descriptions. His biggest strength is how he built this world of magic & knights, angels & demons, palace & country, and romance & enemies in a way that made it fit together well and understandable, without bogging down the flow.
The main characters were developed well along with their relationships. I do like the commoner turns into a hero trope, so that drew me in from the start. Even better, it was done believably, with such a nice, likable guy, who was shown to be human, not just all good. As was his royal magi/partner/lover. I loved how their relationship evolved, with their getting to know each other and working things out, and how the romance was portrayed. As for their antagonist, unlike many fantasies, he was not just referred to, but was actually developed as a character and I saw him grow, with his strengths and faults, into the powerful enemy that he became.
There were a few distractions. The main one for me was the start. I was plopped into a scene that seemed pulled out from the middle of the book, but without any references about who, what, when, where, why or how. Not sure if McIntire meant this to draw me in with suspense or mystery. While that failed, he shortly recovered and started to gradually introduce us to the interweavings of people, places and plot. I was more forgiving about the other aspects (due to my enjoying fantasy and the tropes), but still recognize that things sometimes were a bit too convenient, predictable and some things could have been dealt with a bit more depth or nuance (even if we have the rest of the series for that), particularly in regards to some of the stereotypes and clichés.
But oh how I wish this was a standalone, if only because I yearned to know how this whole story ends. At least it did not leave me with a cliffhanger; the book's arc came to a satisfying end, and naturally, the larger arc was left incomplete and set up the next book and series well.
[Thanks to the author and Goodreads' MMRG Don't Buy My Love program for a free copy in exchange for an honest review]
This was an intelligent, exciting high fantasy, with imaginative world building, strong character development, a nice m/m romance, and a plot that propels you along nicely.
Nicholas McIntire's style was very readable with good pacing and descriptions. His biggest strength is how he built this world of magic & knights, angels & demons, palace & country, and romance & enemies in a way that made it fit together well and understandable, without bogging down the flow.
The main characters were developed well along with their relationships. I do like the commoner turns into a hero trope, so that drew me in from the start. Even better, it was done believably, with such a nice, likable guy, who was shown to be human, not just all good. As was his royal magi/partner/lover. I loved how their relationship evolved, with their getting to know each other and working things out, and how the romance was portrayed. As for their antagonist, unlike many fantasies, he was not just referred to, but was actually developed as a character and I saw him grow, with his strengths and faults, into the powerful enemy that he became.
There were a few distractions. The main one for me was the start. I was plopped into a scene that seemed pulled out from the middle of the book, but without any references about who, what, when, where, why or how. Not sure if McIntire meant this to draw me in with suspense or mystery. While that failed, he shortly recovered and started to gradually introduce us to the interweavings of people, places and plot. I was more forgiving about the other aspects (due to my enjoying fantasy and the tropes), but still recognize that things sometimes were a bit too convenient, predictable and some things could have been dealt with a bit more depth or nuance (even if we have the rest of the series for that), particularly in regards to some of the stereotypes and clichés.
But oh how I wish this was a standalone, if only because I yearned to know how this whole story ends. At least it did not leave me with a cliffhanger; the book's arc came to a satisfying end, and naturally, the larger arc was left incomplete and set up the next book and series well.
November 6, 2020
This was one of our SPFBO semi-finalist in our group. My review only. Links for team reviews and about the contest at the bottom.
I really enjoyed The Hunter’s Gambit, it was like a blend of angel and demon lore, mashed into farm boy coming of age classic fantasy feeling story…honestly, I don’t even know how to describe it, so much happened. It was super creative and cool, while still feeling a bit familiar.
This story needed some wrangling in though. I don’t think that prologue served the story well. It left me slightly confused for awhile (and I am patient when it comes to that sort of thing) there was a lot to take in at once, and the two characters were not even our main ones. I felt like a lot of it wasn’t needed. As nice as it was to learn about Cassius’s and Ritcher’s relationship, there just wasn’t much of their history that couldn’t have been slid in the main body of the story.
We did have a nice showcase for the magic and that was petty cool but, there again, there were plenty of opportunities throughout the story for that as well.
Editing and especially, unnecessary and repetitive stuff, is my favourite thing to complain about and was my biggest andonly real issue with this book.
What I did like and what kept me reading The Hunter’s Gambit once it got going, was the story and the characters – I adored Aleksei and Jonas (my favourite of the two). Aleksei was kind of this over-powered hunter knight, and his partner Jonas, a prince and untrained mage. I loved the whole partner/knight thing, the connection to each other, the friendship, and love between them. This was totally my jam.
I also loved the forest Mother/Hunter connection to Aleksei, it had such a mystical feel – especially with the travelling quickly through the forest (reminded me of Nancy Springer’s Book of Isle series for some reason).
