The Wild Huntress

Emily Lloyd-Jones

The Wild Huntress by Emily Lloyd Jones

About the book

Every five years, two kingdoms take part in a Wild Hunt. Joining is a bloody risk and even the best hunters can suffer the most gruesome fates. Still, hundreds gamble their lives to participate—all vying for the Hunt’s life-changing prize: a magical wish granted by the Otherking.

BRANWEN possesses a gift no other human has: the ability to see and slay monsters. She’s desperate to cure her mother’s sickness, and the Wild Hunt is her only option.

GWYDION is the least impressive of his magically talented family, but with his ability to control plants and his sleight of hand, he’ll do whatever it takes to keep his cruel older brother from becoming a tyrant.

PRYDERI is prince-born and monster-raised. Deep down, the royal crown doesn’t interest him—all he wants is to know is where he belongs.

A trickster, a prince, and a wild huntress—if they band together against the monstrous creatures within the woods, they have a chance to win. But nothing is guaranteed, for all are fair game in love and the Hunt.

The Wild Huntress – A Clever, Bittersweet Fantasy Read

by | Jun 9, 2025 | Book review

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The Wild Huntress by Emily Lloyd Jones

The Wild Huntress

Publication Date
October 1, 2024

Page Count
421 pages

Publisher
Little, Brown Books

Book review

Looking for a fantasy novel that blends magic, cleverness, a royal challenge with a little bit of romance? The Wild Huntress delivers on all fronts. With rich prose, well-written relationships, and just enough humor to offset the stakes of the book, The Wild Huntress is a book you should check out.  

While The Wild Huntress is not a YA novel, its vibe reminds me of the intensity and challenge/”game” aspect of The Hunger Games and the wild, bittersweet feeling The Scorpio Races gave me. It captures the thrill of competition, the tension of survival, and the awe of magic with a cast of characters you can’t help but fall for 

The writing is absolutely beautiful, every page feels handcrafted and well thought-out, with language that invites you to slow down and savor the world or scene the author has created. That said, the density of the writing might not be for everyone. Readers who prefer fast pace reads that don’t focus on description might find themselves struggling a bit in the beginning as the scene is being set but the payoff is well worth it. 

At its core, The Wild Huntress is a bittersweet tale, its woven with loss, longing, and sacrifice. It’s also cleverly constructed, with layered themes and sneaky plot twists where readers who pay close attention  might be able to follow. This is not a surface-level fantasy with a focus on romance; there’s a lot of depth here, which was surprising for a standalone that feels well wrapped up.  

There are moments of sharp, well-timed humor that act as a reprieve for some of the darker elements. There’s also a sneaky animal companion, who manages to be both suspicious and utterly delightful.

This is a book for readers who love atmospheric, sometimes dark fantasy with emotional depth, perfectly imperfect characters, and a story that lingers with you.

The Wild Huntress by Emily Lloyd-Jones
Final thoughts
This is a book for readers who love atmospheric, sometimes dark fantasy with emotional depth, perfectly imperfect characters, and a story that lingers with you.
Plot
Characters
Writing
Pacing
Enjoyment
What I liked:
Unique, likeable characters that aren't perfect
Some character are always one step ahead of you
Bittersweet ending that fits the story perfectly
What I disliked:
Slower pacing at times due to descriptive writing style
4.6

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