Author: Meagan Spooner
Series: No, Hunted is a standalone
Pages: 374
Publication Date: March 14, 2017
Publisher: Harper Collins
Source: I checked out the audiobook of Hunted from my local library via the app Libby.
New York Times bestselling author Meagan Spooner spins a thoroughly thrilling Beauty and the Beast story for the modern age, expertly woven with spellbinding romance, intrigue, and suspense that readers won’t soon be able to forget.
Beauty knows the Beast's forest in her bones—and in her blood. After all, her father is the only hunter who’s ever come close to discovering its secrets. So when her father loses his fortune and moves Yeva and her sisters out of their comfortable home among the aristocracy and back to the outskirts of town, Yeva is secretly relieved. Out in the wilderness, there’s no pressure to make idle chatter with vapid baronessas . . . or to submit to marrying a wealthy gentleman. But Yeva’s father’s misfortune may have cost him his mind, and when he goes missing in the woods, Yeva sets her sights on one prey: the creature he’d been obsessively tracking just before his disappearance. The Beast.
Deaf to her sisters’ protests, Yeva hunts this strange creature back into his own territory—a cursed valley, a ruined castle, and a world of magical creatures that Yeva’s only heard about in fairy tales. A world that can bring her ruin, or salvation. Who will survive: the Beauty, or the Beast?
Hunted is a Beauty and the Beast retelling written by Meagan Spooner. I have read other books by Spooner, but only her co-authored books by Amie Kaufman. I was interested to see what my experience would be with Hunted. I don't gravitate towards fairy-tale retellings, or retellings in general, but I still wanted to give this a go, and I'm glad I did.
I absolutely loved Yeva, the protagonist. She is the "Beauty" in the story, and I thought her personality was complex and the most interesting of all the characters. Yeva, while kind like Belle in the film, is much more nuanced. She yearns to venture out and explore the world, but is tied down to her town and the growing responsibility to take care of her family. Yeva isn't like most women in her town - she does not want to be tied down to a man in the village, is self-reliant, and has a passion for hunting. Combine those traits with Yeva's devotion and love for her family, and we have a compelling main character that I wholeheartedly rooted for!
I absolutely loved Yeva, the protagonist. She is the "Beauty" in the story, and I thought her personality was complex and the most interesting of all the characters. Yeva, while kind like Belle in the film, is much more nuanced. She yearns to venture out and explore the world, but is tied down to her town and the growing responsibility to take care of her family. Yeva isn't like most women in her town - she does not want to be tied down to a man in the village, is self-reliant, and has a passion for hunting. Combine those traits with Yeva's devotion and love for her family, and we have a compelling main character that I wholeheartedly rooted for!
My main struggle with Hunted was the exposition. The book actually begins with the Beast's narration, and then introduces Yeva and her lifestyle. It was only until Yeva goes after her father that I began to be truly interested in the book. Until then, I was a bit bored with the life Yeva led. While Spooner probably wanted to emphasize how provincial her life was, it also made me less intrigued. I also struggled a bit with the Beast's point of view for the majority of the book. It was only when the Beast and Yeva where apart from each other that I enjoyed his perspective. While interesting, I don't think all of his chapters were necessary.
As I mentioned, once Yeva happened upon the Beast's castle, the book really picked up. The world Yeva stumbles upon is magical and entertainig. There's spells, curses, impossible creatures. I loved that Spooner leaned more into the fantasical side of Beauty and the Beast. Exploring this new world was fascinating, entertaining, and allowed for growth for both main characters, alone and together.
Keep in mind that while this is a Beauty and the Beast retelling, the romance isn't the focus of the book. When I think of the Disney classic movie, the romance between the Beast and Belle is at the forefront of my mind. The snow scenes, her teaching how to read, and obviously, the ball! Hunted does have some scenes that hearken back to the movie, but their relationship isn't nearly as glamorous as the one in the film. If you are looking for a book that goes hand in hand with the movie, this isn't that book. However, I thought Spooner's focus on the fantastical world, hunting, and Yeva's wild spirit added to the story we all know from the movie.
Though I don't read retellings often, Hunted stands out from others I have read. Spooner's world focuses on the fantastical much more than the film, and focuses less on the romance. The secondary characters, namely Yeva's family, were well done and their interactions seemed completely genuine. Though it took me a bit longer than usual to become invested in the book, reading Hunted was worth my time, and hopefully, yours as well!
With that, I give Hunted
4 out of 5 Bow and Arrows!
Have you read Hunted? What did you think?
Though I don't read retellings often, Hunted stands out from others I have read. Spooner's world focuses on the fantastical much more than the film, and focuses less on the romance. The secondary characters, namely Yeva's family, were well done and their interactions seemed completely genuine. Though it took me a bit longer than usual to become invested in the book, reading Hunted was worth my time, and hopefully, yours as well!
With that, I give Hunted
4 out of 5 Bow and Arrows!
Have you read Hunted? What did you think?
Thanks so much for stopping by and I'll see you soon with another post!
Happy Reading!
Genni @ Ready, Set, Read!
I remember this one when it came out last year because it was a stand-alone fantasy - not something I see a lot of. Too bad the Beast’s chapters didn’t really seem necessary because it seems like he could have added a unique perspective. Even so, sounds like this one had a lot going for it, especially with Yeva. Glad you enjoyed this one!
ReplyDeleteYou're right, there aren't a lot of standlone fantasy novels, but they seem to be well loved! The Beast's chapters got a lot better by the last act and were necessary then, but his earlier chapters weren't that strong.
DeleteThanks for visiting Tanya!
I remember when this one came out, but I haven't had the chance to pick it up. It sounds pretty good though so hopefully I'll get the chance to read it soon.
ReplyDeleteI hope you pick it up soon! It was worth the read. :)
DeleteThis looks pretty good! I kind of wanted to read this one (mostly because I loved the cover) and I should grab it while I'm thinking about it. I like the sound of the fantastical elements being more prominent.
ReplyDeleteThe cover is gorgeous! If I wasn't aware of the author, I think I would have still picked it up eventually because of the cover. I'm looking forward to your thoughts Greg!
DeleteI like that the romance isn't a big focus! And I love the sound of the characters, too. Yeva seems awesome.
ReplyDeleteIt's a pity about the exposition, though :( I hate, hate, hate that in books. But I still think I'd be able to enjoy the book. The characters seem worth reading about!
Brilliant review.
I really liked that too! The movie is so romance-oriented, and I really loved that there was a stronger focus on Yeva and her family.
DeleteThe exposition wasn't as bad as some other books I've read, but it bothered me a little bit.
Thanks Amy!!
I'm so happy that you enjoyed this Genni! I loved Yeva too, but I felt like I was missing something from her family and life in the village.
ReplyDeleteI actually really liked her family, but did think the life in the village was quite lacking. I did love how it all ended though. :)
DeleteI love hearing about a good fairy tale retelling. Sometimes it works better to start right in the thick of the action though, and then fill in the backstory!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you! It's nice sometimes to just be dropped into a world, and then learn about it as the characters traverse through it. Thanks for stopping by Lindsey!
DeleteI've been wanting to read this book since it was released, but people seemed to either really love it or hate it. I love that it's not exactly following the movie though, there's so much more than the Disney movie! Thank you for sharing, and wonderful review!
ReplyDeleteTasya // The Literary Huntress
Hi Tasya! Thanks for stopping by. :) I haven't seen too many negative reviews, but I'd be interested to see what they would have to say! I agree; there is much more than a Disney movie! I don't read too many retellings, but I liked this one enough to give the genre a better look.
Delete