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Hunter Circles #0.5
The Hunter: A Hunter Circles Series Novella
I’m Ben Hallen and three months ago, I was struck by lightning. When I wake up from a coma, I discover I now have the power to control that lightning. My cousin Rachel, who almost died that same day, also developed powers. At first, neither of us is sure what to make of the situation. But as we dig deeper into the origin of these powers, we discover a whole other half of the world, one filled with demons and the Hunters who kill them. But that’s just the start. Ever since my coma, everything has been different and my powers are the least of my worries. Now my pregnant girlfriend is being stalked by a demon, and I’m starting to wonder if the lightning strike three months ago was more than just an accident…
212 pages, Paperback
First published April 9, 2017
2 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Gunn
55 books129 followersJessica Gunn is a Fantasy author and avid science-fiction and fantasy fan. Her favorite stories are those that transport the reader to other, more exciting worlds. To catch up with Jessica, follow her on Twitter (@JessGunnAuthor) or on her website, www.jessicagunn.com.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 10, 2017
DETAILS:
The Hunter is the first title in Jessica Gunn's new Hunter Circles Series. Jessica is also the author of the Atlas Link Series and a story found in the Sci-Fi Steampunk Anthology called Under A Brass Moon. This book is the prequel novella that's been designated as book zero-point-five on Goodreads: a primary resource for The Hunter, where you're able to check out reviews and ratings given it's an unpublished book available to subscribers to Jessica's Hunter Circles newsletters. It deals with the events that established the protagonist's (Ben Hallen) motivations and abilities that prompted his initiation into the Hunter Circles, the series namesake. These form the prelude to book one, The Hunted, which is currently scheduled for a June 19th release date.
As a New Adult (NA) author with interests in SciFi-Fantasy (SFF) and a degree in anthropology, Jessica's books are flavoured by her tastes and expertise. Her NA classification (to my understanding) primarily designates the intensity or rating of the themes in her books, but not what themes they include. It can therefore be applicable to any genre, or combination thereof. Its functional capacity denotes content falling somewhere between a MA15+ and R18+ rating, the tendency being closer to R18+ unlike Young Adult [YA], which tends to be closer to MA15+ (much like those found in movies and games). The Hunter Circles Series combines SFF with Urban Fantasy (UF) to create a new spin on the popular themes found in fictitious demon hunting literature.
This is my first experience with Jessica's books. My preference for Urban Fantasy brought the Hunter Circles Series to my attention. I've included her Amazon Page for those intending to purchase her books. I'll be reviewing The Hunted after I finish The Hunger (Amazon reviews for book one won't be live until June 19th; so Goodreads is the only current source).
Author Page - https://www.amazon.com/Jessica-Gunn/e...
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
THE STORY/INTRODUCTION:
The probability of getting hit by lightning means that for any victim(s) there's two things prima facia: first, they are extremely unlucky to have even been struck; and second, they're conversely extremely lucky if they manage to survive. The interpretations for Ben Hallen were compounded when after the three month coma induced by the experience, he awoke irrevocably altered from the life he knew beforehand. You might first expect that certain changes are cosmetic, after all, how many volts are necessary for scarring to occur? Plus, you might expect that certain internal damage occurs to alter health or life expectancy. But what of other changes you might expect? The list could undoubtedly go on and on, and it would likely deal exclusively with physiological and psycho-social outcomes, maybe even economic if lasting disabilities occur; but ask yourself, would your list include things only encountered in science fiction and fantasy?
For Ben and his cousin, Rachel, that boat's already sailed by the time he awakens. The day in question started out with what was at the time, just a miniscule hiccup. Having to row because one of the four crew members forgot to gas up the tank didn't prevent their plans from going forward. But to a superstitious mind, it might've been an early sign or omen of what was to come. For the guilt addled mind of the responsible crew member, Michael, it'd become a day of what if's. It was also a day when weather forecasts projected the ideal day for boating on ghe lake to and celebrate a sixteenth birthday, before the evening party was attended. A day not that unlike the day when a tragic accident stole two members' parents, a day to distract the celebrates of what had yesrs before occurred. A day better to celebrate with birthday cake and joy, family and friends, instead of remembrance involving heartache, loss and longing. Hindsight is a judgemental taskmaster, for in hindsight the answers to avoiding catastrophe are perceptible.
