Book Review: Ever the Hunted by Erin Summerill

Ever the Hunted

By Erin Summerill

Release Date: December 27, 2016

Source: ALA 

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Seventeen year-old Britta Flannery is at ease only in the woods with her dagger and bow. She spends her days tracking criminals alongside her father, the legendary bounty hunter for the King of Malam—that is, until her father is murdered. Now outcast and alone and having no rights to her father’s land or inheritance, she seeks refuge where she feels most safe: the Ever Woods. When Britta is caught poaching by the royal guard, instead of facing the noose she is offered a deal: her freedom in exchange for her father’s killer.

However, it’s not so simple.

The alleged killer is none other than Cohen McKay, her father’s former apprentice. The only friend she’s ever known. The boy she once loved who broke her heart. She must go on a dangerous quest in a world of warring kingdoms, mad kings, and dark magic to find the real killer. But Britta wields more power than she knows. And soon she will learn what has always made her different will make her a daunting and dangerous force.

When I saw that there was a signing for ARCs of this book at ALA, I was so intrigued. I mean, the cover is gorgeous and it sounded like it was going to be a fantastic YA fantasy. After devouring ACOTAR and ACOMAF earlier this summer, I was ready to try another fantasy, so I decided to give this one a try. 

Britta Flannery is on the verge of starvation after her father dies, so she takes to the forest to hunt, even though it's illegal. After taking down an elk, Britta is caught and brought to the King for her sentencing. Instead of hanging her, the king bargains with Britta and tells her she can have her life if she helps his men find her father's killer, who they claim is Britta's best childhood friend and only love who broke her heart. Britta takes to the forest and discovers so much more about herself and her father's past than she had ever though possible. 

This book had so much potential, but unfortunately, it did not play out how I wanted it to. First off, I really wasn't a fan of the pacing. Parts were slow while other parts were fast and I just couldn't get into this story. The romance was so built up and the climax was so disappointing and I wasn't buying into it at all. 

The other problem I had with this book was that things happened too conveniently. I wanted a little more struggle and a little more time spent on certain moments in the story. I don't want to give anything away, but some really monumental moments that were built up to during the beginning were over in a matter of pages for Britta. There should have been more of a challenge for our characters. Oh, and that ending! Seriously? I thought it was completely bogus of the author to just throw in another obstacle for our main character on the last half page of the book just to leave room for a second book. Yeah, that wasn't okay with me, especially regarding the characters it dealt with. 

Overall, this book was a huge disappointment. I wasn't a fan of the pacing, the romance, or the ending. What sounded good in theory did not play out and I was left not really caring for the characters or the "epic" adventure that they went on.