The Wild Huntress

by Emily Lloyd-Jones

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

A killer competition and three contestants who find more common ground with each other than they might've thought. Get ready for The Hunt…

From the bestselling author of The Bone Houses and The Drowned Woods comes a thrilling fantasy about three unlikely allies bound together in a deadly, magical competition—perfect for fans of Holly Black and Erin A. Craig. 

Every five years, two kingdoms take part in a Wild Hunt. Joining is a bloody risk, and even the most qualified hunters can suffer the deadliest fates. Still, hundreds gamble their lives to participate—all vying for the Hunt’s life-changing prize: a magical wish granted by the Otherking.

BRANWEN possesses a gift no other human has: the ability to see and slay monsters. She’s desperate to cure her mother’s sickness, and the Wild Hunt is her only option.

GWYDION is the least impressive of his magically talented family, but with his ability to control plants and his sleight of hand, he’ll do whatever it takes to keep his cruel older brother from becoming a tyrant. 

PRYDERI is prince-born and monster-raised. Deep down, the royal crown doesn’t interest him—all he wants is to know where he belongs. 

A trickster, a prince, and a wild huntress—all in pursuit of the Champion’s prize. If they band together against the monstrous creatures within the woods, they have a chance to win. But nothing is guaranteed. After all, all are fair game in love and the Hunt.

Set in the same world as The Bone Houses and The Drowned Woods but with a whole new, unforgettable cast of characters—The Wild Huntress will have readers hooked from the very first page.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780316568142
Publisher:	Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	10/01/2024
Pages:	432
Sales rank:	16,523
Product dimensions:	5.60(w) x 8.20(h) x 1.50(d)
Age Range:	12 - 18 Years

About the Author

Emily Lloyd Jones grew up on a vineyard in rural Oregon, where she played in evergreen forests and learned to fear sheep. She has a BA in English from Western Oregon University and a MA in publishing from Rosemont College. She currently resides in Northern California, where she enjoys wandering in redwood forests. Her young adult novels include Illusive, Deceptive, The Hearts We Sold, The Bone Houses, and the The Drowned Woods. You can find her at emilylloydjones.com.

Editorial Reviews

★ 08/12/2024

Every five years, the mortal king of Dyfed and the immortal Otherking of Annwvyn hold the Wild Hunt, a friendly but lethal contest with the Otherking’s boon as a prize. Gwydion, the 19-year-old prince of Gwynedd, hires monster hunter Branwen, 18, to infiltrate the upcoming Wild Hunt, determined to use the Otherking’s boon to prevent his cruel and impulsive brother from ascending as crown prince. Branwen, meanwhile, plans to ask the Otherking to heal her mother’s failing memory; Branwen uses her unprecedented ability to see magic to enter the Hunt with Gwydion, but their true purpose as agents of an enemy kingdom is discovered by Prince Pryderi of Dyfed, 18, who seeks to win the Hunt to prove himself to his father. Despite their conflicting goals, the three team up, developing a fire-forged friendship. But as the Hunt becomes increasingly treacherous, they must weigh the cost of achieving their goals against their bonds to one another. Lloyd-Jones expands upon the Welsh folklore–inspired worlds of The Bone Houses and The Drowned Woods to craft an all-new tale of fae magic, burgeoning connection, and tragic betrayal. The chemistry of the main trio, who read as white, shines in every interaction, lending emotional heft and nail-biting tension to the intense action. Ages 12–up. Agent: Sarah Landis, Sterling Lord Literistic. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

"Readers will find Lloyd-Jones’ trademark charm and subtle humor in a compelling and fantastical package... A worthwhile and enchanting read."—Kirkus

"Branwen's characterization is balanced on a knife-edge, the setting is eerie and evocative, with just the thinnest smudge of will they/won't they romance. I loved every second of this Wild Hunt."—Jessica Hahl, Books Inc.

"My favourite fantasy novel of the last year...  I could not put it down.”—Dawn Kurtagich, author of The Dead House

“As vivid and richly woven as the Welsh myths from which it draws inspiration.”—Lyndall Clipstone, author of Unholy Terrors

“Phenomenal, packed with adventure, magic, and folklore.”—Kat Ellis, author of Harrow Lake

From the Publisher

10/01/2024

Gr 7 Up—A lethal magical competition binds three unlikely allies together as they fight for the prize: a boon from the Otherking, the immortal ruler of Annwvyn. Branwen, 18, was touched by fae magic as a babe and uses her magic sight to hunt and kill monsters. Gwydion, the prince of an enemy kingdom, hires Branwen to help him win the Wild Hunt so he can use the prize to stop his cruel older brother from seizing the throne—little does he know Branwen wants the boon for herself, to save her mother's failing memory. Their path becomes tangled with Pryderi, 18, the once-lost prince of Dyfed who wants to win to prove himself and learn where he belongs. The fast friendship makes it easy for readers to get invested in the stakes of the story as chapters alternate points of view, even as the singular grand prize means betrayal is right around the corner. Lloyd-Jones is a deft hand at emotional resonance, tugging at character and reader heartstrings right from the start and ensuring those emotions pay off by the end of the arc. The relatively simple plot keeps the story moving at a fast clip, while strong characterization makes the tale unique to the Welsh-inspired world that's home to her previous The Drowned Woods and The Bone Houses. Main characters are white. VERDICT A gripping and tightly woven adventure with high emotional stakes, recommended for purchase.—Emmy Neal

School Library Journal

Moira Quirk confidently pronounces Welsh words as she narrates this fantasy. In a land filled with magical monsters, hunters compete during the Wild Hunt to earn a prize from the immortal king. Royal Gwydion hopes to keep his cruel brother from the throne and teams up with quick-witted commoner Branwen and kind Prince Pryderi. As Quirk narrates, monsters speak with hissing tones, and Branwen's voice is often dry with sarcasm. The three main characters become gentle with each other as they grow closer. Quirk's pace increases during suspenseful scenes, and fluctuating volume belies the characters' anger and sadness as they experience grief. Although this story has heavy themes and grim moments, hope and joy also shine through. L.M. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine

DECEMBER 2024 - AudioFile

2024-07-19
Three misfits join together to compete in the Wild Hunt.

As a child, Branwen was touched by magic, allowing her to see creatures others cannot. She uses this power to hunt dangerous monsters. One day, a young man named Gwydion shows up in her village offering her a job helping him compete in the terrifying Wild Hunt, which takes place “on the last day of autumn every fifth year.” Branwen agrees, in hopes that she’ll win the boon that offers its recipient “anything that magic or power can grant.” Gwydion, who can enchant trees and plants, is the nephew of King Math of Gwynedd. Gwydion is determined to win the hunt and stop the king from naming Amaethon, his violent older brother, as heir. Upon joining the Wild Hunt, Gwydion and Branwen (along with her excellent cat, Palug) meet Pryderi, a prince who was kidnapped and raised by monsters. He’s struggling to find his place in the world after being found by his father, the king of Dyfed. As the three find their paths inextricably linked, they desperately try to outsmart other players in the hunt—but a shocking betrayal threatens everything they’re working for. Told in alternating viewpoints, this sparkling novel moves at a rapid clip, quickly developing connections among the immensely likable characters. Readers will find Lloyd-Jones’ trademark charm and subtle humor in a compelling and fantastical package. Main characters in this Welsh-inspired world are cued white.

A worthwhile and enchanting read. (map)(Fantasy. 14-18)

Kirkus Reviews