I took enough notes to write my own book – the plot was pretty involved with lots of power plays and behind the scenes backstabbing; which I loved! Side cast was awesome – some were a bit underdeveloped but I can see where they might come into play next book and get filled out more.
Bael started off with me feeling sorry for him and by the end, I just wanted him to die…lol.
There is an incredible battle scene towards the end that I’d have liked to have seen in movie form- very cool, and just fun as hell.
I would have loved to rate The Hunter’s Gambit higher just because I enjoyed this so much…I think this is a debut too, so, I am looking forward to seeing what this author does in a few books, once he wrangles in the words a bit.
spfbo score 7/10 or 4 stars
Go here to find out more about SPFBO contest and to find links to all the participating bloggers/authors and reviews.
https://mark---lawrence.blogspot.com/...
finalist board-
https://mark---lawrence.blogspot.com/...
RockStarlit BookAsylum Team reviews
https://starlitbook.com/2020/10/15/sp...
I really enjoyed The Hunter’s Gambit, it was like a blend of angel and demon lore, mashed into farm boy coming of age classic fantasy feeling story…honestly, I don’t even know how to describe it, so much happened. It was super creative and cool, while still feeling a bit familiar.
This story needed some wrangling in though. I don’t think that prologue served the story well. It left me slightly confused for awhile (and I am patient when it comes to that sort of thing) there was a lot to take in at once, and the two characters were not even our main ones. I felt like a lot of it wasn’t needed. As nice as it was to learn about Cassius’s and Ritcher’s relationship, there just wasn’t much of their history that couldn’t have been slid in the main body of the story.
We did have a nice showcase for the magic and that was petty cool but, there again, there were plenty of opportunities throughout the story for that as well.
Editing and especially, unnecessary and repetitive stuff, is my favourite thing to complain about and was my biggest andonly real issue with this book.
What I did like and what kept me reading The Hunter’s Gambit once it got going, was the story and the characters – I adored Aleksei and Jonas (my favourite of the two). Aleksei was kind of this over-powered hunter knight, and his partner Jonas, a prince and untrained mage. I loved the whole partner/knight thing, the connection to each other, the friendship, and love between them. This was totally my jam.
I also loved the forest Mother/Hunter connection to Aleksei, it had such a mystical feel – especially with the travelling quickly through the forest (reminded me of Nancy Springer’s Book of Isle series for some reason).
I took enough notes to write my own book – the plot was pretty involved with lots of power plays and behind the scenes backstabbing; which I loved! Side cast was awesome – some were a bit underdeveloped but I can see where they might come into play next book and get filled out more.
Bael started off with me feeling sorry for him and by the end, I just wanted him to die…lol.
There is an incredible battle scene towards the end that I’d have liked to have seen in movie form- very cool, and just fun as hell.
I would have loved to rate The Hunter’s Gambit higher just because I enjoyed this so much…I think this is a debut too, so, I am looking forward to seeing what this author does in a few books, once he wrangles in the words a bit.
spfbo score 7/10 or 4 stars
Go here to find out more about SPFBO contest and to find links to all the participating bloggers/authors and reviews.
https://mark---lawrence.blogspot.com/...
finalist board-
https://mark---lawrence.blogspot.com/...
RockStarlit BookAsylum Team reviews
https://starlitbook.com/2020/10/15/sp...
May 12, 2020
An amazing new author to watch for, he skillfully spins a web of truths and trails, like an old sage from long ago. He tells of a big and detailed world with history, folklore, and even mythology mixed in. There’s plenty of action and emotions. I am waiting for the next one.
October 24, 2019
Not great, but that’s not the book’s fault – mostly.
I think the biggest struggle I had with this book is that I just didn’t connect with it. The concept is fine, the magic is portrayed well, the characters develop as the story goes on (some more than others). I think I just didn’t have the right chemistry, perhaps I wasn’t in the right mood. This book just didn’t do anything for me.
I don’t read a lot of fantasy, let alone epic fantasy. And this book is a commitment. I think someone who is a true fan of the genre will delve into this story and let it envelop them in a way I couldn’t. Like I said, it’s an interesting concept and I’m disappointed that I couldn’t get more into it.
There are some fundamental issues with the book as well. This story could have used a read through from a line editor. On many occasions, the punctuation is incorrect, most notably after dialogue, where a comma should come before the end quote and the dialogue tag would continue. I found numerous instances where dialogue was ended with a period and the next sentence did not start with a capital letter. While it’s not a major issue if it happens once or twice, when you see it repeatedly it becomes distracting.
There is also a continuity problem. There is a character named Katherine in the story. But it seems like somewhere along the way there was a conflict of opinion in how to spell her name, so sometimes it was spelled with a K, and sometimes it was spelled with a C. In a book with a large cast of characters, something like that is incredibly important.