The clouds darkened and built in vertical masses so rapidly. The sign they wouldn't be denied was reached before the decision to turn in was made, a decision that in hindsight could've come sooner. It happened so quickly once it turned. A mere few drops is all that heralded the cracks and lights. The thunder shouted its menace with a volume succinctly placing the storm right over their heads. The very air itself became electrified, body hair standing erect. The smell of ozone was so strong that there were no longer any doubts it'd strike out. The light and the path it was taking passed in slow motion as Ben's world narrowed down to who could survive a direct hit; memories of an exploding peer in their childhood now being superimposed over their boat. The resulting blackness and the void it created plagued his every awareness, with no rising or setting of the sun it became impossible to determine the amount of passing time.
What followed the first retreat into the black numbness came in snippets and sounds. Rachel's voice and the things it told him created a biplay of craziness and impossibility. Like her controlling water, and it having cocooned her sinking body in its embrace until her brother, Michael, could retrieve her from the lake. Doctors describing her resuscitation as that of a drowned patient, even though no water was in her lungs. How when she said things that angered him, red flashes of lightning struck across his void so that for the first time in three months he could see his actual reality in the void. The zapp that burned her finger must surely have come with the unending number of machines and technology keeping him alive. Whatever it was or is, it gave him the first clues on fighting free of the void.
Sometimes hardships aren't sent or experienced in order to provoke suffering, although a nihilistic focus might only see them in such ways. Alternately they may be sent as tests or provocation. In the absence of knowledge and induction in the rarest of gifts or abilities, those things may never develop if provocation isn't experienced. As cousins, Rachel and Ben share a genetic heritage. As their families knew nothing of the supernatural, paranormal, or the truths of the nasty things that go bump in the night, perhaps it becomes necessary for the balance to provoke hidden skills or gifts. When these tools are intended to be the mechanism by which balance can be affected, so that it can be maintained, then the greater the power may also mean the greater the test? In any case, there's a veil to the darkness that can only be witnessed once you know how to look. With what the tests and darkness have caused in his life, Ben is gearing up for the fight of his son's life. As a cherished aunt who had that joy taken from her, Rachel too is gearing up to be part of that same fight.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
OPINION:
The reality of Ben's awareness and the struggles that plagued his conscious mind are a vivid reminder of the potential facing hundreds of thousands of coma patients each year. Or maybe it's more appropriate to include all of those whom may sit in a void with no connection to their bodies. The separation of the mind from the body is an innate fear aroused in every person who experiences, considers, or witnesses just how fragile the link can be. The possibilities of the sheer numbers from around the world where doctors, family, friends, or lovers decide that this is the day they'll run that final test involving the turning off the machines, is the real stuff of nightmares. For any reading Jessica's portrayal of Ben's experience of his coma, I imagine it just got easier to imagine what might actually be.
The what if's must be included in that same nightmare. For example, the overall biggest what if, what if we turned the machines off too soon and by implication; the what is too soon? A conundrum becomes realised when doctors and nurses tell visitors to speak to the patient like they're still there, and yet they suggest after a time that it's appropriate to now turn off the machines. Aren't the two mutually exclusive, how can both exist at the same time? Imagine if you will that after having done as doctors suggest and you've spent 'x' number of days talking to them like they're there, but now you're being asked to turn off the machines as though they aren't there. Who gets to decide whether they're there and on what basis that is made? Patients have after all, awoken years later - not just days, weeks or months. Just as after turning off the machines their bodies have kept going, even if or not their minds have too, saying nill for those who not only do they keep going but they also wake up.
