Series: Feral Child Trilogy #2
Format Read: eGalley
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Challenges: NetGalley and Edelweiss ARCs, Winter 2014-2015 COYER
Release Date: January 6, 2015
Buying Links: Amazon*
| Book Depository* | OmniLit* | Barnes & Noble | * affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.
Blurb from goodreads:
"Gripping, mystical and adventurous, young readers will be as hooked as Maddy was the minute she set foot inside that creepy as hell old castle," raved Irish World said of The Feral Child.
Maddy's adventures continue in The Unicorn Hunter. The adults of Blarney have always lived in fear. The faeries of Tir na nOg exist on their doorstep, and they could unleash terror on the mortal realm at any time.
But eleven-year-old Maddy is not afraid. The unicorn that holds the key to balance and peace in both worlds is injured, and Maddy knows she is the only one who can track down whoever hurt her.
Can Maddy survive the force and cunning of the Tuatha, who rule Tir na nOg? Or will she end up a mere pawn in their own power games?
Readers will enjoy the frank and bold heroine of Maddy, and will be dazzled by The Unicorn Hunter's evocative rendering of Irish folklore and richly imagined alternate worlds.
Maddy is back and she's as angry and headstrong as she was in the first book. Golden writes vivid characters; they're memorable and leave a mark on you. Love them or hate them, you feel something about them. I don't love Maddy, she's hard to love, but I like her as a character. As a real person, I'd be mightily tempted to slap her one and she's only eleven! Bad Bea, no hitting the child. :P I completely understand why her grandparents, especially her Granda, lose patience with her. At the same time, I can't help but feel they could both be more understanding and compassionate.
Anyway, almost a year has passed since the first book, and Maddy's still angry, the townspeople are still scared, and the fae are still scary-ass ****ers. These are not nice, sweet, cuddly fae. They'd just as soon eat you as say hi to you. So, naturally they all want Maddy. Some want her dead, some want her enslaved, some want, well, need more than want, her help. Also back are her cousins and a couple of fae from the first book who we could safely call her enemies. So naturally she has to team up with them, and her cousins tag along.
The story was a fast read despite being almost 300 pages and despite the fact that her mission doesn't start until about 60, 65% into the book. We get lots of set up, Maddy resisting and playing tricks on the fae and making rash, stupid demands before they finally set off on their quest. Did I mention Maddy was brash and demanding and that she hates the fae? Yeah, that comes back to bite her in the butt big time. She learns some harsh lessons about being blinded by your emotions and acting without thinking. But, will those lessons stick or will she have to learn them all over again? How, can she even, get out of the tangle she's created for herself? Who else will suffer for her actions? There's one book left and I can't see how Golden will wind everything up.
"The Unicorn Hunter", though aimed for middle grade readers, is not for the faint of heart. It's gripping, terrifying, and fascinating but some young readers might find it too harsh. But it's a wonderful tale of growing up, of consequences, of belief and hope, and even of love, in its myriad forms. I didn't love the first book, had qualms about continuing, but I'm glad I did and I'm raring for the next book. Which my library doesn't have and it's not on NetGalley or Edelweiss. I may have to break down and buy it. :D
This has a lot of depth for an MG book, I never would have guessed and no Bea you cannot hit the child..but her in a corner.
ReplyDeleteNot usually a genre I read but it does sound good. I'd have to read the first book first though.
ReplyDelete