But it wasn’t all bad for me. I like the main character Aleksei. As the story progresses he becomes a strong, if often conflicted, character who is challenged by difficulty choices. He is definitely someone to root for. And one element that I thought was done quite well is the diversity in sexuality. It’s written in so naturally that you just know that it’s a part of this world and is not a problem. I loved that in this book, you just love who you love and no one feels the need to question it.
In the end, I found this to be a cross between JRR Martin’s Game of Thrones series (in story/writing style) and Leigh Barduga’s Grisha series (in plot and character). Again, if you enjoy epic fantasies definitely give this one a go, knowing there are some flaws you’ll have to overlook. I just don’t think this book was for me.
I think the biggest struggle I had with this book is that I just didn’t connect with it. The concept is fine, the magic is portrayed well, the characters develop as the story goes on (some more than others). I think I just didn’t have the right chemistry, perhaps I wasn’t in the right mood. This book just didn’t do anything for me.
I don’t read a lot of fantasy, let alone epic fantasy. And this book is a commitment. I think someone who is a true fan of the genre will delve into this story and let it envelop them in a way I couldn’t. Like I said, it’s an interesting concept and I’m disappointed that I couldn’t get more into it.
There are some fundamental issues with the book as well. This story could have used a read through from a line editor. On many occasions, the punctuation is incorrect, most notably after dialogue, where a comma should come before the end quote and the dialogue tag would continue. I found numerous instances where dialogue was ended with a period and the next sentence did not start with a capital letter. While it’s not a major issue if it happens once or twice, when you see it repeatedly it becomes distracting.
There is also a continuity problem. There is a character named Katherine in the story. But it seems like somewhere along the way there was a conflict of opinion in how to spell her name, so sometimes it was spelled with a K, and sometimes it was spelled with a C. In a book with a large cast of characters, something like that is incredibly important.
But it wasn’t all bad for me. I like the main character Aleksei. As the story progresses he becomes a strong, if often conflicted, character who is challenged by difficulty choices. He is definitely someone to root for. And one element that I thought was done quite well is the diversity in sexuality. It’s written in so naturally that you just know that it’s a part of this world and is not a problem. I loved that in this book, you just love who you love and no one feels the need to question it.
In the end, I found this to be a cross between JRR Martin’s Game of Thrones series (in story/writing style) and Leigh Barduga’s Grisha series (in plot and character). Again, if you enjoy epic fantasies definitely give this one a go, knowing there are some flaws you’ll have to overlook. I just don’t think this book was for me.
August 29, 2020
One of the things I like best about The Hunter's Gambit is that McIntire treats me as an intelligent reader capable of keeping up with the story but not providing all of the descriptive details that I would rather fill in for myself. I love the characters and can keep up with them unlike some fantasy novels where the sheer number of actors makes me dizzy. There is plenty of action which is great because I get bored easily with page upon page of description of the backstory, scenery or even what the characters are wearing. Another aspect of the McIntire's writing style that I like is that he can write women really well. They are fully developed characters who have the same range of emotions, motivation and sense of honor and duty as the men. No clinging damsels in distress that I find so tiresome and offensive. McIntire can tell a story that is compelling, engaging and inclusive. The magic system is understandable and beautifully conceptualized. There are many characters with whom I am sympathetic although several are not the main characters at all, but supporting actors who give depth to the cast and allow us to experience their values in action . McIntire is a promising young author who allows us to come along on a fast paced journey that treats the reader with respect. I highly recommend.
July 7, 2020
I don’t typically write reviews, but I really dig this.
I loved the characters, its a real page turner, it had a very modern romance that I believed and enjoyed, a magic system that felt understandable, and a world that felt real to me. That last one was the most important. This universe felt lived in. The author does a really great job of getting you invested in the world and its inhabitants without resorting to info-dumping and tedious over-explication.
I do get what some others have noted about Aleksei as a character, that he’s pretty perfect and morally unassailable, but it didn’t bother me particularly. If he remains like that in the next few books, then yeah, that would be a big problem, but McIntire’s other character arcs give me confidence that his character won't remain static.
I also appreciated the way the author wrote men and women. Most of the time I find that men write women as “strong” by making them more like men (women seem write men who tend to be a bit overly emotional and expressive). Here, I felt like both were treated pretty realistically and fairly
This book also reminded me of the fantasy series I loved from when I was a kid (Wheel of Time; Symphony of Ages). I really can't wait for the follow up to this.
I loved the characters, its a real page turner, it had a very modern romance that I believed and enjoyed, a magic system that felt understandable, and a world that felt real to me. That last one was the most important. This universe felt lived in. The author does a really great job of getting you invested in the world and its inhabitants without resorting to info-dumping and tedious over-explication.
