Review: The Hunter's Moon by Beth Trissel

 

The Hunter's Moon (The Secret Warrior Series) Paranormal, Fantasy, Romance, YA 

2 stars

Expected Pub. Date 12/14/15

Isis' Review

I would like to thank author Beth Trissel & The Wild Rose Press for giving me a copy of this e-ARC to read in exchange for an honest review. Though I received this e-book for free that in no way impacts my review.

Teaser: "Seventeen-year-old Morgan Daniel has been in the witness protection program most of her life. But The Panteras have caught up with her and her younger brother. Her car is totaled, she's hurt, and the street gang is closing in when wolves with glowing eyes appear out of nowhere and chase away the killers. 

Then a very cute guy who handles a bow like Robin Hood emerges from the woods and takes them to safety at his fortress-like home. 

And that's just the first sign that Morgan and her brother have entered a hidden world filled with secrets... "

As much as I'd like to say this story rocked my world, it hardly even caused a slight ripple. It had potential, but sadly I felt that far to much time was spent building up to this massive climax - and virtually none was spent on the actual event itself. The basic premise of the story intrigued me while the execution displeased me. 

I wasn't able to feel very strongly about the main protagonist at all. She was rather bland for my taste - especially given the story she's trapped in. By all rights I felt she should have moved me, but instead I was more interested is her younger brother Jimmy. I almost wish he'd been the main character and relegated Morgan to the role of side-kick. He was plucky, smart, engaging; she was self-absorbed, boring, and lacked the spunk her roll required. Or at least that was my take on her. Her only redeeming quality was her blind love for her little brother Jimmy. 

The concept seemed good, but quickly grew to large for its own good. Too much was attempted to be crammed into a novella. I think that Ms. Trissel might have caught my attention more had she not pulled so many variables into the equation of this story. Focusing one just one or two of the elements presented would have made this go down more smoothly for me.

Aside from Jimmy I also enjoyed the Robin Hood-like character of Jackson. He made for a strong love interest and was well crafted. Though many of those same variables I disliked were introduced through him, he himself was charming and engaging. Where Morgan was flighty, Jackson was grounded. He exuded a strong sense of self that I found attractive, and had a playful side that was endearing. Now if only he could have been paired with an equally intriguing love interest this book might not have felt like a chore to read. And that's saying a whole lot given that it's less than 150 pages long. I really wish I could say that this book held more appeal for me, but that's certainly not to say that it won't fly for other readers. And as a novella you aren't risking a huge time commitment to try it on for size. Could be I was just having a bad day when I read it & wrote this review. So don't skip it based solely upon my review!

Married to my high school sweetheart, I live on a farm in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia surrounded by my children, grandbabies, and assorted animals. An avid gardener, my love of herbs and heirloom plants figures into my work. The rich history of Virginia, the Native Americans and the people who journeyed here from far beyond her borders are at the heart of my inspiration. In addition to American settings, I also write historical and time travel romances set in the British Isles, and nonfiction about gardening, herbal lore, and country life.

My blog is the happening place: https://bethtrissel.wordpress.com/