Ben's awareness of his environment, whether before, during, or after his time spent in the resulting coma, is like that of the functional role he performs for his varsity football team. The way this has shaped his perspectives and the things he pays attention to, would I suspect be right on the money for a good many in that situation. The visage is of the quarterback honing his senses to take in only as much as is necessary to make his required snappy decisions, given that taking any more time would likely line him up with the two-hundred-plus pounds of steamtrain heading his way, is done with natural flare. Indeed, Jessica's whole approach to a male lead hasn't in any perceptible way shown a discrepancy between author gender and their lead character's. It takes a certain competence and expertise to step into the shoes of opposite genders and still successfully portray the way they see the world. I'm not a fan of focusing on group differences, I believe that a focus on similarities helps to stem prejudice, but credit should still be paid where it's due.
Jessica's style is an economic matter-of-fact narrative. Her narration and dialogue are streamlined into direct sentences and the meaning they depict. A technique that gives the impression of a faster pace, mostly irrespective of what's taking place. The plot then also gives the same impressions. Technique and content knit well together to create that flying-by-the-seat-of-your-pants mood to the story. Yet there's still that feeling as though despite the pace and breakneck speed, that much is being delivered, just in short order. Combined with the further technical edge of well placed strategic jumps forward in time, spanning from a mere week to several months, you know there's that one more crucial clue just around the next corner. Such intriguing combinations keep you reading, knowing a crucial sequence will be coming.
The streamlining of events and especially of the contextual history not included as a mainstay of the current story makes it easy to get up to date, but I have to wonder if at some point in the series that there'll either be, or need to be, greater reflection on certain respective aspects. There's mystery created in this regard by well placed ambiguous suggestions by a key character, that leaves doors open for revelations in the storylines to come. I'm undecided on one gap, the minimal exposure to Ben's training and what he's capable of. At present that's a decided ability of getting his arse kicked, but such information can be forthcoming, so I'm disinclined to see such an observation as an item of criticism.
The portrayal of the dynamics and events that specifically plague his relationship with his (late) childhood sweetheart, and (later still) high school love - the only girl he's ever loved and whom also happens to be the mother of his child, comes across with the natural appearances suggestive of the possibility that they were indeed written by a male character who'd experienced them for himself. I throw in the comments about gender only to highlight that given it's a female author who constructed them, they're pretty on the ball (no pun intended) for a male's mind. The struggles they face and how his experience of them is shaped by cultural, historical, and gendered factors that gives them a good deal more credence. A natural reflection of how you might expect them to pan out. Ben is one of those characters who make their complexities perceived through the culmination of what could be confused as simplicities, an interesting juxtaposition to say the least.
A good introduction even if you might still be wanting to see an element pan out. Obviously this is intended for the book to come. The items it does resolve certainly place it in the realms of prelude and prequel. Full of events, theology as it applies herein, and a fast and natural storytelling have geared you up to get your hands on book one, the Hunted. I'm going with four stars, admitting that I may in some ways have been a little harsh or preemptive. Certsinly an author and series to follow for fans of UF.
The Hunter is the first title in Jessica Gunn's new Hunter Circles Series. Jessica is also the author of the Atlas Link Series and a story found in the Sci-Fi Steampunk Anthology called Under A Brass Moon. This book is the prequel novella that's been designated as book zero-point-five on Goodreads: a primary resource for The Hunter, where you're able to check out reviews and ratings given it's an unpublished book available to subscribers to Jessica's Hunter Circles newsletters. It deals with the events that established the protagonist's (Ben Hallen) motivations and abilities that prompted his initiation into the Hunter Circles, the series namesake. These form the prelude to book one, The Hunted, which is currently scheduled for a June 19th release date.
As a New Adult (NA) author with interests in SciFi-Fantasy (SFF) and a degree in anthropology, Jessica's books are flavoured by her tastes and expertise. Her NA classification (to my understanding) primarily designates the intensity or rating of the themes in her books, but not what themes they include. It can therefore be applicable to any genre, or combination thereof. Its functional capacity denotes content falling somewhere between a MA15+ and R18+ rating, the tendency being closer to R18+ unlike Young Adult [YA], which tends to be closer to MA15+ (much like those found in movies and games). The Hunter Circles Series combines SFF with Urban Fantasy (UF) to create a new spin on the popular themes found in fictitious demon hunting literature.