I do get what some others have noted about Aleksei as a character, that he’s pretty perfect and morally unassailable, but it didn’t bother me particularly. If he remains like that in the next few books, then yeah, that would be a big problem, but McIntire’s other character arcs give me confidence that his character won't remain static.
I also appreciated the way the author wrote men and women. Most of the time I find that men write women as “strong” by making them more like men (women seem write men who tend to be a bit overly emotional and expressive). Here, I felt like both were treated pretty realistically and fairly
This book also reminded me of the fantasy series I loved from when I was a kid (Wheel of Time; Symphony of Ages). I really can't wait for the follow up to this.
December 11, 2019
"The Hunter's Gambit" by Nicholas McIntire has great character and world development. It starts off a little confusing because you are thrown into the story without getting any background or anything, but as the story goes, it begins to make more sense.
Aleksei Drago, a farmboy, begins a journey he doesn't quite understand, where he must ultimately choose his own path - which is always good versus evil. This story is filled with magic, adventure, and a ruling system. It reminded me of "Lord of the Rings" and "Game of Thrones," as the world is filled with mythical creatures, guards (or Legionnaires), mages, and a hero.
This fantasy world McIntire created is epic in its own right. It could do with some editing, but for the most part, this was a great read and I'm looking forward to reading the next one.
Aleksei Drago, a farmboy, begins a journey he doesn't quite understand, where he must ultimately choose his own path - which is always good versus evil. This story is filled with magic, adventure, and a ruling system. It reminded me of "Lord of the Rings" and "Game of Thrones," as the world is filled with mythical creatures, guards (or Legionnaires), mages, and a hero.
This fantasy world McIntire created is epic in its own right. It could do with some editing, but for the most part, this was a great read and I'm looking forward to reading the next one.
October 2, 2019
The Hunter's Gambit is an excellent book, and I enjoyed reading every minute of it. I look forward to the next installment.
All of the characters are great, and you get a good sense of each one's desires, and they were all exciting and well written. The Archanium is an excellent concept, and there were other interesting ideas too. I liked how Aleksei could only hunt animals if he could feel their pain and the pairing of the Magus and the Knight.
The Hunters Gambit reminds me of some epic adventures I loved as a child. I recommend this book to anyone who likes stories like Krull, Lord of the RIngs, Labyrinth, Harry Potter, Avatar, etc.
All of the characters are great, and you get a good sense of each one's desires, and they were all exciting and well written. The Archanium is an excellent concept, and there were other interesting ideas too. I liked how Aleksei could only hunt animals if he could feel their pain and the pairing of the Magus and the Knight.
The Hunters Gambit reminds me of some epic adventures I loved as a child. I recommend this book to anyone who likes stories like Krull, Lord of the RIngs, Labyrinth, Harry Potter, Avatar, etc.
October 28, 2019
What an epically entertaining book! I read a lot of fantasy fiction, and usually find myself spacing out a bit at the more descriptive parts due to lots of cliche and predictability. This did not happen with this book at all! Sure there were a few parts that were a tad kitchy, but overall this book was surprisingly original and beautiful really. I loved the world Phillip creates and the action parts turn it into an adventure novel that reminds me of my favorites as a kid. He creates a world that becomes part of your memories, in the same way Narnia or Middle-earth does. I can't wait to read the second one!
October 31, 2019
The first installment of The Hunter’s Gambit does nothing to impress readers. It follows all tried-and-true fantasy themes and offers nothing in the way of originality. That being said, it is a great book to read but don’t expect more than what you’re used to. Each character screams Lord of the Rings and characters from the latest dragon cartoons. Nicholas McIntire could reinvent his characters and locations just a little in his next book. This would make the story a little more original and exciting.
October 9, 2019
This book throws you right into the drama and the action right from the beginning, and you will not want to put it down.
Elements of this tale are shrouded in mystery, but not to the point where the plot becomes confusing. This is a well-written fantasy adventure story. The tone reminds me of many fantasy stories I read growing up. It was absolutely wonderful, and I look forward to reading the next installment.
I also learned that aubergine is a shade of purple.
Elements of this tale are shrouded in mystery, but not to the point where the plot becomes confusing. This is a well-written fantasy adventure story. The tone reminds me of many fantasy stories I read growing up. It was absolutely wonderful, and I look forward to reading the next installment.
I also learned that aubergine is a shade of purple.
February 20, 2021
I have a feeling this book and story will stay with me forever. I love this book, it has a great developing story, with some great character arcs and one super cool magic system. Plot and characters combine wonderfully and what's better is...there is more on the way.
September 25, 2021
Wow. This is a story of love, friendship, supremely cool and unique magic systems that I want to learn more about immediately, and a world big enough to promise a fantastic series, but intimate enough that you feel really connected to the characters and don't feel lost in such a large and thoroughly-designed world. Oh, and I couldn't put it down!
