Review: Ever the Hunted by Erin Summerill

Ever the Hunted

Author: Erin Summerill

Release Date: December 27, 2016

Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers

Clash of Kingdoms Book #1

ISBN:   0544664450

ISBN13: 9780544664456

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Review Copy Source: Edelweiss

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.

There was a lot involved in EVER THE HUNTED, but Erin Summerill did a great job of setting up the world and pacing out the action.

Britta is only seventeen, but she appeared older to me. I found her to be strong, a little willful, and very determined. I won't go into explanations for fear of spoilers, but Britta experiences a lot of loss in EVER THE HUNTED. I'm not sure how she functioned for half of it, but she is a fighter and did a great job of keeping her head in the game that she was forced to play. Cohen was extremely easy to like after you got to know him and he added a lot to the storyline. Their relationship isn't easy and there is a lot of history, but they worked well together and you can't help but root for them.

I have a tiny complaint. There seem to be a love triangle coming and after everything Cohen and Britta went through, I'm not sure how much I will be able to connect to a new love interest if it is indeed going to happen.

The world building was great. Every scene and location was set up in a way that had me lost in every bit of it. I didn't want to stop reading for fear of losing the flow. The different kingdoms that makes up the world were both interesting and the conflicts that they were facing were easy to understand. EVER THE BRAVE is already on my wishlist and I look forward to seeing how the story ends.

I gave it 4/5 stars

* This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.