This is my first experience with Jessica's books. My preference for Urban Fantasy brought the Hunter Circles Series to my attention. I've included her Amazon Page for those intending to purchase her books. I'll be reviewing The Hunted after I finish The Hunger (Amazon reviews for book one won't be live until June 19th; so Goodreads is the only current source).
Author Page - https://www.amazon.com/Jessica-Gunn/e...
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
THE STORY/INTRODUCTION:
The probability of getting hit by lightning means that for any victim(s) there's two things prima facia: first, they are extremely unlucky to have even been struck; and second, they're conversely extremely lucky if they manage to survive. The interpretations for Ben Hallen were compounded when after the three month coma induced by the experience, he awoke irrevocably altered from the life he knew beforehand. You might first expect that certain changes are cosmetic, after all, how many volts are necessary for scarring to occur? Plus, you might expect that certain internal damage occurs to alter health or life expectancy. But what of other changes you might expect? The list could undoubtedly go on and on, and it would likely deal exclusively with physiological and psycho-social outcomes, maybe even economic if lasting disabilities occur; but ask yourself, would your list include things only encountered in science fiction and fantasy?
For Ben and his cousin, Rachel, that boat's already sailed by the time he awakens. The day in question started out with what was at the time, just a miniscule hiccup. Having to row because one of the four crew members forgot to gas up the tank didn't prevent their plans from going forward. But to a superstitious mind, it might've been an early sign or omen of what was to come. For the guilt addled mind of the responsible crew member, Michael, it'd become a day of what if's. It was also a day when weather forecasts projected the ideal day for boating on ghe lake to and celebrate a sixteenth birthday, before the evening party was attended. A day not that unlike the day when a tragic accident stole two members' parents, a day to distract the celebrates of what had yesrs before occurred. A day better to celebrate with birthday cake and joy, family and friends, instead of remembrance involving heartache, loss and longing. Hindsight is a judgemental taskmaster, for in hindsight the answers to avoiding catastrophe are perceptible.
The clouds darkened and built in vertical masses so rapidly. The sign they wouldn't be denied was reached before the decision to turn in was made, a decision that in hindsight could've come sooner. It happened so quickly once it turned. A mere few drops is all that heralded the cracks and lights. The thunder shouted its menace with a volume succinctly placing the storm right over their heads. The very air itself became electrified, body hair standing erect. The smell of ozone was so strong that there were no longer any doubts it'd strike out. The light and the path it was taking passed in slow motion as Ben's world narrowed down to who could survive a direct hit; memories of an exploding peer in their childhood now being superimposed over their boat. The resulting blackness and the void it created plagued his every awareness, with no rising or setting of the sun it became impossible to determine the amount of passing time.
What followed the first retreat into the black numbness came in snippets and sounds. Rachel's voice and the things it told him created a biplay of craziness and impossibility. Like her controlling water, and it having cocooned her sinking body in its embrace until her brother, Michael, could retrieve her from the lake. Doctors describing her resuscitation as that of a drowned patient, even though no water was in her lungs. How when she said things that angered him, red flashes of lightning struck across his void so that for the first time in three months he could see his actual reality in the void. The zapp that burned her finger must surely have come with the unending number of machines and technology keeping him alive. Whatever it was or is, it gave him the first clues on fighting free of the void.