I bought the Hunter's Gambit when I saw the author, Nicholas McIntire, was coming out with a sequel. A friend IRL recommended it a while back, and I honestly wasn't sure what to expect beyond "This is a big, epic fantasy series AND Mr. McIntire's debut." Which gave me some pause at first.
But when that same friend mentioned reading the now-released 2nd book, A Wicked Wind, I finally decided to give it a shot and WOW am I glad I did. I don't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't this, and I mean that in the best way possible.
Every author has their strengths, and with The Hunter's Gambit, it's extremely clear that McIntire's strengths are many, but he's particularly skilled with characters and world building. I feel like I know these people, especially towards the end, and watching each character go through varying levels of change was surprisingly affecting. My favorite was Aleksei's transformation from the book's beginning to end. They could teach Aleksei Drago in schools as an example of a perfectly-done character arc, seriously.
I didn't know what to expect with a primary romance between two men, but it's done very artfully, i.e. there's no overt sex but there's a lot of sensuality that ties the reader to the two leads emotionally. I also enjoyed the fact that we didn't spend the entire book doing a will-they-won't-they sort of deal.
By the end of the first act, you know who ends up with whom, but McIntire keeps you guessing until a very particular point. The payoff is both surprising and immediate. Wasn't sure what to think at first, but then it struck me as a very real sort of breaking point that happens in real relationships, which I'm frankly not used to in fantasy haha.
The story was gripping to the end, and I found myself genuinely caring about the large, but not overwhelming, cast of characters. I'm now even more uncertain about the second book, because I think I know where it's going, and frankly I hope I'm wrong. I would love a solid sequel that out-does The Hunter's Gambit, which is a lot to ask from a first-time author. But given the reviews A Wicked Wind has already gotten (I'm starting it later tonight) my hope is very much alive that Mr. McIntire can rise to the challenge. If it's anything like the Hunter's Gambit, I won't be able to put it down!
I bought the Hunter's Gambit when I saw the author, Nicholas McIntire, was coming out with a sequel. A friend IRL recommended it a while back, and I honestly wasn't sure what to expect beyond "This is a big, epic fantasy series AND Mr. McIntire's debut." Which gave me some pause at first.
But when that same friend mentioned reading the now-released 2nd book, A Wicked Wind, I finally decided to give it a shot and WOW am I glad I did. I don't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't this, and I mean that in the best way possible.
Every author has their strengths, and with The Hunter's Gambit, it's extremely clear that McIntire's strengths are many, but he's particularly skilled with characters and world building. I feel like I know these people, especially towards the end, and watching each character go through varying levels of change was surprisingly affecting. My favorite was Aleksei's transformation from the book's beginning to end. They could teach Aleksei Drago in schools as an example of a perfectly-done character arc, seriously.
I didn't know what to expect with a primary romance between two men, but it's done very artfully, i.e. there's no overt sex but there's a lot of sensuality that ties the reader to the two leads emotionally. I also enjoyed the fact that we didn't spend the entire book doing a will-they-won't-they sort of deal.
By the end of the first act, you know who ends up with whom, but McIntire keeps you guessing until a very particular point. The payoff is both surprising and immediate. Wasn't sure what to think at first, but then it struck me as a very real sort of breaking point that happens in real relationships, which I'm frankly not used to in fantasy haha.
The story was gripping to the end, and I found myself genuinely caring about the large, but not overwhelming, cast of characters. I'm now even more uncertain about the second book, because I think I know where it's going, and frankly I hope I'm wrong. I would love a solid sequel that out-does The Hunter's Gambit, which is a lot to ask from a first-time author. But given the reviews A Wicked Wind has already gotten (I'm starting it later tonight) my hope is very much alive that Mr. McIntire can rise to the challenge. If it's anything like the Hunter's Gambit, I won't be able to put it down!
August 2, 2024
I found this book by searching “fantasy with gay characters” on Reddit and a user suggested this in the comments and I thought I would try it out. I read it on Hoopla and I was honestly impressed. With absolutely no knowledge of this book I just jumped in and hoped for the best. I truly enjoyed this book and looked forward to reading it every chance I could.
The prologue was so confusing. I was very lost and even as the book started I was even more lost. It has a rough start if you know nothing of it. But as I continued and trudged on it became clearer and way better. It wasn’t until about 30% in was it really took off. This book really reminded me of a DnD campaign and I loved how much of a new world Nicholas built. The map was useful but I with there were more things labeled and a compass. The characters, terms, world and everything involved was so clearly thought of and in depth. When telling a friend about this book I related it to Harry Potter with how developed everything was. I wish I had a key to understand some things haha. I had a notes entry to follow along. Having 3 characters with 3 different lives was confusing at times but you got used to to it as the characters developed.
