Title: Ever the Hunted
Series: Clash of Kingdoms #1
Author: Erin Summerill
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Published: December 27th, 2016
Page Count: 392 pages
Format: eARC
Source: From publisher via Edelweiss
Summary:
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.
*The Reader’s Review*
My rating: 2/5 stars
When I heard about Ever the Hunted months before release date, I was extremely excited to read it because it sounded like my kind of read. More than that, I was seeing so many of my friends and other book bloggers raving non-stop about it so I was sure that I would end up enjoying.
I didn’t. Unfortunately, Ever the Hunted didn’t live up to my high expectations and I’m quite bummed about it. I wanted to love it, but I just couldn’t get past how it badly uses all the typical tropes found in YA literature. And by all, I truly mean ALL.
First off, we get a main character who is quite strong and capable, yet when the time comes, she falls into the “damsel in distress” category. Britta starts off great and I thought she would become a favorite YA heroine, but she disappointed me once she starts to rely heavily in her love interest when she has all the skills (and more) to save the day. But most of all, I hated how when she’s supposed to mourn the death of her father and be set on finding who’s the killer, all she can think about is if Cohen (her love interest and who was framed for killing her father) has feelings for her or not. Constantly. ALL THE TIME. Every single page.
I love romance in my books, I literally live for them in Fantasy, but I didn’t like how it remained too focused on it instead of everything that the author had set up. It’s been over a month since I read this book and I cannot remember all the details about the magical system, but it sounded awesome. Wish the author would have focused more on expanding her world for everything is just lightly explained and then left forgotten. I know the author will be expanding more her world building later on, but I think it was more necessary in this first book.
And since this book focuses a lot in the romantic department, I must tell you how much I disliked the love interest. I couldn’t care less about him, despite how much Britta cares for him and vice versa. But the worst part is that at some point in the book, we learn that Britta will be involved in a love triangle. NOOOOO. I actually like the second love interest more because he sounds more interesting and it’s my favorite type of book boyfriend (hint hint) but I suffered throughout most of the book with Cohen, so what’s the point? I don’t like it this way. 🙁
So all in all, Ever the Hunted was a huge disappointment FOR ME. I just didn’t click with it, especially that the main character that has a “Chosen one” status when she clearly isn’t at all special. Maybe she’ll get better in the next installment and things will pick up, but sadly, I don’t think I will be following the series.
Ok I'm totally moving this one to the bottom of my TBR now. I've heard mixed things but your review makes me think I definitely won't enjoy the romance… I am curious about the second "P" love interest though 😉
Aww I'm sorry you didn't enjoy Ever the Hunted! I really liked it, but then again, I liked the love interest 😀 Hope your next read is better! Great review 🙂
Brittany @ Brittany's Book Rambles
Oh no. I can't stand when I all hear about is the love interest and basically their entire brain gets consumed by it. I hope your next read is going to be better! I don't think this is one I am going to be picking up myself…