Sometimes hardships aren't sent or experienced in order to provoke suffering, although a nihilistic focus might only see them in such ways. Alternately they may be sent as tests or provocation. In the absence of knowledge and induction in the rarest of gifts or abilities, those things may never develop if provocation isn't experienced. As cousins, Rachel and Ben share a genetic heritage. As their families knew nothing of the supernatural, paranormal, or the truths of the nasty things that go bump in the night, perhaps it becomes necessary for the balance to provoke hidden skills or gifts. When these tools are intended to be the mechanism by which balance can be affected, so that it can be maintained, then the greater the power may also mean the greater the test? In any case, there's a veil to the darkness that can only be witnessed once you know how to look. With what the tests and darkness have caused in his life, Ben is gearing up for the fight of his son's life. As a cherished aunt who had that joy taken from her, Rachel too is gearing up to be part of that same fight.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
OPINION:
The reality of Ben's awareness and the struggles that plagued his conscious mind are a vivid reminder of the potential facing hundreds of thousands of coma patients each year. Or maybe it's more appropriate to include all of those whom may sit in a void with no connection to their bodies. The separation of the mind from the body is an innate fear aroused in every person who experiences, considers, or witnesses just how fragile the link can be. The possibilities of the sheer numbers from around the world where doctors, family, friends, or lovers decide that this is the day they'll run that final test involving the turning off the machines, is the real stuff of nightmares. For any reading Jessica's portrayal of Ben's experience of his coma, I imagine it just got easier to imagine what might actually be.
The what if's must be included in that same nightmare. For example, the overall biggest what if, what if we turned the machines off too soon and by implication; the what is too soon? A conundrum becomes realised when doctors and nurses tell visitors to speak to the patient like they're still there, and yet they suggest after a time that it's appropriate to now turn off the machines. Aren't the two mutually exclusive, how can both exist at the same time? Imagine if you will that after having done as doctors suggest and you've spent 'x' number of days talking to them like they're there, but now you're being asked to turn off the machines as though they aren't there. Who gets to decide whether they're there and on what basis that is made? Patients have after all, awoken years later - not just days, weeks or months. Just as after turning off the machines their bodies have kept going, even if or not their minds have too, saying nill for those who not only do they keep going but they also wake up.
Ben's awareness of his environment, whether before, during, or after his time spent in the resulting coma, is like that of the functional role he performs for his varsity football team. The way this has shaped his perspectives and the things he pays attention to, would I suspect be right on the money for a good many in that situation. The visage is of the quarterback honing his senses to take in only as much as is necessary to make his required snappy decisions, given that taking any more time would likely line him up with the two-hundred-plus pounds of steamtrain heading his way, is done with natural flare. Indeed, Jessica's whole approach to a male lead hasn't in any perceptible way shown a discrepancy between author gender and their lead character's. It takes a certain competence and expertise to step into the shoes of opposite genders and still successfully portray the way they see the world. I'm not a fan of focusing on group differences, I believe that a focus on similarities helps to stem prejudice, but credit should still be paid where it's due.
Jessica's style is an economic matter-of-fact narrative. Her narration and dialogue are streamlined into direct sentences and the meaning they depict. A technique that gives the impression of a faster pace, mostly irrespective of what's taking place. The plot then also gives the same impressions. Technique and content knit well together to create that flying-by-the-seat-of-your-pants mood to the story. Yet there's still that feeling as though despite the pace and breakneck speed, that much is being delivered, just in short order. Combined with the further technical edge of well placed strategic jumps forward in time, spanning from a mere week to several months, you know there's that one more crucial clue just around the next corner. Such intriguing combinations keep you reading, knowing a crucial sequence will be coming.
The streamlining of events and especially of the contextual history not included as a mainstay of the current story makes it easy to get up to date, but I have to wonder if at some point in the series that there'll either be, or need to be, greater reflection on certain respective aspects. There's mystery created in this regard by well placed ambiguous suggestions by a key character, that leaves doors open for revelations in the storylines to come. I'm undecided on one gap, the minimal exposure to Ben's training and what he's capable of. At present that's a decided ability of getting his arse kicked, but such information can be forthcoming, so I'm disinclined to see such an observation as an item of criticism.