Overall I really really enjoyed this book. I have nothing terrible to say about this book. It was long but it kept me drawn in the entire time. I never felt bored and wanted to read it all day if I could. If you love fantasy and new worlds I highly recommend this book. Can’t wait to read book 2
Other side note is I would LOVE some art from this book. The covers are beautiful. I wish we could have some art of Aleksei, Jonas! Bael and others. That would make this a much more in depth reading experience
KINDA SPOILERS
I will say some things were predictable. Like if a character got stuck in a situation. I knew at the last minute someone was coming to save them but it didn’t ruin that much of surprises. I do wish there were more gay aspects but that is just me. Nothing like smut but I wish we saw Jonas and Aleksei’s relationship grow and develop. Not just that they kissed and said I love you a few times. Almost like in Madeline Millers’s song of Achilles we got to see a lot of Patroclus and Achilles fall in love. It was hard because they weren’t together often but I wish in those moments we still got to see that development.
The prologue was so confusing. I was very lost and even as the book started I was even more lost. It has a rough start if you know nothing of it. But as I continued and trudged on it became clearer and way better. It wasn’t until about 30% in was it really took off. This book really reminded me of a DnD campaign and I loved how much of a new world Nicholas built. The map was useful but I with there were more things labeled and a compass. The characters, terms, world and everything involved was so clearly thought of and in depth. When telling a friend about this book I related it to Harry Potter with how developed everything was. I wish I had a key to understand some things haha. I had a notes entry to follow along. Having 3 characters with 3 different lives was confusing at times but you got used to to it as the characters developed.
Overall I really really enjoyed this book. I have nothing terrible to say about this book. It was long but it kept me drawn in the entire time. I never felt bored and wanted to read it all day if I could. If you love fantasy and new worlds I highly recommend this book. Can’t wait to read book 2
Other side note is I would LOVE some art from this book. The covers are beautiful. I wish we could have some art of Aleksei, Jonas! Bael and others. That would make this a much more in depth reading experience
KINDA SPOILERS
I will say some things were predictable. Like if a character got stuck in a situation. I knew at the last minute someone was coming to save them but it didn’t ruin that much of surprises. I do wish there were more gay aspects but that is just me. Nothing like smut but I wish we saw Jonas and Aleksei’s relationship grow and develop. Not just that they kissed and said I love you a few times. Almost like in Madeline Millers’s song of Achilles we got to see a lot of Patroclus and Achilles fall in love. It was hard because they weren’t together often but I wish in those moments we still got to see that development.
May 31, 2020
This is a first time read for me by Nicolas McIntire and I was really impressed with the undertaking of such a novel. “The Hunter’s Gambit” is a definite epic tale in high-fantasy, world building and a variety of characters. It is a lengthy read and well structured and a plot that’s paced nicely. The entire novel is built around magic, angels, demons, knights, romance, complex relationships and the power of evil.
As I like to focus on particular characters this novel had many. I had to pick Aleksei Drago. He was just a farm boy and finds himself on an incredible journey that he’s not sure he understands. On this journey he has to make decisions that could lead to good versus evil. I like the connection that develops between him and Jonas Belgi.
Bael also drew me in. He comes to realize how great the relationships between: Aleksei and Jonas and Richter and Cassian were. Bael let’s the Apsis and the power of the Archanium take over. No matter what he thought or felt he let the Presence’s power take everything from him.
Nicholas McIntire gives an in-depth look at all the characters and there’s very little doubt what each ones goals and desires are.
Now I’m going to make a confession! I’m a layman when it comes to fantasy and this was an experiment for myself. As I stated this was a lengthy, epic, high-fantasy read but I did enjoy it and was entertained. Those that are more knowledgeable and expert in the fantasy arena will, no doubt, really like “The Hunter’s Gambit”.
As I like to focus on particular characters this novel had many. I had to pick Aleksei Drago. He was just a farm boy and finds himself on an incredible journey that he’s not sure he understands. On this journey he has to make decisions that could lead to good versus evil. I like the connection that develops between him and Jonas Belgi.
Bael also drew me in. He comes to realize how great the relationships between: Aleksei and Jonas and Richter and Cassian were. Bael let’s the Apsis and the power of the Archanium take over. No matter what he thought or felt he let the Presence’s power take everything from him.
Nicholas McIntire gives an in-depth look at all the characters and there’s very little doubt what each ones goals and desires are.
Now I’m going to make a confession! I’m a layman when it comes to fantasy and this was an experiment for myself. As I stated this was a lengthy, epic, high-fantasy read but I did enjoy it and was entertained. Those that are more knowledgeable and expert in the fantasy arena will, no doubt, really like “The Hunter’s Gambit”.