The portrayal of the dynamics and events that specifically plague his relationship with his (late) childhood sweetheart, and (later still) high school love - the only girl he's ever loved and whom also happens to be the mother of his child, comes across with the natural appearances suggestive of the possibility that they were indeed written by a male character who'd experienced them for himself. I throw in the comments about gender only to highlight that given it's a female author who constructed them, they're pretty on the ball (no pun intended) for a male's mind. The struggles they face and how his experience of them is shaped by cultural, historical, and gendered factors that gives them a good deal more credence. A natural reflection of how you might expect them to pan out. Ben is one of those characters who make their complexities perceived through the culmination of what could be confused as simplicities, an interesting juxtaposition to say the least.
A good introduction even if you might still be wanting to see an element pan out. Obviously this is intended for the book to come. The items it does resolve certainly place it in the realms of prelude and prequel. Full of events, theology as it applies herein, and a fast and natural storytelling have geared you up to get your hands on book one, the Hunted. I'm going with four stars, admitting that I may in some ways have been a little harsh or preemptive. Certsinly an author and series to follow for fans of UF.
June 5, 2017
Ben: a brother to Amanda who lost their parents to young. Raised by his Uncle and Aunt with their cousins Rachel and Michael. High school sweetheart to Sandra. Almost soon to be college graduate and Quarter Back with aims to making it all the way. All around American guy.
UNTIL Amanda's birthday rings around. Ben, his sister and cousins head out into the middle of the lake to celebrate. Everything in changed with the roll of thunder and a strike of lighting that shot down straight at Ben and through to Rachel. After Ben wakes up from a coma everything slowly starts falling apart. Just as quick as that lightning struck him.
This is a short prequel novella to get you introduced to the characters and story. Lovers of the Mortal Instrument series will love this! I was hesitant at first since I usually stick to novels of a younger main character unlike Ben who is in his early 20's. The author has built a world in less than 300 pages. A world where I'm dying to know more about. 5 stars and my deepest recommendation! Now off to the full length novel "The Hunted"!
UNTIL Amanda's birthday rings around. Ben, his sister and cousins head out into the middle of the lake to celebrate. Everything in changed with the roll of thunder and a strike of lighting that shot down straight at Ben and through to Rachel. After Ben wakes up from a coma everything slowly starts falling apart. Just as quick as that lightning struck him.
This is a short prequel novella to get you introduced to the characters and story. Lovers of the Mortal Instrument series will love this! I was hesitant at first since I usually stick to novels of a younger main character unlike Ben who is in his early 20's. The author has built a world in less than 300 pages. A world where I'm dying to know more about. 5 stars and my deepest recommendation! Now off to the full length novel "The Hunted"!
June 22, 2017
Initially this book appears almost as a sweetheart romance book, with multidimensional vivid characters who have grown up and knows each other well, tho it doesn't stop there. Because in a masterly way the reader are brought along, immersed and after a just a few pages they seem like they are your long time friends, making you as reader feel a part of this bunch of people.
It's when you think you know this book, and you least expect it, you as the Reader gets basically taken by surprise, like a thunder strike, the supernatural aspects hits full force. The way its done is brilliant, plausible, and engaging, and ever so intriguing. This puts the hi gear in regards to events and happenings that brings you along on a awe inspiring ride on the wild side.
This book has a way to shoot a heart string directly into your heart, firmly attached delivering the whole range of emotions. This mentioned here above bargains for a book with high entertainment value, a awesome read, and a book well worth reading.
It's when you think you know this book, and you least expect it, you as the Reader gets basically taken by surprise, like a thunder strike, the supernatural aspects hits full force. The way its done is brilliant, plausible, and engaging, and ever so intriguing. This puts the hi gear in regards to events and happenings that brings you along on a awe inspiring ride on the wild side.
This book has a way to shoot a heart string directly into your heart, firmly attached delivering the whole range of emotions. This mentioned here above bargains for a book with high entertainment value, a awesome read, and a book well worth reading.