September 14, 2024
Overall a decent fantasy that I enjoyed reading. The book definitely had some problems though but I can overlook them since the parts that were good were great. The author writes well and I like his style though the beginning of the book is ROUGH. I can definitely see people who have attempted this book and put it down because of that.
What didn't really work was that the defining moment for the antagonist was purposefully left ambiguous. This doesn't work since the turning point for the character was told in his perspective and it made the antagonist feel weak. It also added to the confusion at the beginning of the book.
There are a few points in the book where the decisions the characters made did not make sense for their character. Like they're not stupid characters, but they made a few stupid decisions or didn't piece things together when they should have.
I did enjoy reading this book a bunch. It was on my mind even at work which is why it resulted in it's high rating despite its flaws.
What didn't really work was that the defining moment for the antagonist was purposefully left ambiguous. This doesn't work since the turning point for the character was told in his perspective and it made the antagonist feel weak. It also added to the confusion at the beginning of the book.
There are a few points in the book where the decisions the characters made did not make sense for their character. Like they're not stupid characters, but they made a few stupid decisions or didn't piece things together when they should have.
I did enjoy reading this book a bunch. It was on my mind even at work which is why it resulted in it's high rating despite its flaws.
June 15, 2025
Even tho the prologue left me scratching my head in frustration by using many terms and words that without provided context (that came much later in the book) made no sense, Im glad I persevered as the first proper chapter of the book got me mightily hooked. What I enjoyed the most were the varied characters, their distinct POVs and intriguing magic system. By the last thrid I couldnt put it down, devouring the rest of the book in one sitting because i simply had to know how it ends.
Very slight spoilers ahead considering the romance part - my only wish is that there was more time given to the development of the main relationship. To me it felt like much of it happened "off screen". The duo went from what could be considered barely friends to lovers and certified soulmates in literaly couple of pages. And the slight time skip didnt help with that either imo.
Besides that my time with this book was thoroughly enjoyed and I cant wait to pick up the sequel. Theres never enough fantasy books crafted with adult audience in mind!
Very slight spoilers ahead considering the romance part - my only wish is that there was more time given to the development of the main relationship. To me it felt like much of it happened "off screen". The duo went from what could be considered barely friends to lovers and certified soulmates in literaly couple of pages. And the slight time skip didnt help with that either imo.
Besides that my time with this book was thoroughly enjoyed and I cant wait to pick up the sequel. Theres never enough fantasy books crafted with adult audience in mind!
January 4, 2025
Very enjoyable! Well-written fantasy with a fresh premise and original magic system. Characters are well developed and the world-building is superb. It's really a 4.5 stars for me. The only thing keeping me from giving it a full 5 stars is that the abilities of one of the main characters are not explained enough for me. Spoiler ahead
December 8, 2020
Yes 5 stars coz this book took me out of a major book slump, and it doesn't even have sex on it. For me, I really like the romance part to be fleshed out, but here, I was only given kisses and confirmation they were together. I still feel cheated whenever I thought about it and I do that A LOT. Pretty please, can we have a short story just them being lovey-dovey, no trouble in the horizon??
That being said, this is still a 5-star review for me coz what can top romance for me? It's the edge-of-my-seat feeling a book can give me and I had quite a ride with this book. Enjoyed being immersed in this magical world. Yeah, I am utterly hooked.
That being said, this is still a 5-star review for me coz what can top romance for me? It's the edge-of-my-seat feeling a book can give me and I had quite a ride with this book. Enjoyed being immersed in this magical world. Yeah, I am utterly hooked.
August 18, 2020
Robuster
It was an easy read with a lot of unnecessary plot twists and turns.
I’ve said over and over and over, less is more where these stories are concerned. Don’t write what the reader isn’t interested in. Keep it simple , keep the plot and the characters to tried and true story lines. The formula works for a reason.
The villain , in this genre is often left out of the story till the end. Not here. The author gave his readers a real villain to seethe over.
Parts of the story were very good . Other parts were horribly long , excessive in description and unneeded.
It was an easy read with a lot of unnecessary plot twists and turns.
I’ve said over and over and over, less is more where these stories are concerned. Don’t write what the reader isn’t interested in. Keep it simple , keep the plot and the characters to tried and true story lines. The formula works for a reason.
The villain , in this genre is often left out of the story till the end. Not here. The author gave his readers a real villain to seethe over.
Parts of the story were very good . Other parts were horribly long , excessive in description and unneeded.
March 28, 2025
The beginning was a little wobbly. a lot of names and things happening, but by 20% you'll be hooked. wish there were more moments between the protagonists. They were always separated, and I don't really feel like we got to see the bond they say they had. i feel like this book wouldve been better strictly from alexie's POV. regardless, it was a great story.
January 21, 2022
Oh my!!
This was a very interesting book to say the least. I love how it brought together angels, demons, magi, forest people all with some kind of power or magic in their own right. To fight evil in the best posible way! Loved it! Now to book 2 😁
This was a very interesting book to say the least. I love how it brought together angels, demons, magi, forest people all with some kind of power or magic in their own right. To fight evil in the best posible way! Loved it! Now to book 2 😁
October 19, 2020
Lost me within the first 10 pages. Angels, demons and God mixed in with Wizards. Gag
May 20, 2024
An exciting story the whole way through. Interesting characters and shifting POVs gives the reader a deep dive into each characters motives and makes it easy to connect with each of them.
February 7, 2020
This book is an epic, or high, fantasy. The magical systems were well developed and understandable (sometimes getting the information across can be cumbersome but this author did a great job). Also the world building was good, even though it could have been blended into the story better instead of dumped in the beginning of the book. That pulled me out of the story a bit. The character development was pretty good. It could've dug deeper but it wasn't too shallow that it caused me to disconnect with the characters. The book should have gone through copyediting as there were numerous errors an editor could have found. Outside of that flaw, the book just didn't dazzle me. I didn't find the spin on the common tropes enough to really set itself apart.
August 29, 2020
What an entertaining, creative and well-written novel! I'm a heavy sci-fi and fantasy reader and have been for more than 55 years. These past few years too many of the books I've read are the same menu driven plots all melting into the same story over and over. So much so I switched to non-fiction. How refreshing then to find "The Hunter's Gambit, Book 1 of the Archanium Codex." Author Nicholas McIntire has managed to write an epic fantasy novel that is so damn creative, so entertaining, with just the right touch of old school, that I could not wait to rejoin the characters in its pages each evening.
The book starts with a prologue set 1000 years in the past. The prologue is a compelling story in itself and sets the reader up to understand what's at stake as the book moves into the present. Plus, I'm sure, based on the intricate plotting of this book, that the prologue will play an important role in the continuing series. More broadly, this book weaves together a diverse group of well developed characters, in a beautifully imagined world, containing one of the most intriguing systems of magic I've ever encountered. There are many moments of wonderful creativity making you wish the author had written a whole other book just on the Seraphima or Ri'Vhan (I won't spoil it by explaining further). While "The Hunter's Gambit" has prominent, fully developed main characters, it also has an ensemble cast of equally well-developed supporting characters with full personalities in their own right.
McIntire sets us up for an epic journey with these highly engaging characters. Aleksei Drago, a farm boy who makes a world-changing choice. Jonas Belgi, a prince who must learn to trust his humanity rather than his political instincts. Bael, who's choice is thrown away leaving only a single path. Andariana, a Queen with so much loss. Aya, foreteller of prophecy's path. Darielle, cruelty and magical genius used toward a great purpose. Roux, of the Ri'Vhan, a feral man of the Wood. Angels who deceive, and demons who coerce, sentient woodlands filled with fey creatures, the Voralla, apsis of magical power. So many wonderful characters to meet and a multitude of magical artifacts, arcana and devices to explore, all delivered with satisfying storytelling.
This book was just a great experience and I can't wait to see what McIntire does with Book 2 of the series. I can't recommend this book highly enough.
The book starts with a prologue set 1000 years in the past. The prologue is a compelling story in itself and sets the reader up to understand what's at stake as the book moves into the present. Plus, I'm sure, based on the intricate plotting of this book, that the prologue will play an important role in the continuing series. More broadly, this book weaves together a diverse group of well developed characters, in a beautifully imagined world, containing one of the most intriguing systems of magic I've ever encountered. There are many moments of wonderful creativity making you wish the author had written a whole other book just on the Seraphima or Ri'Vhan (I won't spoil it by explaining further). While "The Hunter's Gambit" has prominent, fully developed main characters, it also has an ensemble cast of equally well-developed supporting characters with full personalities in their own right.
McIntire sets us up for an epic journey with these highly engaging characters. Aleksei Drago, a farm boy who makes a world-changing choice. Jonas Belgi, a prince who must learn to trust his humanity rather than his political instincts. Bael, who's choice is thrown away leaving only a single path. Andariana, a Queen with so much loss. Aya, foreteller of prophecy's path. Darielle, cruelty and magical genius used toward a great purpose. Roux, of the Ri'Vhan, a feral man of the Wood. Angels who deceive, and demons who coerce, sentient woodlands filled with fey creatures, the Voralla, apsis of magical power. So many wonderful characters to meet and a multitude of magical artifacts, arcana and devices to explore, all delivered with satisfying storytelling.
This book was just a great experience and I can't wait to see what McIntire does with Book 2 of the series. I can't recommend this book highly enough.
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