June 22, 2017
This is a prequel story, and I am glad the first book is out already because it ends with the biggest cliffhanger very unresolved. (arrgh)
As a prequel, this story does everything its supposed to: it sets up our modern-times-with-demons world, it introduces a bunch of characters, and then it makes you care by having a terrible, unimaginable thing happen to the likable, quarter-back hero who makes mistakes and ignores his girlfriend but basically has a good heart.
On the other hand, there was a lot of fast forwarding. I understand why months have to go by: there's a lot to pack into this story. But I was a bit bemused when something momentous (I have powers! I flubbed the big game! My girlfriend may or may not take me back after I was an insensitive jerkface!) happened for the third time and it was skipped over.
Ah well, I'm pretty sure that won't happen in the first book of the series and I suppose one should be a bit forgiving of prequels. Off now to go read "The Hunted" which is the first book and it looks like, from the summary, will resolve aforementioned cliffhanger.
As a prequel, this story does everything its supposed to: it sets up our modern-times-with-demons world, it introduces a bunch of characters, and then it makes you care by having a terrible, unimaginable thing happen to the likable, quarter-back hero who makes mistakes and ignores his girlfriend but basically has a good heart.
On the other hand, there was a lot of fast forwarding. I understand why months have to go by: there's a lot to pack into this story. But I was a bit bemused when something momentous (I have powers! I flubbed the big game! My girlfriend may or may not take me back after I was an insensitive jerkface!) happened for the third time and it was skipped over.
Ah well, I'm pretty sure that won't happen in the first book of the series and I suppose one should be a bit forgiving of prequels. Off now to go read "The Hunted" which is the first book and it looks like, from the summary, will resolve aforementioned cliffhanger.
June 20, 2017
See my full review of this title on my book blog, So Few Books, at: https://sofewbooks.blogspot.com/2017/...!
This novella prequel is a pretty good start of a new series, setting up the story of Ben Hallen and how he comes to join the Hunter Circles. Mostly, it is full of stage-setting and world-building for future volumes of the series (of which the author has indicated there will be five)...
I would have enjoyed it more if Ben had been a more sympathetic character, and if more information had been given about this society with which he has aligned himself. Hopefully the latter at least will come in future installments. The premise definitely an intriguing one though, and I look forward to reading future tomes in this series!
I received a free copy of this novella from the author in a newsletter, and have willingly provided an honest review.
This novella prequel is a pretty good start of a new series, setting up the story of Ben Hallen and how he comes to join the Hunter Circles. Mostly, it is full of stage-setting and world-building for future volumes of the series (of which the author has indicated there will be five)...
I would have enjoyed it more if Ben had been a more sympathetic character, and if more information had been given about this society with which he has aligned himself. Hopefully the latter at least will come in future installments. The premise definitely an intriguing one though, and I look forward to reading future tomes in this series!
I received a free copy of this novella from the author in a newsletter, and have willingly provided an honest review.
June 2, 2017
This is a great beginning to a new series. Ben is somewhat arrogant and full of himself. He gets struck by lightening and wakes from a coma with the power to control lightening. He also gets his girlfriend pregnant the first time they have sex after his coma. I had to keep reminding myself he's in his late teens, so bad decisions are part of life. He has a hard time coming to grips with everything that is happening. He wants to find out more about his powers to no avail. His son is born and it looks like life is going to be fine...until his baby boy is stolen by demons. Now he must learn more about his powers and the demons that have his son. Extremely exciting and constant action. I loved it and will be continuing on his journey to find his son, Riley. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
May 13, 2017
This was a really good backstory (prequel) to the Hunter Circles series that Ms Gunn is releasing this year (starting next month). It gives us a feel for the characters, their motivations and the group dynamics. The Hunter kept me interested and wanting to know more. Can't wait until the next book comes out in June.
December 13, 2017
I enjoyed the story, but cliffhangers drive me crazy. I liked the supernatural aspects and that the characters seemed fully developed. They change through the course of the story, growing and becoming more than they were. Overall a good read. I’d recommend it to others.
April 22, 2017
Great book their newebsite characters are awesome get thistle android read ot
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews